"Tell me about Diana."

Emilia started at the request before shifting into a more curious tone. Her eyes watched as Aster read the paper in his hands. "Any reason why?"

He motioned at the letter in his hands. She inwardly rolled her eyes at his casual air. She detected a bit of hesitation in his voice, however and that was enough for her to continue listening. "I'm just curious."

"I'm pretty sure you've never even met a Diana during your stay here."

"We've just met. You don't know my entire life story."

Good point.

"You're shy though." Emilia pointed out. She gave a sly smile as she remembered the rumors about Aster from her co-workers. Samuel seemed to have taken a liking to the man. "You also cooped yourself inside Oleander's lab for a week. We don't have a Diana in the staff and no student could get in without permission from a professor so I deduce that you barely met anyone in this facility."

"Those are just deductions." Aster countered. He eyed her form cautiously. "Accurate and suspiciously well-informed deductions but deductions nonetheless."

"I didn't hear a denial."

"There's no point in denying." Aster sighed. Emilia smiled at his resignation. Smart man. "Even if I try denying it, you wouldn't listen."

"We've only just met and you already know this much about me? It seems that we are closer than I thought." Emilia giggled as Aster scoffed. This man's Wizard etiquette is truly lacking. However, she supposed that's what is very interesting about him.

"It's just a deduction."

"A very accurate one."

"You're not the only one who can learn." Aster smirked. He pointed at his brain as if it was obvious. "I'm a scientist. A researcher. It's what I do."

Emilia rose an eyebrow. "A very specialized researcher." It's a truth that not even Aster can get away from. He is smart, she will admit that with open arms. However, when it comes to the application of several magical branches, she could tell that he is lacking. While specialists exist for every field, many of them still learned the basics and the essentials.

Aster, while decent at the elemental spells, seemed to be at most average at a few common branches. Variety is a Wizard's strength. Usually.

"Sometimes specialization is what is needed." Aster shrugged. He motioned at the letter in his hands. "It's certainly what is needed right now apparently."

"Oh? Does the letter ask for your expertise?" A logical assumption and should probably be the correct one. What the letter wants his prowess for and who wants it is the question. There are multiple students in this school with the name Diana. She shouldn't count sponsors out as well since the name is quite common in Erasma.

The Hermit looked uncomfortable as he eyed the letter in his hands. "Well, sort of."

"I hear explaining the problem to an outside party helps." Emilia's snark seemed to banish the researcher's tense aura away. He gave a small glare in response before sighing in resignation.

"It's a request for mentorship." Aster explained. "Probably from a student here."

"I don't see the problem." Mentorships are quite common in Fernum-Magnum despite the courses available to them. It is rare, however, for the professor to even consider accepting it unless the student has an unusual affinity for the subject. "If you don't want to do it, just reject it."

"I'm not as heartless as the staff here." Aster scoffed. "I'd like to know more about this possible protege before I start rejecting her outright."

"We're not cruel. Just busy." Emilia responded. She feigned a glare before continuing. "Give me the full name and I'll answer."

"Diana Belle Aurelius."

Ah, her.

"Definitely a student here." Emilia nodded as she recalled her student information. "It's her second year in Fernum-Magnum, I believe. Born from a noble family. As expected, she's a very hard working and responsible girl."

"That doesn't tell me much." Aster murmured, his fingers scratching his cheek in contemplation. "Anything else I should know?"

"She has a distaste for Hermits and those of lower standards." A very stereotypical noble from that view. Though growing up in her kind of environment would warrant that type of behavior. "She's extremely unpopular with a majority of the student body, specifically the middle-class. First impressions with her usually don't end in a positive light."

"I could imagine." Aster made a worried face as he hummed in thought. "Though that would lead to the question of why she would ask me. I'm sure the entire institute knows that I'm a Hermit by now."

She shrugged. She doesn't know either. While her student background and profile had a rather extensive list, her complete thought process is alien to the staff. Well, most of the students' thought processes are a bit foreign so it's not like she could complain.

"Tell me about her specializations."

"She has none."

"Eh?" Aster blinked in surprise. "What do you mean she doesn't have one?"

Emilia shrugged. It truly is quite a mystery. The entire staff was baffled when they received the news. "Like I said, she has none."

"A Wizard should have found one by now," he responded. She could tell that a thousand questions were whirling inside his head. The unfocused yet sharp eyes of the researcher was a given clue. "It's the job of a mentor or teacher of a Wizard to aid their students in finding their affinities. When she entered this college, she should have discovered it with the help of the resources here."

"We did try and help her." Emilia protested. It was a depressing sight watching the noble Wizard lose all hope when even Fernum-Magnum, the magical institute of the world failed to find her affinity.

To Wizards, their specializations are their purpose for studying magic. To hone and to improve it with every fiber of their body. It's what their body's natural magical energy are innately suited for and while it is true that continued use of different magical branches allow your body's magic to adapt and use it more efficiently, the affinity you are born with is a personal identity of every Wizard.

To realize that your body was born without one could be considered scarring for a practitioner.

She grit her teeth in frustration as she remembered. "We sent every professor, every mentor we know. Even those paid by her own family yet they couldn't find anything. Her body showed a resistance to every single one."

Aster was silent as he continued thinking in silence. After a prolonged moment of a depressing atmosphere, he broke it. "Emilia, tell me about her ability in regards to the magical fields taught here."

She watched the researcher as he started walking around the lab. His eyes rove the room like an experienced hunter before snatching one of the books on a nearby table.

Emilia ignored his actions and answered the request. "Absolutely average on every magical art she tested. No talent but her hard working tendencies allow her to excel in quantity than quality."

"Quantity has a quality of its own."

"Diana doesn't seem to think so." Emilia shrugged. The poor girl must be getting desperate enough to ask for a Hermit's help. She tilted her head as she watched the Hermit close the book. "What do you think?"

He hummed in thought. "From what I've heard, she's arrogant, stubborn, prideful with all the negative traits of any sheltered noble. She lacks any special talents and cooperating with her would be both stressful and tiring. The probability of a fruitful mentorship would be significantly low and could possibly end quite tragically for both parties."

Well, isn't that a bit harsh? Emilia inwardly sighed. She kind of hoped that Aster would have considered attempting to help the student.

"So I take that as a no?"

Aster smirked. "However, she's apparently a hard worker. She does everything she can to at least reach average in every magical field she partakes in. No talent but that sort of dedication is what any mentor wants out of their student. She's willing to discard her pride to formally write a letter to a Hermit, a sign of a mature mind despite the official student profile."

"So...yes?"

"I'd like to meet her."

Even better.

XXX

Despite her high standing and wealthy status, she has never been a sociable girl. She could freely admit this without a care in the world. Why worry about what those of lower origins are currently doing when she has a lot of things better to do. While they wallow and remain stagnant, she would advance forward as is her right.

She needs to. Stagnancy is not an option.

"I'm telling you right now, the Hermit is definitely in the dungeon."

"And I'm telling you, that the chances of that occurring is terribly low."

Though she would admit that it has been getting harder and harder to focus with her recent company. She clicked her tongue as she watched James and Alice continue bickering in the background. Their appearance to her daily routine was an odd and exasperating chore that she had to endure.

It was torture the likes of which she's never seen.

Alice, ignorant of Diana's irritation, continued, "Sending a man that is currently the most sought after Wizard in this institution into a dungeon is not only illogical but extremely dangerous. Imagine the backlash from the sponsors that attended this event. It's not in their favor to lose money."

James stubbornly ignored Alice's barrage of logic. He waved his hand as if dismissing a fly. "Wouldn't it be better if the Hermit was locked in a dungeon though? Their views oppose that of modern society. They have a bad reputation among the commoners. If word leaks out that Fernum-Magnum welcomed a Hermit within its walls, the backlash would be astronomical. Even more so than from the sponsors."

"That is if Fernum-Magnum would be willing to let it leak out in the first place." Alice countered with the efficiency and haste befitting of a scholar. "There is no doubt that word of a Hermit's victory would leave the building but do you honestly think the professors didn't know that would happen?"

James frowned at her words. Diana inwardly agreed with Alice's argument. She studied with the professors before. She learned of their personalities and abilities and one thing that never changed was their intellect. Their expertise on their specializations was a common constant between the teachers. They must have planned this beforehand.

"Then how could they possibly handle this situation?" James scratched his chin as he pondered. "There's no way everyone's going to see this in a positive light."

"I didn't say everyone." Alice tapped her head. "Think, James. What's one of the best ways people get informed of any events in the world."

"The media." Diana's voice rang through their ears. She widened her eyes as she instinctively answered. They shifted their attention towards her. She inwardly swore at their actions. She shouldn't have listened to their conversation. She took a deep breath before continuing. "The Fernum-Magnum would manage it through propaganda. They'll paint this event in a positive light."

"Exactly." Alice nodded towards her. Diana dismissed it with a wave. The bespectacled girl continued, "While it may not stop skepticism, letting the Fernum-Magnum willingly spread the news instead of hiding it would be more beneficial to them."

James hummed in thought as she explained her ideas. "The Hermit bias doesn't get cleared away just because of one positive event, Alice. The media may hold a lot of power but it can't change a belief deeply rooted in their history."

"Don't underestimate the media," Alice warned before conceding, "but I do agree that it won't wash away the negative views but I'm sure that our professors already considered that when they made their move."

"I'm sure they did." James happily agreed. He shifted his attention towards Diana. She clicked her tongue as he waved towards her. "You've been awfully quiet, Diana. Anything on your mind?"

"Nothing that your insignificant brain could handle," she snarked. She never liked the man despite his high status. A noble represents the elites of civilization. They guide and represent what the commoners should strive to be. Dirtying himself by lowering to the same grounds as the followers that they lead isn't something that anyone of his birth should be doing.

"Then perhaps someone more capable could be of service," Alice intervened. The girl eyed her with both caution and worry. "You haven't been speaking as much as you usually do. Is something the matter?"

She glared at the petite student before sighing. Can't they tell that their company isn't needed nor wanted. "No."

Alice's skepticism was obvious to see. Luckily, unlike James, she didn't push the subject. She hummed in acceptance. "Alright."

Chatter flooded her senses as James took the opportunity to continue speaking. She watched as Alice patiently listened to the man's ideas. Honestly, she doesn't know how she can handle someone like him. The girl must have the patience of a saint. He's way too energetic for anyone to handle and his personality isn't likable at all.

Her own personality isn't exactly shining either but at least she wasn't as obnoxious.

She shook her head as she ignored her surroundings. There are better times to think about that. Right now, more pressing matters need to be attended than listening to commoners.

Such as thinking about something lower than a commoner.

She clicked her tongue as she remembered her actions. Writing a letter for a Hermit of all things. Her hands shook at the thought. Seeking a mentorship with something lower than dirt. She almost couldn't believe what she did.

Yet, it was something that she instinctively acted upon. She saw the Hermit's magic. She saw how he broke free of his cage, how he did something that could be considered impossible with a branch of magic that remained stagnant for generations. She remembered the ethereal green glow of his hand. With a single touch it broke all barriers and with those barriers, the expectations of the entire Fernum-Magnum.

She also remembered how alive she felt when she saw it. A different type of magic. Something that she could learn that has the potential to be great. A lingering shred of hope ignited within her that she thought was forever diminished. She couldn't help but think. It might even be her affinity.

That thought alone collapsed all semblance of bias against the Hermit. She needed to know and she was smart enough to realize that a negative relationship with a possible future mentor could ruin both parties.

"Diana." A familiar voice ringed through her ears. She widened her eyes as she turned to the source. Behind her, she heard James yelp in fear. Even Alice took a step back at the being before them. She can't blame them. The presence of one of the most famed instructors of the institution was a sight to behold.

It shouldn't be that much of a surprise. Despite her warm aura, her reputation is downright terrifying. The signature orange eyes and blonde hair could make any student still.

Emilia eyed the duo behind her before switching to her. What did she do to receive such attention? "May I have a moment of your time?"

It was technically a question but it sounded more like an order.

"Of course." She nodded. Emilia may be one of the most feared combat instructors of this school but her noble birth prepared her for these situations. She silently thanked her training. "May I ask what this is about?"

"You'll find out soon enough." Emilia answered without preamble. She waved her towards her. "We can talk on our way there." The professor stared at the two behind her. It seemed that she assumed that they were talking. Not inaccurate but considering her reputation, it was understandable to be concerned. "That is, of course, you're not busy."

"I'm not busy at all." Diana looked at James and Alice before walking towards the professor. She ignored their confused glances. "In fact, I was just leaving."

XXX

Diana never felt more nervous than as of right now. It is understandable of course. When you are walking with a Wizard magically and intellectually stronger than you, one's instincts would usually kick in. Her posture was rigid yet graceful. She may be intimidated but she won't be fully cowed by her aura. She has an image to uphold and she's not willing to break it because of a simple walk.

Emilia watched her silently as they walked towards their destination. Her skin tingled at her stare. It didn't feel particularly unpleasant but the sensation wasn't exactly pleasant either. It felt indifferent as if the professor is pondering what to do with her.

That thought definitely didn't make her nervous at all.

"So it seems you've made some new friends." Diana started at the statement. She widened her eyes at the instructor before fixing her posture. Emilia watched her worriedly. It seems she felt about the broken silence. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, thank you." Diana gave a polite smile. Emilia frowned at the action. "To answer your question, they're not my friends." Honestly, they barely count as acquaintances. She could accept them as peers but never as friends. The girl may have intellect above that of an average student and James may have impressive titles but she couldn't possibly see them as friends.

Emilia hummed at her response. "It looked like you were getting along."

"Hardly." Diana scoffed. Getting along? With her? She's heard about her reputation and she can't blame them. Most of her peers rarely work hard on their studies. Their natural affinity for several of their subjects made them lax. "It's more akin to tolerating their presence than anything else."

"It's progress," Emilia countered. She smiled. "It's more than you usually do."

"I don't know what you're talking about," she denied. The atmosphere shifted into a casual air. She relaxed as she watched Emilia warily. Despite the denial even she could tell how fake her response was. "I've always tolerated the presence of others."

Technically not a lie. Her studies distracted her from inciting any major incidents.

Emilia hummed. "You seem to tolerate them better than others." The professor rose an eyebrow skeptically as if challenging her. She sighed. She knew she couldn't deny this. The professor was keener than she looked and for all the awkwardness bestowed between them, even she could tell that the woman genuinely cared for her students.

"They're geniuses in their own right." Diana pointed out. It is much easier to be around intellectual peers and despite her own personal opinions, she could reluctantly admit that Alice and James are both respectable in their own fields. "Even those of lower standings have their uses."

Emilia frowned at her words. Even she could sense the disapproval in her eyes. "They are your peers, Diana."

She nodded. "Intellectually, I acknowledge them as my peers."

"Everyone is equal in this college." Emilia retorted.

"No one is born equal."

"Even the greatest of Arch Mages can be killed with a dagger behind his back." Emilia's tone was cautious. Her statement held a pressure that Diana never experienced before. It felt old, experienced yet the woman before her was almost as young as she was. "In life and in death, we are all equal."

She clicked her tongue at Emilia's words. "That's not what I meant."

"The same could be said for your first response." Emilia smirked. "Believe it or not, Diana but nobles are flawed beings. Underneath their medals, titles and land are humans with hopes, dreams, and opinions."

"I thought that was obvious." Despite her arrogance and pride, no one could deny that nobles bleed like any other. The proof of such could be as easy as finding an assassin's dagger. "However, we have insight. Enlightenment, power, and knowledge with the wealth to back it. Through wit and cunning, there is a reason why nobles are still in authority."

From appearing in charity events to plotting hidden agendas, nobles have always stayed on top. She could admit, however, that some of their actions are somewhat cruel but it's a necessary evil.

Everything in civilization is essential for its existence. It's like a well-oiled automaton, every piece is needed for the magical contraption to run smoothly. The same could be said for her kind.

"Their ambition is admirable." Emilia nodded though Diana could tell it was more for acknowledgement than agreement. "They are enlightened but they are also ignorant. It wouldn't hurt for another perspective, however."

"There is a flaw to every society." A sad truth. Diana sighed, deciding to steer the conversation away before it gets too heavily political. "We could talk about this in another day, professor. I would like to inquire about our current destination."

Emilia's smile instantly became more genuine at the new subject. Her expression was reminiscent of a fox watching her prey. "We're currently heading towards the Hermit's lair."

Diana's haughty exterior cracked at the words. A polite smile blossomed as she glanced at the smiling professor.

What.

Now?!

"May I ask for what reason?" She's not going to fool anyone with that question. She - and most likely the good professor - already know the reason why. There is no other motive for going to the Hermit's lab otherwise.

"Oh, I'm sure you know why." Emilia hummed in joy. "It's quite amusing that someone of such high-standing would lower herself to learn from a mere commoner."

She does know. Diana winced at her words. It makes her sound hypocritical, a trait that she did not desire. "It's just a mentorship and nothing more. I believe that I could benefit from learning under him."

It would take huge willpower to stand his presence but if there's even a glimmer of hope, a single hint that the Hermit's magic is her affinity then she would take it. No matter the costs. Still, the suddenness caught her off-guard. When she sent the letter, she expected another to reciprocate back. It allowed her to both mentally and physically prepare for the incoming message. She expected denial. She even prepared for acceptance.

She didn't expect a professor to suddenly lead her to the Hermit.

She wasn't even dressed properly for the occasion. First impressions are important. It will leave a significant impact as soon as she opens the door.

...

A door which is now in front of her.

Oh no.

"Would you like to open it or should I?" Emilia's amusement was palpable even in her distracted state.

"I will do the honors," Diana gave a nigh inaudible hiss as she slowly reached for the knob. She took a deep breath as she tried to get her mind in order. The intentions and motives of this visit is rather obvious. She's going to meet the Hermit, which either means that she will be accepted or that he will interview her for a position.

She hoped for the former.

She's not going to bet on a game of chance here, however. As the saying goes, hope for the best, prepare for the worst. If this is the interview then she needs to be mentally prepared for this. Any flaws could be detrimental to her goal.

"Any day now." Emilia tapped her foot as if emphasizing her impatience.

"W-wait." A deep breath entered her mouth. Her noble persona broke from the sudden words. She glared at the amused professor. "I'm just preparing myself."

"Understandable," the blonde nodded, "but we don't have all day." She pointed at her professor's university emblem. "I don't have all day."

"Apologies," she grit her teeth, "but if this is what I hope it is..."

Emilia instantly figured out her thoughts. Her smile softened. Diana could feel the pity in her gaze. She ignored it and focused on the door. A Wizard with no affinity is a Wizard with no talent. The discovery was the first time she ever felt shame for her bloodline. The meeting with the Hermit could be exactly what she needed.

It will either be a success or it will be a failure but if there's one thing that she learned from her long agonizing years as a Wizard it was that nothing ventured, nothing gained.

She opened the door.

XXX

Aster was a genius. That he did not doubt. He excelled in his specialization, a master of his own craft. From designing biological weapons to crafting humanitarian inventions, he could do all with a bit of hard work, experimentation and refinement.

That doesn't make him omnipotent. No matter how much he boasts his accomplishments to Oleander, he could freely admit his flaws, albeit reluctantly. He was nowhere near proficient with even the most basic elemental spells and while his magical theory is up to par with even the professors of Fernum-Magnum, he won't be able to fully use that knowledge compared to them.

His bark is worse than his bite, admittedly.

These are one of those times.

Mentorship.

To an average citizen, it may not mean much but to a Wizard, those words hold a heavy meaning. From the experienced to the newly introduced, most Wizards held a special relationship with their mentors. He was not exempt from this.

He was going to teach and not for an entire class but for a single student. Probably. He never met the girl and for all he knew, maybe it wasn't meant to be. Mentorship for a Hermit is extremely significant to their lives. It signified the passing of the torch. To give his knowledge to the next generation, trusting that student with their very secrets that they guarded with their lives.

Not something to skim over.

He had no knowledge of teaching and any experience that he garnered was from observing his own mentor. Any methods that he may utilize would all originate from his own teachers. That may not necessarily be a bad thing but teaching and being taught are two completely different entities.

He heard the door creak, his eyes instantly scanning the new appearances. A blonde with royal blue eyes entered first. A noble aura was the first thing he noticed, her posture rigid and loud as if demanding attention from the entire room.

He grinned when she stared straight back. Emilia described her well.

"Diana, I presume." He walked towards them, watching their movements with silent intensity. He noticed Emilia closing the door. A good gesture. It would be detrimental if their conversations were heard. An interview for a mentorship was a private affair.

The woman nodded as she raised her hand as if to greet his. He reciprocated. She gave a firm yet gentle shake before letting go. "You presumed right." She gave a small nod. Strong but not patronizing. A good trait. He internally listed his discoveries.

So far, nothing that could be considered negative in anyway.

"I'm sure you already know who I am," Aster carefully worded his sentence. At her agreement, he continued, "but I'll say it anyways. The name's Aster. Aster Spinel." He grinned. "Hermit Extraordinaire."

He noticed her eye twitch at his words. A small reaction but something significant. It seems she still holds a fair bit of social stigma against Hermits. Understandable considering her birth. He mentally ticked another thing in his list of discoveries.

"It's nice to meet you." A polite grin blossomed on her face. "I'm sure you already know why I'm here."

"Indeed." A mentorship, a request so unexpected that it instantly caught his attention. "I'm not sure why you want to be taught under me, however." Hermits aren't desirable mentors, after all. Only the most desperate would come running to them for knowledge. It was fine though. It meant more privacy for his research.

He missed that part the most. Oh, the consequences of being a good friend. Sometimes he wonders if it's all worth it.

Then he thought of Oleander's gratitude and he decided it was.

"I want to learn." Her words broke though his wandering thoughts. "Your magical field was unknown to me. I thought that it could be beneficial for me to study an apparently powerful branch of magecraft."

"Powerful?" He hummed politely at her words. At her confused look, he explained. "That's not a popular opinion."

"It was made readily apparent after your display in front of hundreds if not thousands of spectators."

"You saw that?" He tilted his head as he suddenly questioned how many people exactly watched his Oedipus Challenge.

Oh boy. Is this what the popular kids feel when they're getting attention?

"Who didn't?" she scoffed. She gave him a critical stare at his shocked expression. "Words spread fast in this institution, believe it or not. Your presence wasn't exactly being hidden and the challenge was advertised everywhere. I wouldn't be surprised if people outside of this college are learning of your accomplishment."

He sighed. At this point, he shouldn't be surprised. "As expected of Fernum-Magnum."

She could only nod in agreement. "I'm surprised you didn't know."

"I'm surprised people even went." He gave a lazy shrug. "I mean it's just a test for one insignificant Hermit."

"An insignificant Hermit wouldn't have destroyed that prison with just a touch of his finger." Her voice turned passionate at the mention of his accomplishment. He took a step back at her outburst. "What you did..." Diana struggled to find her words. "It was phenomenal. Miraculous. A magic that even experts agreed was useless achieved something that the highest of spells would struggle breaking."

Her words stunned him into silence. She shook as she gave him a determined look. "I've always worked hard on all my studies. I've done everything I could to catch up to my peers, to surpass them and still uphold an image of a proper Wizard." She clicked her tongue at the thought. "Yet they've surpassed me. All my hard work, they managed to reach my level with half the effort."

She took in a shaky breath. Her blue eyes stared straight at his. "I am not completely sure if your magic is my affinity." Diana chuckled at her own words. "I'm not even sure if this is the right choice but after seeing your performance, after watching something impossible turn possible, I couldn't help but ask-no I plead of you..."

She bowed. The significance of that action was not lost on Aster.

"Please, Mr. Spinel, may I be your disciple?"