The name's Gaburuslow. I’m a mage.
In my youth, I made a name for myself as a skilled mage, traveling the lands and eventually securing state funding. Since then, I’ve walked the path of a magic researcher.
My achievements?
Well, I did quite a bit back in the day. Ever heard of the Margost Dungeon? Right, the place everyone calls a "tourist dungeon" these days. My party was the first one to ever clear it. And I wasn't some bench-warmer, either; I was right there in the thick of it when we reached the end.
Don't look so skeptical. Look, I’ve got the Dungeon Conquest Commemorative Medal to prove it. See my name engraved right there? And this is the letter of appreciation I received from the crown. My name’s on that, too.
There, you finally believe me. I’ve done plenty of other things, too. If I had to pick the highlight... it would have to be encountering a Wyvern in the Iron Forest and living to tell the tale. That’s right—a Wyvern from the Iron Forest itself. I nearly died, but I managed to slip away. Unfortunately, I don't have any physical proof for that one, but feel free to gaze upon me with admiration regardless.
Wait, what? My achievements as a researcher?
Well... it might be a bit technical, but I successfully optimized Level 3 Fire Magic to produce the output of a Level 4 spell.
...
Hey, that’s your cue to look impressed. "Oh! Are you the man who created that Flame Magic?" you're supposed to ask. You haven't heard of it? Is it really not that famous? It’s considered quite a feat in my circles...
Well, whatever. My research mainly focuses on refining mid-tier magic. I’d love to invent entirely new spells, but the collateral damage when those experiments fail is just too high. Case in point: the First Experimental Area blew up yesterday at noon, didn't it? That’s what happens. I don't touch that sort of thing. Safety first, always.
Instead, I improve existing spells and publish my findings in books. You want to know if it's lucrative? It certainly is. People are practically tripping over each other to read my work. There’s a waiting list of people piling up gold coins just for a look.
Impressive, isn't it? You want to see? Well, I’m afraid that’s a bit...
Stop doubting me! Fine! I’ll just show you the magic myself. Come on, we're going to the experimental area. The second one, obviously.
"So? This is the grand result of your research?"
"It appears so."
"No matter how you look at it, it’s a pathetic little spell, isn't it?"
"The magic power consumption has been reduced, so the efficiency is fairly high... well, marginally."
Two women stood beside me, bickering as I performed my magic. One of them looked like she belonged to the Angel Race, but... wait. How did it come to this?
I had come to the Second Experimental Area with the fellow who came to interview me, intending to show off my prized magic. But when I turned to the interviewer with a smug grin, I found two women standing there instead. Furthermore, these two were now demanding I perform one spell after another. I’d been going along with it because of their strangely overbearing auras, but... should I be getting angry?
"Hey, let me confirm something. You're Gaburuslow, Attoma's disciple, right?"
"Eh? Ah, yes. That's me."
Wait. They knew my master? And they used his first name? Were they acquaintances of his? My master is a world-famous mage, but he’s notoriously anti-social; I didn't think he had any friends to speak of.
"So, you're the real deal. Attoma recommended you, but based on this, the magic that blew up the First Experimental Area sounds much more interesting."
Snap.
I felt something in me snap. Was she really suggesting that explosion-maniac was better than me? Don't get cocky with me, little girl. My abilities have already surpassed my master's... I think. Probably! If you think I’m just some pushover of an old man, I’ll show you just how wrong you are!
"For starters, if you're talking about magic efficiency, you should at least be able to do this," one of the women said.
The target wooden training dummy was instantly incinerated, reduced to a pile of ash.
...
Was that a Level 7 magic spell cast chantlessly? And did she really use no more magic power than a Level 1 spell?
...
Ahem.
I am a mild-mannered, patient old man. Yes, that’s me. So, um... what business do you two ladies have with me today?
Their business turned out to be scouting. Apparently, they're opening a private school and are looking for instructors.
Some sort of academy for royalty, I assumed. No? A school to teach magic to... commoners? And you want me to teach there?
W-well, listen, I am technically one of the preeminent researchers in the world of magic, and—
Wait, what? My master is joining too? Seriously? That master? He’s actually leaving his house? Oh, you made him leave. I see. And then he dragged me into this by giving you my name...
I’d like to give my master one good, hard punch to the gut; where is he? It's been thirty years, but I won't hold back. Hahaha.
Ah, well, it’s a lovely offer, but I have my own work to attend to—
Wait, you don't need me? You'll just take the explosion-maniac instead? You’re telling me to just stay here and rot with my research?
...
I’m not getting heated. I am cool. I’m ticked off, sure, but I know better than to lose my temper here.
...
Oh, you’re leaving? Right this way, then.
...
............
It's fine. I am cool.
...
..................
Wait just a damn minute! You’re telling me that explosion-obsessed fool is better than me?! I’ll prove I’m the superior mage! I’m coming too!
As an aside, there was one thing my master always used to brag about: that Lulucy Lou was his teacher. You know who I mean, right? The Lulucy. The vampire known as the Vampire Princess, an unparalleled mage. She’s considered one of the top three people in the world when it comes to magic item creation and magical pharmaceutics. The fact that she taught my master was a huge part of why I became his disciple in the first place.
What I’m trying to say is that Lulucy Lou is incredible. And her rival is Tia of the Angel Race—the "Annihilation Angel." She’s an unparalleled mage in her own right, said to be the best in the world at golem summoning magic. She’s also incredible.
...It turns out that if I work diligently at the private school, I might actually get to learn a thing or two from them. This might not be so bad after all.
Wait, Flora Sakt is going to be there too? I’d love to pick her brain about healing magic. Actually, looking at the lineup of people being gathered... isn't this insane? It’s like every high-tier freelance mage in the world is being rounded up.
Oh, and I’m allowed to keep up my research in my downtime? Heh. I’ll show them all what I’m truly capable of.
By the way, that fellow who originally came to interview me has reappeared. You hightailed it out of there, didn't you? You left me alone with those two and ran. No? You’re also a mage who got scouted along the way? And your job was just to help track me down...
I see. In that case, you must be well aware of my great deeds. You’re a mage, after all.
...Actually, that’s the kind of moment where you’re supposed to lie and say you knew, even if you didn't. That hurts.
Well, whatever. If we're going to be colleagues, let's try to get along. For now... we need to find some students. I can't believe there isn't a single one yet. But with me—ahem—with us there, I’m sure they’ll come flocking in no time.
Let's get to work.