Longevity Talent

"Take this Test Crystal and let me see your Magic Aptitude," Teacher Ivin continued.

Hekate nodded and accepted the crystal.

The next moment, the Test Crystal burst into a dazzling light, making both of them widen their eyes.

Professor Emand had been mentally prepared, but even he revealed a shocked expression at the sight of such an intense glow. "I knew his Magic Aptitude was high, but I never expected it to be this high."

After recovering from her shock, Ivin revealed a thoughtful expression. "This level of affinity is already comparable to those vanished races."

"My disciple is impressive, isn't he?" Emand immediately said with a smile.

"Yes." Ivin nodded slightly.

"If you have no objections, I'll have him come here for classes starting tomorrow."

"Fine," Ivin said flatly.

Under Ivin's gaze, the two left the floor dedicated to Meditation Studies.

Professor Emand said, "Ivin has studied meditation methods for many years. If you have any questions about cultivation, you can ask her. If even she doesn't know, then there probably aren't many people in this Academy who do."

"Understood, Teacher," Hekate replied. Then he asked curiously, "Teacher Ivin's ears are pointed. Isn't she human?"

"Yes, she's a Half-Elf."

Professor Emand activated the Flight Rune on the back of Hekate's hand again and took him back to the Ancient Ruins Tower.

"Remember to get to class on time tomorrow," Professor Emand reminded him.

"I understand, Teacher."

After bidding the professor farewell, Hekate returned home. Gina and Raman had gone out to buy food, so he returned to his room and continued cultivating.

That evening.

Many new students had arrived in the residential area. It was their first time at the Academy, and brimming with curiosity, they were wandering about everywhere.

Hekate stepped onto the balcony, ignored the new students pacing below, and looked up at the sky.

The Starlight flickered faintly.

Ivin Anxia was surprised by your Magic Aptitude. She suspected that you carried the bloodline of a Legendary Race and therefore felt favorable toward you.

Legendary Race...

Did that mean Elves?

But there couldn't be only one Legendary Race, right? If Elves existed, then Blood Clan, Werewolves, Dragons, and the like should exist too, shouldn't they?

Hekate moved past the message.

Betty Sigrid Is Arcana, Fifth Princess of the Uruk royal family, was a new student at Grants Academy this year. Before enrolling, she heard that your Magic Aptitude was exceptionally high and became curious about you. After gathering information about you, she rented the neighboring Townhouse No. 33 and intended to make contact with you.

What exactly had Big Brother been spreading around? He even attracted a princess.

Hekate frowned slightly.

Better to have as little contact with her as possible. She's royalty, so she's bound to bring plenty of trouble.

A third message followed, and a pink star in the sky suddenly began to shine brightly.

Oh? You're actually a Witch favored by the Starlight. Then accept this great one's blessing—signed, a passing Lucky Star.

Lucky Star?!

The Star Language Ability could actually have this effect?

Hekate opened his status panel in surprise.

Name: Hekate Noah di Calilans

Age: 12/73

Race: ? (Witch Bloodline transformation in progress, currently 75%)

Magic Level: 2-Star Apprentice Mage

Magic: Fire Curse Technique (Apprentice Rank · Mastery)

Equipment: None

Talent ①: Gift of Fate

Talent ②: Star Witch (Magic Affinity Max) (Star Language) (Star Guard)

Temporary Status: Lucky Moment

Lucky Moment: A blessing from the Lucky Star. Once activated, it will trigger a fortunate event.

Hekate looked at the blessing he had received by accident and pondered. "Could this ability be used on Gift of Fate?"

With that thought in mind, Hekate fought off his drowsiness and stayed awake until dawn.

Activate Lucky Moment. The probability of something good happening next will reach 100%.

Then he clicked Fate Lottery.

Duang~

Gift of Fate: You have obtained the Longevity Talent, but your body will stop growing.

Longevity?!

Holy shit, this Lucky Moment was amazing!

Hekate's drowsiness instantly vanished as he carefully examined the Gift of Fate he had drawn.

Longevity, but his body would stop growing.

In four words, it was eternal youth and immortality.

"If I were twenty now, accepting this gift would indeed be equivalent to gaining eternal youth and immortality, with no downside at all. But I'm only twelve. If I can't grow anymore, that really is a disadvantage." Hekate frowned.

Twelve-year-old Hekate was only a little over 1.4 meters tall.

He should have been taller, but he had previously accepted several Gifts of Fate that reduced his height in exchange for Magic Levels. So even though he had been born into an aristocratic family and never lacked food or drink, his height was still unimpressive.

After thinking for a while.

"Good luck doesn't come often. If I don't choose it this time, the chances of drawing it again in the future might be very low." Hekate let out a soft breath and accepted the Gift of Fate.

What did the drawback of being unable to grow amount to in the face of longevity?

So he quickly made his decision.

The age field on his status panel immediately changed.

Age: 12/∞

"Now I can look forward to all those Gifts of Fate that require lifespan as payment."

In the morning, after eating the breakfast Gina had prepared, Hekate left the house.

Fast greeted him. "Morning, Hekate."

Fast isn't from the Ancient Magic Element Academy. Why was he looking for me so early in the morning?

Hekate replied suspiciously, "Morning."

"I'm a fifth-year student and very familiar with this Academy. Wherever you're going for class, I can take you there," Fast said with a smile.

Hekate recalled that, a month ago, the Star had told him Fast wanted to build a good relationship with him. He said, "I chose Meditation Studies. It's in the Magic Plant Tower, which is far from the Element Tower where you study."

"Meditation Studies?" Fast looked surprised, then said, "That's the most useless subject at Grants Academy. Why did you choose that?"

"The most useless? Why would you say that?" Hekate tilted his head in confusion.

As his Witch Bloodline transformation progressed, Hekate's eyes grew clearer and more spirited, his voice as cool as a mountain spring, and his features increasingly delicate and soft. Combined with his smooth shoulder-length black hair, he had become difficult to distinguish as male or female.

Fast, standing beside him, was momentarily dazed at the sight.

For an instant, he suddenly thought this junior was adorable.

What was going on?!

Fast quickly came back to his senses and cleared his throat. "If you focus solely on cultivation, you'll only be able to work in professions like researching cultivation theory, compiling meditation methods, or teaching meditation in the future. Your practical combat ability will be weak. Besides, other subjects also teach meditation and cultivation, so we all think it's the most useless subject in the entire Academy."

Hekate smiled indifferently. He had magic bestowed by Gift of Fate, and each time it was granted directly at the Mastery level. Even if he focused solely on cultivation, his practical combat ability would not be weak.

"I think Meditation Studies suits me quite well."