Supreme Magus novel Chapter 201

After Lith’s performance, the red haired girl did the best she could, going above and beyond in her efforts, but failed nonetheless. Lith stayed behind, while the others marched out of the classroom in silence.

From their gloomy expressions, one could have thought they were going to a memorial service.

After Professor Wanemyre instructed the academy’s clerks to clean the Forgemastering lab and repair the broken equipment, she finally noticed his presence.

"What can I do for you?" She was back to being all smiles and niceties. Lith didn’t know if it was because the class was over or because she was still overjoyed from his success.

Whatever the reason, he found her creepy.

"I have a few questions for you."

"Shoot."

"Today Professor Nalear showed us your latest creation. I was wondering how many enchantments it possesses and what is its market value." Lith was actually only interested in checking if it had a weight reducing spell, but he couldn’t ask it directly.

If Nalear was an Awakened one, by exposing her he was likely to expose himself too.

"You really are the greedy type." Wanemyre clicked her tongue in disapproval.

"What we do is a perfect mix of art and magical science. It’s not about how much you earn, it’s the journey that matters. Money is just a pleasant side effect of our line of work."

- "How can she say that with a straight face after keeping the Frost Dews for herself? She’s shameless." Lith thought.

"The pot calling the kettle black?" Solus sneered. –

"As for your questions, here. You can keep it." She gave him a small booklet, containing drawings and descriptions of all the magical items Wanemyre had for sale. The pricing of most of them was enough to make him weep blood.

- "I wish I had it earlier. Maybe I can still ask the Crown to give me a few of these things. The reward I asked for would barely cover for the cheapest items."–

When he found the sword’s description, the weight reducing spell was listed among many others. Lith felt like a burden had been lifted from his chest, yet another was added when he checked out the price.

- "Maybe if I reveal to the Crown how much I contributed to finding a cure for the plague, they will gift me half a sword. I need at least another two plagues to be able to afford this thing." -

"Another thing, how does the dagger work? You never explained that part."

Wanemyre slapped her own forehead with her palm, realizing her mistake.

"Sorry, I never thought someone would succeed. I didn’t want to get your hopes up just to be disappointed as it happened to your classmates. It’s actually very simple. Once you imprint it, activating the enchantment will make the blade turn hot enough to melt stone.

It can easily cut through most conventional protections and weapons. It doesn’t cause bleeding, but makes the wound unbearably painful and harder to heal. The effect lasts a couple of minutes per activation. With the Frost Dew I gave you, I doubt it can be activated more than thrice per day. Sorry."

Her apologies sounded fake like a three dollar bill, but Lith had to let it slide.

"The last question is a personal one, so I apologize in advance for being nosy. I couldn’t help but notice that you changed quite a bit from the last trimester."

"Changed how?" She tilted her head, seeming more flattered than annoyed by his curiosity.

"You look even prettier than before, you now wear makeup and jewels." Lith pointed at the gold necklace with several embedded gemstones she wore around her neck and the small silver bracelet around her wrist. "You also smile a lot more."

"Well, thank you for noticing it." She giggled like a little girl.

"I admit I was a bit too stern before, but you know, love changes everything. I am betrothed now."

"Betrothed?" Lith was dazed.

"Yes, I know it may seem rushed to a twelve year old with his whole life ahead of him, but for a woman of my age there is no time to lose. We want to have children, so we’ll get married after the end of the trimester."

- "Told you so. Again!" Solus laughed her heart out, mocking his paranoia.

"Don’t think I have forgotten about our bet."–

Lith ignored her remark, noticing instead the contrast between the two accessories.

"It’s a wonderful betrothal gift." He said pointing at the necklace. In the new world there was no such thing as engagement rings. The one proposing could provide any kind of jewelry or commodity as a sign of good faith.

"That’s my protective necklace, page twenty-three of the catalog." Wanemyre snorted, quite offended by his remark.

"I wear it only because of Linjos’ paranoia. He wants us to be ready in case another sabotage happens. It’s too flashy for my taste, but it was the most useful if something went wrong during today’s lesson. This is his betrothal gift."

She extended her slim wrist, showing him the silver bracelet.

- "And you say I’m the stingy one, Solus. On Earth this trinket is barely better than those you would find in an Easter egg. Judging from the numerous runes and magic crystals, it should at least be powerfully enchanted.

"Even I would have bought something better." -

Solus was tempted to say "It’s the thought that counts", but she was too afraid Lith would use it against her the next time he had to buy presents.

"It’s simply lovely." Lith lied through his teeth.

"Sorry for my rudeness before. It’s just that your masterpiece drew all my attention." He added flattery to make sure she wouldn’t resent him for his blunder.

"I forgive you. Now go to your room and prepare for tomorrow’s lessons."

Lith didn’t make her say it twice, he had already wasted too much time indulging his paranoia, now he had to rush.