Chapter 93: Mis?understanding
Chapter 93: Mis?understanding
“Waaaah… Carla… I had such a hard time….”
“There, there. Did my Master have a rough time? It’s okay. It’s all over now.”
As I let out a whimpering sound while buried in her embrace, Carla played along, patting my back rhythmically.
Pretending to wipe away tears, I rubbed my face against Carla’s plush chest before finally looking up.
Iris and Elisha quickly averted their eyes with awkward expressions.
“You know, I’m asking because I’m genuinely curious, but wasn’t the last few days just straight-up mutiny?”
“H-How could you say such a harsh thing, Master! I was merely teaching you with all my heart and soul!”
“That’s right, Yandel! Both the Master and I only wanted what was best for you! This was… you know! Like bitter medicine! Harsh but necessary counsel!”
Despite their words, neither of them could meet my eyes.
Right. So you both know.
Because Elisha joined in halfway through, the training over the past three days had been a bit excessive.
Element Combination from Iris, and a general understanding and tips for elemental magic from Elisha.
They taught me relentlessly—not just in the carriage, but even at the inns where we stayed—to the point where I barely got any sleep.
Well… it was necessary, though.
System correction only applies to things already imprinted on the status window.
And I don’t have the ability to just spend skill points to acquire skills.
This means I have to learn a skill properly at least once and be able to use it on my own before I can receive the system’s assistance.
It was a shame that the learning speed buff from the ‘Talented Freshman’ title had vanished… but what could I do?
If I don’t have it, I just have to put in some good old-fashioned efffffort.
Above all, as Iris said, I couldn't take her into the Academy, so it was best to master the basics before we headed back.
…But it really was exhausting.
I was so busy that I couldn't even do anything naughty, despite having three slaves I could strip at any moment.
Eventually, a surge of sorrow rose within me, and I declared while glaring at Elisha:
“You’re going to have to suffer enough for Iris’s share too.”
“What?! What are you going to make me do this time?!”
“Hehe… I shall take a nap using those plump thighs of yours as a pillow.”
“Huh? If it’s just that….”
“And then, I’ll vigorously massage your legs when they start to go numb from the weight of my head!”
“Why are you so obsessed with tormenting my numb legs?!”
“Because the sound of your screams is fun, obviously.”
“Eek! Eeeek…!”
As I chuckled at Elisha’s indignant sputtering, the mother of the slave family spoke up cautiously.
“Um… Master? I’m sure Lady Elisha and Lady Iris didn’t mean any harm.”
She looked significantly more comfortable than before, back when she used to tremble even if I just scratched my head.
She must have felt somewhat relieved after watching how I treated the others over the past few days.
Though she still worried, just in case.
I scratched the back of my head awkwardly and nodded.
“Well, it’s not like I’m actually angry or anything. Just a bit of whining. Look at this.”
With the Academy visible in the distance through the window, I held up my palm.
“Tinder.”
A basic magic spell where the significance lies in simply manifesting the phenomenon.
A flame, barely larger than a match light, flickered into existence in the air.
Elemental magic is intuitive. As the name suggests, it deals with the elements that make up nature… things commonly seen around us.
Fire, water, wind, earth, lightning. None of them are unfamiliar.
Since you are calling upon things that already exist and that you have experienced, it’s bound to be familiar and intuitive.
That is exactly why elemental magic is the most common type of magic.
Magic, in the end, comes from imagination.
It’s only natural that the clearer the image, the easier it is to use.
However, because of that, elemental magic is difficult to modify.
Fire must be hot and flickering without form; water must be cold and constantly flowing.
If you go deeper, there are concepts like purifying with fire or healing with water.
Those methods utilize artificially added concepts rather than simple phenomena… but that’s not important right now, so let’s move on.
Anyway, because the familiarity that was an advantage of elemental magic becomes a preconceived notion, it belongs to a category of magic that is easy to cast but difficult to apply creatively.
But Element Combination isn't just a simple application.
It involves completely deconstructing the components of each element and forcibly stitching them together using elemental affinity.
Iris said that the explosion she showed at the end was a natural repulsion that occurred when she let go of the things she had forcibly stitched together.
Since she just stopped applying force, the mana consumption was low.
Instead, as Elisha said, the difficulty was high, and the drain on concentration was no joke….
But not anymore.
It was tough, but the results were clear.
I focused my mind on the flame burning above my hand. Then.
Whoosh.
The color of the flame shifted instantly.
Instead of orange, the Tinder burned with a deep blue hue.
Furthermore, the heat of the flame was nowhere to be found; all I felt from my hand was a biting chill.
It was an Element Combination that inserted the cold property of the water attribute into the burning form of fire.
Cold Fire.
It looks cool, but I’m not quite sure where to use it yet.
Still, the significance lies in the fact that I can now use it easily with the help of system correction.
Elisha tilted her head this way and that, seemingly finding this fascinating as well.
“It’s impressive no matter how many times I see it. Even if you struggle at first, once you succeed even clumsily, you grasp the feeling immediately.”
“Ahem, ahem.”
“…Carla, why are you the one acting all proud?”
I smirked at the sight of Carla and Elisha bickering like a cat and dog, and detonated the Tinder outside the carriage.
Pop!
It wasn't quite on the level of a lower-grade magic spell, but it was a fairly intense explosion.
Feeling the chill reach all the way here, I leaned deep into the backrest.
Then, I called out internally.
‘Status Window.’
Ding!
======================
【Element Combination (A)】
You have become able to deconstruct and combine elements as you wish!
While this is impressive, it is not powerful on its own.
How you combine which elements to cause the desired phenomenon is entirely up to you.
Why don't you try putting that brain of yours to work!
======================
A fixed A-rank trait. There was no need to feel disappointed that it wouldn't grow further.
S-rank traits are reserved for nonsensical, end-game level traits like the Heavenly Martial Body or a Dragon Heart.
An A-rank trait is essentially the best you can get through normal means.
It wasn't called an Arcana for nothing.
As I smiled contentedly, Iris—who looked even more pleased than I did, as if she had forgotten she was ever wary of me—patted my shoulder.
Is this… a massage?
Perhaps because her fists were small and her strength was weak, it wasn't particularly refreshing.
But it was cute, so I just let her be.
“You’ve become completely proficient now. Well done, Master.”
“Flattery won't change anything. I’m going to make up for everything I couldn't do this time next week, so be prepared.”
“It’s not flattery. I’m being sincere. I think I understand a little bit why Miss Carla is so head-over-heels for you.”
“Is this a roundabout confession? How embarrassing… but you know you still have to do your job properly, right?”
“Of course. I have it all memorized, so do not worry.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll do fine. It’s not like you won the position of Tower Lord in a card game.”
Except for Duels, of course.
While I was chuckling at such nonsense internally, I happened to look out the window and saw the buildings that had been far off now looming right in front of us.
“We’re finally here.”
It’s been a while, Academy.
*
The first thing I did upon arriving in Rahim City was find a house.
Being near the Academy, the land prices were expensive, but when have I ever been short on Gold?
It was a bit far from the center, but I found a decent vacant house and bought it immediately.
On the surface, it would look like a villa where I tucked away Iris and the other elf slaves and came to enjoy myself every weekend….
But from now on, this place was going to be my hideout.
Not only would I fortify it with all sorts of magic, but I also planned to prepare hoods imbued with suspicious yet formidable magic, befitting a secret society.
After that, I told them they could each conduct whatever research they wanted, as promised.
“I leave Elisha in your care, Master.”
“Don’t worry. It was fine with Carla, so it’ll be fine this time too.”
“I heard that Elisha acted as a shield instead back then, though….”
“Now it’s my turn to be the shield.”
When I shrugged and replied nonchalantly, Elisha grumbled with a slightly pouting voice.
“I’m not a child, and my mana core is intact, so I can take care of myself, you know?”
“What are you saying, disciple? You are the Master’s slave now. You aren't allowed to just ‘take care of yourself.’”
“Ah.”
Her complexion turned slightly pale as she finally seemed to realize what it meant to return to the Academy not as a student, but as a slave.
Carla patted Elisha on the back.
“Don’t worry, Elisha! I’m your senior in this, right? I’ll help you adjust!”
“Carla….”
“Shall we start by practicing crawling on all fours in the cafeteria?”
“…You’re serious?!”
The two of them started bickering again.
There was a reason why Carla was teasing her like that.
Currently, I wasn't just some ordinary commoner student.
Since Elisha was no longer a student, I would naturally become the representative of the 1st Year Magic Department Class A.
I also had the achievement of defeating Archbishop Edmerec of the Confused Unity.
Who would dare to mistreat me, or a slave that belonged to me?
So, the only thing to worry about was Elisha’s pride, which might be wounded by her fallen status.
But having Carla, who was in a similarly fallen position, step up like that would make her feel much more at ease.
“Ahahaha! Want to try barking? It’s surprisingly fun.”
“No! And get back here, Carla!”
…Though she might just really want to tease her.
Anyway, it’ll be fine.
At least, the things I’m worried about won't happen.
“Heek! We made eye contact! He’s definitely planning to make me his slave too!”
“…….”
Wait.
I didn't expect this.