episode_0015

It has already been 3 weeks since the new year dawned.

The season was still winter. However, the cold wave like before was long gone. Even if there was a cold wave, it wasn’t felt much in Wihaim, but regardless, it was the cold wave season.

But the weather was still cold, so snow was pouring down from the sky instead of rain. While it was possible to stop snow or rain through the city system, it was generally allowed to some extent to create an atmosphere unless it was pouring down too much.

Today was like that. Snow at a moderate level, not accumulating, was scattering on the streets. Asel looked at the snow for a moment, then turned his head towards the desk.

On the desk lay a letter. It was an item the Academy had sent through Norium. The content informed that the Academy’s entrance exam was scheduled to start in 3 weeks and where its location was. Asel checked the map attached with the letter and sat down on the bed.

‘Is it the forest south of the Academy.’

Luminous Academy is located in the southwest of the Empire. It also has its own territory, which was large enough to easily rival a decent city in size. It is not for nothing that the Academy is called an educational city.

The problem is that the Empire where the Academy is located is quite far from Wihaim. Even after arriving in the Empire, it would take at least a few days to get to the Academy.

Wasn’t Wihaim and the Academy on good terms? I clearly heard they were close, but the physical distance was farther than enemies, let alone friends. At this point, they are practically strangers. Even traveling by carriage, it seemed it would take at least 2 weeks. Maybe it could take even longer than that.

‘To reduce variables, it’s right to depart tomorrow immediately.’

Asel crossed his arms, lay back, and thought.

If only I could change my body into lightning and fly like Ena, there would be no problem. It was a regret that I had not yet reached that level.

In the end, I had to hire a coachman and travel directly by road. However, I might encounter bandits along the way, or have to detour onto another road due to a broken road. Then it would take even longer than the expected time.

In the end, there was only one way.

‘Right, let’s ask for understanding and just depart tomorrow.’

It was a sudden decision, but there was no other way. There was nothing for it but to depart as soon as possible. Asel thought so and got up from his seat to tell Ena.

Just then, something flew and tapped on the window.

Tap tap.

“?”

When I turned my head, a metal bird with wings was sitting outside the window, tapping on the window with its beak. It was a product of magic engineering used for delivering letters in Wihaim, and it was Asel’s first time seeing one in person. The letter from the Academy had been given to him by Evelyn as soon as he returned from going out.

‘Well made.’

Asel narrowed his eyes and stared at the metal bird.

Power was implemented through a mana drive, and the overall frame and tendons were composed of metal with good mana conductivity. Instead of a brain, it was enchanted with autonomy magic so it could think for itself, and on both wings, some wind magic was included to reduce air resistance.

Designed like this, the mana flowing throughout the entire body would be evenly distributed, allowing it to fly faster and more accurately. Asel thought so while staring at the messenger bird. But perhaps the bird interpreted that curious gaze differently, repeatedly trembling and looking at the sky and then the window.

It looked as if it was scared. It seemed to think it was going to be dismantled. Asel was surprised that this metal bird was capable of that much imagination and opened the window. The messenger bird crawled into the room with a reluctant gesture, then opened its belly wide and took out a letter from inside.

Looking at the outside, he could confirm that the name Norium was written. It was already a known fact because the mana felt from the messenger bird was the same as his. Asel tore open the letter’s envelope and, stroking the messenger bird’s cold metal head, spoke.

“Thank you.”

[Beep!]

The messenger bird made a cute sound and nodded, then flapped its wings widely and flew up into the sky. Asel closed the window, sat on the chair, and read the letter.

[Asel, the date for the Academy entrance exam has been set. I’ve already sent a letter to your side, so you probably know, but just in case, I’m telling you again. You were aware of it, right? I’ll trust you were. If you happen to be thinking, ‘I’m entering by recommendation, why do I have to take an entrance exam?’, it’s because they need to rank the test takers and also confirm if I haven’t sent a strange fellow. Please understand.]

[Anyway. The reason I’m sending another letter despite having already sent one is that I forgot and didn’t inform you of this. As I get older, my memory is fading, you see. It seems even wizards can’t escape the passage of time.]

That’s nonsense. When one reaches the level of a Great Mage, their lifespan increases exponentially. While not immortal, agelessness is attainable.

In the first place, they can change their appearance as they wish, so what’s the big deal about aging? Although they can only transform into their own youthful or aged appearance, it’s the same thing that they have deviated from the flow of time.

Norium wearing the appearance of an old man was purely his will. Moreover, his brain is likely in a much more astute state than during his youth.

Still, the fact that he forgot was likely true. That was merciless to wizards and commoners alike.

Asel continued reading down the letter.

[Let’s stop the preamble here and tell you the main point. You were probably quite surprised seeing the entrance exam date and location written in the letter, but don’t worry. I will personally open a space for you on the day of the exam. I left this letter to inform you of this. And just in case, you don’t need to send a reply to this letter.]

“Oh.”

He checked the content of the letter and let out an exclamation of admiration.

If the League Master directly tore space and connected coordinates, there was no reason to depart by carriage tomorrow. There would be no big problem even if he stayed relaxed until the day and then went. Asel nodded, carefully folded the letter, and stored it in the drawer.

Since he said a reply wasn’t necessary, it didn’t seem necessary to spend time expressing gratitude. It would be fine to convey it in person on the day.

‘In this case, plan completely canceled. Let’s just focus on magic research for the time being.’

Asel took out the book he had put back on the bookshelf and thought.

The remaining time is 3 weeks. He also had to go through the process of refining some high-level magic that he hadn’t fully mastered, and conduct research to revise the basic magic ‘Defense’ into more diverse forms. Ena said that for magic creation, one must start with revising the most basic magic, so this had to be achieved first.

‘I need to regain my feel for fire magic, which I rested from for a few days.’

Besides this, he also planned to learn methods for delicately weaving barriers over the skin and to familiarize himself with the appropriate circuits while using various families of magic.

There was a lot to do. It wasn’t that leisurely either.

So, without hesitation, he immediately began his research. He repeatedly drew and erased spell formulas on paper, and ran simulations focusing on mana flow and fluidity, repulsion, expansion, compression, and decomposition. He accumulated data by repeatedly using magic directly and failing.

It wasn’t research that would finish in a day. Asel finished his research for the day only when it became dawn, and got up before the sun rose the next day to continue his research.

That lifestyle continued for 3 weeks.

*

I’m tired.

Asel pressed down on his throbbing eyelids and thought.

When he looked in the mirror, his already sharp impression was even sharper than usual. Dark circles had also settled heavily under his eyes. He clicked his tongue and left the room.

He overdid it because it seemed like the results of the experiment would come out, and ended up staying up all night. While a satisfactory result was obtained, it was also true that it was equally difficult. Having drastically reduced sleep time for close to 3 weeks, and then staying up all night, it was only natural.

“Stayed up all night again?”

When he went down to the dining room, Evelyn, who was setting the tableware, asked with a stern expression. Asel wore a bitter smile and sat down.

“I can manage.”

“Good heavens. You should have held back today! It’s an important day, isn’t it!”

“Yeah, right. Seems stupid Asel doesn’t even know what day it is today.”

Hailey, who brought out breakfast, said in a playful tone.

What do you mean, he doesn’t know what day it is? That was something Asel knew better than anyone.

“It is the Academy entrance exam day. I know it well.”

“But you stay up all night?”

“I apologize.”

Having no excuse, Asel immediately offered an apology. Evelyn, making a humming sound with her hands on her waist, plopped down next to Asel. Hailey also sat down in a suitably empty seat and spun the knife in her hand elaborately.

“My dear brother. Why can’t you manage your body like this? Do I have to do it for you?”

“It’s only this time, just this time. Stop being so dramatic.”

“You said that last time too, and came out looking like a corpse after only researching for two days.”

I have nothing to say.

Asel neatly ignored Evelyn’s words and drank water. Getting caught up in an argument he couldn’t win was something only a third-rate wizard would do.

“The water tastes good.”

“Don’t ignore me!”

Evelyn pouted her lips and poked Asel’s side with her finger.

“Ugh. Ugh.”

Asel obediently took the attack. Not long after that, Ena in pajamas appeared in the dining room, rubbing her eyes. Asel slightly got up from his seat and greeted her. The other two also bowed, saying, “You’re up, Lady Ena.”

“Are you up, Master.”

“……Mmm.”

Ena replied in a voice heavy with sleep, then narrowed her eyes upon seeing Asel’s appearance.

“Stayed up all night?”

“……It just happened. Haha.”

“You’re laughing.”

“…….”

Asel closed his mouth. Ena sighed deeply and sat down.

“It’s the day of the exam, and you stay up all night. What about your condition?”

“I’m fine. It’s not the first time I’ve been awake all day.”

“Is that a boast?”

“…….”

“Haa…… There’s a medicine that removes fatigue, so take that and go. I’ll pack a few things you’ll need for the exam too.”

“Thank you.”

Asel said, bowing his head. Ena, who was looking at him with displeased eyes, soon picked up her spoon and began eating. In sync with this, the three people also ate their respective breakfasts.

Afterwards, having finished eating, Asel went towards Ena’s room with a backpack of suitable size. Ena brought out a few medicines she had stored away in the warehouse and handed them to Asel.

“Eat the yellow one first. It’s a stimulant.”

“Yes.”

Asel immediately gulped down the yellow potion in the vial. The effect was immediate. His slightly dazed mind cleared up, and his heavy eyelids felt light. Ena watched Asel express his admiration and explained about the rest of the medicines she had brought.

“I don’t know how the exam will be conducted, but there will definitely be combat. So I brought some medicines that will help you with that.”

“What are the effects?”

“They are respectively, a nerve stabilizer, mana amplifier, instant recovery potion, mana regeneration potion, local anesthetic, painkiller, and hemostatic agent. I’ve only selected useful ones, so their performance should be sufficient.”

Ena said in a confident voice. Asel looked at the medicines in his hand with a bewildered expression.

……Isn’t it cheating if I take things like these? He thought so, but for now, he put the medicines inside his backpack. Even if it’s not allowed, it’s a problem that can be returned on site. There was no disadvantage just for bringing them.

“Thank you, Master. I will definitely pass the exam and return.”

Asel, who had carefully organized the medicine bottles so they wouldn’t break, said to Ena. Ena, as if asking what he was talking about, pointed to a box in the corner of the room and replied.

“There are still things left to give.”

“Pardon? There’s more?”

“Yes. Mana enhancing ring, presence concealment pendant, good luck charm, mana recovery amplification ring, heat generating device, distraction bomb, mana flow control device, external mana power source. There’s more besides these. Take everything.”

“……Isn’t this too much? I’m not going to war.”

“You might need it, you know. Take it.”

Ena’s attitude was firm. In the end, Asel could only head towards the League after putting on all the artifacts Ena gave him.

The ten rings on his hands and the various necklaces around his neck made rattling sounds every time he moved. The glasses he wore for the first time were very uncomfortable.

In that state, he arrived at the League. Perhaps thanks to Norium having spoken in advance, the path to the League Master’s reception room was very smooth.

The reception room arrived at with everyone from the mansion. When he knocked on the door, a welcoming voice was heard from the other side.

-Come in.

“Excuse me.”

Asel slowly opened the door and entered the reception room. His gaze met Norium and his companions, who were already brewing tea. Asel immediately bowed his head and greeted him.

“Good morning, League Master.”

“Yes, yes. Good morning indeed. Now, sit down…… Wait a moment.”

Norium’s voice, which had been speaking with a smile, turned cold. He detected the numerous artifacts covering Asel’s entire body, let out a hollow laugh, and muttered.

“Are you going to war?”

“That’s what I wanted to say.”

Asel replied with an aggrieved expression.