Chapter 92: Back to the Academy (4)
Chapter 92: Back to the Academy (4)
Iris had melted like ice cream left out on a summer day just from me fiddling with her ears a little.
Rubbing her cheek against my chest, she continued in a languid voice.
"When learning magic... you must be... serious..."
"I didn't think the reaction would be this intense."
Feeling a bit sheepish, I lightly massaged the back of Iris's neck, and it wasn't long before she returned to her usual self.
Then, she spoke in a slightly pouting tone.
"It seems Master doesn't know much about elves, so I shall tell you now. Touching the ears of an elf of the opposite sex is an incredibly shameful act!"
"Because it's an erogenous zone?"
"I-If it were such a lewd place, wouldn't we have gone around with our ears wrapped up long ago?! ...To use an analogy, it is closer to an incredibly wet deep kiss."
Yesterday, she said stroking an elf's ears was no different from caressing their entire body.
Wait, are those two basically the same thing?
Anyway, it was clearly something that felt good and was embarrassing.
"Alright, alright. I won't touch them anymore, so finish your explanation. But is it okay to tell me this while Carla is here?"
"Of course. Did I not promise? If you allowed me to be with Elisha, I would offer everything in my head to Master. Above all..."
"Above all?"
"It is content that Miss Carla cannot learn, nor does she have any need to."
"???"
Wondering what that meant, I looked to the side to see Carla nodding, having paused in braiding my hair.
"Lady Iris is right. Regardless of magical talent, my elemental affinity is quite ordinary."
"What? Wasn't the Lindelheit family ahead of the Sylvan Magic Tower when it came to elemental magic?"
"That's true. But that's just because our family was amazing; it wasn't because we had good elemental affinity for generations."
Confused, I turned my gaze back to Iris, who let out a deep, troubled sigh.
"What Miss Carla says is true. If it were simply a matter of manipulating elements, the Sylvan Magic Tower... no, I would be confident enough to claim we are the best on the continent. However, when it comes to elemental magic, the story changes."
Just as the Elementus Breathing Method has the unique ability of elemental magic enhancement, the Lintblum Breathing Technique has the unique ability of Resonance.
The Mana Core, integrated with the heart, pulsates and synchronizes the surrounding mana with itself.
As a result, even when using the same magic, it draws in several times more mana, causing the power to explode... That is the Resonance of the Lintblum Core.
Unfortunately, I haven't mastered it yet.
Just as one can only acquire the Shadow of Elements after mastering an element enough to engrave its image in one's mind, the Resonance of the Lintblum Core is a unique ability that is only possible once the core itself has grown to a certain extent.
But why was that being brought up now?
As I blinked blankly, Elisha shook her head and chuckled.
"Think about it, Yandel. What was the advantage of the Element Combination Master just showed you?"
"Well, it's the applications that go beyond general elemental magic, and the fact that it's efficient relative to the mana consumed."
"You saw correctly. But you missed one thing."
"What is it?"
"Concentration."
"Ah."
Since it was basic magic earlier, it could be cast easily, but it would become exponentially more difficult as the level went up.
According to Iris, it involved combining the desired properties and concepts from two or more attributes as needed.
Since it added one more process to a normal magic casting, the mental strain on the caster would be significant.
This was a clear disadvantage and a limitation.
When I made a face of realization, Carla smiled brightly and stroked the area over my heart.
"Hehe... The Resonance of the Lintblum Core requires more concentration than usual, but the process itself doesn't become more complicated. It's much easier to use."
"Elemental magic is magic whose strength lies in being intuitive. The reason I didn't learn Element Combination from Master is that no matter how powerful it is, it moves away from the essence of elemental magic. It doesn't align with what I pursue."
Iris nodded at Elisha's lukewarm voice.
"In the first place, Element Combination itself was a secret technique created to catch up with the mindless output of the Lindelheit family. That's why, unlike conventional magic, its dependence on the Elementus Core is low."
"Eh? Really? This is the first I've heard of it. Father never told me anything about this."
"That's because there was no need to tell you. Since the Lindelheit family made a name for itself, the Sylvan Magic Tower has never once surpassed its stronghold."
Iris grumbled about how they produced Archmages every generation, a realm she couldn't reach even after living for 500 years.
I see. From Iris's perspective, she probably thought, Once the current head of the Lindelheit family dies, the world is ours!
But when the next head, and the one after that, all became Archmages, it must have been absurd and frustrating.
I finally understood why the Sylvan Magic Tower harbored an inferiority complex toward the Lindelheit family.
At the same time, I could see why she cherished Elisha, who had the potential to become an Archmage, so dearly.
"Uh... but seeing it just now, it's not just about power; the utility is great too. If one has a deep understanding of elements like Lady Iris, wouldn't the story be different...?"
At Carla's cautious tone, Iris wore a distant expression.
"I thought so too. ...But the direct line of Lindelheit just... well. They were just good at magic."
"Ah."
"Miss Carla. Didn't you say so yourself just a moment ago? That the family was just amazing. It's true. No matter how much I've reached the pinnacle of a High Magician, I'm not at a level to be compared to an Archmage."
"A-Ah..."
The Lindelheit family had always produced one Archmage per era.
That was why they were called the continent's greatest magic family.
"Actually, even thinking about it now, I simply cannot understand. How is that possible every year? Is there perhaps a grand technique that no one knows about? Something like passing on all one's mana before dying."
"Pardon? No way. It's just innate. Our Progenitor was born with a Dragon Heart, after all. And as you know, magical talent is heavily influenced by genetics."
"Tsk. Lucky bastards."
"Uh... I don't think Lady Iris, who was born as a High Elf with eternal youth, is in a position to say that...?"
"Because of that damn eternal youth, I couldn't even grow properly! I'm saying this now, but the fact that I'm still a virgin at this age is definitely because of my chest."
Iris looked resentfully at her flat chest.
I lightly patted her on the back.
"You're not a virgin anymore, so don't be so discouraged."
"...If you meant that as consolation, Master, please never try to console anyone ever again."
Well, that's harsh.
Anyway, listening to the three of them talk, a question that had been bothering me like a fishbone stuck in my throat was resolved on its own.
The Lintblum Core is a good trait that can grow up to A-rank, but it's not the best trait.
In the Eurelia Continent, there are fewer but definitely superior breathing methods.
The mana breathing method of the Levantine Imperial Family is one, and there are ancient legacies hidden in reclusive masters or hidden dungeons.
I even know a few breathing methods that go up to S-rank.
However, until six months ago, the greatest mage was the head of the Lindelheit family, and the Lindelheit family was the undisputed premier magic family.
Now I knew why.
The Lindelheit family wasn't strong because their breathing method was amazing.
Their bloodline itself was just a cheat.
Even if they weren't like the first head who directly manifested the Dragon Factor, they were all born with extraordinary magical talent.
For the record, the Levantine Imperial Family is the same.
While not as great as the first Emperor who was born with Dragon's Majesty, the successive Emperors all boasted incredible charisma.
The funny thing is that this kind of atavism only appears in humans.
Perhaps the dragons didn't find other races like elves, dwarves, or beastkin to their liking, because they really only mated with humans.
The fact that humans, who are numerous but significantly inferior in average ability, have prospered as they do now is undoubtedly thanks to dragons.
If it weren't for the heroes who occasionally popped up inheriting dragon blood, the Levantine Empire of today, which occupies half of the Eurelia Continent, wouldn't exist.
Well, that too will collapse in three years.
The Apostle of Boiling Silence, hidden in the deepest part of the Levantine Empire.
The ultimate goal of the one who considers even the downfall of the continent's greatest magic family as a mere stepping stone is the destruction of the Levantine Empire.
Did my expression stiffen unconsciously as I thought of the strength of the one I would eventually have to defeat?
Iris, noticing my mood, stopped her bickering and returned to the main point.
"Ahem. Anyway, Element Combination is this kind of magic. What do you think? Would you like to try learning it?"
"Yeah. I plan to. Since I've learned the Lintblum Breathing Technique, will I be able to mix Resonance with Element Combination later on?"
I softened my expression again and shrugged playfully.
"..."
For some reason, Iris and Elisha's reactions were a bit subtle.
"Yandel... did you go beyond simply learning magic from Carla and even learn the breathing technique?"
"Huh? I told you, didn't I? I had a Mana Insensitivity Constitution, so I learned it to fix that."
"Right. You did. The Lindelheit family's breathing technique, secret arts, and even their magic style..."
"Miss Carla. You had it all planned out, didn't you?"
"That's... hehe..."
What is it? Why are you guys talking about things only you know? Let me in on it too!
"Master. Will the Sylvan Magic Tower run well without us?"
"I'd bet my entire fortune that it'll become a mediocre, third-rate magic tower within five years. Though I don't have a single penny to my name."
"Shall we go all-in this time, Master?"
"I think Master will release us eventually... but it's not bad. In fact, we don't have many other options at this point."
After a short exchange, the two master and disciple nodded silently.
Their expressions were quite devious.
Horrified, Carla hugged me tightly as if to protect me and shouted.
"Ah... everyone, stop! What are you planning to do to my Master?!"
"Fufu. He is everyone's Master now."
"Magic style aside, isn't his combat style closer to mine? Oh, surely... Carla, you're not planning to block Yandel's future out of your own greed, are you?"
"Grrr... ugh..."
Whether Elisha's words were the finishing blow, Carla slowly stepped aside while grinding her teeth.
To me, who was bewildered, Iris continued in a triumphant voice.
"Master. Did you say I cannot follow you to the Academy? Do not worry. I will make sure you can at least learn the basics before then."
"Ah."
I didn't know what it was, but seeing Iris's eyes burning with educational fervor, one thing was certain.
There would be no time to rest until we reached the Academy.
...There will be time for sex, right?