chapter 30
30 – The Trace of Lisa (1)
Having listened to all the explanations, I summarized what Sariel had just said in one sentence.
“So, you found out about a village that might have information about Lisa?”
-Well, you could say it like that.
“You made it sound really plausible but there is no substantial information.”
-Yuck! Do you know how much I had to go through to get this?!
Suddenly, a sound, as if she was unfairly treated, came out from the magical communication device.
I quietly put the device away and waited for her to calm down.
Then, a moment later.
-Heck! Heck!
“Alright. Have you calmed down a bit?”
-Well, looking at your reaction, I don’t think I have?
“Hmm. Anyway, thanks for your effort. This time, I’ll go and investigate directly.”
-Huh? You’re going?
“I have some free time this afternoon, so I’m thinking of going.”
– Alright. Let me know if you find out anything since it’s come to this. I’m curious too.
With that, Sariel ended the conversation.
Judging by his response, it seems he had quite a hard time gathering information.
‘Sariel’s hard-earned information.’
At this point, it was enough to make one curious why Liza left in the first place.
Thinking so, he moved towards the classroom.
***
Meanwhile, at the same time.
The students at the training ground couldn’t believe the current situation.
“Wait, what? The professor is late?”
“Does it even make sense for the professor to be late?”
“Is the world ending today?”
“What’s really going on?”
Kael, who was not present despite the start of class.
It was impossible not to be floored that the person who always arrives on time hadn’t shown yet.
“Don’t tell me the professor was attacked by someone?”
Then, Elaine spoke with a voice filled with worry.
Then, all the students at the training ground, including the S-class students, had the same thought.
– Oh. The person who attacked him must be so unfortunate.
Kael, who overpowered even a hero.
Although Jane the hero did use a wooden sword, it was undeniable that he won.
Anyone who attacks such a person would be pitiful.
Of course, this was just speculation.
At that moment.
– Trudge. Trudge.
A clear sound of footsteps echoed through the training ground.
Turning their heads, sure enough, a relaxed Kael came into view.
Seeing him unharmed, all of the students nodded their heads.
“Well, that figures.”
“What do you mean, ambush?”
“You never know, there might be a chance she beat the raider square and fair.”
“Understood.”
“Huh?”
What on earth is he talking about?
Confused by the students’ reactions, Kael quickly saw the conversation back on course.
“I intend to teach magic to everyone here today.”
“?!”
In that moment, all the students widen their eyes in surprise.
Then he continues to explain.
“The magic I will teach is somewhat akin to a communication spell.”
“A communication spell?”
“It’s similar to that?”
As all the students seemed baffled, Kael broke it down for them.
“It’s magic that allows you to convey your will to someone far away.”
“!?”
Everybody present were taken aback, their eyes round in shock.
A communication spell is an innovation nothing short of revolutionary.
Yet, here they were, being told they could use this power without the spell itself.
Naturally, it’s no wonder they were astonished.
“Of course, there are restrictions. You must picture the recipient’s face and the person also has to be familiar with the spell.”
The students looked convinced at his explanation.
Disregarding their reactions, Kael went on.
“Now, I will show a demonstration. Observe carefully.”
With that, he slowly began to emanate his magical power.
***
Approximately 30 minutes pass since the demonstration.
Kael quietly surveyed the students.
Those who were diligently practicing as per the demonstration.
‘Well, it is not a particularly difficult spell.’
If one knows basic magic to a certain degree, this magic can be used by anyone.
It’s not about creating one’s own magic, like in a theoretical magic lecture, but merely about following along.
Consequently, most students followed along identically.
Those dealing with the divine were no different.
‘Because divine art is similar to magic.’
Using the divine to reproduce magic is how you can perceive divine art.
Even Rou, who had divine power, was having trouble following along.
Anyway, that aside.
“Grrr!”
Unlike others, Elaine keeps failing repeatedly.
Karel approached her quietly.
Then, Elaine awkwardly smiled while looking at her own magic circuit.
“hahahahaha. Professor, I’m not doing very well, am I?”
“Hmm.”
Karel silently looked at her, his arms crossed.
The situation where Elaine, who is more talented than anyone else, is unable to do it.
From his perspective, it was incomprehensible.
Because among those present, her magic power operation was one of the best.
“It seems like your circuit got a little tangled.”
“Wh-what?! Really?”
At his words, she was surprised and nodded her head.
And then, she quickly began to fix her circuit.
‘Why does the professor feel so similar to the archmage?’
In reality, Elaine was pretending to be unable to do it on purpose.
Normally, she would be able to use the magic he showed her instantly.
However, for some reason, she wanted to play dumb in front of him and that’s why she feigned inability.
‘I feel a sense of familiarity whenever I see the professor.’
In her mind, the image of Karel’s and the archmage’s back keeps revolving.
She just thought they had a similar aura before.
However, recalling his recent performance made her even more suspicious.
‘He managed to defeat the hero and had some sort of relationship with the hero’s party.’
Such was the case for Cael, who was familiar with both his older sister and the rest of the hero’s party.
Furthermore, for some reason, three people seemed to be on their toes around him.
In other words, it seemed because Cael had considerable authority.
‘She said it wasn’t worth asking my sister.’
Just as that thought crossed her mind,
“Elaine. What are you thinking about while casting magic?”
Cael asked, his expression as placid as ever.
Taken aback, Elaine scratched the back of her head.
“hehehe-he. I’m sorry. I spaced out for a moment.”
“When you’re casting magic, concentrate. Try again once more.”
“Yes, yes!”
Elaine started painting circuits with her magic.
As she looked at the circuit before her eyes, she was deeply contemplating.
‘I don’t know who invented this.’
She thought it was a truly brilliant magic.
A simple yet pretty efficient circuit.
That’s what Elaine thought as she completed the circuit.
“Now, envision Maria next to you and try to transmit your thought.”
“Yes!”
Elaine nodded and began to imagine Maria.
Then, she filled the circuit with magic and transmitted her thought.
-Maria, would you like to go play this afternoon?
Maria responded by nodding her head in lieu of a verbal answer.
Next moment, a shy blush crept onto Elaine’s cheeks as she smiled.
“I’m done! Professor!”
“Good. You worked hard. Remember that sensation.”
“Yes!”
With those words, Cael turned to the other students.
But at that moment.
-♪♬♩
The morning lecture had ended.
Cael opened his mouth as he looked at the students.
“Let’s wrap up today’s lecture here. Don’t forget the sense of magic you learned today until the next class. That’s all.”
With that, Cael began to move.
-Eh? Does that mean we won’t be beaten today under the pretext of a lecture?
-Insane!
– Finally, we won’t get beaten?!
– It’s a miracle!!!!
-Wow!!!
The next moment, the students rolled joyfully with their feet, screaming delight.
Cael pretended not to hear the screams coming from the training ground.
I should probably roll them harder once more later.
***
So, the morning lecture had ended.
Normally, I would eat lunch in the cafeteria with Nell.
However.
-I’m sorry. I have something else to do this afternoon, so I don’t think I can eat with you today.
This time, I skipped lunch because I had other things to do.
Then, Nell showed a regretful reaction.
The more I look at her, the more she resembles Lisa.
‘Anyway, that’s that.’
Cael quietly looked at the gate in front of him.
‘Certainly, this part is convenient.’
Normally, you have to go through quite a few steps to use the gate.
The gate, which is no different from teleportation magic.
Usually, a lot of money and waiting are consumed to use it.
However, there is no need to wait if you use the badge of the magic tower.
‘You don’t even need money.’
After all, I was the one who made that gate.
As I gaze at the gate.
“It’s ready.”
The employee approaches me with a business-like smile and bows his head graciously.
Cael quietly entered the gate.
– Woong.
In an instant, the surrounding buildings changed completely.
Soon, the guard at the gate cried out urgently.
“Those who have passed through the gate, please come this way and sign the agreement!”
A staff member attempting to manage the guests called out as such.
Instead of replying, Cael showed him the badge of the mountaineers.
At the same time, the staff member bowed his head.
“You can go out, sir.”
Feeling glad about joining the mountain tribe, Cael exited the building.
Shortly after, he handed over a pay bag while boarding the available carriage.
“Please take me to Leshphon Village now.”
“Yes, understood!”
The driver responded promptly, looking at the money in the bag.
After riding the carriage for a short while, we arrived at the destination.
“Sir, I will contact you the next time you wish to use our service!”
With that said, the driver slowly disappeared.
It seems that he was quite pleased with the amount of money I gave him.
‘No, he probably thinks he’s dealing with a fool.’
Anyway, money is not vitally important to me.
After all, I have more money than I could ever possibly spend.
More importantly…
‘Where does Riza live exactly?’
As I pondered and slowly scanned the surroundings.
“Hmm? That’s a new face.”
An old man with snow-white hair approached.
I stared at him and bluntly asked.
“Old man, I have a question.”
“A question?”
“Yes, a few years back, didn’t a woman with golden hair live here?”
“?!”
His eyes widened at my question.
Then, with a serious expression, he opened his mouth.
“What is your purpose?”
Judging from his reaction, something definitely existed in this village.