In the laboratory he knew best, Wizard Gerald walked the final stretch of his life.
He did not beg Richard to extend his lifespan.
Few old wizards of his generation remained. His friends and old acquaintances had departed, and his students had long since come into their own.
He no longer had much attachment to this world.
He was a wizard of the old era. With the arrival of the new era, it was time for him to make a dignified exit.
Holding Gerald's nearly shattered body, Richard did not weep bitterly. He merely lifted him gently and placed him in a coffin condensed from magic power.
No one spoke at that moment. The entire laboratory was silent and desolate.
"Are any of my teacher's friends still alive?"
Richard looked at Ellie, a trace of self-mocking amusement on his face.
"I haven't been in the Wizard World these past years. I can't believe I didn't even know something so minor."
Ellie shook her head.
"All of Master Gerald's friends died in the war."
Richard fell silent, then sighed.
"Then keep everything simple. The Academy's public cemetery should still be there, right? My teacher should have his own burial plot."
Ellie paused, somewhat uncertain. "The Academy's assets have all been reclaimed by the Council. It's hard to say whether any empty plots have been assigned to other wizards."
"That won't be a problem." Great Wizard Blazing Sun, who had come with them, suddenly spoke. "Even if it has been assigned, we can expand the Mystic Realm a little and shift things around to make an empty space."
Every floor of the Tower of Truth was a Mystic Realm, and the space within was highly malleable.
"Then thank you, Master." Richard gave a slight bow.
Great Wizard Blazing Sun stepped aside.
"There