Vance is apparently finished with the test. He was staring at the door intently waiting for my return and when he saw me re-entering the classroom, his eyes lit up.
"Master, you're back! I am done with the test,".
I nodded with a gentle smile, various thoughts came flooding in my mind that I couldn't be as enthusiastic as him. "Great, let me check on it while you wait," I took the papers and examined his answers.
Vance's eyes did not leave me for a second, as if he's trying to measure every inch of my movements and imprinting every reaction I did into his mind.
He knew that his mother clearly said something to her, possibly about her leaving the capital and going back to Frigore. But he was also positive that his mother told her a secret that he didn't know.
Vance didn't really care much about the secrets surrounding the Frigores. He also knew his mother best, a woman who shows love to her son but with a distance, slightly indifferent but still cares about him regardless. However, he couldn't forgive if someone dare to change Carina's mind. Especially if Carina is not by his side.
"This...," I mumbled, slightly taken aback.
Vance perked up his shoulders. "What's wrong? Did I have any mistakes at all?,".
This is surprising and astounding.
I know from Hill's investigation that the pills Vance's been consuming is a mana suppressant which can cause one's mental age to regress while physically they grow, so because of that memory can be easily become scattered as the mental age shifts differently time to time.
So, how did Vance manage to score this test so well?
I deliberately put all the syllabus I taught him into this test to gauge his abilities so I can put my plans into motion. He shouldn't have got all correct because there were some questions that I didn't even taught him yet. Vance really did exceed my expectations.
Vance is a genius.
"The pills can jumble your memories right? I believe some of the lessons I taught you as the 'other' you were here in the test too. Did you manage to study this by yourself?,"
"I managed to recover my memories and piece it together easily," he said nonchalantly.
Can that even happen? Memories are the most delicate thing that humans possess. Hence, mana can't easily alter or manipulate them, doesn't matter whether it is deleted, arranged, or brought back together. It's a different story, though, if there is such a huge mana from a powerful mage...or a god even.
I looked down in remorse. My healing powers extend to such a powerful state. With these powers, I could've saved thousands of people.
But in all of my 100 lives, I know life is unfair. To save everyone is such an idealistic and selfish dream. However, what if you have the power for that?
Am I really a villainess after all?
'Geona, you and me, we aren't so different. Don't act so high and mighty'.
"Master," Vance placed his hand on mine, looking at me worryingly. I quickly realized the position where I am at.
I am Carina now. Not Archmage Geona.
"I am sorry for spacing out," I sighed. All that talk with Uld about the war with the demons is making me lose focus. I gave him a wide smile.
No matter how many times I am reincarnated, my memories as Archmage Geona that was about 300 years ago is still fresh in my mind. Unfortunately, they were the memories I certainly wanted to forget the most.
War changes people. And that's how I changed too.
"It seems my student here scores so well that I am so surprised. So I was thinking of a suitable reward. How about I grant you any wish?,"
Vance narrowed his eyes as he stares at me, as if focusing on the options. He smirked, leaning slightly forward, closing the distance between us.
There was a slight pause. "Master, telling that to an impatient and passionate man is very...dangerous,".