"I am surprised you're still chopping vegetables," said Lumina walking inside while leaving the door open.
"Lumina?" Celes reflexed put the knife on the table and stood up. "You're still here? I thought you were going home. Wait a moment! I will prepare tea."
"No need." Lumina sat on the chair.
On the table, like before. There is a knife, vegetables, and a basin full of water. Celes has nothing to do. Training her hands so she won't forget how to cook is just something to pass the time.
Celes sat down. The atmosphere is awkward for the girl. It might be because of what happened yesterday. Will they continue the conversation? Thinking about that, make Celes feel anxious.
"By the way, what are you talking about with the chief?" Celes forced her smile.
"You may not realize it, but you are actually trapped in this village. The same as other people who live here."
"Huh?! Trapped? What do you mean?"
"There is a barrier surrounding the forest."
This is the reason Lumina went to the forest with Argus and Celes. She wanted to confirm the barrier and the chief's intention. When a person passes through the barrier, that person will be exposed to an illusion so no one could not enter or exit.
"Eh? I mean, it's true that I got lost before, but—"
"Without me, it's almost impossible for you to get out."
Celes speechless. So, that's why this place is secluded, Celes thought. The barrier can be bypassed by flying over the forest though. Of course, Celes who is still a beginner doesn't have the ability to do that.
"I am sorry." She just made a terrible mistake by not telling Lumina and now she regrets it. "Also for yesterday. I apologized, I ran away."
"Your apologies are not needed."
Celes raised her head. She took a breath and prepared herself. It always happens. Lumina purposely didn't close the door this time so that Celes can run away and feel bad about herself again later.
"You know what I want to say, do you?"
Even if Celes escapes again, tomorrow Lumina will come again with the same lecture. No matter what, her teacher won't stop.
"Thank you for being patient with me."
"Then stop running away!" Lumina's expression, tone, and pose never change. "You are a hard worker, Celes. However, you're too greedy. I will say this again. Right now, you're just wasting my time."
"Uh!"
Lumina said the same thing yesterday. The pain was doubled now she heard it again.
"You won't learn a thing by doing this. With your current abilities, it will take you a hundred years to create your first grimoire. Before that happens, you will die for sure. Remember about our agreement. Until I acknowledge your skill, I won't teach you anything related to magic. It is been 6 months, yet you show no improvement. I am truly disappointed."
Celes screamed inside. Her hands shaking. She wanted to cover her ears.
"You're not running away anymore?" asked Lumina, giving Celes a break.
Cele sighed. "I promise, I won't run away until you finish."
"I see." Lumina watched Celes for a second. "You have too many goals. Tell me, how much time do you need to become a professional chef?"
Considering her parents taught her from a young age, maybe almost ten years or so. It takes effort and patience to last that long. Even some people are born with talent, but without experience and knowledge, they are still nothing.
"As your teacher, I want you to stop doing all of this."
"But… I don't want to stop." Celes in a small voice.
"I didn't tell you to stop making grimoire. I told you to stop wasting my time. There is a procedure for everything. Take one step at a time. You think you can start cooking without gathering all the ingredients needed?"
"No, you can't."
"Shut up!" replied lumina feeling irritated.
"I am sorry!"
"When it's the right time. You can continue with your research. Because in my eyes right now, you look confused."
"Confused?"
"Your goal is obvious, but you don't know how to reach it. That's why you've never made any improvement. Before you make a grimoire, you need to learn a lot of things. While I won't teach you anything yet, I will give you advice until I see your improvement."
Celes is listening.
"That is why I suggest that you study at the Academy."
"Wait? Why academy?"
Celes agrees, Academy is such a great place to learn magic. However, she didn't understand why their conversation had come to this point.
"Go to the academy. Learn magic properly. Rather than self-study, which is not efficient in your case. I can't help much in your state right now. It may take three to five years, but the results are much more certain than doing random stuff like what you are doing right now."
"Actually," Celes looked away. "I tried the test a month ago and failed."
"You tried, and you never tell me about it?"
"I thought I could pass. But I guess I am too optimistic about that."
After one time, Celes was certain that she couldn't pass the test. The test requires magic skills, knowledge, experience, and many more important aspects. That's why she just gave up right away.
"Based on your abilities, it doesn't surprise me if you fail."
"Uh, then, why are you suggesting that?"
"There are three categories of people who can be accepted to study at the academy. Celes, do you remember what kind of test they did to determine whether you can pass or not?"
Celes is thinking trying to remember.
"If I am not wrong, there are three tests. It's knowledge and ability. I am not sure about the last one. I think they measure everyone's magic with some kind of device."
"I am sure you failed at everything."
"Ugh, don't mention that, please."
For Celes, it was a tiring and unforgettable day. She practiced, read, and did a lot of stuff, but then everything she did felt useless when she found out that she didn't pass the test. Since it was an embarrassing event, she never told anyone about this.
"Anyway, the first category is based on how talented the people are. A tiny number of people were successfully accepted based on their knowledge. The Academy focuses on someone who has talent such as their abilities and magic measurement. Measurement is based on your capability to store magic and how much magic output you can produce in your body. They have a high probability of being accepted."
"I guess that won't work for me."
"The second one is noble."
"Are we talking about money now? Can we skip this part?"
Not everything is about money. Lumina wants to correct Celes, but she doesn't see any point in doing that, so she just continues to the last part.
"The last one is with a letter of recommendation."
Celes understands what the last one means.
Here is the question.
For someone to be able to learn magic, you need to go to the academy. However, you need to pass the test to become a student there. To pass the test, you need to have an experience with magic. This creates a vicious cycle that will never stop.
How is it possible for someone to enter the academy when they can't even do magic in the first place?
This case is the same as what happened with Celes. It's impossible to learn magic by yourself. Therefore, many people who want to learn magic will look for their private magic teacher.
"Lumina, is it possible for you to recommend me to the academy?"
"No. They won't accept a recommendation letter from a criminal."
For someone with the nickname of the Witch of Destruction, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her one of the most dangerous people in the world. Lumina has a big bounty on her head.
"Then, how?"
"That's not important! What you need to decide is, will you go to the academy, or are you gonna keep doing this?"
It's a simple question. However, for Celes, the choice she is about to make would probably lead to a big change in her life. Usually, Lumina would give the girl a few days to think. This time, Lumina doesn't have the patience to do that. She wants to hear the answer right away.
"I am waiting."
"But, you said, they won't accept your recommendation."
"It's not for you to think about that, Celes. Just answer my question."
If Celes goes to the academy, her skill will be much better. Her biggest concern is, how about her as Lumina's disciple? Will she stop seeing her?
"I… still want to become your apprentice."
Celes' confused face is as clear as day. It became the last rope that tied her before deciding a decision. Lumina just need to remove it.
"Don't get me wrong, Celes. No matter what choice you will make, study at the academy or you can continue what you are doing right now. I am still your teacher. In a few days, the academy will begin the ceremony for new students. That's why we're talking about this."
"You're still gonna be my teacher?"
Lumina just lower her shoulders. For some reason, Celes was getting afraid to imagine that in the future Lumina will stop being her teacher.
"Ugh, alright. I will go to the academy." Celes, who finally managed to decide, let out a big breath. "You said you can't recommend me. So, how can I enter the academy? Since the test is already impossible unless I try it next year."
"That's for me to think about."
When Lumina said that, Celes always have a bad feeling. After all, she is the Witch of destruction. Threatening, blackmailing, and violence are always the way.
"You're not gonna do something dangerous, are you? Actually, please don't!"
"You will study there for years. It will lead to a serious problem in the future. "
Lumina stood, planning to leave.
"You have no reason to stay here now. Get everything done. I will come again tomorrow morning."
"Actually…"
"What is it now?"
"Can I stay in this village for a few more days?"
Since Lumina had already taken care of the chief, the girl must be safe. Also, they have time until the ceremony begins.
"I will give you three days. I will come back after you're done."
Lumina left the house.
A lot of things happened this week. At least, Celes is glad she had her worries gone. Still, Lumina told her to go to the academy isn't something Celes would expect.