Norian felt a shiver run through him as he began to understand what Master Loren was suggesting. After all, Lucian hadn't directly offended her. For a formal wizard to kill a third-level apprentice, especially within the academy grounds, could shake the confidence of the other apprentices and undermine the perceived fairness of Greybone's rules. As the main beneficiaries of the academy's regulations, the formal wizards were unlikely to support actions that would ultimately harm their interests.
Under the doctrine of equivalent exchange among wizards, this would mean that any damage to those shared benefits was a loss that Norian himself would need to pay for.
But if he backed out now, after seeking Loren's help, she might see it as an insult—an unforgivable slight to someone of her stature.
"Meow." Norian stayed utterly silent, even as the soft patter of a small three-tailed cat named Doro moved across the floor, filling the room with a delicate tension.
"Or… there's another option," Loren murmured as if sensing Norian's distress. Reclining on a crimson velvet sofa, she raised her tea cup and took a delicate sip. "We could assign a remote task. Perhaps he'll meet his end in the field. Or perhaps he'll survive, but even then, it will likely take him five years to return." Loren spoke calmly, sounding more like she was discussing an experiment than a person's fate. She had no real interest in the quarrel between Norian and Lucian; she simply found Norian useful.
Norian looked up, his eyes brightening.
"Five hundred magic stones," Loren continued, placing her cup down with a deliberate clink.
"Master, I'm willing to pay the equivalent in resources," Norian replied, swallowing his reluctance and bowing his head.
Loren nodded and produced a scroll, which she tossed toward him. "No tricks; look it over carefully."
Norian took it respectfully, his eyes gleaming as he read over the mission details.
"Carrie, a few of us are teaming up tomorrow for a task to earn some magic stones. Do you want to join us?" In the dining hall at Greybone Academy, Morton approached Carrie with a smile as she sat with her bow and arrows strapped to her back.
"Thank you, Morton, but I'm helping Lucian with his research these days," Carrie replied politely, turning down her "new friend's" offer.
Since Lucian's victory, his public standing had been firmly reestablished, and as his only apprentice, Carrie's status had risen sharply as well. The shift was especially apparent among her peers: most of the other apprentices had become considerably friendlier, with many of them going out of their way to be welcoming.
After all, Carrie had the favour of a powerful third-level apprentice, and not just in rumour. It was widely understood that Lucian regarded her with real attention and even fondness. Some students speculated that Carrie must be a close relative or subject of some forbidden attachment to have won such favour.
Regardless of the gossip, one thing was indisputable: Lucian's preference for Carrie was unmistakable whether it was crafting a specialized spell for her or outfitting her with a valuable alchemical armour, Carrie's preferential treatment was evident to all. Many of her peers viewed her with envy; she was getting attention typically reserved for the academy's prodigies.
While those students earned their mentors' resources through exceptional talent, Carrie—a first-tier talent by all accounts—seemed to enjoy a level of support that few could comprehend. What could she have done to deserve this?
Although resentment simmered beneath the surface, most apprentices kept any bitterness well hidden, treating Carrie with outward friendliness. In fact, Carrie was now invited to the elite circles within her cohort.
As Morton, a leader among the apprentices and close to becoming a grand knight, departed, Carrie watched him go, feeling a mix of pride and unease.
"Lucian was right," she mused to herself. "Strength is the foundation of respect and status. Back on the airship, they wouldn't even have noticed me. But now, they see me as a friend." Carrie exhaled a quiet breath, her admiration for Lucian growing all the more intense.
It wasn't just that he taught her so much about wizardry; he seemed to have an unerring sense for the truth of things, his words offering insight beyond the technical knowledge of spells. Every lesson felt like it went deeper, striking at the heart of what she needed to know.
"Thank you, Lucian…" Carrie whispered inwardly.
[Your apprentice Carrie holds you in great esteem. Reverence Points +50]
[System upgrade conditions met. Would you like to proceed with the upgrade?]
Meanwhile, Lucian, poring over the alchemical notebook, paused as a notification appeared in his system interface.
"Hm," Lucian muttered, glancing at his system stats.
[Host]: Lucian Kevin
[Power]: 91/360 (Greybone Meditation, Advanced Version II)
[Health]: 100.0% (Healthy, slight fatigue)
[Bound Students]: 1/13
[Respect Points]: 523/1000
[Knowledge List]: (Click for details)
[Upgrade Conditions]: Respect 523/500; Bond with Student 1/1 (Click to upgrade)
"Upgrade," Lucian confirmed, arching an eyebrow. He was curious to see what new abilities the system might unlock.
[System Upgrading: 15%... 35%... 79%... 99%...]
[Upgrade Complete]
[Congratulations! New Module Unlocked: Appraisal (Click for details)]
"A new module?" Lucian raised an eyebrow before tapping to view the new feature's description.