As always, my poker face remained unchanged, showing no hint of emotion to the other person. I simply nodded my head without any change in expression.

"How could that be? Isn't black magic something only crazy people learn?"

"Well, you see, just looking at the recent events, no one knew that Professor Kyle was a black mage, did they? And I don't have any prejudice against black mages. In the end, we're all human, aren't we?"

Berial's narrowed eyes seemed to coil around me like a snake's gaze.

But I continued to speak nonchalantly.

"Yes, exactly. Even when I took Professor Kyle's classes, I never had any doubts."

"Adrias."

Berial turned around.

Then he carefully scanned the trees around us.

After a moment, Berial spoke again.

"Whether you've learned dark magic or not, I don't care. It's not very important to me. Of course, I know that you, Adrias, haven't learned dark magic. It's just an assumption, an assumption. I wanted to convey that I don't mind any flaws you might have, even if they're substantial."

"So, you're saying you only see the ability?"

"That's right. Even if you were to be expelled for breaking the rules or become a heinous criminal committing heinous crimes, it wouldn't mean anything to me. I just want to see the original magic you create."

His eyes turned back to me, showing emotions as a culprit that were hard to fathom.

And it was none other than madness.

"I saw potential in your magical matrix. I thought Adrias, as a student, could create original magic."

"There might be more talented individuals than me. Like the winner of this tournament who is the first magic department winner in 12 years. I don't understand why you would choose me, with such talent around."

"Of course, Dianne Alben is an exceptional magician. She can handle things on her own. But you're different. You'll need my help."

I couldn't quite figure out what he was thinking.

Was he saying that Dianne would manage on her own and watch over me?

Was he asking me to believe that?

But I felt like I didn't have much of a choice.

Furthermore, aside from the unsettling aspect of Berial's private lessons, it was clear that they would be beneficial to me. Regardless of what others said, Berial was undoubtedly a genius worthy of the title of the youngest Warlock.

In the end, I lowered my head.

"I'll be in your care, Headmaster."

"Should I call you Student Adrias as well? You have a cautious personality, not a bad thing."

Berial's lips curled slightly, forming a smile.

And so, this peculiar private tutoring began.

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'Failure...'

Lucia Everlast had already recorded nearly a thousand experiment attempts while contemplating her failures.

The issue was that there had been no progress during those attempts.

Lucia pinched her own arm to keep the drowsiness that kept coming at bay.

And she remembered.

'When I was working with Senior Adrias, it felt like there were some clues.'

She had her own pride, so she had been trying to handle things on her own without saying anything.

However, due to the conversation with Adrias that had happened recently, he kept coming to her mind.

'If I ask, maybe he'll help me?'

Adrias had clearly valued her.

Since it was a request from someone so precious, wouldn't he listen?

"...Seems foolish."

Suddenly, she let out a tired laugh as she felt the weight of her situation.

Even though she had decided not to have expectations from others, she found herself constantly yearning for Adrias whenever she had a chance.

'How did it become so comfortable all of a sudden?'

Since the last time they met and talked?

Since he saved her from a user of dark magic potion?

Thinking in this manner, she felt that it had been like this from the very beginning.

When everyone thought she was eccentric and kept their distance, from the time when she, in her effort to stand out, bought lunch during her freshman years.

'I miss him.'

Lucia realized that she had unconsciously been tidying up the laboratory.

And even though she realized it, she didn't slow down.

In fact, she hastened her pace to tidy up and go to Adrias.

She knew that him creating her cure was nearly impossible at this point.

Adrias undoubtedly had talent, but she didn't think he could create a cure that she had worked on all her life at this critical juncture. She just wanted to talk to him now. She wanted to share more stories and create memories, even if they were few.

Tap. "Ah."

Tears falling like droplets landed on the table, sparkling like stars.

Lucia wiped her eyes and smiled, trying her best.

"I'm not dead yet."

It's okay.

I can still hold on.

First, let's go find Senior Adrias.

And let's just goof around when we meet.

Having finished organizing the laboratory, Lucia immediately picked up her tablet and contacted Adrias. Since Adrias had recently become wealthier, he had acquired a new tablet, so she got his contact information first.

"Senior. Where are you?"

After sending the message, she waited for a moment and quickly received a reply.

"Lab. Why?"

Upon reading the reply, Lucia headed towards Adrias' personal research room.

Luckily, it was in the same research building, so the distance was short.

Knowing where Adrias' personal lab was located, she arrived at the door and knocked.

Creak.

"Lucia?"

As the door opened, Adrias' unruly hair swayed.

Upon seeing his seaweed-like hair, Lucia unconsciously reached out and touched Adrias' hair.

"What are you doing?"

"Seaweed."

Adrias let her touch his hair for a moment before staying still.

Bloodshot eyes, pupils looking distant.

Taking a quick look at Lucia's condition in that moment, he spoke.

"You look hungry. Aren't you?"

"All of a sudden?"

"Let's go eat something."

Although she hadn't really thought about it, she nodded her head.

The place Adrias and Lucia arrived at was Alven Street.

Since it was late at night, not many shops were open, but Adrias suddenly entered a pub.

"Senior?"

"What?"

"Would you like to have beer?"

"Sometimes drinking isn't so bad."

Lucia raised an eyebrow at Adrias with a stern look, but he didn't flinch and entered the pub. It was a weekday evening, so there weren't many customers, but there was enough warmth in the air.

As soon as Adrias took a seat, he ordered beef skewers and beer, asking Lucia in the process.

"Are you going to drink too?"

"Um... well..."

Ignoring Lucia's momentary confusion, Adrias promptly ordered her share as well.

At first, Lucia was about to say something, but she simply gave up and playfully kicked him under the table.

"I heard some rumors lately. How about it, receiving private tutoring from the school's headmaster?"

"There's a lot to learn, it's nice."

"That's good for you. Senior. But it's really strange. Why did you used to act like an idiot before? Now you're getting private tutoring from the headmaster."

"It's not that I used to act like an idiot. I was actually an idiot."

As they were talking, the beer arrived.

Adrias received his beer and clinked it against Lucia's.

"Ting."

"Since we've ordered it, I'll drink, but don't get any strange ideas."

"What? Ahem."

Adrias almost burst into laughter for a moment but suppressed it with a fake cough. He didn't want to start a fight with Lucia just because he laughed.

"Yeah. I'll be careful."

While sipping on their drinks, they chatted about various things, and soon some appetizers were served.

As they drank and engaged in casual conversation, both of them found themselves immersed in the lighthearted exchange, moving away from their busy routines. Before they knew it, Lucia, who had been drinking quite a few rounds, had a flushed face.

"Senior."

"Yes."

"I'm really enjoying this."

Lucia, her face turning red with sleepiness, mumbled softly.

Then, she gave a bashful smile. "Thank you, Senior."

"Yeah. I'm thankful too."

Neither of them knew exactly what they were thankful for, but they exchanged smiles.

Now it seemed like it was time to get up from their seats, so they settled the bill and left.

The cool breeze outside cooled their bodies heated by the beer.

Taking the train back to the dormitory area, they headed towards Lucia's dormitory first.

Seeing Adrias see her off, Lucia spoke.

"Senior, I don't expect this every day, but sometimes, I think it wouldn't be bad."

"That's right. How about having late-night snacks like this once a week?"

"Sure! Hehe."

Lucia, her eyes forming crescents, looked adorable, perhaps a little tipsy.

Adrias found her cute, even though Lucia was always cute in appearance, her flushed face and smiling expression were especially charming.

Thinking of his younger sister, Adrias said, "Lucia, if there's ever something difficult, feel free to tell me. You don't need to bear it alone."

"Okay."

Before they knew it, they had arrived in front of Lucia's dormitory.

"Be careful going up the stairs."

"Don't worry!"

Adrias waved his hand and turned away.

Lucia remained standing in the same spot, watching him until he disappeared from sight.

It was a trivial matter, but it made her heart feel warm.

And as a result, she felt something certain.

"I want to live. I want to live to feel this happiness for a longer time."

She wanted to spend every day with Adrias.

To do that, she had to keep on living.

"To survive, I need the cure."

Although she was currently conducting research, she lacked certainty.

She could seek help from Adrias, but she was honestly skeptical.

So, the most certain option she could choose now was...

'Salem Edidia.'

The demon chasing after the truth.

One of the most wanted criminals in the empire and the strongest on the continent.

She had rejected his sudden proposal when they met last time.

However, with the happiness she felt today, her desire for life grew stronger.

Could Salem Edidia possibly cure her illness?

'If I become Salem's disciple, my chances of survival will increase. If that happens, I can stay by Senior Adrias' side for longer.'

If she became his disciple, she would have to leave the academy and wouldn't be able to see Adrias for a while.

It was a bit disappointing, but she thought of it as a sacrifice to be able to see him for a longer time.

"I will survive."

Her earnest wish wiped away the laziness from her heart.

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[You have created an Unnamed Elixir (Advanced).]

Finally!

Finally, I managed to create it.

Although this wouldn't completely cure Lucia's illness, it would prevent her condition from worsening and reduce her suffering. And with the time earned, I could eventually create a true cure for Lucia's ailment.

[Adrias Cromwell: Evolution potential of Potion Brewing Buff Series - 76%]

[Do you want to proceed with the evolution?]

Furthermore, this research had significantly increased the experience points of my potion brewing talent.

If I evolved it this time, it seemed like I would be one step closer to creating Lucia's cure.

'Since my dark magic talent's evolution is almost complete, I'll evolve it as soon as this is done.'

First things first, Lucia had to be informed of this good news.

I immediately sent Lucia a message using the tablet.

"Where are you?"

With the message sent, I left the laboratory and saw the bustling streets during lunchtime.

"Should we grab lunch together for now?"

But why was the reply taking so long?

Even after checking the tablet, there was no response.

In the midst of this, a noticeable headline caught my eye.

While the tablet covered various gossip within the academy, an unexpected piece of information was highlighted in a place I hadn't expected.

"Breaking News! Lucia Everlast, Dropping Out!"