Chapter 18: First Mentor
Lefiya Viridis.
This morning, she was by Ais's side, always following behind her like a fangirl. Even though Lefiya wasn't present, in the hearts of the executives present, the position of that Elf was quite significant.
The reason was straightforward.
Lefiya, who was a junior and treated as the second string in Loki Familia, had already received a blessing due to her formal education in the School District. Unlike someone like Riezel, who joined as an ordinary person, she joined the Familia with a bestowed blessing.
She was a legitimate mage who not only possessed outstanding 'MAG' and magic but also had specialized skills that enhanced her magical prowess.
As a rearguard mage, she was considered perfect, even though she was only a Level 3, and not a Level 5 or higher first class adventurer. With her skills and excellent 'MAG', she wielded firepower comparable to a Level 5 first class mage.
In other words, Lefiya was a genius with a full bag of innate magical talent. Even as a junior in the Familia, this Elf was highly regarded by the Familia executives.
Especially for Riveria, who was also a mage and an Elf, there was a subtle sense that she was grooming this junior as her successor.
And who was Riveria?
High Elf, Elven royalty, Orario's strongest mage, and Loki Familia's Vice-Captain, as well as Top Executive. She was adorned with a halo.
As the successor to such a character, Lefiya's lowest achievement in the future will be as the second in command of the Familia, or perhaps even surpassing Riveria to become the world's strongest mage.
Lefiya, as a magical genius, not only possessed three magic but one of her magic was particularly special.
She could cast any magic of the Elf race, a magic known as the 'Elf Ring'. As long as she fully understood the magic's effects and chant, she could cast any Elven magic.
Now, Loki was saying that Riezel's magic was somewhat similar to Lefiya's 'Elf Ring'. Didn't that mean this rookie in front of them, like Lefiya, could cast anyone's magic as long as he fully understood its effects and chant?
"This is truly surprising..." Gareth couldn't help but exclaim.
"Yeah..." Riveria also marveled. "I didn't expect another mage like Lefiya."
"Mage? Him?" Loki raised an eyebrow. "You must be kidding me. This kid, becoming a rearguard and peacefully casting magic from behind? Nah! He can't be a mage in any way!"
Thinking about Riezel's rapidly growing status, she felt a headache coming on.
"I think this kid seems to be of the same type as Ais, both being problem children who won't settle down unless they go on a rampage amid the monsters." Loki remarked.
Her statement made everyone look at Riezel in a somewhat awkward manner.
"Same type as Ais...?"
"Really...?"
The Amazoness twin sisters were whispering to each other.
Bete frowned, while Finn tapped the desk with his finger, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Riezel and Ais once again glanced at each other unintentionally.
Riezel immediately looked away while Ais remained expressionless with eyes flickering with a subtle light.
'Like me...?' Ais recalled the strange resemblance in his eyes earlier, reminiscent of her own reflection in the mirror.
Inside the room, an eerie and unfathomable mystery-filled silence emerged for no apparent reason.
*Clap!*
"Okay, stop overthinking it." Loki clapped her hands, redirecting everyone's attention. "Let's focus on solving this kid's problem. Who's gonna teach him magic?"
As soon as the question was thrown out, two people immediately declared their exit.
"Don't count on me." Bete's voice was cold. "I have no interest in teaching a small fry like him."
After saying that, as if touched by something painful, he didn't linger any longer and left the room directly.
No one said anything as they watched this scene unfold. Clearly, they thought Bete was better off leaving, and they let him go without a fuss.
"I can't do it either."
The second person to announce their exit was the lively and cheerful Tiona. However, her reason was different from Bete's.
"I don't have magic. Even if you ask me to teach him, what can I teach?"
Tiona looked dejected, her face filled with resentment.
Magic was such a power; it could awaken from the start or never find the right trigger, leaving someone unable to use it their entire life. she was clearly in the latter category, so even though she was a Level 5 first class adventurer, she still couldn't use any magic, sticking to pure close combat.
"So... Finn, Riveria, Gareth, and Tione will teach?" Loki confirmed.
"I'll pass." Finn thought carefully and shook his head regretfully. "My magic has too many obvious side effects. It's not suitable for a beginner adventurer to learn. He's better off not learning my magic."
"If Captain says so, I'll pass too." Tione immediately followed Finn's lead. "My magic doesn't have much power. It's better to let Riveria teach him."
"Right, let this stubborn Elf be his teacher!" Gareth laughed. "Anyway, she's like a mom who likes to meddle with her kids. Let her handle his magic training."
"Who's a mom!?" Riveria glared at Gareth but didn't reject the proposal.
If she could add a powerful rearguard mage to the Familia, she wouldn't refuse, especially considering that Riezel seemed to be a genius rookie with even fewer restrictions than Lefiya.
Lefiya's Elf Ring was limited to the Elf race, allowing her to learn and use Elven magic. Riezel's magic, on the other hand, based on Loki's on-the-spot inquiry, was undoubtedly not restricted by race.
With various races present, including Elves, Pallums, Dwarves, Amazonesses, and Beastmen, Riezel, if able to learn the magic of everyone present, would practically be able to learn all the magic in the world.
This potential, this innate skill, surpassed even Lefiya's.
In this way, it was only natural for her not to ignore such a potential.
As the strongest mage in Orario known as 'Nine Hell', if there was a way for him to learn her magic, no one would want to refuse.
Just as everyone was thinking that way, Riezel suddenly spoke up.
"Can I learn magic from Miss Ais?"
Instead of getting dejected, Riezel gazed at Ais and completely ignored the others.
"Me?" Ais was instantly stunned.
"..."
Everyone collectively paused for a moment, then simultaneously furrowed their brows.
Including Loki.
"Kiddo..." Loki hesitated, looking like she had something to say. "I think you should try someone else."
"Right." Finn agreed, with a calm face. "Ais's magic is a bit unique. Even if your magic can learn and use other people's magic, whether you can successfully learn her magic is really uncertain."
The rest also looked at Riezel with strange expressions, then exchanged glances between Riezel and Ais.
Only Tiona, with a puzzled expression, spoke up.
"Isn't that great? Ais's magic is so powerful. If he could learn it, our Familia would have two super-powered combatants in the future. We—"
"You better keep quiet."
Tiona's mouth was immediately covered by Tione's hand. Ignoring her sister's struggle, Tione dragged her away out of the room.
"Let me teach you instead." Riveria said while staring at Riezel solemnly. "Ais's magic, to some extent, is dangerous to use. Even if you can learn it, I don't recommend you to use it. Moreover..."
'Moreover, Ais absolutely wouldn't want to teach it to anyone. Her magic holds a special significance for her.' Riveria didn't voice her thought but glanced at Ais.
Ais had already lowered her head, making it impossible for anyone to discern her expression.
The atmosphere in the room underwent another subtle change.
'As I thought, is this matter a bit sensitive?' Riezel didn't feel surprised by their reactions.
As someone familiar with the original work, he naturally understood why everyone reacted the way they did when he expressed his desire to learn Ais's magic.
Tiona and Tione seemed fine; they probably weren't aware of the hidden details.
But the three top executives and the Goddess, as the higher-ups of the Familia, undoubtedly had some understanding of Ais's situation.
Despite knowing this, Riezel still brought up the idea.
There was no other reason.
"I've heard about Miss Ais's magic, and I believe it's the most suitable magic for me at this moment."
Riezel spoke sincerely and openly, shifting his gaze directly at Ais.
"Although it may sound abrupt and even presumptuous, it's very important for me. Could you please agree to my request?" Riezel hesitated for a moment and added. "I really want to become strong quickly."
The weight carried by his words was easily felt by everyone present.
"Want to become strong quickly..." Ais muttered, finally moved, and lifted her head.
The third gaze exchange between the two of them took place again, while the others fell silent, refraining from saying anything more.
"..."
Silence permeated the room.
It wasn't until much later that Ais finally spoke up.
"I'll teach you."
After she uttered those words, Riezel immediately bowed his head to her, expressing gratitude.
"Thank you very much."
And so, he gained his first mentor in life.
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