My Old Life
Staring at my master, I silently sat down on the couch opposing him.
Of course, I had many questions I wanted to ask him, but I was sure he'd have something interesting to say first.
"Hm... Looks like you've improved a little."
My magic over the past month had actually improved very little, so he had to be referring to my body and perhaps my reflex.
"Yes."
I answered plainly without any fanfare.
"Good. Apologies for leaving you alone for a month, anyway, remember that I said I'd be able to teach you something new after you defeated that snake?"
'Right, he did say something like that.'
I nodded my head.
"I've prepared a trial which if completed should allow you to reach the third layer, after which I'll be able to teach you a cool trick."
Rather than the 'cool trick', I was more interested in the trial.
"The trial, what do I have to do?"
Without saying anything, my master dug around in his suit pocket, eventually bringing out a black marble.
I studied it intently, sensing some kind of magic emanating off it.
"This ball, once broken, will release an array of various mental magics that will place you under an illusion."
I frowned, not too pleased at the idea of being trapped in a genjutsu.
That sucked.
But such steps were necessary for my first enlightenment.
I had been trying to achieve an enlightenment for a while, but I was unable to come to any conclusions.
Normal mages could reach a small enlightenment by solving a problem in their magic or fundamentally changing certain views, but this was far more difficult for me.
The only magic I can use is, well, magic bullet.
How much more was there to know about it?
Of course, I couldn't claim to have mastered the spell, at least when compared to how my master had used it a while ago, but I was not at a point where my understanding of the spell could change completely.
My master knew this, and thus prepared a trial for me.
"So, what's the illusion, then?"
"I can't say exactly what it'll be, it'll just bring some sort of trauma out from the recesses of your mind and you'll have to deal with it."
I must have made an ugly expression, because my master spoke up again.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure you'll be able to deal with it."
'Words of encouragement, huh?'
It was probably the first time I had received such a sentiment from my master.
I had nothing to fear when it came to this life.
Sure, I had not had the greatest of upbringings, but I was far from being traumatised.
Rather than that, I was concerned about memories of my previous life.
The one in which I had lived as a criminal.
It wasn't something I exactly wanted to come to terms with.
I'm in a new world now, so why worry about such bothersome things?
Changing my thoughts, I asked my master a different question.
"Yeah, I'll be fine... By the way, I heard you've been working on a medicine?"
My master did not immediately respond, so I continued.
"I'm sure someone of your caliber can't get sick, right?"
As his silence persisted, I wondered if it was a touchy subject I shouldn't have asked about.
My muscles tensed as I prepared to receive a wave of killing intent.
But to my surprise, all my master did was sigh.
"Indeed, my astute disciple, I can't get sick so easily, so the medicine must be for someone else, correct?"
I furrowed my eyebrows as he repeated my question.
"I appreciate your concern, but it's nothing that you can assist me with, so focus on growing stronger."
"Well... if you say so."
I inspected the black marble closely in curiosity.
My master had given it to me and told me to use it whenever I was ready
'Can't say I'm eager to deal with whatever's in this.'
But I couldn't give up on a challenge just because I was uncomfortable with my past.
I waited till next morning, sleeping properly, eating well and doing some light training to ensure I was in perfect condition.
Going to my room, I lightly threw the orb upwards.
"Precise Magic Bullet."
The orb exploded, and I felt my conscious darken as my body fell to the ground.
I woke up in a familar place.
Yet at the same time, it felt terribly unfamiliar.
Getting off my bed, I looked around my old apartment.
It was fairly luxurious, considering I had been making a lot of money before I had died.
Still, it stunk of alcohol and drugs.
'...So, what's the goal here?'
[Quest Generated!]
[Small Enlightenment]
Confront your death to achieve a small enlightenment.
Reward: Progress to the third layer.
'Confront my death, huh?'
I supposed this was the day of my death.
I paced around my apartment, thinking what to do.
Thud!
"Damn, this body."
I tripped, being unfamiliar with using my old, larger body.
After a while, I had recollected the sequence of events that would lead me to my death.
I never got to know why exactly I had died and who it was that had done it.
All I remembered was one of my good friends, as well as a criminal associate, texted me to meet him for drinks in the evening.
And I did so, I distinctly remembered having a good time.
...But when I drunkenly returned to my car.
I frowned, shifting my thoughts.
'Wait, what exactly does confront my death mean?'
Surely I wasn't expected to just cleanly go through the day as I had done before, accepting my death.
Confrontation...
Well, to me, that would mean finding out who had killed me and taking revenge upon them.
"...Then, let's go with that."
I still did not want to believe that my friend was the one responsible for my death.
Surely, it was just a coincidence that someone had followed me out the bar and shot me, right?
I was making it up within my organisation, so there were no shortage of people who wanted me dead.
I spent most of the morning and afternoon, deep in thought as to what I should do.
At the time I had expected, my phone began ringing.
"Ay, #####, let's say me an' you go get some drinks tonight at the new place uptown, eh? I got a lucky break last night, so I'll pay."
I smiled bitterly before responding.
"Alright, asshole, if you're paying that's good enough for me."
"That's what I'm talkin' about, I'll meet you there at ten."
He cut the call afterwards, and I got ready to go.
But this time, I needed to be more prepared.
I put on lightweight ballistics vest below my shirt, something thin enough to protect me but not thick enough to be noticeable when I was wearing a suit.
Usually, I would carry a pistol on me at all times.
"Mmm... Even if I say I'm with a family, would the bouncers let me in with this?"
Whatever, I'll burn that bridge when I get there.
I took a small submachinegun with me, as well as my regular handgun.
Whoever it was that shot me, they'd be in for a surprise.
LOG 21 - THE ALMADEL FAMILY & THE ALMADELIC ART
One of the five great magical families of the Key Empire. They are known to be reserved and eccentric in personality. Throughout the empire they are known as the greatest family of alchemists, being able to commune with spirit beasts and form contracts with them. It goes without saying, their combat power is also excellent, thanks to their ability to contract with legendary beasts and spirits.
