Chapter 215 - Departure and Owen’s Magic
In the end, due to his own strong wishes, Langus lost his rights as a candidate. As Owen had suggested, they decided that Lenji would become queen for the time being, and Asor would take on the position of vice-king—a role that had never existed in the Elven Kingdom before.
Apparently, Rivett had wanted to teach me magic directly, but it was decided that Langus would first teach me Elvish magic from beginner to advanced level, and then Rivett would teach me the royal magic afterward.
I stayed an extra day to help finalize the future policies of the Elven Kingdom and the arrangements for teaching magic, and then I would return to Fiddiq Academy the next morning. When Seabas and the others heard my schedule, they expressed more reluctance to part than I had expected.
"...At first, I thought there were terrifying mages even among humans, but thanks to you and your group, I think this country will become much easier to live in. We'll do our part too, so that the half-elf children can live in a country where they can smile."
Seabas said that to me with an awkward smile.
"Yes. Please do your best."
When I answered that, Seabas scratched the tip of his nose and looked down at me.
"...An instructor at the world's greatest magic academy, huh. You must be terribly busy. I'll miss you."
"Ah, but I'll work hard so that I can come back within two months to learn the royal magic, so we'll see each other again soon."
"...No, there's no need to rush that much. It would be better for you to learn magic more slowly and carefully. They say that in Elvish magic, even subtle differences in pronunciation can greatly affect the outcome. If you thoroughly research even those details, it will surely lead to better results."
For some reason, Seabas gave me thoughtful advice about magical research. I found his words puzzling but bid him farewell and headed out of the city. When I rode out in the carriage, Owen was already waiting outside ahead of us.
"See? Edra and the others were looking for you, you know."
When I said that, Owen crossed his arms and snorted.
"Hmph, don't worry about it. More importantly, your way of speaking is what feels off to me."
At his words, I let out a small laugh.
"Always saying such foolish things... I'm an instructor now, so I'm making an effort to speak politely, you know."
When I told him that, Owen snorted again with displeasure and gave a vague reply.
"Fine, whatever. Well then, I suppose I'll head back."
As Owen turned his back to leave, Shenley poked her head out from inside the carriage.
"Huh? Owen, you're not coming to Fiddiq Academy?"
"Owen has his own research facility, so he conducts his studies independently there."
When I answered in Owen's place, Shenley looked disappointed.
"Is that so... It's a shame, because Aoi-sensei's lectures are so interesting. Ah, why don't you two research that king's magic together from the other day? Wouldn't researching magic together be better than doing it alone?"
Shenley suggested joint magical research with good intentions. Being kind-hearted, she probably thought that Owen was just bad at being honest and might actually be feeling lonely.
However, Owen was a pure-bred shut-in—a deranged magical researcher who would put even mad scientists to shame. He had probably only come to the Elven Kingdom to seek hints for developing new magical tools.
As proof, Owen did not look pleased by Shenley's suggestion at all. Instead, his pride was stirred, and he turned around with a confident smirk.
"Hmph... I deliberately refrained from saying anything that would cause conflict back then, but that level of magic is perfectly reproducible. In fact, I recently made a magical tool similar to it."
Muttering that, Owen pulled something out from beneath his robe.
"...This is it. The Pseudo-Sun, Il Sol."
He produced a large staff-like object and spoke its magic name. Immediately after, a massive mass of flame appeared above Owen's head. The flame shot upward all at once and expanded with such force that it seemed to burst high in the sky.
With a thunderous roar that shook the atmosphere, a giant pure-white fireball took shape in the sky. He had performed this with the casual ease of turning on a flashlight, yet it was an outrageous magical tool. Depending on how it was used, it could enable acts of terrorism that would cause major incidents. If used during wartime, it would surely produce terrifying effects.
Glenn, Strass, and Eliza, who were riding in the other carriage, also stared wide-eyed and speechless. Satisfied that everyone was astonished, Owen looked up at the giant fireball floating in the sky and spoke.
"The rainy days had been going on for too long, so I wondered if I could artificially create a sun and made this."
"The magical tool is incredible, but the idea behind it is like a child's..."
I muttered with a weary slump of my shoulders. Owen immediately looked displeased, shrank the fireball, and extinguished it.
"What an unamusing fellow. Well then, I'm leaving."
With only that, Owen cast flying magic and truly flew off just like that. What an arbitrary man. Well, it was nothing new—if anything, it even felt nostalgic.
"...Let's head back as well."
When I said that, Glenn and the others nodded silently.