A Banished Failure Survives in the Borderland and Becomes an S-Rank Exorcist

The two of us were brought into a small house. Off the centre of the city, somehow close to the large walls surrounding this bounded city.

"Well, here we are."

"Good luck, Julia. I'll see you when I see you again.

"Eh, hey...!?

And I was left alone. What do you want me to do now? Bring it in without any particular explanation and leave it. What am I supposed to do... When you think about it, you hear a rattling noise from inside and the door opens.

"Ah... I'm sorry to keep you waiting for this. Here, Yulia. I want you to come in."

"Eh... um... I'm sorry to bother you."

As I was told, when I went inside, it was a place that was so simple that I didn't think people lived. [M] There are only chairs and desks. And a bed in the corner. There's nothing left. I don't even feel like people are living there.

Well, it's tea. Please.... "

"Thank you."

Who is this man in glasses? It is about 170cm tall and about the same size as me. The long black hair is knitted into three pieces.

And with a very gentle face, I can understand this person to some extent even with a smile, voice, and behavior alone. That said, it was only my subjectivity, but I thought it was very gentle...

"I'm sorry you came so suddenly."

"No, so... I heard that Cyrus was here."

"I'm Cyrus. Nice to meet you, Julia."

"Eh... are you Cyrus?

"Yeah. Surprised?

"Well... if you'll excuse me, I imagined someone more powerful."

"Hahaha, you're often told. Other Premium vs. Mages often tell me to shuffle."

"Um... are you sure you're Cyrus, the number one in the sequence?

"It's a lofty position, but it is. Nice to meet you, Julia."

"Yes...."

I was asked to shake hands over the table, so I shook hands together. It's very thin and thin. I don't think it belongs to a very advanced anti-magician. But there will be no reason for this man to lie. The strength of a person cannot be measured by looking at it alone. I am aware of that too. But I didn't think he was the strongest human being in the world... Until then, my impression of him was just a kind person...

"Thin hands, right?

Yeah, that's right.

"Julia is nervous. And the thickness is firm. It wasn't Dad who survived the twilight for two years."

"Do you believe me?

It is a dream story to say that he usually stayed for two years at dusk. Or just delusions. But this man looks me in the eye and says so. [M]

"I'm sorry, but I looked into you. Two years ago, I was a student in the Third Frontier City. The grades are the lowest. I don't have any special skills. Writing is so-so, but combat skills are devastating. I can say desperate. Participate mainly as a healer at parties. It will grow to Premium vs. Mage level in two years. There's no way that's possible. But if you say you've been alive for two years at dusk, you can believe it. Besides, I'm just like you...."

That's how Mr. Cyrus exposes his right arm.

"Twilight Syndrome Twilight Syndrome, Level 5..."

"Yes, most of the Premium Versus Mages are infected with the disease called Twilight Syndrome. Some of you have no influence at all, but I'm just like you."

"Really...? So, do you have something to do and bring me here?

"I want you to be the 13th Premium vs. Mage."

"Me?

"Yes, you. You have so much power. [M] You know that, don't you? How talented are you?"

"... that's..."

Even if you know. I did get stronger. [M] But it's just combat technology. The strength of the mind has not grown. I'm just... a human being. It's just a kid who survived by accident at dusk.

"Don't you like it?

"I don't think I deserve that...."

"Hmm. I see... no, it's definitely a sudden story. But I can't let someone as capable as you play with me. So I suggest you escort me on an expedition to the Primary City? However, in order for you as a student to participate, you must remain in the student selection. Even here, I can't suddenly escort you. [M] On my face, there are so many things."

"Expedition...?

"As a matter of fact, the royal family is now on tour of each city. This is the last of the Seventh Frontier Cities, but I need a little more escort to get back to the First Frontier City. I'm scrutinizing the best people from every city right now. Besides, it is very valuable to go beyond dusk to another convergence city to nurture a follow-up. In the future, if you live as a high-ranking anti-magician, there will be more movement between cities. So, what do we do?

……

Originally, I had the goal of becoming a fine opponent. But it's a distant goal, so I've been dreaming. Very comfortable. Dreaming is a very good thing. I can work hard for my dreams. Move forward. Confront any difficult situation. But I'm not. I just... wanted to escape reality by dreaming.

Yes, I was running away. And I couldn't... rejoice in letting go... knowing that I could become the superior anti-magician who was regarded as humanity's last hope.

What am I missing?

But still, even if I was lost, I... wanted to move on. Humanity has not progressed since the defeat of the Human Magic War. I'm not retreating, I'm not moving forward. It's always been the same. In such a situation... if I can do anything... I want to try.

It's too late when you're ready. Forward, lost, confused, painful, I...

"... it's time for humanity to move on. Subsequently, I grew up well. It's time to fight back. It is time to restore the land of this world and to regain the light. I need your help."

"... I see. I understand about the escort."

"The student selection will certainly begin the day after tomorrow. You are also allowed to jump in. By the way, I'll be the examiner. There's no special treatment, but I'm sure you can stay."

"I will do my best to meet your expectations..."

"I look forward to seeing you again."

Me and Cyrus finished talking there and went back to the dorm.

"... Premium versus magician."

I didn't feel like I had come this far. I just came back from living in Gum Shara and was told to suddenly become a Premium vs. Mage. Confusion is greater than joy. No, I'm not happy. All I have is a lack of confidence.

Are you worthy to protect humanity?

Does it possess such personality that it is called mankind's last hope?

The more you think about it, the smaller you look. I'm just... a kid who was abandoned by his buddies for two years at dusk. That's all I could do. [M]

"Yurear!

"Ugh... hey, Sophia? What's going on here?"

"This place is a dorm for girls."

"Ah... that's right. I'm sorry, I'll be right in the room. I don't like men wandering around."

"Dad...."

Huh?

"Dad, you were strong, right?

"No way...."

"Yeah, I just talked to your father about Julia."

"Is Gil Sophia's father..."

"But I don't have many at home. There is a lot of movement between cities and a lot of dusk fighting. I'm just coming home now. So, I told you about Julia. Go on...."

"No, it's not... at all"

So you're going to be a superior versus magician?

"... I've been invited. But I'm lost."

"Lost? What's so powerful that you're lost?

"... Mr. Sofia?

"You have power. There's no reason not to do that for humanity, is there? You have the power to kill them all, don't you?

"... I can't kill them all... and some of them are good people."

"Shh!!

"... what's wrong, Sophia?"

Thank you. Something went wrong just now. Why does she want me to be a Premium vs. Mage? Is there any special reason?

"I'm sorry... I'm leaving now"

"Mmm...."

All that remained was the silence of the night.