Thud.

Both of us leaped backward, putting some distance between us.

"Phew..."

In that brief exchange, I barely had a moment to breathe. As expected, the fighting style of the one inheriting the Grand Mage’s legacy is quite similar to mine. Using the power and speed inherited from the Grand Mage, they bewilder their opponent, preventing them from focusing while launching magical attacks.

If it were me before my training, I wouldn't have been able to keep up with this speed. Every one of my spells would have been dodged, leaving me as nothing more than a punching bag.

…Actually, isn't my opponent way too strong? They’re not even going all out yet! If anything, they might have surpassed the power of the Grand Mage. This feels like skipping the mid-boss and going straight to the final boss!

"...That power, that magic, that fighting style—there’s no doubt."

Huh? Another round of questioning? Honestly, I’d welcome that right now. My heart is still pounding from that exchange, so I could use a breather.

"...Your master is the Grand Mage Hardy, isn’t he?"

"...Yeah, that’s right."

Well, I had already told Sara and the others that I was the rightful heir to the Grand Mage’s legacy. There’s no point in hiding it now.

"...Hah, hahahaha!"

...What the hell? The enemy suddenly started laughing. Should I take this opportunity to attack? No, they easily dodged my high-speed Stone Bullet earlier. They probably have some kind of foresight skill. A surprise attack wouldn’t be effective.

"...I see. You’re Masayoshi, aren’t you? Hah... Hahaha! It’s true—your master was the Grand Mage... Just like me!"

"Wha—!?"

Just like me!? What does that mean? Could it be that I’m not the only one who inherited the Grand Mage’s power through succession magic!?

"...Let me introduce myself properly. My name is Ande, the first disciple of the Grand Mage!"

"The first disciple!?"

What the hell is going on!?

The Grand Mage had a disciple? I thought the title of "Heir to the Grand Mage" was just something people started calling me because he could use ultimate magic and had strength comparable to the Grand Mage.

Besides, the Grand Mage is a figure from the past. According to what Gina told me, he disappeared from history over a hundred years ago… Oh, wait. Ande is a High Elf! Their lifespan is ridiculously long. If he’s lived for nearly 200 years, it’s entirely possible that he really was the Grand Mage’s first disciple.

"...I never imagined Master would take on another disciple besides me. As far as I knew, I was his only student. That means he must have taken you in after we parted ways."

"Uh, well..."

It’s true that I inherited the Grand Mage’s power through succession magic, but I wouldn’t exactly call myself his disciple.

"...Where is Master now? Or... were you there for his final moments?"

"...The Grand Mage passed away due to old age. I buried him with my own hands."

By the time I arrived in this world, the Grand Mage had already died of old age. I buried him in the garden of his home in the Forest of Ruin, which now connects to the ceiling of my house.

"...I see. With Master’s power, he could have easily extended his lifespan... Yet he chose not to. He must have been determined to live and die as a human."

Ande gazed up at the sky with a sorrowful expression. As the Grand Mage’s first disciple, they must have been close.

"...Where is Master’s grave? I would like to pay my respects."

........................

The Grand Mage’s grave... It’s in the garden of the house he used before he died, which now connects to my home. Telling him that means I’d have to explain about the door to another world and how I inherited many of the Grand Mage’s powers.

...But he has a right to know. He’s not some distant descendant of the Grand Mage—he’s a disciple who actually knew him in life.

"There’s a house in the Forest of Ruin, a high-level monster territory in this country. It was the Grand Mage’s home until his final moments. I built his grave in the garden there."

"...The Forest of Ruin? I’ve heard rumors about it, but I never imagined Master would build a house in such a place... Well, that does sound like him."

Ande chuckled, reminiscing about the Grand Mage.

"...So that means you’re not as young as you look. You don’t seem to be an Elf using illusion magic, so... Are you over a hundred years old in that form?"

"Uh, no, that’s not it… but explaining would take a while."

"...No matter. This isn’t the time for that conversation."

"Ande, why do you seek out strong opponents?"

It was something that had been on my mind for a while. As the Grand Mage’s disciple, he likely possesses power rivaling that of the Grand Mage himself. And yet, he still seeks even greater strength. I couldn’t understand why.

"...I was the failure of my High Elf clan. Despite being born into a race known for their exceptional magic, I couldn’t use a single spell as a child. I was mocked and ridiculed by those around me."

........................

"...In the end, even my parents abandoned me. I was cast out of the village and captured as a slave almost immediately. I was about to be sold to a depraved noble when Master happened to destroy the slave traders and rescued me.

After that, a lot happened, and I eventually learned to use magic. I forced Master to take me in as his disciple. He always told me—if you're a man, strive to be the strongest in the world. Prove yourself to those who looked down on you. Crush every injustice.

From the day Master left me and his wives behind, I’ve done nothing but train my body and mind. I wasn’t particularly gifted, but I was stubborn enough to keep honing myself. I studied Master’s magic, strengthened my body, and after many long years, I finally gained power that rivals his. Now, all that remains is to prove it—by fighting the strongest opponents I can find."