"You already constructed the remaining spell models? Excellent," Zivior said in a surprised tone as he retracted his gaze from the conical glass tube in his hand and looked at Abium.
Meanwhile, Abium smiled politely and responded with a nod.
"Yes, sir."
Zivior asked as he raised his eyebrows,
"Well, what kind of spell models did you construct?".
'What kind of mage is he? Don't tell him, lad.' Azolla said.
But Abium felt this was more like a test and decided to play on.
'He is still suspicious of my origin, Azolla. That's why I need to tell my magic spell names.' Abium wasn't concerned about revealing his spell names to his new teacher and spoke.
"I constructed a total of six spell models, teacher. They are [Blink], [Fire Orb], [Mirage], [Storage], [Dark Bind], and [Blazing Shield]."
Upon hearing his answer, Zivior pondered for a moment and asked.
"You have space affinity? Average or High?"
"It's Average, sir." His expression turned sour once Zivior heard that it was an average affinity. But soon, he let out a fake cough and continued.
"Anyway, although I'm curious about how you managed to increase your spirit power to this rate, I don't have any time for that."
As he spoke, Zivior sent a small spiritual wave toward him and continued.
"I will tell you the offers which the newly joined apprentices get. All the apprentices have one free lecture per month for the next six months, a total of six lectures."
Abium nodded.
"Although two months are already over, I'll make an exception for you. After six months, you have to pay 10 Abyssal crystals for each lecture. If you want to attend lectures by other teachers, you can attend them by paying the same amount. Do you have any other questions?"
"No, Teacher."
Abium hurriedly shook his head.
"Very well. Then, do you have any extra ice-elemental crystal now?"
The sudden question startled Abium greatly.
'Did Tabitha sell me out? Well, I had expected this anyway.' He knew that Tabitha and Zivior were friends from his past life memories and wasn't surprised much by this turn of events.
But to make Zivior believe his words, he decided to act strange and showed a nervous expression.
"How did you know, Teacher?"
Abium asked while taking a step back. Meanwhile, Zivior stared at him in amusement and chuckled.
"Do you think I don't know about that? Those two crystals are not something you can get anywhere, boy. The only mage who attended that auction except those necromancers was you. So I made an easy guess."
Meanwhile, Abium turned his face grimly and tried to back away further but soon found himself frozen on the spot.
An invisible force immediately appeared out of nowhere and bound him. He couldn't breathe, nor could he blink his eyes.
At that moment, Zivior's voice echoed in his ears.
"Don't worry; I won't take your materials. But be careful when you go outside. Like me, there may be some first-tier mages who have already guessed the origin of those elemental crystals and might come for your head."
The invisible binding energy started to loosen as Zivior finished his words and soon disappeared altogether.
"You can go back now. I will tell you about the details of those free lectures later. Also, take this."
Mage Zivior said as he picked up a book from the drawer and tossed it towards him. It was a black-covered leather book.
Meanwhile, Abium caught the book and gave it a puzzled look.
"That was the basic alchemy book. Read it before the next lecture and get the class schedule from any other apprentice mage. You can go back now." Zivior said calmly and shifted his attention towards the conical glass tube.
Meanwhile, Abium bowed and soon walked out of that experimental lab.
"Are you the newly enrolled mage apprentice?"
But just as he walked away from the laboratory, he heard a familiar young voice from his right side and halted his footsteps.
Surprised, he calmly turned his gaze towards the voice and frowned as he saw a young man in front of his eyes. He had short blonde hair, round caramel-colored eyes, and was slightly obese with olive skin. Currently, he wore a grey robe and black leather shoes and even wore many gem-embedded rings on all fingers.
'Robert Lawbarth? Isn't he the Viscount Gauvain's young son?'
At that moment, he also saw a few more grey-robed mages standing beside Robert, staring at him in curiosity.
After a slight pause, Abium returned to his calm and cold attitude and nodded.
"I joined the academy only a few days ago. Do you need something, Mister?"
On the other hand, Robert sized him up and down, stepped forward, and introduced himself.
"I am Robert Lawbarth, apprentice mage. What's your name? How did you enter this institute?"
"I'm Abium. Mentor Zivior invited me to join this institute."
But as soon as Abium said his name, Robert made a lofty face and clicked his tongue.
"Tsk. Are you a commoner? Why didn't you say that earlier? I wasted so much time on a filthy commoner. Moreover, you are just an elf." His voice contained a trace of ridicule and mockery.
At that moment, another blonde-haired guy gave Abium a stern look and spoke.
"I already told you that he must be the son of some commoner whore. But you didn't listen to my words, Robert. Let's go."
'What a bunch of clowns.' Despite hearing such mockery, Abium was not affected by his words.
Without wasting time, he shook his head, turned around, and started walking in the corridor.
In truth, he didn't want to start a fight inside the magic tower and create a scene in front of Teacher Zivior's laboratory, ruining his image. But one of Robert's friends suddenly noticed his action and shouted.
"STOP RIGHT THERE! Kneel down, scum. You are in front of a noble, so show some respect."
This time, even some nearby apprentice mages looked at the group weirdly.
Abium also paused and thought of what to do next.
'Should I give him a slap?'
As he was about to raise his hand, a female figure walked toward them.
"Kneel? For what? You are not in your kingdom, Dan. F*ck off."
A woman with red hair and scarlet eyes walked closer to them and intervened. She wore a grey robe and looked around 30 years old.
"Mage Equa! You dare to speak in front of me?" Anger swelled up on Robert's face.
Meanwhile, the apprentice mage named Equa gave a cold snort and responded.
"Mage Robert, I have shown you some respect over the last two months because I know your family members and your uncle helped me enter this institute. But if you use your noble title to insult a fellow mage, then I will have no choice but to stop you. If not,"
"If not? You think you can beat me with your pathetic two water spells?"
Both glared for a few seconds, but Robert backed away quickly.
It was not that he was afraid to confront her, but several apprentice grey-robed mages had gathered around them already.
"Humph. I'll deal with you all later."
Robert muttered in an angry tone and walked away from there along with his friends.
Meanwhile, the woman named Equa turned her pretty face toward Abium and asked.
"Where are you from?"
"I'm from..."
At that moment, Abium froze and soon realized he didn't know what to say.
"If you don't want to talk about your origin, it's okay. So, do you need any help?"
Noticing his troubled look, Mage Equa waved her hands and asked.
"Thanks for asking, Mage Equa. I'll be alright." Saying so, he exchanged a few words with her and walked away.
…
Meanwhile, Mage Zivior observed the ruckus through his spirit power and let out a long sigh.
At that moment, a small white human doll on the nearby table suddenly stood up, hovered up in the air, and spoke in a rough male voice.
"It seems this half-elf appeared out of thin air near Baxbron woods six months ago and caused chaos wherever he went. But after he left the Bare Keep Town, he somehow disappeared from there for five months and only reappeared a few days ago."
The doll paused, tilted its round head, and added.
"I also found a few traces of nether energy near the Baxbron Woodland area when searching for his whereabouts."
"Are you saying he has some connection with the 'Order of the Dead'?" Zivior asked in a startled tone.
During the past two days, he had been researching that organization and had become more skeptical.
"I don't know, Zivior. He is shrouded in mystery. But for now, we should consider him as our ally. After all, he saved Prince Huggin and that mischievous rascal."
Meanwhile, Zivior massaged his temple and spoke helplessly.
"Ha! It seems wherever Raollet is going; some trouble seems to be following him. Is there any other news about the 'Order of the Dead'?"
That tiny human doll raised its hand and spoke with its puppet mouth.
"After they left the auction house, no one saw them making any trouble. But they did leave some clues but most of them seem intentional."
"Why do you think those clues are intentional?" Zivior couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in surprise.
"Well, those clues are pointing towards the Holy See. But I can't help but think something is wrong with the Light Church." The puppet doll said without any emotion.
"Hmm? Are you saying the Light Church is supporting the necromancers? But don't you know that the Light God is the one who hated them most?" Zivior asked in confusion.
Meanwhile, the human doll shook its head, floated in silence for a few seconds, and continued.
"I never said that Light God was supporting these necromancers. But I think the Pontiff of the Southern Holy See may be manipulating behind the scenes."
The laboratory hall fell abruptly silent as soon as the human doll finished its words.
"But why?" Zivior asked after a long silence.
"Why are you asking me? Ask that question to the Pope. In any case, please inform our Headmaster about this. Meanwhile, I will continue to follow their movements."
At that moment, Zivior thought of something and asked.
"Do you have any news about the puppet Margrave Eliot? Is he still planning to rebel against the Royal Family?"
"Indeed, that old bastard is still in his own fantasy. He is thinking that the Holy See will save the Peral Kingdom sooner and bless the people with light miracles. Just tell the Headmaster to stop his research on astral space and make a visit to the royal castle." That doll replied in a solemn tone.
"I will try to contact him. Continue your work." Zivior nodded his head and warned.
"See you!"
As the doll ended its speech, a red fire appeared in its mouth and started burning the human doll, leaving only some ashes on the floor.