“Are your future plans still the same, or did the Oakhearts successfully get their claws in you?” Elgin Thorpe asked. He and the other deans ushered both newly-titled wizards into a private meeting chamber. Several professors were also in attendance.
“He tempted me, but it was the Imperium that got me rethinking the job offer,” Pudge—or Daniel Ghosh as he was now called—answered. “The staff here has been great to me, and it would be an honor to be one of you.”
“The new cavalry magic and beast-taming courses won’t exist without you,” Elgin Thorpe commented. “So, it's good to hear we won’t be losing you.”
The Life Magic professor sitting in the mass of staff behind the deans smiled, nodding. Several faces Nox recognized from the research department wore similar expressions. Pudge’s story, personality, and magic made him a likable presence that everyone wanted to succeed. Even individuals known for their snobbish views and preference toward nobility seemed pleased with his success.
“I’d like to continue my research as well,” Daniel continued. “Greater funding, assistants, and a small army of students to do my bidding will certainly make things easier and faster.”
“I’m glad.” Dean Amit Gupta nodded. “Between our shared patents and the department’s investment, you and the university will make a lot of money. Controlling the Imperium’s access to our beasts will help the city-states maintain border stability as well.”
“What about you, Sir Ratra?” Dean Oleg asked. “The entire staff is curious to know your future steps. There have been a few First Class graduates during my tenure at Woodson University, but I don’t think there have been any Wizards who achieved the same.”
“It happened only once,” Diya Sen said. She sat just behind the deans, but the chair’s position almost made her appear the same rank as them. Nox had heard she’d been offered Amit Gupta’s role several times during her decades of service to the university but always rejected it. He guessed that Diya found joy in teaching and research. The administrative jobs and politics that came with leading a department would detract from everything else. “Back in my day, it was easier to win Scholar Arcanum, advance classes, and get titles, though. Competition was less, and standards were lower.”
Nox recalled reading Diya Sen’s name in the list of individuals who had achieved the title. It had caught him by surprise since the average wizard liked throwing their weight around and used it to expand their careers. He didn’t know much about the elderly professor’s past, but she was far too humble for her accolades and credited discoveries in the complicated field of Spell Weaving.
“Do you intend to focus on your growing empire and destroying Sundarshahar?” Dean Woodson asked. “Or have your ambitions changed, Wizard Knight Ratra?”
A shiver ran down Nox’s spine, and goosebumps appeared on his arm when he heard his full new title for the first time. Only protagonists or the wise mentor characters in Lillin’s cheap adventure novels had such lengthy and grand words attached to their names.
“Given everything I’ve built over the past couple of years, going after Sundarshahar feels foolish,” Nox replied. “The mortality rate of delvers who pursue archon dungeons is far too high.”
“I’d argue it would’ve been a foolish endeavor even if you didn’t have a business empire and hundreds in your employ,” Amit Gupta stated. “There is much they have to offer and far too much we can harvest from them. Containment is always the smarter path. Your mind and creations would be better spent forcing Sundarshahar’s borders back and reclaiming land from it.”
“I don’t think this is the place for such debates, Amit,” Dean Woodson said.
“I apologize, ma’am.”
“Growing the business and securing it will be my first priority going forward,” Nox said. “Even though the Wizard title and First Class designation give me free access to all dungeons, I intend to pause my delving career. However, I don’t think my time at Woodson University is complete.” He focused on Amit Gupta. “I’m sure you found the research proposals I attached to my dissertation. I’d like to conduct further research on developing spatial magic.”
“Yes.” Amit Gupta nodded. “Professor Wyrd was kind enough to share your Spatial Reversal spells design with me.” Liesel shot Nox a cheeky smile. She sat in one of the raised chairs in the back row of professors. It's groundbreaking work, and I see why Professor Sen is so impressed with your Spell Weaving abilities. We’re also highly impressed with your apprentice’s core spell. She tells us it was your design.”
“It was.” Nox nodded. “And I think we’ve only scratched the surface. There is a lot more we could do.”
“Then you’ll be glad to know that we’re happy to provide you with all the support you need for expanding gravity and spatial magic research,” Dean Woodson said. She exchanged glances with her fellow deans and Diya before nodding. “We can iron out the patent sharing, our investment, and the degree of cooperation at a later date. But there is something more we’d like to offer.”
Diya spoke up once again. “I’d like for you to start as a junior professor of Spell Weaving and eventually develop a course on the concepts of adaptive, live spell weaving, and ward smithing in combat. We’re all thoroughly impressed with how you conduct yourself on the battlefield despite your limitations. I think the fields of delving and war magic can benefit greatly. We don’t expect any of it to happen overnight, but two to four hours per week teaching students can help you grow and also do great things for the future generations of mages.”
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For the second time in one evening, Nox found himself speechless. “That’s certainly flattering, Professor.” It occurred to him that Diya wanted him to inherit her role eventually. “However, I don’t know if I’ll have the time for that between the business and my research.”
“I’m only asking for two one-hour sessions per week,” Diya said. “It will give you the chance to see if teaching is something you enjoy and also make life easier for me. You won’t be the only one teaching the course. Beginner Spell Weaving has far too many students every semester. We’ll divide them into two based on their aspirations, and someone more experienced will take the larger group. You’ll be assigned individuals targeting combat roles with unusual spells in their stars with combat.”
“I’d like some time to think about it, Professor.”
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“Ygg’s voluminous tits, that was intense!” Pudge exclaimed once the sit-down ended. “I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest. I don’t know how you conduct such meetings on a daily basis.”
“That was a lot for me, too,” Nox said. “I almost never have to deal with so many influential and powerful people at the same time. It's never been more than four at a time.” He clapped Daniel’s shoulder. “Congratulations, by the way. I had no idea you were pursuing the wizard title or that you and Piya tied the knot.”
Daniel laughed. “The wizard thing was a surprise to me, to be honest, and we haven’t married yet. Things just happened.” He nodded to their left, leading Nox onto a balcony instead of the ballroom where everyone waited. “After the whole thing with Terrastalia and failing to do much while Ernest perished in front of me, I felt useless. Since all my courses involved research, self-study, and solitary enchanting, I resolved to take at least two war mage courses per semester. Then things just happened.”
“That explains how you became a wizard but not the new name.”
“Piya’s family found out about our relationship, and they weren’t happy at first. But things changed when they found out the Oakhearts, Imperium, and university were fighting over me. Their interest in me mainly involves expanding their social, political, and economic power. So, they approved our pairing on the condition I shed the name Pudge and become a Ghosh. It's better than being a Greengrasse. So, I accepted.”
“I’m happy for you,” Nox said. “I’m also sorry that I let so long pass without checking on what’s going on with your life.”
“It's alright, Nox.” Daniel smiled. “We’ve all been busy with life and making something of ourselves. I’m sure neither of us expected to be where we are now.”
A soft cough interrupted the pair. It was Liesel Wyrd. “Sir Ratra, do you mind if I get a moment alone with Daniel?”
“Of course,” Nox replied, retreating.
“Can it wait, Professor?” Daniel asked. “Nox and I don’t get the chance to talk often.”
“It can’t. I’d like to discuss a collaborative course that combines our disciplines and is departing for the next month and a half tomorrow. It won’t take long. I promise.”
“It's fine. I need to find Aria and my aunt. We’ll save you and Piya seats at our table. If we miss you, join us for the regular Seventhday gathering.”
Pudge nodded before turning his attention to Liesel Wyrd. She dove into a speech regarding raising sneaking beasts and a stealth cavalry as Nox walked out of earshot.
People surrounded Nox as soon as he entered the ballroom. Congratulations, investment offers, and contract requests flew at him simultaneously. The crowd included professors with side businesses and families of his fellow students. It felt like he had returned to the time when the Galleria first opened, and everyone wanted a moment to discuss a business opportunity.
Servers weaved through all the well-wishers, carrying a variety of beverages, including Spirit Caller's Tea. All the attention was overwhelming, and even though Nox was tempted, he resisted, going for a minty fiss instead. The people around him weren't satisfied and tried to push wine from their lands, openly asking for help to get it into the newly opened Oakheart Lounge or Edelweiss Brasserie. Nox remained non-committal with everyone except a few who pushed for Pink Sellis smoking terraces and gambling rooms. They received immediate, firm, but gentle rejections.
It was no surprise that the Oakhearts were in attendance. Annabelle had also just graduated. She wore a silver badge over her left breast. Lord Oakheart, and she wished him well. Nox saw no sign of Wilson and didn't ask. The man had made no secret his dislike for Nox and his displeasure about sharing family secrets. It was likely he didn't attend to avoid a chance meeting. They spoke for a handful of minutes and discussed the performance of the lounge during its opening week before Nox politely excused himself from the conversation. Aria waving to him from the balcony overlooking the dance floor gave him an easy out. Annabelle seemed eager to leave and Nox didn’t have to work too hard to wrap things up. He wished to avoid business talk and celebrate with those close to him. All of his people except Joey stood around his wife-to-be and seemed excited to talk to him.
It took several short, polite conversations and some tactful crowd weaving before Nox found the stairs and then a handful of minutes before he found his people. Aria pulled him into a kiss straight away. Then, his aunt hugged him tightly.
“I'm so proud of you, Nox,” she whispered into his ear. “Pallav would be, too. He was Scholar Arcanum, you know. The last time I was in this building was because of him.”
“I know,” Nox said, smiling. “I tried my hand at Scholar Arcanum, but it wasn't enough.”
“That's fine. Wizard and First Class? Achieving both is incredible. Expecting Scholar Arcanum on top of that is too much. Don't be disappointed.”
“Oh, I'm not! The more deserving candidate got it, the happier I would be. It would've been a nice tribute, that's all.”
“You've done enough in his tribute, Nox,” Mou said, kissing his cheek. “It's time to do things for yourself. Maybe take some time off after the wedding. Take the Greywing and visit the Imperium or Daksinsthan. You—”
A scream interrupted Mou. All eyes darted to the source. Orion Silverleaf lay on the ground motionless. His rosy skin had turned pale and grey, and his lifeless eyes focused on the ceiling. A small patch of blood stained his collar, but he appeared otherwise unharmed.
Everyone shuffled away from the corpse, and only a woman in a crimson dress remained standing over him. It was Hinata Kurosaki. She met Nox’s eyes and smiled, showing off her bloody mouth and the long, narrow fangs that hung from where her canines should've been.
Several more screams rang around the room, but before he could look for their sources, he caught a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye. Nox grabbed Aria and used Fold Step, moving eight feet away. Brianna lunged through where his fiancee had stood a moment ago. The giant northern woman looked as pale as she had done after returning from the operation in the outer rings. Her pupils were so large Nox barely saw a hint of iris. Most concerning of all was the giant fangs jutting out of her mouth.