episode_0034

It’s ordinary.

Meltas evaluated Risir’s magical qualities in this way.

Although his achievements as an illegitimate child in the third rank were certainly significant, he was ultimately a nobleman.

There were countless people who had achieved the third rank while still being commoners and were the same age as Risir, but were unable to even step foot on the threshold of the Magic Tower.

If there had been no power of normalization, Meltas would not have shown interest in Risir.

“Sometimes that happens. What does that mean?”

But what is this?

It was literally a blink of an eye.

Risir had become a fourth-tier wizard.

What would take even those with exceptional talent months to achieve was accomplished in just a few minutes.

“Did you forget to take the elixir while you were here?”

Meltas made a serious comment that sounded like a joke in his desperation.

“That, right? Mine.”

But his expression changes when Risir subtly mentions the ‘power of normalization’.

“…That? What does that mean?”

“That’s right, I think this phenomenon happens sometimes.”

“…Does that make sense? That kind of power can even cause this phenomenon.”

“You said that Meltas’s strength is very unique. If we apply different criteria from the beginning, wouldn’t it make sense?”

“Hmm… I don’t think it’s that simple… ”

Meltas was unable to accept what had happened to Risir.

Separately, his evaluation of Risir was drastically revised.

From [an ordinary wizard born with special abilities] to [what on earth is this?]

“That, that, this, this is really chaotic. Could you speak so that the people listening on the side can understand?”

Meltas came to his senses at the sound of Marina’s voice. Then he looked at Marina with a face that seemed to have remembered something.

“You wouldn’t know even if I told you.”

He unilaterally barges into Meltas’ lab and brags about his student. When Meltas shows signs of showing displeasure, he says with a smug expression, “Yeah. You wouldn’t know even if I told you.”

It was something Marina often did to Meltas.

“Ah. Ha.”

Marina nodded, saying she understood.

She crossed her arms awkwardly and looked at Risir.

“What school is it?”

“No need to answer, Risir.”

“I didn’t ask you, Meltas?”

“I didn’t say that to you either, Marina.”

‘What is the situation?’

Risir, who had accidentally gotten caught up in the whale fight, stood there in an awkward position, looking back and forth between the two.

“First of all, I admit the face. It’s cute. He looks like an aristocrat, but his aura is so round that other guys would want to learn from him. Why does he put so much strength into his neck and eyes? Do you think that will give him charm and masculinity that he didn’t have before?”

“A face-to-face evaluation? How polite, Marina. The young wizards of the Magic Tower will learn a lot from watching.”

“Oh my. You’re making a big deal out of talking about appearance. People like you who are aesthetically unsightly won’t understand, but good-looking guys dress up to look like that, right?”

yes?

Marina looked at Risir and smiled.

She also did not forget to slightly tilt her upper body and emphasize the slightly exposed skin on her chest.

“Rishir. Just in case, I’m telling you this, don’t be fooled by appearances. Marina’s age is-”

Before she knew it, Marina was holding a handkerchief in her hand. Throwing a handkerchief was the most common way to challenge a duel.

Meltas closed his mouth and avoided eye contact. Marina put the handkerchief back into her bosom and continued her story.

“So, what is it? Why is it so strange? Can’t you ask the school’s organization? It’s a question that will be asked over and over again when you enter the tower anyway.”

In fact, it was quite natural for wizards to ask each other about their schools when meeting for the first time, just like nobles ask each other about their families when meeting for the first time.

An action taken to gauge the level of a person you are meeting for the first time.

For example, Marina was now assessing Risir’s level. His level as a wizard.

The rank of disciple.

‘This guy is the one Meltas has chosen as his disciple… the one who will be my disciple’s rival?’

Marina’s expression as she looked at Risir was filled with a sense of triumph.

***

Meltas and Marina.

The two were rivals.

At the same time, he joined the Magic Tower, achieved the 6th rank at the same time, and was recognized as an elite by the Magic Tower at the same time.

The rivalry between the two, which began when they first received instruction from the same teacher, has continued for a long time to this day.

The rivalry between the two has recently entered a new phase.

-Why are you suddenly talking about disciples? Isn’t it about time we took in some disciples?

Marina, who had briefly left the tower for research, returned with her disciple outside.

-Hey, did you hear that? The story about Marina’s disciple.

-Hey, you mean Hey Nya?

-Even from a distance, he looked extraordinary. Who would have thought he was of noble blood…!

-It was a family that had constant exchanges with Marina, and Marina recognized his talent and expressed her strong opinion.

-You said you were third-tier before you met Marina?

-The third rank isn’t just any third rank!

-You taught yourself, right? By reading magic books alone.

– Then one day. I met Marina Sir and received her teachings, and boom! My talent literally exploded.

– I’m in the 4th rank after only a year of formally learning magic… What have I been doing until now? Should I just give up on magic?

-Did you hear that story?

-Ah. Hey, you mean Miss Heinia? From what I hear, you’re already starting to show results in resonance?

-Now you are a proper 4th level wizard.

-What? These days, I feel like I hear Hey Nya’s story at least once a day.

-That’s what I’m saying.

-Meltas must be feeling a little sick.

After Marina took on her disciple, her one-sided scoring continued.

The positions of the two, which had been equal until now, began to tilt toward Marina.

-I’m going crazy.

It was an extremely awkward situation for Meltas.

Just when I was thinking that I should start taking on disciples, this sudden incident occurred.

In this situation, it was not possible to take just anyone as a disciple.

It’s been like that from the beginning, but now even more so.

It was imperative to find a talent that would rival Marina’s disciples.

-…how?

So Meltas was in danger.

Hey, yes Mastien.

Where on earth can one find a disciple who can compare to that precious talent who was born into a great family, achieved the third-level achievement through self-study, and achieved the fourth-level achievement after only one year of formal education?

He was one of the most talented people I’ve ever seen in my entire, not-so-short life.

Do we need to find new talent like that?

Even without any owner?

Meltas was virtually resigned.

…That was certainly the case until this morning.

A person named Risir whom I met by chance.

And his special power that I came across by chance.

Meltas thought.

Then I think it might be possible.

***

After that, Marina asked Risir about many things other than the school.

Every time that happened, Meltas told Risir that he didn’t have to answer, so Risir didn’t answer either.

Marina didn’t really care.

Because Meltas was convinced that no matter what disciple he brought, in the end, none of them would be as good as his own disciple.

It was the so-called luxury of the haves.

Just one thing that bothers me.

“Marina. Would you mind stepping aside? You can take all my time, but as you can see, I have company right now. ”

It was Meltas’ attitude. There was a sense of subtle leisure in his attitude.

It was a completely different appearance from his usual self, where whenever the topic of his disciples came up, his expression would turn sour and he would try to change the subject or avoid the situation.

‘what?’

Marina observed Risir again, just in case.

He is the 4th rank beginner among his peers.

It wasn’t exactly ordinary, but it wasn’t exactly special either.

It was a bit weak as a basis for confidence.

“Master.”

It was then that I heard someone else’s voice.

Risir’s gaze naturally followed the voice.

Her blonde hair, tied back, swayed gently with her footsteps, looking like threads woven from gold.

Her green eyes were so deep and transparent that they reminded me of jewels.

‘It seems like the saturation settings are different for each person?’

She was a woman whose every element of her body was radiant with a vivid glow.

“Oh, hey. Did you get the item?”

“Yes.”

A girl named Heynya reached out her hand to Marina.

A silver ring was placed on the palm of her hand.

“Huh? Why isn’t it on your finger? Don’t you like the ring?”

“You said it’s an artifact that helps restore mana. I plan on wearing it when I rest.”

Heynya replied in a tone that sounded like a joke.

“Why don’t you try wearing it now?”

“I tried it on when I got it from the shop owner. I took it off again because the appearance didn’t suit my taste. Master, as I’ve said many times, you don’t need to give me material support. If there’s anything you think I need, just let me know. I can get it with my own strength. ”

“How annoying. Don’t you understand the heart of a teacher who wants to give his disciple one more thing?”

After finishing the passionate conversation between the master and the priest, Heinya looked at Meltas.

“Meltas Sir. Hello, it’s nice to see you here.”

“Yes, Hey, Miss. Nice to meet you.”

Then Heinya stared blankly at Risir. Then Marina opened her mouth.

“I’ll introduce you instead. Meltas. Is that okay? Hey? This is Risir. The child who will become Meltas’ disciple. ”

“?”

I am the child who will become Meltas’ disciple?

Risir looked at Meltas with a questioning look.

“Ahem. Marina. Isn’t Risir in a difficult position?”

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? Anyway. Should we say hello? We’ll be seeing each other often from now on.”

As soon as Marina finished speaking, Heinya shook Risir’s hand.

Her stiff, yet unhesitating movements were combined with her straightforward speech.

“I’m Hey Nya. Remember me as Marina’s disciple.”

“Ah, I’m Risir. I think you can just remember me as Risir.”

Risir grabbed Heinya’s hand and shook it gently. Then, he was about to pull it away – but Heinya did not let go of his hand.

“Hey, Miss?”

“4th level?”

“Yes? Oh. That’s right. It seems that Heinya-san is also a 4th rank. She’s amazing at her age.”

It was not a formality, but sincerity. Risir knew how great it was for Heinya’s peers to achieve the fourth rank.

“…”

However, despite Risir’s pure intentions, Heinya’s expression became distorted. That was understandable, since Risir was also a 4th-tier player.

Because I had just reached the 4th level without knowing it(?), Risir had virtually no awareness of being a 4th level.

Such praise for the four ranks from his own mouth.

Heynya pondered over how to interpret that, and eventually came to a reasonable conclusion.

‘You want to give it a try?’

There was nothing strange. Heinya was Marina’s disciple, and Risir was Meltas’s disciple.

Heynya smiled, adding strength to the hand she was holding.

“Can I say the same thing to you? You’re the same age as me and in the 4th rank, so you’re pretty great, right?”

“There is no need to do that.”

“That’s right. I don’t need to do that. Just because they’re 4th tier doesn’t mean they’re all the same. Right now, you’re just at the beginning. I’ve already been there a long time ago.”

Why is there such a fuss all of a sudden?

Heinya became even more arrogant as she took Risir’s awkward reaction.

“Which books did you mainly refer to when developing your magical skills? In my case-”

“…- So, what is your magical imagery based on?”

“What do you think of Toddial’s two rules?”

It could be seen as a kind of contest of magical abilities.

Risir did nothing in that confrontation.

Before she knew it, Heinya’s expression had taken on the smile of a true winner.

It was time to deliver the finishing blow.

“I just said that. Not all 4th ranks are the same. Do you know why?”

Whoosh!

Heinya held out her palm towards Risir. Then she folded all her fingers except for the index finger.

“1 year. It only took me a year to get here.”

There was no sense of arrogance at all. Her eyes sparkled with pure confidence and pride as she looked at Risir.

“What about you?”

“…one month?”

Risir carefully told the truth as it was.

“Then should I change the subject to a week? Don’t joke around.”

But Heynya doesn’t believe it as if it were a given.

In the end, Risir had no choice but to take extraordinary measures.

“…I think it’s been about a year now.”

He has inflated his career.

“…”

Heinya glared at Risir for a moment and then let out a ‘put’ laugh.

“Really? You’re pretty good too, aren’t you?”

“The content of the words and the expressions are different, but they are so different.”

“Oh my. I’m sorry if it felt that way.”

ah!

Hey, you clap your hands, saying that you just remembered something.

“Rishir. I have a good idea. Do you want to hear it?”

“Let’s listen.”

“Me. It’s my first time. Seeing a wizard of similar level to me.”

“Didn’t you say earlier that they were 4 levels, but they weren’t all the same 4 levels?”

“Hey~ What’s wrong? We’re both first-years. So, why don’t we spar? ”

“Daily training? Suddenly?”

“As you know, it’s not easy for people like us to find a sparring partner of similar level. It will be a great help in broadening our horizons.”

“…”

Risir nodded his head without realizing it.

As I listened, I found her proposal quite attractive.

‘It’s a duel.’

It was a good opportunity to check my growth so far and understand my current level.

At Risir’s reaction, Heinya’s expression became even more mischievous and she said.

“And, since just sparring is no fun, let’s do this. The losing side grants the winning side any favors. Sounds fun, right?”

“What if they ask me to give them all my assets?”

“Do you really think I would ask such a stupid favor?”

“I said I would do it if I won.”

“…”

After a moment of hesitation, Risir agreed to the offer.

***

After setting the time and place for the duel, Risir parted ways with Heinya.

The time for the training is tomorrow afternoon.

The venue for the duel was the courtyard of the Gray Tower.

After that, Risir headed to the Gray Tower with Meltas as originally planned.

Meltas first guided Risir to his personal laboratory.

I just had a lot to talk to him about work-related matters.

The moment he arrived at the lab, Risir immediately took something out of his luggage and showed it to Meltas.

“What is that?”

“It’s an elixir.”

“?”

Meltas doubted his own ears.

What is the state of things that pop out without context?

“Just in case, Lord Meltas. Is there a better place in Bondales to get elixirs than here, in Lord Meltas’ laboratory?”

“That’s sudden. But if I may answer, there probably aren’t many places like that.”

“I agree. So, Lord Meltas, could you please help me with my elixir intake?”

This was another reason why Risir readily accepted the offer to tour the Magic Tower.

A note written by Master Pamon regarding the intake of elixirs. According to the note, the Magic Tower was the best place to consume elixirs.

“I’m asking just in case. Did you happen to drink the elixir between leaving the lab and arriving at the magic shop?”

“What do you think someone as tall as Meltas would be thinking of as an elixir?”

“…No, that’s fine. Don’t worry about it. By the way, why now of all times?”

“I have to win the sparring. If I win the sparring and ask for money, will it seem too cheap?”

“…What do you think the elixir is?”

Meltas began to become curious about the identity of the man named Lisir.