Chapter 89
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Scene 089 There is No Correct Answer
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Scritch scritch...
Even at that moment, Wendy paced back and forth on the platform, drawing the ritual.
At first, the parts she drew with chalk looked like a young child's scribbles.
However, that was the skeleton of the ritual.
As flesh began to attach to that skeleton, the unmistakable form of the ritual revealed itself.
Wow...
Exclamations poured from the students' mouths at the sight of Wendy drawing the ritual without hesitation.
Like an artist doing a quick sketch, Wendy's hand swiftly took shape.
As the ritual neared completion, the surrounding mana began to react.
The air in the classroom rippled.
This meant the ritual Wendy had drawn was functioning properly.
Scritch scritch...
It's almost done now...
When only a few strokes remained until completion, worry overtook Wendy.
She had no idea what might happen if this ritual finished.
But the professor said it was fine
He must have some plan in mind.
Hehe. No need to worry.
Responding to Wendy's concern was not Professor Ariel, but Myohail.
I know exactly what you're worried about. But you don't need to fret. Isn't your master right here by your side? So, my disciple, complete the ritual with peace of mind.
Master...
A master was a master.
He must have sensed his disciple's feelings and made full preparations.
Wendy felt a pang in her chest.
Bolstered by Myohail's support, Wendy gripped the chalk firmly.
It was the moment she drew the very last stroke to finish the ritual.
Stop.
Ariel grabbed Wendy's arm.
P-Professor...?
Didn't you hear me? That's enough. So come down from there.
Y-Yes? But...
Come down. Right now.
Ariel's snarling expression was far from normal.
Had she done something wrong?
With no choice, Wendy set down the chalk and stepped off the platform.
P-Professor?
Student Wendy.
Y-Yes?
Ariel let out a sigh.
In the future, could you please act with a little discernment?
Y-Yes...??
This is a class on basic rituals. There's a limit to showing off... What on earth is this?
Wendy couldn't comprehend Professor Ariel's words at all.
I-I was just trying to finish the ritual you were drawing...
At Wendy's words, Professor Ariel spoke as if utterly exasperated.
Haa... There's no way I would have drawn something like that.
Y-Yes??
I told you. This class is on basic rituals. The ritual I was going to draw was Wind Rank 1, Wind.
She had no idea.
Had she misread the ritual?
Yet the ritual had definitely been on the verge of activating.
Wendy could only feel bewildered.
Th-Then what I drew...
Actually, that's what I want to ask you. This is a ritual you made, isn't it, Student Wendy?
Ariel muttered while gazing at the ritual on the blackboard.
From the looks of it, you disassembled basic spells and reassembled them into a new ritual. Not second-class...? At the very least, it's third-class.
Only then did Wendy realize the source of the incongruity.
What she had learned from Myohail wasn't simple spell theory.
Myohail had taught her how to read and write magic ritualsthe practical application. And it was a unique method born from a sage's expertise.
Naturally, it was bound to diverge from the systematic, textbook-standard approach.
.....
Ugh... It's my fault for not paying proper attention in class...
Hehe. A fault? From my view, you interpreted it just fine. Wasn't it a fine ritual?
B-But this isn't the correct answer...
Magic has no correct answers to begin with. The so-called magical standards you're learning here are nothing but outdated notions once considered truths long ago. Moreover, what I taught you isn't a correct answer either. The correct answer is something you create yourself. That's what magic is. Therefore, the ritual you drew can be seen as a new one layered atop the old.
It was exactly as Myohail interpreted. No wonder Professor Ariel was shocked upon seeing Wendy's ritual.
Of course, a wrong answer was still a wrong answer...
Th-That... It was the only ritual that came to mind...
During class, stick to what's in the textbook. I didn't call you up here to show off your skills in front of everyone.
I-I'm sorry...
Wendy bowed her head and apologized sincerely.
Ariel, unable to say more at the sight, let out another sigh.
With a flick of her hand, she cleanly erased the ritual from the blackboard.
If you know you're sorry, that's enough. I'll let it slide today. But if you pull something like this again, it won't just be poor class attitudeI'll send you to the disciplinary committee, so watch yourself.
Y-Yes, yes!
Now, release the barrier.
Y-Yes...?
Wendy froze just as she was about to ask what barrier she meant.
Something was off about her surroundings.
She and Ariel weren't the only ones in the classroom, yet from earlier, only their voices had been audible.
It was as if an invisible wall stood between the two of them and the students. Nothere really was an invisible wall.
Master... Is this your barrier?
Mm. A sort of insurance.
Just as Myohail had said not to worry, he had erected the barrier while Wendy was completing the ritual.
Ariel clicked her tongue.
Would you stop treating your professor like an idiot? You put up a barrier so the students wouldn't get hurt, and now you're playing dumb?
I-I'm sorry! I'll release it right now!
Ah, hold on. One last bit of advice.
Y-Yes??
Ariel slowly approached Wendy.
She whispered into her ear.
Keep your distance from the Chairman.
Y-Yes?!
Ariel smiled leisurely at the flustered Wendy.
I don't know what your relationship with the Chairman is... but if it were me, I'd stay far away from that man. There's a saying, isn't there? Stay close to black, and before you know it, you'll be dyed black yourself.
Wendy remembered.
The overt hostility Ariel had shown toward Tristan at the entrance ceremony.
As someone unaware of the circumstances, she had no idea what had happened between them.
But she could tell that hostility was anything but ordinary.
You'll end up pitch black if you stay by his side.
Wendy looked into Ariel's eyes.
The emotion there was hatred. Deep-seated hatred directed at Tristan.
You're a smart student, so I'll trust you to heed my advice. Hehe.
It was the moment Ariel turned away after saying that.
P-Professor...!
...?
Wendy spoke in a trembling voice.
D-Don't speak so carelessly. The Chairman... isn't that kind of person...
Isn't that kind of person...?
Ariel's lips twisted.
Assuming the conversation wouldn't reach the two standing outside the barrier.
Looks like Student Wendy knows absolutely nothing about that man...? No, more precisely, you know nothing about his family.
Y-Yes...?
Ariel asked in a calm tone toward the tilting head.
Are you familiar with the Autumn Tragedy, Student Wendy?
The Autumn... Tragedy?
It was a phrase she'd never heard before.
Ariel nodded as if she'd expected that.
The Chairman must not have told you. Well... of course he wouldn't. If you learned the truth, your view of that man and Ruelverta might change.
With those words, Ariel slashed her hand through the empty air. Slowly, the barrier crumbled away.
Ariel had dispelled Myohail's barrier.
As one of Meikahel University's professors, it must not have been difficult for her.
Good work. Student Wendy, return to your seat.
And Ariel addressed the students as if nothing had happened.
Then let's resume the class.
Ooh... Count. You've come.
Uh...
It had been a while since I visited the secret workshop on the estate grounds.
Albert Groble, who had been hard at work, set down his monocle.
And beside him was a rather familiar face.
Ooh! Long time no see, Count!
Vanessa Groble, who had been hammering away, waved at me.
Albert Groble's granddaughter and apprentice had also started working here alongside him.
The reason was simple.
The workshop's all good now?
Yeah! Thanks to you, Count, we paid off all our debts! The creditors don't dare show their faces anymore!
Vanessa said in her usual boisterous voice.
The workshop of Albert and Vanessa, which had nearly collapsed under debt, had its debts cleared on the condition that the two worked under me.
It was a form of advance payment.
On top of that, the two were among the top craftsmen in this game.
Considering the profits I'd reap from them in the future, it was far from a waste of money.
Freed from debt, Vanessa said with a refreshed face,
But man, you've lost a ton of weight since I last saw you? And you even brought your girlfriend?
The one she pointed to was Helga, wearing her eyepatch, standing beside me.
Hmmph... Th-That person, even though it's our first meeting, I feel incredibly drawn to her...
Helga muttered in a choked voice, hand over her mouth.
Hahaha. What an interesting person. So, is she really your girlfriend?
...She's Helga, my bodyguard knight. First time meeting, I suppose.
Bodyguard? Yours, Count?
Vanessa eyed Helga up and down with keen interest.
Isn't she awfully slim and delicate for a bodyguard knight? Or does the Count have a taste for this type?
Exactly. That's precisely the Count's taste. Hehehe... The other day, the Count put something white and sticky on my legs...
I came on business today.
I cut Helga off before she could spout any more nonsense.
At my words, Albert blinked.
Hmm. Business, you say?
Yeah. I came because I have a commission for you.