It takes about ten years for an average mage to master all intermediate-level magic.
That’s how vast and difficult intermediate magic is.
Even the Ivory Tower would immediately deploy mages who mastered intermediate magic as combat forces – that’s how broad and deep the realm of intermediate magic was.
However, it didn’t take Lena very long to master all of it.
“H-how was that?”
“…Incredible.”
Lee Hyun expressed genuine admiration.
Indeed, Lena possessed talent far superior to any mage he had encountered thus far.
‘Better than expected.’
Perhaps it wouldn’t be long before Lena could learn advanced magic.
Lee Hyun awkwardly patted Lena, who was trying hard to look proud, then looked around.
“We should thank them too.”
“Y-yes!”
The “them” he referred to were, naturally, the Asura Church followers.
Thanks to their reliable appearances whenever needed for combat, they helped raise Lena’s practical experience easily.
“You’ve gotten quite skilled at handling killing intent too…”
Almost daily, Lee Hyun had been training with Lena while emanating killing intent.
Though she cried and fussed at first, she’s grown quite accustomed to killing intent and doesn’t waver during combat.
She was gradually developing into a seasoned mage.
‘Graduation isn’t far off.’
He smiled slightly, while Lena was simply delighted, oblivious to his thoughts.
“D-does this mean advanced magic is next?!”
Lena showed her confidence while breathing heavily through her nose.
Seeing her willingness to start any time, Lee Hyun thought momentarily.
“What magic do you want to learn first?”
“Oh, w-well…”
Perhaps she hadn’t expected to be given the choice?
Lena repeatedly closed and opened her mouth.
It seemed she had something she wanted to say but couldn’t bring herself to.
Lee Hyun didn’t rush her, though.
He had lived with Lena for quite some time now.
He knew well that when she hesitated like this, it was because she had a lot on her mind.
Knowing it would be meaningless to push her, he simply waited.
“L-Lord of Fire… I want to learn that…”
Lord of Fire.
An advanced fire-attribute magic that Lee Hyun often used.
It would work well with Sylphid, the wind spirit, so it wasn’t a bad choice.
“Alright. I’ll teach you Lord of Fire first. However… this is quite challenging even among advanced magic.”
After all, it’s practically the ultimate fire-attribute advanced magic.
He taught her the incantation and mana manipulation method, sincerely explaining everything he could.
Lena, who had been quietly receiving instruction as usual, raised her hand.
“L-Lord of Fire!”
But all that appeared was a single fireball.
“Wondering why a fireball came out when you chanted Lord of Fire? The reason for your failure is simple. You’re not yet ready to acquire advanced magic.”
“W-what do I need?”
“Enlightenment.”
“En-enlightenment?”
“Yes.”
“How… h-how do I get it?”
“That can’t be expressed in words. It’s something you must awaken to and obtain yourself.”
Even in the game, advanced magic could only be learned through special quests or events.
I obtained it by using a bug. Lena can’t use it, so she has to achieve enlightenment on her own.
“Even if I teach you everything I know directly, you won’t be able to receive it. The reason is simple. Our mental images are different.”
“Mental images…”
“The basis of advanced magic is like manifesting your world into reality. Like overlaying the intense flames in your mind onto a fireball to create Lord of Fire.”
“That’s d-difficult.”
Seeing Lena’s worried expression, Lee Hyun smiled gently.
Learning advanced magic might take several years.
But would he just sit back and watch?
“It is difficult. Even in the Ivory Tower, there aren’t many advanced mages. And the Chamber Masters, the Grand Mages who lead each chamber, can be counted on one hand even if you search the entire continent, not just the Ivory Tower.”
“Chamber Master…?”
“Those who have mastered all advanced magic and those who have obtained ultimate magic. The Chamber Masters have each mastered the ultimate magic corresponding to their color. For instance, Bella, the Red Chamber Master, mastered Inferno, the ultimate fire magic.”
“Ul-ultimate magic…”
“I believe that someday you will become one of them.”
“Oh, th-that’s…”
“The student surpasses the teacher. I think you’re more talented than I am.”
Lee Hyun crouched in front of Lena, meeting her eyes.
Her pupils were trembling. But it was to be expected.
Her master, Lee Hyun, was her wall, her highest mountain, and the hero she must always follow.
She couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed when such a person said she would surpass them.
Just as she was about to deny it, flailing her arms, he patted her head.
“As I’ve said many times, you are my pride.”
“Uu…”
The pressure increases.
But so does the joy.
“Un-until then… w-will you stay… by my side, Master…?”
“That would be difficult.”
“…Pardon?”
What was this about now?
Lena felt her heart sink.
Looking straight at her, Lee Hyun calmly continued speaking.
“Once you master advanced magic, I plan to send you to Bella.”
“Wh-what? Whaaaaat?! W-why?!”
“Because I won’t be able to teach you anymore after advanced magic. As you know, I’ve only mastered up to advanced magic.”
That was the truth.
If Lena masters advanced magic, she would become a mage of equal rank to Lee Hyun.
Equals cannot teach equals.
Though this was common sense, Lena couldn’t accept it.
“B-but! I want to learn from you, Master…!!”
“You want to learn more from me?”
Nod nod.
Though Lena nodded so vigorously her head might fall off, Lee Hyun just watched her with warm eyes.
Under that gaze, Lena’s reason told her:
That Lee Hyun was absolutely right.
As he said, continuing to learn magic under him would no longer be meaningful.
But Lena wasn’t strong enough to listen to that voice of reason.
Tears welled up.
Her body trembled.
She should say something, but no words come to mind.
“That would be difficult. If it’s something other than magic… you don’t have talent for anything else.”
“I-I can use a sword too!!”
Lee Hyun isn’t just strong in magic.
His swordsmanship is by no means weak.
Having faced him directly, Lena knew this well, so she pulled out the sword at his waist and awkwardly thrust it into the air.
“Ha, hyah!”
Her form was terrible.
Despite trying to imitate Lee Hyun, however clumsily, Lena ended up dropping the sword.
“I-I’ll do well! I’ll work hard, so…!”
“No. It won’t work. Magic is all I can teach you. Anything else would only hinder rather than help you. You don’t have the qualities needed to be a magic swordsman.”
Lee Hyun stated the reality bluntly. Then he gently patted the tearful Lena’s head.
“If you really want to learn from me, come to the Academy later.”
After obtaining the Sage qualification from the Sage Tower, he plans to teach at the Academy.
By then, he would be willing to teach her other things.
But trembling as she looked at Lee Hyun, she finally let her tears fall.
“M-Master… y-you idiot…”
Lena whirled around and ran back to the cabin.
Lying on her bed in her room in the cabin, Lena sobbed face down.
Until now, she had worked hard to master magic for her master’s sake because she loved seeing Lee Hyun’s pleased expression.
But she hadn’t known that would lead to parting with Lee Hyun.
If she had known earlier, she wouldn’t have worked so hard.
“R-really?”
Then Sylphid’s voice was heard. Sitting beside the deeply discouraged Lena and holding her hand, Sylphid spoke carefully.
“Y-you… enjoyed learning m-magic, didn’t you…?”
“… That’s true… sniff, b-but…”
Sylphid was right.
Learning magic was fun.
Also, as Lee Hyun taught, gaining power was about changing oneself.
But what good was any of that?
“…Heuk… M-Master is leaving…”
“Umm… that’s a bit… well… d-difficult…”
Even Sylphid’s comfort didn’t ease her mind.
As she was thrashing and sobbing in bed,
“Len!!”
“Eek!”
“We need to move right now.”
“Wh-what…?”
She hadn’t gotten over being upset yet.
But Lee Hyun’s voice was desperate.
What could be happening?
As Lena got up wondering, she flinched at his next words.
“The Asura Church’s main force is coming.”
As if proving that those they had faced until now were mere advance forces, enemies were approaching.
Lena gulped at the numerous magical energies detected in the forest.
“Let’s escape towards Greenhild as quickly as possible.”
“M-Master…”
“Don’t worry too much. Everything will be fine.”
Lee Hyun reassured Lena as he gripped his sword.
Indeed, he expected everything would be fine.
“There they are!”
“Get them!!”
Hearing the sharp cries from the forest, Lee Hyun smiled where Lena couldn’t see.
‘If there’s no awakening event, we just have to create one. The Asura Church’s main force should be suitable for Lena’s awakening event.’