Chapter 58: The New Teacher

  "Since the defeat of the Elf tribe, their magic has also gradually declined. Many spells have been lost, and in the distant past, the Elf tribe's pharmacists were also skilled in magic. Pharmacy was actually called magical pharmacy. After that war, the Elf tribe suffered a huge loss of magicians, and the remaining number of magicians was far from enough to meet the needs of battle. As a result, magicians gradually stopped learning pharmacy or specializing as archers, focusing solely on studying and researching magic, collecting lost Elven spells. Even so, the number of magicians still couldn't keep up, let alone spend energy researching other things. The professions of magical pharmacist and magical archer gradually disappeared. Now pharmacists are just pharmacists, and archers are just archers - there are no longer hybrid professions. Many divine-level potions now only have recipes left, but they can't be made because the magic assistance has been lost. You're a magician, I hope to revive the Elven magical pharmacy by having you learn pharmaceutical knowledge and recombine the two."

  The first time I heard such a thing, I asked nervously: "Grandpa Toda, I am human, aren't you worried?"

  Toda smiled and said, "As long as the knowledge can be passed down, who gets it doesn't matter. Besides, I understand you, you're a kind child, you won't forget those who have helped you, I believe that in the end you will return the knowledge you've learned to the Elf tribe."

  I nodded and said: "As you wish, once I successfully combine the two, I will pass on everything I know to the Spirit Clan."

  Toda's face revealed a relieved smile, he handed me a letter and said: "Take this letter, go to Gakure village to find a magician named Soreya, learn the magic of the spirit tribe with him, try to see what is different between the magic of the spirit tribe and human magic. If he sees my letter and still refuses to teach you, tell him that Toda asks him to return what he owes him."

  I took the letter and carefully put it in my bosom, thinking to myself: It seems that this Soyeri fellow is a bit of a handful, I'd better be careful.

  "Then let's set off, Freya knows the way, she'll also go with you to learn magic." Toda said.

  ……

  I walked with Freya in the forest for three days, and these three days were spent rushing along the road. Although I liked having this beautiful elf by my side at all times, and Freya seemed excited too, but going around in circles like this was making my head spin. Finally, I couldn't help it anymore, so I asked: "Freya, where is that village anyway?"

  Furei stopped in her tracks and said, "I thought you liked playing with me in the forest. Actually, that village is only two days' journey from our village. I was accompanying you on purpose to play in the forest."

  I was left speechless and gave her a smile with an extremely awkward expression.

  Fure looked at me with some disappointment and said: "Well... let's go to Gangre Village then..."

  Seeing her disappointed look, I hastily said: "Actually, we can play together in the forest later, it's okay, after all, there are forests everywhere here, right? Let's prioritize the important things first, and then we can play however we want?"

  "Frey pouted and said, 'You don't know yet, once you start following Master Sorey to learn magic, you can forget about playing around. He's a stubborn person who demands a lot from others, so much that it's almost harsh. That's why no one dares to be his student. I heard he still only has one student until now.'"

  I curiously asked: "Oh? Such a strict teacher, what kind of student was he that could actually graduate under his standards?"

  Frey stuck out her tongue and said: "That student of his is our kingdom's great magician, Konrad."

  I nodded and said, "A good teacher produces excellent students. I'm really curious about this Soyer Grandpa."

  ……

  "Grandpa Soya, I'm here!" As soon as she arrived at Gonru Village, Furei rushed straight to a treehouse in the center of the village, climbed up to the second floor and shouted before bursting in, not showing her usual calm demeanor at all.

  How can you tell that our Fure-san is afraid of Soyeru's grandpa? She's even more brazen than when she's at her own home......

  I curiously followed her up to the treehouse and saw Freya chatting with an old elf, their casual and overbearing attitude made me despise Freya several times in my heart.

  Frey pouted and pulled at his hair, saying "You teach him too, it's no fun learning alone."

  As I entered, Freya pointed at the old spirit and said: "This is Arik, our tribe's magic guide, Soyare." Then she turned her head to Soyare and said: "Grandpa Soyare, this is Arik."

  I bowed in a mage's greeting, lowering my head to Zorvath and saying respectfully: "Master Sorcerer, greetings. I am Aleric Sorel."

  Soare looked at me and said to Freya, "I can teach you magic, but I won't teach this human. The magic of the Elf tribe cannot be easily passed on to humans. What is your grandfather thinking?"

  Furei tugged on Soreya's sleeve and said, "My grandfather has already taught him pharmacology, so just let him learn from you. He was originally a magician, so it should be easy for him to pick up."

  Su Yaer glared at Furei and said, "I know he's a magician, so it's even more impossible to teach him. If humans understand the magic of our elf tribe, how will they deal with us in the future? Your grandfather doesn't have any vigilance at all? This is too absurd."

  "I said on the edge, 'Respectfully, Lord Soyare, what I learned from the spirit tribe will not be passed back to humans. In exchange, I am willing to pass on my magical knowledge to Freya. Do you think this is fair?'"

  "Soare shook his head and said: 'Are human oaths reliable? This is the most ridiculous joke on the continent of Aichner.'"

  I nodded and said: "In that case, I'll take my leave. It was an honor to meet you, sir." After finishing speaking, I turned around and walked towards the door.

  Furei pulled me forward and said: "Alek, why didn't you tell him what Grandfather said?"

  I shook my head and said: "I don't like forcing others to do things they are not willing to do, especially knowledge. If the teacher is unwilling to teach in their heart, then students will never learn well."

  Frey saw my resolute attitude, so she also said: "Okay, you don't want to learn, I don't want to either. Let's go." After that, she pulled my hand and walked out.

  "Wait, you guys stop, what does your grandfather want him to pass on?" came Soyer's voice from behind.

  "Hmph, I'll tell you anyway. My grandfather said that if you refuse to teach him, he'll just take back what you owe him," Fure said.

  "Hmph, I knew your grandfather would use this to threaten me. Alright, you stay here, learn and then go back and tell that old man that I don't owe him anything."

  I turned around and looked at Soyer, saying: "Mr. Soyer, think carefully, don't do something you're not willing to do."

  "Soare sneered and said, 'You just need to remember to fulfill your promise, don't worry about me hiding anything, I'm afraid you won't have the patience. As long as you can meet my requirements, I will unreservedly impart my knowledge to you.'"

  So I started my training life in learning the Elf tribe's magic, and suddenly I felt that the intermediate magic certification exam which I had always yearned for didn't seem so important anymore. Is a certificate really that useful when you have real power?