In the market, the door of a small shop was pushed open, and Reinhardt and Tops went inside and sat down at a round table.
This little shop was the one he had visited a while ago, but it had more than just shrimp.
"Boss, give me two glasses of Roja fruit wine!"
"Okay, coming right away!"
Upon receiving the shopkeeper's response, Reinhardt sat down at the table and said with a smile, "Senior Topps, did you know? Their fruit wine is absolutely delicious..."
Reinhardt chattered on and on like a chatterbox, introducing the shop to his former teacher, Tops.
However, despite his burly appearance and shaved head, Tops is actually not only insecure but also introverted. He hasn't said a word yet, just sitting there awkwardly nodding in agreement.
Soon the shop owner brought over two glasses of golden-yellow liquor and placed them on the table.
"Lord Rhine, here is your Roja fruit wine."
"Thank you, how many runes?"
Upon hearing that Reinhardt was going to pay, the shopkeeper quickly refused, "No, no, no, Lord Reinhardt, there's no need to pay."
"If it weren't for your help last time, my little shop would probably have been affected by those lunatics. You are our great benefactor, how could I dare to accept your money?"
The boss's words forcefully suppressed his desire to pay.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "Alright then, let's do it together next time."
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16. The protagonist of the "loser" genre – Tops
"Alright then, let's do it together next time." Reinhardt nodded slightly and said.
This time, the shop owner did not refuse. He smiled respectfully and turned back to the counter.
After all, they say they'll get together next time, but those who know the truth will know that who will remember then?
You see, those Cuckoo Knights always used this excuse to freeload in town; they were used to such euphemisms.
Little did they know that when Reinhardt said "let's get together next time," he really meant it.
The Cuckoo Knight? He had no intention of associating with those treacherous individuals.
Seeing this, Tops, sitting across the table, felt a mixture of envy and longing.
How wonderful it would be if I could become so amazing and loved by everyone someday?
Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs" in this world.
"Come on, cheers, senior Tops!"
Reinhardt picked up his barrel-shaped wine glass, clinked it against Tops's, and then took a big gulp, letting out a satisfying sound.
That was so awesome!
The rich fruit aroma and smooth wine flowed down my esophagus into my stomach, making me feel refreshed.
To be honest, he was quite surprised when he first saw Rojas fruit wine.
After all, dried Roja fruit is the favorite of the spirit horse Torret, and even when fully ripe, humans cannot digest Roja fruit.
However, when this fruit is fermented into wine, it has a unique flavor.
Moreover, according to the owner, his homemade wine is made primarily with golden Roya fruit from the area closest to the golden tree on the Altai Plateau, and supplemented with Miranda fruit, resulting in a sweeter and more mellow flavor.
"I never expected that there would be so many delicious foods in the border area during peacetime."
Reinhardt savored the taste while reflecting on it in his heart.
I originally thought that the people living in the border area had always lived a barbaric life of eating raw meat and drinking blood.
If there's a chance, maybe we could write a book like "The Boundary Between Tastes"?
Reinhardt's thoughts gradually drifted off course.
However, it's normal for him to have this thought, since a devastating war really did shatter the entire border region.
Apart from the Realucalia Magic Academy and the Round Table Hall, it was as if all civilization had regressed to its starting point.
Even the "Last King" Mongot, who stood guard before the throne of Elden, was dressed in rags and did not look like a king at all, but rather exuded the aura of a king.
In contrast, Mongo, the Blood King who has sided with an external deity, does have a glamorous appearance, but he lacks the oppressive aura that comes with being a king.
They are two brothers, both abandoned by Marika, yet they are as different as the two extremes of yin and yang.
After a few rounds of drinks, a faint blush appeared on Reinhardt's face, indicating that he was already slightly tipsy.
"It's about time we had a good talk with this senior from Tops."
Thinking this, he slammed his glass on the table with a loud bang, startling Tops, who was sitting opposite him.
Thankfully, the wine glass was made of wood, otherwise it would have been smashed to pieces by him.
"Hiccup~"
Before he could even speak, Reinhardt let out a hiccup and looked at Tops with bleary eyes, saying, "...Senior Tops, I don't intend to stop you from leaving the academy. I brought you here simply because I have a few words to say to you."
"I hope that after you hear this, you will reconsider."
Tops didn't speak, but nodded, his lips pressed tightly together unconsciously, and a tense expression that resembled fear on his face.
It seemed that Reinhardt's drunken state made him somewhat uneasy.
But Reinhardt didn't care what Tops thought of him, at least not when he was drunk.
So he said again, "Senior Topps, do you know? There's an old saying in my hometown that goes—"
"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, never underestimate a young man's potential."
"So what if you fail once? You just fall down and get back up!"
"You need to have the spirit of an unyielding cockroach! Only in this way can you pave a path to success, understand?!"
"But… I've failed three times already…" Tops replied dejectedly, seeing Reinhardt's stern expression.
Although his voice was very soft, Reinhardt still managed to pick it up clearly.
"So what!"
Bang! A fist slammed hard on the table, almost spilling the wine in the glass.
"Did you know that Edison once said, 'Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration'...?"
"Although you don't have that one percent inspiration, the remaining ninety-nine percent of hard work is still just hard work. But in my opinion, Senior Tops, you don't lack theoretical knowledge. What you lack now is that undiscovered flash of inspiration. And that feeling is right beside you, you just haven't discovered it yet."
Even though he said these words while drunk, Reinhardt was perfectly clear-headed. His mind was perfectly clear, and the scene of Tops dying in the game kept flashing through his mind.
Tops' creation of the Radiant Stone Magic, completely different from any other system, was a discovery worthy of establishing a new classroom, yet its fate was so tragic—it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was left to rot in the wilderness...
As mentioned earlier, fortunes change every thirty years, and Tops is almost just like that Mr. Xiao.
If it appeared in a novel about a loser, it would definitely be a promising existence.
However, even after he said all that, Tops still shook his head, "...No, Mr. Reinhardt, your expectations of me are far too high; I cannot meet them..."
As he spoke, Tops' voice trembled with a hint of tears.
He's a grown man, but he always acts like he's crying and wailing.
"...I know very well that I am just a piece of trash, completely incapable of casting spells..."
"So what?"
Seemingly angered, Reinhardt sobered up somewhat, tilting his head slightly as he stared at Tops, and said indifferently, "If my words are not enough to convince you, then what about Instructor Serenity's words? Are her words enough to convince you?"
"...Selian?"
Under Tops's astonished gaze, Reinhardt nodded and said, "Yes, that's right."
"Instructor Serian once told me that to become a qualified Brilliant Stone Mage, you don't need unparalleled talent, extraordinary aptitude, or the ability to wield Brilliant Stone magic to a certain degree."
All that is needed is a heart that always retains a thirst for knowledge.
"Besides, isn't it already written in the book?"
"The magic of pyroxene is intended to explore the stars and the life of the stars."
"Have you forgotten even the most basic principles, Senior Tops? Or do you feel that you have lost your thirst for knowledge?"
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17. Defeat Tops
"...Did Seren really say these words?"
Tops' body trembled uncontrollably, but a faint light flickered in his eyes—a hopeful glimmer.
"Of course it's true. I wouldn't stoop to such a level to deceive you."
It has to be said that Serena holds a significant place in Tops' heart.
After all, she was the person Topps admired and longed for the most, and the most talented witch in the academy's history. Every magic apprentice hoped to become a powerful and elegant being like Seren.
Therefore, Tops couldn't possibly disbelieve Serenity's words.
"So, what's your answer, Senior Tops?"
The dim candlelight illuminated their faces, and Reinhardt pressed Tops for an answer with his gaze.
Because he knew that Topus had never lost his thirst for knowledge, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to develop the ultimate barrier magic that could distort the will of the gods.
That was not just a coincidence; it required a great deal of effort and continuous exploration to achieve.
As for the basic aptitude for learning sapphire magic?
If Topps didn't have the qualifications, he wouldn't even be able to enter the magic academy, let alone become a magic apprentice.
"...I...I don't know, but I'm very grateful to you for being willing to say so much to someone as unknown as me." Tops looked embarrassed, his eyes darting around, and after stammering for a long time, he finally managed to utter this sentence.
Honestly, if Tops looked like a girl, she would definitely evoke a man's protective instincts.
Unfortunately, he was an old man, and a very rough and strong one at that.
Why does someone with such strong abilities always act so insecure?
"Cheer up, Senior Tops." Reinhardt stood up and patted the other heavily on the shoulder. "Since we don't know what to do right now, I have an idea. I wonder if Senior Tops would like to hear it?"
Tops slowly raised his head and met Reinhardt's gaze. Seeing that Reinhardt's eyes, which were still clear and full of seriousness after the alcohol had worn off, he nodded and said, "...Okay, okay."
As the saying goes, those who have nothing to lose are not afraid of those who have something to lose. Tops can now say that he completely trusts Reinhardt and is not afraid of being plotted against by him.
After all, I am just a piece of trash, while others have a bright future and prospects. What is there for others to covet?
"Alright, since Senior Tops is willing to listen, I won't waste any more words." Reinhardt cleared his throat slightly, then his attitude changed immediately, and he said in a serious tone, "Senior Tops, I wonder if you would be willing to study the mysteries of pyroxene with me?"
"However, although we are doing research together, I hope that Senior Tops can teach me more about pyroxene during the exploration. I believe that in some aspects, Senior Tops' theoretical knowledge is more abundant than mine."
Upon hearing this, Tops quickly waved his hand, as he would never dare to do such a thing.
Even though he is the other person's senior, it's only because the other person insists on calling him that now; he himself has long since lost the right to do so.
What's more, she was a student of that genius witch.
As for myself, I'm nothing but a worthless rock, what merit do I possess...?
"I'm not joking, Senior Tops." Reinhardt gripped Tops's shoulders slightly with both hands and said firmly, "Although I have the talent to use Radiant Stone magic, I lack the ability to research Radiant Stone."
"Moreover, I think you, Senior Tops, actually have great potential. Maybe one day you will become a great Brilliant Stone Mage."
He is in no way inferior to the two masters who founded the classroom, Yazler and Russert.
However, Reinhardt didn't say the last sentence aloud, for fear of frightening Tops.
Moreover, just after saying this, Tops' eyes were already red, tears were welling up, and his hands on his lap were tightly clutching his magician's robe.
It had been so many years, so many years he had spent in the academy, so long that he himself had lost count, but this was the first time someone had ever looked at him like this, had ever thought so highly of him.
Tops was so moved he couldn't express it any further. He held Reinhardt's hands tightly, tears streaming down his face.
"...Mr. Reinhardt, you are such a kind person...If you really don't mind, I am willing to impart all the meager knowledge I have accumulated."
It's finally done.
A barely perceptible smile appeared on Reinhardt's lips.