“So...”
“Wait, I don't need a lecture on that. What I don't understand is why a conversation about Alisa turned into this.”
Lan Qingyou raised her hand to interrupt Seymer.
To her, an alchemist, the idea of a Philosopher's Stone was pure fiction.
Furthermore, she had already gained the recognition of the world consciousness through her ‘outstanding contributions’ and had become an ageless and immortal being.
Under these circumstances, she had no need for an Elixir of Life.
Therefore, she didn't care at all whether such a thing could actually be created.
What she cared about right now was Alisa.
And yet, Professor Seymer had rattled on and on without ever getting to the point.
“Don't you know you need to establish the background before telling a story?”
“I don't.”
Lan Qingyou shook her head at Seymer's counter-question.
A story... she did want to hear one, but if possible, she'd prefer it not be some fabricated nonsense.
“Fine, I'll get straight to it then. Alisa's ancestors were alchemists who were absolutely obsessed with their research.”
“That obsession was passed down through the generations, finally reaching Alisa. I think that should make it clear why she's so hostile toward you.”
...
She understood. How could she not?
Lan Qingyou nodded silently.
Because Alisa had started researching alchemy back on Blue Star, she should have had an easier time in this world.
Given her confidence and the way the Councilmen from the Supreme Council were keeping her under wraps, that was clearly the case.
But Lan Qingyou's sudden rise to prominence had left Alisa with no room to shine.
Whether it was in terms of research results or recognition from the world consciousness.
For instance, though they both held World Titles, Lan Qingyou's title was World Renowned, whereas she had only heard of Alisa's title today.
In that context, being the target of Alisa's hostility seemed perfectly reasonable.
But by the same token, didn't that just mean Alisa hated her because she was too exceptional!?
At that thought, Lan Qingyou couldn't help but stroke her pretty face.
It was almost embarrassing.
“In that case, did she invite you to her graduation just to research the Philosopher's Stone using chemistry?”
Composing herself, Lan Qingyou questioned Seymer.
“Yes, but I didn't agree.”
“Why? I'd think you'd be very interested in that kind of research.”
“Because she invited another mentor besides me.”
“Hm? Are you jealous?”
Lan Qingyou never expected that answer, so she teased him.
“Heh, that's a good joke. Don't make it again.”
“Fine.”
Seymer stared at Lan Qingyou with a thin, mirthless smile that made her feel quite awkward. She quickly steered the conversation back.
“So, who else did she invite?”
“Her biology mentor.”
“Hm? Biology?”
“Yes. Can you guess what her research direction is?”
Seymer gave Lan Qingyou a mysterious smile.
Lan Qingyou simply shook her head.
“I'm not guessing. Not even a little.”
What a joke.
Research directions were decided entirely by personal preference and ability.
Asking her to guess someone else's research direction was harder than asking her to set up a few more regional protection magic circles.
“Fine, then.”
Seeing that Lan Qingyou wouldn't play along, Seymer shrugged with a look of regret.
“Hm?”
“I mean my time is up. If you want to know, wait until Alisa takes the stage. Given what I know of her, she'll likely save her research results for when she faces you, no matter how difficult the matches before that are.”
With that, Lan Qingyou saw Seymer tap the empty air. His body began to fade, eventually vanishing completely.
It was only after he was gone that Lan Qingyou realized he had been teleported onto the arena stage.
Why did a latecomer like you get sent in to fight first?
Is that even fair?
Lan Qingyou immediately began searching on her tablet.
Eventually, she caught a glimpse of Professor Seymer raising his hand to declare his surrender and leaving.
Good grief.
With a series of seamless moves, he had already left the grand stage, leaving Lan Qingyou dumbfounded.
Wait...
This old geezer lacks martial virtue! He left me hanging!
What exactly was her research direction?
Her head full of questions, Lan Qingyou turned to look at The Masquerade's spectator seats nearby.
Their numbers were similar to her own group's.
However, judging by their attire, it was clear that they had more battle-hardened killers among them.
At that moment, Alisa seemed to sense Lan Qingyou's gaze and looked over as well.
The two of them stared each other down from across the distance.
Time passed.
Whether it was one minute or ten, Lan Qingyou finally looked away after Gu Xiaobei nudged her in the waist with her elbow.
That staring contest... my eyes are so damn sore...
“What is it?”
Lan Qingyou pulled out some eye drops designed to relieve eye fatigue—a best-seller from the Witch's Tea Party made by a certain witch—and squeezed two drops into her eyes.
“Everyone's finished reading Professor Seymer's thesis. I'm giving it back to you. Since you're technically his student, you should return it to him later.”
Gu Xiaobei handed the collected manuscript pages to Lan Qingyou.
Lan Qingyou took them, encased them in mana, and fired them off like a mana bullet.
Her target, of course, was Alisa.
Even though that old geezer Seymer hadn't said anything, his smooth exit after leaving the manuscript behind made it clear he wanted her to give it to Alisa.
As a mentor, he couldn't—and wouldn't—show favoritism to either side.
Especially not in such a public setting.
A mana bullet wasn't magic; it was the simplest application of mana.
The members of Tarot Villa had already mastered it, but under the influence of Professor Seymer's thesis, this mana bullet appeared weak and soft, carrying no real power.
By the time it reached Alisa, it had lost almost all its momentum.
Since she already knew about the manuscript's existence, Alisa didn't hesitate. She reached out and plucked the thesis from the mana bullet.
She wasn't worried about Lan Qingyou pulling any tricks.
In this place, at this time, and in front of so many people, she didn't believe Lan Qingyou would dare to try anything.
Of course...
There was another, more important reason: she was more interested in the mana bullet itself than her mentor's thesis.
As a witch who also possessed a Magic Eye, she could naturally see the mana fluctuations around the bullet.
That was precisely why she was curious about how Lan Qingyou had achieved it.
But as she began to read the thesis, her questions were instantly resolved.
Rate on N.U.
