And now, we will officially begin our mixer.
Allow me to start.
Episode 5: A Mixer With Some Free-Willed Wizards
My name is Arthur, and I am a wizard from the Central Country.
I've at least met Cain before.
I was a knight for the Central Country.
It's an honor to meet you like this.
I'm Riquet, a wizard from the Central Country.
As the messenger of God, I have taught the ways of our religion.
Um, who exactly is in charge here?
Probably Oz. He's not here right now, but he's the strongest, after all.
And when will he be here?
That's a great question. Does anyone know the answer to that?
No one knows, then?
No one knows?
Since he's not here, I'll introduce him.
Oz is a wizard from the Central Country.
He previously acted as a mentor to the wizards of the Central Country.
He is the most powerful wizard.
Next, let's have the wizards from the West introduce themselves.
I'm Shylock, a wizard from the West.
I was the mentor for the wizards of the West, though in name only.
I'm Murr, a wizard from the West!
I like sparkly things!
Murr? You mean the renowned philosopher?
Yup.
Well, what a lovely surprise.
It's an honor to meet you, Philosopher Murr.
I'm Rustica. This is Chloe.
Nice to meet you.
I've been traveling with Rustica and he's been teaching me magic.
I'm basically Rustica's apprentice.
Chloe is very good with his hands.
My dream is to become the best tailor in the country!
I've even tailored Rustica's clothes.
I'll make outfits for all of you, too.
Next, let's have the wizards from the East introduce themselves.
"The Sage's Tome said the wizards from the East hated humans."
I'm Faust, a wizard from the East.
Anything else?
No.
You're next, Heathcliff.
Oh, okay.
I'm Heathcliff, a wizard from the Eastern Country.
It's a pleasure to meet all of you.
I'm Nero. Uh, that's all.
Are you stupid? That doesn't tell us anything.
You basically had the same self-introduction as me.
What?
Nothing... Um, I ran a restaurant in the Eastern Country.
Big Brother, he said he's a chef!
That's wonderful. I'm sure he's amazing at cooking.
So, yeah... I want to hurry up and head back.
The Great Calamity's just once a year, right?
I promise I'll show up then.
Sorry, but yeah. Does that work for you?
That's quite all right.
No, wait.
I've been meaning to mention this,
but as you all know, the Great Calamity was extremely powerful this time.
And because of that, ten of our comrades were turned to stone.
To make sure the same tragedy isn't repeated,
we need to train regularly, come up with a plan, and band even closer together.
Meaning...?
We're all going to live together here and prepare for the Great Calamity's attack!
Live together?
A year here?
Yeah, I'd rather not.
I'm fine with that. I can sleep anywhere as long as I'm out of the wind and rain.
Who are you?
I'm Shino, a wizard from the East.
I'm the guardian of Sherwood Forest and a servant of the Blanchett Family.
The Blanchett Family? You mean Heathcliff's family?
Shino is a childhood friend.
Shino.
What do you want?
Hey, show him some respect!
Master Faust is our mentor!
Well, he hasn't taught me anything yet. Other than his name.
And I haven't received any tuition fees yet.
Are you a friend of Heathcliff's?
We're not friends.
Oh, I see.
Heath just happens to be the child of the lord and mistress that I serve.
Right. You also just happen to be our family's servant.
That's right.
Okay, fine.
Hmph!
Wait... are you two fighting?
No!
Whatever.
Shino, that was Heathcliff's first campaign.
It was his first battle, he was forced to see horrific things, and he lost two comrades.
Even if it's just for tonight, be kind to him.
Okay, fine.
That's all from the Eastern Country. Next.
"It's not that he's unkind. They mentioned that he'd been gravely wounded because he was protecting a comrade."
Then I'll start the introductions here.
Actually, before that, do you mind if I ask something?
Oh, of course.
Did all of the previously chosen Southern wizards get turned to stone?
That is correct.
All the kind Southern wizards were the first to protect their fellow wizards.
I knew it.
They were all very nice people.
"I guess I wasn't able to meet the previous Southern wizards because they'd all perished..."
I see. Then I definitely agree to living together.
I don't want these kids to turn into stone.
I want them to get the proper training and prepare to face the Great Calamity.
You want us to prepare? But doesn't this apply to you too, Dr. Figaro?
You can't use very powerful magic,
and you also said that you're out of shape and your back hurts.
I guess you're right.
Figaro.
Figaro...
Do you happen to know the twins over there?
Somewhat.
Er, sorry. We got sidetracked.
Anyway, I'm Figaro, a Southern wizard.
I run a small clinic.
I am Rutile.
I'm a teacher at a school in the Southern Country.
And this is my younger brother Mitile.
I've been learning magic from Dr. Figaro as I go to school.
I'm in the middle of studying for both, but I'll do my best to become a great wizard!
Don't make fun of us and say that we're weak just because we're Southern wizards.
But Southern wizards are weak.
Well, Eastern wizards have terrible personalities and are rude!
Wha?
It's because of the Eastern and Northern wizards that all wizards are hated!
Even today, you were all fighting with the royal guards from the Central Country!
I see. So you're saying that the Southern wizards are helpless and get burned.
I guess that's what you've been teaching them, Figaro.
That's not true, Faust.
Sir! You told us that wizards and humans should help each other out!
That I did. I definitely did say that.
You're so careless. I see you haven't changed.
Now, wait a second, Faust...
Do you two know each other?
Er... I'm not sure if that's the right way of putting it...
Well, I think you two know each other.
Master Faust, the founding hero.
I'm Lennox, one of the wizards that fought under you.
I've been searching for you.
You've got the wrong person.
Master Faust...
Lastly, let us introduce the Northern wizards.
I am Snow, a Northern wizard.
I am White, a Northern wizard.
The two of us are one. And...
We have Bradley, who's absent. Owen, who's absent. Mithra, who's absent.
That is all.
Are all of the Northern wizards busy...?
Perhaps we're busy...
Perhaps we're not...
There's no way that Northern wizards would be willing to cooperate with the others.
It's because they keep doing bad things that the rest of us wizards get hated on.
You think so too, right, Great Sage?
Huh?! U-Uh, um, I...
"I don't know anything about this world. I couldn't say with confidence that they were in the wrong."
Um... Rather than pointing out who's in the wrong...
Why don't we concentrate on doing our best together?
This came up earlier, but on the matter of all of you living here...
I apologize that this is a personal opinion, but it would make me happy.
Especially since I have nowhere else to go.
Being able to stay with a lot of people I can trust will put me at ease.
And why would you trust us?
I mean, all of you speak your mind, so I don't think you'd really lie.
And even with the Northern wizards, who can be a little scary...
If I can eventually get along with them...
I mean, it is scary thinking about possibly getting my eye gouged out,
becoming emotionally shattered, or getting killed by a beast, but...
In that case, we definitely need Oz's help.
He doesn't like being social, but he's not unnecessarily aggressive, either.
If we can get Oz to keep us in line,
the guys from the North will listen, and the citizens will be at ease.
Don't you agree, Prince Arthur?
Well... I'm certain that if he's around, we'll all feel better.
These are just ramblings of a newbie...
but if the Great Calamity is now so powerful that ten wizards were turned to stone,
it might be even stronger in a year.
Northern included, the Central, Western, Eastern,
and Southern wizards should work together to face it head on.
Master Figaro is correct. Great Sage...
Yes?
After this, I'd like for all of you to attend your victory parade,
party, and an appointment ceremony.
If all 21 of us Sage's wizards can gather at the castle,
I'm sure it'll reassure the citizens who suffered from the Great Calamity.
Though the citizens feel threatened by the Northern wizards,
if they see the Northern wizards listening to the Great Sage,
I think we'll be able to avoid any unnecessary trouble, just like tonight.
And to do that, I'd like to go and convince Master Oz to join us.
What do you think, Great Sage?
I've also only met him once, but I would feel much better if he would join us.
But...
But?
"I wonder what that passage in the Sage's Tome meant."
"Prince Arthur is easy to talk to. I'm sure life at the Wizards' Hall would be even better if he lived here. I doubt Oz would ever let this happen, though. Whenever Arthur comes around, Oz refuses to see him."
It's nothing. Let's go talk to Oz.
Understood. I'll do everything I can, Great Sage.
The next day, Arthur, Riquet, Cain, and myself prepared to go talk to Oz.
Oz lives up north, but he belongs to the Central wizards.
It's probably a good idea for us, the Central wizards, to go.
He's liable to dislike a bunch of us showing up.
Do you think the Northern wizards will help us out if Oz becomes our leader?
Yeah, since no one can defy Oz.
The Northern wizards don't like human ceremonies,
so they never participated in the yearly parade.
The last Great Sage would always get lectured about it when he went to the Central castle.
But if Oz is around, you should be fine.
I'm glad to hear that.
Even when Master Oz isn't around, we will protect you, Great Sage.
Cain, how are your eyes doing?
Well, I couldn't see earlier, but I can now.
Perhaps you're able to see once you touch whomever you are trying to see.
When we came in contact earlier, our eyes met.
Actually... I think that might've happened to me as well.
Likewise.
Now that you mention it, you might be right.
Thanks, Riquet!
Please stop that!
I am the messenger of God! Only those who have done good deeds may lay hands upon me.
Messenger of God?
That's what you call people like us who have these strange powers.
God bestowed these powers upon us to grant miracles for the chosen few.
I've heard about this before.
There's some religious group that calls wizards gods and messengers.
They refuse to let their wizards outside,
trap them deep within their church, and make them help with their practices.
Riquet, could it be that you're...
The outside world is tainted.
Once I get this tainted crest off of me, I plan to return to my church.
Riquet...
The outside world isn't tainted, though not everything is beautiful, either.
There are plenty of things to make you happy, Riquet.
I don't believe you.
I saw all of you fighting just yesterday.
Wizards who don't understand that they're God's messengers
apparently lie like you and try to lure me to the outside world.
I don't care what world you live in as long as you're happy.
We won't take anyone's happiness from them.
But please don't just decide that the world you know nothing about is bad.
Why?
Because if you were ever to despair in your own world,
you wouldn't have anywhere to go,
if that's the only place you can find paradise.
But paradise is everywhere.
Even if someone abandons you someday, someone will also need you someday.
Just know that no matter where we are and no matter how we live our lives,
you are your own key to finding happiness.
My own key...
That's right.
Not to mention, if I can't touch your face, it'll be a pain since I won't be able to see you.
Ugh! Please stop touching my head over and over!
Sorry, my bad.
All right, then. Great Sage, Prince Arthur, shall we depart?
Yes.
That elevator will take us to the tower in the Northern Country.
It must be very convenient to be able to use an elevator to go to another country.
It runs on the energy of this Mana Stone.
It's like a fossil that contains magical power.
Do you all know where Oz exactly is in the Northern Country?
I'm fairly certain that he's in his own castle.
I wonder if we'll get there okay.
I hear there's several layers of illusions cast in the area,
so only a few have ever seen his castle.
I'll guide you there.
Have you been there before?
I grew up there.
When I, the prince, was born, apparently everyone in our country celebrated...
But my mother and father had a secret.
And that's...
the fact that I was born a wizard.
The Central Country doesn't discriminate against wizards,
but they still have some prejudices.
Eventually, the truth about me became known...
And people started to spread rumors,
suggesting that my mother was a witch who had tricked my father.
My mother couldn't take it anymore, so when I was four,
she had a trusted servant abandon me far away in some mountains
in the Northern Country.
She abandoned her own child?! That's horrible!
I have no intention of blaming my mother.
This whole ordeal must've been very hard for her.
It was a cold winter's night during a blizzard.
I didn't even understand that I was abandoned...
so I was crying, wanting to go back to the castle.
I gradually got sleepier and sleepier...
and eventually, I no longer felt the cold.
I may have been a child, but I realized I was probably going to die.
But that's when Master Oz appeared and took me back to his castle.
I was freezing, so he gave me some food and a warm bed.
He even taught me magic.
He ended up raising me until I turned thirteen.
Oz did? Really?
Master Oz is a kind person.
Though I know people get the wrong idea about him.
Even if he raised me on a whim, I'm fine with that.
He's still the one who saved my life, and my mentor in magic.
But when I turned thirteen, someone from the castle came to get me,
and I haven't seen Master Oz since.
I haven't even seen him once since he was chosen as one of the Sage's wizards.
Looks like we're here.
I'm sorry. I ended up talking about myself the whole time.
No, it's fine. I'm glad I got to hear it.
I hope we get to see and talk to him today.
Thank you very much, Great Sage!
The air's so crisp.
The primordial scents of winter and forest...
It's beautiful.
Yeah, it is.
The last time I was here, the weather was awful,
but when it's sunny, the Northern Country is beautiful.
Master Oz!
What are you doing in a remote place like this? Go home.
Master Oz, please listen.
I told you to leave.
Master Oz, it's me, Arthur.
I know I'm a little taller now, but I'm still the same Arthur that you raised.
I'm terribly sorry that it's been so long since I sent any letters.
Please forgive my ingratitude.
Even... Even if you cannot forgive me,
please at least listen to what they have to say.
We need your help, Master Oz!
He's right, Oz. Come to the Wizards' Hall and bring us together.
There's no better person for the job than you.
If they know that you and the Northern wizards are on their side,
the humans will also be at ease.
That aside, you should also forgive Prince Arthur!
He's apologizing so much!
This doesn't concern you, Central knight.
Of course it does. He's my lord.
And you're one of our comrades.
Cain...
I heard that you are the most powerful wizard.
Please tell me how to get rid of this crest!
Please relieve me of this duty!
I do not wish to be any part of it!
That goes for all of us.
We are bound to a duty none of us wished for.
Don't think you're somehow the only one who can escape it.
Sage.
Leave me be.
Take them and return to the Wizards' Hall in the Central Country.
But...
This is no place for the likes of any of you.
You have been warned.
Please wait, Master Oz!
But why...
I was also summoned.
I'm now one of the wizards of the Wizards' Hall!
Just like you, Master Oz!
I am not addressing you as the prince of the Central Country.
Please, come with us!
Master Oz...
Please don't let this get you down, Prince Arthur.
I'm sure you'll be able to reconcile someday.
Thank you.
I can't escape this duty?
What am I supposed to say to the Great Priest now that I'm tainted like this?
"We failed to convince Oz to come with us."
What is that sound? Is that some creature?
Let's head back to the Wizards' Hall. Now!
R-Right.
Prince Arthur!
Right.
That's...
a grand dragon!
Let's hurry to the elevator!
Move, move, move!
I wasn't just seeing things, was I?
No. That was definitely the same grand dragon I've seen in books before.
I can't believe a grand dragon's been revived.
Is it because of the Great Calamity?
Looks like you ran into a monster.
I saw one in the Eastern forest.
Eastern forest? You mean Sherwood Forest?
The one I saw was a wyvern. It was tough.
You managed to take it down?!
Yeah.
You're actually amazing!
Pretty much.
I need to go report this to the minister and the others.
My apologies, but I must return to the Central castle.
Understood.
Should we delay the parade and appointment ceremony?
No. Those will continue as planned.
Those affected by the Great Calamity need some hope, too.
Gladly!
Understood.
Very well.
A party and parade?
Will we be famous if we attend?
Like Lord Blanchett?
You'll become a hero. Everyone will be waiting for your exploits.
A hero, huh? Not bad.
Such a strange lad.
That's not like most Eastern wizards who don't like humans and hate to stand out.
There's something that I want.
Please excuse me.
"Maybe I shouldn't mention that"
"I saw Oz right before we left..."
"It'll just make him worry."
I hope Oz is okay.
I also hope he can make up with Arthur...
Let's go, Great Sage.
Right.
"Since Arthur's depressed, we'll have to do our absolute best getting ready..."
"for the party and parade."
Arthur's been chosen to be one of the Sage's wizards?
Yes. Apparently, he's been summoned to the Wizards' Hall.
If Prince Arthur is truly one of the Sage's wizards,
I'm sure the people will feel reassured!
Very well. You may leave.
Yes, sir!
I cannot let him become an even bigger hero...
Episode 6: Something Someone as Innocent as You Can Do