Chapter 141: Dark Demon Falls Into the Trap
“Of course.”
Pandora raised her head in surprise, her slender fingers brushing the front of her hair behind her ear.
Her skin was too fair, making her lips look overly red.
The heart-shaped scales under her eyes reflected a faint silver light under the lights, giving her an almost demonic allure.
Dark instinctively took a step back until he saw the corners of her mouth curl up, then he suddenly realized it and couldn’t help but smile, opening his notebook flat.
The scent wafting by stirred the young man’s thoughts.
Dark picked up his pen and said, “I have some questions I don’t understand that I’d like to ask.”
He really meant it!
Although the introductory knowledge of Mana Language wasn’t particularly difficult, he had no foundation and had been studying it entirely on his own, inevitably encountering problems he couldn’t solve by himself.
In the process of learning, he listed out these problems, planning to ask Professor Kazel once he had accumulated enough.
Now…
He just turned to ask Senior Pandora instead.
…
Pandora didn’t feel disappointed; she had known this junior student wouldn’t come without a purpose. If he came with no goal, that would be truly strange.
If it was only about learning, she was very willing to help answer.
But naturally, she would also collect some interest during the process.
…
“No, there’s someone else around…”
“It’s okay, relax.”
“Take your time.”
“It’s coming.”
“Alright.”
Senior Pandora guided Dark on how to more accurately and effectively infuse mana when writing Mana Language.
Dark struggled to control his impulses, trying to stay calm while learning and memorizing.
But Bliss kept rising uncontrollably.
…
Wit stood in front of the counter for a long time before finally leading Robert into the library.
After they stopped at the corner, Wit couldn’t help asking, “When did they become so familiar?”
Robert comforted him, “It’s just asking questions. Dark often goes to the library, so it’s normal for him to know the seniors.”
Wit gritted his teeth slightly, “If I asked a question, would the senior teach me too?”
Robert: “Oh? But we’re not very close to her.”
Wit: “Huh?”
Robert: “Maybe we should check the好感度 first? That would be a good reference.”
Wit actually had “Forbidden Love” in hand, but eventually shook his head, “No need, it shouldn’t be high. We’re just strangers who know each other’s names. Robert, do I need to read more books like Dark to have a chance?”
Robert: “I don’t know. But having common ground is a secret to communicating with girls. Senior Pandora clearly loves reading.”
But he shrugged again, “However, we must finish our homework tonight. Maybe we can start tomorrow?”
Wit hesitated, “But I still need to go through the secret path to find the treasure left by my father.”
Robert: “Then there’s nothing we can do. Isn’t there a saying, you can’t have both fish and bear paws?”
Wit: “Though true, what you said makes sense. Senior Pandora loves reading, especially books about dragons. Maybe I can give her a book at Christmas.”
Robert: “Good idea, I recommend ‘The Fourteen Techniques of Dragon Slaying by Alibaba’, it’s apparently a bestseller!”
Wit: “Let’s think about it later, there’s still a lot of time until Christmas.”
…
[Bliss +1]
Seeing the familiar prompt in his field of vision.
Dark subconsciously pulled away from Senior Pandora, but the distance between them only decreased.
That heavy pressure was almost pressing against his face.
Pandora secretly smiled and moved closer, taking steps on the edge.
[Bliss +1]
Dark’s face turned slightly red, feeling a bit flustered.
“You’re so innocent.”
Pandora thought to herself as she continued her guidance without stopping.
As a fourth-year student at Mana Academy, her knowledge of Mana Language far exceeded Dark’s.
A few simple pointers could greatly benefit Dark.
An hour later, she leaned close and asked, “By the way, isn’t Mana Language a second-year course? Why are you starting so early?”
Dark quickly used the question to distract himself, “I need to make Mana Cards.”
Pandora: “What kind of Mana Cards? Maybe I can help.”
Dark: “Spell Cage and Fusion.”
Pandora was immediately surprised, “These aren’t easy to make. Especially Fusion, although the requirements for Mana Language aren’t particularly high, there are many points to consider during the炼成 process.
I had to attempt it several times before succeeding. But you’ve already started using Fusion after just three months of school? That’s quite impressive.”
Dark: “Still in the experimental stage.”
Pandora relaxed a little, “Based on your progress, perhaps next semester you can apply to join the Dueling Club and compete with second-year students.
For now, let me know when you’re ready to try making Fusion, and I’ll help you. As for Spell Cage, if you’re careful, it should be fine.”
“Spell Cage, if you’re careful, it should be fine?”
Dark’s expression stiffened slightly.
After all this research, he didn’t think Spell Cage was easy to make.
If he really started, the materials worth 1500 credits might disappear in an instant.
But if that’s the case…
Doesn’t that mean Fusion is even more challenging than Spell Cage?
Mana Crafting has always been a bottomless pit.
Especially when trying to create Mana Cards beyond one’s capability, even pouring in more money may not guarantee results.
Since Senior Pandora offered to help, Dark naturally wouldn’t miss this opportunity.
He quickly said, “Thank you, Senior. Once I can compile the spell for Fusion, I’ll ask for your help.”
But Senior Pandora changed her tone and added, “Of course, I can help. But the ancient alchemist Edward once said, ‘To gain something, one must sacrifice something.’ To obtain something, one must pay an equal price. This is the principle of equivalent exchange in alchemy.
We magi are advanced alchemists, so we cannot forget this principle. What do you think?”
Dark: “Christmas gifts, I understand.”
Pandora smiled, “And the Christmas dance.”
…
“This feeling of knowing everything yet restraining oneself… it’s also quite nice.”
Pandora watched Dark’s silhouette disappear into the library, then quickly returned to her studies.
Those skilled at managing time could switch between states quickly.
Chapter 142: Dark Demon Foresees Trouble
Once the gates of desire are opened, they are hard to control.
Dark overestimated his ability to restrain himself.
But Senior Pandora was simply too tempting for him.
Whether it was her outward appearance or inner qualities, she hit every mark.
…
“Currently, I have 108 points of Bliss. After absorbing 3 points, I have 105 points left. Without wasting any Flower Cards, I need to double my efforts this month.”
Dark pondered for a moment before quickly switching states, continuing his study of Mana Language.
Senior Pandora taught him many things he hadn’t explored, requiring more time to memorize and consolidate.
This guided journey was vastly different from going it alone.
Dark felt particularly satisfied with today’s gains.
But by nine o’clock that evening, after leaving the library, he had to start worrying about the Christmas dance and gifts.
Originally, he had treated the dance invitation as a joke.
But now, it seemed he couldn’t avoid it?
And the gifts.
Besides preparing for Senior Pandora, he also needed to prepare gifts for Diana and Rose.
Also, he needed to include Professor Lily and Professor Kazel.
That made five in total!
…
Small gifts were manageable, but if done sincerely, this would be a significant expense.
After last weekend’s spending, Dark was already quite tight on funds.
Considering the cost of materials for Spell Cage and Fusion cards exceeded what first-year students could afford, he needed more credits to make them.
“Should I really sell goods in Traveler’s Street like upperclassmen?”
Dark had to consider this possibility.
But he quickly dismissed the idea.
Selling goods required time to set up and prepare items, which was unacceptable for someone as busy as Dark.
Moreover, the items he could choose were cheap juices with many alternatives, time-consuming and not very profitable.
“Then I need to think of another solution.”
…
Time passed quickly, and it was Thursday afternoon.
Principal Altair continued to talk about Peter Sherwich’s story in History of Magic.
Then he smoothly transitioned to another hero.
This was the first member to join the Magical Animal Club after its founding by Peter.
His name was Claire Kate.
Claire was a classmate at Mana Academy.
Following the academy’s tradition, she loved reading and was very quiet, sharing common interests with Peter.
Later, Claire, known as the Sage, became active on the battlefield, though she was just an ordinary girl with no special skills at the time.
Since second-year students were required to join at least one club, Claire chose the Magical Animal Club, which had few members.
This ordinary girl then began to grow rapidly at an unstoppable pace.
Her series of Zoo cards amazed everyone!
Principal Altair spoke of Miss Claire with some amazement.
It was an era of brilliant stars.
Countless heroes emerged from St. Maryan.
Even so, Claire stood out among them.
Most of Claire’s stories in her student days were related to animals.
Peter could always bring magical animals to the clubroom, but he wasn’t good at raising them, so Claire usually took care of them.
Whenever those magical animals caused chaos, it was Claire who cleaned up the mess.
One day, a cat from the Magical Animal Club went missing.
It was a white cat with white eyes, easily overlooked in a white room.
Peter and Claire worked hard to post notices to find the white cat, but after two weeks, they still couldn’t find it.
Until one evening two weeks later, Claire discovered a young girl secretly walking a cat in the castle’s garden. It suddenly dawned on her why they couldn’t find the cat.
Because the cat had changed color!
The white cat had turned black, and someone had taken it to their dorm.
Since the academy prohibited keeping animals privately, the person who found the cat hid it in their dorm, avoiding discovery.
And because the cat had changed from white to black, the search notices lost their meaning.
Claire confronted the girl who had taken the cat, explaining the situation.
Though reluctant, the girl returned the cat to her.
From then on, the girl visited the Magical Animal Club almost daily to see the cat.
Eventually, she joined the club as its third member.
…
When Principal Altair mentioned this, he reminisced, “Can anyone guess who she is?”
This was clearly an easy question.
Many students at Mana Academy raised their hands.
Dark leaned back in his chair, recalling the lazy cat at home.
The cat named Galileo could change its fur color according to celestial signs and weather, and it could blend into its surroundings to avoid being taken out for walks.
Dark, when he was young, loved playing hide-and-seek with it.
That was real hide-and-seek!
…
A student at Mana Academy stood up and logically deduced, “I remember Principal mentioning in the previous class that the reason Great Mage Peter could become friends with the Hero and the Valkyrie was due to the presence of a certain woman.”
“In the class before that, it was mentioned that the Valkyrie loves cats.”
“The Principal wouldn’t mention irrelevant matters.”
“So the answer is clear.”
“Claire Sage is the link between Great Mage Peter and the Valkyrie…”
“And the one who took the cat must be the Valkyrie herself!”
Principal Altair clapped approvingly, “Very correct, add five points.”
Then she briefly talked about Alvaraite’s relationship with Claire and smiled, “Claire is very easy to get along with, and she’s knowledgeable and responsible. I believe you will like her.”
There seemed to be some hidden meaning in her words?
Dark’s face turned pale as he slowly raised his hand.
Principal Altair looked at him and asked, “Daemon, do you have anything to ask?”
Dark asked with a glimmer of hope, “Principal, could our new History of Magic professor be Ms. Claire Kate?”
