With the Spell's completion, Lyle felt a wave of mental exhaustion, a kind of rigidity in his brain, but fortunately, he slowly recovered.
Mr. Dragon was carefully holding Alphonse's bones, facing the students' confusion, "Mr. Alphonse was a dog with a legendary story, deserving of a permanent resurrection ritual. From now on, he will no longer serve as our teaching material, and I hope that you will maintain respect for the bones before you, no matter how dilapidated they currently are, for they contain a past you have not experienced."
This was perhaps why Spirit Summoning Studies was considered orthodox by Andrey--Mr. Dragon's values were cultivated very correctly.
"Plague Doctor, do you feel any abnormalities?" Mr. Dragon looked at Lyle as if trying to see through his disguise to check on his discomfort.
Returning the staff to Mr. Dragon, the feeling of abundance had faded, but Lyle could still sense the magic power around him, even if it was negligible. The human body itself is a treasure, it just lacks the key to unlock it.
"Just a bit drained."
Mr. Dragon sighed with relief, "That is normal. I was worried about your magic power reserves during Mr. Alphonse's speech, but thankfully, you held up until the end of the story."
"Plague Doctor, you have completed my course excellently and condensed the two-hour lesson into forty minutes."
"Now you need a good rest, I think your mental state is no longer suitable to continue attending lectures."
Mr. Dragon took a book out of his leather bag, "This is a list of spells that we will study in the future. For the pronunciation and explanation of Emo Characters, you can ask for guidance from seniors in the club."
A brand new parchment book—Andrey had already begun the binding work. It's known that scrolls are still popular outside at the moment.
"Anatomy Guide?" This was the prominent title on the book.
"Necessary disguise—the knowledge of the mystical side is forbidden in the outside world. Should Plague Doctor be discovered, push it off as medical literature. Isn't it very normal for a doctor to carry a medical book? As for the Emo Characters that are incomprehensible, they can be attributed to their shallow learning."
Unfortunately, I have to tell you that medicine has also been considered taboo these days. Blaming other industries won't work.
Lyle did not speak out, nor did he plan to show the book to anyone.
After Lyle took the book, Mr. Dragon issued an eviction order, urging Lyle to go back and rest while he stayed behind to tutor other students.
His first lesson ended just like that.
Apart from Alphonse's impressive performance, there were not many surprises everything happened naturally and ended naturally.
He adapted to Andrey with unusual strength, an illusion that he was no newcomer and knew the castle like the back of his hand sprouted in his mind.
This illusion was quickly defeated.
A suit of armor appeared in Lyle's field of vision, just like the castle would decorate knight's armor along the corridors, which was not unusual in itself.
However, it was unusual for Andrey the academy had no such custom. There were neither carpets nor portraits—utter simplicity. In such an empty corridor a suit of armor appeared.
There must be a demon when things are abnormal.
Although Andrey is an academy involved with the mystical side, perhaps living armors are common, but Lyle had no desire to experience anomalies.
He started to take a detour.
The armor moved, walking straight towards him.
No sudden movements, an instinct when facing wild animals, do not startle it.
Lyle began to step back cautiously, his legs ready to spring up at any moment for a chase with the armor.
"Plague Doctor, it's me." The armor spoke—it was Eliane.
The familiar tapping sound appeared in Lyle's mind—had she finally realized the inconvenience of the Iron Maiden?
It seemed she was waiting for me on purpose.
"Why haven't you joined Raymond's church?" Eliane's tone seemed to carry a tinge of frustration.
"You've joined?" Lyle remembered when Eliane had referred him to Raymond.
"Of course! That is Mr. Raymond, after all!" Eliane stated as if it were obvious.
"That is Mr. Raymond, after all. That's why I didn't accept," Lyle retorted, just as matter-of-factly.
The two looked at each other, playing a silent game of riddles amidst the quiet air.
"Plague Doctor, the Holy Light Church is definitely the best choice for you."
Another promotional slogan, Lyle was unimpressed, "Thank you, but I think the Cup of Luxury suits me better."
Just when Lyle thought the conversation was heading towards a factional dispute.
"I won't change my views, but I won't refuse my duties either. As a nun, Plague Doctor, I'm always ready to listen to your troubles," Eliane suddenly dropped her antagonism.
"Thank you."
"This responsibility is only effective for you."
The armor turned around and left with a clanking sound.
Lyle stood there, frozen like a wooden chicken. What did that last sentence mean?
Confused by Eliane, Lyle felt his already frail nerves burdened further.
With his thoughts rigid, Lyle returned to the Cup of Luxury.
He pushed open the familiar pink cup-shaped door.
Without the treasure area at the entrance, the interior was completely exposed.
Alianna was back.
Sitting there calmly, she stirred her Earl Grey tea.
Lyle didn't know how to face her, unsure of how to explain why he abruptly left the singing performance the night before. Did the gentleman tell her? Did she believe it?
Or should he honestly tell her, "Your singing could kill a person"?
Alianna tapped the table, and Lyle consciously sat across from her.
Alianna pushed the black tea in front of Lyle.
"Thank you."
Without mentioning last night's performance, Alianna acted as if nothing happened.
"How are your classes going?"
"Really well. Mr. Dragon is an excellent teacher, I learned my first spell, and I got out of class early."
Alianna nodded, and it seemed like she even hummed comfortably through her nose.
"That's great. If you have any questions about your courses, feel free to ask me at any time."
"Alright."
"Mr. Dragon is generally a kind person, as long as certain topics are not touched upon."
Lyle could relate to that statement very much; as long as animals weren't involved.
"Um, I'm a bit curious, Miss Alianna, what are your desires? Is it something to do with music, like fame?"
"No, liking to be praised, that's Beatrice's idea. My desire, I can tell you."
"Yes?"
"I am very curious."
"Yes?"
"It's curiosity. I really like new things. That's not to say I dislike old things, but compared to new ones, my liking might fade a bit."
"I enjoy experiencing differences, discovering novelties. If the Plague Doctor could taste this tea, he might sense that compared to yesterday, I added a bit of condensed milk which might make it taste even better."
"I enjoy trying different combinations and experiencing novelty and the joy it brings."
Alianna stood up.
She started spinning in circles under the central chandelier of the main hall.
In a bright yellow dress paired with a sparkling diamond necklace, she was like a blooming primrose.
Very beautiful, extremely beautiful.
It seemed like her enthusiasm waned.
Alianna returned to Lyle's side. She looked at the marble floor under the crystal chandelier, as if an image of herself was still there dancing gracefully.
"I like novelty, surprises, and unexpected moments."
"I like you, newcomer."