"David, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Magicians placed immense importance on lineage and schools of teaching. David's casual decision to acknowledge Russell as his teacher infuriated Balthazar, because David had already taken him as his master.
That was right, he had come first!
"Balthazar, don't be angry. The gap in strength between you and me is obvious at a glance."
Russell kindly stepped in as a mediator. "David's choice shows that he's an ambitious child. As his teacher, you should be happy for him."
The effect was mediocre. Balthazar became even angrier.
"A magician's inheritance is of vital importance. Those are the rules. You can't—"
"Alright, alright, let me tell you the truth!"
Russell took the initiative to back down. "It's just a form of address. I don't care in the slightest. David can call me whatever he wants. Besides, someone like him wanting to be my disciple isn't something I'd be eager about anyway!"
Balthazar: "..."
He was so pissed!
Russell gave David a look, then patted the sullen Balthazar. "Actually, there's no need for you to be angry. Young people, compared to strength, crave bo—cough, cough, love. I mean love."
"That's right, love."
David nodded desperately beside them. To him, learning magic was no different from scientific research. If there was a girl by his side, he'd have to be brain-damaged to study quantum gravity theory and prove the origins of the Big Bang.
"Magician Russell, even if you don't care, rules are rules. I can't let David fool around like this. It's very disrespectful to you."
After hesitating for a moment, Balthazar admitted, "Besides, you and Merlin the Supreme are magicians outside the norm. David doesn't have your talent. Even if you teach him, he won't be able to learn it."
"Balthazar, I think I can