Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Elder (4)
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"Student teacher... are you serious?"
"It doesn't make sense to task someone who's already reached that level with something trivial. And conveniently, the new semester at Phoenix Academy is about to start."
"You're serious?"
"It's a chance to adjust there. We can hear the students' evaluations, and decide what to do afterward. It won't be too late. What do you all think?"
"I don't see a problem with it."
Serpent was the first to respond.
"Sounds good to me too. Nowhere better for adapting to the city than the academy. Haha! It's been ages since I last visited one!"
Luke gave his usual approval, while Adelhart was too lazy to speak and just made an OK sign with his hand.
Linmel Marquis and Raymond also nodded without objection.
Only Siegfried remained, with no choice left.
"...Young Master. Looks like you'll have to stick under me for about a month."
'Student teacher?'
Phoenix Academy—the place from earlier.
Sending an eight-year-old as a trainee teacher there. Part of Jamie thought they were insane, but another part figured age didn't matter in an institution that trained mages.
Jamie scratched his cheek.
"Got it."
It was a bit annoying, but not difficult.
'Might even be fun in its own way.'
He was originally at the age to attend the academy anyway.
Though in a different capacity, it would still be a fresh experience in this life.
"We have some internal matters to discuss, so you're free to go. Oh, the Seventh Elder stays."
Jamie glanced at Siegfried, who nodded.
"Wait outside. There's a nice cafe downstairs—grab a chocolate latte or something."
"I don't like that stuff."
"Cute kid with no taste for the sweet things."
"Anyway, I'll leave you all to it."
Jamie bowed politely to the elders and exited.
Once Jamie's presence fully vanished, Siegfried asked Ophena.
"Do we really have to do this? A sixth-class doesn't need validation."
"True enough. It doesn't matter. The student evaluations were just talk. Jamie's joining the mage society regardless."
"Then why?"
"The lab won't be ready for three weeks. Can't just leave him idle."
Siegfried scowled at Ophena's rhetorical glance.
"Those who don't work, don't play. That's the mage society's iron rule, isn't it?"
Mages who stayed in the society, regardless of age, had to follow certain rules—and this was the most sacred one.
"Spot on. No lab means no research, and we can't have him lounging around for a month. Obviously."
The two grumpiest old men were uncharacteristically in sync.
Siegfried conceded, seeing logic wasn't on his side.
"Understood. I'll keep watch until the traineeship ends."
"Then let's wrap up, everyone. You're all busy."
At Ophena's word, the elders dispersed one by one.
The last to remain were Ophena, Linmel Marquis, and Raymond.
Raymond, who hadn't spoken once today, finally broke his silence now that they were alone.
"I backed you, but this makes no sense. Why a traineeship? No beating around the bush—we know you well enough."
"Heh. You'll see for yourselves."
"Whatever scheme you've got brewing..."
Following Raymond, Linmel Marquis rose.
"I hope it's not a threat to Jamie. Even if it is."
No further explanation needed—Linmel's eyes narrowed fiercely, a subtle aura of dread emanating from him.
Ophena smiled faintly.
"Don't worry. No harm intended."
Linmel Marquis and Raymond were the two in the mage society who knew Ophena's true face.
They snorted derisively and left.
Alone, Ophena closed his eyes and murmured.
"Jamie Welton. Show us what you're capable of."
A gust of wind enveloped him, and the room emptied as if by magic.
"Young Master."
Siegfried spotted Jamie sipping coffee at the cafe and waved.
"Done already?"
"Yeah. Just a short chat."
"I see."
"What about you?"
He'd omitted the subject, but Jamie knew what he meant.
"Like a marketplace."
"That's a sharp jab."
Siegfried said so, but he chuckled, clearly pleased by Jamie's wording.
"People revere the mage society's elders as great figures, but peel back the layers, and it's just a bunch of lunatics."
"They are great, though."
"Problem is, they've swapped talent for personality."
This time, Jamie chuckled.
The analogy was perfect.
Jamie had anticipated the elders' demeanor upon first arriving at the mage society.
He'd half-expected it. No overt political brawls between factions, but the petty aura clashes were blatantly childish.
"Always like that?"
"Today's a bit different. Probably because of you. They had to weigh how much of a boon your presence would be to their factions."
Whether they succeeded, who knew.
"Normally, it's messy in other ways. Today was actually tidy—no cutthroat aura battles."
Today's had been childish enough—what could be worse?
Hard to imagine pettier displays.
The public should see this, but high society’s underbelly stayed hidden from the masses.
"Still, it grows on you. Lunatics just means colorful personalities, right?"
"Living in the mage society, you'll get tangled with them whether you like it or not. Personally, I'd like to get along with all the elders."
"Just polite talk?"
"Dead serious."
The elders formed the mage society's core.
Jamie had glimpsed their prowess. First Elder Ophena Zhenja and Second Elder Linmel Marquis went without saying—the rest were impressive too.
'Except Third Elder Serpent Gerol.'
Personality aside, his growth potential had plateaued.
Being gripped by inferiority at his age was bad enough; if he couldn't break free, the seventh-class wall would remain unbreakable.
Like Nebro, once a sixth-class black sorcerer, now a lich.
"Anyway, you sure you're okay with it?"
"With what?"
"The traineeship. Teaching isn't easy. And you're the same age as this year's freshmen."
"So?"
"Plenty of students won't take kindly to you."
The academy typically enrolled at eight and graduated at twenty, though few lasted the full term.
Mages often skipped grades, and prodigies graduated early.
Those graduating right at twenty usually lagged in skill, plagued by inferiority complexes that ruined their lives—Siegfried had seen it plenty.
But an eight-year-old trainee teacher? What reactions would that provoke?
'They won't challenge you outright.'
No matter the age, Jamie was sixth-class.
The power gap was insurmountable, even for the boldest.
Yet Siegfried knew bullying wasn't always about brute force.
He'd endured it himself.
'Won't work on this kid, though.'
Compared to his own childhood, Jamie was monstrous in every way.
This worry was likely pointless. But what if?
"Tell me if anything happens. I'm the head of that academy, trainee teacher or not."
"The head who doesn't even know the entrance ceremony date?"
"Ahem!"
Siegfried cleared his throat awkwardly at Jamie's jab.
"Anyway, I'm your supervisor for the month. Speak up if there's trouble."
"Got it. And no need to worry."
Jamie knew Siegfried's concern.
Mages' egos made them vulnerable to inferiority.
He understood the implications of entering as an eight-year-old teacher.
'That has its own appeal.'
An academy teacher.
In his past life, he'd raised many disciples. None remained at the end—not due to poor teaching.
He'd failed to earn their faith.
—Master... I'm sorry. I just couldn't abandon it.
—Master, don't forgive us.
The memories soured his mood.
'Swore never to take disciples again.'
Not true disciples for just a month, but he'd still teach students.
'Teaching magic...'
He still had no desire to mentor anyone.
The past soured his mood further. Jamie stood silently, prompting Siegfried.
"Young Master?"
"I'm tired. Where am I staying?"
"...Follow me."
Siegfried didn't pry.
Jamie appreciated the consideration and followed.
"Haa..."
Anne sighed, sprawled on her bunk bed.
The day's events still swirled in her mind.
'That boy was Jamie Welton... What do I do?!'
Her face burned with embarrassment.
Assuming he was a freshman, she'd dragged him all the way to Phoenix Academy—only to learn he was Jamie Welton.
No one nowadays could claim ignorance of Jamie Welton.
Once-in-history magic prodigy, saint of the Pyro Goddess, Welton heir. His titles alone screamed extraordinary.
And those emerald hair and eyes—Welton hallmarks!
Overlooking him was inexcusable.
Yet she had.
"Ugh..."
What had he thought of her then?
Why hadn't he spoken up? There'd been ample time.
'...I did talk a lot.'
Now she realized—she'd cut him off every time he tried.
The realization was ridiculous.
Anne covered her eyes and sighed again.
"Something wrong? Why the world-ending sighs?"
Her roommate Becky, studying below.
"S-Sorry. Was I loud?"
"Loudness aside, what's up? Spill to your big sis."
Becky puffed her chest proudly, tapping Anne's—same age notwithstanding.
Anne sighed again, dangling her head over the edge.
"Well, there was this thing..."
She recounted the day's fiasco to Becky.
Becky jolted upright in shock.
"J-Jamie himself is in the mage society?!"
"...Why the honorific?"
"Oh my gosh. Jamie..."
Becky ignored her, clasping her hands and repeating his name rapturously.
"Hey! You're supposed to listen to my problem!"
Anne hurled a pillow in exasperation.
The mood finally settled.
"Got it. You didn't recognize Jamie, mistook him for a freshman, and dragged him to the academy."
"Yeah..."
"I'd hide in a rat hole."
"No rat holes available, sadly."
Becky clucked her tongue sympathetically.
"What can you do? Apologize profusely next time you see him."
"Guess so?"
"Obviously."
"Why keep adding the honorific?"
"You kidding? Jamie's our star right now!"
"...Star?"
"Typical bookworm. Study, study, Siegfried—must've missed the trends."
"Wh-What's wrong with Master Siegfried?!"
"He's not even your master. Anyway, know ApophisX?"
The abrupt shift furrowed Anne's brow.
"Out of nowhere much?"
"You know it or not?"
"That supplement in the ads lately."
"They say it's amazing."
"Just a supplement, right?"
"Thought so too, till I heard about Ivan from the next class."
"Yeah, the hard worker who never sees results? Always moping."
The type who studies like top of the school but ranks middling.
Ivan fit perfectly.
"He started it around winter's start, and his grades skyrocketed."
"Oh?"
"So I grabbed two bottles~"
Becky waved two ApophisX bottles.
"Want one?"
She offered, but Anne declined.
"No thanks~"
"Tch. Hate goody-two-shoes."
"Anyway, hungry. Cafeteria?"
"Yes!"
The girls bolted from the dorm without a second thought.
And so, the new semester began.