"Should I say, as expected of Gut…"
Serie helplessly rubbed her forehead, while Lernen beside her was too stunned by his senior's request to say anything.
"Magic is the realization of imagination. If something can't be imagined, it naturally can't be made real through magic."
"Gut, by this standard, you really are quite talented."
"But honestly, it's a bit regrettable… Of all the disciples I've ever taken in, you're the first to come up with such a thing."
"And I myself… have never had the idea to develop such a magic."
"So… sorry, you'll have to pick something else."
"How about Hellflame Magic?"
For some reason, Gut suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, as though if he kept asking for outrageous things, Serie's "Hellflame Magic" might not be a spell she wanted him to learn, but one she'd let him experience firsthand…
After a brief hesitation, Gut proposed a somewhat more reasonable request.
"Teacher, I want to learn Curse Reversal Magic."
"Oh?"
This time, it was Serie who looked surprised.
She didn't expect her disciple Gut to actually know the name of this spell from the Mythical Era.
Though she had used it once in front of him, Serie didn't think Gut could have guessed its name from the casting effect alone.
"Must've seen it in some old text passed down…"
Although slightly troublesome, at least it was a reasonable request.
So Serie nodded in agreement.
Just as she was about to grant him the magic, Serie suddenly paused, then said:
"Let's be clear. Since you know about Curse Reversal Magic, you should understand that its learning period far exceeds a human lifespan."
"Yes, I can use Magic Transference to let you learn it instantly—"
"But know this: the spells I possess for countering curses aren't limited to just this one."
"If you're asking for this magic for any other hidden reason, I'd suggest you reconsider carefully."
Serie's words left Gut stunned for a moment, then he chuckled.
Ah, so that's what she meant—Serie was worried that by learning Curse Reversal Magic, Gut was trying to nullify her resistance to his Steal Magic, making her defenseless.
Which was why she warned him ahead of time: don't overthink it, and choose the magic you truly want.
But this time, he wasn't the one overthinking.
Still smiling, Gut knelt on one knee before Serie and said:
"Teacher, what I truly want… is Curse Reversal Magic. Not to use against you—but to use against the demons."
"…I see. So I overthought it."
Serie stood up, her magical energy beginning to surge, ready to perform Magic Transference, which would allow Gut to instantly learn the spell at the cost of Serie herself forgetting how to use it.
But before she could begin the casting, Gut stopped her by grabbing her hand.
"Hm?"
Serie looked at him in confusion. "Why are you stopping me from casting?"
"Teacher, I do want to learn Curse Reversal Magic—but not by having you forget it in the process."
"I want to learn it… through my own ability!"
However…
Despite Gut's earnest words, Serie didn't seem moved—in fact, she looked somewhat disappointed.
The elf gave a cold snort. "How boring."
"You know how long it takes to learn Curse Reversal Magic—it's the crystallization of human wisdom from the Mythical Era."
"With your short human life, even with exceptional talent, you might only learn it at the very end of your days."
"And at that point—what meaning does it even have?"
"It still has meaning, Teacher."
Gut met Serie's eyes and responded:
"If it takes a lifetime to learn Curse Reversal Magic, then let me spend that lifetime by your side."
"And… you may not believe this—but I actually have a very long lifespan. Much longer than the average human."
"Hmph."
Serie stared at him for a long while, then gave a light snort.
"Fine."
"I always thought humans, with their fleeting lives, would spend their time on more valuable things."
"If you're so determined to waste your precious talent, then… do as you wish."
"But Gut…"
Serie paused for a moment, then said:
"You are more ambitious than any disciple I've ever taken in."
"I suppose… I'll remember you, this disciple of mine."
With that, she waved her hand, and a book at least ten centimeters thick came flying toward Gut.
Even with his physically enhanced body, the impact made his hands go numb.
"What is this?"
"It's the introductory volume of Curse Reversal Magic. Since you want to learn it on your own, then by traditional timelines, you should master this volume in about ten years."
"But since you're my disciple, I'll only give you—"
"Three years!"
Gut shouted, raising three fingers.
"I only need three years!"
"Oh?"
Even Serie perked up slightly, clearly affected by Gut's confidence.
"Not bad… now that's more interesting."
"Very well. You have a three-year deadline. During that time, if you encounter any issues in your studies, you may come to me anytime."
"But if you haven't succeeded in three years—"
"Then I'll accept any punishment you deem fit, Teacher Serie! You can reshape me however you like!"
Serie's lips twitched. Something about that phrasing felt… off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
After fulfilling her promised "rewards" for her disciples, Serie yawned, pulled a circular ring from her pocket, and tossed it to Gut.
"Teacher, what's this?"
Gut examined the item in his hand and asked curiously.
"That's the terminal control for the Barrier Magic surrounding the exam area."
"You two go set up the elimination barrier and help maintain discipline at the test site."
"And what about you, Teacher?"
Serie, having quietly removed the Sealing Magic on her room, glanced at Gut and replied solemnly:
"I have… important matters to attend to back in my room."
"Don't ask. It's part of the plan."
Gut: ...
"Understood, Teacher."
Äußerst City – Examination Grounds
As the Barrier Magic slowly rose into the sky, cheers erupted from the many mage candidates gathered outside the great hall.
The second day of the Mage Examination… had finally begun.