If the standard grey mana was an ordinary black coffee, white mana could be considered as an expresso.
A smaller quant.i.ty of mana was needed to use the same magic, around a tenth or so. Moreover, the mana that dissipated into the air or left control was also very minute.
In other words, there was no need for the c.r.a.ppy loose clothes fashion, nor the staff that looked more like a cane instead.
This was all good. Except, the incredibly slow mana gathering speed.
âThis is still good!â
The important fact was that he could gather mana. Compared to normal mages, it was around a tenth. Considering that itâs white mana, his growth rate was similar to other mages. Though, he did have the help of OP itemsâŚâŚ.
The standard of mana that Abel gathered in 3 weeks was around a trainee mage that just entered 2 circles. However, white mana does not follow the concept of circles. As such, with enough mana, he would be able to cast higher circle magic. Providing that he had enough understanding of the spell.
The âoriginalâ way limited the movements of the usages of mana per circle. This was a drastic contrast from that. However, as the concept of zero existed, a higher level of calculations was required. However, that didnât matter. Abel had Casio.
âHahaha, the flow of mana is much more free! You might be able to develop new magic. First, focus on increasing your mana quant.i.ty, as well as learning the ancient magic spells that exists in Thrandrielâs book! As for the other book, Iâll contact my friend.â
Spoke Kyle to Abel as he saw that Abel was growing. This was very emotional. During the past 6 months, he had to suffer a lot in order to gain âfaceâ as an archmage.
Knock knock knock.
-Itâs me sir.
Perelmanâs voice sounded from outside.
âEnter.â
Creak.
The door opened and Perelman, clad in his meticulous style, could be seen. However, it shouldnât be time for him to be here. There was around 1 hour until the cla.s.s with Perelman.
âSo you were in the middle of a lecture. I apologize.â
Seeing Abel with Kyle, he apologized. He was politeness itself.
âHaha, not at all. We were just about to finish. Abel, remember what I said to you and go back to your room.â
âNo way, are they going to talk behind my back?â
Well, he didnât mind it that much. Itâs not like they were the type of people who would do that.
âOkay, then enjoy your time!â
Creak, tap.
When Abel closed the door, only Kyle and Perelman were left.
After a bit of silenceâŚâŚ
Perelman spoke up first.
âI have finished the doc.u.mentation as you have spoken. Only you need to stamp the papers. Have you really come to a decision?â
Perelman asked in a slightly worried tone.
âDidnât you suggest it first? Abel, that fella maybe not be the nicest kid out there, but heâs a straightforward guy.â
âI am aware of that. Itâs just⌠the Drakes will be disappointed.
âHaha, he⌠is really lacking. Moreover, heâs not a Tardema too.â
âReugen De Drakeâ was Kyleâs second nephew-in-law, and is the official first-in-line successor for the Tardema family. Right now, that is.
âRather than that, Iâm worried about the academy⌠who would console this old manâs loneliness now?... and⌠calculations tooâŚâŚ.â
From his tone of speech, he seemed to be more disappointed about the latter.
âHe will come every holiday anyway. Moreover, canât you just use a communication orb?â
Communication orb â itâs a remote video communication artifact.
âThatâs it! Why couldnât I think of that? Haha.â
Thinking that he will be able to use the calculation serf service from a long distance, Kyleâs smile bloomed again.
âIf Abel has to adapt to this world anyway, I believe that it will be better to send him to the Academy. Heâs already beyond what I could possibly teach. It is time for him to clash with the world.â
Perelmanâs tone of speech was also that of worry for Abel.
âI wonât deny thatâŚâŚ but I still canât help but worry. But if this is for the best, we must do it.â
âThen I will register him. From today onwards, the official successor for Duke Tardema is Abel.â
âI warn you time after time, but this must be done in secret. This will be bad if it gets public, whether itâs for Abel or for usâŚâŚ.â
Kyleâs eyes became sharp. This was the âDuke Tardemaâ eyes and not the âOld manâ eyes.
ââŚI shall call for Abel.â
Somehow, the mood was a little cold. The two had dark expressions as though they fought.
âThey wonât ask me to choose sides, right?â
That would be a problem. That was just like asking âDo you like mommy or daddy?â.
Fortunately, it was not like that.
âNext week, there will be the opening ceremony for Helarion Academy. Go to the academy and listen to cla.s.s. Your registrations have already been taken care of.â
Kyle ended the silence with a declaration.
âEh? Academy? You mean school? Do I really have to go?â
Abel asked many questions in confusion.
âYou have learned the basics of magic, and Perelman is finding it hard to teach you as well. Youâre going to live in Kornos for quite a while, and it wouldnât do for you to not know about the world, would it? Go and meet some friends.â
Oh dammit⌠school at this age? Abel had already been through 16 years of Korean education starting from primary school. But go to school again? The purity of when he first entered school was already dried out!
When Abel continued to make a displeased expression, Perelman continued to explanation.
âItâs a place where the greatest talents of the empire gather. It is normal to enter between 13 and 15 years of age. I donât know how old you are exactly, sir Abel, but you do look fitting. On the doc.u.ment, I have put you down as 15 years old.â
âDoc.u.ment⌠you say?â
âThe entrance examinations for the academy had already ended, so this was the only way in.â
âAnd what would that be?â
âSuccessorâs entrance.â
âSuccessor?â
Is this like how children of farmers got free entrance to farm college in Korea?
âThe empire allows for a special entrance of one successor for n.o.bles equal to and above viscount. So, I have registered sir Abel as the adopted son of the Duke.â
âEh? Adopted son?â
Adopted âsonâ? Forcefully becoming a successor was absurd enough and now he was an adopted son? No matter how you look at it, Abel looked like Kyleâs great grandson at best.
âAdopted son? No matter how I look at it, it doesnât make any sense. At best I would be the youngest grandson, no?â
This time, Kyle spoke up.
âHaha, I tried to do that, but as I donât have a son, the imperial laws donât allow me to. I didnât have a choice but to put you as my adopted son.â
ââŚHa. Who asked you to make me successor? Looking at you or Perelman working, it definitely does not comply with the labor standards act. I donât like that. From young, my dream was to own a building. A building! So I can earn money doing nothing! Eating and playing!
Abel complained in displeasure of finding out something that was already set for him behind his back.
âOwn a building? Is that such a great thing? This tower is the possession of the Tardema family.â
âWhoa!â
This building⌠it was 89 stories tall.
âIâll do it! Iâm sooo taking that spot! Right now! What? Do I go pack my stuff up now?â
Abelâs eyes that looked at the âbuilding ownerâ Kyle were filled with respect.
âHahaha. Your actions keep making me laugh. No matter how old I am, I would be fine for at least another twenty years. Donât even dare scheme. If I donât like it, I can immediately switch my successor right now!â
Although he was speaking in a scolding tone, his eyes were smiling.
âYes!â
It wasnât like Abel was serious either. It was just a joke. He had to go back home anyway.
âBefore you go to the capital, there are some things you must be aware of. First is that your official name is âAbelius Ariella Von Tardemaâ. Though, the Academy forbids in revealing ident.i.ty, so the registration will only have you as Abel. Also, the matter about the successor is also a secret, so donât spread around rumors.â
Perelman spoke as though Abel was about to cause accidents.
âIâm not that kind of a person you know? What would I gain from selling this old manâs nameâŚ. Oh yeah. What is that middle name âAriellaâ? Is it someone you know?â
ââŚâŚ.â
Abelâs sudden question! Both Kyle and Perelman froze on the spot.
âEhem.â
Kyle coughed awkwardly in this awkward mood, while Perelman looked outside the window as though he couldnât stay here. There was no way the quick-witted Abel would not notice.
âOh! Old manâs first love! Right?â
ââŚâŚâ
Kyle became silent.
Silence was acknowledgement!
âI was wondering since you werenât married yet, but it seems like you have a heart-wrenching story, eh? Iâm curious but, well, I wonât ask. I should protect your dignity! Haha! Rather than that, arenât you the man, Kyle!
âŚSo? When did you separate?â
Abelâs sudden direct attack!
âThen, I shall take my leave.â
Fwoosh.
Feeling a strange mood, Perelman left the room, it was as though he was fleeing.
âHahaha, you sneaky brat. Letâs see⌠Hm. Itâs been around 55 years, I guess.â
He didnât have to answer, but he did anyway. Abel was the first one to ask, but there was no need to hide it either.
âWhoa, awesome. So you never dated after that?â
âHow could I forget about her? Her brown eyes were more beautiful than any gem that could possibly exist in this world. To me, her existence was more wondrous than the existence of magicâŚâŚâ
âWhew~ old manâs quite pure, eh? But being single for 55 years⌠you really are an âarchmageâ.â
�
âHow does that relate to being an archmage?â
Being single and archmage. Kyle couldnât connect the two at all.
However, a mage, or a magician. It means something different back on east Asia on Earth.
âFrom where I lived, thereâs a legend that you could use magic if you live 25 years a single. Youâve done that for 55 years so youâre a really âarchâmage.â
âHaha, is that how it is? Thatâs curious.
Listening to that name, I want to see her more than everâŚâŚ. It was cold just like today when I have to bury her cold body⌠It would have been better if it was warmerâŚâŚâ
ââŚâŚ.â
âHolyâŚâ
He didnât know at all. He thought that they separated just like other couples â because of difference in personality. He went too far. He really felt sorry.
âPoor KyleâŚâŚ.â
Perhaps because Kyle looked too sad as he was falling into thought, Abel couldnât even say sorry.
He even felt that his young self was reflected in his old eyes. The appearance of an old man drowning in longing looked too pitiful.