Elder Diocles immediately sent a messenger to request a meeting with the former Mage Tower Master, Tristan, but he firmly refused, along with a message that he wanted no more interference in his life.
“I told you. Live as if I’m already dead. That’s how I’ve been living.”
Even after hearing that he could treat the Mana Blockage Disease, he remained steadfast. It seemed to him that treating the illness was no longer meaningful.
In the end, Yuric never got the chance to meet Tristan. The elder said with a troubled expression,
“I’m sorry, but please wait a little longer. We will try to persuade him.”
“Could you tell me, might I ask, why Senior Tristan refuses to be treated?”
After pondering for a moment, Diocles replied,
“He is in pain. His student was my junior mage. He was very talented and intelligent. But he took the wrong path… Do you know Lisi?”
“Yes, I’ve heard of her. A mage who pursued forbidden magic…”
“There’s no telling exactly why. There was a great accident at the Mage Tower, and many people died or were injured. After that, he left the tower and became Lisi.”
“I see…”
“At that time, Senior acted as if nothing had happened. But it seems that incident left a deep wound in his heart. That wound festered over time, and after he fell ill, he left the tower and lived alone.”
Yuric nodded slowly with a heavy expression. He had once worked as a tutor and understood that feeling. If Ior had taken a bad path, how painful would that be? If it were so with a student, imagine how much more it would hurt to raise a disciple like a child.
“What a heavy story… Thank you.”
“It’s fine. This situation should be explained.”
“Then I’ll wait patiently.”
“Thank you. I’ll make sure you can stay comfortably in the tower.”
“My companions are here. I’ll stay with them.”
“Understood. Then I’ll grant you access to enter the tower anytime.”
As he spoke, Elder Diocles handed Yuric a badge. Like the Dawn Society, this badge also had magical processing, and it seemed to have different grades based on its material and color.
“This should allow you to access most floors. I’ll also provide you with a laboratory.”
“Thank you very much. I needed a place to prepare medicine.”
“If you need any materials, feel free to ask. I’ll have them prepared immediately.”
“I’ll let you know when treatment begins.”
After their conversation, Yuric met an unexpected person in the hallway outside the elder’s office.
“Yuric, long time no see.”
The witch Hene, who had been his teacher and savior, stood waiting for her student by the side of the hallway.
“Teacher!”
Yuric rushed to Hene and hugged her tightly.
When he was young, he was held in her arms, but now he could hold her in his own arms.
One year and seven months.
Although not a long time, Yuric felt as if it had been a very long time since he last saw her. Hene could not find the youthful appearance she remembered in Yuric. Now, he had become a proper mage.
“I’ve heard your explanation. You did very well.”
“It’s thanks to what you taught me. Without that, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.”
Despite some changes in appearance, Yuric remained as humble and kind as ever.
Honesty, Hene was surprised and proud to hear that Yuric would open up his treatment method. She could feel the pure will of a mage who sought magic itself rather than being bound by material things.
“Many mages have been inspired because of you. You provided a good direction.”
“Don’t you think you’re flattering me too much for seeing my student again after such a long time?”
They both smiled faintly at each other.
“Anyway, what brings you here?”
“I came as a visiting professor due to the tower’s barrier magic.”
“Oh.”
Yuric recalled the barrier magic of the tower. It seemed they had invited Hene, an expert in barrier magic, to install an improved version.
“And the name of the person who improved the barrier magic is the same as yours. Was it also you?”
“Yes, it turned out that way.”
She was amazed by her student’s originality, which even surpassed her imagination.
Hene led Yuric to her laboratory.
“Tell me about how you’ve been since leaving the village of witches in Arphenheim.”
Yuric then explained his journey since leaving Arphenheim, showing her the drawings from his bag.
When Yuric finished recounting his long journey, the evening twilight was already descending. The teacher nodded with a smile after listening intently to the student’s story.
“You’ve had a very fulfilling journey.”
Yuric got up before it got darker.
“Then I’ll go back now, Teacher. I’ll visit again tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
Despite several refusals, Hene accompanied him to the entrance on the first floor.
Upon returning to his lodging, Yuric, who needed to stay for quite some time, wrote a letter to Mr. Schleifen first, seeking permission to stay longer.
He also informed Captain Cecilia of this fact, and she agreed to wait for him while working here.
“Schleifen’s request was for us to return safely with Yuric. I will fulfill that request.”
Mercenaries like those in the Golden Dragon Mercenary Corps could work wherever they stayed, as long as they earned money. Although there might be more work in the south, the reputation of the Golden Dragon Mercenary Corps meant they wouldn’t lack jobs.
While waiting for Elder Diocles’ call, Yuric began exploring Ronadium thoroughly.
The silver badge he received allowed him access to the underground area, where various items were available, from books to equipment, materials, experimental subjects, research topics, and even magic. If Yuric had opened the Mana Blockage Disease treatment method and sold it here, he would have become rich.
People coming and going in the underground area were diverse, including mages, nobles, merchants, and mercenaries. With the right qualifications, passing through the entrance to the underground area wasn’t difficult.
Yuric visited various places, observing and drawing everything he saw.
He also gave a presentation on the improved barrier magic circuit. Experts in barrier magic and circuitry requested interpretations of the barrier circuits.
Of course, Yuric gladly accepted the invitation and explained the barrier circuits in front of them. Although an interpretation existed from Elders, hearing it directly from him was better.
With his expertise in barrier magic and the Mana Blockage Disease treatment method, Yuric’s value increased daily. While it was natural for peers to feel envy, the gap was so vast that such feelings were rare. Instead, he became an object of admiration.
His handsome face, friendly personality, and outstanding talent were enough to shake the composure of female mages.
Every time Yuric entered his laboratory, he found dozens of letters stuffed in the gaps. The senders were promising students, assistant mages helping professors, and experts whose names were familiar.
Sensitive Yuric read each letter carefully and replied individually, explaining his current inability to accept their offers.
However, there were still women who, despite being heartbroken, vowed to love him until the end.
– “I cannot win your heart, but I won’t give up mine. I will love you until the end.”
– “Just as a mage cannot abandon magic, I won’t abandon you. Wait for me. I will someday claim your love.”
– “Your situation doesn’t matter. I am the daughter of a great mage family. I will solve all your worries.”
“…”
There were even lewd letters that made him blush upon reading.
Respecting their affections, Yuric didn’t respond further.
Time passed, yet the treatment for the former Mage Tower Master had not begun.
Finally, Yuric decided to seek out Elder Diocles.
“Elder, may I personally visit Senior Tristan?”
“By yourself?”
“Perhaps you might think I’m unreliable.”
The elder stroked his beard, considering for a moment, then nodded.
“I apologize for causing trouble, especially when you’re already focused on treatment.”
“No, really, it’s fine. I understand that not everything goes smoothly like magic.”
“Thank you for understanding. I’ll assign you a guide.”
“No, just give me the address. I’ll find him myself.”
“But you might encounter difficulties. He’s a stubborn person.”
Yuric smiled.
He had learned about Tristan during this time.
A person who had achieved many accomplishments alongside the heroes of history.
“He must be much harder on himself than I am.”
To the best of his ability, Yuric wanted to do his best.
