Almark – Northern Sword, Southern Wand
chasing after animals
The next day.
Torque came into the magic practice area with his usual scowl on his face.
"Torque. I'm glad you're here.
Armark called out to him.
I hope you have a good day.
Torque just shrugged his shoulders and didn't even give Armark a glance.
"Dr. Ilmis.
He then walked over to Ilmis and bowed his head.
I'll be babysitting Armark today.
'Torque?'
Ilmis saw the expression on Torque's face and his mouth dropped.
'Well, it's your choice.
Torque silently bowed his head once more and finally looked back at Armark, stepping toward him with a broad stride.
"Torque, nice to meet you.
He did not answer, but looked at Radomar, who was meditating on the wall.
That's the one who can't even meditate for two years?
Do you know about it?
You know him too?" "Deg and Garain told me.
Toruk stopped in front of Armark and crossed his arms, looking away from Radomar in boredom.
He said, "I've got a couple of energetic sophomores who'll be poking around, so look forward to it. I was going to grab him by the chest and throw him to the ground, but what do I know? You're calm and meditative.
Oh.
Armark smiles.
I think it was a good thing I listened to Rirti's song yesterday.
"Lilti's song?
Torque sniffed disinterestedly and unexpectedly extended his right hand towards Armark.
The fingers moved smoothly as if they were playing invisible music in the air.
Ugh!
Armark couldn't help but exclaim.
I'm not sure what to do.
"A beast chasing technique?
Armark looked around.
Everything he had passed through, from the entrance to where he was now, was glowing faintly.
This is the art of tracking animals.
It is a magic that adds color to the scent of the target and tracks it.
I remembered this pale light well.
I remember this pale light very well, because Torque had used it when he and Armark had chased after Jaranon.
"You remembered?
Torg waved his hand in the air.
The light on Armark's body disappeared.
You can use it now.
Torque looked at Armark.
The back of his eyes were glowing.
"Yeah.
Armark nodded.
"At least.
Torque laughed and turned himself around.
'Sir, I'm going to go outside.
Torque then walked straight to the exit of the practice area, where he looked back at Armark.
Count to a hundred slowly. Then follow me with the Beast Chase.
"Okay.
Without even looking at Armark, who nodded, Toruk walked out of the practice area.
When he heard the door close, he began to count slowly in his mind.
98, 99, 100.
When he finished counting to the promised number, he took a deep breath.
He gathered the magic power he had kneaded into his right hand.
The method of activating the beast chasing technique that Torque had demonstrated earlier was unique to him.
As Armark learned in class, he kneeled down and held his palm up to the spot where Torque had just stood.
As he imagined Torque walking away, he slowly released his magic power.
The magic is thin and broad, like a mist that spreads over a wide area.
And within that, only the place where Torque is trapped should shine.
Invisible magic filled the practice area.
Eventually, a yellow light appeared on the floor.
The light led straight to the exit.
'Sir, I'm going after Torque.
Armark said and walked away.
"Mmm. Try not to get hurt.
Ilmis replied.
The light continued out of the practice area and beyond the school building.
It was still light when they had followed Jalanon before, but today the sun had long since set. The yellow light illuminated the destination of the person he was chasing much more clearly than that time.
Armark stepped on the light as he walked along the road at night.
On the way, whenever the light seemed to break, he would reapply the beast chasing technique.
When he was chasing after Jalanon.
Armark recalled.
Torque had never reapplied the spell.
That's why Armark was able to follow the light without looking back at Torque.
With just one spell, he was able to make the light reach the body of Jaranon, a long way away.
Torque is amazing, after all.
After practicing the same magic, Armark also understood.
I think I can understand why Degu and Garain call him "my respected" Torque.
The beast-chasing light that Armark had created was following a path that led into the forest, but it suddenly veered off the path.
The light continued to flicker and flicker until it reached the end of the narrow path behind the bushes.
The constant brightness made it even more difficult to see his feet.
Armark left his right hand for the beast chasing technique and lit a flame on the palm of his left hand.
The flame in his left hand illuminated his feet, and the light of the beast chase illuminated his path.
The yellow light that showed Torque where to go was making its way over several bushes without hesitation.
Armark smiled.
He imagined Toruk walking down the road at night with a pouty look on his face.
Armark followed the light.
He realized that he was a long way from the school building.
He had already passed through a few bushes and was following the light.
Suddenly, they found themselves in an open field.
It was a place that Armark had never been before.
There are still many places like this in the academy grounds.
In the middle of the field stood Torque.
His body was glowing brightly.
When he saw that Armark had stepped into the field, he noisily wiped off his robe with his hand.
So the light of Armark's beast chase dissipated and disappeared.
That was quicker than I thought.
Torque said.
If you hadn't come, I would have been prepared to spend the night here.
You didn't stray too far from the path, did you?
Armark replied.
I couldn't have gotten here in one go like you did. I had to recreate the spell several times.
My imagination is poor.
Torque said mockingly.
You're only imagining the magic to be spread thinly.
No?
Armark's eyes widened.
The yellow light that had illuminated Torque's steps disappeared, leaving only the flame of Armark's lamp technique to illuminate the two of them.
'Of course not!'
Torque laughed aloud.
I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. Without that image, the magic will just fade away and disappear.
"So that's what it is.
I'm not sure what to do.
I'm not sure what to do.
"Hmm.
Torque sniffed and held out his hands.
I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.
I'm not sure what to do.
I'm not sure what to make of that.
But once you know the first direction they went, all you have to do is figure out which way to turn. There is no need to spread the magic as thin and wide as at first.
Do we converge from there?
It's a good idea to focus your magic in the direction you expect it to go. That way, the magic power will reach farther.
"I see.
Armark nodded.
It makes sense.
You can use this magic power in other ways as well.
You'll learn a lot.
"And that's about it.
Torque's voice changed.
I'm done playing teacher.
"Playing teacher?
Armark smiled and looked at Torque.
What do you mean?
What do you mean? ─ If you are in the field, you will be under the eye of Dr. Irmis. I can't do anything rash.
You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few.
This is why I came all the way down here.
I'm not sure what to make of it.
I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.
A kind of invisible pressure grazed his face and shook his hair.
You've got good instincts.
Torque laughed.
But he knew that his eyes were not smiling at all.
'I didn't expect you to teach me magic in a normal way either.
Armark said.
What are you going to do here?
What are you doing here? Hmm, you seem to be getting pretty good at magic.
Torque said in a low voice.
I'll measure your strength.
I'm going to be the first to admit that I'm not a fan of this kind of thing.
It's a contest between wizards.
"A match?
Armark smiled.
I like that. I like that word.
Pull it out.
Torque spat on the ground.
Torque spat on the ground, "It's not like martial arts. Now's the time to get your tail between your legs.
No.
Armark shook his head.
No," Armark shook his head, "let's do this, Torque. Let's do it, Torg. I'm gonna need your help.
You won't regret it.
Torque's mouth twisted into a smile.
"Well, by the time you regret it, you might have broken a rib or two.