Chapter 70 (2/2)

“No. I received it.” She said something a little strange without realizing it, but it wasn’t wrong in the first place.

The definition of a gift was ‘something that someone bought for another.’

She didn’t pay for it, so it wasn’t unreasonable to call it a gift.

… She didn’t force him to buy it for her either.

Sylvia proudly held the panda with her two hands.

Julie smiled, expressing that she found it cute. “I’m jealous. Have you ever actually seen a panda?”

“Yes. I saw a real panda when I was a kid.”

“Wow. Is that true? I’m so jealous!”

“Julie.”

A familiar voice flowed from behind the white-haired knight. Sylvia immediately determined who it was.

Deculein.

Finding Julie, he smiled at her.

“You’re here.”

“Oh, yes.”

Though a little late, the moment Deculein’s gaze fell on Sylvia, he introduced her to Julie.

“This is Sylvia, a talented wizard capable of challenging the Eternal rank.”

Sylvia looked at Deculein and Julie next to him alternately, the panda doll she just proudly showed off now hidden behind her.

“I know. I was just talking to her—”

“I’ll just go.”

Sylvia cut off Julie’s words, bowed, then ran away.

Julie watched her retreat into the distance.

“By the way, Julie, Did you understand my theorem?”

She blushed.

In fact, she couldn’t understand the slightest bit of what he said. She only felt the flow of magic generated by the runes.

Deculein smiled a little.

“It’s alright. I didn’t even expect it. You came because of Zeit in the first place.”

Julie trembled at those words but then shook her head.

“No. The invitation was, of course, given by the head of the family, but it was my will to come here.”

“Is it?”

“Yes. I’m serious.”

“… I see. Allen?”

The assistant professor who was still following Deculein’s footsteps appeared.

“Yes.”

“Tour her around the island. The opportunity for a knight to visit this place is rare.”

“Oh, yes. Alright. Nice to meet you, Knight Julie!”

Allen smiled softly and bowed at Julie.

“I’m going. If I stay, it will be uncomfortable for you and me.”

“Not necessarily—”

“It has to be, doesn’t it?” He asked.

Julie, who understood what he meant, simply smiled bitterly and nodded. Deculein then walked away, leaving her behind.

“Well, I should take you on the tourist course… Oh, we should head to the main island first. Oh, no, then… By any chance, Knight Julie! Can you tell me how much time you have? Depending on your answer, our course will be…”

As Allen panicked, Julie simply said, “It’s fine. I have a lot of time, so you don’t have to think about it too much.”

Her voice was calming, serene.

* * *

The sky was clear, allowing the huge sun to gaze down upon us from its throne, releasing rays of heat that turned the winds hot and humid… It was one of those days that met all the conditions that define the empire’s summer.

After completing the Symposium presentation, I returned to the University Tower. The board of directors held a reception using the entirety of one of the upper floors. The professors congratulated me, and Adrienne gave me the promised title.

[Head of Planning and Financial Coordination Office, Deculein]

In fact, this tower was built with gold rather than magic. It devoted itself to the investments by the state, territories, corporations, and the mana stones it received every year.

The only fuel that ran this tower was money, which was why it was the most capitalist place in the world.

In such a place, I seized the undisputed power of ‘finance’…

“Professor! This is the final lesson plan and a weekly guide to career counseling.”

Allen then appeared, handing me several documents.

Classes had now ended, and the time for debutantes to think about their career paths had come.

The tower offered career counseling to 1st-year to 3rd-year wizards to give them a chance to ask for future advice from professors.

In that sense, no one would apply to Deculein.

“Three people even applied for your counseling!” Allen said brightly.

I didn’t really like how he worded it.

“… Even?”

“Oh, um! That…”

“It’s fine. I already know.”

“I-I apologize! I didn’t mean it that way—”

“I know. You may go.”

Allen went outside looking back several times, and I took a letter out of the sponsored mailbox.

It was Epherene’s letter this time again.

[Hello, It’s me, Epherene, again. I got your response. It’s going to be vacation soon…]

As I read it, I pulled out the pendant from the drawer.

“…”

The Epherene I knew was honest and wasn’t good at hiding her feelings.

It seemed she had been that way since she was a child, considering she was smiling brightly, like always, in the photo, but…

“Why?”

Epherene’s father wasn’t smiling.

He contrasted his child’s joy sharply.

His expression was just that terribly stiff.

* * *

Wednesday noon. 77th floor of the tower.

Sylvia stood in front of Professor Deculein’s office.

Knock, knock—

Career counseling ran for a month before and after the final exam.

Debutantes troubled by their future asked several professors for advice, but Deculein wasn’t on the list of professors they could approach.

According to the words written on the bulletin board, ‘Deculein’s direct words and actions were burdensome,’ or something along those lines.

… She thought only those who were weak would think like that.

Knock, knock—

Considering them pitiful, Sylvia knocked once more.

Assistant Professor Allen opened the door.

“Oh, Sylvia. Wait here. Another consultation is going on right now.”

“Is there someone inside?”

“Yes, but it will be over soon.”

Sylvia sat still and waited as Allen tapped this new typewriter.

Tak— Tah— Tak— Tak—

His typing speed was fairly slow.

After waiting for about 10 minutes, the door to the counseling room opened. She raised her head and glared at the wizard.

“Arrogant Epherene…”

Naturally, she was the first to come to her mind.

“Hm? Sylvia?”

“…”

But Drent, the man burned at the stake by Deculein due to his thesis, was the one that came out.

“Oh, are you surprised? Me too… Hahaha. Anyway, work hard.”

Drent left, scratching the back of his neck as if embarrassed. She didn’t understand him at all, but she soon walked in.

The Head Professor’s counseling room was spacious and luxurious. No, the atmosphere of a certain person had colored the space with dignity.

She walked over and sat down in front of him.

Deculein, sitting on the counselor’s seat, spoke indifferently. “This is surprising, Sylvia. I didn’t think you’d look for a career counselor.”

“Yes,” She nodded. “I am.”

It was awkward to call it consultation. Her career path after passing the Solda promotion test was already half-determined.

“Okay. What are your concerns?”

“…”

Sylvia remembered what Epherene told Deculein.

‘I’ll be proposing to be under your supervision. In doing so, I’ll reveal what happened and the reason why my father committed suicide!!’

He wouldn’t want an arrogant and dumb wizard like her. Rather, he probably lamented for having to take that stupid wizard in.

Hence, Sylvia decided to take a step forward.

“Should I apply under your supervision?” She asked. She wanted to hear Deculein’s definitive answer directly from him.

She wiggled her fingers on her knees, puffing up her cheeks.

“…”

He stared at her silently, wearing a surprised expression, which was unusual.

Was he impressed?

In fact, it was natural.

Any professor would welcome Sylvia if she applied under them.

The same went for Professor Deculein.

She didn’t have to worry about his response since, naturally, it would be in the form of affirmation.

Good thoughts flooded Sylvia’s head, but…

“It’s not a good choice.”

Deculein shook his head.

“…”

Sylvia momentarily failed to comprehend his actions.

‘Since when did shaking your head become a yes and nodding become a no? Did the universal body language change beyond my awareness?’

“You are a talent that shouldn’t be under anyone.”

“…”

She was taken aback by his words. Without realizing it, she brought her up.

“What about Epherene?”

“Epherene is worth raising, and she’s the daughter of my old assistant. Moreover, compared to you, she lacks a lot.”

Sylvia stared blankly at Deculein, her red, swollen cheeks shrinking.

“You have the qualities of a future Archmage, so you should go to the Isle of Wizard’s Wealth instead. In a year or two, your skills will fully bloom, and you’ll still have plenty of time to challenge the Archmage trials.”

… He was being honest.

Professor Deculein was speaking with sincerity, even clearly praising her.

But why did she feel this way?

Why did she keep feeling like a sharp needle was stabbing her heart?

“Even if you apply, I won’t take it.”

That was the decisive blow.

Sylvia bowed like a withered sprout.

For a long time, she didn’t say anything. She just stayed still.

“…?”

It confused Deculein, but for her, it was a compliment she gave while suppressing the jealousy and twisted feelings that soared from her personality.

“Sylvia. Raise your head.”

Sylvia didn’t do as instructed. Her actions were unusual.

A small light twinkled under her closed eyelids.

… No way.

That couldn’t be tears.