Chapter 116
Chapter 116
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: Special Curriculum
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1
“What a shame.”
Ludwig said there were no open spots at the royal magic tower.
It’d be impossible to recommend Luis.
Well, even if there had been a spot, Luis’s background would probably get him screened out as a potential subversive…
Still, if Prince Ludwig had personally introduced him, there might’ve been a good chance.
“It’d be great if Drey could snag an opening.”
There’d been no word from Drey.
With the conference over the weekend, he was probably back to focusing on his own research.
The connection to the Precursors had been severed, so that was a relief for now.
What worried me more was Luis.
Even during the raid on the Wifera headquarters the other day, and every time we met, his face looked more and more haggard.
At this rate, I was starting to worry he might just give up on life soon.
Who could’ve known?
I’d thought once he graduated, his spy work would end and he’d head back home, but instead, he had to stay here and scramble for a job.
I’d better prepare in advance.
A job… if possible, I’d love to never work a day in my life and just live off playing and eating.
Any way to make that happen?
There were a few ways to slack off without working.
The easiest would be selling rare resources like black granite for cash.
I couldn’t exactly lounge at home forever while farming them, but it’d beat scrambling for a job like Luis.
“Sigh…”
So many things to worry about.
I shook off the tangled thoughts with a sigh and climbed the stairs to the main building.
It wasn’t Edmund who’d summoned me today—it was Bailey.
Professors didn’t just kidnap people into grad school; they could recommend jobs or lend a hand, so it never hurt to stay on their good side.
Falling out of favor was the real problem.
I reached the fourth floor and stopped in front of Bailey’s lab.
I’d come this far when registering for classes, but I’d never actually gone in.
I took a deep breath and knocked lightly.
Knock, knock. A soft knock was followed by Bailey’s voice from beyond the door, telling me to come in.
As I pulled the handle, a heavy ink scent wafted out, momentarily intoxicating.
Bailey’s lab had the same layout as Edmund’s.
But even identical spaces took on wildly different vibes depending on who used them.
Unlike Edmund’s obsessively neat lab, Bailey’s was fairly freewheeling.
Papers piled up in one corner, tools scattered about, grimoires only roughly sorted by category—no fine organization.
Edmund would’ve alphabetized them on the shelves without batting an eye.
Maybe that looseness made the air feel somewhat brighter.
“What brings you here?”
A man with a gentle voice and kind features approached me.
His glossy light ivory hair, subtle silver earrings that still drew the eye, even the beauty mark under his eye.
Somehow, he didn’t quite fit the lab.
“You summoned me, Professor Bailey.”
“Ah, Theo’s here? Say hi. That’s my assistant, Adolf. And over there’s the Theo Agrit student I mentioned.”
“Oh, got it.”
Adolf smiled brightly and stepped aside to let me pass.
Wait, more importantly—this guy’s an assistant too?
No trace of that usual assistant darkness…?
“Come on over.”
Bailey called, so I sat in front of her.
Right away, Adolf brought warm tea like he’d been waiting.
“Thank you.”
“No trouble at all.”
Adolf’s smile was blinding.
No matter how I looked at it, he seemed straight out of a shojo manga.
Bet if I checked his pockets, I’d find lemon candies.
“Busy yesterday?”
I nodded at Bailey’s question.
“Something came up.”
“With an official letter from the royals, it must’ve been important. Pushed back calling you from yesterday to today because of it.”
From the night we raided Wifera two days ago to my private meeting with Ludwig yesterday.
Ludwig had pulled strings so I could leave the academy legally.
Attendance records wouldn’t be an issue.
“I heard there was a bloodbath at the palace last night—anything to do with you?”
“No way. I was shocked when I heard this morning too.”
“Well, it was a big deal.”
I was totally involved, though.
I wiped away cold sweat inwardly, glad I’d dodged it.
“With the royal conference last weekend, a bunch of mages stuck around the capital, and all anyone talked about was that. Oh, Drey was there—did you know?”
“Met him briefly before the conference.”
“Talented youngsters like you all get along so well!”
“It just kinda happened—we click, so we exchange ideas…”
“More than that—you’re reviewing his research together?”
“Just tossed in a small idea.”
“Drey didn’t see it that way~ You’ve got real talent as a mage!”
Bailey’s crimson eyes sparkled.
Her subtle recruitment pitch was obvious, so I cleared my throat awkwardly.
“Professor, what’d you need me for today…?”
“Right, my bad. It’s about a special curriculum.”
Special curriculum?
I tilted my head curiously, and Bailey smirked confidently, raising her index finger.
“Your talent in spatial magic is so unique, right? Honestly, grinding basic elemental magic is a waste of time and talent. Sure, the fundamentals are essential, but you don’t have to learn them through elements. So how about basics this semester, then focusing on spatial magic next year?”
“Really?”
What luck.
My spatial magic proficiency was building steadily, but solo, I’d hit limits fast.
Basic elements were just for credits anyway—not my interest.
A curriculum for spatial magic? Perfect.
Earn credits while honing my skills.
In a Broken World full of incidents, sharpening skills wasn’t optional—it was survival.
Grab the chance to power up.
“Yeah, already submitted the plan to the dean. I’ve got gaps in spatial magic knowledge myself, so I need to study… had to push it to next year, sorry. Bear with me.”
“No, just considering it for me is plenty—thank you.”
Haha, of course I’d understand with a special curriculum just for me.
I beamed, and Bailey nodded pleased, plopping a thick grimoire on my lap.
“This is the textbook for next year’s curriculum. Got it from a mage at the conference—spatial magic grimoire. Skim it in your spare time to get a feel.”
A grimoire? No way!
To a mage, a grimoire was like their heart.
It held a school’s essence, plus personal research unfiltered.
Mystical mages even encrypted theirs.
Grimoires were near impossible to obtain normally.
Sure, mass-produced ones were in shops, but deep school-specific ones? You had to join the school.
Especially for spatial magic—a once-in-a-millennium aptitude outside schools.
Researchers were rare, proof-of-concept even rarer… an intact grimoire was a miracle.
Preparing this for me?
Her passion was touching—bordering on scary.
“I read it first; content’s solid. No half-baked fake, so don’t worry.”
Wait, what’d she just say so casually?
Weren’t you at the conference over the weekend…?
It’s only been days…
“How long did it take you to read through?”
“Pretty thick, lots to study—three days? Used to finish in two.”
A 600-page-plus grimoire in three days…
Fine, pretend I didn’t hear that!
Knock, knock!
The knock interrupted right then.
Followed by a weary voice.
“Here on Professor Edmund’s errand…”
“Come in.”
The door creaked open weakly.
Staggering in… yep, Clara.
Zombie mode as usual.
Deep dark circles, hair matted into one clump.
Worse than normal—she wobbled with each step.
“Hello, Professor Bailey. Documents to deliver…”
Clara froze mid-greeting when she spotted me.
Then her hollow eyes trembled faintly.
For some reason, she shot me a betrayed look.
I haven’t betrayed anyone—cut that out.
“Oh, Clara. Hi.”
“And you too, Adolf…”
Adolf swooped in with perfect timing, flashing a refreshing smile.
Same assistant role, total opposites?
“You look great, Adolf… Research going well…?”
“Noticeable? It’s research, but got a date after work today.”
“Wow… you’re clocking out? How long since last?”
“Huh? What do you mean…? I go home every day?”
“Adolf, come on—assistants only get one day off a week?”
They stared, utterly baffled by each other.
What conversation am I even witnessing?
This is creepy…
2
No matter if someone held a knife to my throat, never go to grad school.
Freshly reminded of the horror, I grabbed the spatial grimoire and bolted from Bailey’s lab.
Hole up in the dorm for now.
Read the grimoire, play with Choco and Pudding, crash hard.
A slothful yet fulfilling day planned, I quickened my pace—only to run into the familiar trio walking abreast.
The trio? Bandage-faced Ethan, weary Noel, ever-calm Leon.
Good to see them hanging together more lately.
“Hey, buddy! Heading to the dorm?”
Ethan waved his big hand wide.
I nodded, but his facial bandage bugged me.
“You guys? Looks like you had a rough one.”
“Uncle Jin asked us to check outside Esset—total rollercoaster!”
“Wild griffin pack showed up outta nowhere… Thought we were goners…”
Ah, handled a wild griffin attack.
Griffins make great partners or mounts if tamed young, but adults are untamable, ferocious beasts.
That’s why Tekat Kingdom’s Sky Knight Order breeds their own, investing massive time and resources.
“I twisted my ankle mid-fight… If Ethan hadn’t helped, I’d really be dead…”
Ethan patted shivering Noel’s back with his huge hand.
“Who knew there’d be a banana peel there! Don’t sweat it, pal!”
“A banana peel…”
Noel’s misfortune aura was as strong as ever.
Probably unsolvable…
But with Leon and Ethan around, he’d overcome it—no issue.
I glanced sideways.
Wild griffin pack attack: a Broken World main event.
Starts out of nowhere, but key point—Leon gets a stellar pet/companion here.
Sure enough, Leon held a massive egg.
Slightly smaller than a dragon’s, still huge.
“Out since yesterday, huh.”
Leon noticed my gaze and spoke.
Ethan nodded vigorously beside him.
“Yeah! Went to grab you to come along, but your room was empty? Where’d you sneak off to without us, buddy?”
Don’t look for me then.
Have your fun trio time.
“Had prior plans, just briefly.”
“Combat.”
Leon blurted, startling me.
How’d he know?
“Faint blood scent. Shoes worn too. Footwear’s one of the first casualties in battle.”
“Ooh! Sharp eyes, Leon! So, buddy—did you fight?”
“Not really—just rummaging in a sketchy spot for something. Must’ve picked up the smell then.”
Yesterday’s didn’t quite count as “fighting.”
I brushed it off, and Leon stared piercingly before closing his eyes.
“Need help, say the word. I’ll assist anytime.”
“Sure, if I do, I won’t hesitate.”
Though I had zero plans to call…
Look at these three tackling incidents together.
Ah! Beautiful!
All that effort for this moment.
From now on, handle everything yourselves—no need to call me.
Leave me out, got it?
Oblivious to my thoughts, Leon nodded contentedly.