I teleported into Lapis' magic tower, appearing right before her desk.
("The teleport destination isn't set to the guest room?") [Solace]
There were a few times where Lapis would receive some guests, but I never got to see them. Though, she did make me clean up the guest room afterwards.
"...Lapis?" [Solace]
To my surprise, I found Lapis sleeping with her head resting on her desk. From the large amount of scrolls on the table, I assumed that she was trying to create either a new spell or optimize a formula.
("Should I wake her?") [Solace]
I was a bit hesitant to do so because I had a feeling Lapis probably has some sort of defensive spell to protect her during her sleep.
("Knowing her she might have placed a curse rather than a barrier.") [Solace]
I took out a small nugget of monster flesh I had intended to cook for the Hero's party before tossing it at Lapis. As expected, it got incinerated.
("Yikes.") [Solace]
Lapis sprung up, her eyes darting around to locate any foes. As soon as her eyes locked onto mine, she relaxed.
"...Alt?" [Lapis]
"Hi." [Solace]
She raised a brow at me.
"Did you just attack me?" [Lapis]
I made a blank face.
"I tossed a piece of monster meat at you if that counts." [Solace]
Lapis looked at me with confusion.
"...Why?" [Lapis]
"I had a feeling something bad would happen if I tried to wake you up. Well, I'm glad I didn't have to try anything else." [Solace]
It would've been a pain to figure out a way around her defense if she didn't wake up.
"...Are you gonna say something?" [Solace]
She gave me a strange look as if trying to figure out my intentions. In the end, Lapis just sighed.
"Have you come to seek refuge?" [Lapis]
"Seek refuge?" [Solace]
"...Am I wrong? You're being hunted by all humans, no?" [Lapis]
"Oh. No, I'm fine. I'm actually staying at Naballia right now." [Solace]
"Naballia? Seriously?" [Lapis]
She acted like it was surprising.
"You my Master's other disciples, right?" [Solace]
"I've met them all, yes. It's just… I wouldn't expect they'd be willing to put their country in danger for you." [Lapis]
"Maybe I'm worth that much." [Solace]
Lapis chuckled.
"That's funny. If anything, you're at the level of a B rank subjugation quest. So about as much as five years worth of a farmer's income." [Lapis]
"Doesn't it take like… five C rank adventurers to beat one B rank? I wouldn't say that's bad." [Solace]
"It's not bad, but it's not great either. Well, you're lucky you're not A rank material." [Lapis]
"What? Why not?" [Solace]
"Because the Temple would send their knight order to eliminate you." [Lapis]
You know, I always hear of this "Temple", but I never really understand what their organization really does.
"How strong are they?" [Solace]
"Each member is at least A rank. Their captain is for sure S rank. Good thing they're only deployed against A rank and up threats." [Lapis]
Sounds like they'd be annoying to fight. I wonder what level A rank is?
"Well, enough about that. If you've already found refuge in Naballia, why are you here?" [Lapis]
She paused for a moment before coming to a strange realization.
"Ah, I got it! You must've really missed me huh? You cutie~." [Lapis]
"Uh… I came to you regarding Fina actually." [Solace]
"Your summoner?" [Lapis]
I explained to Lapis about the education system of Naballia and about how Fina wishes to learn both. I then led the story up to the point where I suggested asking Lapis to take Fina under her tutelage.
"You want ME, the most POWERFUL mage to ever exist, to teach your summoner?" [Lapis]
Crazy self-glaze, but okay.
"Is that a no?" [Solace]
"If you give an enticing enough offer, then sure." [Lapis]
Oh, so I can negotiate like this? That was unexpected.
"Is there anything you want?" [Solace]
Lapis just stared at me.
"...What?" [Solace]
We stood there in silence as she just… continued to stare.
"...Seriously?" [Solace]
Lapis nodded.
"Again? Really?" [Solace]
Lapis nodded again.
"Be my test subject Alt~." [Lapis]
Fuuuuuuuuck.
"What's it gonna be this time? Are you gonna burn me? Freeze me? Engrave enchantments onto my body?" [Solace]
"How'd you know?" [Lapis]
I couldn't tell if she was joking.
"To be frank, it's quite the deal. Your summoner doesn't have the capability to learn from me." [Lapis]
"What do you mean?" [Solace]
"You've seen what my magic tower holds. Artifacts, skillbooks, weapons, unwritten history, and more. The average person isn't capable of learning all of this." [Lapis]
"I only need you to teach her how to become stronger." [Solace]
"She's a forsaken, Alt." [Lapis]
That was the first time Lapis said something like that. I was so stunned by her statement that I couldn't find the words to speak.
"No gods have blessed her. No matter which path she treads, she will be behind others. There will be nothing she excels at. To think that she wants to learn more than one expertise is ridiculous. I'm willing to teach her, but you should know it most likely will not produce any results." [Lapis]
I wanted to defend Fina here, but what can I say to the self-proclaimed greatest mage? I'm not stupid enough to argue with someone wiser and more powerful than myself.
"...Instead of skills to make her stronger, how about you teach her about engravings? She could make equipment to bolster her strength." [Solace]
Lapis tapped her finger on her desk with intrigue.
"Something like that will stunt her personal growth. She will continue to overly rely on external means. Is that something YOU- No, SHE wants?" [Lapis]
Realistically, that was unlikely. Fina wasn't the type to settle. Rather, she was the type to have the drive to try to do any and everything.
"It seems like you know the answer." [Lapis]
She waved a hand at me dismissively.
"You can go back now. I refuse to teach a whelp as untalented as she. Do you think I'm like your Master?" [Lapis]
Before I could say anything else, I was transported back to Naballia, surrounded by the others awaiting the news in excitement.
"So? Did Lapasia say yes?" [Lascavall]
One look at my expression gave them my answer.
"...She said no, huh. Kinda expected that." [Fettle]
"I'm… sorry, Fina." [Solace]
I was the only one who could convince Lapis there, yet I was also the reason why Fina lost her chance to become Lapis' student.
"It's alright, Alt. At least we tried. Besides, it's not like that was the only path." [Fina]
"Indeed. We discussed other methods of education while you were gone." [Fettle]
"I lost 100 mel though. You looked kinda confident when you said you could try to convince her." [Lascavall]
"I know her well. Thanks for the money, Alt." [Fettle]
Did these two gamble over this?
"You guys… Aren't you two supposed to be responsible adults?" [Solace]
"Master, shouldn't you explain what the plan is?" [Number Zero]
"Ah, right, right. Basically we're going to make Fina attend both the knight and magic schools." [Lascavall]
"Huh? But didn't you guys say that-" [Solace]
"I know, I know. It's just that she will be registered as a guest." [Lascavall]
"A guest?" [Solace]
"She won't actually have to participate in classes or events. Fina will be able to attend any lecture without the responsibilities that come with it." [Lascavall]
I looked at Fina.
"Are you okay with this?" [Solace]
"They're not exactly my main goal." [Fina]
I was getting confused.
"What?" [Solace]
Lascavall placed a hand on Fina's shoulder.
"Fina has decided to join me in my research." [Lascavall]
"Your research?" [Solace]
"Did you know that each of Master's disciples excel in something?" [Lascavall]
"...To an extent." [Solace]
"Nakros excels in blacksmithing and magic. Ivanda excels in combat, strategy, and… well anything related to violence. As for me, I'm pretty untalented in those areas." [Lascavall]
"Uh-huh…" [Solace]
Lascavall was talking like he wasn't containing a mind-blowing amount of mana.
"The only thing Master was able to teach me was alchemy and artificing. I'm also researching the effects of |Divine| and |Demonic| energy. If we're successful, we can simulate a god's blessing." [Lascavall]
I raised a brow.
"Doesn't that kind of sound like… blasphemy?" [Solace]
"You mean playing god?" [Lascavall]
"I, too, agree it sounds blasphemous. You're playing god a little too much, Lascavall" [Fettle]
Lascavall nodded.
"True, but when did you ever care about such things?" [Lascavall]
The Spear King and my fellow disciple locked eyes as if communicating through telepathy. After a few moments, Fettle sighed.
"...I'll pretend I never heard of it. At least you're not as bad as your master." [Fettle]
I was still trying to wrap things around my head.
"So… let me try to summarize this. Fina will attend both schools, right?" [Solace]
"Yes." [Lascavall]
"And she will also be studying under you for your research?" [Solace]
"...What's so hard to understand about that?" [Lascavall]
"Isn't there too much to remember for her? Like, can she even keep up?" [Solace]
"That's why she has no homework, no tests, no grades. She can learn whatever she wants. It's just optional." [Lascavall]
I looked at Fina.
"And you agreed to this?" [Solace]
"After they explained it to me, yes." [Fina]
Crazy workload, but what can I say?
"Oh, you're basically gonna be following Fina all day right? You can help with my research too." [Lascavall]
And now I have to do work too? …At least it's better than being Lapis' test subject.
"...Whatever Fina says, I guess." [Solace]