Following a lavish banquet, Elandril felt not only satisfyingly full, but he also noticed a subtle boost in his Psychic Force and Mana. A gentle tingling sensation crept along Elandril's arms and the various wounds scattered across his body. The dinner, composed of enchanted creatures and magical beast ingredients, had effects beyond Elandril's wildest expectations.
"It seems the Master holds you in high regard," Phyra, his senior disciple, remarked with a slight grin. "It's been ages since I've had such a sumptuous meal. On tense days of experiments, I often resort to simply gulping down a nutritional potion."
As the feast was in full swing, Master Mosido and the eldest disciple, Zorro, who had barely touched their dishes, hastily retreated to the first-floor laboratory. Evidently, their earlier discussions sparked a fresh bout of inspiration. Consequently, Elandril spent the majority of the banquet dining with Phyra.
Their conversation lent a touch of warmth, contrasting starkly with the cold, austere atmosphere typically found in the Dark Magic Academy. "The Master has been infinitely gracious to me, and you, dear senior, are both beautiful and considerate," Elandril responded respectfully. His sentiments weren't mere flattery toward his mentor and senior; rather, from this brief interaction, he genuinely felt an ambiance distinct from other Dark Sorcerers and apprentices. Could this be the unique warmth of sharing the same tutelage?In stark contrast to those malevolent Dark Sorcerers who had a penchant for using their apprentices as mere test subjects, the atmosphere under Master Mosido was palpably harmonious. This, no doubt, was a testament to Elandril's fortunate destiny and innate sagacity.
Several prestigious mages had expressed their interest in mentoring Elandril during the public selection ceremony. Among them, Elandril neither chose the seemingly most powerful Master Angelinia nor the renowned Master Kosalon, who had a multitude of disciples under his wing.
Instead, with meticulous calculation and charm, he decided to align himself with the ever-understated and discreet Master Mosido.
Elucidating on the grand feast of magical beasts laid before them, Senior Apprentice Phyra revealed to Elandril its significance. Not only did it aid in the swift restoration of their physical vitality and Psychic Force, but its primary purpose was to expedite Elandril's recovery from his recent injuries. As a Junior Apprentice experiencing such a lavish banquet for the first time, the benefits that befell Elandril surpassed even those enjoyed by his senior counterparts. Hence, it was only natural for his Psychic Force and Mana to witness a modest but significant surge.
Phyra's lips curled into a slight smile upon receiving Elandril's flattering remarks. After all, which woman wouldn't appreciate a compliment about her beauty? Especially within the confines of the Dark Magic Academy, where rivalry and even animosity among the magical apprentices were the norm. It had been ages since Phyra had heard such genuine praises.
What Elandril was oblivious to, however, was that within the walls of the Dark Magic Academy, the powerfully adept Senior Apprentice Phyra was ominously dubbed the "Black Widow".Though both were female Senior Apprentices, the Lilliana Elandril had met before may have had a bigger reputation, but she wasn't necessarily more skilled than his current mentor.
"You're on the cusp of becoming an Intermediate Apprentice," she observed, noting the tinge of pain in his posture. "But your injuries might set you back a couple of months. That said, it might not be a bad thing."
"Have you transitioned to the Meditation technique the master gave you?" Phyra inquired.
"Not yet," Elandril replied honestly. "Today, I mainly delved into the two magical journals the master bestowed upon me."
A hint of approval flashed across Phyra's face. "Wise choice. It's hasty to switch Meditation techniques so suddenly. Your body needs time to adapt. I'd advise waiting until after you've advanced to Intermediate Apprentice."
She continued, "Also, in two months, it's the annual assessment."
"With your current skills, advancing to Intermediate Apprentice would place you at the bottom. Perhaps, stay in the Junior Apprentice rank and strive for a higher position."
"The academy rewards are quite generous each year; you should aim for them," Phyra suggested.
Elandril nodded in agreement. It was evident to him that until he was fully healed and able to assist the master with experiments, Phyra would be his guiding hand in Master Mosido's tutelage.Facing Elandril's poised and dignified demeanor, Phyra couldn't help but break into a warm smile.
...
After leaving his mentor, Elandril made his way towards his quaint abode. Given the lateness of the hour, the Black Magic Academy was almost desolate, its corridors devoid of activity. In days gone by, Elandril would rarely have ventured out at such an hour. But now, he walked without hesitation.
Indeed, as Elandril neared his dormitory, he caught the whispers and sidelong glances of a few magic apprentices. His feats, including single-handedly defeating Yilke, causing a ruckus with Lina in the dark alleys, and taking down the scar-faced Joke, had earned him a significant reputation within the academy. Sometimes, fame could be a shield in such a chaotic environment, deterring the less skilled from daring to cross your path.
Reaching his familiar quarters, he noted Lina's absence. With a soft sigh, he realized she must have visited her new mentor, Master Ferenna. From what he'd observed of her interactions in the dungeons, it was clear that Master Ferenna was not the easiest to get along with. After all, the likes of Master Mosido, a "cold exterior, warm heart" Dark Sorcerer, were a rarity in the academy. Elandril was fortunate to have met him. The selfish and self-serving nature of Master Ferenna was, regrettably, more typical of the Black Magic Academy.A refined translation tailored for Western audiences, with slight embellishments for literary finesse:
One comforting thought remained: if Master Ferenna was willing to part with such a rare Energy Crystal for Lina's sake, it was evident he held her in high regard.
...
After the mentor's banquet concluded, Elandril found himself leading a dual life between his dormitory and Master Mosido's laboratory. Indeed, even someone of Master Mosido's substantial resources couldn't afford to provide his apprentices with magical beast delicacies daily. While occasionally they'd indulge in some exotic fare, Elandril mostly consumed common food. He had even tried, on two occasions, the nutritional elixirs often mentioned by his senior, Phyra.
In a strict sense, these nutritional elixirs could be considered a subset of alchemical potions. However, they are rather basic in their nature. So rudimentary that you don't have to be a seasoned potioneer; even a novice magical apprentice could concoct one, given the correct ingredient proportions. The two elixirs that Elandril tasted were mixed by Phyra herself. Whether it was due to Phyra's lack of talent in this area or perhaps a playful tease directed at Elandril remained uncertain. One thing was for sure: their distinctive taste left an indelible mark on Elandril, making him rather hesitant to try any more of these concoctions for a good while.
In contrast, once Elandril showcased his culinary skills to his mentors, Phyra began to insistently request he prepare dinner each night. Evidently, compared to the bland meals crafted by alchemical automatons, Elandril's cooking was much more to Phyra's liking.During this time, Elandril noticed that apart from himself and his senior apprentice sister, Phyra, who maintained regular eating habits, the esteemed elder brother Zorro and their mentor Mosido were often conspicuously absent at meal times.
Could it be that when one reaches a certain mastery in magic, the need for sustenance becomes redundant? Elandril pondered, a hint of wonderment evident in his gaze.