Chapter 236

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Chapter 236

Leunen’s little trick was exposed, but she didn’t feel any shame as expected. She still had a confident face and said, "You should be happier, find out why you’re unhappy and try to satisfy your own needs. For the sake of your goal, you shouldn’t anger the king just because you’re throwing a tantrum."

"Who exactly do you have a contract with? Me or her?"

"I’m doing this for your own good. One day, you will understand the water lord’s intentions. Why are you not happy?"

"Is it even necessary to say?" Sylas hugged her knees and thought to herself, "I want to reach out to her, but I can’t. I just want things to stay the same, but she always wants to push me away. It was so hard for me to come back."

"Don’t worry about that. If you keep obsessing over these questions, you will eventually anger the king and get kicked out." However, Sylas never asked why Leunen called Xerath a "king." It felt natural to her, as all elemental creatures had to submit to Xerath.

"It’s difficult. I only have this one thing on my mind right now."

"Think about your past experiences. In situations like this, we usually have only one solution."

"Hmm?"

"Do something to please the king, grab her attention back, instead of sitting here complaining. She won’t fall for these tricks, she might even get annoyed."

"Really?" asked Sylas nervously.

"If it were you, wouldn’t you get tired of it? A little girl who only throws tantrums, but doesn’t think of solving the problem?"

The slippery water lord’s words made Sylas unable to argue. It was true, even if it were her, she would dislike a little girl who acted this way.

"But what should I do?"

The water lord curled its features like a snake, whispering with a flattering and gentle voice. If one didn’t pay attention to what it was saying, others would think it was an evil creature tempting this beautiful and innocent girl. "You really have to think about it, our master doesn’t have many likes. In fact, there are just a few things."

Sylas really started thinking, sitting cross-legged on Leunen, resting against its soft and elastic body, counting on her fingers. "First and foremost, I have to show initiative and start working for her to take notice of me. The so-called work is definitely about writing good papers. But to please her, it’s not enough to just talk to her about plans, I have to take action for her to be satisfied. That means creating a comprehensive plan, completing all the preparations beforehand, and only then presenting it to her as a surprise. First, I need to find literature to read, gather as many references as possible, complete the literature review, and then…"

She rambled on and on, afraid of forgetting, so she quickly leaned on Leunen’s broad body, jotting down all these things in her little notebook.

Leunen secretly sighed, this was the experience it got from its cousin who was used to serving the elemental envoy. As long as it deceived them into starting work, most of the emotional problems would be resolved. It seemed that the only heir to the Elemental King and she were on the same page, with almost no difference. Even though this little elemental envoy always shouted that her only goal in life was to be with Xerath and make Xerath look at her more.

Under the guidance of these water lord stewards’ tricks, the inexperienced young girl quickly shifted her focus to work and soon regained her vitality. All of this would also make the great monarch of the Elemental Gate feel contented, and thus, the rare smile would return to her face, and the days of the elements would also improve greatly.

Its cousin truly lived up to its reputation as an old expert who had been serving the lord for thirty years, and clarified the complex symbiotic relationship between humans. Just as it was thinking about this, Hyectra drifted past it and sprayed a friendly fountain at it. Leunen took it all in and proudly straightened its chest.

For mages who are not good at communication, these two capable water lord stewards are extremely important in this realm of the elements.

After busying herself for a while, Sylas finally decided it was time to show Xerath her research results. She believed she was well-prepared: every board for display was made and labeled in order; the work plan and tables were also clear and beautifully laid out, with strong readability; the references (though not many) were all carefully selected valuable information; she even woke up two hours earlier to dress up extra, besides the usual suit, she specifically put on a vest and tied a tie.

She doesn’t dress like this in the tower normally, only for formal occasions.

Xerath seemed not to notice anything unusual, she didn’t even question Sylas quickly finishing her meal and running to the library first. It wasn’t until they entered the library and sat down in her own seat that Xerath noticed something was off and asked, "Sylas, what’s going on?"

Sylas said happily, "I have some ideas about thesis I want to tell you."

"Please go ahead." Xerath shifted her position in the chair, adopting a more formal posture, crossing her hands and placing them on the table, also putting on her glasses.

Sylas quickly placed the things she had prepared in front of Xerath. "Teacher, I think you must have some understanding of my witchcraft studies at school. I believe this is a very valuable topic. First, witchcraft, this kind of ‘magic’ is not just a rural trick as people mistakenly think. Witchcraft follows certain established rules. In fact, some of Emerson’s research has already shown this. Witchcraft also has its own syntax, but it doesn’t use the ancient Snepian language and ancient Saitian language that we often use."

"I understand, please continue."

"Secondly, many of the existing information about witchcraft inaccurately conveys this information. Most of the things you can find in the library are just gossip about witchcraft and don’t truly attempt to rationally study the relationship between these so-called ‘witchcraft’ and the phenomena it produces. Unfortunately, even the serious research articles on witchcraft spells only have a few, most of which are scattered. The study of witchcraft is mostly spread out in folklore studies, poetry, dance, and painting. It is studied as a traditional symbol of decoration. But I have to point out that the value of witchcraft is much more than that."

Xerath’s chin had long been resting on her crossed hands, her brow furrowed, her gaze fixed on her intently. This was her expression of listening carefully, with a wise and sharp look that locked onto her eyes, and Sylas even felt a bit of an ant-like sensation, as if being locked in a storm.

"The analysis and study of certain ‘magic’ spells will be a key that will open a door and allow us to rediscover the magic of language. As far as I know, records of witchcraft and related history often appear together with some important historical events. My research will provide new insights for these so-called historical texts. I have presented my plan to you."

Xerath pushed her glasses and shifted her focused gaze onto the stack of papers that Sylas handed her, fastened with a paperclip.

Beautiful handwriting, a precise plan that extended to every detail, she couldn’t help but nod. A very good habit, this was a work that she had poured all her efforts into.

"I want to use the topic of the evolution of Methylani Principality’s local dialect and its relationship with the widely spread local ‘magic’ in terms of syntax and pronunciation. As you can see, I have done a lot of preparation. I have found some known local witchcraft, of which there are probably four with special casting effects. There is also a small booklet on quick learning of Methylani vernacular compiled by a Silk Road merchant over three hundred years ago. It will help us analyze its pronunciation and meaning. And…"

She excitedly talked a lot, speaking faster and faster, but Xerath’s scrutinizing gaze remained on her face, her beautiful eyes slowly changing angles with the movements of her head, and at this distance, she could even see the shimmering shapes flowing in the gray.

Xerath was very interested, you could tell from her eyes. Sylas accidentally got drawn in when she looked back, staring into Xerath’s eyes. She couldn’t help but take a step forward, wanting to lean in and kiss her furrowed brow.

The archmage suddenly sighed.

"Sylas, that’s enough."

"…" Sylas was a bit confused. She thought Xerath would be interested. A huge sense of failure weighed on her shoulders. The gaze just now turned out to be her imagination. She almost wanted to cry and asked softly, "What did I do wrong?"

Xerath looked up, still focused on her. "Everything was good, that’s why I was worried. It’s interesting and valuable. Personally, I really like it. You also have a great passion for the topic you selected. You did so much preparation on your own, without even asking for my opinion. It was very meticulous and outstanding."

"Then why…"

"That’s the reason, you didn’t listen to me."

Sylas looked at her in disbelief, "Just because of that? Just because I didn’t listen? You weren’t like this before. I thought I had absolute freedom in researching anything."

"You misunderstood," Xerath sighed again, "I don’t know why you ignored it. But on the day of your graduation ceremony, I told you that witchcraft can be studied, but it should never be seen by the public. This statement didn’t get enough of your attention."

Sylas frowned and looked at her with confusion. She vaguely remembered something like this, but that day she was so happy to see Xerath again that it slipped her mind.

"Witchcraft is a taboo that is second only to shadow spells, although the reasons for the taboo and the severity of it are different."

"But…"