Chapter 49
Chapter 49
While the academy’s researchers were dealing with a whirlwind of events, the atmosphere among the general public was more fervent than ever.
“This is incredible!”
“I’m so glad I came to watch. Wow, what is that magic?”
“Kamon Vade really deserves the title of a magic prodigy.”
“Prodigy? More like a monster!”
People couldn’t contain their amazement and admiration for Kamon Vade’s magical prowess.
Not far from there.
“You’ve found something quite amusing, my student.”
A sharp-eyed male professor, staring at the ‘Orb’ in Kamon Vade’s hand, muttered to himself. He adjusted his glasses and spoke to the female student standing next to him.
“Chelsea, it seems my time at the academy is becoming more enjoyable thanks to you. Should I be grateful?”
“No, Jamie—no, Jace.”
Correcting herself quickly, Chelsea addressed the male professor next to her, who was the disguised Jamie, the Tri-Color Mage.
“But…”
Jamie, watching the stage with satisfaction, frowned slightly and looked towards the VIP seats above.
“What are those vermin plotting up there?”
“Excuse me?”
“No, it seems those insignificant fools are coveting the prey I’ve already claimed.”
With a disdainful smile, Jamie’s expression made Chelsea tilt her head in confusion. However, Jamie, who had been staring at the VIP seats for a while, smirked and muttered to himself.
“A pendant, huh?”
As if fully understanding what was happening in the VIP seats, Jamie raised an eyebrow and spoke again.
“Does ‘Glagos’ dare covet my student? Ridiculous.”
Scoffing, Jamie turned to Chelsea and said.
“I’ve always taken care of those who touch my belongings. Should I deal with those bastards this time too?”
“Isn’t that a bit too much? After all, they are one of the Seven Tables.”
“What’s so great about the Seven Tables? Except for that damn blue old man, none of them are a big deal.”
Jamie spoke dismissively, then asked again.
“I’ve had my fun, so I’m leaving now. What about you, Chelsea?”
“Ah, I…”
Surprised by Jamie’s question, Chelsea glanced at the huge, dazzling Nine Rings of Fire still displayed on the stage, then nodded.
“I’ll go with you, Jace.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
Without any hesitation, Jamie turned and walked out, with Chelsea following closely behind.
As she walked, Chelsea kept glancing back at Kamon on the stage and the magic he had cast, the ‘Nine Rings of Fire’.
In her clear, transparent eyes, the nine flaming rings were beautifully etched.
And,
“Liar.”
Leaving only those words behind, Chelsea followed Jamie out of the seminar hall.
***
“Is it all over?”
Lying on the bed in my little hideout built just for me, I muttered quietly. Though I still felt like I was being chased or about to be engulfed by a huge wave whenever I closed my eyes, the only thing I saw now was the old ceiling, which seemed like it could collapse at any moment. But why did that sight make me feel so at ease?
“This is really home now.”
At some point, this dorm room had truly become my cozy haven.
Rustle.
Pulling the blanket up to my chin, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Did I really use magic?”
The nine thick, giant rings that adorned the air. The fact that I created such a blazing spell still seemed unbelievable.
“Who would have thought I’d experience something like this at my age?”
It was like something out of a novel, comic, or animation, happening right in front of my eyes. And it was on a stage with many people watching…
“I didn’t even really notice that at the time.”
I was more worried about Professor Phelan harming me because I was late. I feared he might scold me or cause some trouble. But surprisingly, Professor Phelan didn’t do that.
“No, to be precise, he didn’t care about me at all.”
As soon as the seminar ended, he left laughing heartily.
Well, anyway.
“At least my life isn’t in danger now!”
Of course, it’s not entirely certain yet. Whether the ‘Orb’ will truly solve my fundamental problem and free me from the threat of death, or if I’ll be able to use this new power called magic, remains to be seen.
“At least I’ve done everything I can, right?”
I looked at the milky ‘Orb’ on the desk. Its glowing appearance made me smile.
“Anyway, I’ve made a new rich friend, Elliot, and got the ‘Orb’.”
Despite all the events and incidents, everything wrapped up nicely. Maybe it couldn’t have gone better for me…
“Sss. Usually, when things go too well, something bad happens.”
No, no. Let’s get rid of such negative thoughts.
Everything will be fine from now on.
“Phew, tomorrow I must meet Jamie first.”
Muttering to myself, I closed my eyes and drifted into a blissful sleep.
***
The next day.
At dawn, I visited Jamie with a light step, carefully presenting the ‘Orb’ and explaining its functions and my experiences.
“So this item has the effect of ‘Mana Drain,’ and using it, I was able to…”
“Alright, I understand what you’re saying, so take your time explaining. Shall we have some tea first?”
Jamie, smiling faintly, handed me a cup of warm tea.
“Oh, tea? Thank you.”
I liked the fragrant aroma, so I quickly took the cup she offered and sipped it.
“This is called an ‘Orb,’ and with it… huh?”
What is this? Why am I suddenly so sleepy?
Oh, no.
As I was being swallowed by a deep slumber, I caught a glimpse of Jamie’s face. Was she smiling?
“Take a good nap, my student.”
Damn it. I got fooled.
And I fell into a deep sleep.
Snap!
I woke up abruptly and sat up immediately.
I heard a familiar voice next to me.
“Are you awake?”
Jamie, with a gentle smile that resembled the Virgin Mary, asked as she looked at me. I felt a chill down my spine.
“What did you do to me? What did you give me?”
“I had some work to do.”
“Work…?”
I felt an oddly cold and empty sensation, and when I looked down, I noticed that my upper clothes had been removed.
“…!”
What the hell is this?
I quickly crossed my arms to cover myself and shouted at Jamie.
“Wh-what did you do to me?”
“You? What law says a student should address their teacher as ‘you’?”
Her soft voice and gentle words made me even more flustered.
“No, I mean…”
“Ha, just kidding. There’s no need to look so worried. I just checked your physical condition for a moment.”
“My… physical condition?”
“Yes. Since a guy who had his mana routes blocked suddenly used magic and collapsed, it was my duty as a teacher to check if there were any problems, don’t you think?”
“Ah.”
But couldn’t she just tell me and do it? Why use something like a sleeping drug to do it forcibly?
Although I still had unresolved questions, it seemed pointless to argue here and now.
“You could have just told me beforehand. I would have been more comfortable with it.”
“Really? So next time, will you let me check your body whenever I ask?”
Jamie’s eyes sparkled with a greedy look as she scanned me up and down, making me smile awkwardly.
“Ha, haha. Depends on the situation, right? It’s kind of awkward to show my body to others so easily.”
“Others? Hmm. Kamon, to you, am I just a complete stranger?”
Jamie responded with a seemingly hurt expression, making me wave my hands quickly.
“No, what I mean is…”
“Kekeke. Just kidding, just kidding. You’re quite fun to tease, Kamon.”
I squinted at Jamie as she giggled.
‘No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t seem like a joke.’
“Now that everything is done, stop the pointless talk and get dressed. And about the ‘Orb’ you brought.”
As she continued, I paused and listened attentively.
“Yes, please go ahead, teacher.”
“It’s quite an interesting item. But it seems it needs some research.”
“Re-research?”
“Yes. The mana that had accumulated in your body has been resolved. But using the ‘Orb’s’ mana drain feature to forcibly open your mana routes is very dangerous. You could end up hurting yourself more.”
Jamie explained in a slightly worried tone, then continued.
“So, we need to check how it draws out the mana.”
With a determined tone, Jamie’s demeanor clearly resembled a researcher deeply engrossed in magic.
“How long will the research take?”
“Well, we won’t know until we start.”
With a slight tilt of her head, Jamie’s words made my expression harden.
Even though Jamie was a great archmage, understanding and analyzing an artifact at once was impossible. But it mustn’t take too long.
“Will the research take long?”
“No, it shouldn’t take too long. I just need to verify a few things.”
“Really?!”
“But using the ‘Orb’ is another issue. We’ll need to modify it to suit your body’s condition.”
Nodding firmly, Jamie’s decisive tone made me smile brightly.
“Yes, of course, I understand.”
“Alright, then. There’s nothing more to discuss today, so you can leave.”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
With her dismissal, I quickly stood up.
“Then I’ll come back later. Or just contact me when the research is done. I’ll come right away.”
“Alright, see you later.”
Jamie’s unusually kind smile gave me a slight sense of unease
.
‘Well, it should be fine.’
With that thought, I left without hesitation.
Squeak, bang!
“Now I just need to wait.”
As I thought last night, solving all my problems now was just a matter of time.
***
“He’s quite cute.”
Staring at the closed door, Jamie giggled as she recalled the small mark on the back of Kamon Vade’s neck.
“Kekeke, I won’t let anyone take what’s mine.”
