Ch 223
“Pamon, what’s wrong with that child?”
It was the conclusion Labella reached after much deliberation.
Due to the limited time realistically available for Pamon, a disaster occurred! Her disciple and she parted ways after only a week!
Lisir perfectly conveyed the vibrant energy of his Master, an energy that seemed capable of reviving even withering flowers.
“You’re still overflowing with energy. Excessively so.”
Labella sighed, as if the very thought exhausted her.
“Or, has the way dates are counted on the continent changed? Perhaps 7 days actually means 7 years.”
Lisir’s heart suddenly ached.
How shocked must that mysterious transcendent being have been to consider such a childish, far-fetched possibility?
He decided to defend his flawed but kind Master, hoping to alleviate Sajjo’s worries.
“At the time, they did say it was to take over Sajjo’s work.”
“My work? Oh.”
The price.
Labella murmured the word, as if she had a hunch.
Lisir thought that this would make her understand.
How could one criticize a devoted disciple striving for their Master’s duties or rights?
“So, there was such a circumstance.”
“Yes. Master couldn’t help it either.”
“But, if there was such a circumstance, wouldn’t it have been normal to reconsider carefully before taking on a disciple?”
“…!”
Lisir felt a terrible sense of crisis.
Sajjo’s words were perfectly sound and logical—
He knew that approaching it from that logical viewpoint would make his Master a hopeless, good-for-nothing person.
-Do you know what Lisir’s greatest strength is?~?
-Cute.
To make matters worse.
Lisir recalled his Master’s appearance when they had taken him on as a disciple.
That attitude, which was no different from taking in a stray animal!
“A-actually…! Master knew I was treated poorly by my family and went out of their way to help me!”
Perhaps.
Lisir swallowed those words inwardly.
It was a desperate struggle to protect his Master’s honor （existence uncertain）.
More than anything.
Wasn’t it not entirely wrong?
In reality, when his Master took him in, they already knew that he was an illegitimate child and was treated poorly by his family.
The disciple believed that fact significantly influenced his Master’s choice.
Even if they didn’t show it outwardly!
“…”
Labella looking at Lisir.
Her listless expression softened.
“Right. If the disciple says so, then it must be true.”
It was the appearance of Sajjo, who had lost the anger to argue over the admirable actions of their descendant.
“Anyway—”
Afterward.
After hearing the full story, Labella began to speak.
“Child. You were from the Vendel family?”
“That’s right.”
“Let’s see.”
Labella gently lifted Lisir’s chin with a delicate touch, capturing Lisir in her unique silver eyes.
“It wasn’t my misconception.”
“Could it be that you knew I was Vendel from the start!?”
“No. I was going to say that you don’t resemble the Vendel family at all.”
The slender finger that had been supporting Lisir’s chin went up to brush his bangs.
“The Vendel I know doesn’t have a cute side like you, child. In many ways.”
“I… see?”
“Oh. Is it uncomfortable for me to say bad things about your ancestors, child?”
“Not particularly. Thanks to my father’s meticulous education, I have almost no Vendel identity within me.”
After pondering Lisir’s words for a moment, Labella let out a soft chuckle.
“The stronger and more beautiful the grass that grows in a harsh environment. That’s exactly like you, child.”
“Perhaps. Did my father have quite a talent for raising children?”
“Creating a harsh wilderness in a greenhouse is a skill in itself. Separately. I can’t say he was a good father, even as a compliment. He’s obsessed with formalities, just like my ancestor. Oh, is that uncomfortable to hear?”
“Not at all. Hearing Bella criticize my pathetic father in such an elegant voice makes me feel at ease. I think this greenhouse is better than that harsh wilderness.”
“What a coincidence. You’re just like your Master.”
Labella patted Lisir’s head, finding him incredibly endearing.
“Whew.”
Then, she sighed deeply again, thinking of her disciple.
“Then, child. Do you know nothing about your Master’s magic?”
“That’s right.”
Ah!
At that moment, Lisir said he had remembered something.
“Come to think of it, Master did say this about their magic.”
“What did they say?”
At that time, Pamon had spoken like that about their Unique Magic.
While they wished to pass it on, even if it meant overexerting themselves.
They hesitated because of the public’s negative perception of their magic, asking for understanding of their situation.
“Ah.”
Labella nodded, gaining a deep understanding.
“Considering the child’s position again, I think their choice has its own reasons.”
“My position?”
“As you already know, Pamon—that child doesn’t care much about reputation or other people’s opinions.”
“That’s true.”
“I’m the same.”
“…”
That’s truly true.
Lisir looked into the distance.
When talking face-to-face like this, he sometimes forgets—
She was a person who naturally acquired the name of Night in the process of satisfying her curiosity.
“So—”
Labella gestured slightly as she continued.
Vines rose from the ground at her gesture, and a small flower bloomed at the tip of the vine.
Labella gently plucked the flower and placed it in Lisir’s hair.
“You don’t feel any particular restrictions in learning the generally taboo Nature Magic. But you, child—”
“I…”
Lisir understood what Labella was trying to say.
At the same time, he understood what his Master had been trying to say.
“If I had learned Nature Magic from Master, I might have been in a difficult situation.”
“That’s right. This power tends to stimulate the imagination of cowards.”
“…Aren’t you the one who actually realized their imaginations, Bella?”
Lisir said, thinking of the forest moving according to the will of a single person.
Labella smiled faintly instead of answering.
Lisir unwittingly felt pity for the nameless cowards she mentioned.
“Still, hearing your words makes me feel relieved. That child didn’t carelessly pass on their magic. And… on the other hand, I feel a little regretful.”
“Regretful, you say—”
“Because I’ve realized anew that you, unlike our priest, are a fine and desirable person.”
“…Are you worried about the problems I might face if I learn Nature Magic?”
“As you can see from the many friends you’ve brought here, you’re someone who receives a lot of expectation and respect. But if you learn something like Nature Magic…”
Lisir was quite surprised by Labella’s genuinely anguished expression.
Forest Night.
Judging by the name alone, it should be ‘That’s none of my business!’—
Her worries were extremely delicate and kind.
Lisir glimpsed a fragment of his Master in Labella.
Merciless to others, but endlessly kind to her own people!
Truly, the disciple was like the Master.
Labella, having gathered her thoughts, opened her mouth.
“So, let’s put learning Nature Magic on hold for now.”
“Bella.”
Lisir replied immediately, his heart racing.
After Pamon single-handedly disciplined the Head of the Vendel Family that day.
His Master’s magic had always been an object of longing for him.
Moreover, Nature Magic itself was more than enough to pique Lisir’s interest as a wizard.
If they could learn Nature Magic from Forest Night, even the Yellow Mages and Gray Mages would go crazy and rush to search their storerooms.
To be unable to even try Nature Magic and then have to give it up.
‘I. Might not be that cool of a guy!?’
Lisir became flustered and began to persuade Labella.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to worry. No. If you consider my situation, you should absolutely teach me Nature Magic!”
“Oh my.”
As Lisir strongly expressed his will, those listless silver eyes formed a pleasant crescent.
“I thought you wouldn’t like it.”
Usually it’s not like that—
But perhaps because it was in front of a cute and socially respected descendant, she was concerned about the perception of Nature Magic.
“Of course not! I’ve always thought Master’s power was amazing since the first time I saw it! And meeting Bella has made that even stronger!”
“What a coincidence.”
Labella clasped her hands over her chest, as if moved.
“You speak more sweetly than a small wallflower.”
“Isn’t that the perfect candidate for Nature Magic!?”
“My heart is shouting that too. However… I repeat, we adults can’t help but consider your social standing, child.”
Haah.
Labella sighed sincerely.
“How I wish you were a good-for-nothing person like that child.”
“Kueek—”
Lisir recalled his Master’s innate uselessness and despaired at the overwhelming difference in talent.
“Actually, you don’t have to worry about that!”
Lisir confidently pounded his chest.
“I can say this now, but my reputation won’t change much even if I learn Nature Magic!”
“It’s something that will affect your entire life. You can’t simply conclude that.”
“No, I’m trying to say that I’ve already made an even bigger choice!”
“A bigger choice?”
Lisir spread his arms and said.
“I, actually learned Black Magic.”
Like someone confessing to failing a major exam.
“Black Magic…”
The expression of that transcendent being was once again filled with bewilderment.
Black Magic.
It was a taboo on a completely different level from Nature Magic.
“How—”
Forest Night couldn’t easily continue.
There were too many points to address.
Where did they learn Black Magic?
If they learned it, how did they deal with the corruption of unholy energy?
And, what would they do if the fact that they learned Black Magic was discovered?
Lisir didn’t know.
At this moment.
That Labella was looking at him with the same expression she used when looking at Pamon.
Of course.
Lisir was already prepared to convince Labella.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought it up in the first place.
Plong.
A grayish-white fireball suddenly appeared between them.
It was originally the incarnation of the unholy power of Black Magic, but now it was a mere spirit.
-Oh, no…! Master summoned me first…!!! What an extreme honor!!!
A being that hinted at many things.
Lisir silently pointed to Dangaleon.
“…Ah.”
The mountain of questions was instantly forgotten.
By a question of an extraordinary size.
Labella understood.
“Come to think of it, child—what did you learn from Pamon during that week?”
“I learned sensing, manipulation, and formalization, the basics of magic.”
“Ah, so—”
Hmm?
Labella couldn’t continue.
Her eyebrows furrowed slightly as she felt a sense of incongruity.
“You mean you learned the basic theories in a week?”
“I didn’t have time to learn the theory, so I went straight into practical mastery.”
Tick.
It was the sound of Labella’s thoughts misaligning.
They had no time for theory, so they spent time mastering skills instead?
Isn’t it usually the other way around?
She was confused, but she tried to ignore the question.
Upon hearing the story, there was another problem.
“Child. It seems you met that child when they were quite young. When was the last time you met them?”
“It’s been about half a year.”
“Yes, half—hmm? Half a year?”
Labella reviewed the conversation.
They met Pamon from scratch and mastered the basics of magic in a week.
According to Lisir, that happened half a year ago.
“…”
Labella looked at Lisir intently.
The energy was perfectly controlled and didn’t easily allow for estimation, but even her senses couldn’t be deceived.
The very edge of Rank 7.
Based on that, Labella reviewed the conversation again.
“In other words—child. You’ve only been learning magic for half a year?”
“That’s right.”
“…”
Labella fell into deep thought.
And a moment later.
“Ha.”
With a small chuckle, she awoke from her reverie and spoke to Lisir.
“Are you ready to learn Nature Magic?”
Labella, who had opened the conversation with a desire to give a small lesson.
Her silver eyes shone brightly.
✦✦✦
“Therefore, I think I’ll stay a little longer in Bella’s forest.”
Lisir concluded the unexpectedly long conversation with Labella and returned to the hut to meet his comrades.
“Learning Nature Magic from Forest Night…”
Ancient magic whose lineage had completely died out in recent times.
Nature Magic was particularly popular.
It was because of the countless anecdotes related to Forest Night.
But.
To learn such Nature Magic from none other than Forest Night—
The very essence of Nature Magic.
Some chuckled and shook their heads at the unrealistic story—
Others looked at Lisir with envious gazes.
Labella, watching them from the side, was quite surprised.
No one pointed fingers at him for learning Nature Magic from a Dark Elf.
It was possible because he carried a demon, the essence of Black Magic, as a pure spirit.
“Normally, I should return with you all and take time to sort things out—”
As Lisir hinted, Carozen nodded in agreement, bobbing his beak up and down.
“Since we don’t know what happened to Shallado’s Silver Bracelet, there’s no guarantee we can return here again.”
“That’s right.
Already knowing the special relationship between Lisir and Forest Night surrounding a Dark Elf, they didn’t raise any questions or complaints.
White Iron Adventurer’s Guild.
Yellow Tower.
And the Gray Tower.
In their hands were the spoils granted by Forest Night.
With the spoils obtained, the goal of the joint dungeon investigation was achieved.
All that remained was to go their separate ways.
“Sir Lisir.”
Rocard approached Lisir and spoke.
“Through this encounter, I have realized anew how lacking I am. The realization I gained from this encounter. And, the bond with you. I will never forget it.”
He extended his hand to Lisir politely.
“…”
Carozen and the Yellow Mages looked like they had seen a ghost, still unable to adapt to such a divine sight.
“Sir Lisir.”
Racheta, the representative of the White Iron Guild, stepped forward.
Her expression was filled with happiness as she held the spoils.
“If you’re alright with it, could I visit you separately later to greet you?”
“It would be my honor.”
Racheta, having finished various calculations in her head, produced a sincere and purely materialistic smile.
“Lisir.”
Finally, Master Didoa clasped his hands tightly.
“Master Melthas and I will explain things to the people around you, so don’t worry.”
“Of course. With both of you here, why would I worry about that?”
“That’s exactly what I was going to say, Lisir.”
Thump thump.
The braided-beard elder patted Lisir’s forearm.
“I too believe that you, being you, will do well with that incredible person in that incredible place. I suppose I can expect to see you with an even better face soon?”
“You’re right.”
Finally, Golden Star.
“Lisir. I have a feeling we’ll meet again.”
Thus, Lisir’s party said their goodbyes and left the forest through the path opened by Labella—
Only Labella and Lisir remained in the forest.
“Then—”
Lisir looked at Labella with enthusiastic eyes.
“Shall we begin immediately?”
“No. There’s something we need to do first.”
Labella said, looking at the forest bathed in the sunset.
Lisir felt the tension in the meaningful atmosphere.
Perhaps, the guidance of Nature Magic had already begun.
Forest Night.
What will she make the aspiring Nature Magic practitioner do in this fading forest?
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“Yes?”
“You haven’t eaten since this morning. It’s late today, so let’s eat and rest.”
Afterward.
Lisir was fed to the point where he couldn’t think of anything else but resting.
✦✦✦
“Child. Wake up. There’s somewhere we need to go.”
The next day.
Woken early in the morning by Labella, Lisir went deep into the forest with her.
“Are we going to that place yesterday?”
“No. That place is too early for you now, child, who knows nothing about Nature Magic.”
“Then—”
“Building a basic foundation. That’s what you need now, child. That’s how my worries began.”
“What’s the problem?”
“I’ve come too far to teach the basics, or perhaps I’m too old. I’m worried about whether I can teach you well, child. So—”
As they went deeper into the forest, the surroundings began to darken.
Labella lit the surroundings with white fireflies that flew from somewhere, continuing her words.
“I’m going to seek the help of the right person for this.”
“The right person?”
“Child. Do you know about the World Tree?”
“…”
Lisir felt a slight headache.
Is it because of who she is?
The name of the subject mentioned out of the blue—its weight was quite difficult.
“Surely, we’re not going to see the World Tree now?”
“You could say that, and you could say that’s not the case.”
Oh my.
Lisir suddenly felt like the genre of the story he was in had changed.
A moment later.
Labella stopped.
Before them, a giant tree exuded an overwhelming presence even within the dense forest.
Labella placed her hand on it and said.
“Caroer. I don’t want to talk to you for a long time, so I’ll just get to the point. Plant the Seed of Nature Magic in the child I brought.”
Wooong!
The tree vibrated, emitting a vast energy.
Now.
It was proof that this space, created by Labella’s will, was connected to another space.
-Forest Night. As always, you appear suddenly and spout nonsense. To share our elves’ vision with lowly humans?
“You owe me a debt, don’t you?”
-Even so, I refuse. It’s due to practical problems, independent of my will.
“Practical problems?”
-The ones you brought are humans. Naturally, they are far from Nature Magic. At best—one of them possesses a meager and insignificant possibility. That’s because they are a high-level wizard.
Labella pondered her words for a moment, then said.
“Humans? There’s only one human here?”
Woong woong woong.
The tree silently emitted energy.
✦✦✦
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