Chapter 36

Mel and I returned disappointed. Before parting, Mel gave me a long list of advice, such as being careful when you're alone and not trusting politicians... I looked at the rambling Mel with amusement and pushed him into the magic teleportation device.

"Yes, yes, Teacher Mephistopheles. Go back and tidy up your room so you can keep an eye on me all the time."

Sigh... Mel was too nervous. Reynold really isn't a bad person. He wouldn't ambush me while I was walking home at night. As the Speaker of the Magic Council, he has that much magnanimity. If he were truly a terrible guy, I wouldn't have been with him back then! Although I've never had the legendary "heart-fluttering" or "unforgettable" feelings for Reynold, I've always admitted that most of the time I spent with Reynold was quite harmonious and comfortable.

Moreover, when he was pursuing me, Reynold knew that I wasn't the kind of emotional person who would go crazy in love; he said that my calm demeanor was actually very attractive.

Looking back now, it was Mel's calm and composed demeanor as he single-handedly confronted the orc army that truly attracted Reynold.

Hmm... If I were facing an orc army, I certainly wouldn't be as calm as Mel. I reckon I wouldn't be able to resist the urge to unleash Withering Curse and Hellfire, which would definitely make for a disgusting sight—orcs don't even look human-pleasing to the eye, and if I turned them into mutilated limbs, I'd definitely be a demon king!

However, although I don't dislike Reynold, I won't give Mel to him. He's too politically minded. If Mel is with him, he'll definitely understand my helplessness back then—even though the other person is also a mage, why can't he understand what I'm saying!

Oh no, I forgot to give Mel my spellbook!

They're all awful movies!

Oh well, I'll bring the notes with Mel when I move anyway.

I stepped into the teleporter. I decided to go see Moli first to check on how she was processing the materials. I knew Moli's address, but I hadn't been there before because back then Moli and I were just academician and assistant, and I had no need to go to Moli house. Now it's different; Moli is my apprentice, and it's perfectly normal for an advisor to check on an apprentice's work.

Huh? I didn't know that. Moli lives in such a luxurious neighborhood. She must be very rich.

I opened the door—I told you long ago that this electronic lock couldn't hold a mage, but Moli still didn't listen and set up the barrier.

As soon as I walked in, I was startled. I bumped right into a monster from the Abyss that had just devoured a person!!!

"Moli!!!" I shouted unnaturally, "Why did you put blood on your mouth!"

Chapter 36

"Teacher! What if she's changing her underwear?! How did you come in so quietly?!" Moli shrieked, "This isn't blood, it's just gore makeup!!!"

What's this "bloody makeup" thing? Why are kids these days so rebellious? Or do they actually think it looks good? I'd rather they're just young and rebellious.

"After dressing yourself up as a heavy metal, smoky demon, you're still not satisfied? You want to turn yourself into a cannibal who's just had his fill of meat?" I doubt this kid's aesthetic sense is beyond saving. "Your mouth looks like it's dripping blood."

"Oh dear... teacher, your taste needs some improvement! Do you know how hard it is to get this shade of lipstick!" Moli muttered, pulling my hand and leading me into a room. She proudly put her hands on her hips and pointed at the things in the room, "Look! How about that? Didn't your student handle it quickly and well?"

Hmm, it's not bad. I walked over and looked at those bottles and jars. Even the most demanding mage couldn't find any fault with them. Moli's method of handling materials is very efficient. She also has a knack for cutting and preserving, and she has also learned the classification method I taught her, which allows the utilization rate of the whole fresh raw material to reach the best. Each part is perfectly divided and waste is minimized.

Wait, is this a way of changing the subject?

Moli tugged at her skirt beside me and said cautiously, "Teacher... I think that spider is cute, so I kept one... Could you let me keep one as a pet?"

... Sigh, this silly child, if you were going to hide it, why did you have to tell me? I'm not going to search your room.

I patted her head helplessly. "Alright, let's raise it then."

"Yay!" Moli cheered.

But I still don't understand, why raise magical materials? Why are young people these days obsessed with things I can't comprehend at all? First it was gory makeup, and now it's raising magical materials. Honestly, isn't it a huge waste to raise magical materials and not use them? Besides, raising only one won't breed them.

So I said, "You can raise a pair, then you won't need to buy raw materials anymore."

That makes the cost of pet food worthwhile.

Moli gasped, her mouth agape, as if I'd uttered something outrageous. Her bright red lips looked malevolent, giving the impression that they might split open to her ears at any moment, revealing sharp fangs capable of tearing bones apart. Therefore, I couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Won't you scare passersby by going out like this in the middle of the night?"

"... Teacher, you're the one who scares passersby by going out in the middle of the night. The poor passersby will think they've been transported to another time," Moli replied.

"I'm overjoyed to have traveled back to a legendary era!"

"That's you!" Moli said. "No normal modern person can survive without a mobile phone, okay! Let alone not being allowed to go online for the rest of my life... By the God of Light, the legendary era is truly a dark age!"

I remained silent.

"Teacher, it's getting late. You should rest here. I've already made plans to go clubbing, and I probably won't be back until the early hours of the morning," Moli said.

Wait, a nightclub?

I frowned. Nightclubs? Is that the place where couples flaunt their love, arguing couples get drunk and lose their minds, and single young people like to pick up a stranger and irresponsibly climb into bed?

Reynold had previously suggested taking me out, saying everyone loves it, especially couples who enjoy romantic dates in bars and nightclubs. He explained that cafes are only suitable for daytime, while at night you need to go to places for the night, which he called "romance." Reynold also told me about his experience busking in bars, which he considered precious memories. I frowned frequently as I listened, thinking that wasting time in bars instead of honing my magic was truly absurd.

I know Moli likes to go out late at night, because that's what young people do. I doubt any of my assistants haven't been to a bar, but it's just a lifestyle for young people, and I won't interfere. I've just told them they must maintain a balance and absolutely not neglect their spell practice. Moli has been doing fairly well so far. Her biggest problem is staying up late reading novels. But before, she wasn't my apprentice, so I didn't care what she did at nightclubs. But now...

"Moli, do you have a date?"

"No, that's why I need to look for one!" Moli answered me matter-of-factly.

"No!" I said sternly, "What if you catch some terrible disease from the people in the nightclub?"

Moli opened her mouth wide again, looking at me as if... well, as if she saw a dancing purple sheep.

"Oh my god..." Moli covered her mouth.

"Now you know how disgusting it is," I said seriously. "Just imagine, what if you kiss someone and get infected with some weird disease, like, two dead heads growing out of your chest..."

Then I noticed that Moli was no longer panicked?

"What...?" Moli rolled her eyes and muttered, "I thought you'd finally become more progressive, that you even knew about preventing STDs, but what are you talking about? You sound like one of those kids in their early stages who mistakenly believe that kissing will lead to pregnancy! Besides, there's no real-world disease that can turn a person's breasts into a dead head!"