Light illuminated Adam's dim eyes as he took the room's surroundings in. The sun slowly rose outside, covering the dark sky with a reddened hue. Then, he saw the diligent Julius cultivating on his bed and Arun... Sleeping.
A frown etched itself on his brows as his lips quivered. With a snap of his fingers, he materialised a mage's hand and sent it flying towards the lazy slot.
"HAAA!" Arun awoke with a panicked scream, his eyes darting left and right. Assuming a fighting pose, he searched for the threat as a fire arrow condensed before his outstretched palm.
With a nod, Adam gazed at his shirtless body. Gone was the skinny kid, replaced by a fit young man with small but defined muscles. Satisfied by the boy's physical and magical progress, he wanted him to continue. So, he asked, "Julius, what hour is it?"
"Should be ten past six. Why?" Julius answered, looking at Arun with empathy and knowing what would follow.
Narrowing his eyes dangerously, he peered at Arun with an ominous smile and answered, "If I see you sleeping past six in the morning, I don't mind training you for another month. Truly, it'll be my pleasure."
"I-I would love to follow your training again, but I realise waking up at six is really beneficial for my health. I-hum will follow that advice." Arun answered, his body heat increasing dangerously and sweat covering his forehead. The devil's training was finally over. Enduring this hellish practice for another month? Unthinkable!
"Humph. As long as you understand. Keep training and ask that old cook for advice when I'm not around." Adam said, signalling it was time to leave to Julius. Then, he added, his back facing Arun. "You did well in the past month. Continue, and you'll become an apprentice before the end of winter."
As Adam's words registered in Arun's ears, the boy's eyes glowed with pride. It was hard, but he had done it, and the results were incredible. As promised, he was already an acolyte, his mana flowed better, and he could already roughly create mana techniques.
"Thank you for your teachings! I promise to continue to grow and become a mage by the next academic year." He answered, fixing a new goal to fuel his progress and determination. Despite his mentor's harshness, he understood long ago that everything was an act to push him beyond his limits. Still, not even for a tier-five wand would he endure his training again!
With a smile, Adam waved his hand while Julius beamed and said, "Take care of yourself and say hello to the girls for me."
Then, the duo left dormitory three, heading to the Gate under Adam's shameless boasts. "I told you I was the best teacher years ago. Look at him now! I'm sure Asha loves him twice as much. BAHAHA."
After walking for ten minutes, they saw the towering construct of the Gate and the red-haired girl waiting at its feet. Her blue eyes reflected the rising sun as she gazed at the sky pensively.
"Are you ready, Morgane?" Julius asked after reaching her, his voice reflecting his worries for the girl. Even after a few interactions, he found her strange. He couldn't explain why, but something felt wrong with her life force.
Awoken from her reveries by the voice, her eyes shifted between the duo, her face emotionless as she answered, "Let's go. I asked the royals to invite the Ashford family to the palace for a few days, so you should be safe."
Then, she retrieved her student's card and used it to set the coordinates to the Belloria Kingdom before warning, "We'll land in Highvale, a dangerous city at the borders. After travelling for half a day, we'll reach an unclaimed canyon. That's our destination."
As her words lingered, the Gate hummed to life as a thick veil of mana covered its frame, ready to be used. The duo nodded at her when Adam suddenly asked, "Julius, tell me you took the talismans with you."
"I bought eleven and used the rest of the money to buy cores as planned." The boy answered, retrieving the talismans from his pouch to show them.
"Good. Let's go." With Adam's answer, the group crossed the Gate, facing the sickening feeling of teleportation once again, unaware Jean Castle observed them from a distance.
"What are they doing with her?" He muttered, exhaling loudly. He knew they were both Shepard's disciples, but the taciturn girl shouldn't be able to make friends. So, why? "I need to revise my plan to avoid her." He added, glad he noticed her this early as he left.
"I'll never get used to this feeling," Julius said after stepping out of the Gate as he held his stomach, thankful he hadn't eaten yet.
With a disgusting smirk, Adam taunted, "Guess who didn't feel a thing?" For once, his form proved convenient. He wouldn't be himself if he didn't throw a snarky remark to annoy the boy.
Upon hearing the annoying remark, Julius' eyes turned sharp as he answered, "At least I can taste delicious food."
Shocked speechless, Adam thought, his eyes bulging in disbelief, 'Since when does he answer?! And why does he strike where it hurts!'
"You really changed Julius. Don't speak with me today." He answered, his shoulders slumped and his ethereal heart bleeding.
"Huh?" Confusion crept over the boy's face as it was the first time his big brother gave up. Did he finally beat him verbally? Somehow, this victory left behind a bitter aftertaste as he gazed at the deflated frame of Adam. 'I shouldn't have attacked a sensible spot...' He thought, biting his lips.
"I'm sorry," he said, trying to fix the situation. Sadly, his brother was already looking towards the mage hastily approaching, ignoring him entirely.
"Welcome to Highvale. I prepared everything you asked down to the last detail." The middle-aged man said, looking at Morgane and gesturing towards the distant city gates. "Your horses are waiting in the guard's stables." He added before outstretching his right hand with a bright smile, his eyes reeking with greed.
"For your services." Morgane answered, placing a clicking pouch in the man's hand before saying, "Let's move."