Lead by Jawsmine in the front, Wisteria walked through the portal into another entryway. This time, Wisteria was indeed in front of the garden which he had expected earlier. They didn't go much farther when Wisteria caught a glimpse of Rue on a wheelchair under the shade of a pavilion. She sat in front of a small white table, while Footunia poured a drink into a dainty, porcelain cup.

Wisteria felt apologetic, for he had thought Sylvan had other ulterior motives. He glanced at his mentor who was a few feet away from him, still wondering the reason behind the strange question he didn't get to answer. Sylvan turned his head slightly and met his gaze, making Wisteria flinch and looked away.

"Here they come!" He heard Footunia say to Rue.

"Sylvan, Mr. Lilac," Rue said, her eyebrows knit together, "I heard you two were in a fight. Is everything alright?"

Sylvan glowered at his two subordinates, who tensed their bones and looked around, feigning ignorance.

"Everything is fine, grandmother," Sylvan replied.

Wisteria nodded, forcing a smile, "Right, we're good."

"Is that so?" Rue wasn't convinced but smiled anyways, "Well, then, how about you two join me for tea?

"I'll stay here," Sylvan said to his mentee, "you can go ahead."

"Got it..."

Wisteria entered the shaded area and sat down on a white, wired chair that matched the design of the garden table. Footunia poured a second cup of tea and slid it towards him.

"How are you feeling, Mrs. Goldenrod?" Wisteria asked, accepting the cup of tea.

"I'm feeling splendid today, that's why I thought it'd be nice to have tea outdoors."

"I'm glad to hear!"

"And feel free to try the tea. We just got it today."

"Alright." Wisteria held the cup handle with two fingers and took a sip, the pleasant aroma inundating his palette, "What tea is this? I've never tried it before."

"It's chrysanthemum. It's imported from my homeland." She shakily lifted her cup towards her nose and took a whiff, "The smell of flowers bring back many fond memories."

"It smells very good."

"Mhm," She nodded, "It's been years since I've smelled the fragrance of fresh flowers, but I shouldn't complain since I can at least enjoy tea."

"?" Wisteria inspected the abundant flower shrubs around them and rose form his seat, reaching for one, "There are flowers he----"

------Piiiii------

"Wisteria," Sylvan's voice resonated by his ear, "Please avoid mentioning the flowers. I'll explain later."

Wisteria turned to Sylvan, who leaned on the pillar of a neighboring pavilion with his arms crossed. He nodded in agreement, then cleared his throat.

"Mr. Lilac?"

"I-It's nothing..." He forced a laugh, "I though I saw something, haha..."

Wisteria and Rue chatted for over two hours. Wisteria only then noticed Sylvan wasn't in the garden, and didn't know when he had left. The wind was growing colder as the sun was about to set.

The clinking sound of armor slowly approached as Jawsmine came closer into view.

"Dinner is almost ready," they called, "My lord is asking whether Mr. Sorcerer would like to dine here tonight."

"Oh, I don't want to impose..."

"It's no trouble at all!" Rue said, her smile wide as she struggled to sit up from her chair, "I'd love to continue our conversation over dinner!"

Wisteria didn't have the courage to refuse Rue's invitation and agreed. He offered to push on Rue's wheelchair as he followed Jawsmine and Footunia towards a large room on the mansions first floor. It was surrounded by intricate furniture, a few large windows opposite to the entrance, and a dining table that could seat eight people. Following Footunia's guidance, he settled Rue at one end of the table, and sat across from her.

While Jawsmine carried a cart filled with warm dishes and set them on the table, Wisteria looked around at the otherwise empty room.

"Is Sylvan not going to join?"

"I'm afraid not. I haven't had a meal with him in a while..." Rue smiled apologetically, "I've asked him many times to join me, but he refuses."

Then she lowered her voice, "Even though THAT wouldn't be an issue. He's set enough protection spells for me..."

"I see... Then," Wisteria said worriedly, "have you've always been dining on your own like this?"

Rue nodded, then smiled, "which is why I'm so delighted to have you with me tonight! Thank you for accepting the invitation. It makes me very happy."

"Of course." Wisteria smiled sympathetically, "It's my pleasure to be able to spend more time with you, Mrs. Goldenrod."

Rue's smile widened, "Oh, you're too kind!"

As their dinner conversation came to a conclusion for the night, Rue returned to her room while Wisteria was lead to the garden once again. Jawsmine and Footunia walked him over to the same pavilion from the afternoon, where Sylvan now sat on a chair while reading a book. A rune on the ceiling rained down a small barrier dividing the space in half.

Wisteria walked over and sat across of him, both separated by the sheer curtain of the spell.

"Did you enjoy your dinner?" Sylvan closed the book and placed it down on the table.

"Yes." Wisteria smiled meekly, "Thank you for the meal."

"I apologize for interrupting earlier." Sylvan turned his body to properly face Wisteria, "This garden is created by one of my inscriptions, but my grandmother doesn't know."

"!" No wonder Wisteria thought it strange. It turned out to be a visual illusion! "Why did you make this for?"

"It was meant for my grandmother. I tried to replicate the garden from her childhood home, but there's a limit to what runes can create."

"I see... Then..." Wisteria pursed his lips, "why not grow real flowers?"

He knew the answer to his question, but it would be strange if he didn't ask something so obvious. Besides, he was confident Sylvan wouldn't tell him, since it was information one wouldn't disclose to an enemy----

"I tried, but, I have a condition that turns my Mana into poison." Sylvan replied, unwaveringly, "Once in a while my Mana will flare out which harms any living thing near me. Since I have no control over it, I've ended up killing the garden every time."

"..." Wisteria felt his heart tighten with shame and embarrassment.

Looking back, Sylvan hadn't been anything but polite and hospitable. Aside from the strifes caused by HIS intrusion into Sylvan's territory, Sylvan had overlooked his impertinence twice and even offered him a courteous welcome.

Wisteria arbitrarily regarded him as an enemy, basing his judgement solely on what he had read on the novel. Furthermore, the novel never once explained the reason behind Sylvan's actions, let alone the fact that he had a grandmother, only displaying his wrongdoings to the protagonist. The Sylvan in front of him was far more human than what he had thought to be--- much more understanding and forgiving.

"Is that why you set this up?" Wisteria pointed at the runes overhead.

"Yes."

"..."

So, Sylvan was, indeed, protecting him...

"..." Sylvan examined Wisteria's expression and sighed, "I understand if you'd like to stop coming here. You don't have to force yourself anymore."

"...!"

Had Sylvan been aware of his real intentions since the very beginning? Was that the reason behind the strange question from the afternoon?

"No, I----!" Wisteria tightened his fist, "I feel like I owe you an apology..."

"?"

"The truth is... I was scared of you..." He admitted to the unanswered question, "But now I realize it was all based on my assumptions. You've been generous and kind to me, and yet, I assumed the worse... I'm very sorry...."

Sylvan remained quiet.

"Still... If you're okay with it, I would like to continue to visit Mrs. Goldenrod and learn from you..." Wisteria lowered his head, "But if it makes you uncomfortable after hearing this---"

Sylvan shook his head and softened his voice, "I understand. Thank you for saying that. My grandmother and I would love to keep having you here."

Wisteria felt a heaviness lifted from his chest, replaced by a sense of gratefulness and another warm feeling he didn't quite understand. A dim smile stretch across his face.

"I also want to apologize for what transpired in the afternoon." Sylvan continued, "I hurt you and your friends, which could have been avoided if I had only I heard you out."

"... No, no, I also didn't put enough effort into letting you know---"

"I was in the wrong," Sylvan said gently, "I appreciate it, but you don't need to make excuses for me. I recognize that it was my mistake."

"... Alright..." He surrendered.

Wisteria took a deep breath, "I'm glad we got to talk."

"Me too."

Wisteria raised his head and looked at where Sylvan's eyes would be. This time, he didn't look away and smiled, wondering what expression Sylvan was making under the mask.

"S-Sylvan," Wisteria called him by his name for the first time.

"Hm?"

"Let me help you find a way to fix your Mana."

"..." Sylvan thought for a moment, "It's not an easy task. I've tried for years to no avail."

"I still want to try." Wisteria persisted, "I haven't told you yet, but I'm the Sage Successor. I'm stronger than most sorcerers and I have connections. Please, let me help you..."

"What will you gain from helping me?"

His life, of course! ----- Is what Wisteria would have thought before that night.

But, at that moment, there was another more prominent reason.

"I just want to help you as a friend."

"..."

"What do you say?" Wisteria smiled warmly, "You could think of this as my payment to you for the mentoring."

Sylvan sighed, but his voice receptive, "Alright. But don't feel pressured. If you decide to give it up, I'll understand."

"I won't." He smiled playfully.

Sylvan's gaze seemed to softened.

"It's getting late," Sylvan announced, "You can stay the night if you want. The guest rooms are protected by a spell, so it's safe."

Wisteria thought for a bit. It would be more realistic if he didn't return to the dorm until the next morning, since he was supposed to be fighting the 'Necromancer.'

"Then... I'll take up on your offer!"