After meeting with them, Enrico was now standing before Virelle and Hao in the director's office of the original Astrong academy. The room was still a mess, though compared to its previous state it was much better.
"So you were resting in your dorm whenever you got close to dying."
"Yes, and sometimes I came here since there were traces of your magic, Director, and the Nartheis didn't have much courage to enter."
"That's good to know."
Around the room, Auredor was certainly repairing the place with her magic. She would be the leader of the academy's restoration, so she had started with the director's office—but only because Virelle ordered it, since she wanted to fix another place first.
'I wanted to fix the young master's dorm first.'
She sighed in disappointment, making Virelle's expression go flat. Ignoring her maid's sulking, she looked at Enrico with pride for how strong he had become—and sadness for having lost those two years of her disciple.
'At least now my family accepts him as a disciple.'
Over those two years, she had used every bit of information about him being a "prodigy," along with extremely detailed paperwork explaining why he should be her disciple, and in the end, she made up the excuse that Victoria was now being taught by Hao and didn't want any more teachers.
'It was a small lie, but if it's for my disciple, I'll do it.'
With a relieved smile that he was fine, Victoria approached, briefly interrupting Hao's conversation, and placed her hand on his head, ruffling his hair.
"You reached the sixth circle a month before I did at your age. I'm very proud."
"Thank you, Professor."
Enrico couldn't deny he felt happy about the interaction and blushed a little from embarrassment—but only a little; he had to maintain his posture. Getting serious as he realized Victoria wasn't stopping the hair-ruffling, he decided to warn her.
"Professor, it's better if you don't do that."
"Why?"
"Valença will get jealous."
At first she looked a bit startled, but then she put on an arrogant and cruel smile, sending a chill down his spine.
"If she wants to try something against an eighth circle who will reach the ninth in a few months, she can try."
'What confidence.'
[Well, she's right. Facing someone that strong is madness.]
Victoria placed a hand on her chin, observing his appearance as if only now realizing how different he looked compared to before.
"Now that I look at you, you're my height."
"To be honest, to me you're still taller anyway."
"In terms of power, yes, I'm still greater than my irresponsible disciple."
Seeing the two of them, Hao grew envious of their master-disciple relationship. He also wanted Enrico as a disciple, so he planned on boasting later about how incredible he was at teaching.
"In any case, we have important matters to discuss—especially with the king. He summoned you to his castle today."
[The king summoned you? Must be something important.]
'Of course it is. The person who can foresee the future of the country was trapped for two years.'
[…]
He nodded, saying he would go immediately. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.
"You may come in, Miss Elaris."
"Thank you, Director."
Elaris calmly entered the room. Closing the door, she walked to Enrico's side, and he became curious as to why she came to such a private meeting. Her gaze fixed on him as she began speaking.
"It's good to see you, Enrico."
"It's good to see you too after these years. How have you been lately?"
"Honestly? Like crap… and the reason is that it's time for you to fulfill your role as my subordinate, Enrico."
Enrico widened his eyes as he remembered that once she reached the fifth circle, it would be time for her to begin planning to retake the Elf kingdom for her family. Her expression was serious—she had waited a long time for this moment since her sister stole the crown.
"I understand. It must have been difficult and stressful these past days. Don't worry, I'll help you with this."
"Good. Then I should tell you about the alliance I made with Virelle and the director. They'll help when we face the strongest mages of the Elf dimension."
Enrico already knew that—especially that Hao would join—so he pretended to be surprised in a natural, convincing way, glancing between the two sides.
[You really should become an actor.]
"That's very good, Elaris. Having Director Hao helping you will definitely be useful."
"Well, thanks to you, convincing Miss Virelle was easier."
Enrico gave Virelle a small smile, and she simply nodded. He had mentioned this to her before; back then she wasn't sure if she would join, but it seemed she had made up her mind over these two years.
"Of course. I'll do anything for my disciple."
"And I'd do the same for you, Professor."
Virelle felt her heart skip a beat, then let out a fake cough into her hand. She never imagined she would get so attached to her disciple.
"So, what will our strategy be, and when will we begin the plan?"
"There is a secret route only my family knows. We will enter the Elf dimension through it, and we'll go a month after we are fully prepared. I still have to reach the sixth circle."
"Oh, so you'll train that hard? I can help you."
"If it's to make me stronger, I gladly accept."
Rather than going as a fifth circle, she intended to enter the Elf dimension at a higher level. Enrico was grateful, since he wanted to face a troublesome person there—and now that she had decided to reach the sixth circle, he could let the sisters fight instead.
"So we'll begin in a month, right? I think there's time."
"Time for what?"
Enrico looked down, thoughtful. If he considered things carefully, it was possible that the sky dungeon in Tsuyokuni would open soon, since he believed Renzou must have done something so he could participate in that dungeon as promised earlier.
"Let's just say I'll be going to a dungeon in the sky."
The four looked confused, so he gave a brief explanation about his visit to Tsuyokuni. From Virelle's and Angela's suddenly understanding expressions, they had some idea of what he meant.
"So that's it."