NOVEL WEB Chapter 21
“Lacrina’s transformation was sudden.”
But Enoch didn’t panic.
Having already experienced the absurdity of possession.
Compared to that, Lacrina’s change seemed relatively trivial.
‘But I can’t just sit back and watch.’
Enoch took Lacrina and led her down to the first floor.
Fortunately, Lacrina followed Enoch’s words obediently.
Her earlier plea for praise seemed to imply she was keeping a close eye on him for various reasons.
Enoch suspected it was a “magical side effect” based on the circumstances.
‘Wizards become more attuned to their magic the more they practice. Lacrina must be experiencing something similar.’
This wasn’t just a problem unique to Lacrina.
Every wizard in Aeoin is a bit of a nutcase.
The more they learn the ice element, the colder their mentality becomes, and the more they train in earth magic, the lazier they act.
Whether it’s elements or phenomena, it didn’t matter.
Everyone who practiced magic got consumed by it eventually.
The moment you look into magic, magic looks back at you.
‘To prevent that, a wizard must possess a strong will. The Archmage of Lightning, Bergo, is a good example.’
Bergo Tessa, the Archmage of Lightning.
As seen during the Pankratos era, he always valued rational and logical thinking.
Yet, the nature of lightning is quite the opposite.
It’s fast and powerful, yet fleeting and momentary.
The personalities of lightning wizards are similar.
Regardless of their skill, they often fixate on temporary and fleeting pleasures.
However, Archmage Bergo suppressed that nature.
By sheer will and monumental effort.
Lacrina before him needed to do the same.
With a firm resolve, Enoch opened his mouth.
“Lacrina.”
“Yes.”
Lacrina answered immediately.
The two were now sitting side by side at the counter bar on the first floor.
The master was nearby, wiping cups and glancing over at them.
The atmosphere was uncomfortable in every way.
Enoch sighed before speaking.
“First, I have to give you some praise. To master magic through self-study is indeed a commendable achievement.”
“Thank you.”
“But I can’t just throw compliments your way. Look at your current state. You dove into self-study and ended up consumed by the ice element.”
Enoch added, more scolding than anything.
Lacrina shook her head resolutely at the words of her master.
“I’m fine. In fact, I like it more this way.”
“Like it? Look at you now!”
“Yes. Unlike before, I don’t feel agitated. Right now, I’m in the best condition I’ve ever been. I believe I’m better off than in my previous, less mature state.”
Lacrina looked directly at Enoch.
She showed no signs of dishonesty in her demeanor.
Enoch felt a headache forming.
If the one who’s been consumed feels this way, then nothing Enoch said would get through.
“Hey, miss.”
The master, who had been watching, interrupted.
He spoke as though venting his frustrations.
“How about you think of me for a moment? The entire second floor is frozen; what am I supposed to do?”
“It’s fine. The teacher has already paid for it. Isn’t that what you’re getting paid for?”
“…Hey. No matter what, magic is a different story. Just remember, if you keep acting this way, I’m going to have to kick you out!”
“I don’t care. I’m Lacrina. One day, I’ll be the proud owner of the Ice Tower. I won’t grovel like a coward. Do what you want; it’s only you who’ll lose out.”
Lacrina stated proudly.
She faced the scenario with no hint of shame.
The master unintentionally grabbed Enoch’s arm next to him.
“…Hey, Enoch. You can see the situation is serious, right? That iceberg-like girl has completely lost her marbles.”
“Hmm…”
“At this rate, the second floor will become a permanent ice age. You need to do something, mentor!”
The master pleaded with Enoch.
Hope now rested solely on him.
‘I need to change my thinking. Why did Lacrina transform in the first place?’
Enoch pondered deeply.
The side effect of ice magic was none other than a change in emotion.
It forces the user’s feelings to sink, preventing any agitation, no matter the circumstance.
However, Lacrina’s demeanor now seemed a bit odd.
It’s one thing not to be agitated; but an overwhelming confidence?
‘Confidence… Right, Lacrina did say she was fine.’
Enoch realized the answer late.
The main cause of Lacrina being this way now was none other than Enoch himself.
‘I see. Was she trying to fill in her shortcomings this way?’
Lacrina’s life has always been cold.
In the slums, and even in the orphanage.
At least the nun had taken Lacrina under her wing.
But that love was rationed.
With other kids around, the nun couldn’t just spoil her alone.
Then Enoch came along.
He supported her lavishly.
Money and luxury goods.
Most importantly, undivided attention directed solely towards her.
None of those were easy burdens for early-blooming Lacrina.
She was used to living as an adult, but this was her first experience being a child.
The weight of investment.
The responsibility of trust.
That nagging instinct to not disappoint anyone.
That was the root of the current situation.
The primary reason Lacrina had become this way was that she didn’t want to disappoint Enoch.
‘Pretending to be an adult comes from such a reason. The problem is that, at some point, her emotions burst. The timing was probably when I had momentarily left.’
Enoch clicked his tongue, imagining the sequence of events.
‘I can’t say it was a mistake; just a stroke of bad luck. Did I inadvertently trigger her trauma or something?’
It was a moment of bad luck in many ways.
Enoch sighed softly.
At the same time, he thought of a solution.
‘In the end, it all comes down to Lacrina’s self-hatred. If that’s the case, then positively affirming her original self should help her immensely.’
At the very least, it would be better than just watching her freeze.
Thinking this, Enoch quietly called out the girl’s name.
“…Lacrina.”
“…? Teacher? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Lacrina tilted her head as if confused.
At that moment, Enoch reached out and placed a hand on Lacrina’s shoulder.
-Thud
“……?”
“Lacrina, listen to me carefully.”
-Lick.
Enoch licked his lips.
It was time to speak out.
“I sincerely wish for you to become a great wizard. However, during that process, I absolutely do not want you to lose yourself.”
“…Huh? But—”
“No. For now, just listen to me.”
Enoch firmly cut her off.
In moments like this, getting a rebuttal was a luxury.
When conveying something truly important, hesitation and flow just aren’t allowed.
“Lacrina, I liked the original you more than the current version.”
Lacrina remained silent, looking at Enoch.
A flicker of agitation crossed her gaze, but Enoch paid it no mind.
“You were naive. You were observant, and occasionally put on a façade. But all of that was human. That was truly you. Those were the moments you lived as your genuine self.”
“……”
“Whenever I think of spiced apple wine, I can’t help but chuckle. There has never been a time I liked you more than back then. But what about now? It’s as if you’re forcing yourself to suppress your emotions, continuing to perform like an actor. Do you think I wanted that? No, was that really the kind of self you wanted?”
Enoch’s voice grew stronger.
Lacrina listened blankly, not uttering a word.
Enoch thought that was perfectly alright.
What was needed at this moment wasn’t logic or persuasion.
What mattered was the momentum that swayed the other person’s heart.
Delivering a message more powerful than words was the goal.
Finally, Enoch firmly grasped Lacrina’s hands.
With an unwavering voice, as if reciting a spell, he spoke once more.
“Let me say it again. Magic is just a part of your life, but not your entire existence. Before you learn magic, you must first complete yourself. Before becoming a great wizard, become a great human being. The Lacrina I once taught was that kind of person.”
“……”
“Lacrina, please. I need you. Return to the version of yourself who enjoyed sipping Solis Blossom and savoring the scent of Alaria flowers.”
Enoch concluded with a stern face.
All of this was said in one breath.
‘Nailed it.’
Enoch felt a sense of pride.
In fact, he was not wrong at all.
As expected, the color returned to Lacrina’s face, which had been frozen in place.
“Um… um… I will reflect on this!”
Lacrina flustered, lowered her gaze.
The shadow-covered face appeared oddly flushed.
For some reason, her fingers kept fidgeting.
“Uh… um… teacher?”
“What is it?”
“That… uh… was what you said true? That I am truly needed?”
Lacrina asked, stumbling over her words.
Her attitude seemed to demand reassurance.
Alright, if she wants that, then I’ll deliver.
Enoch replied with a gentle smile.
“Lacrina.”
“……”
“I’ve never lied to you, not even once.”
Enoch’s words pierced her heart like a dagger.
The conversation ended there.
Upon hearing his answer, Lacrina lowered her head deeply.
The tips of her ears turned a peculiar shade of red.
She seemed to shiver, as if caught in the cold, and avoided Enoch’s gaze.
‘Did I succeed?’
‘Seems like it.’
Meanwhile, Enoch exchanged glances with the master.
‘Well done.’
‘You too.’
Both nodded in unison.
The commotion was finally coming to a close.
@
Shortly after, Lacrina sprang up from her seat and dashed towards the second floor.
“I-I’ll go reflect for a bit!”
“No need to go that far—”
“But anyhow!”
-Dashing away
Lacrina disappeared like the wind.
She was moving at an incredible speed.
One could almost suspect she had unintentionally cast wind magic.
Before long, only silence remained.
The master chuckled softly, as if breathing a sigh of relief.
“Well, that was fortunate. I’m glad it ended well. Honestly, I was a bit anxious.”
“She’s not a bad kid. She’s probably just going through her teenage phase.”
“…Hey, Enoch. You might need to take off those rose-tinted glasses. No kid would freeze an entire building for that reason.”
The master advised knowingly.
Enoch merely shrugged his shoulders.
“Sigh… Anyway, it seems you’ve got your work cut out for you. Looks like that student is already following in your footsteps.”
“…Huh? Following in my footsteps?”
“Did you not notice? It was clear she was trying to imitate you. The way she spoke, her mannerisms—it’s all quite similar.”
“Was I that type of person?”
“Can’t argue with that.”
The master chuckled and turned away.
He was slowly finishing up the piled-up tasks.
‘Lacrina was trying to emulate me, huh…’
Enoch mulled over the master’s words as he sat at the counter.
The idea that Lacrina was trying to follow him wasn’t something he felt poorly about.
‘Just now, Lacrina was acting purely rationally. If in that state she chose to mimic me… at least in her eyes, it means I was the most ideal adult.’
Ultimately, it indicated that the student respects her teacher.
What’s there not to feel good about?
Enoch smiled softly.
Then he stood up from his seat.
‘It’s about time to make some calls.’
Enoch opened the door and stepped out of the pub.
In his mind, he recalled the code number for the magic tower.
This wasn’t entirely intentional, but he found himself in the fortunate position of acquiring magic.
It was about time to send Lacrina to the academy.
‘First, I need a letter of recommendation. If I reach out to all the mid-ranked wizards, at least one of them should respond.’
Enoch walked over to a nearby public communication device.
He dialed in the magic tower’s code number.
Getting the archmages involved would force the academy’s administrators to kneel.
It was unfortunate, but this was the quickest route to get Lacrina enrolled.
He couldn’t afford to wait until next year, could he?
‘It’s all for the sake of the world. I just need you guys to endure a bit.’
With a heavy heart, Enoch turned the dial.
It was time for the Buster Call.