novelraw Chapter 90 : Chapter 90
Chapter 90 : Chapter 90
Chapter 90: The Genius Mage of the Academy (3)
‘……Practical application?’
Monika thought, propping her chin on her hand.
Abel was in the middle of announcing the practical evaluation.
She knew the general facts. The reason CIAR was called the empire's top educational institution was not just because of the faculty's skills, the students' talents, or the scale of the facilities. It also enjoyed a political symbolism, and the practical evaluation was one of the systems that had contributed to enhancing CIAR's reputation.
‘Because it can be made known.’
The students' skills,
and their spirit of service to the subjects.
‘If there's one thing I didn't know…….’
Should I do it, or not?
She never thought she would have such a dilemma.
When she had transferred to CIAR, she had thought she would decline. Because she had thought she wouldn't be skilled enough. She had vaguely wanted to become a holy knight, but she had felt that facing monsters would be a matter for the future.
It was different now. She could be confident that she had gained some experience. She had fought against Dante, who was possessed by a cursed artifact, she had tried jumping from an airship, and above all……,
‘Fleur, I fought with you.’
Monika thought, fiddling with the fresh flowers on her desk.
‘Anyway, what should I do?’
I don't have a guardian.
If I decide to take the practical evaluation……,
‘Should I ask Teacher Abel for approval?’
But he's a professor. Teacher Abel is not my guardian.
The moment Monika, who was in deep thought, pursed her lips,
“Monika, I can taste your worry.”
Suddenly, Lizer whispered.
“What's the taste of worry?”
“The air around you is a little bitter. I can taste it.”
“Well, aren't you something special.”
That person is just as crazy.
Thinking so, Monika let out a sigh, and,
“Lizer Leinhart.”
“Yes!”
To Abel's call, Lizer raised his hand.
“Come here. I need your help.”
Creak.
A chair being pushed back.
Lizer stood side by side with Abel.
“Let me introduce you.”
Abel said to the students.
“Lizer is a 6th-year student in the Elemental Studies department. He has already passed the graduation exam, so he has been active outside. He has decided to be my assistant until the end of this semester.”
The students' gazes were focused on Lizer.
Lizer waved his hand with a forced smile. The school uniform he was wearing after a long time felt unfamiliar, and it was quite awkward to be face to face with underclassmen from another department. Above all, the gaze of one male student was bothering him. He could hear the smell of vigilance, the taste of doubt, and cynical static.
‘What, why is that guy here?’
A 5th-year student in the Theology department, Ernst von Tresckow.
Ernst had heard of Lizer's name. The top student of the Elemental Studies department, a young man who had contracted with over twenty spirits. Why had such a Lizer become Abel's assistant? There would be no reason for them to form a relationship.
‘Professor Argento, you are too suspicious.’
Ernst thought, narrowing his eyes.
The incident that had occurred in the Saint-Pierre estate. He had just read all the articles related to it. The giant of fire and the giant flower. Finally, articles about a Sword Saint appearing were rampant. The Papacy had not made a separate statement, but that was why it was reliable. A Sword Saint had appeared in the Saint-Pierre estate, and Fleur had died there.
‘Abel Argento is a Sword Saint…….’
And so, it was inevitable that it would come to mind.
The ridiculous article that had been published in ‘Yesterday Clairvoyance’.
“Lizer will also be participating in the practical evaluation.”
Meanwhile, after briefly introducing Lizer, Abel,
“So show us. The place where we will conduct the practical evaluation.”
demanded that he use magic.
It wasn't difficult to figure out Abel's intentions. It would be better to show them than to explain with words. Both the magic and the destination,
Lizer rummaged through the inner pocket of his school uniform coat. A short and thin magic wand. He coughed, holding it in his hand. He didn't need a magic wand to command spirits, but he had to pretend to be a human anyway.
“Nice to meet you, I'm Lizer Leinhart.”
Lizer said to the students.
While stealthily waving his magic wand.
“I will guide you on behalf of Professor Argento. We will be leaving for a fishing village called Portsmouth.”
Suddenly, spirits swirled around Lizer.
Five spirits surrounded Lizer, and Lizer waved his magic wand and asked the spirits. To spread out wide and flat.
The spirits, which had been like balls of light, were shaped into the form of a mirror. The image of the desolate Portsmouth was reflected on the smooth surface.
“I have connected the vision of the spirits that follow me with the spirits of Portsmouth. In other words, you are seeing it in real time.”
The situation in Portsmouth, that is, he said.
The moment Lizer whispered softly, a voice was heard.
“This is too much. How can a place like that……”
A 3rd-year student in the Theology department, Roberta Sinclair.
Lizer detected the smell of fear, the taste of shock, and the precocious turbid sound from Roberta. Roberta was staring at the situation in Portsmouth, dumbfounded. It seemed she was even shuddering slightly.
‘……It looks like a bomb was dropped.’
Portsmouth was facing an extreme situation.
She realized it through the scenery captured by the five spirits. The惨淡ly collapsed buildings, the gravel field filled with bloodstains, the farm tools that seemed to have been used to fight monsters, the slime that formed lumps in various places on the sandy beach, and finally, the corpse of someone lying in the distance.
“It's gruesome, isn't it?”
Lizer asked Roberta.
Roberta was startled, then nodded her head vigorously.
“The Holy Numeros Empire is the most powerful nation in Epezeria, but that doesn't mean all regions are peaceful. Places like Portsmouth are more common than you think. Though it would be hard to notice in the capital.”
There is a limit to operating the military forces,
and that's probably why.
There are subjects who are abandoned, he said.
The moment Lizer muttered,
“Lizer, I will explain from now on.”
Abel opened his mouth.
“Can you move the spirits of Portsmouth directly?”
“Ah……, of course.”
“Manipulate the spirits located in the nearby sea.”
Lizer combined the spirits.
The five spirits merged into one and became huge.
The image of Portsmouth captured through the spirits disappeared, and a sea filled with blackish marks was revealed. It was the sea near Portsmouth where monsters had formed a group.
“Move them along the marks. Far away from Portsmouth.”
“Understood.”
While Lizer moved the spirits, Abel explained in a silent tone.
“There is an intelligent species in Portsmouth. It means there is a monster with a self. As you may know, an intelligent species is far stronger than other monsters.”
Of course, he said.
Abel continued.
“You will not be subjugating the intelligent species. I plan to face it alone. You will recognize the danger of the intelligent species through me and repeat your training.”
“Um, Professor Argento?”
“Speak, Lizer.”
“I don't think it's a good idea to move the spirits like this……”
Abel's gaze tilted towards Lizer.
In the middle of the sea, a monster stood on the blackened sea surface.
It was difficult to observe accurately because of the distance. But both Abel and Lizer knew. That if they approached any further, the spirits would die. That it would notice them, who were observing through the spirits.
“That is the intelligent species.”
At Abel's words, the students held their breath.
Its height seemed to be about the same as a human male. It was small for a monster. But through its sturdy body covered in barnacles and the black marks spreading from its feet, they instinctively felt it. That this individual would be very dangerous.
“This concludes the explanation. Lizer, send the spirits to a safe place.”
“I don't think it will be safe anywhere……”
While Lizer laughed hollowly and manipulated the spirits, someone opened their mouth.
“Professor Argento.”
A 5th-year student in the Theology department, Demian Fernando von Farenheit.
The smell of goodwill, the taste of resignation, and the naive sharp sound stimulated Lizer. Demian was raising his hand with a determined expression.
“I will go no matter what.”
“I respect your opinion.”
When Demian declared, Abel gave him a nod.
“But in order to take the practical evaluation, you need not only your permission but also the permission of your guardian and my permission.”
“I know. My parents will give their permission. All that's left is the professor's permission. I will get it even if it's through a duel.”
“Stop talking about duels, Demian.”
Abel let out a sigh.
Then he swept back his hair, and,
“Now that you've said that, I don't want to give you permission.”
he whispered, his dark blue eyes flashing fiercely.
* * *
Evening, in the capital, Naflansee.
Abel, who had finished his transaction at a general store, stood on the pavement. A wide wooden board, a brush, and finally, paint. He took a step, holding the incomprehensible things.
“What do you think, Professor?”
Lizer followed Abel.
“How many do you expect to go with you? To Portsmouth, I mean.”
“I don't know. And stop following me.”
“I am observing my duties as an assistant. Is something wrong? I was planning on following you for the whole day today.”
“Everything is wrong.”
This is driving me crazy. Was this how Monika felt?
Abel wondered, narrowing his eyes. He remembered the incident where he had followed his disciple to her residence, saying he would observe her routine. Lizer had audited all of Abel's lectures for a day, and had been constantly wandering around even while he was doing paperwork. It seemed he was following him not to receive teaching, but to satisfy his curiosity.
In the first place, Lizer was not Abel's disciple.
Just the disciple of the Mage of ‘The Mother God’s Left Hand’.
“Professor Argento, may I say something?”
Abel didn't answer.
He just placed the wooden board on a low stone wall, and was writing something with a brush dipped in paint.
“The professor is really strange. I can't smell, taste, or hear anything from you.”
That was right.
Lizer wondered, following Abel relentlessly.
Was that man really alive? It was as if he was moving while dead. It was because the sensory system of a spirit did not work on Abel.
“This is the first time I've seen a case like this. I know my father has lived as long as you, Professor, but I could vaguely feel something from him.”
“That bastard is like that because of his rotten personality. And I have lived longer than him.”
“Hmm……”
Lizer pursed his lips.
According to his father, Abel Argento had gone through 97 reincarnations. No matter how powerful ‘The Mother God’s Left Hand’ was, there was no case of someone enduring so many reincarnations. Was it simply because his soul was strong? Lizer predicted differently. He was sure there was a more accurate reason.
‘Anyway, it's interesting.’
Thinking so, Lizer smiled, but,
“……Professor Argento?”
his neatly curved lips soon twisted.
“What are you doing now?”
“……I'm being punished.”
“This is really the first time I've seen a case like this……”
Abel stood in the street, holding up the wooden board.
Written on the surface of the wooden board with paint was,
Seeking a partner for a contract marriage.
Not a real marriage, a contract marriage.
No need to live together. No need to interact.
Compensation will be provided.
- Professor of the Theology department at Cia-Harphe Academy, Abel Argento.