Supreme Magus novel Chapter 174

A few days later, when the White Griffon academy resumed its normal activities, Lith was still practicing how to convert Warp Steps into true magic while also trying to learn Blink.

It was supposed to be the final milestone of Professor Rudd’s class and Lith was eager to cut his ties with him. After Lith had learned Warp Steps, the old Professor had become even more cranky and unfriendly, making him regret his sassy attitude.

- "Back then I should have kept my mouth shut. Between my excitement and Rudd’s provocations, I let pride get the best of me. I’m so dumb sometimes."

"Nobody’s perfect. Live and learn." Solus consoled him. –

Despite their renewed hostilities, Lith never missed a lesson, squeezing as much knowledge as he could from the Professor before things went back to normal. Dimensional magic really was the hardest subject for Lith after all.

Since both Manohar and Marth were still away, that left him a lot of time to practice Forgemastering with Professor Wanemyre, allowing him to get ahead of his peers and to learn from her how to forge communication amulets.

After meeting Kalla and witnessing Ryman’s growth, Lith decided it was better to remain in touch with his non human allies. The problem was that the amulets were very expensive to buy, making him realize how big of a present the two he had received from the Marchioness were.

Forgemastering the amulets was a complex task, though. The blue gemstone, the key item required to make it work, was an uncommon mana stone and beside that, several enchantments were needed.

Transmitting images and sounds, receiving them, the ability to scan items and documents, memorizing another communication amulet’s signature. Every single function required a spell of its own.

Wanemyre had accepted showing him the blueprints only to make Lith realize his limits. She had always been amazed by his theorical knowledge, that actually depended entirely on Soluspedia, but now that she had only him to teach, she realized that his practical skills were lacking.

He knew enough to make up for it, but in the long run, it could become a fatal flaw. Hence Wanemyre allowed him to bite more than he could chew. After realizing the task was beyond his current abilities, Lith gave up on the idea and focused on the basics instead.

The Professors he worked with during that time became fond of his hardworking nature. Especially since Lith would never show conceit for the privileges they were forced to grant him, only respect and gratitude.

He spent his nights using Accumulation to further refine his core and searching for a way to open the boxes in his pocket dimension, losing quite a few in the process.

Going back to the basics not only allowed him to become a better Forgemaster, but also to better understand how to crack that mystery.

When his friends finally returned, he had made much progress in all his endeavours, but no breakthrough.

Yurial was the only one brimming with confidence, looking like a million dollars. The girls instead, looked dejected, like they had been forced to swallow too many bitter pills too often.

"Hey, I thought being dark and gloomy was my thing." Lith said trying to lighten the mood, but to no avail.

"If you knew my mother, you would understand. These last few days were a nightmare, especially for them." Phloria sighed, while pointing at the other two girls.

"And as for me, I should just be glad to be back here. There was more than one moment when I seriously thought I would never wear pants again. Also, I never expected to go away with two friends and return with two sisters."

Lith furrowed his brows. This wasn’t the Phloria he used to know and respect, confident and strong-willed. It wasn’t like her to speak in riddles, her words made no sense.

Yurial knew everything already, but feigned ignorance to appear more natural in case one of the girls needed emotional support from a couple of strong arms.

Seeing their confusion, Friya explained to them everything that had happened. From the fall of house Solivar to their adoption by Duke Ernas.

"I didn’t have a choice." At the request of the girls, they had met in Lith’s room to speak privately.

"It was one thing to be the rebellious daughter of a noble and proud family. I could have always exploited my mother’s dire need for a mage in the family to bide my time before becoming independent.

Being the lone survivor in a line of traitors is another." Just repeating her story was too much for her shaken nerves, so after a few sobs, Friya started to cry.

"I had nothing left. My house is gone, my siblings and relatives are all dead. I hated them, but they were still my family. How could my mother abandon us all, letting us pay for her crimes?"

Having already said those words countless times back at Phloria’s home, Friya didn’t feel like burdening her sisters with her weakness again, so she instinctively sought comfort in another friend, throwing herself on Lith’s chest.

At least she was sure that his hands wouldn’t ’accidentally’ slip. Yurial was disappointed by the missed opportunity, but his poker face remained impeccable.

"My mother is really a monster." Seeing her friend’s suffering made Phloria turn back to her old self, seething with rage.

"As soon as she finished with the Solivars, she rushed back home the moment she learned about my guests’ identities. She even gave them an ultimatum. They had only until the academy’s reopening to accept, take it or leave it."

Lith was flabbergasted by Jirni Ernas’ ruthlessness. Exploiting two young girls’ suffering was something that even he would have hesitated to do.

Maybe.

Instinctively he hugged Friya tight, sitting on his bed and rocking her in his arms, like he used to do with Tista back when she was in too much pain to fall asleep. One hand gently stroking her hair while supporting her back with the other.

After a bit, she seemed to calm down, the crying reduced to an occasional sniff.

Yurial inwardly admired his technique. To so casually lift a girl like she weighted nothing was something that required practice.

- "Maybe he isn’t made of stone after all." – Yurial thought.

"What about you?" Lith asked Quylla with a worried tone.