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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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In Sylvia’s room.
Sylvia was reviewing some documents. A knock echoed, and Dania entered.
Sylvia was unusually cold, though her voice remained the same.
“Dania.”
“Yes?”
“Was it you? Did you instigate the fight between Ethan and the other disciples?”
Dania froze, a tray in her hands. It was too late to feign ignorance.
“I apologize.”
“Did my father order you to do it?”
“It was my own decision.”
“You’re a terrible liar, Dania.”
Sylvia was right. It was the Family Head who had ordered Dania to arrange the fight. Dania lowered her head.
She served Sylvia, but the Family Head was above her. She had no choice but to obey his orders.
“Tell the Family Head to stop testing Ethan like that.”
“…I apologize.”
“Leave the tea.”
The door closed behind Dania. Sylvia picked up a small vial filled with a clear liquid and poured a few drops into her tea.
“Ugh… I still can’t get used to this.”
Ever since she had been poisoned, she had been trying to build up her poison resistance. She had learned the proper method from Professor Cassia.
But she still couldn’t bring herself to like the taste.
“Ha… ha…”
Sylvia took a deep breath and drank the tea.
She saw her ancestors waving at her.
“That girl’s back again…”
“She’s tough. Must be because she’s a Linchester.”
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In the Logness territory.
Sepia extended her hand.
Her pink hair fluttered in the wind as mana surged around her. But her expression remained calm.
A massive mana storm erupted, obliterating everything in its path.
Wooden and metal barricades, set up for training, were torn apart.
Sepia took a deep breath as she released her mana.
She could feel the power coursing through her veins.
Dozens of objects floated in the air, obeying her will.
Clap, clap, clap.
Applause echoed through the clearing.
“Excellent, Lady Logness.”
A woman approached Sepia, seemingly unaffected by the swirling mana.
It was Yuffie, known as the Wise Witch.
A sudden burst of flames engulfed Sepia. But she had anticipated the attack, creating a mana shield in front of her.
The flames dissipated, leaving a trail of smoke.
“You can now attack and defend simultaneously.”
“Do I pass?”
Yuffie chuckled and nodded.
“You pass. Congratulations.”
Sepia smiled. The objects floating in the air fell back to the ground.
Vivian approached her, offering her congratulations.
“Congratulations, Sepia.”
“Thanks, Vivian.”
“You’ve finished your training a month ahead of schedule.”
Sepia felt a surge of pride. Even talented mages usually took two months to master this technique. She had done it in one. It was a testament to her talent.
“Give me back my communication crystal.”
“Of course.”
Sepia grinned and snatched the crystal from Vivian’s hand, her childish excitement evident.
“My lady, you should thank your teacher…”
“Ah, right. Thank you, Master.”
Yuffie smiled and shook her head.
“It’s alright, Sepia. I was the same at your age.”
“No, I’m embarrassed.”
Sepia had been counting down the days until she could get her communication crystal back.
But she had made a fool of herself in front of her master.
“Are you in love?”
“What?”
“I’m curious about the lucky man who has captured your heart.”
Sepia blushed, flustered.
“Oh dear… I shouldn’t have asked that.”
Yuffie chuckled.
“We’ll see each other again during winter break.”
“Of course, if the Logness family calls for me. Until then, take care, Sepia, and Vivian.”
Yuffie mounted her broomstick and flew away.
Sepia fidgeted with her communication crystal.
‘Heehee, I bet Ethan sent me tons of messages.’
She turned on the crystal and checked her messages. Three from Arthur, two from Anya, dozens from social acquaintances… and one from Tesha.
It had been a month.
She scrolled through the messages, her eyebrows furrowing.
‘Huh?’
There wasn’t a single message from Ethan.
“What? Is it broken?”
Sepia took a deep breath and checked again. She scrolled through the messages repeatedly, but it was the same.
“There’s nothing? Nothing?! Really?! How is that even possible?!”
Not a single message from Ethan.
She was annoyed. He could have at least sent a simple greeting.
“Ugh… that… that…!”
“My lady?”
“Vivian, go find Ethan! No, bring him here! Now!”
Sepia stormed off, Vivian hurrying after her.
‘If you’re curious, why don’t you just message him yourself…?’
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The end of July was approaching.
I demonstrated the sword techniques I had learned. Master observed my movements carefully.
“That’s enough.”
“Do I pass?”
“Yes, you pass.”
I cheered inwardly. Master handed me a water bottle.
“Drink.”
“Master, shouldn’t I wait a bit before drinking after sweating so much…?”
“My disciple will never succumb to poison.”
This was a new addition to our training regimen, implemented after Master had been poisoned and temporarily paralyzed.
“I’ll drink it in my room.”
“Then I’ll accompany you.”
“I’ll drink it with tea.”
I didn’t want to collapse on the training grounds again. Master nodded. We headed back to the castle.
We sat at the table, and Master poured me a cup of tea.
“If you experience any unusual symptoms, I’ll give you the antidote immediately.”
I looked at her, my eyes questioning.
‘Should I really drink this?’
‘Would I offer you anything else?’
Master nodded. I closed my eyes and downed the tea in one gulp.
Here I go, meeting my ancestors again.
A burning sensation spread through my throat. I collapsed, my head hitting the table.
‘That boy’s back again.’
‘Tsk, tsk, so young… and already drinking poison…’
‘That boy’s brain must be fried.’
My ancestors waved at me from across the river, clicking their tongues disapprovingly. I waved back, my mind hazy.
I gasped and opened my eyes. My Poison Resistance skill had reached level 6.
I wasn’t completely immune to poison, but I could probably handle most toxins now.
I was lying in bed.
“How long was I out?”
“Five minutes. Almost six.”
The stronger the poison, the shorter the duration of its effects. Master handed me a glass of water, and I drank it.
“Ethan, today is your last day here.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Come here. Let me hug you.”
Master embraced me. I closed my eyes, enjoying the warmth and comfort of her embrace. A faint scent of hyacinth lingered in the air.
“Let’s go see the Family Head.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Oh, Dan-ah, you should get a new communication crystal.”
Dan-ah. It was Master’s nickname for me.
I liked it. It sounded exotic.
“A communication crystal… I should, but…”
I had dropped and broken mine.
It had happened shortly after I arrived at Linchester. I had been busy, and I hadn’t expected any calls, so I had put off buying a new one.
“I’ll get a new one. Something with a nice design.”
There were even snow globe-shaped communication crystals. I figured I might as well get a trendy one.
We arrived at the banquet hall.
Benek von Linchester was waiting for us, dressed casually.
“You’ve arrived, Ethan. I hear you’ve been training diligently.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
“Rest well today, and leave tomorrow.”
“What?”
The Family Head laughed heartily.
Had I misheard?
“Everyone knows you’re leaving.”
“I see.”
“You’re a free spirit. I also dreamed of being an adventurer once. The world is vast, and there’s so much to see.”
The Southern Desert, the Northern Snow Mountains, the Elven Forest, the Dwarven Labyrinth…
Familiar names from the novel.
“Where are you going after you leave?”
“I’m going to see a dragon.”
The Family Head laughed at my joke. Of course, I wasn’t joking.
“Ethan, you’re a funny guy! Sylvia, did you hear that? Your disciple wants to see a dragon!”
Master just smiled.
“Well, if you do see a dragon, give it my regards.”
“I will.”
We celebrated that night. I clinked glasses with Master, just like we had at the social gathering. I hadn’t been this pleasantly drunk in a while.
The next day, I left for Westvan in a Linchester family carriage. Master saw me off.
“I’ll see you at the academy after summer break.”
“Take care, Master.”
“And don’t do anything reckless.”
“Please take care of yourself, Master.”
She always prioritized others over herself. I had to say it.
Master chuckled.
That was our last conversation.
I bought a new communication crystal in Westvan and synced the data from my old one.
Then I turned it on.
“Huh? Is it broken?”
“Broken? It’s probably just overloaded with messages.”
The shopkeeper chuckled.
A flood of messages poured in.
Messages from Arthur, Tesha, Tia, Anya and Sepia flashed across the screen.
‘It’s still going?’
Buzz.
I thought the crystal might explode. Then, finally, the buzzing stopped, and the last message appeared.
―Hey, why haven’t you messaged me?
―Ethan! Where are you?
―Answer me as soon as you see this.
They were from Sepia.
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