"What is that supposed to mean?"
Henry took a step back, avoiding Judy.
She stood straight and glared at him. It didn't seem like she just cried a few minutes earlier. Her sudden change startled a few.
"Henry…"
Sabrina walked forward. She stared at him in a daze. She didn't know what to say, and his wind spell replayed within her mind. It occupied her thoughts and prevented her from forming a sentence.
"It's you. What do you want?"
Henry took another step back. It was a hint to the crowd that he didn't have intentions to be involved with these women. Otherwise, who knew what kind of trouble would find him next time?
Lately, women had been the source of his troubles.
"I-I… Your magic… big!" Sabrina stuttered, unable to get her thoughts straight.
The onlookers gave her weird gazes after hearing her words. They looked at each other with shocked expressions.
The connotation of 'your magic big' was different in their minds. It was slang for the precious part of a man! They were shocked at her bravery and directness.
Sabrina also realized her mistake and turned red. She completely turned out of character. For some reason, she couldn't speak properly!
"What's wrong with her?" Henry couldn't help but ask Judy.
He was ignorant of the slang and only saw Sabrina stuttering and turning red.
"She… I don't know. I heard she's from another kingdom."
Judy was pinkish at the question. She avoided the topic on purpose and led him to another.
"Oh."
Henry nodded and then took a step to leave.
"Wait! C-can we talk?"
Sabrina stopped him. She was nervous because of what she mistakenly said, but she was still interested in his wind spell. It overcame everything else; she wanted answers.
Henry turned to her and thought about it. He remembered she accompanied him that night and gave him a sense of company.
"Sure."
"What about me?" Judy interceded.
A smile was on her face, expectantly waiting for Henry to invite her.
"No. You're attracting too much attention on me already."
Henry liked her a bit, but he wasn't her friend. At least, he didn't see her as one.
"Hmmm… Says the genius who stunned the whole empire."
Judy teased with a smug grin. Her expression right now was unfit for a magus teacher.
"What?"
Henry froze in place.
…
Henry found himself sitting at a table in front of two beautiful women. They sat with him in the middle of a refreshing flower garden.
"What is this about the empire?" Henry asked.
He had heard about the empire from the principal before. It was the true lord of this kingdom. The king was only in name while the empire handled the true major decisions.
"Hehe." Judy chuckled. "The empire has heard of your performance in the exam. The Imperial Magus Gathering will occur next year. After they heard that the kingdom chose a representative, they investigated your background.
"My friend from the neighboring kingdom told me your name caused a buzz everywhere."
Judy looked at him in amusement. She relished his pathetic attempt to stay lowkey.
"…"
Henry held his forehead in annoyance. He truly regretted showing off now. His arrogance from his past life caused him some trouble.
It was fine. As long as he didn't attract more attention, they should forget him quickly.
"Oh. The imperial capital is sending an envoy to verify your talent. They're worried you have swindled us." Judy grinned.
She already knew he wasn't a swindler. He was the real deal. She found it funny he was trying to act lowkey when so much attention was gathered on him already.
"That sounds like the capital. I heard my father call them 'nosey people,'" Sabrina added with a curious gaze.
"Shh! The empire is everywhere! The emperor is nearing the end of his life. You should not say those words yet."
Judy covered Sabrina's mouth with ease even though she had a smaller body frame.
Sabrina resisted and pulled her hand off her mouth.
"Okay!"
Sabrina inched away from Judy. She was annoyed after being handled like that.
Henry facepalmed. He could already imagine the envoy wowing in surprise after verifying his talent. After that, the emperor would become involved.
"When is he arriving?" Henry asked, bothered.
He was worried about this because it concerned his safety. If it came to light that he had no master, he would not be able to stop those who were curious about his knowledge!
Just like what his mother said before. He shouldn't attract the jealousy of others. At least not without ample means of protection.
"Next month."
Henry covered his mouth while thinking.
There was something in this academy that he needed to collect before he could leave. With his current strength, it would be impossible, but a month was still doable.
He could reach the Low-class and see if he had the means to get that item at that time.
"Henry, can I ask about your wind spell?" Sabrina asked.
Her eyes lit up with excitement. She was suppressing her desire earlier and could only wait until the magus teacher, Judy, finished speaking to him.
"I won't tell you everything," Henry warned her.
He could immediately tell from her eyes that she wanted to understand it in full detail, but Henry was not willing to teach the intricacies of his magic simply to anyone he met.
After all, she was not his disciple. He could guide her, but he would never spend a lot of effort and trust that she would keep it to herself.
His knowledge was still different from this era. He couldn't remember everything, but he could still cause shocking changes if his knowledge spread.
At the moment, without seeing the full situation, Henry was not willing to share too much. He was worried that a strong magus would notice and use unethical means to make him speak.
"Why?"
Sabrina couldn't comprehend it. She never encountered anyone who refused to tell her about their spell.
"It's my master's secret."
Henry conveniently used his made-up master again.
Sabrina opened her mouth and shut it again. She couldn't refute that logic. She also had a master, and some things were forbidden for her to share.