Chapter 155

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Chapter 155

Sylas’s alarm bells rang loudly in her mind. Using her sharp memory, she tried to mention a few classes that only the most dedicated researchers would choose. With each name she mentioned, Xerath nodded in agreement, and finally asked, "Did you choose Eilan’s class? Since you have so much free time in school, you can select classes based on your interests."

Seeing Sylas frown and show disapproval, Xerath added, "Of course, if you enjoy participating in some extracurricular activities, it won’t hinder your studies and there won’t be any personal danger, I will agree. You can also apply to join clubs on your own."

"Clubs?"

"They’re peculiar groups that organize activities to fill the void in life."

"Have any teachers participated in any of them?"

Xerath shook her head, then nodded after a while. "I participated in a group called Contract Spells Research Association. That’s where I got the inspiration for my graduation thesis. My mentor was Professor Eilan, who is knowledgeable about various types of contracts. She also teaches a course called ‘Knowledge of Demons,’ which is an elective course. It’s very interesting and you can learn a lot about contract spells and understand many strange creatures." She winked at the attentive little creature.

Sylas suddenly remembered a succubus named Kuowa and asked her, "For example…a succubus?"

"Did you see her succubus?" Xerath widened her eyes. "She doesn’t often let the succubus come out. Succubus creatures themselves are very seductive demons, especially for males. In fact, it is said that there are many areas in the school where Eilan is not allowed to summon a succubus."

Sylas remembered Kuowa’s seductive voice and how she clung to Eilan’s side gracefully, which seemed to match the content she had read in those books. Men like attractive and provocative women (though they may not respect them), so she somewhat understood the reason for this rule.

"I saw…they are very beautiful creatures. Their charm cannot be fully depicted in the illustrations. Can we see other demons in class?"

"Yes, Mrs. Eilan takes us secretly to observe the demon territory, and she also summons some of her contractors, like cunning imps or succubi."

"Wow, but what kind of mage is she?"

"She is an elemental mage. But she also studies demon contracts. Everyone…the researchers, they all know how to have fun on their own."

"Hmm…I noticed that the courses on the elemental magic researcher’s curriculum are all very pure. I thought everyone would study very pure things when they come out."

Xerath smiled and said, "It’s normal to have thoughts like these. But research shouldn’t have so many rules and regulations, so many people choose to study what they love."

"But what about shadow magic? Shouldn’t it also be studied without any restrictions?"

Xerath sighed and replied, "This involves ethical issues, it’s too complicated. When you… grow a little older, we can discuss this further."

"How much older do I have to be? Until I become an adult?" Becoming an adult was a peculiar point in time, as if everything would be allowed on that day. But in reality, there were still many things Xerath wouldn’t allow her to do, like… hugging her.

Xerath sighed again, sensing Sylas’s defiance and realizing that she just wanted to argue with her. "When we say ‘grow up,’ we mean having a greater understanding of the things you see, hear, feel, and think about. It means experiencing more. For example, in extreme cases, once you witness the damage caused by intense spells in shadow magic, understand the rights that people should have, and observe the researcher’s susceptibilities and influences during their studies, then you can immediately discuss it with me."

Sylas pouted.

To be honest, Xerath felt quite frustrated. She had ended two topics that she had started herself and didn’t understand why she always wanted to dampen Sylas’s enthusiasm. Instinctively, she felt like she should apologize to Sylas, at least be gentler – like turning around and embracing her, softly requesting forgiveness in her ear.

No, no, Archmage, what are you thinking?

"Teacher, what should I do after I graduate?"

"Don’t you have anything you want to do?"

Sylas shook her head. She wanted to stay in the tower, but Xerath didn’t need an apprentice or an assistant. She still hadn’t forgotten that Xerath had once wanted to sell her. It was only because she was afraid that letting herself go into the wild would cause a disaster that she reluctantly stayed. But Xerath had also said that she wanted her company, not just for a few decades, but forever and ever.

Maybe until the end of the world.

But only an archmage can do that, right? None of the archmages were apprentices or assistants before becoming archmages, so leaving seemed inevitable. But the thought of leaving Xerath made her feel lost.

"What do regular mages do after graduation?"

Xerath thought for a moment and said, "Usually, they wait to publish a research paper after graduation, so they don’t have to list their teacher as a co-author. Then they can quickly be invited to attend certain conferences and join certain circles, sharing resources and inspiring each other. Networking is important. There used to be a union for students from the surrounding towers of Sotralo, where everyone would go to meet new friends. It was easier to become famous together."

"…What if that path doesn’t work out?"

"If you don’t feel like talking to others, you can just focus on researching a task assigned by the Mage Guild. If you’re lucky, you can become famous in one go." This was Xerath’s own story of becoming famous. "But I’m not sure if you can take the same path as me, because this task had Emerson’s personal interests involved, and my senior brothers and sisters also provided some help to me, which is why I was able to solve non-linear relationship problems so quickly."

Sylas didn’t quite understand. "Can’t it be replicated?"

"The main point is that I don’t lack money… Otherwise, applying for research funds would cost me my life. To apply for funds to maintain the operation of a mage tower, I have to continuously write papers and publish them."

"So, even if I graduate and have my own tower, will you continue to guide me?"

Xerath blinked mischievously, "Can’t really say it’s ‘guiding’, the relationship between mages is equal. I might give you some pointers, but not guidance." And, you’ll have to accompany me. But that statement is too embarrassing for archmage to say out loud, so it stays locked inside.

Sylas felt a sense of certainty that even after graduation, Xerath wouldn’t completely leave her. The sight of Xerath’s smiling face pleased the archmage, and Sylas had the impulse to lean on her shoulder, but the archmage sensed the danger and quietly stepped aside.

The sensitive little beast felt the sudden distance and pretended to redirect her attention to the book. Damn it, it always happens, always accidentally crossing Xerath’s boundaries and ruining the rare atmosphere.

The relationship between the two fluctuated subtly, the weather changing from good to bad. During storms, the archmage became particularly gloomy, as if she became a deity. When the weather was sunny, she was also sunny, always having a glow on her face. Sylas also learned how to resist this almost uncontrollable temptation. Every time she wanted to get close to this respectable and lovable person, she forced herself to withdraw.

But sometimes she wondered if Xerath had sensed this irresistible attraction earlier than she did, which made her choose the method of "withdrawal" coincidentally. This possibility excited her, causing her whole body to tremble and her hands and feet to turn cold. On nights when the sound of footsteps lingered almost imperceptibly, she closed her eyes and fantasized about those footsteps returning to her door. The dark and taciturn solitary mage would lift her blanket, then suddenly lock her between his arms, taking away her ability to move and speak, and forcefully taking…

Virginity.

She didn’t fully understand what it meant, but in the books she secretly read while avoiding Xerath, it seemed to refer to some forbidden, exciting, and wonderful things.

But this almost always remained a fantasy for her, she couldn’t even be sure if the footsteps outside the door were real, and she dared not open the door to check, afraid that it would startle the person lingering there, and even more afraid that it would destroy the foundation of her illusions in her mind.

Sometimes Xerath would escort her into the room, silently watching her get into bed, sometimes reaching out to touch her face, but there would no longer be goodnight kisses. After that, the sound of footsteps would begin to linger, making it overly exciting for Sylas’s innocent thoughts to fall asleep in her fantasies, perhaps waking up the next day accompanied by the sound of footsteps.

Sometimes the archmage would come in the mornings to wake her up, her hair was still not much longer, just short hair that reached her shoulders, hanging down smoothly due to its soft texture. Her clothing was no longer casual, every time Sylas saw her, she would be wearing a black robe. She would lean silently against the door, waiting for Sylas to finish washing up and change clothes, usually closing her eyes and meditating. When she saw Sylas occasionally buttoning the wrong buttons, she would walk up behind her, push her in front of the mirror, and reach out from behind, gesturing in the air to show her where she had dressed incorrectly.

Very occasionally, she would help Sylas button up her clothes again, but most of the time she wouldn’t. This sudden change made Sylas feel embarrassed and shy, they were too close to each other, able to smell each other’s scent, and she could even sink into the archmage’s embrace, almost unable to resist leaning on her.

At this point, both of them would unconsciously move away from each other, carefully and consciously creating a distance.

Of course, the archmage also noticed this subtle change and became more cautious, always afraid of scaring away the little beast, suspecting that she had already noticed the different thoughts her dignified teacher had for her.

She refused all of her intimate requests, but when Sylas no longer made any requests, she felt lost.

This change plunged every living creature in the house into a mysterious fear and awkwardness, it settled for about twenty days before the new understanding finally formed, they all learned to keep a distance that would prevent the atmosphere from becoming awkward, a distance where they could no longer smell each other’s scent.

Everyone was carefully maintaining it, fearing that it would collapse again if they were careless.