“Wake up, Little Elle. Breakfast is ready.”

Like her usual mornings, Lowell's mom starts to knock on her room’s door.

When Lowell woke up, she felt really an uncomfortable feeling in her chest.

She opened her eyes just to find out.

“Meoooww…”

“Mewwww…”

Both Axie and Nephy was sitting on her chest, glaring at each other.

Lowell thought that both of them wants to sleep on her chest, but no one wants to give in.

She noticed that they both lack energy to fight, probably they stayed that way the whole night.

“You two naughty kids.. Don’t fight for who goes to sleep on my chest.. It’s making me uncomfortable..”

“Meow?”

“Mew?”

Both of them stopped fighting and looked towards Lowell with pleading eyes.

Even you do that, I won’t give in.

“Go to sleep, both of you. It looks like both of you didn’t slept all night.”

When Lowell rose up from her bed, Nephy occupied Lowell's pillow and fell asleep.

Axie, on the other hand, slept on the bed and covered itself with Lowell's blanket .

Lowell started to prepare herself because her Teacher Aurel’s classes starts after eating breakfast.

She saw Weiss and her Big Brother eating their own food, so she also started to eat.

When the three were done eating their fill, they get outside for their Teacher’s lesson.

The three greeted Teacher Aurel and she started the lesson.

“Qazar and Weiss, did you take your weapons?”

“Yes, Teacher”

Both of them had their own weapons.

A two-handed sword for Qazar and an one-handed sword and shield for Weiss.

Lowell didn’t know why, but she thought that they're going for a battle.

“Then for our final Lesson..”

The three of them were stupefied.

Last Lesson? Teacher won’t teach us anymore?

The first one to react was Weiss.

“Teacher won’t teach us anymore?”

“Well, I already taught you all I know. It’s no use to be your Teacher anymore. The three of you are excellent students so..”

“No… NO!”

I can’t accept this..

Doesn’t that mean I wouldn’t see Teacher again?

Lowell ran away from Weiss, her Big Brother and Teacher Aurel.

She tried to ran towards the house, but was caught by her Teacher.

“Lowell… My dear Apprentice.. You should understand. You won’t reach greater heights if I remain as your Teacher. Please remember what your dream is.”

My dream is to be an Adventurer like Mom and Dad, but…

“I don’t understand.. Why do you have to leave us..”

Hearing Lowell's thoughts, Teacher Aurel smiled and flicked her student's forehead.

“Silly girl. I won’t leave you.. I’ll still visit you now and then. But please understand.. This is the limit of the knowledge I could teach you.. Let me tell you something about myself..”

Lowell listened to her Teacher while wiping her tears.

“Teacher took the job on the Royal City Library.. because I don’t have any choice.”

“Don’t have any choice?”

“Yes.. like you, I dreamt to be an adventurer. But because my performance as a Fleur is mediocre, most high-leveled adventuring parties rejected me. When I heard that the Royal City Library is in need of staff, I tried to took the job. The only thing your Teacher could be proud of is my love for books. Whenever I read books, I felt like I entered a new world that I didn’t know before. It was a refreshing feeling. That’s where I met my fiance.”

“Sir Maxwell?”

“Yes. He wants to obtain knowledge about a Monster his party wants to hunt. When I saw him, I felt so inferior that time, since he was already a C-ranked Adventurer. I’m the one who assisted him for finding the book he needs. Before I noticed it, he frequently visits the library. I don’t know if he’s a fool or what during that time since the entrance fee was 10 gold.”

Her Teacher starts to giggle.

“After one day, He asked me to be his lover. I didn’t notice that his frequent visitations are for me. I agreed, since I thought I could give him a chance since he’s a good man. We started to go on dates, he let me meet his acquaintances, I had a glimpse on the world he was living in… and I know that it was out of my reach. I tried to broke up with him, telling him that our worlds are too far apart. I, who was mediocre person, and him, who was an excellent adventurer, was never destined together… but what he said is: ‘I didn’t loved you because of your status, aptitude, or anything. I loved you since the day I saw your smile. Whenever you talk about books, I told myself – when would be the day that I’m the cause of that smile instead? – that’s when I started to look at you. The pureness of that smile that soothes my heart after a stressing day.. The ten gold entrance fee of the library was worth it.’ ”

Teacher Aurel laughed while smiling. It was tears of joy..

“That’s when I thought.. ‘This person is an idiot’ but ‘I started to love him because of -how stupid he is-‘. That’s when I noticed that I was escaping from him. I was afraid of leaving my comfort zone. The books, who won’t condemn me for being mediocre.. and the outside world which would condemn me for being mediocre.. It was him who let me out of that place. I started to dream a life with him. Before I knew it, I already couldn’t live without him. When he asked my hand for marriage, I accepted it gladly.”

“He persuaded my parents, and my parent gave their approval. After that, he told me that he wants me to meet his parents and get married.. after that, we’ll make a journey around the world. That’s when I made a very important choice.”

“Choice?”

“To give up my job on the Royal City Library.. because Blanc City is distant from the Royal City, and we’ll travel around the world, I can’t continue working at the Royal City Library. I was reluctant at first.. since I already regard it as my second home. The home who accepted who I am, even though I am a mediocre person.”

Lowell became fed up of her Teacher calling herself mediocre so she shouted:

“Mediocre this, Mediocre that.. Teacher isn’t mediocre!”

In return, her Teacher smiled and petted her silver hair.

“Lowell, in our world, my talent in magic is far from average. I was already twenty-one years old when I reached Professor Tier. My fiance, who is now twenty-four, was already a Low Gaunt. He is already High Professor when he was at my age. If I also consider your talent, you’ll surpass me in two or three years. At this rate, you can even reach Low Gaunt Tier at sixteen or eighteen years old. I knew you’re still in Mid Practitioner, but for your age, you could already called a genius.”

I see.. so Teacher didn’t know that I became a High Practitioner yesterday. Mr. Maxwell made it a secret when he gave me that magicite.

“Returning to my story.. I was forced to pick one.. like you right now. To stay stagnant forever and stay on the library.. or follow him and explore the gifts of this world. I was afraid first, but I knew I need to believe in Maxwell. He, who gave me an opportunity to realize my own dream, which is to become an adventurer. I knew I would be a burden for him, but I thought it would be okay as long as we’re together.”

“In your situation, if I still remain as your Teacher, your abilities would be stagnant. I want you to learn to move towards your goal, not to stay under my wings. Even little birds need to leave their nests to explore the world. Like you guys. You have the potential to become someone great, so don’t waste that chance given upon you. Okay? I’m already proud that I became your Teacher, so make me more proud of you.”

Teacher Aurel smiled at Lowell.

Lowell turned around and hugged her.

“Yes, Teacher!”

Afterwards, both of them returned to the study area, where Weiss and Qazar were waiting.

Teacher Aurel returned to her previous location and starts her lesson.

“Ahem! Now, our final lesson is.. Live Combat.”

""“Live Combat?”""

Lowell, Weiss, and Qazar replied in unison.

“Yes, all of you’ll going to fight me. If you defeat me, you’re can pick any souvenir you choose later on our trip to Blanc City.”

“Eh? Why are we going to Blanc City?”

“Because we’ll go to the Fleur guild and remove your Apprenticeship status. That way, the three of you’ll going to be regarded as True Fleurs, not as Trainees anymore.”

“Isn’t it unfair? Three on one it is..”

“You’re underestimating your Teacher too much, Lowell. I may be mediocre, but since I entered Professor Tier, I started to learn Epic Tier Magic. Also, take these.”

Their Teacher Aurel handed each of the three a talisman necklace.

It has a barrier magic placed on it.

“Those necklace would serve as your lives. If your necklace gets broken, you’re disqualified. If I win, I’ll give you no souviners, but you’ll still graduate.”

Their Teacher distanced herself by ten meters before she starts talking again.

“You guys ready?”

""“Yes, Teacher!”""

“Then let us start the Live Battle!”

The three starts to organize their roles.

Lowell became the support, while her Big Brother and Weiss became the vanguard.

After setting up their roles, Teacher Aurel took out her weapon.. which is a book.

“Well then, let us start the battle! Come at me, my apprentices!”

""“Yes!”""

“Silent Step!”

Weiss started with ‘Silent Step’ Wind magic.

The three got affected ‘Silent Step’ skill.

Her Big Brother started his spell next.

“Hardened Endurance.”

Qazar casted an Earth Magic, Hardened Endurance.

It gave the three traces of non-harmful elements like Iron and Calcium to raise their endurance.

“Body Conditioning.”

Lowell used Body Conditioning, or other words, a spell for warm-up.

It is a Fire Magic that imitates the conditioning of bones, muscles, and joints in one’s body.

This is the first fire magic her Teacher taught her since it wasn’t as harmful as other fire magic.

After enhancing their stats, her Big Brother and Weiss starts to sprint towards Teacher Aurel.

Lowell used ‘Eye of Investigation’ on Teacher Aurel so that she could discover her main weakness.

『

Name: Aurel Hixia

Level: 29

Title: —–

Job: Magic Instructor, Academic Professor

Status: —–

Age: 23 years old

Birthplace: Royal Capital City

HP: 2100/2100

Mana: 450/453 (+75)

Stats:

Physical Power: 120

Magic Power: 391 (+103)

Speed: 230

Constitution: 7

Luck: 52

Aptitude: Low-Rank Professor-Tier Fleur

Attributes: Water(Main), Wind, Fire, Earth

Special Skills: Silent Cast

』

So Teacher’s main element is Water. That’s why she also have some difficulties in teaching me fire moves. But, what is this ‘Silent Cast’?

Lowell saw their Teacher’s lips start to move.

She noticed some mana concentration forming around the book and disappeared.

The skill failed?.. No.. It was ‘Silent Cast’!

“Be careful!”

Lowell tried to warn her Big Brother and Weiss, but it was a bit too late.

"“Wha-?!”"

Her Big Brother and Weiss who sprinted towards Teacher Aurel, came to a sudden stop.

That’s when they noticed that the land around her Big Brother and Weiss became muddy.

“When battling a melee fleur, a long-range fleur like me should set up a good magic to hinder their movements. Hindering their movements is equivalent to crippling their main purpose – to deal damage with short-ranged weapons. That’s basic right?”

Lowell started to use a supporting skill.

What she first thought was make a foothold for both of them.

“Earth Boulder! Earth Steps!”

Lowell lifted both of them and created steps around the muddy area, making their movement a lot easier.

When she lifted the both of them, the two started to release their magic.

“Fire Breath!”

“Wind Breath!”

Both her Big Brother and Weiss started to use their own spells.

Fire and Wind complement each other, so the damage output became high.. but..

“Oh, I didn’t tell you.. My main attribute is Water… Water Curtain!”

A wall of water started to emerge, blocking her Big Brother and Weiss’ spells.

Lowell followed up with another spell.

“Earth Ball!”

She unleashed an ordinary-looking earth ball made of clay and rocks. When it passed through her Big Brother and Weiss, she started to chain-cast two spells.

“Get back, Big Brother and Weiss! Earth Wall! Shrapnel!”

Lowell can’t control Shrapnel proficiently, so she created an Earth Wall in front of her Big Brother and Weiss so that if ever a rebound happens, they wouldn’t be caught up inside it.

Shrapnel is a magic she created by using basic air pressure principle.

Like a ball, which explodes when too much air pressure is inserted, she tried to use it on Earth Ball spell, but the main problem is.. an ordinary Earth Ball has too many holes for air to enter and exit, so she tried creating an Earth Ball by using clay and some stones to remove those holes (clay) and create strong shrapnel (rocks) and a large chamber for air storage.

When she succeeded,

Next is that she formed a cork-shaped hole and a cork-shaped clay.

She inserted concentrated wind element inside, closing the hole shut with the cork, and she released the wind element, making the air chamber too compressed to hold it.. – and boom!

The shrapnel flew into different directions. It wasn’t that strong like gunpowder or nitroglycerin explosives, but she had no choice since she didn’t have the means to create them yet.

Lowell tried using electrolysis to divide Hydrogen and Oxygen in water element, but she didn’t succeed since her mana consumption by just creating lightning is too high and she can’t freely control atom and molecular objects yet so she tried using air pressure.

Boom! The ball exploded and the rock shrapnel flew to all sides.

When she erected an Earth wall, their Teacher noticed something was amiss and immediately created an Earth wall too.

Lowell didn’t notice their Teacher already casted a spell because of her Special Ability.

“As expected of you, Lowell. Practicing spells without my knowledge. Now, I know that letting you guys go is the best choice I could do.”

“Back at you, Teacher. Your Special Skill is a cheat. I wondered why you said you’re mediocre.”

“Because I manifested it just when I reached Professor tier, when I entered ‘Outbreak’. Manifesting your abilities when you’re at the end of your prime’s also mediocre, even though it is a cheat or not.”

After uttering those words, she started to move her lips again, while Big Brother and Qazar starts to resume their sprint.

Suddenly, Their Teacher closed her book and …

“With my apprentices going all out, I shall go all out too!”

Their Teacher took a small tube-like metal from her waist pocket and held it by two hands. In an instant, it expanded until it’s length is the three-fourths of Teacher’s height.

“I have learned to use the Quarterstaff, so be careful!”

Their Teacher clashed with Big Brother and Weiss with ease. Whenever the both of them tries to hit Teacher, the Quarterstaff already hit their body parts. I used magic to assist them.

“Earth Hand!”

I tried to grab Teacher’s feet with Earth Hand. Before I could even manage to grab her feet, she used her staff as foothold and vaulted herself away from my spell. She started to move her lips again.

Before we noticed it, her movement became faster.

It looks like she used ‘Silent Step’ on herself.

If this goes on.. we’re going to lose. I need to do this!

“Retreat, Big Brother and Weiss. I have something to say!”

Both of them heard her and retreated.

Their Teacher stood on her ground, not moving an inch as if waiting for them to attack first.

“Big Brother, Weiss. Please use the strongest water magic you can on the area around Teacher. Please don’t make her notice that you weren’t aiming at her.”

"“What?”"

The two looked at Lowell with confused expression in their faces.

“Please, believe me!”

The first one to agree was her Big Brother Qazar.

“Okay, if you say so.”

Weiss also agreed afterwards.

“Make this work, Lowell!”

Both of them ran towards their Teacher.

Teacher Aurel, who noticed that we created a plan, started to be careful of her movements.

When both Qazar and Weiss noticed their Teacher raised her guard, both of them chanted the strongest water spell they knew towards her.

She tried to avoid it, but she was surrounded later on.

Before she could notice our plan, I need to move!

“Combining the Fire and Wind elements.. comes Lightning! Lightning Spark!”

Lowell released Lightning towards the wet area.

Teacher Aurel noticed that the direction of the skill wasn’t her, so she got confused, but after a few seconds..

“What is that spell?!!”

She noticed that the barrier necklace she’s wearing got destroyed.

It made her more confused.

She looked towards her surroundings, making her look frightened.

The grass on the previously wet ground are now burnt to crisp.

Teacher Aurel thought that she was lucky that she wore a barrier necklace, or else she would become like the grass around her.

When Lowell realized that they won, she started to get a headache because of the mana consumption of ‘Spell Maker’ Special Skill.

She wobbled around and slumped her knees on the ground.

Both Weiss and her Big Brother supported her body, both smiling because of their victory.

“Brilliant work, my apprentices. Now, I could be assured that you can reach greater heights with the skill you’ve just performed.”

The three of them hugged Teacher Aurel and their Teacher hugged them back.

Because of mana exhaustion, Lowll fell asleep while hugging her.