Chapter 50 - Friend (1)

With my back against the wall and Silveryn's body pressing against me from the front, I became like a sandwich.

Silveryn's body always had a nice fragrance. I hadn't properly bathed for a week, so I wondered if that was okay.

When I squirmed, she pressed against me more intensely. It was becoming harder to breathe.

"Um... Teacher, I can't... breathe..."

"Bear with it, just three minutes. No, five."

She's stronger than she looks. I don't understand how such strength comes from such a delicate body.

I pulled my neck up out of her embrace. Only then could I barely maintain my breathing.

After catching my breath with difficulty, I asked Silveryn, "Aren't you curious about what happened during the entrance exam, Teacher?"

"Well, I'm sure you were just going around flirting with various women."

"..."

Though I had tried to keep to myself, looking back, I couldn't argue since it wasn't entirely wrong.

By the way, several minutes seemed to have passed, but Silveryn showed no sign of letting go. 

Is she really going to make it five minutes?

Except for the slight difficulty breathing, it felt warm and nice. Though this region and mansion were still unfamiliar to me, being in her embrace felt like coming home.

I closed my eyes, surrendering to Silveryn's embrace. And briefly reflected on the past.

From the uncharted territory to the entrance exam.

Everything changed after meeting Silveryn. Though I achieved decent results in the Masters Class and entrance exam, I couldn't become complacent.

All of this was thanks to Silveryn, and without her, I would never have made it this far.

I’m still lacking, and tomorrow, when the sun rises, I'll need to train busily again. But for now, it should be okay to indulge in this comfort briefly.

As if reading my mind, Silveryn spoke softly, "You worked hard, my disciple."

"You too, Teacher."

Someone's footsteps approached us.

Only then did Silveryn release her hold and turn around, stepping a few paces away from me.

The person approaching us was Liria.

She held a long broom and spoke hesitantly, "Um..."

Silveryn cleared her throat slightly and said, "Yes. What is it?"

"The courtyard cleaning you mentioned is finished. Next..."

"That's enough. You can go in."

"Ah... Yes! Understood."

Liria clutched the broom with both hands and quickly walked away with small steps. She still seemed afraid to stand before Silveryn.

Silveryn remained standing with her back to me, merely pressing her palms against her cheeks several times without saying anything.

Trying to break the suddenly awkward atmosphere, I asked a question, "Why the sudden cleaning, by the way?"

Silveryn typically didn't pay much attention to garden maintenance.

"We're expecting guests."

The only visitors I could think of coming to Silveryn's residence would be someone important like Eternia's Vice Principal.

She hesitated briefly before continuing.

"...They're not coming for anything good."

***

After a week, I finally took a warm bath. After finishing and resting in my room, maids entered to treat my remaining minor injuries.

Among them was Liria, who informed me she would be in charge of my injuries from now on.

While the maids focused on treatment, I thought about what needed to be done.

There were quite a few things I had found inconvenient or lacking during the entrance exam.

First, I needed to find a way to modify my voice so I could speak while wearing the mask. I also needed to increase the time I could maintain the magic sword, and modify the Griffin Potion to take effect immediately after consumption.

Additionally, I needed to gradually learn spirit magic. There was a mountain of tasks.

I suddenly asked Liria as she examined my injuries, "Liria. Do you have any free time?"

"Y-yes? Why?"

"I need some help with potions."

Liria answered energetically, "Of course, I should help. That's my job!"

"Actually, we might need to go to Rigbed together."

Liria froze in the middle of her work.

"Really...?"

"Yes."

"Of course! That's great. Great!"

Liria's eyes suddenly filled with life.

She said it was great without even asking what we'd be doing. I had worried about bothering a busy person, but apparently, that was a needless concern.

"It won't be for fun, is that okay?"

Liria nodded vigorously and said, "I don't mind. I want to go!"

Being confined in the quiet estate all day, Liria must have felt stifled too.

I had already obtained Silveryn's permission.

Silveryn said the guests she was receiving were delegates from the northern Panthea region. They were people related to the Varianne family.

She had said they weren't coming for anything good but didn't tell me anything in detail.

For some unknown reason, Silveryn forbade me from not just getting involved with them but even making contact.

So I decided to stay in Rigbed on the day the delegation arrived.

It felt somewhat like being driven out.

On the other hand, I kept wondering what could be so bad that Silveryn would be this sensitive about it. I supposed she was sending me away since I wouldn't be any help anyway.

After finishing injury treatment, I had dinner close to midnight.

Though Silveryn didn't eat, she sat with me.

I asked her for advice regarding voice modification.

Resting her chin on her hand while watching me eat, she said, "There are two methods. Potion, or magic tool."

I thought the potion option might be better since I was more familiar with alchemy, but Silveryn thought differently.

"You're still in a growing phase. Artificially modifying sensitive areas with potions could leave you with a strange voice for life."

"Is it that bad?"

"Yes. Moreover, I can't allow it. For voice, modifying air flow with a magic tool should be sufficient."

It seemed quite difficult to find a magic tool that perfectly matched my conditions.

"Besides, your mask already has that level of enchantment. It's just not activated."

"My mask?"

"Yes. Though it's not as simple as turning it on and off like a candle, you should be able to adjust the enchantments somewhat according to your needs."

I had no idea. It already had the functionality I needed?

"Then... are there other enchantments besides voice modification?"

"Making you look younger won't work, but making you look older probably would."

Though not immediately necessary, this enchantment had endless future applications.

It really was made with meticulous intention. My mask was more impressive than I thought.

"Then where should I go to activate these enchantments?"

"Hmm..."

Silveryn tapped her lips with her index finger.

After brief consideration, she called the butler.

"Bring a pen and paper."

Shortly after, Silveryn received the paper from the butler and drew a simple map, sliding it to me.

"Wait."

Then, she wrote several lines on another sheet and folded it in half.

She slowly ran her palm over the folded paper, causing smoke to rise. Where her hand passed, a black magic circle appeared.

"Take this letter too."

I put both the map and letter inside my chest.

"Your mask was made by Erzsebet. It'll be quite tricky to handle. And you shouldn't show it to just anyone."

"Yes."

"Follow the map as drawn. However, don't mention that you came through my introduction or that you're my disciple."

Why? Until now, being known as Silveryn's disciple had never caused me any disadvantage.

"Is there a reason?"

She slightly avoided my gaze and said, "...Just don't. Say you came through Erzsebet's introduction. That person will recognize your bracelet or mask immediately."

My head was spinning. 

Could I really use the Vice Principal's name without permission?

"...Will that be okay?"

"Of course."

Silveryn's attitude was so confident that I had nothing more to say.

"And if that magic scholar happens to find out you're my disciple, give them this letter."

"Could it be dangerous if I'm found out?"

I needed to be careful since I was taking Liria with me.

"...No. It won't be like that."

No further explanation followed.

Why is Silveryn being so cautious? Were they enemies?

It made me even more curious.

Following Silveryn's words had never caused me harm or trouble before, so I just had to trust and follow her.

"Understood."

***

Two days later, I headed to Rigbed early in the morning by carriage with Liria.

This time, I wasn't wearing the mask or carrying the wooden sword.

Most of the entering students were staying in Rigbed, and those who could recognize my mask, like Cecil, Lilith, and Sion, were likely staying there too.

With Liria accompanying me now, I didn't want to get involved with them unnecessarily.

In the bumping carriage, I briefly observed Liria. She sat with her fists tightly clenched on her thighs, seemingly nervous.

Her expression showed an inexplicable determination.

"Um... Liria."

"Y-yes?"

"Are you okay?"

Her eyes wavered as if flustered.

"Ah. Oh, um... was my nervousness that obvious?"

"Yes."

"This is my first time properly seeing a big city..."

It seemed Liria hadn't had a chance to properly look around during her previous visit.

"And it's also my first time seeing so many people my age on the streets... I'm both excited and a bit scared."

"You'll get used to it soon."

Well, I was amazed when I first saw it too. It must be an unfamiliar experience for Liria, who had lived in a quiet place like Wiesel her whole life.

"You seem much more mature."

"..."

No, I'm just as nervous in my own way. Mainly due to the person I need to ask about my mask.

Being Silveryn's disciple meant my name was bound to be known due to her fame. If that magic scholar had sharp ears, I was bound to be discovered.

What if they really were enemies with Professor?

I don't know. I'll just have to deal with it after barging in.