Marde lay in his room for a full two days afterward, bedridden with a severe illness. Even when he finally rose, his legs still trembled with weakness.
Nevertheless, Duwei rewarded this loyal servant with a generous gift. For it was Marde, in his panic on the hot air balloon when they faced the threat of being unable to land, who had unwittingly suggested an idea: could the furnace below be extinguished?
This suggestion immediately reminded Duwei of a key principle—the buoyancy of the balloon and the temperature of the air inside were directly related. By turning off the heating furnace, the air inside cooled, and the balloon slowly descended.
Unfortunately, poor Marde, upon landing, nearly expelled his stomach's contents in terror. It was only after a group of cavalry arrived to rescue them that he was carried back to safety.
While the people in the castle speculated on what bizarre creation the eccentric young master might devise next, Duwei fell into a period of silence.
For several days, Duwei ceased all experiments. He understood well that he had no desire to occupy himself with too many ventures. Whether fireworks or football gambling, these were merely means to resolve the immediate financial strain he faced.
Duwei had no interest in pursuing industrial revolutions or anything that would burden the people. His sole purpose was to earn money—to fund the costly magical experiments he wished to undertake.
With money no longer an immediate concern, Duwei ceased his distractions.
Aside from his daily visits to Solskjaer's laboratory to check on the progress of the wizard-scientist, and his occasional visits to the hot air balloon and fireworks development teams, Duwei spent all his time dedicated to learning magic.
Every night, he would retreat alone to the third-floor terrace of the laboratory, where he would spend the entire night studying. He and Solskjaer had reached an unspoken understanding—the laboratory was Solskjaer's domain by day, but by night, it was Duwei's alone. They respected each other's work and refrained from interference.
A month passed, yet Duwei's progress in mastering the "Stellar Magic" seemed to stall at the first hurdle. The concept of "Stellar Power" remained elusive, too vague and undefined. Even Semel, the so-called astrologer, could not offer a precise description of it. After all, the Semel Duwei knew was not the original astrological practitioner but merely a copy of her memories. Many of Duwei's questions remained unanswered by her.
In addition to his nightly study of Stellar Magic, Duwei spent his days learning the traditional magic of the continent. Solskjaer, being a wizard himself, provided some assistance, teaching Duwei a few basic spells.
Over the course of a month, Duwei had mastered several low-level spells, such as Fireball and Wind Blade. His most practiced spells, however, were "Daze" and "Haste."
By the end of the month, even Solskjaer had acknowledged that Duwei's magical prowess had surpassed his own, whether in terms of raw power or magical sensitivity. If Duwei were to take the Magic Guild's assessment, he could easily qualify as a first-level wizard.
This was, of course, with Duwei holding back some of his true strength.
Although Duwei had not made progress in Stellar Magic, the mental cultivation spells taught to him by Semel had significantly boosted his spiritual power, pushing his magical capacity to the level of a third-tier wizard.
As for his sensitivity... with the antenna gifted to him by Chris, Duwei's perception was sharper than that of many mid-level wizards.
That afternoon, Marde was once again entrusted with an important task by Duwei.
As Duwei's steward, Marde was to deliver a carefully prepared gift to the capital to celebrate the birthday of the Countess.
Duwei had spent an entire evening writing a personal letter. He still harbored deep affection for the beautiful and kind-hearted Countess, especially after she had cared for him so selflessly during his childhood illness. It was she who had spent a night praying at the Temple of the God of Light, and after that, had tirelessly looked after him. Even after his younger brother was born and the rest of the family distanced themselves, the Countess had continued to visit Duwei's room, singing lullabies to him with her infant son in her arms.
Duwei was deeply moved by her, as she had shown him the most profound and simple love of a mother. Though he felt guilty for not being her true son, it was this love that created a deep connection between him and the beautiful, gentle woman.
The birthday gift Duwei had prepared was "The Forgiveness of the Goddess of Dawn."
Duwei was confident that this unprecedented gift would cause a tremendous stir when it arrived at the Count's estate. But it wasn't the shock he sought—it was the joy it would bring to the Countess at her birthday celebration.
Marde set off with several attendants, and the Countess's birthday was just seven days away. As long as no unforeseen incidents arose, he would likely arrive two days before the event.
After seeing Marde off, Duwei felt a sense of relief. He had also harbored a small selfish hope. Being confined to the castle for over a month had become increasingly stifling, and he longed for a change. Perhaps this extravagant gift would slightly alter his father's perception of him. The monthly stipend of three hundred gold coins meant little to Duwei. He only hoped that the Count would be pleased enough to lift his house arrest.
That same evening, when Marde departed, the moon hung high in a clear sky. Duwei, in a sudden fit of enthusiasm, instructed his servants to prepare a stove on the terrace of the laboratory. The kitchen staff brought freshly cut beef loin, lamb chops, and vegetables from the castle's nearby farm, along with a fine bottle of wine.
Duwei decided to host an outdoor barbecue.
He placed the steaks on the grill and, using a brush he had crafted himself, began to coat the meat with a specially prepared marinade. He worked carefully, ensuring that every inch of the steak was evenly seasoned.
As the flames roasted the meat, the smell of sizzling meat mixed with the aroma of spices filled the air. Duwei took a deep breath, thoroughly enjoying the moment, and even hummed a tune.
Semel, observing him, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"What song are you humming? It sounds like a bard's ballad... but I can't understand a single word."
Duwei, too relaxed to explain, merely hummed again and turned the steak with a fork. He took a small sip of wine from the bottle.
"Red wine with red meat," Duwei sighed contentedly. "The breeze is gentle, the moon is bright... On a night like this, eating roasted meat, sipping fine wine, and breathing in the night air... It's almost perfect. If only there were music to accompany it."
"You little nobleman, you sure know how to indulge yourself." Semel smirked. "Not studying Stellar Magic tonight?"
"I've been at it for over a month," Duwei said with a wry smile. "My mental training has been quite effective, but I still can't grasp Stellar Power. It's not that I've been lazy, but some things can't be learned overnight. As they say, work and rest go hand in hand. After a month of hard work, I deserve a bit of relaxation."
He then picked up a piece of steak with his fork, carefully took a bite, and nearly bit his own tongue as the rich flavors filled his mouth. He mumbled with a grin, "Delicious! Absolutely delicious! Too bad you can't taste it."
Semel merely rolled her eyes. As a magical being, she had no need for food or sleep—her existence was but an ethereal projection.Du Wei had undone her seal, leaving her spiritual form deeply marked by his magical imprint, almost making her his shadow.
"You don't eat, drink, or sleep... does that not make life rather dull?" Du Wei sighed, his gaze fixed upon Semir.
Semir still wore that vibrant red robe, though, after repeated reminders from Du Wei, she had finally learned to pay some attention to her appearance and no longer carelessly drape her beautiful legs over the railing.
Semir rolled her eyes once again.
"By the way… I've never asked you this before," Du Wei winked, "How long can you live?"
"Just like you," Semir replied, a hint of resignation in her voice. "I was released by you, and the spell that broke my seal has bound my life force to your mental energy. As long as you live, I live. But should you die and your mental energy vanish, I too shall cease to exist."
"So, we are, in a sense, 'bound in life and death'?" Du Wei remarked, his expression strange.
"Mind your words, my little aristocrat," Semir's smile turned malicious. "Don't forget, I am your great-great-great-grandmother."
Du Wei scoffed and shot her an unyielding glare. "You are nothing but a copy, not the real Semir. And great-great-great-grandmother? Have you ever seen a grandmother who flaunts her legs in front of her grandson every day?"
Semir turned her face away in frustration and stared up at the starry sky.
Du Wei reclined in his chair, leisurely chewing on a grilled sausage, his gaze drifting to Semir standing at the railing. The moonlight gently bathed her face, her red robe fluttering, and her silver hair gleaming like snow. From the side, her facial features seemed soft, yet there was an enigmatic expression on her face...
"What are you thinking?" Du Wei asked.
"I don't know. That's why I'm thinking," Semir's response was strange, yet her tone carried a subtle melancholy.
Turning back to him, Semir met his gaze, and for a moment, a fleeting look of confusion passed through her eyes. "Actually, I find myself rather strange... During the years I was sealed in the painting, I longed every day for the seal to be broken. But now that it has, I find myself at a loss as to what to do… I'm not human. Yet, Semir imparted part of her memories to me, granting me the capacity for human thought. These past days with you, I feel somewhat lost... I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Though staying by your side is far more leisurely and comfortable than being trapped in that painting, it leaves me even more perplexed... You are human, and with your age, you could live for decades, perhaps even a century... So, for the next hundred years, am I to remain by your side, speaking only to you, being your shadow? Will I just watch, and watch, and watch... for a hundred years, then quietly disappear when you die?"
Du Wei sat up straighter, his expression turning more serious as he looked at Semir, letting out a long sigh. "I'm amazed... Your thoughts are so close to those of a human. Truly... but I can't answer your question. Because what you're pondering is the greatest mystery that even the wisest sages cannot answer: the meaning of life."
"The meaning of life..." Semir softly echoed the words.
Seeing the hint of sadness on her face, Du Wei's mind suddenly recalled a fairy tale he had heard in a past life: The Adventures of Pinocchio.
Without thinking, Du Wei began recounting the story to her.
The magical being listened intently, not uttering a single word from start to finish.
When Du Wei reached the part where Pinocchio's nose would grow longer whenever he told a lie, Semir couldn't help but laugh. It was a carefree, joyful, almost... innocent laugh.
But when Du Wei spoke of Pinocchio's longing to become a real human, with a true human body...
Semir lowered her head, her chin dropping so low that Du Wei couldn't even see her expression.
Eventually, as Du Wei finished the story, telling how the puppet finally became a real boy...
"I too wish I could have a real body," Semir spoke suddenly.
Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, but within it, Du Wei could detect a yearning.
In the past, hearing the tale of Pinocchio had never evoked much emotion in Du Wei. But tonight, watching this magical creature sitting before him, her face filled with sorrow as she voiced such a wish...
He felt a pang of sympathy, but he didn't know how to comfort her.
"Perhaps..." Du Wei pondered, "Perhaps we could try... maybe magic could..."
"It's late. I wish to rest now." Semir suddenly interrupted him, her words strange, for a magical being did not need rest.
Clearly, she was avoiding him, evading his futile attempt at comfort.
With a soft thud, Semir's form vanished. Du Wei sighed, knowing she didn't wish to speak further. Though a magical entity, when Semir didn't want to talk, she could inhabit any object near Du Wei.
Rings, badges, clothes, even his boots. If Semir so desired, she could take refuge in his belt. Otherwise, she would simply hover around him, making Du Wei feel as though he were followed by a ghost.
Du Wei sighed once more. He didn't stop her from retreating... Though Du Wei could command Semir to appear, since it was his spell that had broken her seal, a magical being must obey his every command. But at this moment, he understood she was in no mood to converse.
After taking a sip of wine, Du Wei extinguished the fire and sank lazily into his chair, gazing up at the night sky.
The stars shone brightly, and Du Wei suddenly asked himself, "What, then, is the meaning of life for me?"
He sat there for a long while, until he felt weary, ready to rise and return to sleep, when suddenly, a shift in the air caught his attention.
The faintest disturbance in the air couldn't escape Du Wei's heightened perception. He shot up in his chair, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Your senses are quite sharp," a soft, ethereal voice suddenly drifted toward him from the darkness.
The voice, though ancient, was gentle, even carrying a hint of amusement. "From what I've heard about you, I didn't expect you to possess such formidable mental power... Mr. Du Wei Roland."
A shadow materialized in front of him, emerging from beyond the balcony railing.
In the night, the figure wore a white robe, a wizard's garb. His face was aged, his beard long, his features refined, yet his smile was calm. But the intensity of his gaze, fixed on Du Wei, felt like a piercing needle.
Being stared at in such a manner made Du Wei uncomfortable.
"Who are you?" Du Wei furrowed his brow. "A wizard, perhaps? I don't believe I have any dealings with the Magic Guild."
The elderly wizard floated over the railing, landing a few steps away from Du Wei. He still wore that smile... Despite his age, his skin was unnervingly smooth, and his eyes gleamed with a brightness that defied his years.
Du Wei had never seen eyes so piercingly bright.
"You surprise me," the old wizard remarked with a smile. "I once thought you were just a crafty little noble child with a penchant for trickery. But now, it seems you possess exceptional mental power... Oh, and do you also practice magic? No need to form fire sigils with your fingers or look at me warily. It would be useless."
Du Wei watched him warily, his eyes narrowing. "What exactly are you?"
"I?" The old wizard strode up to Du Wei's side with ease, bent down, and took a sip from the wine bottle on the table. He sighed contentedly. "Very good wine... The Roland family's reserve is always exquisite. You should consider yourself honored, my child, for you are the first Roland in a hundred years to offer me a drink."
"You were... spying on me?!" Du Wei's expression darkened. Semir's presence was a closely guarded secret, and Du Wei certainly didn't want anyone to know about the invisible magical entity accompanying him.
"No," the wizard chuckled. "I wouldn't do something so petty. I just arrived here... Ah, it's been years since I visited Roland Plain. I nearly got lost. By the way, it's rather late, yet you're not in your room, but drinking here instead... Has the Roland family loosened their discipline for their younger generation?"
Du Wei's suspicion grew. "How well do you know the Roland family?"
"No, no..." The old wizard smiled nonchalantly. "I only knew a few Roland family members when I was younger. Oh, but that was a long, long time ago."
"Very well..." Du Wei spoke cautiously, sitting upright, his hand slipping into his sleeve and gripping a magical scroll. "Wizard, your late-night visit—surely you didn't just happen to pass by?"
"As for me..." The old wizard paused, as if recalling his purpose. "I came to see you. Originally, I just wanted to reclaim a few items from you."
"What items?"
"Some items," the wizard sighed. "You've acquired quite a few treasures from my foolish apprentice... Though the boy is innocent, as his teacher, I can't just stand by while he's toyed with."
Du Wei's eyes widened. "You... You're Vivian's teacher?!"