Ch.47The Disciple to the Master, the Master to the Disciple (1)

“Today I’ll teach you ice magic. The most important thing in utilizing the ice attribute is……”

While continuing her explanation, Melina couldn’t understand why she was doing such a pointless thing. Though she would go along with it since she was promised the truth, she couldn’t grasp the meaning behind this “teacher-student charade.”

“Like this?”

“……Yes. That’s how you do it.”

Naturally, Olivia perfectly followed Melina’s lessons.

When taught one thing, she understood ten; when learning the basics, she mastered the applications.

Of course, Melina felt nothing from it. Teaching magic to someone who had already awakened to the truth was truly peculiar.

How to put it… if she had to express it, it felt like being deceived.

“Olivia.”

“Yes, Master.”

“That… Never mind.”

Melina let out a faint sigh.

‘I can’t even ask when she’ll reveal the truth.’

By now, she couldn’t tell if this was an act or not.

What else could she do but properly play the role of a teacher?

Melina recalled memories from a hundred years ago—memories of teaching Galdur, the current Master of the Red Tower.

If she just modernized the curriculum from back then, she could roughly imitate being a teacher.

But Melina had to abandon that thought after just one day.

“Master, I’ve finished.”

“You’re done already?”

The answer came from beside her. While Melina had gone to the imperial palace, she had left Olivia with the First Elder.

“Yes, I watched her closely. Not only did she complete all the tasks the Tower Master assigned, but she even finished three levels of advanced applications.”

“……Is that so?”

“Your insight is truly remarkable, Tower Master! Even the other elders who opposed your decision must now realize their ignorance once again! Who else but you could teach someone with such talent?”

The contract between Melina and Olivia was their secret. So it wasn’t strange for the First Elder to react this way.

From the perspective of an uninformed third party, Olivia was truly a heaven-sent talent.

She was even more exceptional than the Red Tower Master Galdur, and even surpassed Melina herself when she was young.

“Surely with this child, the truth…”

The First Elder, speaking with an excited face, stopped mid-sentence and glanced nervously at Melina. He seemed to realize what mistake he had just made.

‘I-I made a mistake!’

Truth—that word was like a sore spot for Melina.

Anyone would be angry if their efforts didn’t yield results. Especially if that period spanned hundreds of years.

The First Elder visibly tensed. Considering Melina’s temperament, he could face at least a month of disciplinary action, or even expulsion if unlucky.

“I-I apologize. I misspoke…”

“It’s fine.”

“I deserve death for… W-what?”

“I said it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

The First Elder’s eyes grew even wider. Melina was about to scold him for his pathetic display but stopped when she saw Olivia beside her.

Olivia had asked to be taken as her disciple. And for the past three days, she had diligently fulfilled the role of a student. She had been respectful to Melina and followed her instructions.

This was a silent pressure.

‘I’m acting like a proper disciple, so you should act like a proper master.’

So she held back. Olivia’s idea of a “master” probably wasn’t just an empty title, but someone who truly acted like one.

‘…What is the point of all this?’

It would be better if she just revealed her intentions openly.

But one thing was certain: she could no longer just pretend to be a teacher.

She needed to become a real master. If that satisfied Olivia, she might get the next clue about the truth.

As soon as Melina left the training ground, she summoned all the elders of the Magic Tower. The elders were visibly confused by the sudden call.

It took only one minute for all ten elders to gather in the meeting room—a testament to how firmly established Melina’s authority was in the Golden Tower.

Some were even dragged in wearing their nightclothes.

“W-what’s the matter?”

“Has that cursed Roel Kingdom finally declared war?”

Melina raised her hand, instantly silencing the elders. She looked around and slowly spoke.

“If any elder thinks they’re good at teaching disciples, raise your hand.”

“……”

A few elders raised their hands, unable to resist her piercing gaze. Melina nodded at the Fourth Elder, who had the highest rank among them.

“I seek advice.”

“Advice, you say……”

“Exactly as I said. How does one become a true master? Though your levels may be lower than mine, you have far more experience teaching disciples.”

At those words, the Fourth Elder’s mouth fell wide open. Though it wasn’t appropriate behavior before the Tower Master, no one could reprimand him.

Because everyone present felt exactly the same way.

‘W-what did I just hear?’

‘This must be a dream. Definitely a dream.’

Everyone knew that Melina had taken on a new disciple. But they didn’t expect her to be this serious about it.

The Melina they knew was someone who had no interest in others. And that was indeed true.

But she had changed. Just three days after taking on a disciple.

The Fourth Elder finally managed to speak.

“May I ask what type of master you aspire to be?”

“Elaborate.”

“There are countless types of masters. To name just a few: warm and affectionate masters, strict and resolute masters…”

“Which type do ordinary disciples prefer the most?”

The Fourth Elder could answer that question without hesitation.

“Naturally, warm and affectionate masters.”

“I see……”

Melina fell into thought.

Warm? Affectionate?

‘…Damn it.’

Destroying the empire would probably be easier.

Such fluffy words didn’t suit her.

Indifference, neglect, criticism…

If she had to find words that matched her, it would be these.

But there was no other way.

“Fourth Elder, accompany me for the next week. And… teach me in real-time how to become a warm and affectionate master. Point out any mistakes I make.”

As soon as Melina finished speaking, the Third Elder slapped his own cheek. The Seventh Elder fell backward off his chair, and the Ninth Elder drooled uncontrollably.

Even the Fourth Elder couldn’t collect herself. Despite being known for her composure and good reputation, she couldn’t help but pinch her thigh at that moment.

It hurt.

This wasn’t a dream.

“…Yes, understood. I will do as you say.”

“Good. Fourth Elder, follow me. The rest of you may disperse.”

Until Melina and the Fourth Elder disappeared from the meeting hall, no one could rise from their seats.

“…Well.”

Was the world about to end?

*****

Melina hurried to the training ground. She couldn’t leave Olivia unattended for too long.

‘This is a test. Think of it as a test.’

Melina tried to justify it as some kind of test to determine if she was worthy of receiving enlightenment.

“Tell me immediately if I do something wrong. Don’t worry about my feelings.”

“…Yes.”

The Fourth Elder looked completely lost. She had given up trying to understand.

“When entering a disciple’s private training room, it’s generally better to give some notice.”

“…Is that so?”

Melina’s face showed complete incomprehension. The Fourth Elder, who had been quietly observing, elaborated.

“No matter how inferior someone may be to you, they are still an individual. No one dislikes being respected.”

It was a highly indirect criticism, but Melina didn’t notice.

They soon arrived at the private training room.

Melina looked at the Fourth Elder with an expression that asked if she really had to do this.

“This is the easiest part.”

With a sigh that seemed to sink into the ground, Melina knocked. As soon as Olivia answered from inside, Melina flung the door open and entered.

“You’re here, Master?”

Olivia greeted her. She looked back and forth between Melina and the Fourth Elder, then smiled slightly.

“I have something important to tell you, Master. Could you spare me a moment?”

Sensing the subtle nuance, the Fourth Elder tactfully went outside. As Melina stared at the door with an incredulous expression, Olivia suddenly approached her.

“Master, please take this.”

It was a familiar piece of paper.

…Already?

By the time she had that thought, the paper was already in her hand. As Melina hesitated to unfold it, Olivia said:

“You can look at it. It’s my thanks for teaching me these past three days.”

“T-then, I won’t refuse…”

Melina continued the formula that had been cut off three days ago.

‘It-it works!’

Even as she frantically worked through the formula, Melina couldn’t stop marveling in her mind.

How could she approach it like this, how could she come up with such an idea?

After some time had passed…

“Ah…”

A sigh escaped Melina’s lips. It contained pure regret.

It was over. This was as far as she was allowed to go.

“Don’t be too disappointed. I’ll show you more next time.”

Olivia simply smiled.

It was a kind of smile Melina had never seen before. A smile born from pure satisfaction, without any pretense.

The moment she saw that smile, Melina felt something stirring within her heart.

It was a truly unfamiliar emotion.

One she had never felt before.

“…Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. I just told you, didn’t I? It’s my repayment for teaching me well these past three days.”

“……”

Melina at least had some sense of decency. Repayment is established when there’s a mutual exchange.

She hadn’t given anything.

Yet the one smiling, the one satisfied, was Olivia.

That made it even more incomprehensible.

“Master.”

“…Yes.”

“I’ll tell you the next part in six days. Please take care until then.”

“……”

Melina just nodded. Olivia, who had been staring at her intently, took a step closer.

“What did I tell you?”

“…I’ll raise my head. And straighten my shoulders.”

“And smile if possible. Yes, that looks much better.”

Through Olivia’s brightly smiling eyes, Melina’s reflection could be seen.

Though still a bit awkward.

She was definitely smiling.