"Good evening, Miss Danist. I'm here. Are we taking a walk in the woods?"
Shade asked, but the girl who had landed before him wore a somewhat serious expression and shook her head.
"I want to discuss something with you—Shade, it has been a year since you became my apprentice, hasn't it?"
"Yes."
"Over this past year, do you feel that you've learned a great deal from me?"
"Of course. As a Correspondence Student who isn't enrolled at the Academy, I won't exaggerate and claim that all my current strength is thanks to you. But the solid progress I've made on the path of a Ring Arcanist certainly could not have happened without your guidance."
A smile touched the girl's lips. The only trace of the banquet left on her was her red hair, pinned up in a bun.
"Very good. You always seem to know what young ladies are thinking. In that case, have you considered completing your apprenticeship?"
"Completing my apprenticeship? Do you mean graduating?"
Shade frowned slightly and asked in confusion.
"If a Correspondence Student applies for graduation, it means they will no longer be eligible to reach the Academy and become a teacher. Everyone in our group hopes to go to the Academy someday. I have no intention of graduating."
The red-haired girl stood beneath a tree and gently shook her head.
"Not graduation. I mean completing your apprenticeship under me."
Now Shade understood. An apprentice did not remain with their teacher for life. Once their achievements had been acknowledged and their teacher was willing to let them go, they could leave their teacher and pursue an independent life and research.
"But why would I complete my apprenticeship? I've only reached the Ninth Ring; I'm nowhere near the Thirteenth Ring. No, Miss Danist, I've never considered