Exchange Meeting (1) - Wise Star Abraham Nobwells
If Demon Star Eleonora was the greatest at realizing spirit magic based on spirit studies, then this man was the unparalleled master of establishing academic theories and principles.
The prophecy magic Shamash Prophecy that her disciple, Ciela Teraport, had brought to life was also built upon the foundational theories he had laid down.
His understanding of spirit studies was unmatched anywhere in the world, earning him the title of the greatest spirit scholar in history.
Abraham set down his newspaper and spoke.
“To think the man unseen for twenty years has stopped a war. Quite the surprise.”
“It's not his first public outing, though. I told you about it last time, remember?”
“When did you mention that?”
Abraham spoke as if hearing it for the first time, leaving Shania a bit dumbfounded as she replied.
“I told you after I got back from Terastial Academy, didn't I? That the Sword Star is working there.”
“...Was that so.”
“And what's this? The Wise Star reading a newspaper? You never care about worldly news.”
“I overheard some odd talk on the way to my lab, so I checked it out.”
Shania nodded, finding it unexpected yet plausible, and moved on. Then she asked his thoughts.
“So, what do you think? If the Sword Star moves like this, people will say the Magic Kingdom has the Sword Star on its side.”
“Is that any of my concern?”
“We're all Palstar Heroes, aren't we? Aren't we supposed to stay neutral by principle?”
“Since when were the Palstar Heroes one organization?”
Abraham rose from his seat, fetched his research journal, and flipped through it as he continued.
“People just call us that on their own whim. Even if we're labeled Palstar Heroes, what each of us chooses to do is none of my business.”
“...I see.”
“Take yourself—you're siding with the Holy Kingdom, aren't you?”
“Pardon? When did I—?”
As Shania asked in flustered confusion, Abraham pierced right through her intentions.
“You're worried the balance between the Holy Kingdom and Magic Kingdom will tip if the Sword Star backs the Magic Kingdom.”
At his insight, Shania shrugged slightly and grumbled.
“...If you know, then why don't you help out, Wise Star?”
“I understand your feelings, but I don't see why I should.”
Abraham flipped through his journal page by page, speaking indifferently.
“It'd just create more interruptions for my research. All loss, no gain.”
“...Sigh.”
This was Abraham Nobwells.
A man who cared little for anything outside his own research.
Or rather, one so immersed in his studies that he barely noticed how the world turned.
The reason such a man had come to Celestial Academy was because Divine Star Shania, the academy's headmaster, had formally invited him.
It was an invitation coordinated with Abraham himself, of course, but people were still curious.
How had Shania managed to bring Abraham to the academy?
Abraham, the quintessential scholar, rarely mingled with others and preferred solitary research over the bustle of an academy full of people.
Yet he had moved, which meant Shania had made an offer he couldn't refuse—naturally drawing attention.
What had swayed Wise Star Abraham?
“You want me to finish my research quickly too, right? Then we should keep distractions to a minimum, no?”
It was because Shania had agreed to fund his research.
True to his renown, Abraham earned vast royalties from patents born of his countless papers and theories, but he poured every coin back into his work.
In fact, it wasn't enough, so Shania had offered funding in exchange for lending the Wise Star's name to Celestial Academy's research staff.
“...Fine. Just hurry up and finish that research, then.”
Shania ran a hand through her hair and grumbled.
“Who knew you'd be such a money pit. No wonder even your royalties aren't enough.”
“Too burdensome?”
“If you call footing the bill from my own pocket burdensome, then yes.”
Abraham gave a kindly smile at her words.
“You have plenty of money anyway. Spend a bit more.”
“...Yes, yes, as per our deal!”
Shania shot back in exasperation, turned on her heel, and left.
Once out of the room, Shania paused there in silence.
So quiet it was as if she'd already left the lab area.
Then, alone, she pondered deeply.
...He won't show me what he's researching, so I have no idea.
All Shania knew was that enormous funds were pouring into Abraham's current research.
She was terribly curious, but their contract stipulated she stay out of his lab and research...
So she couldn't pry or peek.
She could, however, see the materials he ordered since she footed the bill.
Abraham mainly bought 'Stellis,' a mineral.
A core material for dolls or golems, it ranked above Etherium—widely used in magitech—but its difficult mining kept prices high and it niche.
He also ordered massive amounts of synthetic muscle substitutes.
Plus synthetic human skin and wigs on the requisitions.
“Materials typically used for high-end magic dolls...”
Just as she wondered if Abraham had taken an interest in doll-making—
“You haven't left yet?”
“!!”
Shania whipped around in surprise.
Abraham had silently opened the lab door and stepped out.
“Ah, heading out now. Just had something to think over... But where are you off to, Wise Star?”
“Need more materials, so to the storage.”
“Ah.”
Shania smiled lightly in understanding.
Abraham returned her smile with a kindly one of his own, patted her shoulder, and said,
“Remember our contract terms.”
“...O-Of course.”
Shania nodded cautiously, and satisfied, Abraham withdrew his hand and headed to the storage.
“...”
Shania watched his retreating back, then—as per his words and their contract—turned away without further prying.
Though a faint suspicion lingered in her heart.
Abraham pulled out a key and unlocked the storage door.
Just as Shania had provided the lab as his private space, this warehouse was accessible only to him.
As he stepped inside, he muttered quietly.
“...She's suspicious, huh.”
He knew for sure that Shania harbored doubts about his research.
“...Doesn't matter.”
If his research had much further to go, Abraham might have abandoned the benefits and left the academy to continue alone.
But now, it was nearly complete.
A little more time, and...
Abraham pulled something from a wooden crate in the storage.
It was a synthetic wig and human skin.
As Shania had guessed, he was indeed planning a highly intricate doll.
But far beyond the 'dolls' she imagined— one indistinguishable from a real person.
That required countless trials and errors, hence the material costs that astonished even Shania.
Crafting lifelike dolls wasn't illegal.
Wealthy eccentrics bought them for perverse hobbies.
The issue was that doll-making wasn't his true research.
He'd contracted with Shania just to fund materials; the core work was already advancing on his royalties.
The doll was merely a vessel for the fruit of that research.
Abraham chuckled softly.
“...We'll meet soon.”
His grip tightened involuntarily.
The wig's pale pink strands tangled between his fingers and spilled down.
“Estella, my starlight... Just a little longer.”
“So glad everyone's safe!!”
Seong Hyun-jin and his group had returned to the academy right after the war ended.
Karin stayed behind in Levatein Duchy to handle cleanup, sending Seong Hyun-jin and the academy students back.
Clarice came with them, of course.
Though as the duke's daughter she should have stayed, Duke Elcarus had graciously allowed her to return with her friends.
No sooner had they arrived than they received a tearful welcome from Headmaster Eleonora.
Evidently worried sick, she hugged her disciple Ciela and each student in turn, eyes brimming with tears.
It was a touching scene, but the problem was that Eleonora—due to the public setting—had greeted them via her doll body.
In other words, a wrinkled old granny had hugged each of them.
The others took it fine, but Seong Hyun-jin couldn't hide his disgust.
“Ugh, granny hugs are a bit...”
“...”
He took a punch from Serena, who was baffled by his expression.
Eleonora flinched slightly at Serena's punch—comparable to Karin's—then cleared her throat.
“Sorry to bring this up right away, but could everyone prepare to go somewhere?”
Seong Hyun-jin rubbed his head, checking for a bump, and eyed Eleonora.
“Pardon? Right now? We just got back.”
“Not right now—in three days.”
Eleonora explained.
“The academy exchange meeting is in three days, and you're all going as grade representatives.”