Chapter 162: Chapter 162 - Envelope
For a moment, Theo simply stared at her.
The gray chaos mana slowly faded from around his hand, leaving behind a strange silence in the room.
’’Your personal student?’’ he repeated. ’’As in outside of Westridge?’’
Elise nodded once.
’’Yes.’’
Theo blinked.
Even though she’d asked it in such a simple tone, he understood very well how much those words were actually worth.
Elise wasn’t just some random instructor.
She was one of, if not the strongest person he’d ever met.
A diamond core mage with four elements and countless insane spells.
Not to mention her mastery in the water and chaos elements, which was at a level he couldn’t possibly comprehend yet.
And now... she was offering to personally teach him.
Theo slowly lowered his hand.
Then his eyes narrowed slightly.
"What exactly are you offering me?" he asked calmly.
A faint flicker of surprise appeared within Elise’s eyes.
Most people would’ve just accepted the offer, especially after hearing "personal student" from someone like her.
Yet Theo wasn’t excited.
Instead, he’d become calm and was clearly calculating his benefits.
’’Good,’’ she finally said. ’’You’ve truly changed for the better.’’
Theo tilted his head slightly.
But Elise didn’t give him time to hang on those words.
’’I’ll offer you spells for both mutual affinities free of cost, protect you with my connections, as well as guide you anytime you wish after our training period on Westridge is over.’’
Theo raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
’That’s more than I expected,’ he thought, amazed.
That’s when Elise’s eyes narrowed.
’’But it also means you will not have the freedom to waste your talent.’’
Theo paused for a moment.
’’That sounds terrifying.’’
’’It should.’’
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Elise continued.
"You have water, lightning, and now chaos. Three elements, two of which overlap with my own path. That alone already makes me one of the few people in this country capable of guiding you properly."
Theo quietly listened along.
Even though part of him already wanted to accept the offer immediately...
He understood very clearly that something like this was not a simple mentorship.
The moment he agreed, his name and actions would be directly tied to her.
The same could be said for her.
Once Theo accepted... anyone who wished to target Elise would inevitably start looking at him too.
’No,’ he thought, shaking his head. ’I said I wouldn’t care about those things anymore.’
A strange glint passed through his eyes as he clenched his jaw together.
’This is the fastest path to strength.’
’And I’ll be taking it!’
Without another thought, he reached his hand across the table.
Elise stared at it for a moment, caught off guard.
’’I accept,’’ he said.
For several long seconds, Elise simply looked at him in silence.
Then slowly, a faint smile appeared on her face.
Finally, she reached forward and shook his hand firmly.
’’Good choice.’’
Theo couldn’t help but smile slightly himself.
Honestly, he felt relieved.
’I was pretty worried about my chaos element,’ he thought. ’Those spells are so incredibly rare and expensive...’
Elise slowly let go of his hand.
Then her expression gradually turned serious once more.
’’Is there anything you wish to know now?’’ she asked.
Theo nodded immediately.
’’This might sound crazy,’’ he said, scratching his cheek. ’’But I forgot when the pre-admission tournament is over.’’
For a moment, silence fell between them.
Elise’s expression turned strange, almost as if she was questioning whether she’d made the right choice.
’’I’m serious!’’ Theo quickly said. ’’I really need those three resources.’’
Finally, Elise just let out a sigh.
’’It should be done in about four days...’’
Theo’s eyes lit up.
’That’s doable.’
If he had enough time, he could climb to the top and claim the S-rank resources.
From there, he could finally use the summoning circle imprinted on his heart.
’’Even if you’re really desperate for the resources,’’ Elise’s voice rang out. ’’I’d suggest starting tomorrow, not today.’’
Theo snapped out of his thoughts and glanced over at her.
’’That’s what I was planning,’’ he said, smiling. ’’Still have a lot of other things to do today.’’
Elise nodded once.
She pushed herself up out of her seat.
’’Then we’ll continue serious training after you’ve accomplished everything you needed to.’’
Theo’s smile grew even larger.
’’Thanks,’’ he said, also standing up.
But just before he was about to turn away, another thought passed through his mind.
’’Right...’’
Elise raised an eyebrow slightly.
Without another word, Theo reached into his pocket and slowly pulled out the envelope.
The moment Elise saw the handwriting on it, her expression immediately shifted slightly.
’’Where did you get that?’’ she asked, her voice cold.
The surrounding temperatures plunged, sending shivers down Theo’s body.
Even the water inside the tea cups instantly froze solid.
Theo’s expression stiffened.
’’I... was handed this,’’ he responded quickly. ’’It was written by Alia, who knew you from here!’’
The coldness throughout the room intensified even further.
Theo could barely make out several curses escaping under Elise’s breath.
’’She passed away,’’ he said, no longer smiling. ’’But wanted me to give this to you!’’
With that, the coldness in the room receded.
For a moment, Elise just stared at him.
’’She... passed?’’
Theo nodded, a bitter expression plastered across his face.
’’The beast tide in my city,’’ he said, voice low. ’’She fought there... and didn’t make—’’
Before he could utter another word, the envelope ripped itself free from his hands.
It shot towards Elise, who just stood there silently.
Finally, her voice came out again.
’’You can leave now.’’
Theo quietly stared at her for a few more seconds.
But in the end, he simply nodded once.
’’Understood.’’
Without another word, he turned around and slowly made his way toward the massive metal doors.
RIP!
He heard the envelope tear open behind him.
Clink!
The heavy door slid open in front of him.
Just after stepping out, Theo paused briefly.
Then he glanced back one final time.
Elise still stood there silently with the envelope in her hands.
Then the door shifted shut in front of him again.
