Chapter 23

EP.23 Different Ways of Thinking (2)

The stock of spells is highly practical.

In recent times, the concept of the stock of spells has become so widespread that hardly anyone is unaware of it.

However, while many know that such spells exist, only a few wizards truly understand their principles. Most battle mages use the stock of spells without understanding how they work.

However, Yeteul is different.

Yeteul and the Black Tower he belongs to have been researching the concept of the stock of spells long before it was redefined by the Ashen Mage.

The original stock of spells.

The highest-level spells.

Spell Engraving.

Yeteul dedicated his entire life to studying these spells. That's why he could perfectly understand the concept of the stock of spells completed by the Ashen Mage.

So.

At least Yeteul could discern the nature of the concealed spells the girl was wearing.

"What nerve do you have to be here...?"

"..."

The girl, with an expressionless face, looked down at the white-robed figure.

'Lania von Trias.'

Yeteul looked at the girl's fingers.

Creak, creak.

A sound that only he could hear.

The sound of the stock of spells creaking as they tried to release.

The spells contained there were far from trivial.

'Surely she won't cast them, right?'

The black-robed figure examined the girl's face.

Her expression was still expressionless, but it seemed only a matter of time before that mask would crack.

"So, you're here like this?"

"I supervised, and the children got what they wanted..."

The white-robed figure spoke in a measured tone.

Seeing this, Yeteul became a bit anxious.

'Should I say something?'

Should I step in and stop her here?

However, he couldn't bring himself to move. Instinctively, he refused to approach the girl. Meanwhile, the white-robed figure continued to press the girl.

"Something seems suspicious."

The white-robed figure firmly stepped on the girl's shoe.

"If you're not going to answer, that's fine."

She smiled and raised her finger.

"Looks like a mage with no practical experience, doesn't it? How can a mage not carry any artifacts? You must have been locked away in your lab, I bet."

Lightning crackled at her finger.

"I don't like the look in your eyes. Even if this is Aphria, I am the head of the White Tower."

The lightning flickered.

"As a mage, shouldn't you show at least some respect to the head of a tower?"

The lightning aimed for the girl's shoulder.

'This crazy woman.'

Yeteul shouted in alarm.

"White!"

"You don't have to shout so loudly, I'll just adjust...?"

Boom!

The white-robed figure's words were cut short.

"Huh?"

"Ah..."

The white-robed figure looked up at the ceiling.

The black-robed figure looked at the girl's face.

"What is this...?"

The white-robed figure sounded bewildered.

The lightning that had crackled at her fingertips had disappeared.

'...Up there?'

The sound was coming from the ceiling.

Crack, crackle.

A spell crawling across the ceiling.

It was more threatening than the lightning she had intended to summon.

'Spell...seizure?'

The white-robed figure turned her head.

"Black, did you do this?"

"Well... let's leave it at that."

"What is this? Why is it...?"

"White."

The black-robed figure spoke with a trembling voice.

"Let's go now."

"Huh?"

"We're both busy, aren't we? There's no time to waste here. We've confirmed you're safe, haven't we?"

"Why are you like this all of a sudden?"

Click.

The black-robed figure grabbed the white-robed figure's shoulder.

"There's no need to cause a commotion in Aphria. Let's go."

"Why are you like this? Are you crazy..."

"Come on, follow me!"

The white-robed figure tilted her head in confusion. She couldn't understand what had frightened the black-robed figure so much.

* * *

2.

Lark had always loved the snowfields since he was young.

While hunting and camping with the northern warriors, the night would always fall. Lark especially loved the nights in the snowfields.

On nights without snow.

The warriors would often carry Lark on their shoulders and wander through the snowfields at midnight. Lark remembers the sparkling sky he saw that night.

Starlight.

Beautiful starlight.

"..."

Recalling the starlight, Lark opened his eyes.

His mind was still hazy. His body felt heavy. Lark slowly turned his head and sensed something was off.

'Am I still half-asleep?'

Even though he had opened his eyes, the starlight did not fade. Lark blinked several times. After a while, he could finally see clearly.

-Rustle.

His gaze landed on a woman sitting in a chair, reading a book. Lark stared at her blankly.

Her delicate eyelashes blinked.

Her hand gently brushed away the hair that fluttered in the breeze. Her slender fingers turned the pages.

As if enchanted, Lark looked at her profile. She was a mysterious figure, unlike anyone he had seen in the north.

'She looks intellectual. The book suits her well.'

Indeed, such a woman would fit well with the bitter black liquid.

Hmm, as Lark nodded, the woman turned her head. Her eyes met Lark's. At that moment, Lark's eyes widened.

The remaining drowsiness vanished.

His instincts sharpened.

"Huh!"

Lark swallowed hard and turned his gaze. But it was too late; their eyes had already met. Predators never let go of their prey once they make eye contact.

"Oh? You're awake?"

"Y-Yes, I am."

Lark abruptly sat up. The Lark who had jumped up turned his head slowly.

"Faster than I thought."

Lania, who seemed amazed, blinked her eyes. Lark felt a bit anxious.

"What are you doing, stepping on my shoes, you crazy woman?"

Lark brushed the dust off his shoes.

Actually, he hadn't intended to deflect the spell.

I thought she might be angry that her disciple had fallen. After all, I was the one who dragged her to the mana spring, so I couldn't say I was entirely blameless.

'I thought I might just take one hit... but...'

She's just being a brat.

Why step on my shoes?

These were the shoes his master had bought him, which he polished and maintained every day. The dust marks on them were very annoying.

"Head of the White Tower."

What was her name again?

2.

The troublesome half-allocation test is over, and Aphria Academy officially welcomes the new semester.

Alchemy, Combat Magic, Elemental Magic...

Students, now taking the classes prepared according to their talents, gather in the classrooms and chat. They don't really share anything particularly meaningful.

The alchemy professor has a warm demeanor.

The combat magic professor emphasizes physical strength, and so on.

Since the semester has just started, detailed stories about the professors haven't emerged yet. Most professors have only given introductory lectures for their first classes.

Of course, there were exceptions.

A subject all students must take.

'Basics of Mana and Trade Studies.'

Among these, the Basics of Mana were divided into different levels, but not the Trade Studies.

At Aphria Academy.

No, throughout the entire kingdom, there was only one professor who could teach Trade Studies.

'Roselle von Trias.'

The famous professor who had raised the Ashen Mage started teaching from the first class. When the class ended,

-Four hours of continuous lectures from the first class.

-Homework from the first class.

It was only natural that Roselle's name was on everyone's lips.

-Professor Roselle is crazy.

-I don't know what he's doing.

-Is this amount of homework normal for the first week?

-This doesn't seem right at all.

Stories about Professor Roselle spread throughout the student body.

And.

Roselle, at the center of these rumors, was currently checking the next class date while resting his chin in his hand.

"The schedules overlap strangely."

A small problem had arisen.

Two events were marked on the same date on the calendar.

-Third week class.

-Regular meeting at the Ashen Tower.

"Hmm."

Roselle stroked his chin.

It wouldn't be a problem to postpone the class, but he didn't really want to change his given schedule.

On the other hand, he couldn't skip the regular meeting at the tower. He was an elder of the Ashen Tower before being a professor at Aphria.

'What should I do about this?'

As Roselle pondered, his gaze suddenly fell on his disciple, who was rolling around in the corner of the room.

'There he is again.'

Roselle swallowed a sigh and spoke.

"Laniel?"

"Yes? Master."

"Come here for a moment."

Roselle pointed to the calendar on the desk.

"On this day, I need to go to the tower."

"Yes, but why?"

"Since it's hard to postpone, how about you take the class for a bit?"

"Me?"

Laniel tilted his head.

"Last time, didn't you say I shouldn't teach anyone? That I need to learn how to teach again."

"That's why I didn't let you teach."

"You said I still have a long way to go, Master..."

There was a subtle edge to his tone.

'...Well, I did speak a bit harshly the last time I tried to teach him.'

Roselle smiled bitterly and spoke.

"Still, you've learned the basics, haven't you?"

"Have I?"

"Besides, there's no real need to teach a full class. I was planning to have them solve some simple problems."

He pointed to the problem sheet on the desk.

"Just distribute this and have them solve the problems. If they have questions, you can answer them simply."

"Is that all?"

"Just make it like a self-study session."

As he said this, Roselle asked.

"Can you handle it?"

"If it's just self-study, it shouldn't be a problem. I just have to stand there, right?"

"That's true."

It's simple.

It was indeed simple. Really, just standing there would be enough. However, Roselle felt an inexplicable sense of unease. But he quickly shook it off.

'Surely nothing will happen during a self-study session.'

This wasn't the Laniel he remembered from his childhood.

Roselle decided to trust his disciple.

Author's Note:

I originally planned to write a continuous chapter today, but...

It took longer than I thought ㅠㅠ.

I'll try to write a continuous chapter soon...

I'm sorry for the four-day break!

Starting this week, I'll resume regular updates!