"Although magicians are generally humans, the creatures called magicians can no longer be regarded as equal to humans."
The old man walking underground in London, heading towards the Magic Association, told the young man beside him.
"A non-human magician...what kind of existence is that?"
However, Animusfia did not care about the old man's advice. Instead, she cared more about the details revealed behind the words.
"Fairies, witches, vampires—even ghosts. Even in modern times with mysterious decline, the activity of such existences is almost invisible, but it does not mean that they have been completely extinct. At least not in this clock tower. It’s rare that there are many immortals like me who have lived for hundreds of years. Do you think I can still be considered a human being?”
"In my eyes, you are a human being. Whether it is the way of thinking or the nature of existence, I can understand you, and you can understand me. If you are not a human being, I probably can't be counted."
"Huh, naive, just understand human thinking. How many [monsters] lurking in human society today are unable to do this?"
The old man mercilessly laughed at the students next to him.
"If the other party really hates ugliness and praises beauty, then it doesn't matter even if he is a [monster], right? If a cripple who can only lie on a hospital bed and can't even move his fingers can be called a human being, except for his different identity Why can’t [monsters] be considered humans if they are no different from ordinary people?”
"I see, do modern young people already have such an open mind..."
"This kind of thinking is not very open, but I think Frankenstein's monster is much more human than a vegetative person who can't even open his eyes, can neither speak nor think. .”
"No, being able to put aside your identity and focus on your essence is enough openness. I'm afraid even if those [monsters] really appear in front of you, as long as you can empathize with them, you will accept them without hesitation."
"It's a pity that I haven't had such a romantic encounter so far. I did have a fantasy? One day I picked up a vampire or something on the way home."
"It is that kind of thinking that prevents you from this kind of thing. Although [Mystery] seems to have space for its existence and room for acceptance, it is also that space that makes [Mystery] no longer mysterious. . If you accept its ugliness, Frankenstein’s monster is just an ordinary person who lacks common sense——If you want to become a magician, it is better to get rid of that tolerance.”
The old man once again gave advice to his students.
"It doesn't have such a big impact, right? Anyway, according to what you said, I don't have any mysterious talents, right?"
Animusfia said with an indifferent expression.
"It has nothing to do with that kind of thing. If you accept magicians as human beings————that's not a good thing. If you really want to return to your normal life, cure your illness and quickly contact us here. It's better to draw a clear line. In the final analysis, magicians are a group of monsters who don't care about kindness or morality at all. They will do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. They are monsters worse than beasts."
The long corridor finally came to an end. Animusfia stared at the door in front of her, and also stared at her own future.
What followed was a world that was completely contrary to the education he had received for more than twenty years, and it was also the last straw that could save him.
He should have a long time to live.
But his [life] is coming to an end.
Animusfia never wanted or wanted her life to be like this, facing a future without a future.
"Even if you become a beast or a monster, teacher, it is better than becoming a person who is less human than a monster, right?"
"Are you thinking like this? Well, I originally wanted to ask you one last question, but now it seems there is no need to ask it. You are already fully aware."
Facing the door that was just around the corner, the old man did not choose to continue facing the world and turned his back.
He has already made a decision with that world.
We shouldn't even set foot in this place again.
"By the way, teacher, as a magician, won't you look like a monster at all soon?"
"Ha, wait until you see the young me before you say this."
The rickety old man returned and continued to laugh at the naivety of the young students.
"I just gave up."
Leaving these words behind, the old man left his students.
Animusfia took out the letter sealed with fire paint. In addition to the name the old man used in Europe when he was young, there was another sentence written on the back of the letter. At the same time, it was something the old man had never known. One final question to ask the exit.
[How many things are you willing to sacrifice in order to achieve your goals? 】
The old man didn't need to accompany him here. The contents of this envelope were enough to allow him to enter this world that only belonged to a few people.
It's just that he doesn't have a trace of magic talent, and he can't resist even the most common spells to disperse idlers.
In the end, the old man chose to help him walk this last part of the road.
What was written on the envelope was the question that the old man wanted to ask him from the beginning.
"No amount of sacrifice is too much, teacher."
Animusfia said so and opened the door in front of her.
Fujimaru Ritsuka's dream also ended abruptly here.
"Unfortunately, due to the special nature of the Magic Association, there is no way to broadcast the situation after this."
Returning to the dark dreamland, a slightly thin figure slowly walked up to Fujimaru Ritsuka.
But no matter how carefully Fujimaru Ritsuka stared at the other person, he could not clearly see the other person's face.
"Who are you? What are these visions?"
Facing the girl's question, the figure standing opposite her did not answer. Instead, he took a sip from the pipe in his hand and said:
"For you, Lady, who has not even sorted out the real memories, the answers to these questions are meaningless. The only thing I can guarantee you is the authenticity of these images. After all, these are all as if they were left on the video tape. Like images, traces left on this land.”
"I won't trust the guarantee made by a guy whose name I don't even know."
"You are worthy of being the last master of mankind. I am so cautious. Then let me tell you my name. My real name is ***·****——But unfortunately, in **** Under the influence of **, even if I say this, you will not hear it. After all, it is already quite difficult to transfer this dream to your mind, but the clues have already been given to you. It’s in your hands, lady. Come find me again when you completely regain your memory.”
After that, the figure disappeared completely, and Fujimaru Ritsuka also took a deep breath and suddenly opened his eyes.
What caught her eyes was Mashu's reassuring appearance as always.
"You finally woke up, how do you feel, senior?"
