Chapter 2

"Looks like it's easier to make the blue gem over here."

"......Hmm, indeed. It's lepidolite. It has a high magic conductivity. However, its hardness is not high."

"Why don't we make it spherical to prevent it from breaking and attach it inside rings or armor? It doesn't need to be exposed, right?"

"......Aoi, are you a genius...?"

While having such a conversation, I realized that I had almost mastered all the magic, magical tools, and non-verbal secret techniques that Owen had taught me.

Now, Owen talks more about conducting joint research on magic with me rather than just teaching me.

One day, after finishing dinner and sitting in his favorite chair, Owen spoke quietly.

"......Twelve years. Just twelve years. In that time, you've made my hundred years your own."

Muttering this, Owen narrowed his eyes and looked far away.

"......You can't compare me, who started from zero and researched alone, with me, who only had to be taught the finished results, right?"

Thinking he might be feeling down, I tried to console him, but Owen took a light sip from his glass of wine.

"It's not that I'm depressed. It's just not interesting."

"See, you're sulking."

Pointing this out with a troubled look, Owen snorted and gently swirled his glass.

"No, it's not that. It's just not interesting that Aoi's growth has stagnated. If I can continue teaching you new things, how powerful a magician will Aoi become... Perhaps you might truly master magic and reach the depths of magic."

Slightly excited, Owen spoke.

The depths of magic. This is a term that has appeared in magic books since ancient times. It is believed that as one masters magic, one can completely elucidate the theories of the source of magic and the magic circles and incantations required for its use.

However, since no one has reached it, most people think it's just a fairy tale.

However, Owen claims that he saw the possibility of reaching the depths of magic while researching magic circles for non-verbal casting.

"......The central continent is said to be superior in both civilization and magic compared to the western and eastern continents. Among the six major countries in the central continent, the largest magic academy in the world was jointly created... That's the Fidic Magic Academy."

"......What are you talking about? You can't mean I should go to that academy, right?"

When I asked, Owen exhaled through his nose.

"The six major countries naturally attract many teachers and students from various countries to the academy. There must be magic that I don't know about. Also, magic research is actively conducted within the academy, and there's even a saying that new magic is born from Fidic Academy."

"......So, there's still something for me to learn there, right?"

When I asked for confirmation, Owen nodded slightly.

"Whether you'll encounter new magic or not, you won't know until you go. But if it's Fidic Academy, I have a friend there. It should be easy to talk to him."

Hearing this, I stopped for a moment. Owen tilted his head.

"What's wrong?"

"......Owen has a friend...?"

"Are you mocking me?"

When I voiced my question, Owen's face twitched.

"Ah, sorry. Owen has been living alone in this forest for about thirty years..."

"......Indeed, I hadn't considered his survival. But he's the kind of guy who won't die even if you kill him. He should be fine."

Sighing with a troubled look, Owen muttered.

"Then, what's your friend's name?"

"Hmm, Glen. He should be the head of the academy. He's a half-elf, but he should be around 130 years old. He should be alive and well."

Owen said this casually.

"......The head of the academy. If that's the case, it does sound promising. So, I should ask him to become a student, right?"

When I answered, Owen laughed.

"What are you talking about? Learning basic and advanced magic as a student is meaningless for Aoi. Instead, it would be better to become a teacher, meet teachers from various countries, and learn the magic they are independently researching."

Owen said this as if it were nothing, and I couldn't help but frown.

"......Become a teacher right away?"

When I said this, Owen closed his eyes for a few seconds as if thinking, then tilted his glass.

"......It should be fine. Aoi is good at teaching others. Besides, what students learn is the basics and advanced techniques of incantation magic. You've already disassembled and thoroughly studied the magic circles used to create them. It's too easy for Aoi."

Laughing softly, Owen continued.

Narrowing his eyes and shaking his shoulders, he laughed, which seemed to be a gesture that made him look his age.

"......Alright. But how do I get to the academy?"

When I asked, Owen said casually.

"I'll guide you to the road. If you go straight through the forest, it should take about two days. After that, just follow the road."

"By foot?"

"If you use flight magic around this forest, you might be attacked by dragons. One might be fine, but two or three would be tough even for Aoi. Well, I could handle five easily."

"I didn't ask for that."

I sharply pointed out his boastful addition and sighed.

"......So, you'll keep walking after reaching the road? There's no convenient teleportation magic, right?"

Sighing, I said this, and Owen looked surprised.

"......Teleportation? Moving by magic? What a revelation. Such magic... No, there's a good possibility. There is magic to create spirits from nothing. When the magic ends, the spirits disappear... This means they might be summoned from another space and returned... Therefore..."

I said something unnecessary. Before I knew it, Owen was completely in researcher mode and had forgotten about me going to the academy.

We walked for two days with breaks in the forest and then continued south along the road.

"Here, the magic beasts are strong, and the security is poor. You won't easily find a regular carriage."

"Why do you live in such a place?"

While answering with a sigh, we continued down the road together.

If we encountered magic beasts, we would defeat them, and if bandits appeared, we would drive them away. What would be a harsh journey for most was surprisingly not too difficult for the two of us.

Thus, we arrived at the trading city of Highwood.

The streets, reminiscent of Eastern Europe, were fascinating, and I was moved to see the people and their way of life in a different world for the first time. Owen's house was too modern to be impressive, and Owen himself was a disappointing elf who was obsessed with research and magical tools.

"......You're thinking something rude, aren't you?"

"It's just your imagination."

With this exchange, Owen shrugged and spoke.

"Well, this is where we part. I've put thirty gold coins and thirty silver coins in this. It's enough to travel comfortably for a few months. Go to that merchant guild and join a group of merchants heading to Fidic Academy."

"Are you leaving already? You could stay for a night."

"I have a new challenge, researching teleportation magic..."

"Alright, that's fine."

Smiling wryly at Owen's typical response, I let my gaze wander for a few seconds.

Owen is not a parent, and it's hard to call him a friend. The most fitting description would be a master and disciple or research partners.

So, what should I say as a farewell?

"......Thank you for everything. I'll do my best."

So, I said this with a smile.

I thought this was the most fitting for us.

However, Owen nodded expressionlessly and placed a hand on my head.

"Same to you. I consider you my only daughter, so come back if anything happens."

His awkward but sincere words and actions deeply resonated with me.

The warmth of Owen's hand gradually seeped into me, and I realized it was the first time he had patted my head.

Tears welled up naturally, and my nose tingled.

"......If you get knowledge that could be useful for your research, come back immediately."

"......You're such an idiot."

In the end, we said our goodbyes with Owen's typical words.