Chapter 277

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Chapter 277

However, compared to Xerath, Sylas still had a small dissatisfaction.

Although this position was so close to Xerath that she could almost see her delicate and beautiful profile just by turning her head, and could even catch a whiff of her fragrance, sometimes even accidentally touching her arm, every time she called out to Xerath, Xerath would look up and then absentmindedly look at her, as if she didn’t know where her mind had wandered off to.

Life finally returned to its original track, but not entirely. Sylas continued with her thesis and related experiments, but Xerath also became involved in her work – after finishing her own daily tasks. Sometimes she helped Sylas find information, sometimes they discussed together, and even assisted during experiments.

It would probably make the members of the Knights’ Order envy to hear – the archmage of the High Peaks Flower as an assistant! Only Emerson and Sashara had such a privilege in the world.

The members of the Knights’ Order still maintained close contact with her, but most of the conversations were to obtain information about Xerath.

In the nearly one-month period when they were away, someone leaked the news of the archmage’s attack. Letters of condolence flew into their home like snowflakes. Shamodial even refused to deliver them and intercepted Xerath on her way to the furniture store, asking her to take the letters back herself.

Many of these letters came from the knights and brought some interesting information.

"There are rampant rumors about the archmage staging this attack. I even suspect that Sauran, who is still alive but imprisoned, and claims to be a victim as well, is behind the defamation. But enough about that, we just want to know if our idol is okay. Will she accept some gifts?"

Sylas conveyed the second half of the message. Xerath smiled and said she didn’t need anything, but since the knights were so kind, Honorable Knight could fully represent her and invite her to have afternoon tea.

After the Lich attack, Xerath’s attitude towards her loosened. They seemed to return to the happy and carefree times they once hoped for, chatting endlessly together. But that was it… only that. Sylas used to be content with this kind of interaction, but now, she knew she wanted more.

Yet, Xerath had already rejected her, silently making her feel as if she were facing an invisible but palpable and boundless wall.

It’s fine like this, she told herself many times. At least, she could have most of what she wanted, except for hugs and kisses (maybe something else, but she wasn’t quite sure). Xerath had already fulfilled everything she desired.

As if out of gratitude for saving her life.

The table took two months to repair, according to Xerath, because the particular wood used was very rare and they had to wait for it to be available. Therefore, during these two months, Xerath’s table looked especially crowded.

But fortunately, under the supervision of someone and in favorable conditions with a relaxed mood, Sylas wrote her paper very quickly. In the end, Xerath concluded, "I think you can catch up with this year’s evaluation. The experiment in this area is already very well done."

This is great. Sylas herself became more and more enthusiastic about the project at hand, and for a while, her pursuit of research goals even completely replaced Xerath herself – of course, it was because the old master sat next to her every day.

For this, she put forward a conjecture, "I think, to some extent, scrolls and crystals are the same. Both are like music boxes. You just store energy in them and then release it in the appropriate way."

Xerath smiled at her and said, "Many people have thought about this problem. My teacher, Emerson, is a strong supporter of this theory. This theory believes that there is a ‘basic force’. The waterfall falls from a height because the water releases this ‘basic force’ during the fall, and this basic force comes from the height it is in."

"But what exactly gives water its height?"

"It is endless, and the biggest reason for the condemnation of this school is that it challenges the Creator’s omniscience and omnipotence."

Sylas thought for a moment and felt that there was indeed some truth to it. "The ‘basic force’ is like a tree. If the trunk is the Creator, it gives a ‘basic force,’ and then this ‘basic force’ oscillates and changes in all phenomena."

But who exactly drives the Creator? What made it come into being?

Xerath laughed and said, "During the war of the undead, questioning the Creator would get you nailed to a coffin and burned alive. Even after that, it has not been recognized because this question cannot be resolved."

"But don’t you think this is quite right?"

Xerath propped her head up and asked softly, "So how does the power of elements come about? How do they participate in this balance?"

Sylas said discontentedly, "I think Emerson’s books must have the answers. I want to go take a look."

Xerath smiled and shook her head, saying, "I would rather you jot down this idea, finish your current paper first. You’ll have plenty of time to ponder these peculiar questions later."

This urging made Sylas unable to help but think more. Completing the paper marked one-third of her graduation process. Xerath was certainly happy to see this outcome because she was eager to graduate herself.

"Graduation" represents her officially becoming a mage and having to find her new place of residence.

But she jokingly thought: there’s still the practical exam. Even though she can apply for exemption from the practical tasks with the four-colored silk, there are still mission tasks. As long as she keeps failing them, she can indefinitely delay her graduation.

But Xerath will definitely find a solution, right? If the archmage’s disciple can’t graduate, wouldn’t they become a laughingstock for everyone?

She leisurely wrote her paper, occasionally conflicting and apprehensively thinking about her plan. But the paper isn’t even ready yet, so of course she isn’t too concerned about it.

In the time when autumn peaches were ripe, Xerath’s dwarf friend gave her lots of peaches. On the day when the peaches at home were all eaten, Xerath brought many forms and documents for Sylas to sign. Sylas picked them up and thought they looked big and asked with disgust, "What is this?"

"Application forms, a pain that everyone has to go through. But you’re lucky, I helped you complete them." She suddenly looked up mischievously and smiled, "You know? If you paid someone to do it for you, it would usually cost around fifty gold coins."

"Wow, that’s a lot of money." Virgil once told her, "To buy an ordinary kid like you, it only takes five gold coins." Fifty gold coins could buy ten kids, what about buying five Titus?

"So, should you show some gratitude for saving fifty gold coins?"

Although the old wizard never did this before, it doesn’t mean Sylas didn’t understand what he meant. In fact, after studying for two years, she had seen many scenes like this.

"What would you like to eat? Shall we go out?" Fifty gold coins would also be enough to have a meal at the finest restaurant in Withered Leaf City.

Xerath smiled and shook her head, "Nislan cuisine? Sign the papers first, quickly, and we still need to get dressed and prepare to go out."

Sylas quickly signed all the papers. Xerath told her where to sign, and she signed there. Then she ran back to her room to change into her going-out clothes.

The weather in September was slightly cool. Xerath wore that gray old coat. Although Sylas knew that the coat was at least seven or eight years old or even longer, it still didn’t look like a very old piece of clothing.

Just like Xerath herself, always looking fresh, young, and with a tendency to look even younger now. She couldn’t help but remember when Xerath used her magical powers to draw mustaches on her own face with a pen.

On the last day of September, she basically finished her paper, and now it was time for the tiresome task of revising and polishing. During this process, Xerath would occasionally ask some sharp questions, which initially made Sylas flustered and even despondently asked, "Teacher, do you suddenly lack confidence in my paper?"

Unlike the gentle and amiable days before, Xerath’s sharp gaze stared at her and said, "Raise your head, look at me, don’t lower it."

Sylas forced herself to meet her gaze, but her guilty conscience made her involuntarily lower her head again.

Xerath hooked her chin and insisted that she lift it up. "Don’t lower your head, look at me. No matter what you’re thinking, how scared you are, and how uncertain you feel, the first thing you have to do is to maintain your confidence."

"Hmm… hmm." But her eyes kept evading, attempting to avoid Xerath’s gaze several times. Half of her guilt was because of the paper, and the other half was due to the fear of Xerath being able to read some ardor and intentions from her eyes.

Xerath pinched her chin and explained, "During the paper defense, you will have to face dozens, or even dozens of groups of impatient and sarcastic old men, who are stupid youngsters. They don’t even have such a pleasing face like mine. Don’t expose any weaknesses on your face, or else you will definitely be relentlessly attacked."

Sylas’s eyes widened in fear.

Xerath comfortingly patted her shoulder and said, "There may also be people there to listen in. If you unfortunately break down in tears on stage, even more people will see you as a joke."

This is not comforting at all.

"If I didn’t know you, if I hadn’t been involved in this paper from beginning to end, I would definitely ask these questions. You can’t expect to dismiss them with a ‘Why don’t you look at the paper yourself?’ This is your chance, your opportunity to showcase your unique thought process. You must seize it. Now, try to answer me. Sometimes, people intentionally get stuck in trivial details. Don’t let yourself be dragged down, but also don’t arrogantly refuse to answer. Think about those two questions and answer them for me tomorrow."