The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 238

Five days had passed since I received my temporary instructor’s pass.

My routine for the past five days had been very regular.

From morning till evening, while at school, I focused all my energy on teaching the students.

After work, until the next day’s commute, I spent all my time training in magic at Mimir’s Library.

Before I knew it, five days had flown by.

Looking back, it was a very enjoyable five days.

Who was it that said?

That everyone has the desire to teach someone.

I used to take that for granted, but now I can fully agree with it.

Teaching someone is definitely enjoyable.

Seeing the person I’m teaching improve more and more is quite satisfying.

Moreover, since all the students are burning with academic zeal, I couldn’t help but be excited to teach.

I realized that this is why people become teachers or instructors.

It’s very rewarding.

The reason for my enjoyment isn’t just this.

Who was it that said again?

That teaching someone is like teaching yourself.

I’ve come to deeply agree with this as well.

Teaching someone wasn’t a one-sided favor.

While teaching the students, I also gained many insights.

And not just insights about using the body.

I also gained quite a lot of magically helpful insights.

It might sound a bit strange that I gained magical insights while teaching knights.

But all studies in the world are connected in the end.

Knights and mages both use mana.

Since mana is a special existence, the knack for handling it is bound to be somewhat the same.

However, while the knack is the same, the methods are quite different.

That’s why I was able to gain new insights.

I guess you could say it’s the insight you gain from seeing things from a different perspective.

It was very helpful to point out the mistakes the students made while handling mana.

I thought, ‘Ah, I think I was making this mistake too,’ a whopping three times, so that says it all.

Thanks to those three insights, the control of the Möbius pattern has also made remarkable progress over the past five days.

The first gateway to becoming a 6-circle master [a high-level mage].

I succeeded in forming the Möbius pattern to its minimum size.

Now, there are only two gateways left.

Expanding the pattern to its maximum size and creating multiple patterns simultaneously.

‘I thought it would take at least a month.’

Progress that’s more than three times faster.

How could I not be happy?

To be able to learn something myself while teaching someone.

What could be better than this?

“Successor. Why are you so excited?”

Did my joy show on my face?

Mimir asked with a puzzled expression.

“It’s just… being an instructor is fun, and I’m also happy that my training is going well these days.”

I smiled brightly, stroking Miho, who was on my lap, rather vigorously with both hands.

“Our Miho is also slowly starting to adapt to her sixth tail!”

Miho was startled and raised her tail. It seemed she had been dozing off.

“Were you sleeping?”

Miho had finished adapting to her sixth tail.

Now, she doesn’t need to sleep for 20 hours a day.

“Our Miho, didn’t you say you wouldn’t take naps anymore?”

Right after adapting.

That is, three days ago from today.

Miho sat on my lap with a refreshed expression and cried out loudly, as if to say, ‘You can trust me from now on.’

I found Miho so cute that I jokingly asked, ‘Then you won’t take many naps anymore?’

To that question, Miho raised her head with an even more confident expression.

It was as if she was saying, ‘Naps are for kids!’

“But our Miho, I think you slept yesterday, and the day before too.”

But her words were just empty promises.

Miho has been napping on my lap all the time.

When I’m not around, she explores every corner of Mimir’s Well with bright eyes.

But as soon as I come, she just sleeps.

I’ve never seen Miho move around actively.

“……”

Miho slightly turned her head.

An expression that says, ‘I don’t know.’

Or an expression that says she’s exercising her right to remain silent.

At the same time, she was subtly observing my expression and gauging my reaction.

That look was quite cute.

“I’m just kidding. What’s wrong with taking a nap? Sleep well. Don’t worry about it.”

I stroked Miho again.

Unlike before, very gently. Miho purred as if she was feeling good.

After about two minutes of stroking her, I heard a purring sound again.

She had fallen asleep again.

“…Mimir. There’s nothing wrong with Miho’s body, is there?”

I asked as quietly as possible so as not to wake Miho.

“It’s nothing like that, so don’t worry. It’s just that the Successor’s lap is comfortable.”

“My lap is comfortable?”

“Yeah. You know how young animals only sleep soundly in their mother’s arms? Think of it like that. When they’re nearby, all tension disappears, and they just fall asleep.”

“Ah.”

I stroked Miho’s head again. Miho purred as if she was feeling good.

“It just means she likes the Successor that much, so just take it as it is.”

Mimir, who hadn’t taken her eyes off the book, glanced at Miho.

Miho had a very resentful expression.

“She’s sleeping so cutely. If she would just let me touch her head once, she’d look even cuter.”

Then she added, ‘That fox-like thing.’

“She is actually a fox.”

“Exactly. I didn’t say anything wrong. She’s very fox-like.”

Mimir turned her gaze back to the book she was reading.

Recently, Mimir has been even more engrossed in her research.

Before, when I talked to her, she would put down her book and make eye contact with me while talking.

Now, no matter what I ask, she doesn’t take her eyes off the book.

She’s just constantly engrossed in her research.

“Didn’t you say that the research on Ignis and Umbra was all done?”

“I finished it perfectly last week. I gave you the research results.”

“Then what are you researching so diligently now?”

If she’s not researching Ignis and Umbra, what on earth is she researching so hard?

“It’s a secret for now.”

“Why?”

“I want to surprise you later. If I tell you now, it won’t have enough impact.”

“…Just how amazing is the thing you’re researching?”

I subtly craned my neck and turned my gaze to the book Mimir was reading.

“Tsk! Tsk!”

Mimir immediately closed the book and hugged it to her chest.

“I told you, not yet. I’ll show you this after it’s finished.”

A look that showed her determination not to back down.

A look that showed her strong will to protect this research log no matter what.

“The more you say I can’t see it, the more I want to see it.”

“…You’ll hate it if you see it.”

Mimir pursed her lips and glared at me with a serious expression.

An expression that said, ‘Go ahead and look if you want.’

At the same time, an expression that conveyed the message that she wouldn’t be responsible for the aftermath.

“Okay, I won’t look. I don’t have to look.”

It’s not right to force her to show me when she doesn’t want to show me that much. I raised both hands and gave a sign of surrender.

“Would it have been so bad to do that from the start?”

Mimir grumbled and put the book back on the table.

Then, she waved her hand at me.

A gesture that meant she wouldn’t show it to me, so I should go back to my side.

I moved to the side as she indicated.

Only then did Mimir smile with a satisfied expression.

Then, she opened the book again and began to focus on her research.

‘I’m really curious, though.’

I looked at Mimir and desperately suppressed my curiosity.

‘From what I saw briefly, it seems to be research related to AI…’

When I briefly craned my neck earlier.

I did see the words written particularly large at the top of the note.

It clearly said, [The Limits of AI and How to Overcome Them].

‘What is she trying to do by researching AI?’

The curiosity I had barely suppressed resurfaced.

* * *

The next morning.

As usual, I finished my magic training all night and headed to school.

I walked through the now familiar school gate and towards the main building.

“Instructor Ruan. Good morning!”

“Good morning!”

“Yes. Good morning to you too.”

On the way to school towards the main building.

Every student I encountered greeted me.

There wasn’t a single exception.

They were all so polite that I was getting tired of responding to their greetings.

‘It’s a good thing I came early. If I had been late…’

It’s a relief that it’s early in the morning and there aren’t many people on the way to school.

If I had come just 30 minutes later, the greeting barrage would have been five times worse.

“Instructor Ruan. If you have time this afternoon, could you come to our clubroom? We tried changing our stance according to your guidance, but something’s not working out.”

In the midst of that, a male student approached me. He had a very troubled expression.

He was definitely the student who recently decided to use a rapier based on my advice.

I also remember the club.

The club that the four students who decided to use rapiers based on my advice created.

The club name is… I don’t really want to say it.

“Hmm. I don’t think I’ll be able to in the evening. I have a prior engagement.”

I’d love to help, but I have a prior engagement this afternoon.

And it’s a very important engagement that I can’t miss.

Tonight at 7, I’m meeting with Lilian, Sein, Adela, and Stella separately.

I heard that Sein set up the meeting. It seems they have a lot of questions since I’m making significant achievements at school.

It’s a meeting I absolutely have to attend, so I can’t make time separately in the afternoon.

And even if it wasn’t Sein’s summons, it’s an appointment I absolutely have to attend.

‘Because I need to receive the mana freezing flask from Adela there.’

Yesterday was the day I regularly met with Adela.

The note I received from Adela there had these words written on it.

[Tomorrow at noon. I’ll have another chance to go into the basement of the Palace of Versailles.]

[I think the mana freezing flask you mentioned will be ready tomorrow.]

If I don’t attend the meeting tonight, I’ll only be able to receive the mana freezing flask on the next regular meeting day, which is three days later.

I absolutely have to attend today’s appointment.

“Ah… If you have a prior engagement, there’s nothing we can do. Maybe next time…”

“But I can take a look at it during lunch.”

“Ah!”

The male student’s eyes widened with an expression of emotion.

“Of course, if you guys can make time…”

“We can, we can. We absolutely can. We’ll eat lunch at the speed of light and wait.”

“Eat lunch later. It’s not good for your body to move right after eating.”

“Ah, yes! I understand.”

“Okay. Then I’ll see you at lunch.”

“Yes! Thank you!”

The male student bowed his upper body.

A 100-degree bow that exceeded 90 degrees.

It was such a respectful greeting that I felt burdened by it.

I waved to the male student and continued walking.

After about 5 more minutes, exchanging greetings with the passing students.

I arrived at the main building.

There was no sign of anyone in the main building.

It was natural that it was quiet since the 3rd graders who use the main building were not attending school today due to practical training.

‘Now I can finally breathe.’

It’s nice to be respected, but the students’ reactions are all too respectful, which is uncomfortable.

I was smiling wryly at that thought when.

“You’ve almost become a star instructor in just five days.”

Stella appeared from behind, sneaking up on me.

“You’ve forgotten about the promise to spar with me. Sob sob. I’m so sad.”

She pretended to cry in front of the shoe rack with an exaggerated expression.

It was a playful act.

“Forgotten? We just postponed it to later because our schedules didn’t match.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Five days ago, when I was first appointed, I didn’t have the time to pay attention to other things.

When I had time, the 3rd graders, including Stella, went on a 2-night, 3-day practical training, so there was no time.

“Then spar with me tonight.”

“Tonight? At the tea party?”

“Yes.”

“Wouldn’t that be rude to the others?”

“It’s okay. First of all, my mother will like it. Lilian will probably like it too. Adela… I don’t know.”

“If the others all agree, I don’t mind.”

“Really? Okay. Then I’ll get their permission. I should contact Adela too.”

Stella smiled brightly and took out her phone. She was probably contacting the three of them.

“More importantly, what’s going on? The 3rd graders should be resting today after finishing their practical training.”

The 3rd graders finished their 2-night, 3-day practical training yesterday and are assigned a day of rest today.

The other 3rd graders are probably sleeping soundly right now.

Considering the intensity of this practical training, they’re probably still passed out until lunch.

“Um. I just came out. Opportunities to monopolize the 3rd grade training grounds are rare.”

“…Aren’t you tired?”

“Yes. I’m very energetic.”

In fact, Stella’s condition looked very good.

Her skin was glowing, and there were no dark circles under her eyes.

“I heard that this practical training was quite intense.”

“Hmm. I guess so?”

“You’re talking like it’s someone else’s problem.”

“It’s the same for me no matter what kind of training it is. I’ve never thought that the school’s curriculum was difficult.”

“I see. So, you’re saying you’re a genius.”

“It feels strange to hear that from a real genius. It’s good and bad at the same time.”

Stella made a subtle expression, as she said.

“But I guess it’s a compliment, so I’ll gratefully accept it.”

Then she smiled brightly with her hands behind her back.

“It wasn’t a compliment, it was an outright compliment.”

“Ah, is that so? Then I’ll accept it even more gratefully.”

She stuck out her tongue slightly and smiled even more brightly.

She looked very happy.

“Then I’ll go to the instructor’s office. You too, good luck with your self-training…”

“Wait a minute.”

Stella stopped me as I was about to leave.

“We’re not done talking yet.”

Stella took something out of her inner pocket.

It was a card the size of an instructor’s pass.

“Here you go.”

“What is this?”

I took the card.

“It’s what Instructor Ruan kept saying you wanted.”

“If it’s what I wanted…”

And I immediately checked the front of the card.

[Training Equipment Storage Access Permit]

[Issuer: Ruan Palatia]

It was an access pass to the storage warehouse.

“It’s not usually allowed, but they issued it as a special case after seeing Instructor Ruan’s achievements over the past five days.”

Stella smiled with a slightly mischievous expression.

“My mother also gave a little~ push.”

“I see. I should thank her today.”

“I’m glad to see you so happy. It makes me happy too.”

Stella covered her mouth and laughed as if she found it amusing.

My joy must have shown on my face.

“The period is from today until tomorrow. You know the location, right?”

“I know.”

Of course, I know.

It’s a place I’ve been wanting to go into, so how could I not know?

“I should go there right away.”

I put the card in my pocket and immediately headed towards the storage warehouse.