Under Russell's spell, the tiny piece of paper folded into the shape of a fly soon became a real insect.
However, although he had already learned the First-Circle Illusion Spell Silent Illusion, Russell knew perfectly well that this thing would never fool anyone.
He had yet to believe that the talent so many people praised him for was truly exceptional... he had Gilbert's perpetually revealing eyes to thank for not feeling proud of becoming an Official Mage far faster than the most gifted person Russell had ever known.
Those expressive looks of "Huh? So that's how it works?" and "Hmm... how should I comfort this student who learns rather slowly?" had left Russell wondering whether the books he had read praising the various Mage Towers' "once-in-a-generation geniuses" had been figments of his dreams.
Fortunately, he was strong-willed. After several months of study, he finally confirmed that he had not imagined any of it... his teacher simply did not understand this world.
Then there were the magic texts that seemed comprehensive but actually bore many similarities to the library in his Mental Sea... even though "Gilbert" worked very hard to keep his own academic principles from overriding this world's traditional schools, he could not stop himself from correcting things he could tell were wrong at a glance.
But rather than errors, those things were more like safeguards certain Archmages had left for themselves... within the Mage Towers, correcting them was a privilege reserved for mages with an inherited lineage.
The real Gilbert had probably never considered taking students. Although he had collected quite a few books and resources for apprentices because of the Black Enigma Tower's decision, the collection was rather mixed.
Of course, Russell did not know every flaw, either, but families like his, which had once produced Official Mages,