A C-Rank Magic Student Who Deludes Himself into Thinking He Is SSS-Rank - Chapter 7: Crimson Eyes Flashing in the Dark Night

It was the same week as the regular exams at the magic academy. Shion was visiting the capital on a weekend holiday.

The capital, a two-hour ride on a magic-powered train from the western town of the academy, was hosting a biannual exhibition for magicians and merchants displaying magic-related products.

This exhibition was why Shion, who usually spent his weekends immersed in magical studies, had taken the long journey to the capital.

Normally, only magicians of a certain rank or buyers could enter the exhibition. However, Shion got in using an entrance pass given by his father, a prominent merchant who had attended the exhibition several times but had yet to make it this time.

The exhibition showcased a variety of magical tools and new products for magicians, ranging from household items usable by the general public to professional combat gear.

Despite his excitement at seeing the alluring products, Shion maintained his usual cool composure as he browsed through the exhibition. He enjoyed the atmosphere, blending in with the top-class magicians and acting like he was one of their peers.

Shion left the exhibition feeling thoroughly satisfied after touring the booths for about an hour and a half.

Though he had come with only an entrance pass and his wallet, he now held a pair of black gloves, a sample product he had received at the exhibition. The gloves, made of black leather with open fingertips, caught Shion’s eye, and the merchant gladly offered them to him.

“…Now then, let’s go there.”

And so, feeling relieved, he left the venue and headed for his favorite spot, which he had frequented when he had come to the capital.

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The place Shion visited after the exhibition was an abandoned factory area on the southwest outskirts of the capital, further into the backstreets.

The area used to be bustling with factories, but due to its poor location, they gradually relocated, leaving it deserted about fifty years ago.

To most people, this desolate area offered neither entertainment nor attractions. But to Shion, a self-proclaimed eccentric, the dark, abandoned factories had an irresistible appeal.

Shion wandered around the area, dressed in all black – a jumper, pants, boots, and gloves he got from the exhibition. He immersed himself in the dark atmosphere, fantasizing about being a member of an underground organization on his way to a secret hideout.

As night fell and darkness enveloped the area, Shion climbed to the rooftops of the abandoned factories, further indulging in his cool and edgy fantasy.

Suddenly, he heard a scream.

“No! Stop! Don’t come any closer!”

Startled, Shion looked toward the sound from his high vantage point. He saw a woman being chased by three men – a dangerous scene unfolding before his eyes.

◆

A figure ran breathlessly in the ghost town lined with abandoned factories under the dark night sky. It was a woman, her eyes hidden by the deep hood of her robe, fleeing as if her life depended on it.

“No, this can’t be happening…”

Turning a corner into an alleyway, trying to escape the gazes behind her, she faced a dead end. Hidden by the hood, her face was dripping with sweat, and her lips trembled with fear.

“Too bad, lady. Our fun game of tag ends here.”

“…!!”

The woman turned and glared at the group of three men pursuing her.

“Who are you people?!”

She shouted defiantly, but her voice and legs trembled with fear.

One of the men who accepted it answered with a vulgar expression.

“What? We’re just good workers. This is part of the job, so I don’t have any grudges against you, but I got your request. Sorry, but I’ll have you die.”

“…!”

Realizing the clear intent to kill her, her fear escalated, her hands and lips quivering uncontrollably.

“But, well… Before I kill you, I’ll have a little fun with you.”

The man looked at her with that vulgar gaze as if licking her limbs from atop a woman’s robe, then let out a nasty laugh along with the other two.

“You’re not good people at all!”

The woman tried to sound brave, but the men’s words made her imagine the worst – being toyed with and then killed – ramping up her fear.

Frozen in absolute terror and despair, she couldn’t move her legs to escape. She tried to back away, but her legs gave out, and she slumped to the ground. Desperate and terrified, she kept retreating into the dead end behind her.

The men, amused by her fear, slowly advanced towards her.

“Stop! Don’t come any closer, please…”

“Heh heh, don’t be like that. We’ll make sure you have a good time before you die,” said the men, approaching with ugly grins.

“I don’t want this, please, no…”

Any semblance of her earlier boldness had vanished.

Overwhelmed by the looming terror, she shook her head in denial, trying desperately to back away. But her retreat was blocked by the wall, leaving her no space to escape.

However, the men showed no sign of stopping.

In absolute despair, unable to even scream, the woman prayed silently.

(Please… somebody, save me…!)

Just then, a voice came from above.

“Hey, guys, you’re having quite the party there.”

Startled, the woman looked up to see the source of the voice.

Calm yet commanding; the voice carried a strange reassurance. The speaker, a black-haired man in a black coat and wearing black open-finger gloves, had jumped down from a building about five meters high, landing right in front of the men.

“Mind if I join in?”

Standing between the woman and her assailants, the man’s eyes gleamed with a bright crimson light.