Victor was ensconced within the carriage, his demeanor one of quiet anticipation as he awaited the servant's summons. Amidst the gentle rocking of the vehicle, Veigar's low, insistent chirping cut through the silence.
"Are you truly interested in that dormant volcano?"
The one - eyed crow, its feathers glistening like polished jet, was engaged in its habitual preening. Perhaps its indulgent lifestyle had led to a touch of corpulence, for its beak now struggled to reach the feathers adorning its posterior.
Victor shot a sidelong glance at Veigar, his expression a mix of mild surprise and curiosity. "How on earth did you manage to piece that together?"
Veigar lifted his head with an air of self - assuredness, his single eye glinting with a knowing light. "Well, it's quite simple, really. There's no other conceivable reason for you to pay a visit to this fiancée of yours at this hour."
Victor chose to remain silent, a tacit admission that Veigar had indeed hit the mark.
As time ticked by, Victor maintained his stoic patience, but Veigar's restlessness soon got the better of him. "Why hasn't anyone come to fetch us yet? This waiting is becoming insufferable."
The rhythmic sound of Victor turning the pages of his spellbook ceased abruptly. He closed the tome with a soft thud, his expression impassive as he replied, "Imagine this scenario. You're a woman of unparalleled beauty, alone in the solitude of your home. As night descends, a visitor arrives, and this visitor happens to be your fiancé. What would be your immediate reaction?"
Veigar tilted his head, his beady eye lost in thought. After a moment, he rasped, "I'd undoubtedly adorn myself in the most resplendent finery, ensuring I meet him in a manner that exudes elegance and grace."
Victor shook his head, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You're missing the point. She'd likely think the person showing up unannounced at such a late hour is completely mad and would find the whole situation rather irksome."
Veigar seemed unconvinced. "But that's not how it's portrayed in all those romantic tales. Don't you understand the complexities of the female psyche?"
Victor's gaze shifted towards the imposing gates of the Lin family's courtyard. "It's you who fails to understand Gwen. She's not like the women in those stories."
Indeed, this holy great knight had always defied conventional notions of femininity. Even Victor, who had known her for some time, found himself grappling with the enigma that was Gwen. He surmised that at this moment, she probably regarded him with a certain degree of disdain. After all, who could blame her? He often wore a perpetually sullen expression, was known for his petty - mindedness, and had a rather dubious track record of engaging in less - than - savory activities. Their betrothal was likely a source of great discomfort for her, a stain on her otherwise pristine reputation. It was no wonder that after his passing, she chose to remain unmarried for the rest of her life.
"Prepare yourself. It's time for us to make our entrance," Victor murmured, lowering his head to address the crow perched on his shoulder. Instantly, Veigar assumed an air of nonchalance, feigning the role of a docile pet as he stood motionless, his body language suggesting he was nothing more than an adornment.
Moments later, a maid approached the carriage, her steps light and deferential. "Sir, Miss Gwen is ready to receive you," she announced, her voice soft yet clear.
Victor alighted from the carriage, his movements fluid and purposeful. Following the maid's lead, he passed through the grand gates and was ushered into the opulent meeting hall.
The moment he stepped inside, his eyes were drawn to Gwen. She was seated on a plush sofa, her form enveloped in a thick, luxurious bathrobe that left not a single inch of skin exposed. It was evident that she had just emerged from a bath, her hair still slightly damp.
Even in this unadorned state, Gwen's beauty was nothing short of captivating. Her features, delicate and perfectly proportioned, held a timeless allure that could effortlessly ensnare the heart of any man. "It's rather late. What brings you here?" she asked, her tone cool and neutral, laced with a hint of aloofness.
Victor didn't bother with pleasantries. He took a seat opposite her, his expression as unreadable as ever. "I heard you're set to embark on a mission that will keep you away for half a month."
Gwen's lack of curiosity regarding how he'd obtained this information was telling. She simply nodded, her eyes meeting his. "Yes, I'll be departing in a week."
"Could you take me with you?" Victor asked, his voice steady and unwavering.
Gwen's initial reaction was one of bewilderment. Her brows knitted together in a frown, and she leaned back slightly, her eyes fixed on Victor as if trying to gauge the sincerity of his request. "Repeat what you just said," she demanded, her tone tinged with disbelief.
"Could you take me with you?" Victor repeated without hesitation.
Gwen let out a soft sigh, a look of mild exasperation crossing her face. "What possible reason could you have? Without a valid one, I can't consider taking you along."
Victor leaned forward slightly, his expression earnest. "I'm intimately familiar with the terrain of the surrounding mountains, and I know the weaknesses of every monster that lurks there. With me by your side, you could complete the round - trip journey in just seven days."
Gwen didn't so much as bat an eyelid. Her gaze remained fixed on some distant point, and it was impossible to tell whether she was seriously considering his offer or simply dismissing it out of hand.
Victor was about to elaborate further, to bolster his case and convince her of his worth, when Gwen cut him off. "What I want is the truth, Victor. No more half - truths or fabrications."
Victor's eyes hardened slightly. "You've used your ability on me," he said, his voice cold.
As a knight imbued with an unwavering sense of justice, Gwen Derin had possessed a unique talent from a young age. Her heart of justice allowed her to discern truth from falsehood with uncanny accuracy. She could activate this ability at will, and it was clear that she didn't trust him enough to have resorted to using it during their conversation.
Victor wasn't overly surprised. In a way, it was a testament to how much Gwen disliked him. The fact that she felt the need to rely on her power to determine his honesty spoke volumes about their relationship.
"I don't trust you," Gwen stated bluntly, her words hanging in the air like a weight.
Suddenly, Victor's expression softened, and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. It was as if he had come to a realization and decided to let go of some inner conflict. "There's a type of monster in Mount Vesuvius that produces a unique crystal. I need that crystal to create a powerful magical item," he explained, his eyes blazing with a fierce determination.
[First - order Magic: Self - Suggestion]
Effect: Hypnotize and suggest to oneself. Within a specified period, one ability can be randomly upgraded by 1 level.
Victor knew that dealing with Gwen's heart of justice was a delicate dance. But as long as he believed in what he was saying, it would register as the truth. Mages, after all, were masters of manipulation, using their wits and a flexible moral compass to achieve their goals.
Gwen finally looked up at him, her eyes assessing. "It seems you do know something about that volcano. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come up with such a detailed story."
"To achieve my goals, I'll do whatever it takes. Even if it means using the Royal Knights as my personal escort," Victor replied, his smile turning into a self - satisfied smirk.
"Typical of you, the ever - selfish Victor," Gwen retorted, but there was a hint of resignation in her voice.
For the first time in a long while, Victor allowed himself to show a genuine expression. He smiled and nodded. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Gwen knew that Victor was relentless when it came to achieving his objectives. She also knew that if she refused him, he would only become more persistent. So, with a sigh, she relented. "I'll put in a request for a traveling mage. Just come to me when the time is right."
Victor's smile widened. "Thank you, Gwen. Your selflessness is truly commendable, even when dealing with someone as self - serving as me."
"I'll have everything arranged within the week. No need to see me out," Victor said as he rose to his feet and made his way towards the door.
Gwen watched him leave, her mind filled with a whirlwind of thoughts. Victor's smiling face, so different from his usual stoic demeanor, lingered in her mind. Had she ever seen him smile like that before?
Back in the carriage, Victor sank into the seat, his jet - black eyes staring blankly ahead. The rhythmic clatter of the horses' hooves filled the silence.
"Are you angry?" Veigar asked, his voice breaking the stillness.
"Why would you think that?" Victor replied, his tone indifferent.
Veigar cocked his head to one side. "I've seen your poker face for so long that I can sense when something's off. You don't usually smile like that unless you're feeling some strong emotions."
Angry? Victor pondered the question. Perhaps the values instilled in him through his upbringing had always pushed him to strive for goodness, but in Gwen's eyes, his actions were nothing short of selfish. He had to play the part she expected of him to gain her cooperation. It wasn't anger that he felt, but rather a deep - seated sense of disgust at the situation.
...
In the days that followed, Victor divided his time between his teaching duties at the academy and his experiments in the basement. By day, he would stand before his students, imparting his knowledge of magic with a sense of authority. By night, he would immerse himself in the world of magic potions, surrounded by an array of bubbling cauldrons and mysterious ingredients.
With an abundance of materials at his disposal, he could produce nearly a hundred bottles of potions each day. These he would entrust to Leah, a shrewd merchant, for sale. Leah informed him that once the store was fully renovated, these potions would be the first items to grace the shelves. For the time being, they would focus on selling this particular type of potion to build a reputation before considering expanding their inventory with other magical items.
Victor was well - aware that these potions, once available to the public, would create a frenzy. To manage the demand, he instructed Leah to limit the daily sales to fifty bottles. It was a classic strategy of hunger marketing, and Leah, being a seasoned merchant, understood the concept perfectly.
At the academy, Victor was also busy planning his upcoming lecture. In addition, he made a decision that puzzled many. During each of his classes, he would invite Hennie to sit in. He claimed it was an opportunity for her to gain valuable experience.
Erica, on the other hand, had become a regular visitor to Victor's office. Every night, she would arrive with a plethora of questions, her eagerness to learn palpable. Her visits were becoming increasingly frequent, much to Victor's mild annoyance. However, Veigar seemed to enjoy answering her queries, and to keep the crow from incessantly chattering in his head, Victor found himself relaying the answers to Erica.
Through this process, Victor couldn't help but be impressed by Erica's talent. Veigar's teachings, which often seemed esoteric and complex to him, were grasped by Erica with ease. Even as she advanced in her learning, she still had an endless stream of questions, a testament to her insatiable curiosity.
Victor couldn't help but sigh. With a student as gifted and hard - working as Erica, it was no wonder she was likely to top the exams.
As the days passed, everything seemed to be falling into place. Before he knew it, it was the sixth day since his agreement with Gwen.
Hennie, as usual, trailed quietly behind Victor. She was still unsure why Victor had insisted on her sitting in on his classes, especially since she was the one who had written the course material. It wasn't until they reached the classroom door that the reason became clear.
"Today, I want you to enter on your own and teach the class using your knowledge. It's time for you to step into the spotlight," Victor said, his voice firm yet encouraging.
Hennie stared at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "???"