CH21

Helag didn't know where to find Meteor Grass, so he decided to inquire about it once they reached Northon Academy.

Watching the rising sun, Helag felt energized and refreshed, his travel fatigue gone.

He hadn't slept all night, using meditation instead.

Helag saw Emil sneaking out of Melissa's carriage with a mischievous grin. "Morning, Emil."

Emil jumped, startled, then laughed. "Morning. Did you sleep on that haystack all night?"

"More or less," Helag replied, not bothering to explain his meditation.

Emil and Melissa had grown closer, their previous reservations gone.

As Emil walked away, Helag thought, "Baron Buck must have known Emil was his son but didn't know Melissa wasn't his daughter. This world is truly absurd."

***

Half a month later.

Helag lay on the carriage roof, gazing at the star he had been meditating on. The star's position had shifted, and the image in his mind was nearly solidified.

"Almost there!"

For the past half month, Helag had diligently practiced the Starry Sky Meditation Technique.

Soon, the star in his mind fully formed, becoming a bright, shining star.

Helag felt an unprecedented sensation as the star's magic spread through his veins and bones.

He could now 'see' his magic flow without Deep Blue's color indicators.

He sensed ants crawling in the grass, pupae emerging, and mosquitoes flying by.

It felt like connecting to the world's data stream.

[Starry Sky Meditation Technique's first star completed. Constitution increased by 0.6, Spirit increased by 1.0] Deep Blue announced.

"Deep Blue, show current body data."

[

Helag Merlin: Strength 2.0, Agility 1.6, Constitution 2.8, Spirit 3.5, Magic 100%. 

]

Helag was surprised. "My constitution can increase!"

Deep Blue had previously indicated his body data had reached its genetic limit, theoretically unchangeable.

The only way to surpass it was to awaken a life seed and become a knight.

Now it seemed wizards could also break this limit.

He understood why Baron Buck was powerless against Malcolm.

Even without spells, Malcolm's physical strength alone could rival Baron Buck, a difference in life levels.

"Magic is back to 100%, and there's more than before. That's the effect of Spirit," Helag thought, feeling satisfied with his abundant magic.

"Deep Blue, record three tasks: find Meteor Grass, locate and learn about the Six-Ring Tower, and identify the Glorious Calendar's place and era."

[Recorded.]

Helag had a hunch that Nicholas Carlos Camby wasn't from his time.

This raised the question of whether the Six-Ring Tower still existed.

"One step at a time," Helag thought, knowing it was futile to worry now.

***

Two months later, Helag and his group arrived in Swan City.

Swan City was the largest city in Pearl Province, home to Northon Academy.

"Registration complete. Let's enter the city."

Due to their weapons and knights, they had to register and verify their identities to enter Swan City.

Melissa had grown more authoritative, no longer the girl she once was.

She had a house in the city, bought by Baron Buck for her during her studies.

The house was on King's Avenue, expensive enough that Baron Buck could only afford a small one.

The group temporarily settled in the house.

While spacious for Melissa alone, it was now crowded.

Emil and Melissa shared a room, Helag had his own, and the others squeezed into the remaining three rooms.

"Helag, I'll take you to meet Master Claude tomorrow," Melissa said, entering Helag's room.

"Thank you, Miss Melissa!" Helag replied gratefully.

Melissa smiled warmly. "No need to thank me. If you become a wizard, we'll rely on you."

Helag smiled politely, sensing Melissa had changed.

"I'll leave you to rest," Melissa said, closing the door carefully.

"Melissa seems… too opportunistic?"

Though only fourteen, Helag's two lifetimes had taught him much.

Melissa had matured overnight, subtly trying to build a relationship with him.

And in this world, a woman's way of building a relationship with a man…

Helag sighed. "I don't want to lose Emil as a friend. I need to keep my distance."

Emil was Helag's only friend in this world, and he wouldn't betray him.

Seeing the path of a wizard, Helag had no time for distractions.

Late at night, Helag could hear moaning from Emil and Melissa's room next door.

The house's poor soundproofing and Helag's keen hearing made it impossible to ignore.

Helag had no choice but to meditate, entering a state where external disturbances couldn't reach him.

The next morning, Emil and Jimmy went out to find work.

The group couldn't live off their savings forever and needed an income.

Melissa took Helag to Northon Academy.

Northon Academy was the largest noble academy in the Norton Kingdom, offering a wide range of subjects, including astronomy, geography, humanities, politics, economics, military studies, dance, and etiquette.

Melissa studied linguistics under Scholar Claude, an expert fluent in over seventy languages.

Northon Academy was open to all. As long as they didn't carry weapons.

Melissa led Helag through the academy, arriving at a garden.

In the garden's depths was a pavilion, a tranquil place.

They went to the second floor of the pavilion, and Melissa knocked on the door.

"Master Claude, I'm here to visit you!"

"Ah, Melissa, come in," Claude's voice, though old, was strong.