Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Apprentice Mage: Lua Polaris (3)
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The laboratory of Repel Kreit, located in the Blue Tower.
There, the apprentice mage Lua Polaris gazed at her master with tense eyes.
Lua had been learning magic under Repel for a long time, but as far as she knew, there were only two reasons he ever met with her alone.
To praise Lua.
Or to reprimand her.
And over the past few years, she hadn't heard any notable praise from her master.
So when her master Repel requested a private conversation, Lua had assumed it would be another torrent of scolding directed at her.
At least until five minutes ago.
"You've done splendidly, my disciple. I knew you were a bright child from the start, but with your recent slump, it seems I'd forgotten."
"......Pardon?"
The words that came from the mouth of Lua's sole master, Repel Kreit, were none other than praise directed at her.
Her master's sincere commendation.
It had been how long since she'd heard such words from the strict formal mage Repel?
It was certainly something she hadn't encountered even once in the past few years.
As the flustered Lua looked at her master with trembling eyes,
Repel continued speaking to her without pause.
"I've read the paper you wrote this time."
"Th-the paper... I wrote......?"
Hearing Repel's words, Lua rolled her eyes as she searched her memory.
A paper she'd written recently.
The only one that came to mind was the one that had been rejected in review not long ago.
Surely Repel hadn't reread that one and decided to reevaluate it—.
As Lua met her master's gaze with such thoughts, Repel smiled kindly and held up a bundle of papers.
"I mean the draft you wrote this time. You've come up with an interesting interpretation of mana field interference."
"Ah, that one......"
"I heard you were pulling all-nighters studying in the lab, and now the results are finally showing."
In Repel's hand was a document that looked somehow familiar.
Lua's eyes blankly read the contents of the document in her master's hand.
What was written there were notes Lua had hastily jotted down from memories in her mind.
No matter how she looked at it, it didn't take the form of a proper paper.
Even the content was something too advanced for Lua to claim as her own.
However, oblivious to Lua's inner turmoil, Repel continued on his own.
"It's still quite rough in places, but with your master's help, it could become a fine paper."
"......"
"But ending it here feels like a missed opportunity. As you know, disciple, your master knows this research better than anyone."
"Yes."
"So, rather than publishing it separately, I've decided to give my disciple a better chance."
Lua's face grew even more complicated as she listened to her master.
—Better chance.
All sorts of ominous thoughts flashed through Lua's mind upon hearing those words.
Sure enough, Repel fulfilled her worst expectations.
"It would be best to incorporate it into my own research. In exchange, Lua, I'll put your name as co-first author."
"Pardon......? You're going to insert that into your research, Master?"
"Hoho, you seem too overjoyed to speak. Yes, opportunities like this aren't common."
"......"
"I'll grant you the honor of having your name alongside your master's. Others might not deserve it, but you, Lua, seem worthy."
Kekeke—.
Repel said this with a beaming smile.
The way Repel looked at Lua was no different from someone gazing at a bundle of good fortune.
But Lua found it hard to meet her master's eyes properly.
For starters, the research material Repel was holding wasn't something she'd created herself.
'That's not my research. It's just notes from the research log I got in Celestia... And he's going to publish it as a paper at the academy?'
What Repel held was merely her transcription of what she'd read in Celestia.
Everything written there was research done not by her, but by Celestia's Archmage, Johan.
And Repel was insisting they publish it together as co-first authors.
Even at the risk of angering an Archmage who'd been sealed for centuries.
A chill ran down Lua's spine as she listened to Repel.
'If this goes on, I'll become a paper thief who stole the Archmage's paper!'
No matter how she sliced it, it was tantamount to stealing a renowned Archmage's research results and publishing them without permission.
What would happen if the Archmage in the library found out?
He'd surely fly into a rage upon learning his research had been stolen.
He might even confiscate the extra-large dessert tower he'd graciously allowed her.
In the worst case, he might expel Lua Polaris from Celestia altogether.
"M-Master! I don't think that's right......"
Lua frantically waved her arms at her master to express her refusal.
She feared the backlash if this incident reached Johan's ears.
"Disciple. Are you dissatisfied with becoming co-first author alongside this master?"
However, Repel's attitude before her remained stubbornly firm.
How many disciples in the world would refuse when their sky-like master offered to place their name at the same level?
Moreover, Lua's master, Repel Kreit, was an extremely frightening man.
Yet Lua couldn't shake off her fear of the Archmage sealed in the library.
Her opponent was a mage restrained by powerful seals for centuries.
Who knew what monstrous acts he'd committed centuries ago to warrant such sealing?
The moment he broke free from his long seal, the reason for his imprisonment might replay itself in the Blue Tower.
Under Repel's glaring demand for an explanation, Lua had no choice but to spill the reasons in a panic.
"Master! That paper... wasn't actually written by me."
"Hoho, do you think this master can't recognize his own disciple's handwriting?"
Of course, it fell on deaf ears with her master Repel.
"Th-that's not it... It really was researched by someone else......"
"Researched by someone else?"
"Y-Yes."
"Very well, let's hear it then. Who from where wrote this paper in your stead?"
Swish.
Repel extended the bundle of papers toward Lua, his face one of interrogation.
If there's a separate author for the paper, name them right here—.
Faced with her master's interrogation, Lua was struck dumb like a clam with honey in its mouth.
No matter what, claiming it was written by an Archmage sealed centuries ago was too much.
"Disciple. Is working on research with this master so distasteful to you?"
"N-No... That's not it......"
Speaking such words to a master acting like that was pointless; the response was predetermined.
He'd get angry, thinking she was mocking him.
Or conclude that Lua, making such absurd claims, had lost her mind.
In the end, the attitude an apprentice mage like Lua could take was set in stone.
Hoo—.
Lua let out a deep sigh, her head drooping low.
"......I wrote it. I hope it helps with your research, Master."
Lua reluctantly accepted Repel's proposal.
And at her attitude, Repel finally broke into a broad grin and clapped.
"You've made the right decision, disciple! Once this is done, I'll make your name known throughout the Blue Tower!"
"......Yes."
Lua Polaris.
In her effort to avoid the dishonor of 'grimoire thief,' the label 'paper thief' had now been freshly added.
* * * * * *
The illusory library where I resided for centuries—.
The number of books stored in the Fantasy Repository Celestia was vast indeed.
The spells I'd accumulated over centuries of time weren't something that could be contained in just a few grimoires.
Among them were foundational studies that formed the basis for all spells.
For example, the research log currently in the hands of Lua, one of this library's visitors.
"So, this Repel mage stole your entire research content?"
At the center of Celestia's desk.
There, with me at the head seat, Lua and Crayton sat facing each other on either side.
We had gathered to check the progress of the recent commission after a few days.
Lua, seated to my left, was currently avoiding my gaze with her head bowed.
"Lord Johan... I didn't do it on purpose. I absolutely never wanted to become a two-person paper thief......"
Lua offered a small plea toward me with lost, wandering eyes.
At her attitude, a light laugh escaped my lips.
"From grimoire thief to making another bold move this time."
"......"
"That mage's name was Repel, right? When I get out of here, I should take a look at his face."
As I said that, I turned the page of the book in my hand.
To be honest, I had no dissatisfaction with her actions.
I'd anticipated that for the two of them to make effective use of this library's knowledge, that was the only way.
I'd never even considered announcing papers from outside to gain fame in academic circles.
Depending on the situation, I'd even thought of permitting the export of grimoires via the 'memory imprint' spell for Lua or Crayton.
"Repel Kreit, was it? I didn't think he'd be like that—disappointing."
"......"
"I should visit the Tower sometime soon."
However, Crayton, who was from the same Blue Tower as her, seemed displeased with the situation.
Tsk tsk—.
Crayton's tongue-clicking echoed across the desk.
After watching him vent his dissatisfaction toward Lua, who hid her face behind the research log,
I soon turned back to Lua.
"Lua Polaris. Do you think this incident will help raise your standing in the Tower?"
Instead of interrogating her, a single question about whether this would positively affect her.
At my question, Lua quietly lifted her head from the research log.
She met my gaze over the stack of books and opened her mouth.
"Yes. I think I might be promoted to formal mage soon."
"If I permit the export of some materials from the First Archive, do you think it would help strengthen your position in the Tower?"
"Even announcing just some of the research materials here would probably have people calling me the next Tower Lord within a few years......"
Next Tower Lord candidate of the Blue Tower.
Several possibilities came to mind as I listened to Lua.
My influence projectable from within here was ultimately fixed anyway.
In that case, I needed to maximize the voices I could use on the outside.
Like planting my person in the core of the Blue Tower.
"I'll periodically permit the export of research materials from the First Archive. In exchange, from now on, publish under 'Lua Polaris.'"
"Y-You're permitting me to publish your research under my name, Lord Johan......?"
"But there's a condition. Periodically submit the spells you can access in the Blue Tower with your authority."
With a faint smile, I extended a generous proposal to Lua.
I'd invest in the future of the apprentice mage, Lua Polaris—.
That was my offer.
Faced with my proposal, Lua stared at me in shock, her mouth agape.
"This... isn't a lie, right?"
"Yes, it's sincere."
"I'll do it no matter what! I'll live up to your expectations, Lord Johan!"
Lua responded to me, unable to suppress her trembling lips.
And so, another secret pact was sealed in Celestia's clandestine academy.
A sham Archmage churning out Tower-shaking spells one after another—.
The birth of Lua Polaris.