🎄 Christmas Special! 🎄
To celebrate Christmas, enjoy 30% off monthly subscriptions from December 25th to 31st 🎁✨
The adjusted price is available on the Patreon page.
Chapter 477: Yaya's Apprenticeship
"Wow, this old man is so cool!"
Yaya's eyes sparkled as she muttered in her heart.
She could feel a deeply familiar power radiating from him.
Compared to her control, Grand Arcanist Cronorman was leagues ahead.
This didn't stop Yaya from feeling a sense of "closeness" toward him.
The reason was simple—Yaya wanted to learn his technique.
Matthew's eyes flashed with excitement as he once again experienced the might of a legendary spell. Without hesitation, he urged Yaya to land while addressing Cronorman:
"I was stationed with my troops over 100 kilometers away at the Scarlet Pass."
"Technically, the events there shouldn't have anything to do with the Orc God, but I have a feeling there's a connection."
Catching the curious glance from Cronorman,
Matthew spared no detail, explaining the 'Abyssal Rift', the 'Cole Elves', the 'controlled orc troops', and the 'mysterious mastermind' that had been targeting him.
Based on Cronorman's earlier display, Matthew was certain:
Before the first arcane tide arrived—during this era of silent gods and absent miracles—Cronorman was among the strongest individuals alive.
This was a leg he had to cling to!
Even the well-traveled Cronorman looked astonished.
He paused mid-air, re-examined his surroundings, and cast several spells that Matthew had never encountered.
After a while, Cronorman descended gently, landing on Yaya's back. He gave Matthew a contemplative look before saying:
"So, you suspect the mastermind behind the assassinations targeting you is the Cole Elf Kingdom?"
Matthew wasn't worried about revealing this to the Grand Arcanist.
He and the Cole Elves were already at odds, and he understood Cronorman's principles.
Unlike many Arcanists who maintained amicable relationships with elves and deities,
Cronorman was a maverick.
"Collaboration with elves in magic research is fine, but they must not hold all the knowledge. Power must remain in our hands."
"I won't become a believer or servant of a deity just to prolong my life..."
"That's merely another manifestation of power and rules. The difference is that we haven't yet discovered the corresponding knowledge!"
"The elves forbid us from researching? Why should we listen? Just because we're their 'students'?"
"Are Arcanists so high and mighty? Have you lost your minds?"
"Without the support of the common folk, even a floating city is nothing more than a castle in the sky, destined to collapse!"
"..."
Cronorman's unconventional beliefs made him stand out.
Matthew was certain this was his true nature.
Grand Arcanists had no reason to lie!
They didn't need to compromise for anyone.
So Matthew deliberately fanned the flames against the elves.
Sure enough, the previously amiable Cronorman let out a cold laugh, casually casting a Silence Ward as he remarked in a chilling tone:
"As expected, those Cole Elves are just training these lapdogs. What you've endured isn't the first time, and it certainly won't be the last."
"But until you've grown stronger, you can express your anger and state your position, yet you mustn't act rashly..."
Matthew shrugged and replied calmly:
"Because I can't beat them..."
"Hahaha, you're amusing. I'm glad I came here today..."
Cronorman removed the ward, gazing at the castle and its ruined walls with a sigh of resignation before adding:
"Exactly. Because we can't beat them!"
Even a Grand Arcanist had insurmountable foes!
To Matthew's surprise, Cronorman didn't reveal himself to the Third and Eighth Legion commanders.
Instead, he cast Invisibility, floating alongside Matthew.
Matthew, of course, refrained from asking about his reasons.
Amid the ecstatic cheers, Matthew and Yaya landed atop the castle.
Without hesitation, Matthew delivered a large supply of 'Vitality Potions', 'Nutritional Elixirs', 'Awakening Tonics', and 'Paralytic Poisons'.
He also set up a small Teleportation Array to transport food and crossbow bolts.
Watching this, Cronorman leaned in and murmured to Matthew:
"It's clear your territory is quite wealthy."
For spellcasters, wealth—second only to knowledge—was their greatest asset.
With a prosperous territory, Matthew could bolster his strength, build mage towers, assemble armies, and counter his watchful enemies.
Matthew didn't feign modesty, confidently nodding as he searched for the Knight of Harley and said:
"There's no wealthier place in the Eastern Province than our territory."
"If you're interested, you're welcome to visit later. Try our cuisine—it's the best in the northern continent!"
A flicker of curiosity passed through Cronorman's bright eyes as he noticed Carlos guiding Matthew.
Observing the reverent looks from soldiers, commanders, and lords toward Matthew and Yaya, he nodded and replied almost impulsively:
"Sure. Besides the arcane, my second love is food."
"Don't let me down."
Yaya, who had been silent, rolled her eyes mischievously. She pulled a large crystal-braised pork shank from her pouch and offered it to Cronorman, saying:
"You can try some now!"
"Elona made this for me. It's delicious!"
Chuckling, Cronorman accepted the shank without hesitation and took a hearty bite.
The tender, gelatinous meat burst with rich flavor before it even hit his teeth.
As the flavors intensified, Cronorman's eyes widened in delight as he nodded repeatedly.
Giggling, Yaya pulled out another shank, perched on Matthew's shoulder, and happily munched away, swinging her legs in carefree joy.
Seeing Cronorman's delight, Matthew, having gauged his personality, decisively proposed:
"Yaya not only masters time but also gravity and is a natural Arcanist."
Noticing a slight pause in Cronorman's movements, Matthew asked tentatively:
"Would you be interested in teaching her how to master gravity?"
Cronorman sucked the marrow from the bone, grinned at Matthew, and replied nonchalantly:
"Of course, I'll teach Yaya."
"What about you? Don't you want me to teach you how to wield the power of time?"