Questions

Xia Lun and Aina finally finished getting dressed.

It was not because they did not want to continue, but because guests had arrived.

"Serry, go open the door."

"Yes, Master Aina."

Serry floated to the door, extending a slender mechanical arm to open it.

Upon opening the door, they found the hallway outside packed with people. All of them were uniformly dressed in mage robes that represented knowledge and power, wearing standard mage hats.

Their appearances ranged from elders with completely white hair and beards to youths brimming with a thirst for knowledge; from calm and reserved humans to elegant elves. Scholars and mages of all races and ages waited with bated breath.

If any higher-ups of the magical world were present, they would be astounded to find that every single one of these individuals was a renowned grand mage, yet here they were, all squeezed into the rather narrow corridor of this apartment, waiting.

None of them had even dared to knock.

Xia Lun noticed that pinned to their chests were gleaming insignias—two crossed staffs set against a backdrop of burning flame patterns.

Aina had brought out a similar crest before; this was clearly the emblem of the Truth Magic Academy.

"Ah, it is Serry... Has Lady Aina returned?"

"Yes, Master Aina is currently inside, Professor Manrid," Serry replied steadily in its synthesized electronic voice. It was obvious that it knew Professor Manrid, who was standing at the very front of the group.

Professor Manrid was an elderly elf with graying hair and beard, leaning on a cane, wearing glasses, and slightly hunched over... Clearly, even for an elf, he did not have much of his lifespan left.

His age was likely greater than Xia Lun and Aina's combined.

"You are..."

Upon seeing Xia Lun, Professor Manrid adjusted his glasses. A distinct flash of surprise and inquiry passed through his eyes behind the lenses. He was evidently quite taken aback to see someone else inside Aina's apartment, especially a man.

Xia Lun simply offered a faint smile and naturally took a half-step back, retreating behind Aina.

"Is there something you need, Professor Manrid?" Aina did not volunteer to introduce Xia Lun, instead cutting straight to the point.

"Ah, yes, Lady Aina. It is rare for you to return, and we have many academic perplexities that require your guidance." Surprisingly, Manrid did not pay any further attention to Xia Lun either, diving right into conversation with Aina. At some point, he had pulled out a thick stack of parchment, densely covered with dazzling magical trajectory diagrams. "You see, first is the improvement and development of the new spatial magic array..."

"And also, the framework for my composite embedded magic array. I hope you can take a look at it..." a middle-aged mage behind him hurriedly added, raising a crystal tablet.

"Me too! I have an academic concept for spiritual magic, and I would like you to see if there are any flaws." Another female elven scholar spoke up eagerly.

...

For a moment, these top-tier scholars capable of causing a storm in the magical world, professors whose names were written across various magical textbooks and grimoires, acted like apprentices crowding around their mentor, eagerly competing to ask questions. The scene became somewhat chaotic.

Aina slowly raised her hand, and the air instantly fell silent. The crowd tactfully shut their mouths.

"This is not the place to discuss these matters. Do not crowd around here. I will go to the Magic Academy tomorrow," Aina stated coldly.

"Yes... Understood, Lady Aina."

The crowd exchanged glances before retreating like an ebbing tide, silently yet swiftly leaving down the corridor.

Soon, only Xia Lun and Aina remained... along with Serry, who was politely waving goodbye to the mages at the door.

Among those mages, quite a few had participated in writing and modifying the magical circuits within Serry's body, including the elderly elven professor, Manrid.

"They did not seem very interested in me," Xia Lun said, touching his nose.

"Of course. They are all seekers obsessed with the mysteries of magic. They are only interested in magic and research, and can all be considered half my excellent students... Their passion for magic is not something just anyone can compare to." Aina looked as if this was only natural, even showing a hint of pride. "No matter what kind of life I lead in private, I bet they would not care in the slightest..."

...

Truth Magic Academy.

The Round Table Hall.

The mages who had previously visited Aina were gathered around the round table.

However, contrary to what Aina thought, the air was not filled with pure academic enthusiasm, but rather irrepressible whispers and curiosity.

Heavy magical tomes and stacks of research materials were temporarily set aside at the edge of the table, serving merely as the backdrop for this informal seminar.

"Who was that man? To think he is living in Lady Aina's house?"

"Hiss—could he be Lady Aina's servant or something?"

"But I heard Lady Aina has always deeply loved her deceased husband. It is impossible for her to have any relationship with another man, right..."

"Lady Aina is human too, after all. Her husband has been dead for nearly a thousand years. It must have been hard for her to be alone, so it is understandable."

"But does that pretty boy not know to avoid suspicion? To actually show his face openly in front of us, he really lacks a sense of propriety."

"Alright, stop guessing blindly. Maybe he is just Lady Aina's magic experiment subject."

"Ahem!"

Following a cough from Manrid, the surrounding chatter finally quieted down.

"Since Lady Aina did not volunteer an explanation, we should not speak further of it... Rather than gossiping behind her back, it would be better to ask Lady Aina to her face. Any academic hypothesis without the support of practice is merely empty fantasy... Everyone here should know this best," Manrid said.

"Then who dares to ask Lady Aina this question?" someone suddenly muttered.

The crowd instantly fell silent again.

Lady Aina's status in their hearts was no different from that of a teacher. Who would actually dare to take the initiative to ask about her private affairs?

If they made Lady Aina unhappy, it would definitely lower her good impression of them. Perhaps in the future, when they wanted to ask questions, they would not even be able to secure a spot in line...

"You go ask."

"Why me? You are clearly more curious about this than I am, you ask her yourself."

"Because your little bit of research is not even worth Lady Aina looking over."

"What did you say? As if that magic framework you constructed, which is full of loopholes, is worth Lady Aina correcting!"

Although they spoke like this, the relationship among this group of mage scholars was actually quite friendly. They were not truly angry; it was just mutual teasing and banter.

"Lady Aina is here."

Someone announced, and the surroundings immediately fell completely silent.

The mages immediately straightened their backs, looked straight ahead, adjusted their robes and hats, and sat up with utmost propriety.