Chapter 48

EP.48 Aria Learns - 2

A week has passed since Leonardo started living in the tower.

[Yes, that's it! That's right!]

Leonardo stabilized the 3rd Circle magic and the 3-star core that he had been putting off in the tower.

The core could have reached 3-star status long ago, but following the sage's advice to prioritize stability with the circle, he had balanced it according to the circle's growth.

<Fire Storm>

A whirlwind of Fireballs continuously emitted, with power and destructive force that made comparing it to a Fireball seem almost insulting.

This was because it completely melted and destroyed the target rock with fire.

“...Is this magic usually this powerful?”

[It is, but the mages of this era really use it poorly.]

That was even more shocking.

[Do you think I told you to focus on fundamentals for no reason? I have my reasons.]

<Wow... I admire you, Sage.>

It was impossible not to admire him. In his previous life, Leonardo, who had often fought against high-level mages, was astonished that a mere 3rd Circle magic could be so powerful.

[Enough with the flattering. Now that everything is solid, we can move on to the next step.]

<Is the next step 4th Circle magic?>

[No, unique magic.]

Leonardo asked, puzzled. The professor's pace was too fast.

<Unique magic? That... which only great mages can use...?>

Unique magic, a spell with unique characteristics created by the mage themselves.

It was the highest-level magic, celebrated as the greatest achievement of a great mage.

[What's so great about a great mage? In fact, you can create it right after learning basic magic. It's just that it's strangely revered in this era.]

The sage casually said this while rubbing his eyes and eyelids. In fact, Leonardo had also faced mages with unique magic before.

Thinking back, the unique magic they used in battle was really not as impressive as generic magic.

[Anyway, that's it for today. Get some rest, and see you tomorrow.]

<But we're always together anyway.>

[Oh, right?]

In the first place, the person who had implanted the sage's stone in his heart was this man. There were ethical and moral issues to consider, but he decided to put them off for now as they were too troublesome.

[But where is Aria?]

<She's probably still training.>

Ariasfil had decided to learn spirit magic from Physis for a week. It had become increasingly difficult to see her recently.

[...But can she really learn spirit magic in just a week? Even with talent, it should take half a year to a year.]

<She can. I used it in my previous life.>

Around the age of 17, he naturally started using it. When he had a bleeding wound in his abdomen, the water spirits around him suddenly appeared and healed the wound.

[Naturally...? So...]

<Just used it. I thought I didn't need a teacher, so I left it at that.>

Leonardo himself couldn't teach it, and Aria only used it as a support tool, not seriously learning it.

It might have been good to learn, but he didn't think it was necessary to force it.

<She fought well without it anyway.>

After obtaining the holy sword, she could fire beams from the sword at any time; what did it matter if she had spirits?

When the spirits made a blade of wind, Aria created a cliff with a sword wind.

[...Hmm... If that's true, it's a bit scary...]

<That's what genius is.>

[No, it's not that... How did she die?]

As a sage, it was hard to understand how such a genius and monster, a hero, could die.

<...Actually... I don't really know.>

[Hey, if you don't know, who does?]

<Everyone at the scene went mad or died.>

[...What?]

When Leonardo finally arrived at the scene, it was like hell.

If Ariasfil hadn't been there, an entire nation might have been destroyed.

<Let me explain when we get back to the room. We can't keep putting it off.>

The sage nodded silently. The wound of that day still felt like a painful scar to Leonardo, so the sage couldn't answer rashly.

“Leonardo!”

At that moment, the tragic heroine ran towards Leonardo.

“Aria...!”

Leonardo stopped speaking. It was a moment where he couldn't help but stop.

[...Oh...]

Aria's attire was different from usual.

While she usually prioritized mobility and comfort, the current outfit focused entirely on highlighting Ariasfil's charm as a woman.

It was just a simple blouse and long skirt, but the minimal exposure accentuated her unique purity while emphasizing her slim waist and the volume of her chest, revealing a seductive charm.

It was almost as if she was flaunting it, making his heart race.

[That's not just an illusion...]

Shut up. If it's an illusion, it's an illusion.

“...How do I look?”

“Huh?”

She asked, subtly leaning in.

“These are the clothes Physis gave me. She said they would suit me.”

It was a very suitable and appropriate style, but it was quite painful for his heart.

Gratitude and resentment towards Physis coexisted and merged.

[That's just good...]

It's different. Different, period. If you can't understand this explanation, there's nothing more to say.

“...How... do I look?”

Aria, who had subtly adjusted her posture, asked. Her awkwardness only added to her charm and cuteness.

“Y-You look beautiful. Very...”

Leonardo bowed his head to hide his blushing face, leaving his impression of Aria's beauty.

“Really? That's great!”

Aria smiled innocently, but in reality, it was different.

‘...Just as planned...!’

What Aria learned over the week was not just spirit magic.

***

In fact, she had already mastered spirit magic in just one day.

‘...Is this really your first time...? Really...?!”

‘...Huh? But...? Is something wrong...?’

‘No, the opposite...! How can a person be like this?!’

Ariasfil was loved excessively by the spirits and mana. What Physis taught her was not even spirit magic.

‘...Just how to perceive mana as a personality... and then this...’

As soon as Aria heard this, she gathered all the spirits in the greenhouse forest around her.

All the spirits, as if they had rehearsed, said the same thing.

[It just felt like I should come.]

Thinking about it, the spirits Aria had met so far were all already contracted fairies.

Given that even these contracted spirits had a good impression of Aria, her talent was probably beyond the norm.

‘...Do I need to refine it further?’

‘...No, there's no need.’

After that, Physis had to completely revise her teaching plan.

Originally, the proper way was to teach how to communicate with a spirit that barely responded, increase spirit affinity, and proceed with the contract.

‘Shouldn't I do that too?’

‘No, for you, making a contract would be a hassle.’

Contracts were made to deepen the bond with spirits. The deeper the bond, the more magic and mana you could use, and the more complex instructions or conversations were possible.

‘But you can talk to spirits anytime, anywhere, as long as there's mana. Making a contract would make you more likely to be subordinate.’

Spirits, being intelligent beings, could also harbor emotions like anger and jealousy, and not help the spirit mage.

‘That's why spirit mages generally don't prefer to contract with many spirits. It's troublesome and comes with many strict restrictions.’

‘But Mr. Anus contracted quite a few...’

‘That's a benefit of being from the same hometown. He has a deep connection with spirits from the same place.’

In fact, even spirits not contracted with Anus cooperated in his battles. Spirits sometimes valued connections like hometown and blood ties more than humans.

‘But for you, the whole world is like your hometown.’

Aria's spirit affinity was exceptionally outstanding. Unless she destroyed a large area of spirit territory, all spirits would be friendly towards Ariasfil.

‘So there's no need to contract. It might even worsen your relationship with spirits.’

Now, the focus would be on using magic with spirits. The advantage of spirit magic was that it was easy to execute with high intimacy, which was not even a concern for Aria.

‘So, how about we take a break and learn something else?’

‘Something else?’

Physis showed a photo with a relaxed smile.

‘How to seduce Leonardo. This is the main point, right?’

Aria had already taken out a notebook.

***

‘...Just as planned...!’

Aria felt satisfied with her plan as she saw Leonardo's embarrassed expression.

The clothes she was wearing were also part of the plan, given to her by Physis to seduce.

‘This is the best. If the clothes are too revealing, the intention is obvious. But this covers everything while highlighting the body, making it even more alluring.’

As she said, Ariasfil had no resistance to wearing such clothes. But the boy in front of her seemed very flustered.

The always mature Leonardo was now trying to hide his red face, which made him look cute.

‘Now, phase two.’

Aria decided to maximize her strengths.

“It’s been a while, I feel a bit stiff... How about a sparring session?”

“A sparring session? Sure!”

While sparring might not seem like a way to show femininity, it could actually create opportunities to exploit weaknesses.

‘The important part is not just during the sparring, but after.’

During the sparring, there's no chance for intimate skin contact.

But after, it's different.

You can use the excuse of being tired to carry or hug her, and if there are injuries, you can disinfect them together. The ultimate goal is...

- A massage after sparring

‘It’s impossible not to create a suggestive atmosphere. The skin contact is natural, and even if moans come out, it’s not strange, but the listener will be aware of it, whether they like it or not.’

Is that all? If

Aria received the massage, she could watch Leonardo awkwardly rubbing her body up close, and if she gave the massage,

she could legally rub Leonardo's body. Either way, it was a reward that was hard to come by.

“...H-Hmm...”

[...Why is she smiling so lewdly?]

<...>

Leonardo couldn't defend himself. While "lewd" might be an exaggeration, it wasn't something he could deny.

He could only awkwardly start a conversation.

“So, about the sparring...”

“Sparring, sounds good.”

A woman walked in, holding an unnecessarily large and heavy staff.

She was dressed in a black suit, but her curvaceous figure was clearly visible, and the suit even accentuated her mature charm.

“Would you mind if I spar with you first?”

“...It’s been a while. Miss Eileen Tempestus.”

Leonardo knelt on one knee and gave her a dignified greeting.

Eileen Tempestus.

The heiress of the Tempestus family, known as the pinnacle of the magic world.

‘...A woman...’

She was now Aria's rival.

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