Chapter 336
Chapter 336
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 336
>Chapter Title: Really, Exceptionally
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That day onward.
To Ivelin's busy academy routine was added the Arapurgin land development plan.
It was a schedule as grueling as preparing for the auction in the Second Black-White Slums.
"The Gale Wings should join starting next year. What about the Kalia Mercenaries?"
"The advance party has already arrived. They said it would take a couple of months for the entire mercenary group to settle in."
With the scale expanded, they had decided to hire the Kalia Mercenaries in full.
There was still no word on the mercenaries from the Hamern Great Forest.
"Construction......"
"We've made contact with the woodworking guild you mentioned. They say they can start before summer ends."
"Hmm."
Ivelin let out a faint groan.
Even with the massive investment funds they'd gathered, money was always short no matter how much they had when pushing forward a project on the scale of a village... no, possibly a city.
Every variable boiled down to cash.
There hadn't been any issues so far, but that was exactly when they needed to check even more meticulously.
As if reading his inner thoughts,
The old mage sitting across from him chuckled softly.
"Don't worry too much. There are plenty of hands helping out, aren't there?"
"Ah, yes."
Ivelin smiled awkwardly.
He still couldn't get used to it.
'...Who would've thought the day would come when I'd have a Sage Tower mage as my aide.'
But it was undeniable reality.
The old mage had been conscripted by Grand Duke Muspellun simply because he ran a merchant company after retiring, and he had agreed to serve as Ivelin's aide until this job was done.
Despite it being a situation that would bruise anyone's pride, the old mage took on the role willingly.
"Heh, if my son or daughter were half as capable as you, I'd be at ease."
"...Where's your son's company located?"
"Never mind. He's lacking in too many ways to get involved in this. Oh, speaking of which, my grandchild..."
...Sometimes it seemed like he was enjoying it in his own way.
As usual, Ivelin played the role of the old mage's conversation partner, exchanging this and that.
The topics were mostly about his unreliable children and clever grandchild, subjects that left Ivelin scraping for words.
After chatting for a good while, the old mage would suddenly notice the time with an "Oh dear, look at the hour," and excuse himself, leaving Ivelin alone at some cafeteria in Hazen.
Just like today.
"......"
Left alone, Ivelin didn't leave his seat but instead took in the weekend scenery of Hazen.
Bakeries wafting savory aromas, flower shops bursting with full blooms, and pickpocket boys darting through the crowds.
It was an utterly everyday scene, but to Ivelin, it felt a little special.
'Really... how much time is left?'
Final exams were right around the corner.
Once finals ended, summer break would begin.
While other students buckled down to study, Ivelin would head off to the distant Arapurgin land.
To oversee the development firsthand.
After that hectic break, the second semester would start.
Then midterms, finals again.
And...
'...Graduation.'
The word clung strangely to his tongue.
It was nothing special, so why?
Truth be told, Ivelin knew the reason better than anyone.
So... this once ordinary word lingered on his tongue because it had gained meaning.
It wasn't anything new.
He had known it all along.
It was just... a worry.
"What... should I prepare?"
Time capsule.
If he didn't hurry, the end would come before he knew it.
After deciding to make a time capsule, he had racked his brain over what to put in it, but nothing came to mind.
He had prepared gifts many times to win someone's favor, but preparing one for a friend was a first...
'...Not quite.'
He had prepared gifts for Damian and Zenby's birthdays.
Anyway.
"It's not easy."
Preparing a gift to mark a farewell wasn't easy, even for Ivelin.
* * *
Time flew by.
The finals, which had seemed so close, were over before he knew it.
"I'm staying at the academy this break to prepare for next semester."
Zenby planned to spend the break at the academy gearing up for the second semester.
Her grades weren't bad, but it couldn't be helped.
Other academy students were just as focused on their studies. To maintain her current standing amid everyone's efforts, she had to put in the work.
Damian returned to his family.
"Dad said he has something to teach me."
Probably to pass on the new Heavenly Origin Art he had shared earlier.
'He said he'd refine it to fit the Blandoga secrets, and he's already done it?'
As expected of a patriarch.
Even if it was a completed secret art, overhauling it wasn't easy.
With Damian gone, Ivelin soon said his goodbyes as well.
"I'll be at the Arapurgin land during break. Oh, but..."
Ivelin glanced sideways.
Looking at the burly guy beside him, Ivelin whispered.
"You're really taking him along?"
"Why not?"
"Well... what makes you trust him?"
"It's fine. He's an idiot."
"...Pardon?"
"No, I mean he's trustworthy."
The "him" in question was Hickster.
He was joining the Mage Tower.
Why the Mage Tower instead of the Sword Academy? Because the Mage Tower was a broad-minded group that didn't discriminate based on background.
But Ivelin still seemed suspicious.
"Urgh..."
Ivelin groaned.
He seemed about to say more, lips twitching, when Hickster spoke up.
"Aren't we leaving? The gate's gonna be late."
"We... should head out."
"Come back safe. Hickster, behave yourself."
"Don't worry. I'll just hunt some monsters moderately and come back."
Hickster was off on a sort of training journey, which gave Ivelin a small comfort.
Dealing with someone he couldn't even communicate with hadn't been easy.
"Well then... I'll be off."
"Yeah."
"See you."
"Go on."
With that, the two left their greetings and departed the academy.
Aster watched them for a moment, then turned away.
He wanted to see the changes in Arapurgin land firsthand, but he still had things to do at the academy.
'...Though "things" just means learning and teaching.'
With everyone gone,
Aster's break was monotonous.
Mornings, he headed to the training grounds where Sallier practiced and offered guidance.
"You don't need to be good at everything. Master one thing deeply, and the tangled principles will unravel naturally. Just one. Focus solely on that one."
Relentless repetition training.
No explanations of principles.
After basic exercises, Sallier would sit and cast one spell over and over—pure, simple repetition.
Mechanical rehearsal.
But Sallier never asked what meaning lay in this training.
She just quietly devoted herself to her task as always.
Aster's role was singular.
"You're off. Again."
"......"
"Too strong this time. Again."
"......"
"Weak. Again."
Adjusting so every cast produced identical output.
After training ended, they sometimes talked.
Usually Sallier asking, Aster answering, topics varying by Sallier's daily interests.
"Master... no, Teacher, what do you think of our family?"
"A pack of utter trash."
"May I ask why you think so?"
"You got time?"
"Yes?"
"It'd take three days and nights nonstop."
"......"
Sometimes they discussed the Decullans.
"Before, you told me to show mercy to those like me. Do you want me to live kindly?"
"No way. I just hope you live with some goodness. For example. Killing a child grants massive mana. Would you do it?"
"That's a bit..."
"What if it's an adult instead of a child?"
"Not pleasant, but I'd consider it."
"And if it's an enemy?"
"I would."
"Taking a life is the same either way, yet different answers. Why?"
"......"
"That's goodness. And your family mostly lacks it. I don't want you to become good, just to live with the bare minimum of goodness."
"Isn't that being good?"
"Why?"
"Well..."
Sometimes they exchanged views on values.
Short days ended in a few words, but long ones stretched till the moon hung high.
Through it, Sallier gradually grasped 'goodness' and began pondering 'herself' over 'magic.'
Aster could have molded her to his taste by pushing his views harder, but he didn't.
Thinking for herself.
That was key.
After sessions with Sallier, Aster headed to Rapiter to find Teheman.
"You're here? A bit late today."
"Yes."
"Let's get started. Today, let's discuss the book you read yesterday."
Aster's reading had expanded beyond just 'space.'
Mostly space-themed books, but sometimes Teheman's recommendations.
Topics varied each time—quite enjoyable.
Few could exchange personal values constructively without clashing.
After talks with Teheman, he finally did personal training—his recent big question.
'...How many circles can I make?'
He hadn't tried yet, but five seemed feasible.
Likely before year's end... but curiosity lay beyond.
Each new circle boosted mana and control.
What about five? Six?
If... circles could increase indefinitely, maybe transcendence wasn't needed?
Various possibilities swirled.
Lately, focused on the fifth circle, but harder than thought.
Four already crowded his heart.
Yet no rush.
One step at a time.
Calmly forward.
...Time flew.
Scorching summer.
Cooling autumn.
One set of exams.
Cold strode in.
Dark clouds veiled the once-clear sky, white snow falling from gloomy ones.
Early snow.
Jenion Academy's third-year finals ended amid falling snow.
...One step closer.
Farewell approached.
Amid the snow, Aster gazed quietly at the sky.
"......"
This year, winter came exceptionally early.
Really, exceptionally so.