Common Year 2691…. City of Salenburg Brennaburg Kingdom Hyras Empire

City residents reported that There was a strange sound coming from the old city's sewers. in the Charlottenberg area The city magician's association accepted this job. and prepared to assign an inspection mission to the Sect's sorcerer.

Accepting this mission is Freya von Hellenwald, a sixteen year old girl. An apprentice mage who is nearly finished with his training. Her mission today is Drain pipe inspection See what exactly that strange sound is? Some kind of monster or energy? She promised that she would work hard to do this job.

Because it was a test before she graduated and attained full magus status. It was a ticket to open the way for her to face the wider world as a sword master. Just like everyone else In a family that has been a sorcerer for a long time

But then, when she came down into this sewer She had to face many things… depth, darkness, and loneliness… She began to think, This task might be harder than originally thought… So what would she have to face down here? What is it? And is there something more?

It's time to dive into the pipe.

[This short story It is a short story submitted to the Fantasy Roundtable competition - the topic is Magical Girl, Special Sense, Sewer]

[Latest - The results of the contest have come out.... I got second place. Both in the judges' scores and public score :

v ]

[This short story is part of the universe.

Into the Light]

Freya von Hellenwald, a sixteen year old human girl. Some of them wore apprentice mage robes and high, wide-brimmed witch hats. Walking in a dark corridor A line beneath the city was completely dark, the only light being the light from the blue crystal head of his wand. It was revealed that the floor and walls were made of stones and bricks that looked even older than her grandfather's time. The road ahead was nothing but darkness.

It was dark, almost silent. There were a few sounds that could be heard... the sound of dripping water... the sound of water flowing from far away... the sound of rats running away. And the sound of insects crawling in a hole or crevice somewhere that she really didn't want to know about... The old city sewers were a place that normal people rarely came down to...

But it happened that she was not an ordinary person. She is a trainee magician of the association. The person assigned to do the mission And it will be the last mission. Before she was certified as a sorcerer

Freya walked forward. and keep moving forward Heading into the mysterious darkness Heading towards the mission given to him by the association... investigating and identifying the strange things that appeared in this sewer. According to the residents' complaints... there was a loud noise coming from the nearby old city sewers. Charlottenberg District Salenburg city…

The city mage association assigned Freya. The sorcerer trained him to come down and do this mission.

At first, Freya felt a bit scared... wading into the sewers. It was considered a somewhat creepy job... not because it was a putrid place. She has the magical power to create a force field of air that she can breathe. So the stench in the pipes isn't a problem... The real problem is the darkness and loneliness...

A young girl is alone in a tube with nothing but darkness, bricks and stones, rats and insects... and if worst comes... something down there.

“It's okay ... Freya ...” the girl said to herself, taking in a breath. Let your breath out. “It's nothing.”

But it didn't help much. Her heart was still pounding in her chest. Pretending to dance even more vigorously

Why? …. The girl asked herself… Why did she have to come down here?

That's right... Freya accepted this mission out of intention and necessity.

This is the last mission. If Freya succeeds She would become a full-fledged mage... she would be able to accept various jobs, and if she could pass a mission like this, She was ready for anything.

Freya was born into a low-ranking noble family of the Brennaburg Kingdom. One of the member states of the Hyras Empire. Her father and grandfather were both magi who served the kingdom's great nobles. Magical power flows in the blood. And with these abilities It also has duties.

Her older sister, Clara, was a court sorcerer... Her second brother, Heinrich, was a sorcerer in the Landwehr army... They were waiting... Waiting. The youngest girl was invited to join the energetic group. The Imperial Sorcerers

“It's okay...Freya,” the girl said and began chanting a mantra. Try to keep your mind calm.

... The mind is the master, the body is the slave ...

... what he saw what he heard Can't find the true essence...

... This world is driven by power. And the power is one with mine...

“There's nothing there,” Freya said as she looked ahead.

There was nothing in that darkness....or was there? … This place is full of darkness. The only light in here was the light from her own crystal wand... If there was anyone here, He had to see her first....or else he...

"It's okay...we're good," Freya consoled herself. “Whatever it is...we can handle it...”

She was an apprentice mage... specialized mainly in fire magic... and had followed her teacher and senior to fight against monsters in the forest. Be it a direwolf or an earth dragon. No matter what monster She had faced and conquered them all before.

But ... that was when she was on Earth. Not in this dark underground place… And at that time, she still had a partner to help her. But in this place She was alone. Within complete darkness

Freya kept walking. The darkness ahead receded. The darkness behind spreads back. Chased and flowed back following the soft glow of light Around her there was nothing but bricks lined up. In some spots, there were rusted iron grates and grooves with stale water flowing through them. Foul vapors rose up but were blocked and purified by the force field around them.

The sound of shoes echoed all the way. It was the only clearest voice, as if it were her friend. friends beside But it was just there. Can't talk or ask anything... but at least it's better than nothing.

The mind must focus ... she told herself ... focus on the present. Focus on the energy waves around you. Because it is the best ally ... Energy is the friend and tool of the sorcerer, waiting to be touched, picked up and used ... As for the present, it is the state. Tell them where they are. Tell yourself to be mindful. Do not be distracted by what has already happened and what is yet to come.

Within this darkness, some energy was flowing… It made her uncomfortable… If it was someone else. They probably want to stay away from it. But Freya is a sorcerer. She could feel various energies. Because it is an ability is a feature and with knowledge She could understand that it was some kind of magic wave, some weak, some strong, but it was energy.

There wasn't anything daunting at all. For a mage who had to deal with it normally.

But it's worth thinking about... She said to herself... Why does this water pipe have such a concentrated magical energy?

What is it? … An underground graveyard?

Underground ancient ruins? And what's in there? Skeleton army? An ancient sorcerer?

Dimensional door? Is it the devil?

The more she thought about it, the more she shook her head ... Thinking too much ... You'll know if you'll find something soon ... If you can handle it, She will handle it. But if you can't do anything She will go back and report to the guild. Let them send others. Come down and deal with it...no matter what the outcome is. Her mission would be considered successful anyway.

Freya stopped walking for a moment and took out a clear medicine bottle. There was a cool, transparent blue liquid in it. She slowly turned the cork open and lifted it up to take a sip. A water-like liquid, but tingly and cool, flows down the throat. Soon a coldness spread through every vein. The vision that had previously been dim became clear again.

The guild's magic potion...a cold potion meant to replenish magic power...even now, her magic power was still intact. But she had a habit of taking medicine when she felt anxious... at least the cool vapor of the medicine calmed her mind. But it's still a waste ... But, as soon as she becomes a registered magician, She gradually reduced - stopped - quitting her bad habits. Like this later.

But when she put the medicine bottle back into her bag, She heard something different...it was different. It was not the sound of water or the sound of small animals, but....the sound of footsteps. And the sound of cold steam....

Yes... Cold cough... At this moment, the girl began to feel a cold breeze. Even though there shouldn't be any cold or wind in here... Right now, her muscles were starting to tense. The right hand that was holding the wand clenched it tightly. The light on the crystal shone even more intensely. She began to channel some of her power into the wand. to increase the intensity of the light

“Here it is,” Freya gritted her teeth, preparing herself. “Alright… let's see what exactly you are?”

She thought she was ready. But something is still holding me back... uncertainty? … unpreparedness? … It shouldn't be. She was sure she was ready. Both subjects and abilities So she took on this job alone. To prove that this is who I am. Ready to become an Imperial Sorcerer? He was ready to take off in the magical world.

No matter who says she's not suitable, not ready, too young for this industry... but let it be! She's ready!

When I thought of it like that She continued walking down the corridor.

But no matter how much the girl gritted her teeth and gathered up the courage and determination, That feeling still clings to me... It's a deeper feeling than that. What she was feeling was a basic feeling that no one could possibly subdue… fear.

Fear of the dark...loneliness...failure...fear of things that might happen to her It was swarming in from every direction. Makes her footsteps soft and slow... What is there waiting for her inside? It can touch her, right? Did he already know that she was coming? …

If she can't fight it What will happen next? Will he have a chance to make amends? But if there is no chance to make amends And it ended in death?

These thoughts could only slow her down… She didn't stop yet. Still moving forward In my head I continued to chant the mantra.

... The mind is the master, the body is the slave ...

... what he saw what he heard Can't find the true essence...

... This world is driven by power. And the power is one with mine...

These mantras eased many of her fears and allowed her to concentrate and move on.

"It's okay..." Freya said to herself. “Everything is always under control. Just like every time…”

After walking for a while, Freya finally came to a main waterway. It was a long, rather wide hole. There is a large gutter that cuts through the middle. There was gray water mixed with green slime flowing rapidly. It is flanked by a wet and slightly slippery stone walkway. The surrounding scene was so sickening that the girl felt nauseous.

Luckily, he had an air force field. Otherwise, you will definitely have to face the stench from various waste products.

But no matter how disgusting the scene in front of him looked, The girl suppressed her emotions. and continue reciting the mantra

After walking for a while Freya felt that something was becoming even more strange... the cold steam caressing her soft skin and fur. Every vein on her body began to seep down to her bones, and the air around her suddenly became dry. The water on the pavement began to appear as ice, glowing with a clear light. The water in the trough began to slow down before stopping and turning into a small glacier.

Excitement surged in the girl's heart. along with mild fear that seemed to pop up again

Footsteps began to approach... not Freya's feet. And it comes from ahead ... from the bottomless darkness.

Besides the sound of footsteps There were other sounds as well... The sound of the gentle wind that gradually got louder and louder, sounding like the sound of colored leaves. But it sounded shrill and had some kind of meaning. It's like it's a whisper.

"go out....."

That whispered voice was talking to her.

But instead Freya turned around and walked out following his orders. Instead, she squatted down and took a stance as if preparing to fight.

"You're the one who has to leave," Freya said harshly. “This is the official property of the Brennaburg Kingdom. And you have been encroaching on this place for a long time!!”

There was no reply. Not sure if he heard or cared to answer her or not.

When there was no response Freya gritted her teeth, braved herself, and continued walking, preparing to face whatever was the source of the sound... It's okay... she told herself... Everything was always under control.

“If you want it....I'll provide it for you...” the voice replied.

But Freya didn't have a chance to answer... A bright light flashed in front of her. It was so bright that it hurt her eyes. Cold steam waves at you, making your body feel so cold that your skin begins to feel numb.

Freya tried to look into the light. I saw a shadowy figure. of a tall and slender person The head has long, curved horns, like a deer or something...a wild spirit or a ghost... Things like this, I thought they were all gone these days... She gritted her teeth to fight the cold. Part of the mind is focused on the flow of energy around us. Trying to turn it into flames

First, she conjured up a fire to get warmth first.... She planned it step by step... Once the heat was sufficient, she gradually increased the heat and flames. and struck it straight at it... When it lost control, it sent energy into the staff. Turn it into a flaming halberd and slash it to pieces.

Thinking about it, she began to tense one hand to accumulate energy. Bit by bit, sparks of fire began to erupt in the air. Warmth began to radiate from that hand and gradually spread throughout the body The sparks turned into flames. The cold steam and ice around him began to melt... The fire magic became more powerful. Soon it will turn into a fireball.

“You will never make it through,” the demon… Freya thought it was like that… The demon said hoarsely, “Hurry and get out, or you will definitely die here.”

At that moment, a cold cough hit hard. The girl's legs were stiff and starting to form ice.

“No way!” Freya gritted her teeth. “I accepted the mission! Whatever it is, you have to make it work!”

Cool steam slowly flows up the legs. began to arrive Her legs and lower body were all numb and stinging… The pain weakened her fire magic power.

“Mission? … for what? For the sake of a higher status in society... so that he can be superior to others or what?”

“It's not like that.” The girl shook her head. “I didn't become a magician because of that.”

“And why?” asked the demon. “To be a ladder to climb to greatness? ... Just because of such a small matter, you were willing to invest here all by yourself .... For what? Are you hungry for acceptance?”

“Not at all!” Freya shouted back. “Me!”

The pain makes all concentration falter. Extreme fear was coursing through his body.

Maybe she was wrong… She shouldn't have taken the job in the first place… Her self-confidence was causing her to meet her end.

But then she thought of something... She thought of a meadow under the sun, a cool wind blowing, and the tops of grass and trees swaying back and forth.

At that time, Freya was riding a horse beside her brother, admiring the surrounding scenery. At that time he asked: Did she have to become a sorcerer? I don't want to be a normal girl. Live a normal, happy life I don't want to have time to savor the good times. In a normal, happy environment like other children or what?

Freya heard this and smiled and replied. She just wanted to help her brother. The elder sister and the others who have no powers want to use their great power to do what is right for the common good, according to Chevelin's Sorcerer's Oath. Grandmaster of all sorcerers ... determination to make the world and society better.

When I thought of it like that All the pain and coldness disappeared. It was replaced by a fire that burned in her heart... She wasn't afraid of her heart. She wasn't afraid of the enemy in front of her... She was more afraid of something else... Afraid that she would disappoint her brothers, afraid that she wouldn't have a chance to show off her skills. He was afraid that he would not be able to do anything for the public as a sorcerer.

These fears ignited until a fireball appeared on his palm. And it formed quickly. The ice around him melted. while the demon stood stunned for a while.

“You…” It was saying something.

But Freya didn't care. Throw a fireball at it. Causing the path ahead to explode into a firestorm.

When the flame fades away Everything returned to normal...dark pipes, sewage flowing normally. The pavement was a mess... and the demon had disappeared. The latter made the girl very confused.

Is it too easy? … So what should she do next? Return to the guild to report that the target has been completed. Or go ahead and check. so that no details are missed.

Freya chose the latter... She had come this far. There's no harm in continuing.

She kept walking. Until you come to a corner There, she saw a light other than the light on the head of her wand... It was actually a light from a flame... Someone was there?

“Take care of yourself,” a voice said… It was a young girl's voice, probably the same age as Freya.

After hearing that Freya froze for a moment... Who was doing something around here? … And what kind of people are they? Is it a danger? But from the sound of it, these things shouldn't be very dangerous. Freya decided to walk over to him.

“Someone is coming,” a man's voice sounded.

“Intruder?” Another woman's voice followed. It sounds daunting.

Freya heard this and was shocked. What exactly do they fear from her? But she couldn't let them stay there any longer. This place is too dangerous.

Once there, the girl saw a relatively clean hall area. In the middle was a bucket of scrap paper with a burning flame. In that room, she encountered a group of people in shabbily clothed clothes who were staring back at her with fear in their eyes. At one corner of the stone wall, a man in his late teens was sitting against the wall.

He wore a robe similar to that of a sorcerer, but slightly frayed. There was a young elf girl sitting and looking after him. Take the water bottle and hold it up to your mouth and feed him water.

“Why did you come here?” the elf girl asked with hatred. “I will come to collect the prize. Are you going to put us in jail?”

"Wait..." Freya looked confused. “What are you talking about? I just...."

“You just attacked our people…” The elf girl turned to the cloaked man. Looking with sad eyes “He tried to protect us. Tried to drive away the intruders with an illusion... but it seemed to use too much magic power. And got attacked by you again.” She turned to look at Freya's Hammer. “Thank you.

She is causing Karl to die.”

“No…” Freya's face turned pale. “... What is this?”

“Here you pretend you don't know. Or do you really not know?” the elf girl said harshly.

Just then, Freya noticed something on the floor...a piece of paper like a flyer. Inside was written something. But the most obvious thing is 'All workingmen' and the hammer and sickle symbol

Seeing this, Freya was able to piece it together... These people were Aventinist socialists. Fleeing government crackdown, they are hiding in this sewer. And they have a sorcerer that repels invaders... with illusions? … The demon Freya saw just now. Is it an illusion?

“I really have to thank you. We are about to lose a friend,” the elf girl continued.

Freya heard this and shook her head. My heart trembled even more when I saw that magus sitting there clearing his throat as if he were about to vomit... The overuse of magic power was extremely painful. The chance of survival is slim.

Moreover, Freya was starting to get confused. Don't know what you should do next?

Inform the Magi Association as follows. The association then went to inform the authorities. So that they send the police to put these people in jail?

Or whether to release these people or provide help as well. Without her knowing that These people are going to cause any harm. Is it next?

Freya faces a difficult choice. everything is dark Nothing is clear. There really isn't any good choice.

But then, the young mage's clearing of her throat brought Freya out of her reverie. This time he coughed up blood.

“Carl! Take care of yourself!” The elf girl shook the young man's body. "Don't worry, Carl!"

Freya didn't know what she should do next... but she couldn't stand it and let this man die before her eyes.

When I thought of it like that Freya walked over to him. He bent down and took out a vial of magic potion from his bag.

“Feed this to him,” she said to the elf girl.

“What the hell is this?” The other party looked puzzled.

“The magic potion is for replenishing magic power. It can help solve the problem of using power beyond its capabilities.”

“I'll try it out.” With that, the elf girl picked up a vial of medicine. Open the cork and feed it to the mage in front of you.

Meanwhile, Freya looked at them with pity in her eyes... It was true that this sorcerer had hurt her. But he did that to protect his own people... He didn't deserve to die and suffer. No one... A magus must help people. Even though what she gave was small But it's better than doing nothing.

After a while, the young man cleared his throat. He choked out some of the medicine, but soon the young man slowly raised his head, as if his strength was regaining. He looked at the elf girl's face for a moment. Then he turned to Freya. His eyes were somewhat puzzled.

“What happened?” he asked.

But the elf girl didn't answer. Instead, she rushed forward and embraced the young man.

Freya saw this and smiled. I felt so content that the heaviness I had just now disappeared.

“Thank you very much...” The elf girl turned and smiled at Freya, “You....”

“Freya,” the young sorcerer apprentice smiled. “Freya von Hellenwald would be happy to help.”

“Thank you very much,” the young man said. “I'm sorry about just now... I didn't mean to hurt you at all.”

"It's okay," Freya replied softly.

Now the question started to return... What should Freya do with these people?

It was a question Freya had to answer. It is a path that will affect her. Both life and work in the future

But before answering that question She looked at the surrounding group of people who were looking at her in fear. She realized that there was a more important question.

“Is there anything I can help you with?” Freya asked friendly.