Chapter 113
“Here, have some tea,” Jeremy said, placing a steaming cup in front of Elena. The aroma carried a slight bitterness.
“Thank you, teacher,” Elena replied, taking the cup in her hands. As she sipped, the bittersweet taste spread across her tongue, soothing her slightly. Perhaps it was the unique scent of the tea leaves, but she found herself feeling a little calmer.
She glanced around the room. It had been a while since her last visit, but Jeremy’s lab hadn’t changed. It still had the same cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Elena smiled without realizing it, and Jeremy, sitting across from her, returned the smile.
“It feels nice to be back in your lab after all this time,” Elena remarked.
“It’s good to spend time with you too, Elena,” Jeremy responded warmly. He had always been there for her, like a steady presence. ‘Almost like a big brother,’ Elena thought. She didn’t have a family of her own, but Jeremy had always felt like family to her.
“Are you feeling a bit more relaxed now?” Jeremy asked with a gentle smile.
Elena nodded. The thought of the upcoming trials had been weighing heavily on her, but being here with Jeremy made her feel more at ease. “Yes, I feel a lot better.”
“That’s good to hear,” Jeremy said, taking another sip of tea before resting his hands on the table. “Shall we start talking?”
“Yes,” Elena replied brightly, though a bit of nervousness crept in now that they were about to discuss the trials. Even so, being with Jeremy had relieved much of her tension. ‘This is enough for progress,’ she thought, content.
“Well,” Jeremy began, “I’ve heard that the trials to become an Archmage are not always the same.”
“Really?” Elena asked, intrigued.
“There are some fixed trials, specifically the final one. But the two earlier trials can vary,” Jeremy explained.
“What is the final trial, the fixed one?” Elena asked curiously.
Jeremy paused for a moment, then answered with a serious look. “The final trial is a duel with the Archmage.”
Elena’s face filled with confusion. She had never imagined dueling her own teacher. It seemed unthinkable.
“Elena,” Jeremy said softly, noticing her reaction. “A duel doesn’t mean a brutal fight. It’s just a test of skill, nothing more.”
“Oh, right…” Elena realized she had been overthinking and quickly calmed herself. Her expression softened, and Jeremy chuckled.
“Honestly, I have complete faith that you’ll handle these trials just fine, Elena,” he said confidently.
“… What? But why? We don’t even know what the trials will be yet…” Elena replied, puzzled.
“Well, you never know,” Jeremy said, taking another sip of tea. “But Elena, you’re the only wizard who possesses spirit powers and has successfully merged them with magic.”
“Yeah, but…”
“Even without the spirits’ power, I believe you’d still become an Archmage easily,” Jeremy continued.
“Why?”
“Because you’ve always worked tirelessly, and hard work never lets anyone down,” Jeremy said with a warm smile.
Elena stared at him blankly for a moment before her expression shifted to one of determination. “Yes!” she exclaimed, her resolve shining in her eyes. Jeremy watched her, pleased.
‘She’s learned so much from the Archmage over the past year,’ he thought. Elena had mastered complex spells, like teleportation magic exclusive to Archmages, as well as advanced healing magic.
‘Now, she is stronger than me.’
Yet, Elena was lacking in confidence, but now, she stood before him brimming with it. Jeremy sighed in relief before asking, “Elena, would you like to train with me over the next week?”
A smile spread across Elena’s face. “Yes!”
*****
“Hah, I’m going to die.”
Elena muttered as she dragged her tired body into the dormitory. After resolving her worries, she had immediately begun training with Jeremy, but it had been tough.
As soon as she let her guard down, Jeremy launched an attack, preparing her for the duel with the Archmage—the trial she knew about. Elena quickly understood the meaning behind his actions and countered the attack. Having trained with the Archmage often, facing Jeremy wasn’t too difficult.
After some time, realizing her strength, Jeremy summoned reinforcements.
It was Jacob.
Jacob initially hesitated when tasked with attacking Elena, but once the battle began, he seemed to enjoy it more than anyone. This left Elena facing both Jeremy and Jacob simultaneously. Battling two high-ranking wizards of the magic tower at the same time was no easy feat. However, as the fight progressed, Elena adapted to their combined attacks, eventually mastering the balance between offense and defense.
By the end of the first day of training, Elena was completely drained. ‘But since you both promised to help me moving forward, I just need to keep pushing myself…’ she thought. Until the trials were complete, she knew she would only grow stronger.
Elena stepped through the portal in her dormitory, arriving directly in Lexion’s bedroom. After their engagement, the portal had been linked to his room since she often stayed there after her long training sessions. As she entered, she saw Lexion waiting for her.
“Elena, you’re back?” he said, putting down the paper he’d been reading with a warm smile. He stood and approached her.
“Lexion, I missed you so much today,” Elena said, immediately walking into his embrace with open arms.
Recognizing her need for comfort, Lexion wrapped his arms around her without hesitation. “You had a tough day, didn’t you?”
Since starting her intense training, Elena often sought Lexion’s comfort like this. On days when Lexion was particularly tired, he would lean on her in the same way. Feeling his large hand gently stroke her hair, Elena smiled, content in the moment.
After a while, she pulled back slightly and looked up at him. “Lexion, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What is it?” he asked, his expression attentive.
“The truth is…” Elena began, explaining the news she had received from the Archmage—that she would soon face her trials.
“So, if you pass the trials, you’ll officially become an Archmage?”
“Yes, that’s right,” Elena replied shyly.
Lexion’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “That’s amazing! Elena, becoming an Archmage is incredible! Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Elena said, though her voice held a hint of nervousness. “But I’m also a bit anxious about the trials.”
“Don’t worry. I know you’ll do great,” Lexion reassured her with confidence, echoing the faith Jeremy and Jacob had shown in her. Surrounded by such supportive people, Elena felt her courage grow.
“Yes, Lexion. I’ll do my best.”
*****
The day of the first trial had finally arrived.
Elena, fighting back her nerves, stood before the door of the Archmage’s office. As if sensing her presence, the door opened.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.
“Come in, Elena,” Karen greeted her in her usual tone.
“Hello, Master,” Elena said, her body tense with anticipation.
Karen chuckled. “No need to be so anxious, Elena.”
“But today is my first trial… I can’t help feeling nervous,” Elena admitted.
Karen gave her a knowing smile. “I understand. I was once in your shoes. But trust me, I believe in you.” Her gaze was steady, filled with confidence.
Elena felt some of the tension ease from her body as she met Karen’s eyes. “Yes, Master.”
Satisfied with Elena’s response, Karen said, “Now then, I’ll give you your first trial.”
She gestured toward the air, summoning a transparent sphere that floated in front of Elena.
“The first trial will take place in the Kingdom of Kenen, located in the western part of the continent,” Karen explained.
Elena was familiar with the name. The Kingdom of Kenen, though small compared to the Empire’s capital, was well-known for its jewelry production, allowing it to maintain some influence despite its size.
Her curiosity piqued, Elena looked at Karen, waiting for more information.
“There is currently an outbreak of an unknown disease in the Kingdom of Kenen. Your first trial is to eliminate this plague,” Karen explained.
Elena’s eyes widened in shock.
“I assume you recognize the sphere in front of you?” Karen asked, drawing Elena’s attention back to the task at hand.
“Yes, it’s a video sphere I made,” Elena replied, regaining her composure.
“Correct. You’ll need to carry it with you during the trial. I will review the footage afterward to assess your performance,” Karen said.
“Yes, Master,” Elena agreed, taking the video sphere into her arms.
Karen smiled. “Then, you may now head to the Kingdom of Kenen.”
Elena wanted to ask more questions but knew from Karen’s tone that further inquiries wouldn’t be answered. Bowing respectfully, she left the office, mentally preparing herself for the challenge ahead.
