Chapter 140 - 139: We’re All Little Geniuses

Chapter 140: Chapter 139: We’re All Little Geniuses

「The next morning.」

Outside Martin’s Bakery.

Today was the day he had arranged to learn Magic from Fevik, but Hesia didn’t go there directly.

As someone who prided himself on his emotional intelligence, he couldn’t very well show up empty-handed after learning his teacher’s preferences.

"Good day, sir. Two pieces of Rose Layer Cake and two Pear Tarts, please."

Admittedly, aside from wanting to treat his Half-Elf teacher, Hesia had his own reasons as well.

He knew he would most likely be at the Wand Shop all day again, and he really didn’t want to be stuck eating the dry bread there for lunch.

’My teacher seems to have dedicated all her time to Magic research,’ Hesia thought.

After all, every time he visited, she was tinkering with something at her desk—a desk piled high with papers and strange components—and taking notes as she worked.

The bakery owner, Martin, was a plump, fair-skinned man with a small mustache.

"The Rose Layer Cakes are 60 copper nails each, and the Pear Tarts are 30 copper nails. That’ll be 180 copper nails in total."

The price was a little steeper than Hesia had anticipated, but looking at the desserts in the display case—confections that seemed to exist only in memory—he paid without hesitation.

Martin first retrieved two square, cream-filled pastries sprinkled with flower petals. These had to be the Rose Layer Cakes.

"The Pear Tarts will be just a few minutes," he said, sizing Hesia up as he bustled about. "You’re a new face. Did a friend send you?"

Seeing the confusion on Hesia’s face, he continued, "It’s just that these two are our specialties. New customers don’t usually know to ask for them by name."

Hesia nodded, wondering why the owner was so talkative.

Then, the baker suddenly added, "Was it that kid Belte who sent you?"

"Haha, don’t mind me," the baker said, seeming to find his answer in Hesia’s surprised expression. He explained cheerfully, "I heard that kid bragging that he had an exceptionally handsome Mage for a teammate."

He winked and added, "Of course, the main reason I recognized you is that I saw you two together on the street a few days ago."

"That’s right, I’m Belte’s teammate. You can call me Galen."

Upon receiving Hesia’s confirmation, Martin seemed even happier. "I knew it! Speaking of which, you must have tried my baking before. I think he bought a huge batch of our traveler’s bread before he left last time."

A strange sense of disorientation washed over Hesia, as if time had gently folded in on itself.

Through the baker’s words, the image of Belte—a bit boisterous, yet always full of life—suddenly felt vivid in the air, as if his voice still echoed in a corner of the shop.

After some friendly chatter, the bakery owner, Martin, ended up giving Hesia a discount.

Of course, the discount wasn’t just because he was Belte’s friend.

Rather, it was because one of them had brought up one of Belte’s annoying habits.

It was like they had discovered a secret password, and the conversation opened up completely.

This good-natured ribbing created a strange sense of camaraderie, especially since they both secretly considered Belte a good friend.

...

Inside the Pulsating Goblin Head.

Fevik stood with her arms crossed, displeasure written all over her face.

"I made a point of not sleeping in today! How dare you show up late!"

"I’m not late, Teacher. It’s just that I was too early the other times," Hesia said, handing her a paper bag. "I bought you something to try."

She took the bag with a suspicious glance, her nose twitching slightly.

When she saw the exquisite Rose Layer Cake inside, a distinct spark of light flashed through her perpetually impatient eyes.

"Hmph. I may have told you I liked these, but that was in the past. I’m past the age of being tempted by such high-calorie sweets."

[Affinity with Ghostly Half-Elf Fevik QuickThought has increased. Decryption Points +4]

Despite her words, Hesia had already received the Affinity notification.

He stifled a laugh, deciding not to call out his insincere teacher.

Instead, he said, "But Teacher, aren’t you eighteen?"

The Half-Elf teacher wasn’t one to stand on ceremony; she took the out he’d given her.

"Well... I suppose you’re right. At eighteen, tasting a little dessert now and then is... is also helpful for keeping the mind sharp."

She immediately took a large bite.

"Mmm... I weally... habn’t had this in sho long..." she mumbled, her cheeks stuffed full.

"You shoo... hab a... bite too!"

[Affinity with Ghostly Half-Elf Fevik QuickThought has increased. Decryption Points +2]

Hesia had already eaten this morning, so he took the opportunity to start selecting a trait in his mind.

[You have consumed 25 Points to extract the following traits from the Ghostly Half-Elf:]

[Halfling Agility]: Your body becomes more agile. You can move effortlessly through crowded areas or narrow spaces. In battle, you can easily slip through gaps in the defenses of enemies much larger than you, appearing in unexpected locations.

[Solace of Home]: When faced with terrifying pressure or fear, your longing for the simple comforts of life will overwhelm all fear. The smoke from your hometown’s chimneys, the fire in the hearth, a hot meal... These tranquil images will automatically surface in your mind, allowing you to miraculously maintain your composure.

Honestly, both traits looked quite good, making it difficult for him to choose. It seemed either could be incredibly useful in the right situation.

Hesia mulled it over for a moment.

[You have selected the trait: Solace of Home]

For a Caster, maintaining absolute mental composure was always the prerequisite for making the best decisions.

...

After contentedly licking the last of the cream from her fingertips, Fevik’s enthusiasm for teaching was at an all-time high.

Just as before, she began by explaining the principles behind two spells.

"Remember, Mage Armor isn’t a wall. It’s a layer of flowing Magic Cloth."

"You need to feel the Magic Power flowing around your body, then use your Spiritual Power to weave it together..."

Perhaps due to his increased Wisdom Points, Hesia quickly got the hang of it.

Magic Power surged in his palm as a series of nearly transparent, hexagonal scales materialized, swiftly covering his arm before dissipating with a single thought.

[Skill Mastered: Mage Armor Lv.1 (1/10)]

[Wisdom +1]

As for [Magic Missile], it was even more straightforward.

"The condensation and release of energy. The most basic Molding Energy spell. Draw out your Magic Power, use your Will to compress and shape it, and then... just throw it! It’s that simple! Now, try it on that wooden box over there!"

Hesia focused his mind, feeling the Magic Power gather at his fingertips.

At first, the ball of light was unstable.

But after a few more tries, an Energy Missile quickly formed, shooting forward with a WHOOSH to strike the wooden box in the corner, blowing it to splinters.

[Skill Mastered: Magic Missile Lv.1 (1/10)]

[Wisdom +1]

Watching all this, Fevik even forgot to wipe the cake crumbs from the corner of her mouth.

Hesia’s learning speed had, without a doubt, astonished her.

Whether it was the intricate construction of Defense Magic or the brutish shaping of Molding Energy spells, he displayed an astonishing aptitude.

But this Half-Elf mentor’s mind clearly worked differently. Her surprise lasted only a moment before quickly morphing into a smug sense of validation.

’As expected of someone I picked out. His talent is truly exceptional! Finding a genius like this just proves that I, Fevik QuickThought, am a genius too!’

she thought smugly to herself.

’And... he even buys me little cakes!’