Tea and Secrets with Professor Silariel
"If there are no intruders, the alarm doesn't go off. That's just common sense."
"Even the ones with the best aptitude among elves have to take time to get friendly with them."
The birds that had flown off my shoulder landed on hers. I didn't show it, but I was pretty shocked.
What the hell kind of mana is that...
The mana concentration wasn't super high, but the flow was massive and abundant. And it extended out beyond her body. It felt like there was barely any boundary between natural mana and her own mana.
Are all the professors here just monsters?
Her gaze shifted to Aris.
"But it sat right on that girl's shoulder. It doesn't see her as a different species."
"Yumia?"
"That's right. It just sees her as a big friend of the same kind. Though that's not the whole story..."
Her winged robes fluttered. She turned to me with a kind, benevolent smile. For some reason, it made my heart feel all warm and fuzzy.
"Ah, I've been remiss with introductions. My name is Silariel. I teach botany here at Reinhardt. Call me Professor Silariel."
"P-Professor Silariel. How can I get friendly with those little guys?"
"These ones? They're shy, so it won't be instant... but you seem to have a knack for it."
The red one was peeking at Aris. Then it fluttered over and perched on her golden hair, chirping away.
"Eek!?"
"I've never seen students with such aptitude since coming here. If you have time, would you join me for tea?"
"Hmm... if it's tasty stuff?"
Honestly, I'd stuffed myself with cookies yesterday. And I wasn't big on tea anyway.
"Hehe, no one's ever complained about my botany teas... Alright, I'll prepare the best. What do you say?"
"Deal."
Silariel grinned and beckoned us to follow. As we ventured deeper into the East Forest, more birds peeked at us curiously. A little farther in, a small cabin appeared.
"This is my office. I live here too."
She opened the door, and sure enough, the fresh scent of well-polished wood filled the air. There was a living room and kitchen. Papers cluttered the table—probably research stuff, since she was a professor.
Upstairs was living quarters. She guided us to the dining table in the living room. Aris and I sat side by side, and she took the seat across from us.
"...Huh? Piora isn't here."
"Pardon?"
"She's my guardian spirit—usually pours the tea. But she's nowhere. Guess I'll have to do it myself."
I voiced one of the thoughts I'd been mulling over since earlier.
"...You're awfully laid-back, huh?"
Karnaroff always seemed chased by something, but Silariel was the total opposite. It felt like comparing a science prof to a humanities one from my college days.
"Hehe. I suppose so. Oh, right—that first-year homeroom is Karnaroff's this time, isn't it?"
She covered her mouth, chuckling.
"But he's truly exceptional. So passionate, never stops exploring. If you can just learn proper math, he'll be a huge help."
"Yeah? He seemed kinda petty to me."
I thought back to that homework he'd dumped on me. My plan to coast through it and slack off had gone up in smoke. Students are supposed to play, right? I wasn't technically one, but my body was, so I deserved some fun. Therefore, Karnaroff was my enemy. Mmm.
"Hehe, he has his moments."
She laughed as she poured tea and brought out treats. They were scones and cookies. One bite into a scone, and fruit burst with sweetness. I hated raisins, but these were good. The cookies could rival any modern bakery.
"Wow! So delicious!"
"More of these, please."
We demolished three scones each from our seats. Silariel watched us with a satisfied smile.
"No other questions?"
"Questions...? Oh."
"Go on."
"Is it okay for me to even be here?"
"Hm? That's an interesting question. Anyone can enter this forest."
"But last time, the alarm went off."
When I'd tried to escape, the alarm blared and guards swarmed me!
She burst out laughing at that.
"Hahaha! Oh, you were the alarm? I sent a spirit when the alert came in, but no update after—and Piora just slacked off."
But why didn't I ever see that guardian spirit?
"Anyway, to answer: the East Forest won't alarm if you take the right path."
"Eh?"
So I could've snuck out undetected! No more nose sacrifice for bathroom duty!
"It's called the beginner's forest for a reason. Perfect for first-years practicing magic."
"No kidding. Got a map?"
"Planning another visit?"
"If needed."
"Doesn't bother me."
"It doesn't? Isn't the forest dangerous?"
Aris asked Silariel.
"True, but no magic beasts, so it's harmless to friends like these."
Silariel smiled as she replied.
"Even upperclassmen who know the paths come here."
"R-Really?"
"Yep. Though I shoo away seniors sneaking off alone together. Up to no good..."
"Ooh, gotta check that out later."
"Haha. As long as the patrolling spirits haven't chased them yet, spectate away."
"Don't encourage her..."
Aris shot me a glare, but I didn't flinch. Ramen on a tree branch for the show later.
I unfolded the map.
...Huh? That cave was on the path.
Damn, I could've slipped out unnoticed.
"Interested in that cave? I've checked it out closely myself."
"Something there?"
Did she know about the portal entrance?
But her answer was unexpected.
"Since last year or so. Mana flow's weird, but nothing unusual otherwise."
"...Huh?"
"Investigated thoroughly. Zilch. Except couples up to weird stuff..."
"P-Please stop...!"
"Alright, alright."
Aris flushed red. I sank into thought.
...Can't cross over from this side? But I did before. So only I can?
"More importantly, your aptitude intrigues me. Loved by both mana and nature."
I flinched a bit. I'd heard that a ton back at the training center. Talented thanks to traits. But it always felt empty. Talent's worthless without skills.
These professors were different, though.
"With aptitude like that, let me show you something fun."
They backed words with lessons.
"Your self-mana lets you cast personal spells, but—"
She stood, opened the cabin door, and gestured us outside.
"Most don't know why it's called natural mana."
She pulled a pouch from her pocket.
"Take one seed."
A round, pea-like seed dropped into my palm. Aris eyed it.
Silariel spoke softly.
"Infuse it with natural mana."
Pop, pop. As I channeled mana, the seed jumped, sprouted faintly, and grew about three centimeters.
"Impressive control. Natural mana manipulates plants too."
She approached a dense hedge of ornamental plants forming a fence. She manipulated the surrounding natural mana, and the plants parted.
"Wow..."
"Master it, and you can do this."
She flicked a few seeds. Natural mana converged.
A bomb-like explosion echoed as vines exploded outward, forming a wall.
"That's the seed I gave you: sorcery vine. Use it right, and this is possible."
I focused natural mana. It sprouted and vined, but twisted weirdly beyond that. Soon, it blackened and hardened.
"Ugh. Fail."
"Hehe, needs practice. Low self-mana weakens control too."
She handed me a paper bag.
"Here's a bag. Bloom flowers and fruit, and you can sustain yourself."
"Ooh, thanks."
Score. I slipped it into my Inventory behind my back.
"Steam 'em sometimes—they're tasty. Bred to taste like regular beans."
What? Food replication? I hated bean rice, so emergency rations only. Beans alone spark riots.
"Of course, that's just the hook. The real deal's separate."
She approached after handing over the bag.
"Ever felt your self-mana lacking?"
"Hmm..."
Yeah, it was. But I had ways to grow it.
"Basic attack spells are fine for now..."
"Short-term, sure. But long-term growth's better, right?"
"Obviously."
"Draw this magic circle on the ground. Stand in it, channel natural mana into yourself like with the seed."
...Qigong breathing.
Free gains? Awesome.
She gave me stiff paper.
"Three hours daily for a month, and you'll see results. With your talent... at least 50% boost."
...What? Monster gains!
I peered at the paper. Complex magic circle.
"Gyaak."
Magic Circle Mathematician spun trying to parse it. I looked away fast.
She smiled at my reaction.
"The perk: self-mana grows proportional to your capacity, so talent guarantees efficiency."
Processing the info overload, curiosity hit.
"...Why go this far for me?"
Natural mana tricks to mana-boost rivaling elixirs.
"Why ask that?"
She seemed baffled I'd even question.
"Well, to answer..."
Her trailing words ended firm.
"Because you're a Reinhardt student."
...Got it. This place rocks.
Rocky places deserve thick skin.
"Recommend mana spots?"
"Hmm... East Forest's best for now."
"Others?"
"West Forest. Prime for gathering. But..."
"Oppa told me! Super dangerous!"
"Exactly. Avoid before third year. Honestly, even after—only for class."
Silariel explained flatly.
"Magic beasts... and the ferocious, cruel Winged King. Spirits hide from it, so even I stay away."
"Heard that?"
Aris eyed me worriedly. Like I'd actually cause trouble.
"Uwahaha! Gotta at least dip a toe in!"
That night, I headed to the West Forest.