Chapter 50 Friends
Pressed against the wall with Silveryn’s body against mine, I found myself sandwiched in place.
Silveryn always emitted a pleasant scent. I hadn’t properly bathed in a week; I hoped it wasn’t an issue.
When I tried to wiggle free, she embraced me even more tightly. It was getting hard to breathe.
“Um… Master… I can’t… breathe…”
“Endure it, just three minutes. No, make it five.”
She was stronger than she looked. It was a mystery where such strength came from in her slender frame.
I craned my neck out from the enclosement of Silveryn’s hold, managing to barely catch my breath.
Struggling for air, I asked Silveryn a question.
“Aren’t you curious about what happened during the entrance exam?”
“Well, I imagine you went around pestering this girl and that.”
“…”
I had intended to keep a low profile, but thinking back, I couldn’t deny her accusation wasn’t far off, leaving me with no retort.
Nevertheless, minutes seemed to have passed, and Silveryn showed no intention of letting go. Was she really planning on filling the full five minutes?
Aside from being a little suffocated, it felt warm and comforting. Though this place and the estate were still strange to me, being embraced by her made it feel like coming home.
I surrendered to Silveryn’s hold and closed my eyes, reflecting on the past for a moment.
From the untamed lands to the entrance exam.
Meeting Silveryn changed everything. I had achieved decent results in the Master’s class and the entrance exam, but I couldn’t afford to be complacent.
All of it was thanks to Silveryn, and without her, I would never have made it this far.
I was still lacking in many areas, and come tomorrow, I’d have to get back to rigorous training. But for now, I could indulge in this brief comfort.
As if reading my thoughts, Silveryn whispered gently.
“You’ve done well, my student.”
“So have you, Master.”
Footsteps approached our position.
Silveryn finally unwrapped her hold and stepped back a few paces from me.
The person who approached us was none other than Liria.
In her hands was a long broom, and she spoke hesitantly.
“Um…”
Silveryn cleared her throat gently and responded.
“Yes? What’s up?”
“The courtyard cleanup you tasked us with is all done. What should we do next…?”
“That’s enough. Go inside.”
“Ah… Yes! Understood.”
Clutching the broom tightly, Liria scurried off quickly. She still seemed to be intimidated in the presence of Silveryn.
Silveryn remained still, with her back to me, periodically pressing her palms to her cheeks without much to say.
To break the sudden silence, I ventured a question.
“But why the sudden cleanup?”
Silveryn usually didn’t care much about gardening.
“We’re expecting a guest.”
Thinking of guests visiting Silveryn’s abode, my mind could only conjure up high-ranking individuals like Eternia’s dean.
She hesitated for a moment before continuing.
“It’s not for a happy occasion.”
***
After a week, I finally indulged in a warm bath. Once I finished and was resting in my room, the maids came in. They were there to treat the remaining minor injuries I had.
Among them was Liria, and she informed me she would be in charge of treating my injuries from now on.
As the maids focused on my treatment, I pondered over the tasks to come.
There were quite a few things during the entrance exam I found inconvenient or lacking.
I needed to find a way to speak without revealing my identity while masked, extend the summoning time for my sword, and modify the griffin potion to take effect immediately after consumption.
On top of that, I had to start learning some elemental magic. The list of things to do was overwhelming.
I suddenly asked Liria, who was examining my wounds.
“Liria, do you have some time?”
“Yes, what for?”
“I need help with something potion-related.”
Liria replied energetically.
“I’m happy to help, it’s part of my job.”
“It’s just that I’ll need you to accompany me to Rigved.”
Liria froze mid-action, going completely stiff.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Of course! I’d love to! I’m excited!”
Life brimmed in Liria’s eyes.
She seemed overjoyed without question, even though she might be inconvenienced by a busy person. Maybe my concerns were unwarranted.
“You sure? It’s not a pleasure trip.”
With a vigorous nod, Liria responded.
“That doesn’t matter. I want to go!”
Being cooped up in a silent castle all day long must have felt suffocating to her.
I had already sought Silveryn’s permission.
Silveryn mentioned the visitors were an envoy from North Pantea, tied to the Barianne family.
Though she said they weren’t coming for pleasant reasons, she didn’t disclose any details to me.
For some reason, Silveryn forbade me from even contacting, let alone meeting with them.
Therefore, I decided to stay in Rigved on the day the envoy would arrive.
It felt almost like being driven out, in a way.
A part of me was incessantly concerned about what the unpleasant matter could be, given Silveryn’s grave approach. It made sense, though, to send me away, as it seemed I couldn’t be of any help.
After my injuries were treated and it was nearly midnight, I sat down for dinner.
Silveryn didn’t eat but kept me company.
I sought her advice regarding voice alteration.
With her chin in her hand, she watched me eat and spoke.
“There are two ways: potion or a magical device.”
I was somewhat familiar with alchemy, so potions seemed the likely option, but Silveryn had other thoughts.
“You are still growing. If you forcibly alter something as delicate as your voice with a potion, you might end up with a strange voice for life.”
“Is that a pretty bad outcome?”
“Yes. And I absolutely can’t allow it. A magical device that alters the flow of air as you speak should be sufficient.”
It seemed challenging to find a device precisely matching my conditions.
“And your mask has such enchantments already. They just haven’t been activated.”
“My mask?”
“Yes. It’s not as simple as turning a candle on and off, but you should be able to adjust the enchantments to fit your needs to some extent.”
I had no idea. The functionalities I needed were already within my grasp.
“Is there any other enchantment besides voice alteration?”
“You cannot look younger, but older, that may be possible.”
It wasn’t an enchantment I required immediately, but the potential was boundless.
The mask had been crafted with meticulous intent; it was more remarkable than I had realized.
“So where should I go to activate these enchantments?”
“Hmm…”
Tapping her lips with her index finger, Silveryn pondered briefly.
Then, she summoned the butler.
“Bring paper and a pen.”
Shortly after, she took the paper from the butler and hastily drew a map, sliding it across to me.
“Wait here.”
She then jotted down a few lines on another sheet before folding it.
Running her palm over the folded paper, smoke rose, leaving behind a seared magic circle.
“Take this letter with you.”
I placed the map and letter safely inside my garments.
“Your mask is crafted by Erzebet, so handling it can be quite troublesome. Don’t show it to just anybody.”
“I understand.”
“Follow the map I drew. However, don’t mention you’re coming at my introduction, nor that you’re my student.”
Why, I wondered? Being known as Silveryn’s student had never disadvantaged me.
“Is there a reason?”
She avoided my gaze and replied.
“Just don’t. Say you come introduced by Erzebet. If it’s that person, they will recognize your bracelet or mask straight away.”
My head spun. Was it alright to invoke the name of the dean without permission?
“Is that really okay?”
“Of course.”
Silveryn’s assertiveness left no room for further questioning.
“And if somehow that magus learns you’re my student, give him the letter.”
“Would it be dangerous if found out?”
Considering I was taking Liria with me, I needed to be cautious.
“No, it shouldn’t turn out that way.”
No further explanation was offered.
What was it that made Silveryn take such caution? Were they sworn enemies? My curiosity grew.
I had never suffered or faced consequences by listening to Silveryn before, so my only option was to trust and go along.
“Got it.”
***
Two days later, I left with Liria early in the morning by carriage towards Rigved.
I didn’t wear my mask this time and didn’t bring my wooden sword either.
Most of the new students were staying in Rigved, and it was likely that even those who could recognize me—Cecil, Lilith, Sion—would be there.
Currently with Liria in tow, I didn’t particularly want to get involved with them.
Rattling in the carriage, I took a moment to observe her. She was either nervous or clenched her fist, pressing her thigh firmly.
There was an inexplicable determination in her expression.
“Um…Liria.”
“Yes, yes?”
“Are you okay?”
She looked a bit flustered in her eyes.
“Oh. Uh… Is it too obvious that I’m nervous?”
“Yes.”
“This is actually my first time really seeing a big city…”
It seemed Liria hadn’t had the chance to explore during her previous visit.
“And seeing so many people my age on the streets for the first time…it’s really exciting and a bit scary.”
“You’ll get used to it quickly.”
I remembered being amazed when I first saw it. To Liria, who had lived her life in serene Wiesel, this was a novel experience.
“You’re much more mature than I thought.”
“…”
No, not really. I felt as nervous as she did but for a different reason. It was about the person to whom I would entrust my mask.
My association with the famous Silveryn had inevitably spread my name, too. If that magus had a sharp ear, I was bound to be exposed.
What if the magus truly was Silveryn’s nemesis?
I didn’t know. I had to crash into it and think later.
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