-chapter 63-
“Did Rain Ludwick say he’s quitting as a tutor?”
Yuren Page raised an eyebrow slightly.
Though he was a prominent figure from the Arphen royal family, he had taken on the Page family name as their son-in-law, thus he naturally had to bear the family name of Page.
Madelia, elegantly slicing her veal steak, dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief.
“Yes, he said so today.”
“Does he not like our Kasena, or what—”
“What nonsense are you spouting about a benefactor? He has done more than enough for us. With his academic responsibilities and student council duties… he showed up every single day, so we owe him a great debt.”
“I understand that, but he made a promise to help Kasena walk again.”
“Stop. If it were that simple, I would have done it a long time ago.”
While Yuren licked his lips in regret, Madelia’s expression remained nonchalant.
‘We can find a way for her to walk step by step.’
What matters right now is that the child has developed an interest in magic. Eventually, opportunities will arise when she least expects it.
“I called you to the table to discuss how we can repay him.”
Their relationship, forged not from love but for political reasons, had never been particularly good, and it had grown increasingly strained since Kasena had developed her disability.
Eating together again like this must have been approximately ten years.
Yuren Page nodded seriously, not devoid of gratitude.
“How about simply offering some gold coins? After all, we don’t know what he likes.”
“The Ludwick family is one of the wealthiest households; what would gold coins mean to him?”
Although it looked like the two were embroiled in a quarrel, the mansion staff could only observe with astonished expressions, unsure of how to interpret their discussion.
They exchanged jokes and smiles.
For the last decade, whenever their conversations consisted of two or three sentences, one of them would invariably end up shouting, making communication impossible…
“Master, Madam.”
At that moment, a third party interjected. A middle-aged man who had served the Page family for over thirty years and had also acted as Kasena’s caretaker.
“May I speak for a moment?”
“Go ahead.”
“Is there a transfer policy for mid-semester admissions to ?”
Was it an unexpected question? Madelia lifted her gaze from her food.
“Typically, there is not. There have been a few exceptions in the university’s history, though.”
“What kind of exceptions?”
“Primarily for children of noble families or students from the academy who couldn’t take the entrance exams for various reasons, like attending their parents’ funeral or recovering from accidents.”
It was a question she already knew the answer to.
“Then would Lady Kasena also be eligible for that benefit?”
At this, Madelia Page momentarily sharpened her eyes before shaking her head.
“Impossible.”
“Why not?”
“The child is still immature. Not only immature but unable to walk. Our family’s reputation as the primary mage has its standards to uphold.”
“Then if the lady were less immature and could walk, it wouldn’t be an issue?”
As he stubbornly pressed further, Madelia let out a low sigh and leaned back in her chair.
“I can’t fathom that. Why are we discussing Kasena’s admission in the first place?”
“Because of your personality. As you know, you are quite proud. It was difficult for Prince Rain who is of the same age, how much harder could it be for our juniors?”
“That’s…”
Perhaps it was a valid point, and Madelia hesitated, furrowing her brows as she stared into space.
“While it is true, it nonetheless remains impossible. Only if she explicitly requests it could we consider it.”
The awaited words had finally come out.
It seems I can consider my mission complete now.
“So that’s how it is, milady.”
Milady?
As the caretaker addressed her, Madelia and Yuren tilted their heads in surprise, their eyes widening in realization.
“No, this… it cannot be…”
Madelia’s breath began to tremble violently as Yuren’s heart raced.
“Please, let’s delay a little longer…”
With shaking legs that still bore some weight yet lacked muscle, the caretaker walked alongside her as if guiding someone special.
“Kasena…?”
It was Kasena Page.
Not only Madelia and Yuren but all the staff who observed were left in shock.
In the silence that followed, Kasena smiled innocently.
“Mom, can I go to university too? With Rain.”
Madelia merely stood frozen, stunned, watching her daughter walk as her mind reeled, getting a hold of her thoughts.
“Now… what am I witnessing? Kasena, you seem to be walking…?”
Yuren exclaimed in disbelief.
Wanting to cry, confusion seized her features so that tears couldn’t escape.
“It’s true! I did walk! Rain made me walk!”
“Rain Ludwick?”
“Yeah! Rain is really amazing! It’s not just telekinesis!”
With pride, Kasena lifted her shoulders, her face glowing with joy.
Yuren looked at the escorting mage with eyes that demanded an explanation, which led him to clear his throat and speak up.
“You need not worry. I was so surprised that I went to inquire directly, and it seems what he used was an application of the magic of Wing-type mages.”
“Strengthening magic…?”
“Yes. Notably, the Chei Haek mages inscribe magic circles on their bodies, infusing them with magical power to create strength. It’s based on the same principle.”
“However, there could be risks involved, couldn’t there?”
“They assured me there’s a separate insurance method for beginners to prevent such issues; there’s no need to worry.”
Madelia, speechless, gazed at the magic circles glowing across Kasena’s legs, before hastily waving her hands.
“Would you mind stepping aside? You as well.”
The caretaker and staff promptly bowed their heads and exited. As the banquet room door closed, Madelia and Yuren embraced Kasena, stifling their sobs.
“Kasena, our daughter…”
They neither sought anything more. Just to see their daughter walk again, to watch her run towards them with joy… that was the only wish they ever held dear, and they had prayed and begged the heavens for this moment.
Suddenly, that wish was granted.
Perhaps that heartfelt prayer finally reached the heavens. If this was a divine intervention, then it was undoubtedly Rain Ludwick who served as the instrument.
– The Master’s daughter and our son can help one another break out of their respective shells. Would that not be enough?
Ah, is this really how it is?
It truly has come to pass.
Kaven, Brim. You are deeply indebted to your child, one debt that can never be repaid…
* * *
On Monday morning, I took time to assess the progress so far. After returning from successfully inscribing the magic circles onto Kasena the day before, I had collapsed…
“…It’s gone up again?”
My proficiency with unique magic had skyrocketed to a whopping 47.9%. I hadn’t even noticed when it crossed 45%, but as a direct result, my success rate and power amplification in the flow technique of the royal magic had also increased by 5%.
‘Could it be thanks to thoroughly researching the technique of subjugation?’
Doubt over my last observation compounded.
Or could it be that it was not only in the battle against magical beasts but even a battle involving magical girls (not that I directly mentioned Kasena)?
“Heh, I suppose there’s no need to overthink this.”
As the saying goes, it’s better than nothing.
If I live on as I am, surely my progress will steadily continue.
The point I really should be fretting over is in Valencia. It’s wise not to scatter my focus unnecessarily.
“Hehe, hehe, hehe.”
As I burst into laughter, Pipi, who had been dozing off on my shoulder, began to laugh along. Pipi had been sleeping for much longer compared to three centuries ago.
“You’re aging, Pipi. It seems napping has become a habit.”
“Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy.”
After scratching Pipi’s head for a few minutes, the clock tower rang out announcing the start of school.
“Pipi, take it easy. I will head out for school.”
“School, school, school.”
“Come visit me for some fun if you are bored.”
Today marked a significant event which I could not be late for. After working as a tutor for nearly forty days, I realized that ‘it’ had finally arrived.
“Now, I will explain the mid-term exams scheduled to start in two weeks to the first-year students.”
In the grand hall of Yonggum.
As all the first-year students took their seats, the vice professor Kyle stepped onto the stage, signaling the commencement of the big event.
“The final exams may be fundamentally similar to the mid-terms, but everything changes. This is crucial for you to recognize.”
The judging panel for the finals wouldn’t consist solely of professors from . Distinguished mages from across the empire would be present to assess the examinations.
“The final examination is also an opportunity to showcase your names to the world! In reality, many students determine their future mage tower affiliations based on their results in the finals.”
The atmosphere turned heavy with anxious anticipation.
However, it was also a double-edged sword. Leaving a poor impression on such notable figures could be quite devastating… just imagining it sent chills down the spine.
“Now let’s go over the examination methods.”
Snap! Kyle snapped his fingers and the teaching assistants began to affix pamphlets onto the wall behind the stage.
Group A:
• Rain Ludwick.
• Krista Warden.
• Nora Ledon.
…
The students assigned to Group A were the children of prestigious mage families and the adept starting their studies. All were the top-performing students at school.
‘ provides a superior educational system based on skills, but it doesn’t mean lower-performance students are completely ignored.’
Krista Warden propped her chin on her clasped hands, alternating glances between her name and that of Rain Ludwick listed above.
‘This dilemma in the system is particularly pronounced during finals; students in higher ranks are placed in more disadvantageous conditions compared to the lower-ranking students.’
Final scores are calculated based on entrance scores, mid-terms, and all previous evaluations to determine the top thirty students in Group A.
Then, the remaining students were shuffled randomly to form Groups B, C, D, E, and F while keeping the average score constant.
“First, the preliminary rounds for the finals will begin in two weeks. Only the top four from each group will gain entry to the final.”
That would mean, ultimately, twenty-four students would proceed to the finals…
‘This will be the second hurdle I must pass to meet Lista.’
I glanced at Rain’s eyes shining with interest.
‘As expected, there’s not even a hint of tension.’
The finals would determine the ultimate victor through a tournament-style competition initiated by drawing lots.
“Now, let us reveal the proposed topics for the preliminary rounds.”
As Kyle’s hand waved, magic circles erupted from his palm, illuminating enchanting strings of light across the air.
[Scroll]
Scroll? Unlike the other proficient students, Rain and the lower-ranking students looked confused, their brows furrowing.
It was no wonder; the topic was quite abstract.
“You will someday become arch mages capable of creating scrolls to assist many people. This is a training exercise for that day.”
“…?”
“This year’s theme is ‘Magic Suitable for Creation into Scrolls’! Reflect deeply over the next two weeks, and bring back your finest creations.”
Magic suitable for scroll creation?
Rain, without a hint of understanding, rubbed his chin pensively.
‘Are they suggesting to create a form of civilian relief magic?’
Meanwhile, the skilled upper-tier students, who were accustomed to these sorts of examinations since childhood, had begun to brainstorm ideas for their creations with glimmers of inspiration in their eyes.
‘Hehe♪ I can try that way again.’
‘This time I must experiment with that one.’
‘Looks like I’ve got a field in my specialty.’
Yet there was one piece of information that bewildered the entire assembly of students, leaving them in sheer astonishment.
“Now, I conclude my explanation of the final exams, and I will introduce the new transfer students to wrap up this briefing.”
Transfer students? The number of people eligible to utilize that avenue is extremely limited.
Surely they must be significant mages that cannot afford to overlook or someone receiving unending support from their family.
In hushed whispers of speculation, a sound echoed, *tap tap tap…* The sound of a crutch striking the wooden podium reverberated, and the moment its owner appeared, everyone stared in bewilderment.
“Eh?”
“Uh?”
“Hmm?”
A cascade of lavender hair passed under the spotlight, and an impeccably symmetrical face left a striking impression on any observer, regardless of gender.
“Page…?”
“It’s the Page family…?”
“It’s Page!”
Among the shocked students, Rain Ludwick was hit hardest by this wave.
“Kasena…?”
Kyle, with a slightly regretful smile, added, “And as per tradition, the top-performing student will assist the new transfer student for a month.”
No?
