Chapter 17

Sage Widrun

Noah, who had been staring blankly at the hole in the wall, slowly nodded.

“……”

“……”

Why?

He had never once failed to control his mana before.

Ah.

Only then did the ring on his ring finger catch his eye as it glimmered faintly.

Damn purity of divine power…

Something had gone wrong in the process of converting divine power into ordinary mana.

Or rather—it had gone too well.

Even if its nature changed after being converted into mana, its overwhelming force could not be concealed. It had burst out of the magic sphere, shattered Professor Heres’s barrier, and even pierced through the wall.

Clap! Clap!

Two firm claps broke the silence in the stunned classroom.

It was Professor Heres.

“Alright, everyone! Let’s move around a bit. Is anyone hurt? Check yourselves and the people around you.”

At his cheerful voice, the students began moving and checking one another.

Fortunately, no one was injured.

“Ha… that’s good. I’m glad no one got hurt.”

After letting out several sighs, Heres approached Nigel, who was still standing with his hand on the shattered sphere.

“Nigel, are you hurt anywhere?”

“…No.”

“Good. We’ll talk about this later. You must be shaken—go back to your seat and rest. The rest of you, please return as well.”

“Yes.”

Nigel returned to his seat, receiving Allen’s worried gaze as he rushed toward him.

“It’s a relief the entire academy building has restoration magic applied, isn’t it?”

Heres smiled warmly at Nigel and snapped his fingers.

Fragments scattered across the classroom began gathering together, fitting back into place like puzzle pieces.

“How is it? Amazing, right? We designed this along with the Magic Department professors a few years ago.”

Only then did the students relax.

“You’re lucky to learn this at the start of the semester. Don’t hold back your power—you can destroy the building anytime. Ah, of course, only when I want to see it. I’m the chief manager of this system.”

After Class

Heres’s class ended earlier than scheduled.

And as soon as it ended, Nigel was summoned to the headmaster’s office.

First day of the semester and I already caused trouble and got called to the headmaster… Forget trust—it’s a miracle I haven’t completely destroyed it.

“Ha…”

A sigh escaped him.

“Don’t worry too much, Nigel. The headmaster called you because he’s concerned about you—not to scold you.”

Heres smiled gently and knocked on the door.

“I’ll wait outside. Don’t be nervous, alright?”

“Yes.”

Nigel nodded and stepped inside.

…No. Heres was wrong.

That was not the face of someone who was worried.

The warmth he had shown during the pre-festival and entrance ceremony was gone.

This—this cold expression—felt more natural.

Like finely crafted metal—beautiful and smooth on the outside, but hiding a cold, sharp core within.

“Nigel As. Have a seat.”

It sounded like an invitation, but it was really a cold command.

Nigel sat across from Widrun.

Widrun—the Sage of the Continent—looked far younger than his reputation suggested. He could easily be mistaken for just another academy professor.

Pour.

He poured steaming tea and offered it to Nigel.

Nigel hesitated, but habit took over, and he accepted the cup.

“It’s been a while. Now then, shall we begin?”

Clink.

The sharp sound of porcelain touching echoed.

“Nigel As. Answer honestly. Did you intend to harm the students today?”

Nigel knew that look well.

It wasn’t suspicion.

It was certainty.

Widrun was convinced Nigel had tried to hurt someone.

“……”

“Why aren’t you answering?”

Widrun’s brow twitched in irritation.

“Because I don’t think anything would change no matter what I say. If I answer, it’ll just tire my mouth.”

Crunch.

Nigel bit into a cookie on the table and swallowed it. It was disgustingly sweet.

“…Very well. Then I’ll change the question. Why did you approach Noah Besselion?”

What is this? Is he saying a common orphan shouldn’t associate with a high-ranking noble?

As expected of a “sage”—every question dug right into Nigel’s nerves.

Nigel let out a dry laugh.

“Why are you laughing?”

Widrun’s gaze turned even colder—more like a warden looking at a prisoner than a headmaster looking at a student.

“It’s funny. You’ve already made up your mind, yet you’re still asking questions.”

Nigel stood up.

“Nigel, I haven’t heard your answer yet. Sit back down.”

“I’ve already heard more than enough. No wonder you’re called a sage.”

Nigel bent his knees slightly and lifted the sides of his uniform in a formal bow.

“…Stay away from Noah Besselion. While I’m still asking nicely.”

“Yes, Headmaster. Thank you for your kind advice. Have a good day.”

Bang!

Nigel slammed the door and left.

The cold, empty hallway sent chills down his spine.

It was unpleasant.

He could clearly see how Widrun viewed him—

As if he were trying something inappropriate with a high-ranking noble who had no engagement.

Step. Step.

Footsteps approaching broke his thoughts.

“…Nigel? Did it go well with the headmaster?”

Heres appeared around the corner, his expression brightening.

“…Yes.”

“Why the long face? Don’t worry—breaking a wall once in your life happens. We can just buy another magic sphere.”

His warm voice slowly calmed Nigel.

“I’ll talk to the headmaster later. Now, let’s go eat. I saw Noah and Allen waiting outside.”

Pat, pat.

Heres lightly tapped Nigel’s shoulder.

That small gesture eased the tension in his body.

…Right. This was reality.

If something bad happens, something good follows too.

Nigel shook his head.

“Let’s forget about today.”

“Yes. Thank you, Professor.”

“Hey, no need to bow. If other professors see this, they’ll think I bullied you. Lift your head.”

“Yes.”

“That’s better. You look good when you smile. You have a teleport stone, right? Go ahead first. At this rate, Allen might cause trouble next.”

Nigel followed Heres’s gaze out the window.

“…!”

Allen was struggling to force his way into the building, while Noah held him down with one hand, calmly watching.

“…I’ll go ahead.”

“Alright.”

Heres waved as Nigel activated the teleport stone.

After the Incident

After the day Nigel broke the annex wall, two major changes occurred.

The first—

“Nigel! Let’s spar today! I’ll only use my left hand!”

“Nigel, want to properly measure your mana? I made a new device!”

“…No.”

Students he didn’t even know approached him several times a day, showing interest in his mana.

Most of them were second- and third-years—not even present at the incident.

It seemed breaking the wall had perfectly captured the attention of bored students.

The second—

Slip.

“Who was that—?! O-Oh, sorry, Nigel.”

The Politics Department’s hostility toward him had almost completely disappeared.

“Watch where you’re going, As.”

Of course… except for Sid Cromwell.

“Thanks for the concern, Cromwell.”

“Tch.”

Sid turned sharply and walked away.

His posture was so elegant it could’ve been straight out of a noble etiquette manual.

Watching his back, Nigel raised his hand gracefully—

—and slowly extended his middle finger.

“Seems like he’s picking fights with you even more than last week.”

“That’s correct.”

“Why is Sid only like this with you? He gets along fine with the other Magic students. Someone as nice as you…”

Nigel quietly lowered his hand.

“Anyway, tomorrow’s the weekend. Want to go out? You stayed alone last week while Noah and I went home—weren’t you bored?”

“No.”

If anything, being alone was better.

He caught up on studies in the library, refined Noah Besselion’s awakening plan, and even wrote letters—to Tilin, and one to Jeron telling him to test gifts properly before giving them.

“I had a good time.”

“Come on, you don’t have to pretend in front of us. We’re going out this weekend, okay?”

How did that conclusion even come about?

“…Fine.”

He had no reason to refuse anyway.

“What about you, Noah? Are you free Sunday?”

“Yes.”

Since Noah would be there, it would also be a good chance to deepen their trust.

“Great! Then let’s go have fun!”