Viktor and Aureliann's gazes turned toward Erica at the same time.
The air gradually grew quiet.
Being stared at by both of them made Erica feel a little shy, but her eyes still remained firm.
Viktor was silent for a moment before he said, "Erica, you're already my student."
"That's not what I mean!" Erica spoke anxiously.
"The general, easy-to-understand knowledge taught in the academy, I'll learn all of that sooner or later."
This wasn't her boasting. In the entire Royal Academy, even among students older than her, most were only first-rank mages, and second-rank mages were rare.
Erica had only been enrolled for a year, yet she had already reached the second rank.
The academy no longer had much to teach her. Otherwise, she wouldn't need to look for Viktor every evening after class for extra lessons.
Her talent was something everyone could see.
But no matter how gifted she was, after experiencing several life-and-death situations, she had come to understand something very important.
No matter how much simulated training, how complete one's knowledge, or how much magic one could control, academy-trained mages could never compare to those who had truly fought through countless battles.
Every time she thought back to those near-death moments, Erica couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of fear.
She was still too weak.
Viktor stood up and looked down into her eyes.
Perhaps startled by the faint coldness in his expression, Erica subconsciously took half a step back, but she didn't flinch. She met his eyes without the slightest hint of fear.
She wanted to become stronger.
But...
"I won't take you as my disciple." Viktor refused her request.
His quick and decisive response made Erica freeze, a faint chill spreading in her heart.
She didn't know why, but a wave of grievance suddenly rose inside her.
Still, she didn't show it. Even though her eyes glimmered with unshed tears, she lifted her head stubbornly and looked up at Viktor with defiance.
"Why?"
Even if she had been refused, she wanted a reason.
At the very least, she wanted to understand where she fell short.
Viktor said lightly, "Always remember, you're the duke's only heir."
"Then I'll go convince him!"
Erica's tone carried unquestionable confidence.
"I can definitely convince Father. I promise."
Viktor narrowed his eyes slightly and let out a soft, amused breath through his nose.
"Is that so?"
"Well then, let's talk about it later."
Suddenly, flames erupted from his body, blazing bright enough to light up half the night sky.
He turned around and looked toward the slightly dazed princess, bowing slightly.
"I have some matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving early."
"Have fun, Your Highness."
As he spoke, his body began to solidify, turning into a statue of gray ash.
Then a powerful gust of wind, like a sharp blade, tore pieces from his body one after another until he completely crumbled and disappeared into the air, scattering like dust.
Just like that, he vanished from the ballroom.
Erica stood frozen in place.
'Did Viktor just… agree?'
She wasn't sure. But at least now, she had a goal,
She would convince her father.
But just then, a tender voice sounded.
"I know you. You're Erica, Erica du Croy."
Erica came back to her senses and turned toward the princess, realizing she still hadn't greeted her properly.
Among nobles, that was considered rather impolite.
Just as she was about to bow, she saw the princess staring at her intently, her expression not very friendly.
"They say outside that you're the youngest genius in the capital."
Indeed, there weren't many seventeen-year-olds who could already become second-rank mages.
Erica's talent was extremely rare.
"Your Highness, I..."
Erica was just about to say a few polite words to deal with the princess she barely knew, when Aureliann suddenly said, "You want to steal my teacher away, don't you?"
Erica froze.
Then she heard Aureliann's tone grow sharp.
"I won't let you succeed. You can't take him from me."
"Under his guidance, I'll become an even greater genius than you, and I'll let everyone know who his most outstanding student truly is."
Aureliann said no more. The tall, elegant princess stood up, turned around, and left.
She didn't even give Erica a chance to speak.
Erica could only watch as she walked away, unable to say a single word.
———
Outside the royal palace, faint sparks suddenly burst into the air.
Crackle! Crackle!
In an instant, the sparks grew into blazing flames.
Several streams of fire ignited out of thin air, intertwining with each other until they gradually formed Viktor's figure.
With a wave of his hand, the flames transformed into a black coat that draped over his shoulders.
Vega stood atop a lamppost, flapped its wings, and landed on Viktor's shoulder.
"You're awfully slow. Did something interesting happen in the palace?"
"The Emperor appointed me as the princess's teacher. I accepted."
Vega raised its brows in surprise, looking curious.
"So you've become a man with connections now?"
Viktor didn't reply, but the raven kept grumbling, "In the end, you'll still have to rely on me. Honestly, the academy should give me a title too."
"Hmm… how about 'The Great, Professor Vega!'"
A blue teleportation circle lit up beneath Viktor's feet, and in the next moment, man and raven vanished into the night.
———
Near midnight, Liya finally returned to the mansion by carriage.
Dealing with nobles was truly exhausting, just endless empty pleasantries and attempts to curry favor with the Clavenna family.
She was completely drained, both mentally and physically.
She'd originally planned to drag her tired body over to find Viktor so they could go home together, but he was already gone.
After changing clothes back home, she went straight to the training yard, and finally found him there.
Viktor was still practicing with a sword. His movements were so precise and focused that even Liya, who wasn't easily impressed, had to admit it actually looked… good.
But then she remembered how he'd gone home without waiting for her, and irritation flared up again. She sneered and said mockingly, "What, our resident mage master's planning to change professions?"
Viktor didn't reply. When he saw Liya return, he simply sheathed the silver sword.
But this time, he didn't hang the sword back on the wall.
It disappeared from his hand entirely, stored away in the unique backpack system only players could use.
"You're back? Then let's get going."
Liya blinked, momentarily confused. Honestly, she'd planned to leave in the afternoon and arrive at the territory the next morning.
Now, riding a carriage back to the Clavenna lands was already impossible.
But soon after Viktor spoke, a blue magic circle appeared under his feet again.
This one was much larger than before, its runes and symbols glowing vividly.
A terrifying surge of magic erupted from beneath the ground, the brilliant blue teleportation circle rising up like a pillar of light that pierced the sky.
The violent wind tore at Viktor's coat, making the black fabric whip wildly. Liya's long hair was blown straight upward.
Soon, the wind subsided.
Tiny blue lights surrounded their bodies, wrapping them in a soft glow. Another magic circle formed above their heads.
Liya stared in shock and asked, "What is this?"
Without looking at her, Viktor explained calmly, "I spent two hours here constructing a two-way teleportation circle linked to 'Braeston.'"
Braeston, the main city under Clavenna's domain. The second-largest city after the capital.
It was where Viktor's family estate was located.
Liya blinked.
"So, you came back early just to make this?"
Viktor didn't answer, but his silence was enough of an acknowledgment.
Liya went quiet for a moment.
Thinking about how she'd blamed him earlier for not waiting for her, she suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
She stepped onto the circle, feeling the immense wave of magic wash over her.
Even though Liya wasn't a mage, she could sense just how powerful Viktor was.
"The teleportation circle will last for a full day," he said. "If everything goes well, we can use it to return tomorrow."
Liya nodded. The next second, the two circles aligned, and she and Viktor were enveloped in light.
Their figures dissolved into countless blue sparks, shooting off into the distance.
A return circle was left behind in the courtyard, slowly dimming until it disappeared from sight.
———
In a dimly lit room, a group of people wearing coarse, hooded cloaks burst in.
They had hidden all identifiable features, showing only their varied eyes. The room itself was empty, everything that could be taken had already been stripped away, leaving only bare walls.
It looked like someone had planned this in advance.
Leon walked inside, inspecting the scene. After hearing her subordinate's report, she nodded.
"Any leads? Do we know where he went?"
"He may have already left the city, but judging by the timing, he shouldn't have gotten out of the territory yet."
Leon breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good thing Miss Liya was prepared."
She took out a bronze disk from her waist. It had no markings, just a half pointer indicating a direction.
The subordinates immediately recognized the tool in her hand, a rune tracker.
Leon explained calmly, "Miss Liya had every merchant working with the territory sign a magical contract. As long as they remain within the boundaries, this can track them."
Everyone immediately understood, and their eyes lit up with admiration.
"As expected of Miss Liya!"
"Thank goodness Miss Liya planned ahead!"
"I'm so jealous of Lady Leon, she must get to use that to track Miss Liya's location every day!"
The others turned to stare at the one who said that.
Leon waved a hand indifferently, but suddenly, a small light appeared at the edge of the rune tracker.
It looked slightly unusual. Her subordinates didn't know what it meant, but Leon did. She quickly pocketed the device.
After a short cough, pretending nothing had happened, she gave her orders.
"You all go ahead and pursue. I'll head back first."
With that, she leapt out the window. Her movements in the night were as agile as a hunting leopard, and in the blink of an eye, she vanished into the darkness.
———
A soft blue light shimmered as Viktor and Liya appeared in the Clavenna estate's back garden.
The garden was spacious, far larger and more luxurious than their residence in the capital.
Under the night sky, fireflies drifted across the air, like a private field of stars.
This was Viktor's old home.
Though he didn't have many memories of it, he'd only been here a few times during side missions.
One moment ago they'd been in the capital, and now they were back on their land. Liya couldn't help but sigh.
"Magic really is convenient."
As the magic circle sank into the grass and disappeared, Viktor spoke.
"Do you need my help?"
"What, you think I can't handle it?"
Liya shot him a sideways glance, speaking lightly.
"To catch a little embezzling rat, we hardly need our mighty mage lord's help."
"Just go get some sleep in your room. I'll be back soon. Oh, and you do remember which room is yours, right?"
Viktor nodded. Since Liya didn't need assistance, he trusted she could handle things herself.
If it really was that guy, Chur, then with the resources Liya could mobilize, she'd have no problem capturing him.
If something did go wrong… Viktor glanced at the glove on her right hand.
The Mage's Hand would alert him if she faced danger beyond her control.
Without another word, Liya hurried off.
After she left, Viktor remained standing where he was.
Vega perched on his shoulder, looking around curiously.
"So this is where you used to live, huh? It's huge."
Viktor didn't respond, which made Vega frown.
"What are you doing? Why are you just standing there?"
"Don't talk. I'm trying to remember where my room is."
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