Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Apprentice Mage: Lua Polaris (4)
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The day after I promised full support to Lua Polaris, the mage of the Blue Tower.
I headed to the "training ground" in the library with another guest who had visited the Fantasy Archive Celestia: Creighton Lukbart.
Creighton Lukbart, the chief mage of the Magic Corps.
Unlike Lua, this mage—who introduced himself with the epithet "Ironclad Sorcerer"—was one who focused on interpersonal combat rather than research.
Unlike the Mage Tower, which delved into countless magical theories, he pursued only efficient and powerful spells.
That was the way of battle mages like Creighton.
In other words, for Creighton, practical combat spells that could be used in real battles were far more important than complex magical theories.
"Creighton Lukbart. I grant you permission to use Celestia's training ground freely from now on."
For that reason, I planned to reward Creighton differently from Lua.
I would personally observe his combat, analyze his overall performance, and suggest improvements.
And I would permit him to check out one battle magic tome from the Second Archive.
That was the optimal reward I could offer Creighton.
'Lua Polaris. And Creighton Lukbart. Both are mages I absolutely need if I'm to venture outside.'
There was more than just Lua among the mages who could help me.
Hadn't Creighton also sworn to collect magic for my sake?
Moreover, Creighton was a mage with skills worthy of being called exceptional.
As such, it was wise to give him an appropriate gift.
At the very least, to turn him into a useful knight who could move on my behalf.
"Lord Johan, is the place beyond here the training ground you mentioned?"
I stopped in front of the training ground's entrance with Creighton.
"Yes. It's a space I prepared to test the power of spells I develop."
"As expected of the dwelling of an exalted archmage—it's equipped with all sorts of special facilities."
"I'll say this beforehand, but it's not that impressive."
Of course, even calling it a training ground didn't make it anything grandiose.
It was merely a place to measure the performance of new spells using monsters created by the "Monster Generation Spell" I made in the early days of playing [Celestia Maker].
Tap.
I lightly pressed my palm against the door to the training ground before me.
Just like every section of the library had security measures, the training ground required its own security procedure.
"......"
Rumble...
The door to the training ground glowed where my hand touched it, soon revealing the scenery beyond.
A vast cylindrical space with no structures whatsoever.
Countless observation spells enveloping the entire area.
And in the center, a massive monster cloaked in darkness—
"Th-that's... no way... a Demon Dragon—!"
Creighton's mouth let out a cry of shock upon seeing the monster.
It was the dragon form I had poured my soul into creating long ago.
And that result now stood before Creighton as a colossal monster.
Creighton gaped at the Demon Dragon squatting imposingly in the middle of the training ground and turned to me.
"......Lord Johan."
"I'm listening."
"What in the world is that Demon Dragon standing there? Don't tell me it's a familiar that serves you...?"
Perhaps overwhelmed by the intimidating presence of the massive dragon form.
Creighton pointed at the dragon before him, demanding an answer from me.
—Familiar.
He even brought up an absurd concept I'd never once considered.
"No need to worry. That's just a simple target."
"Pardon? A target, you say...?"
"Exactly as it sounds. Creighton, it will serve as a target to measure your spells."
As I explained its true nature to Creighton like that, I raised my hand.
The finger pointing toward the sky now aimed at the Demon Dragon before us.
They say seeing is believing.
Now, I planned to demonstrate how to use the training ground directly for Creighton.
"Watch closely, Creighton—."
I prepared the lowest-output attack spell from the Second Archive.
—Pyroblast series spell formula, Scorching Ray.
A spell that sacrificed raw power for extreme casting speed and penetration.
Once my fingertip aligned straight with the Demon Dragon—
Boom—!
A flash shot from my fingertip, piercing the oblivious Demon Dragon head-on.
Crack, craaack!
Unable to withstand the spell's power, the target shattered, fragments of the broken barrier spell scattering everywhere.
It had exceeded the HP limit set for the Demon Dragon, causing it to collapse.
Creighton, watching the Demon Dragon fall in an instant, exclaimed in admiration.
"G-Good heavens... You felled that massive dragon in a single strike!"
"......"
"And without even a magic tome, no less...!"
Creighton seemed deeply impressed by the spell demonstration just now.
The respect he rarely showed when we first met was now swelling within him visibly.
Even a battle-hardened mage like him still harbored passion for unknown magic, it seemed.
He traced the remnants of the spell before his eyes, staring dazedly at the Demon Dragon's wreckage.
I approached such a Creighton.
"That's what this magic was made for from the start. So feel free to attack without hesitation."
And I explained the purpose of our visit here.
Only then did he seem to calm down a bit.
Whew—.
A heavy sigh escaped Creighton's lips.
Having sighed, Creighton returned to his senses, his face grounded in reality once more.
"Lord Johan. Even so, at my level, toppling that Demon Dragon would be impossible, wouldn't it?"
I looked at the shattered Demon Dragon as I listened to Creighton.
He had a point, to some extent.
Piercing through a thousand layers of barriers wasn't easy with ordinary spells.
"Don't worry. It's designed to precisely count even minor damage."
"......"
"Creighton, we can accurately measure the power of your spells."
But from the outset, that spell wasn't designed to deplete all HP.
Moreover, the gift I was giving Creighton wasn't just access to the training ground.
"Once we've assessed your level, I'll permit you to check out one magic tome from the Second Archive."
Second Archive.
The secret section storing Celestia's vast array of attack spells.
Hearing about the Second Archive for the second time, Creighton's face lost its grip on reality again.
His expectant eyes darted between me and the shattered dragon.
Perhaps the 'Scorching Ray' he'd just witnessed had left a strong impression.
Creighton shifted his gaze, seemingly lost in thought.
'Scorching Ray is a decent attack spell in its own right. But the Second Archive has many better ones stocked.'
I wondered if he might ask for 'Scorching Ray' and was about to suggest he browse the Second Archive first.
Creighton, facing me, spoke up first.
"Lord Johan. Is that spell in the archive you mentioned?"
"If you mean the 'Scorching Ray' I just used, then of course it's in the Second Archive..."
As expected, Creighton wanted the spell he'd just seen.
As I began explaining about 'Scorching Ray' in the Second Archive—
Creighton's words cut me off and continued.
"I mean the spell that summons that Demon Dragon which just fell."
One sentence slipped from Creighton's mouth.
The next moment, our gazes met in the air.
"......"
"......"
Creighton Lukbart, the battle mage.
It seemed he was utterly hooked on the training target spell.
* * * * * *
Two weeks had passed since Lua Polaris made that unfair contract with her long-time mentor.
During that time, Lua had continued devouring the tomes stocked in Celestia.
She was striving to absorb as much knowledge as possible before leaving Repel—her mentor—and striking out on her own from the lab.
Had her efforts paid off?
In the promotion interview, she received a passing grade and soon obtained the item she'd longed for all these years.
"Heh heh... Congratulations, my disciple. At last, I can hand this over to you today."
"......"
Lua's eyes fixed on the blue badge in his hand.
The badge symbolizing official mage status in the Blue Tower.
It proved that Lua Polaris was no longer an apprentice mage but a full-fledged mage in her own right.
With today, the contract between her and Repel was completely terminated.
"Finally... I've finally received this from you, Master."
How long had she yearned for this since first stepping into the tower?
All the while, she'd had to watch countless peers receive theirs and leave her behind.
To Lua, the badge in her palm was more than just an object.
It was proof of all the time she'd spent in the Blue Tower.
And a milestone for the life she would live from here on.
"Yes, it must have been tough. You were the disciple who stayed with me the longest of any I'd raised."
"......Yes."
"But that time will surely prove a great boon to your future."
Swish—.
Repel's hand placed a large witch's hat atop Lua's head.
Even so, a mentor was still a mentor.
Now, at this moment of parting, Repel treated her more kindly than any other day.
Was this the feeling of a parent who'd raised a child?
Even if he'd taught her harshly every time, there must have been reasons for it—
As such thoughts crossed her mind while gazing at Repel, Lua's eyes grew a little misty.
"Because your mentor will provide immense help even in difficult research."
"......"
"If you find promising research, feel free to contact me anytime. My disciple, this mentor is always ready to assist you..."
And in an instant, the moisture dried up completely.
The tears that had nearly welled up retreated swiftly.
Repel turned his back with a curt farewell, toward Lua whose eyes now felt dry and stinging.
"Lua Polaris. I wish you a future filled with fortune."
Repel Krite.
Lua's eyes toward her long-time mentor grew icy cold.
From today, she would never conduct research with Repel again.
Staring at her mentor's back, she clenched the official mage badge in her palm.
'When Lord Johan descends, I'll drag that man to him first.'
Someday, when Johan descended to the surface, she'd introduce her mentor to him first—
Harboring that small wish in her heart.
Of course, no one knew what would become of the mentor once dragged before Johan.