Chapter 60 (1/2)
Deep in the night, the full moon scattered the shallow fog as Sylvia dove deep into her thoughts in their mansion’s backyard.
“…”
Today, she found out why he was the Head Professor and had amazing theoretical and educational skills.
‘What if a child, praised for being a prodigy, suddenly feels he’s becoming more ordinary as he grows up?’
Lacking talent, he worked harder than anyone else and walked the royal road of theory. As his intuition faltered, he immersed himself in logic as sophisticated as cogs.
‘What if he sees children who were worse than him getting ahead of him?’
Sylvia recalled Rohakan’s words.
The sadness to doubt one’s own talents. The fear of being blocked by an impenetrable wall. The fear that someone worse than oneself would overtake them.
“Would I be able to overcome it all?”
‘What if he imagined that someday they would laugh at him, who used to look down on them?’
She imagined Epherene becoming a better wizard than her…
Sylvia shut her mouth and puffed up her cheeks.
“… Arrogant Epherene.”
The possibility was slim, but just thinking about it made her dizzy.
So it was even more surprising. Deculein overcame this feeling with hard work.
“…”
Finishing her thoughts, Sylvia immersed herself in meditation again. She breathed quietly and released her mana, causing colorful shades to appear in her eyes.
Eventually, she materialized the Origin.
The darkness of the night faded, and light entered. Flowers bloomed on the ground, and butterflies flew as a warm wind blew, the grass gently swaying.
The landscape was constructed with the ‘three primary colors.’ The image she embraced had dyed her garden.
In this realm, her color was the Law of Nature.
“••••••••.”
Sylvia quietly closed her eyes amid the magical field.
She once heard of something called ‘the wizard’s fortune.’
The first was innate talent.
The second was a worthy effort.
The third was one’s own muse.
She already knew her talent, she wasn’t lazy, but she used to think she didn’t need the third.
Muse.
For wizards, the third was essentially called ‘inspiration’ or ‘stimulus.’
Now Sylvia understood.
Her third fortune just came a little late…
* * *
Under the dark dawn, I sat at the entrance to the Mountain of Darkness and opened my catalog of items.
──[Beginner Item Catalog]──
1. Record Notepad.
2. Character Magnifying Lens.
3. Incubator…
───────────────
A catalog was, in the essence of the word, a ‘list of goods.’ I could consume an item catalog to get one of these items.
However, there was nothing in it that would have a dramatic effect on the gameplay. The items in it only offered a bit of convenience or uniqueness.
▶2. Character Magnifying Lens.
As soon as I chose option 2, the A4-sized catalog took its shape.
“…”
A single lens with no frames or anything.
It was embarrassing, but it became like a monocle when I roughly put it on my eyelids with Psychokinesis.
Crumble— Crumble—
At that moment, I turned my head in the direction where I heard someone walking through the grass.
“Ah?”
When our eyes met, I heard a startled voice and saw her distinctive white armor and cloak.
The magnifying lens identified one of her most important attributes.
──[Eternal Winter]──
◆ Rating: Unique
◆ Description:
– An eternally frozen season.
– A flower that blooms more brilliantly the harsher its environment becomes.
───────
Her unique grade attribute, [Eternal Winter].
Julie said, “Didn’t know you were here as well.”
“Am I not allowed to be here?” I asked coldly on purpose.
Julie scratched the back of her neck as if embarrassed. “No, but I’ve heard the rumors. I thought you were going to rest today because you… just fought Rohakan.”
The chairman personally asked me to monitor the Mountain of Darkness.
It was an order from the imperial family, too, just in case Rohakan came back or was plotting something around this area.
“… Is the commander of the knights also supposed to be in charge of such chores?”
“Being the leader, I take the lead.”
“Then, according to you, if a war breaks out, the commanders will all have to die first.”
“Ah! That’s a good question. The answer to that is described in the 3rd volume of the knight manual. I’ll give it to you later.”
“…”
I made a chair using [Psychokinesis] and [Basic Earth Control]. Julie glanced at me slowly and sat. She kept glancing at me without a word.
“Do you have anything to say?”
“No.”
I nodded.
The wind blew in from the dark, carrying with it the thick scent of mana and flora.
Out of nowhere, Julie asked, “Is Her Majesty’s lesson next week?”
Usually, the date of our classes was based on the emperor’s will, but traditionally, they were held once or twice a month.
That being said, our next lesson was next Monday.
“You said you have nothing to say.”
“…”
Julie shut her mouth, looking into the woods instead. Every time she heard a sound, her ears perked up.
She seemed to be working hard.
“… Hmm.”
I looked at my pocket watch.
1 AM.
There were still three hours left of my shift.
“Julie.”
“Yes.”
“I’m bored. Would you like to play chess?”
“… I am on a mission now.”
Julie firmly shook her head.
I got worked up for no reason.
“Mission? I wonder what kind of idiot thinks Rohakan will come back here again.”
“…”
Julie had a guilty expression on her face.
Huhp-
She took a breath and held it.
I smirked.