Chapter 49
While a lot of chaotic things were happening among the academy researchers, the general public—unrelated to them—was burning with excitement more than ever.
“Wow, this is amazing.”
“I’m glad I came to see this. Wow, what kind of magic is that?”
“No wonder they say Camon Bede is a magic prodigy.”
“No, what kind of prodigy? That’s just a monster!”
Everyone couldn’t help but be amazed at the magical prowess Camon Bede was displaying, reacting with admiration.
Not too far from there.
“Quite the interesting find, my student.”
A sharp-eyed male professor muttered this while looking at the ‘Orb’ in Camon Bede’s hands on stage.
Then, adjusting his glasses once, he spoke to the female student standing next to him.
“Chelsea, I think my academy life is becoming more enjoyable thanks to you. Should I thank you for this?”
“No, it’s nothing, Jamie—no, Jace sir.”
As Chelsea quickly corrected herself, it was clear that the male professor standing beside her was actually the mage Jamie, concealing his true identity with the Three-Color Magic.
“However.”
Jamie, looking satisfied as he watched the stage, soon furrowed his brows slightly and glanced toward the VIP section one floor above.
“What are those bugs scheming up there?”
“Huh?”
“It seems like creatures who don’t even know their place are trying to snatch the prey I claimed first.”
Chelsea could only tilt her head at Jamie’s bitter smile as he spoke in disbelief.
After watching the VIP section for a while, Jamie smirked lightly and muttered to himself.
“Oh, a pendant, is it?”
He spoke as if he had grasped everything happening in the VIP section. Raising one eyebrow, he continued.
“Glagos, of all people, dares to covet my student? Ridiculous.”
Chuckling at the thought, Jamie turned to Chelsea and said:
“I’ve always dealt with anyone who lays hands on what’s mine. How should I go about handling these guys this time?”
“That might be a bit much, don’t you think? After all, they’re one of the Seven Tables.”
“The Seven Tables? So what? None of them are impressive except for that cursed old blue guy.”
Jamie waved his hand nonchalantly and asked again:
“I’ve seen all the interesting sights here. I suppose I should get going. Chelsea, what about you?”
“Oh, I…”
Caught off guard by Jamie’s sudden question, Chelsea looked at the massive and colorful nine rings of fire still floating above the stage and nodded.
“I’ll come with you, Jace sir.”
“Alright, then.”
With no lingering attachment, Jamie turned and left, and Chelsea followed.
Even as she walked, Chelsea glanced back at Camon on the stage and the ‘Nine Rings of Fire’ he had conjured.
Nine rings of fire embroidered in his clear, transparent eyes.
And then:
“…Liar.”
With that single word, Chelsea followed Jamie out of the seminar hall.
“Is it really over now?”
I murmured quietly to myself while lying on the bed in my small hideout, built solely for me.
Even now, whenever I closed my eyes, I felt like I was being chased or engulfed by a massive torrent.
But for now, all I could see was the old, unstable ceiling above me.
Yet, for some reason, that sight made me feel at peace.
“This really feels like home now.”
It had truly become my cozy little sanctuary.
Rustle.
Pulling the blanket over my chin, I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
“Did I really cast magic?”
The nine thick, massive rings I had drawn in the air.
I still couldn’t believe I had created that magic myself.
‘Who would’ve thought I’d have this kind of experience at this age?’
Something I had only seen in novels, manga, or anime had happened right in front of me.
On a stage in front of a large audience, no less.
‘Back then, I didn’t even pay much attention.’
I was too concerned that Professor Fellon might retaliate, so I just tried to be cautious.
He could have scolded me for being late or punished me in some way.
Surprisingly, though, he didn’t.
“No, it’s more accurate to say he just wasn’t interested in me at all.”
As soon as the seminar ended, he left, laughing boisterously, heading somewhere far away.
Well, anyway.
“At least I shouldn’t be in danger anymore!”
Of course, I wasn’t completely certain.
Whether using the ‘Orb’ would truly solve my fundamental problems and free me from the threat of death.
And whether I could use this new power of magic.
“At least I’ve done everything I could, right?”
I quietly looked at the milky-white Orb on my desk.
Its radiant glow made me smile without thinking.
‘Anyway, I made a new friend, the wealthy young master Elliot, and I also got the Orb.’
So many events, so many incidents, but in the end, everything had come together somehow.
Perhaps it couldn’t have been any better.
‘Tsk. When you’re this lucky, something always happens, right?’
No. I shouldn’t think that way.
Everything will go well from now on.
“Phew, tomorrow I’ll make sure to meet Jamie first.”
Murmuring this to myself, I closed my eyes and fell into the sweetest sleep I’d ever had.
The next morning.
I walked to Jamie with light steps and cautiously presented the ‘Orb,’ explaining its functions and the experiences I had with it.
“So this is an item with a ‘Mana Drain’ effect. Using it, I can…”
“Yeah, yeah. I understand the story, so take your time. Ah, shall we have this first?”
As I explained, Jamie handed me a warm cup of tea with a faint smile.
“Oh, tea? Thank you.”
The fragrant aroma made me happy, and I quickly took a sip.
“…This is called the ‘Orb,’ and so I can… huh?”
Why do I suddenly feel so sleepy?
Huh, huh?
Engulfed by an intense tide of drowsiness, I noticed Jamie’s expression for a moment.
Was she… smiling?
“Take a deep nap, my student.”
Ah, damn. I’d been tricked.
I fell into a deep sleep immediately.
Flash!
I woke up in an instant, sitting upright.
At the same time, a familiar voice came from beside me.
“Awake?”
Jamie looked at me with a maternal, almost Virgin Mary-like expression.
I felt a chill run down my spine.
“What… what did you give me?”
“A little business to attend to.”
“Business…?”
Feeling a strange emptiness, I looked down and realized my upper clothing was completely gone.
“…!”
Quickly covering myself with my arms, I shouted at Jamie:
“What did you do to me?”
“Excuse me? What kind of student calls their master ‘you’?”
Her gentle voice made me even more flustered.
“So, what I mean is…”
“Ha, just joking. No need to make that face. I only needed to check your condition for a moment.”
“Condition?”
“Exactly. Since your body’s mana routes were blocked and you suddenly used magic, it’s my duty as your master to see if there’s any problem.”
I still had questions about why she had to drug me to do it, but arguing now wouldn’t help.
“You could’ve just told me beforehand. I would’ve done it willingly.”
“Really? Then will you allow me to check your body whenever I demand it?”
Jamie looked at me greedily, scanning me from head to toe. I awkwardly smiled.
“Uh, haha… maybe later? I mean, showing my body like that… it’s a bit…”
“Ah, to you? Hmph. To Camon, I’m a complete stranger.”
Her slightly disappointed expression made me wave my hands quickly.
“No, I mean…”
“Heh. Just kidding. You’re quite fun to tease, Camon.”
She giggled, and I blinked, staring at her.
‘That didn’t really seem like a joke.’
“Now that everything is over, stop talking nonsense and put on your clothes. And about the Orb you brought.”
I stopped dressing and listened carefully.
“Yes, tell me, Master.”
“It’s quite an interesting item, but it needs further research.”
“R…research?”
“Yes. All the mana accumulated in your body has been released. But forcing the mana routes open using the Orb’s mana-drain properties is very dangerous. You could get hurt badly.”
Jamie explained with a slightly concerned tone.
“So, we need to check exactly how it drains mana.”
Her firm tone gave off the air of a scholarly mage.
“How long will the research take?”
“Well, we’ll only know once we start.”
Jamie tilted her head slightly.
Even as an incredible archmage, she couldn’t instantly understand a brand-new artifact.
“But it shouldn’t take too long. We just need to confirm a few things.”
“R-really?!”
“Of course, using the Orb is another issue. We’ll need to adjust it to suit your body.”
I nodded brightly.
“Good, then there’s nothing more to discuss today. You may leave.”
“Yes, understood.”
Jamie sent me off with an unusually kind smile, which felt a little strange.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
I left without hesitation.
Creak, thud!
“All that’s left is to wait now.”
Just as I had thought last night, it was only a matter of time before all my problems were solved.
“…Quite cute.”
Jamie muttered while looking at the closed door, thinking of the small mark on the back of Camon Bede’s neck.
“Heh, no one will take what’s mine.”
