I Studied Mainly Textbooks! Chapter 11

If the standard grey mana was an ordinary black coffee, white mana could be considered as an expresso.

A smaller quant.i.ty of mana was needed to use the same magic, around a tenth or so. Moreover, the mana that dissipated into the air or left control was also very minute.

In other words, there was no need for the c.r.a.ppy loose clothes fas.h.i.+on, nor the staff that looked more like a cane instead.

This was all good. Except, the incredibly slow mana gathering speed.

‘This is still good!’

The important fact was that he could gather mana. Compared to normal mages, it was around a tenth. Considering that it’s white mana, his growth rate was similar to other mages. Though, he did have the help of OP items…….

The standard of mana that Abel gathered in 3 weeks was around a trainee mage that just entered 2 circles. However, white mana does not follow the concept of circles. As such, with enough mana, he would be able to cast higher circle magic. Providing that he had enough understanding of the spell.

The ‘original’ way limited the movements of the usages of mana per circle. This was a drastic contrast from that. However, as the concept of zero existed, a higher level of calculations was required. However, that didn’t matter. Abel had Casio.

“Hahaha, the flow of mana is much more free! You might be able to develop new magic. First, focus on increasing your mana quant.i.ty, as well as learning the ancient magic spells that exists in Thrandriel’s book! As for the other book, I’ll contact my friend.”

Spoke Kyle to Abel as he saw that Abel was growing. This was very emotional. During the past 6 months, he had to suffer a lot in order to gain ‘face’ as an archmage.

Knock knock knock.

-It’s me sir.

Perelman’s voice sounded from outside.

“Enter.”

Creak.

The door opened and Perelman, clad in his meticulous style, could be seen. However, it shouldn’t be time for him to be here. There was around 1 hour until the cla.s.s with Perelman.

“So you were in the middle of a lecture. I apologize.”

Seeing Abel with Kyle, he apologized. He was politeness itself.

“Haha, not at all. We were just about to finish. Abel, remember what I said to you and go back to your room.”

‘No way, are they going to talk behind my back?’

Well, he didn’t mind it that much. It’s not like they were the type of people who would do that.

“Okay, then enjoy your time!”

Creak, tap.

When Abel closed the door, only Kyle and Perelman were left.

After a bit of silence……

Perelman spoke up first.

“I have finished the doc.u.mentation as you have spoken. Only you need to stamp the papers. Have you really come to a decision?”

Perelman asked in a slightly worried tone.

“Didn’t you suggest it first? Abel, that fella maybe not be the nicest kid out there, but he’s a straightforward guy.”

“I am aware of that. It’s just… the Drakes will be disappointed.

“Haha, he… is really lacking. Moreover, he’s not a Tardema too.”

‘Reugen De Drake’ was Kyle’s second nephew-in-law, and is the official first-in-line successor for the Tardema family. Right now, that is.

“Rather than that, I’m worried about the academy… who would console this old man’s loneliness now?... and… calculations too…….”

From his tone of speech, he seemed to be more disappointed about the latter.

“He will come every holiday anyway. Moreover, can’t you just use a communication orb?”

Communication orb – it’s a remote video communication artifact.

“That’s it! Why couldn’t I think of that? Haha.”

Thinking that he will be able to use the calculation serf service from a long distance, Kyle’s smile bloomed again.

“If Abel has to adapt to this world anyway, I believe that it will be better to send him to the Academy. He’s already beyond what I could possibly teach. It is time for him to clash with the world.”

Perelman’s tone of speech was also that of worry for Abel.

“I won’t deny that…… but I still can’t help but worry. But if this is for the best, we must do it.”

“Then I will register him. From today onwards, the official successor for Duke Tardema is Abel.”

“I warn you time after time, but this must be done in secret. This will be bad if it gets public, whether it’s for Abel or for us…….”

Kyle’s eyes became sharp. This was the ‘Duke Tardema’ eyes and not the ‘Old man’ eyes.

“…I shall call for Abel.”

Somehow, the mood was a little cold. The two had dark expressions as though they fought.

‘They won’t ask me to choose sides, right?’

That would be a problem. That was just like asking ‘Do you like mommy or daddy?’.

Fortunately, it was not like that.

“Next week, there will be the opening ceremony for Helarion Academy. Go to the academy and listen to cla.s.s. Your registrations have already been taken care of.”

Kyle ended the silence with a declaration.

“Eh? Academy? You mean school? Do I really have to go?”

Abel asked many questions in confusion.

“You have learned the basics of magic, and Perelman is finding it hard to teach you as well. You’re going to live in Kornos for quite a while, and it wouldn’t do for you to not know about the world, would it? Go and meet some friends.”

Oh dammit… school at this age? Abel had already been through 16 years of Korean education starting from primary school. But go to school again? The purity of when he first entered school was already dried out!

When Abel continued to make a displeased expression, Perelman continued to explanation.

“It’s a place where the greatest talents of the empire gather. It is normal to enter between 13 and 15 years of age. I don’t know how old you are exactly, sir Abel, but you do look fitting. On the doc.u.ment, I have put you down as 15 years old.”

“Doc.u.ment… you say?”

“The entrance examinations for the academy had already ended, so this was the only way in.”

“And what would that be?”

“Successor’s entrance.”

“Successor?”

Is this like how children of farmers got free entrance to farm college in Korea?

“The empire allows for a special entrance of one successor for n.o.bles equal to and above viscount. So, I have registered sir Abel as the adopted son of the Duke.”

“Eh? Adopted son?”

Adopted ‘son’? Forcefully becoming a successor was absurd enough and now he was an adopted son? No matter how you look at it, Abel looked like Kyle’s great grandson at best.

“Adopted son? No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t make any sense. At best I would be the youngest grandson, no?”

This time, Kyle spoke up.

“Haha, I tried to do that, but as I don’t have a son, the imperial laws don’t allow me to. I didn’t have a choice but to put you as my adopted son.”

“…Ha. Who asked you to make me successor? Looking at you or Perelman working, it definitely does not comply with the labor standards act. I don’t like that. From young, my dream was to own a building. A building! So I can earn money doing nothing! Eating and playing!

Abel complained in displeasure of finding out something that was already set for him behind his back.

“Own a building? Is that such a great thing? This tower is the possession of the Tardema family.”

“Whoa!”

This building… it was 89 stories tall.

“I’ll do it! I’m sooo taking that spot! Right now! What? Do I go pack my stuff up now?”

Abel’s eyes that looked at the ‘building owner’ Kyle were filled with respect.

“Hahaha. Your actions keep making me laugh. No matter how old I am, I would be fine for at least another twenty years. Don’t even dare scheme. If I don’t like it, I can immediately switch my successor right now!”

Although he was speaking in a scolding tone, his eyes were smiling.

“Yes!”

It wasn’t like Abel was serious either. It was just a joke. He had to go back home anyway.

“Before you go to the capital, there are some things you must be aware of. First is that your official name is ‘Abelius Ariella Von Tardema’. Though, the Academy forbids in revealing ident.i.ty, so the registration will only have you as Abel. Also, the matter about the successor is also a secret, so don’t spread around rumors.”

Perelman spoke as though Abel was about to cause accidents.

“I’m not that kind of a person you know? What would I gain from selling this old man’s name…. Oh yeah. What is that middle name ‘Ariella’? Is it someone you know?”

“…….”

Abel’s sudden question! Both Kyle and Perelman froze on the spot.

“Ehem.”

Kyle coughed awkwardly in this awkward mood, while Perelman looked outside the window as though he couldn’t stay here. There was no way the quick-witted Abel would not notice.

“Oh! Old man’s first love! Right?”

“……”

Kyle became silent.

Silence was acknowledgement!

“I was wondering since you weren’t married yet, but it seems like you have a heart-wrenching story, eh? I’m curious but, well, I won’t ask. I should protect your dignity! Haha! Rather than that, aren’t you the man, Kyle!

…So? When did you separate?”

Abel’s sudden direct attack!

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

Fwoosh.

Feeling a strange mood, Perelman left the room, it was as though he was fleeing.

“Hahaha, you sneaky brat. Let’s see… Hm. It’s been around 55 years, I guess.”

He didn’t have to answer, but he did anyway. Abel was the first one to ask, but there was no need to hide it either.

“Whoa, awesome. So you never dated after that?”

“How could I forget about her? Her brown eyes were more beautiful than any gem that could possibly exist in this world. To me, her existence was more wondrous than the existence of magic……”

“Whew~ old man’s quite pure, eh? But being single for 55 years… you really are an ‘archmage’.”

…?

“How does that relate to being an archmage?”

Being single and archmage. Kyle couldn’t connect the two at all.

However, a mage, or a magician. It means something different back on east Asia on Earth.

“From where I lived, there’s a legend that you could use magic if you live 25 years a single. You’ve done that for 55 years so you’re a really ‘arch’mage.”

“Haha, is that how it is? That’s curious.

Listening to that name, I want to see her more than ever……. It was cold just like today when I have to bury her cold body… It would have been better if it was warmer……”

“…….”

‘Holy…’

He didn’t know at all. He thought that they separated just like other couples – because of difference in personality. He went too far. He really felt sorry.

‘Poor Kyle…….’

Perhaps because Kyle looked too sad as he was falling into thought, Abel couldn’t even say sorry.

He even felt that his young self was reflected in his old eyes. The appearance of an old man drowning in longing looked too pitiful.