Weakness

“Weakness?” repeated Mana. She then frowned. “You’re not referring to your mogage, right?”

“Well, it’s true that mogage is a weakness of sorts, but the really good magicians have ways of circumventing that. It’s not an invincible material.”

That was true enough. Even Mana managed to escape from her mogage prison once by using sheer skill.

“What is it, then?”

“Confidence.”

“Huh?”

“Us magicians,” said the Sage, “feel superior to others.” It was there that he gave a laugh. “Yes, I am self-aware of it, after all these years. Don’t you agree, young lady?”

Mana pouted. “Thought we agreed I’m older than you?” she asked. “Well, but you do have a point.”

“Three has supposedly mastered all possible spells,” said the Sage. “He is rumored to know every possible piece of magic that exists… That’s obviously wrong, as you yourself can attest to, but it’s also close enough to be the truth. However, with this variety also comes indecision leading to familiarity. Magicians of that sort usually default to the handful of spells they like best.”

That was probably true. Even now that he regained his memories, Three seemed to mostly make use of his fire and electric spells.

We only fought once so I couldn’t say for sure, but still.

“What you’re saying isn’t wrong, but is that really enough?” wondered Mana, recrossing her legs. “If he wanted to, he could easily slaughter us. I think the only thing stopping him is that he wants us alive.”

Jarred smiled beneath his beard. “Well, there you have it then,” he said. “Yet another weakness.”

Mana looked at me, and I tilted my head.

“You mean we should take advantage of the fact he’s holding back against us?”

It was a decent idea, but if we pushed him too much, he’d probably hurt us, knowing that he could also use healing spells.

“That is another option. One among many. Mostly you just need to anticipate the man’s actions and use that against him.”

At that point a new voice entered the conversation. “You really think Three would fall to something so cheap?”

I startled and nearly rose with my sword before realizing it was the old woman from before. I had no idea if she was the Sage’s wife or something else, but she suddenly appeared from the door.

“Marita! You were eavesdropping?”

“I was makin’ sure you’re safe,” she grumbled, a hand on her hips. “And ended up hearing about your crazy plans. Fighting Three, really? At your age?”

“I’m not going to be fighting, Marita.”

“D-don’t treat me like an old lady,” mumbled Mana, even though this was clearly not directed at her.

Marita frowned. “Anyway, you’ve got it all wrong. Men and their nonsense… Girls, you’re in the right direction but missing something important.”

I tilted my head. “What do you mean?” added Mana.

“What the great Sage misses for obvious reasons, because he is a man,” she said, a smile to her normally harsh face, “is that Three is also a man.”

The Sage frowned. “What do you mean by that?” He even sounded a little mad.

She actually chuckled. “Back in our day there were still quite enough men, so you might have forgotten… about how easily women could control them.”

I briefly considered this.

“Are you suggesting I strip in front of him to distract him or something?”

“S-Saga!” said Mana from the side, sounding scandalized.

What? Considering the kinds of looks C often gave me—and almost every guy I met, really—it might actually be a viable strategy.

“Ha!” laughed the woman. “Not quite, but not that far either.” She looked into my eyes. “Such a cold yet beautiful face… you really remind me of myself when I was younger.”

I looked at her wizened features, trying to imagine that (unsuccessfully).

It was Jarred’s turn to laugh. “Look at who’s getting ahead of herself now… OW!” He cried as Marita sent a fast kick at his ankle.

I blinked. I thought for sure this woman was pretty much subservient to him, but apparently that wasn’t the case.

Presently, the Sage sent the woman a glare, but then cleared his throat as if nothing happened. “Anyway, if it’s come down to this… let’s work on a strategy to defeat Three,” he said very seriously.

Following that conversation, we spent the entire day and beyond at his place. This meant we had to sleep on the floor of a cramped closet, since the place was too small for two people as it was, but it wasn’t like we could complain. They were hiding us from the law at great risk to themselves.

Plus, they gave us some proper food for the first time in a while, as well as better clothes.

The Sage might have been a cranky old man who lived in a dump, but apparently he did have some means, or at least was generous enough to spare them.

When we didn’t sleep, we talked; mostly Mana and the Sage exchanged information about magic while I listened with half an ear. Mana made a suggestion for me to learn some magic—to surprise Three, who’d surely expect only my sword—but we had no time for that. I had no interest in anything other than wielding Tarisha right now, anyway.

When I told them that, we started thinking about how to use her, too.

We strategized, discussed and talked, but on the third day we decided we wasted enough time.

“People came askin’ about you,” informed us Marita with a grave expression. “I doubt they know you’re here right now, but you were apparently sighted when you came in, so everyone’s in a rush. You’d better leave.”

“Hmm. Yes, I’ve heard some very interesting things from the legendary Witch, but it’s probably time for you to leave,” said Jarred. “I know not if you have any chance of beating Three. My mind and gut both say not. But… I fear to think about what happens to this world if you do not. So I will wish you luck.”

He then reached into a nearby drawer, pulling out a mass of something that looked like an ore.

“Your mogage!” said Mana. “Is it really fine giving us the entire thing?”

He did mention his intention to give it to us—but I thought he meant only a few fragments.

His wrinkled hands clenched the precious material for a moment. “I only use this for amusement. I have no real need for it. You need as much as you can to defeat him,” he said. “Just remember everything we’ve discussed… and don’t count on it. —I wish you two girls the best of luck.”

“Thank you so much, Sage,” said Mana, polite as ever.

“…Thanks,” I mumbled as well.

It was time for us to embark on the last stage of our journey—to reach the area of the portal, defeat Three and get the hell out of this world once and for all.