AKM Act 11-8
Act 11-8: Astrologist
TL : Cnine
ED/PF :
Part 1
Astrology was one of the branches of magic.
This form of astrology began with reading the memories of the stars that float in the sky, and from there, foreseeing the future.
It is said that, if used correctly, astrology could even reveal the past, the present, and the future.
However, it seems that seeing the future was no easy matter, and more often than not, only fragments could be discerned.
Nevertheless, just knowing that some kind of danger was approaching was enough to allow one to evacuate from the area.
So it wasn't completely useless.
Besides, there was useful magic like past vision, lost-item detection, and long-distance vision, thus, many people study astrology.
The night after the vampire bat attack, Kuroki came to the Starwatch Tower, where many who study astrology gathered.
The top floor room, shaped like a dome, was spacious. The ceiling was painted with the stars of this world, and at its center was a skylight for stargazing.
The room was dimly lit, with models of the sun and moon placed around the perimeter, giving it the atmosphere of an observatory.
Walking by Kuroki’s side was Magius, as well as Chiyuki and Kyouka.
Kuroki had reported the ambush toward him to Magius.
There was no doubt that yesterday evening’s attack was the work of someone who didn’t know Kuroki’s true identity.
Because an ambush of that level wouldn’t be enough to capture Kuroki.
Naturally, Magius who knows Kuroki’s true identity was not involved in that ambush, and since it happened in Saria, he reported it, just in case.
In addition, he wanted to ask if Magius had any suspects in mind.
Magius, who received the report, had no leads either. After thinking for a moment, he suggested using astrology to narrow down the culprit.
Thus, Kuroki and Magius departed toward the Starwatch Tower.
Chiyuki and Kyouka came along just by chance.
On the way to the Starwatch Tower, Kyouka somehow spotted them, and Chiyuki, who was with her, ended up coming along too.
Chiyuki sat down between Kuroki and Kyouka, as if to come between them.
As for Kuroki, he felt like an ant on a hot plate.
（I wonder why, but it feels like she really dislikes me. In addition, she sometimes mutters things like "burururun", I mean, what does that even mean?）
Kuroki tried his best to avoid looking at Chiyuki and the others as he thinks.
Kyouka, who was walking behind Chiyuki seems eager to get closer, but Chiyuki keeps blocking her.
（Well, there’s no point in worrying about it. Instead, I’ll focus on the astrology.）
Pulling himself together, Kuroki looked straight ahead.
Magius sat at the front, with Kuroki, Chiyuki, and Kyouka seated behind him.
Sitting directly in front of Magius was an elderly woman.
The elderly woman clad in a deep navy robe adorned with stars was the starseer sage, Yarga.
Yarga was also the holder of sage title, just like Magius and Chiyuki.
She was about the same age as Magius and was one of the founders of the Magician Association. Most of the astrologers here in Saria have learned from Yarga.
Despite the suddenness of the visit, Yarga allowed us in without any trouble.
As if she had foreseen everything.
「I see. So that person was attacked yesterday evening, and by vampire bats no less…」
Yarga squinted her eyes, looking at Kuroki.
「That’s right. Yarga, I want you to find the one controlling those vampire bats. That’s why I came.」
Magius said, stroking his long white beard.
「What a thing. There were also foolish ones among them. Through this crystal ball, I can see black flames burning ominously. Magius, you have welcomed a most terrible guest.」
Yarga spoke while placing her hands on the magic crystal ball.
While spirit mediums often carry incense burners, astrologers frequently use magic crystal balls as a tool for assistance.
She used the magic crystal ball to see events of the past, present, and future.
「So, you can see it after all. As expected of you, Yarga.」
「Of course. However, you want me to find the one controlling the vampire bats... In that case, Chiyuki-dono over there would be more suitable. She can see better than this old woman who is merely human. While I can only observe, Chiyuki-dono can easily use magic that transcends time and space. Besides, unlike me, she doesn’t even need a crystal ball.」
Said Yarga, looking at Chiyuki.
To begin with, astrology was developed to make time-space magic usable even by humans.
And fundamentally, it allows only for observation, this was the limit of what humans could do.
Space and time-transcending magic, such as teleportation or summoning, could not be used without performing complex rituals.
However, Chiyuki could use spacetime-transcending teleportation magic without any rituals.
Moreover, she didn’t require the magic crystal ball that was normally considered essential.
In other words, Chiyuki surpasses Yarga as an astrologer.
That said, the magic Chiyuki used was far more advanced than astrology, so she might not even be considered an astrologer.
「Huh, me? Hmm… The one who did the attacking, right? But I wonder… Is it really necessary to help him? He can even beat that Reiji boy… Honestly, I feel sorry for anyone who tries to attack him without knowing his identity.」
Prompted by the conversation, Chiyuki looked at Kuroki.
It was a look that said, If it's Kuroki, he can win against almost anyone—and likely turn the tables on them.
Since he was technically an enemy, her reaction was understandable. Still, Kuroki couldn’t help but wish she’d worry about him just a little.
「My thought exactly, Chiyuki-dono. The attackers must be those who don’t know Kuroki-dono’s true identity, or simply haven’t noticed it. We don’t even know what their objective was in targeting him. It’s possible their real target isn’t Kuroki-dono, but someone else entirely. If left unchecked, they could pose a threat to Saria.」
Magius said this as he shook his head.
「Well, that’s true. I’d heard some of the story before coming here, but that kind of opponent isn’t someone who can be easily captured. I’m curious about what they were after. But first, I want to see Yarga-dono’s skills. After that, I’d like to take a turn myself.」
Kuroki looked at Chiyuki as she said that.
In her eyes was a determination to learn.
It was true that Chiyuki had more magical power and talent. However, at this point, Yarga’s skills were superior.
Chiyuki was trying to learn and absorb Yarga’s skills.
Yarga who realized the other party's intention had a complicated look on her face.
「Well then, it’s fine. Serving as a model for someone almost godlike should be interesting enough. Now, I’ll show you how it’s done first. So, could you tell me about the situation when you were attacked?」
「I understand.」
Kuroki told Yarga about the details of what happened yesterday evening.
「Very well, I understand. Then let us begin. O stars shining in the heavens, reveal the memories held within your light.」
Having heard the details, Yarga holds her hand over the crystal ball before her and chants a spell.
Then, the magic-infused crystal ball begins to emit a faint glow.
Yarga's crystal ball was now projecting a scene from the past, specifically, the moment when Kuroki was ambushed. From that scene, she might be trying to read the flow of magic and reveal the one controlling the vampire bats.
After a short while, Yarga suddenly covered her eyes.
「Are you okay, Yarga!?」
Magius rushes over in a panic.
「I'm all right, Magius. No need to worry. However… I was interfered with. The one controlling those vampire bats may possess knowledge of astrology too.」
「I see. Don’t overexert yourself and get some rest for the time being, Yarga. Chiyuki-dono...」
Magius then turns around and looks at Chiyuki.
「Understood. Let me try. Yarga-dono, can you teach me the procedure? Using the crystal ball might help me see more clearly.」
Chiyuki stands up and approaches Yarga.
「Sure thing. Sit here, Chiyuki-dono, I'll teach you the procedure.」
「Yes.」
Yarga stands up and gives her seat to Chiyuki.
「Now then, Chiyuki-dono. The crystal ball has the power to sense the magic of the stars. The magic of the stars is immense, and the stars read the memories carried by their light.」
「Understood.」
Chiyuki nods and held her hands over the crystal ball.
However, after a while, she covers her eyes just like Yarga did.
「Chiyuki-dono!?」
「I'm fine, Magius-dono. No need to worry. When I tried to trace the magic of the vampire bats, I saw black wings and golden glowing eyes, but then suddenly, I couldn’t see anything.」
Chiyuki shook her head.
「It seems to be the same as what this old woman experienced. Although, I didn’t see the golden eyes.」
Chiyuki shook her head.
「Could it be that the owner of those glowing, golden eyes was the owner of the vampire bats?」
「I'm not sure about that. The owner seems to be observing the situation from somewhere else.」
Chiyuki was tilting her head in confusion.
「Yes, indeed. Even with Lady Chiyuki's magical power, being unable to see clearly means this opponent is quite formidable.」
Yarga spoke with a gloomy look on her face.
That was certainly the case.
Even when Chiyuki, who possesses magical power equal to that of a divine race, it was still impossible to see clearly.
Meaning that the other party was at least just as powerful as Chiyuki.
Kuroki got a bad feeling about this situation.
「Fuwaa, it’s not over yet?」
Meanwhile, Kyouka, who had been looking sleepy, asked with an exhausted voice.