Aris Richellen, a chair professor at Rabatenon University, was dressed in a white shirt and blue skirt, giving off a student-like vibe rather than a professorial one. This meeting marked their first encounter since their previous interaction at the library.
"You never came to see me. Do you think anything will change by just burying yourself in books here alone?"
Without hesitation, she unabashedly scanned Lennok from head to toe before turning her attention to the book he held, carefully scrutinizing its contents.
"Summoning contracts, elemental magic rituals… Homunculus? Sigh…"
Upon verifying the titles of the books stacked around him, she made a peculiar expression and released a profound sigh. As someone with a vivid imagination and a tendency to react independently, she possessed a unique character. Lennok remained silent, observing her intently, intrigued to witness the extent of her assumptions.
With great care, Aris selected her words as though instructing a young child, speaking softly to convey her thoughts.
"It's not a good choice to turn your attention to these things just because you have no talent for magic. Especially summoning or elemental magic require even more demanding skills than simple talent, and if you insist on comparing them, they really pick and choose people."
"I know that very well."
Aris' eyebrows furrowed at Lennok's calm response.
"Why would someone who knows that be holding onto those books? If you want to try your luck, I recommend buying a lottery ticket from the government. Even someone like me who works at a university has only met three elemental wizards. It's best to give up on useless hopes."
"……"
Her words held a grain of truth. If Lennok were truly an ordinary individual lacking any magical abilities, her advice would have been astute. Even Lennok himself struggled to grasp the intricacies of these magical arts. However, Lennok was aware that his potential surpassed these limitations, and the disparity lay in Aris' lack of knowledge about him.
Certainly, if he were to disclose his circumstances to her, he might be spared such remarks. But was it truly necessary to do so? Lennok's capabilities extended far beyond what he himself found acceptable. His magical prowess, attained at the cost of his own lifespan, possessed an alarmingly remarkable quality. Sometimes, even Lennok pondered the reactions of other wizards if they were to uncover his secret.
As someone still unfamiliar with this world, Lennok couldn't accurately anticipate or handle such responses. However, it appeared that Aris had entirely misinterpreted his silence. Lennok didn't overlook the fleeting emotion that briefly flickered in her eyes—a sentiment closer to pity than sympathy.
"Sigh… Give me the book."
With Lennok remaining silent, Aris seized one of the books stacked beside him and swiftly delved into its contents. She flipped through the pages with a pace almost matching Lennok's own speed. Her proficiency as a seasoned wizard was evident in her remarkable intellect.
In the blink of an eye, Aris completed the readings of three books, demonstrating a solid understanding of the topic. Nodding affirmatively, she took a seat across from Lennok, indicating her readiness to engage in conversation.
"…..What are you doing now?"
"Are you asking because you don't know? I'm trying to summarize and explain it so you can understand it well."
Only moments ago, she vehemently opposed any involvement with magic, and now she appeared to be attempting to impart its knowledge. Lennok, perplexed by this sudden shift, raised his concern, prompting Aris to respond with a composed expression.
"If I explain how difficult and risky summoning magic is, you'll understand. People like you, who are eager to learn, always have a stubborn streak. You won't budge unless you're convinced. I know it well."
With that, she embarked on explaining the fundamentals of summoning magic, providing an overview of its advantages and disadvantages.
"Unlike magic that starts with one's own will and the specific concentration of mana, summoning magic isㅡ"
He attentively listened to her words, captivated by her familiar and serene tone, akin to that of a university professor. Her explanations were succinct and straightforward, presented with such clarity that even Lennok, who had already studied the material extensively, found himself nodding in agreement.
"………"
At this level, Lennok couldn't simply brush her off. He had come to realize this some time ago. She was genuinely good-hearted, far too good to waste her time on someone like him. Rather than forcing him to abandon his pursuit, which she considered misguided and filled with false hopes, she attempted to make him comprehend the situation.
Upon recognizing Lennok's sincere passion, she respected his determination and approached him with care, mindful not to dampen his enthusiasm. She possessed a gentle nature and proved to be a commendable teacher.
Silently, Lennok shifted his gaze toward the sunlit window, his ears attuned to her melodious voice. The sight beyond the window, with the tranquil Vulcan in view, exuded an air of serenity.
When she initially handed him her business card, Lennok contemplated reaching out to her. In this desolate street, devoid of reliable companions, having someone to converse with provided solace. Particularly if they could delve into the realm of magic and receive even the slightest bit of guidance.
To claim that he had never pondered the business card she gave him would be a falsehood.
However, the reason he never looked into going to Rabatenon University, even when having those thoughts, wasㅡ
"Hey, are you listening to me?"
"…..Of course. I'm listening very well."
"……."
Observing Aris sporting a displeased expression and crossing her arms, Lennok offered an awkward smile in response. After a brief moment of her piercing gaze, Aris suddenly spoke, as if a thought had just dawned on her.
"Come to think of it, I gave you my business card, but I never heard your name."
"……."
"What's your name? I'm taking the time to give you this lecture, so you should at least tell me your full name."
ㅡBecause she was one of the very few people who knew Lennok's true identity.
He had come to terms with the recognition that accompanied his prowess as a lightning wizard.
Considering Lennok's circumstances, there were moments when he struggled to earn even the bare minimum if he let his fear overtake him.
However, the idea of exchanging magical accomplishments with another wizard was an entirely different matter.
His extraordinary talent was not just remarkable, it was to a degree that it could be perceived as a threat.
Lennok was unsure if he could maintain a steady pace in his magical development while learning from her.
Furthermore, he didn't have sufficient understanding of Aris Richelle to anticipate her reaction if he were to falter.
It was essential for him to exercise caution.
Yet, he was aware of how easily his heart could be moved by simple acts of kindness and benevolence.
With a cunning smile, Lennok effectively masked his true emotions.
"Do we really need to mention names?"
"What did you say?"
"We don't necessarily need names to have a conversation."
"…….."
Feeling Aris' wide-eyed gaze, Lennok quickly picked up an excuse.
"Aren't we just fellow students exploring magic in this library? Isn't it enough to share knowledge about magic and have conversations?"
The opportunities for him to meet her beyond this day were likely to be limited.
Despite Lennok's regular visits to the library on holidays, he had only bumped into her twice, suggesting her primary occupation kept her significantly occupied.
All he needed to do was to let this instance slip by casually.
However, it appeared as though Aris had been expectantly awaiting Lennok's murmured words.
"Alright. If you say so, it means you're ready to learn about magic from me."
"…..what?"
"I haven't been able to come to the library recently because I was finishing a paper, but I usually stop by the university library once every two weeks to look for materials that haven't been updated."
With an audible thud, she abruptly closed the book and rose from her seat, causing Lennok to gaze up at her with a slightly bewildered expression.
"I'll give you a simple lesson here once every two weeks. I'll teach you the basics of magic, not this summoning magic, so make sure you're well-prepared."
"But I don't have the time…"
Lennok sighed, his gaze lingering on the lush blonde hair that vanished as if she had no intention of waiting for his response. Despite having met only twice, she had already revealed herself as a strong-willed individual.
Calmly, Lennok tidied up the scattered books on the desk, placing them in a designated pile for return. He then departed from the library. The sun hung in the sky, slowly descending as dusk approached, casting a reddish-purple hue along the horizon.
Lost in contemplation, Lennok found himself gazing blankly at the sky, lost in his own thoughts.
"………"
Aris Richelle's display of kindness towards Lennok wasn't entirely unfounded. She appeared to possess a peculiar fondness for individuals who refused to forsake their passion for magic, even in the absence of natural aptitude. Lennok, who had been sitting in the library, engrossed in his study of books, certainly resembled an aspiring wizard.
It wasn't unusual for a young wizard who had achieved the rank of professor at a university to encounter situations aligning with their own talents. However, Lennok faced a separate challenge in accommodating her unwavering determination.
‘……Once every two weeks. If I just listen to her words thoroughly.'
Lennok found himself grappling with the delicate balance between the minimal psychological risk he could tolerate and the advantage of establishing a close relationship with a chair professor from a magic university. It proved to be a challenging decision, but one he couldn't evade contemplating.
If he grew closer to her, it might facilitate his prospects of finding employment in the surface world. Moreover, learning about the work and society of surface world wizards would greatly assist Lennok in his current circumstances.
If that was all it entailed, if those were the only implications, then perhaps he could arrange at least one scheduled engagement in this city, where support was scarce.
Such thoughts elicited a hollow laughter from Lennok—a laugh tinged with sadness. It seemed absurd that he had to worry and exercise caution merely by making a commitment to one person.
Another day slipped away, its remnants dissolving with the fading glow of a cigarette.
It was time to compensate for the worth of the cigarette he had thoughtlessly tossed into the air. He needed to slowly begin the search for his next job.
⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩
"Your name will be registered on the deep web."
"What?"
At Jenny's sudden remark, Lennok, who was about to drink his whiskey, paused.
"What do you mean?"
"Thanks to your good work, the annoying procedures started to be processed quickly. If the client's satisfaction is high, this kind of thing sometimes happens."
As she spoke, Jenny began to skillfully mix a cocktail.
Having always seen Jordan mix drinks, he had no idea, but she also seemed quite experienced as a bartender.
"Speaking of which, where did Jordan go?"
"He usually takes a break once every two weeks. He has a previous job commitment, and he occasionally goes to lend a hand."
Lennok recollected the memory of when he initially apprehended the criminal and handed him over to Jordan. Considering Jordan's ability to extract crucial information from a mere glance at a corpse, his other job must be no easy task.
"It's a regular part of our schedule. Jordan and I have known about it since we opened the bar. So sometimes, like this, I have to… do the work."
She let out a deep sigh, quickly finished her task, and casually placed the cocktail in front of the customer sitting next to Lennok.
"Eat up and drop dead, you idiot."
"Oh, it looks delicious. Hehehe."
The big man with a mask, Dylan, let out a sinister laugh and gulped down the cocktail in one sip.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Comments