Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 122 - 117 Recognizing a Master

Lyle returned to the Opulent Chalice, as if he had returned home, as well as to the long-unseen Mr. Gentleman.

Leaning against the archway leading to the balcony, his face hidden by the draping curtains, he wore his trim light grey suit as usual, with a withered rose pinned to his chest. He was holding a clean handkerchief, patiently wiping a slender flute.

All black, its tiny air holes were only the size of rice grains, glossy as jade, with little else to draw attention besides the darkness.

"Peace, Mr. Gentleman."

"Peace, Plague Doctor." The greeting lasted only a moment. Mr. Gentleman bent forward to glance at Lyle through the curtains before resuming his leisurely pose.

"Welcome back, how was your trip to Naranya? Alianna mentioned an hour ago that you went to visit. She has already left; there’s a concert tonight." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"It was far more fascinating than I imagined. Mr. Gentleman, it’s been a long time since we met."

"Recently I tangled with a delusional journalist over a big scoop and spent quite some time handling the spoils," Mr. Gentleman said, seemingly amused by some thought, his body trembling with laughter.

"Is that a flute?"

"Yes, it’s also my magic wand. I need to clean it occasionally to ensure its tone. When I have time, I’ll play a little for you."

"It would be my honor, Mr. Gentleman, but I think I need to leave soon. Shuishui’s body still requires tuning. Maybe next time, Mr. Gentleman."

"I’ll be waiting whenever you wish." As Lyle stepped through the Skeleton Gate, Mr. Gentleman was still smiling. Lyle didn’t know whether to voice it or not, but the color black and Mr. Gentleman really didn’t match.

.........

"Naslan’s tomb was dismantled by Raymond over a small disturbance?" Mr. Scholar adjusted the small clump of Sword Dance Mandrake’s black dust within the array, reconstructing the mana model to distribute it evenly, chatting desultorily until he heard the part about Raymond’s arrival.

"It’s mainly my fault, I guess," said Mr. Scholar, an old acquaintance of the Naslan family. Lyle couldn’t be sure of Mr. Scholar’s attitude, "Is it serious?"

"Just a bit surprising. Don’t worry, Adolf is a powerful alchemist. Those buildings will repair themselves quickly. I’m just curious about Mr. Raymond’s strength. Even for me, dismantling Adolf’s Alchemy Town would not be easy."

"Mr. Scholar is unaware of Mr. Raymond’s combat strength."

"I’m an academic, focused on scholarly research, and don’t often deal with others. Although I’m aware of this renowned Raymond of Andrey, I’ve never personally crossed swords with him. Had he not clashed with my student, Apocalypse, I might not have paid him any mind."

"Did Mr. Raymond win?"

"Yes, and that is what puzzles me. In theory, Apocalypse should not lose."

The president of the Advanced Magic Research Society does not face defeat? Not knowing his capabilities, but as the boss of Death Star II and Mr. Electromagnetic, he probably isn’t a safe character either.

"Ready now. Come, Plague Doctor."

Shuishui climbed up Mr. Scholar’s chains and slid toward the floating powder, forming a black cyclone just like last time.

"Plague Doctor, on the bookshelf to the left, third row, the scroll bound with a deep blue ribbon. Please hand it to me."

Lyle looked to the indicated bookshelf. Last time he was here, it had been utterly bare, but now it was stuffed tight with scrolls. He found the designated one, with a snippet of Emo script on it, which Lyle, having studied, could somewhat understand.

"Summoned Entity Enhancement Type Twenty-Three?"

With a flick of Mr. Scholar’s fingers, the scroll unfolded in the air and flew before him.

"Yes, it’s a spell to strengthen the soul link between summoned entities and their controller. With just borrowing the general framework and making a few adjustments, it will be equally applicable to your talents."

"Will it make our connection stronger?"

"Yes, and it will enhance your performance in the Endowment Method, making your talent more aligned with your thoughts."

Lyle felt it, as subtle changes in the eye of the storm seemed to reveal a black phantom in his own mind. He looked as if he was walking over the deep sea, wading toward him, getting closer.

"Mr. Scholar, I see it, a hallucination."

"That’s normal. You’ll see a phantom that continues to walk towards you, a completely black version of yourself. This is one of the manifestations of soul splitting. It signifies that your body is ready to lose your talent. The phantom will become clearer, closer, and more unfamiliar. When you can clearly see it, that’s when the Endowment Method begins, and what you see is what Shuishui will become."

"Alright." Shuishui, now back to its spherical form, returned to Lyle’s shoulder.

"Next, you just need to wait for the right moment in your imagination, when it’s about to approach, and imprint its figure onto Shuishui’s body."

"This is for you, Plague Doctor." Mr. Scholar took off the Treasured Jade from his chest, its pale blue color like a gloomy sky. On its cold, smooth surface, wisps of blue smoke slowly emerged, infusing into the nose and mouth, making you feel the intoxicating flow of magic power.

"What is this?"

"A little something that can help you quickly elevate your magic power."

"Your power is still too weak to withstand the surge of magic power. You need to take this time to strengthen your training and try to get as close to the Second Lock as possible. The Endowment Method needs the support of a powerful energy source, but you have to be able to hold your own first."

"Powerful energy source?"

"Or rather, a Magic Network Node. The sky node, Moon Nafar; the ocean node, Mosue; the earth node, Sahazaan; and the fourth node, Morocoy. They are all powerful energy sources, with magic power capable of sustaining an entire city."

So how do I get such a Magic Network Node?

Mr. Scholar smiled, tapping his mask, "This one is called Morocoy."

"The fourth node, and also one of my titles."

"Relax, child," Mr. Scholar said, moving his chains, "When the time comes, I will transfer some of my magic power to you. Don’t worry, for me, it’s just a temporary weakness."

"But, Mr. Scholar, why would you do this, just because of Giant Dragon’s request?"

Mr. Scholar put the Magic Lock back into the cabinet and transformed from a powerful Spellcaster back into a wise scholar, "I once thought I was the strongest, and that my students only needed to follow the path I set out, to become like me."

"I was grossly mistaken. Apocalypse woke me up in a way that was a little hard for me to accept."

"But that’s just how it is, he was right. Without my interference, my students all found their own paths. Andrey transformed from a solo performance to a symphony of many flowers."

"A wise man does not tread the same path of mistakes. I won’t kill your possibilities. You should become what you like."

"Plague Doctor, your talent is unique. You’re on a new path, and you’ll add new colors to Andrey. Although there are some troubles with your talent right now, that’s exactly the role of a teacher, to teach an eaglet to fly."

"If the future you shines in Andrey, it will be my greatest comfort."

Lyle smiled, with no more words to add at that moment.

"Thank you, teacher."

"Will Giant Dragon be jealous of me?"

"If I were a Blue-Feathered Turkey, I think he would be."