Luke Ilushi.
The child who introduced him to a new perspective on Zephyr and made him realize that the Demon Realm should be viewed through a completely different lens than before.
Even though it was such an important connection, James could not recognize the girl.
It was perhaps a natural occurrence.
In his last memory, Luke was just a 10-year-old girl.
A small child who was curious about new things and loved to watch cat videos on the computer.
But what about this appearance now?
Rather than saying she was cute, the word beautiful suited her better, and every action was neat and elegant.
Moreover, this child was already beginning to show the poise of a somewhat mature woman.
No matter how fast Hyun matured, this was too fast.
Naturally, he couldn’t recognize her.
James made tea with the tea leaves Luke had brought and set it down on the table where Luke was sitting.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t recognize you at first glance. I really couldn’t imagine you had grown up this much… By the way, you’ve really grown up beautifully. I knew Hyun grew quickly…”
“I understand. That’s perfectly fine. It’s an old event so there’s no need to worry too much about it.”
To be honest, it was also true that he felt a slight sense of disappointment.
They used to spend a lot of time talking, yet she had returned from her expedition without a word and forgot their promise to keep in touch.
Perhaps that was why she was being petulant by not revealing her name right away.
Luke, who offered James an apologetic smile, cautiously lifted the paper cup filled with tea and brought it to her lips.
That appearance was such that it almost created an illusion that what Luke held was not a paper cup but a fine teacup.
“Hehe, this tea would have been great with some sweets, but I couldn’t think of it in my hurry. Be sure to drink it later with something sweet.”
“Ah, I see. I see….”
James broke out in another cold sweat.
Even when Luke was in her child form, she displayed such behavior, but now that her body had grown, that aura looked so different.
Back then, it seemed like just a child’s cute imitation of an adult, but now that she had grown so much, she felt like a fully composed and elegant lady from a noble family.
Thinking while watching her, James pulled out a chair across from Luke and sat down.
‘To think this child is still only 10 years old…?’
James began to worry about Luke in many ways.
Seeing her haughty demeanor, which didn’t seem like it belonged to a 10-year-old, he couldn’t help but wonder how many boys would trouble her in the future.
While James was overwhelmed by Luke’s aura and was carefully choosing his words, Luke spoke first.
“By the way, I heard earlier about something called the Zephyr Theory, were you discussing that with your colleagues? What is it?”
“Oh, that.”
James briefly explained the theory created by Luke to her.
“The Zephyr Theory, as you know, is based on what you told me, which I have organized into a theory. In short, it suggests viewing the Demon Realm as completely separate from the current ecological system and creating a new classification system.”
Upon hearing James’ words, Luke nodded quietly.
“Hmm, I see. So it’s still at the discussion stage. That’s why you didn’t contact me. So, is the discussion progressing well?”
Luke’s gaze held a peculiar curiosity.
Perhaps, since it related to her Dragon Aether, it was only natural for her to be interested.
James lowered his head and spoke.
“…I’m sorry, Luke. The exploration was hindered by a corporation, that’s why I didn’t send a contact. There were too many issues to address. Therefore… well, it seems your Dragon Aether will be delayed indefinitely. Since we can’t conduct the exploration now, there’s no appropriate way to prove it other than refining the theory…”
However, even though he mentioned the indefinite postponement of the Dragon Aether, Luke’s expression remained unchanged.
“Well, there’s no need to feel sorry for that. I’m not worried about the Dragon Aether anymore. So you can handle the theory as you wish. You don’t have to put my name on the paper. I’ll give up on the Dragon Aether.”
Yet it was James, taken aback by Luke’s indifferent response, who abruptly stood.
“What? What do you mean you’re giving up on the Dragon Aether?”
Luke replied with the same unchanging expression and gesture, raising the paper cup to her lips.
“Well, without such an award, I can still graduate early. I don’t really want to become famous because of the Dragon Aether.”
My goodness, to give up such a prestigious award that many scholars yearn for simply because it is no longer needed!
James found it impossible to comprehend the situation, but the part that bothered him most about what Luke said earlier was not just that.
“You said you’d ‘give up on the Dragon Aether’? What other award are you receiving?”
“The Ras Award, which is scheduled for next year, I think. That’s why I’m going to forgo it. If I were to receive the Dragon Aether too, I wouldn’t be able to handle the situation.”
“Ha!”
The Ras Award? That is indeed a very prestigious award given to a mage who has achieved a great magical proof!
Thus, the status of that award was not inferior to the Dragon Aether.
Yet she was supposed to receive that award?
A mere 10-year-old girl?
How could this not be astonishing!
“Wow, it seems something really great happened.”
“Well, yes.”
– Sluuurp.
After casually throwing out such shocking news and savoring her tea, James slumped back into his seat, looking utterly deflated.
From their first encounter, he had felt that this child was extraordinary, but now it felt like she had become a person from a completely different world…
“Yes, as you said, if one were to receive both the Dragon Aether and the Ras Award, that would make one too famous.”
“That’s what I mean.”
While it was true that Luke needed funding, an award that could not be received in the foreseeable future held no significance.
Moreover, if a corporation was hindering the exploration, it might mean that there would be no way to prove anything in the near future.
“By the way, a corporation is hindering your exploration? That’s unusual.”
Normally, he thought that corporate interference in scholarly exploration was not significant.
After all, both types of work could sufficiently be conducted concurrently.
Sighing, Luke expressed her frustration in turn.
“Phew, I feel similarly frustrated. Those Ruchest guys, I can’t figure out what they’re up to.”
“Ruchest? Is that the name of the corporation that interfered with you?”
As Luke tilted her head, James realized his slip of the tongue.
“Oh no. What am I saying in front of a child?”
Even if she looked like that, Luke was still a 10-year-old child, and saying bad things about others in front of her was something an adult should never do.
Moreover, there was the ‘Corporate Non-Disclosure Treaty’ they had presented…
“Haha, forget what I just said. By the way, didn’t you mention that you had something you wanted to ask?”
“Um, yes, that’s right.”
Seeing Luke attempt to change the subject, James decided to play along.
It was about time to bring up the questions he had in mind.
“James, as you are a Beast Mage, you must know a lot about the Demon Realm, right?”
“Well… I guess I could say that. More so than the average mage or scholar.”
“If so, do you know about any technology that can store or recreate the atmosphere of the Demon Realm?”
“Recreating the Demon Realm?”
James tilted his head.
“Well, I haven’t heard of such a technology. This is the first I’m hearing of it.”
“Hmm, I see.”
“Why are you asking about that all of a sudden? Have you developed a new interest in the Demon Realm? Or perhaps a new theory…?”
James shot a glance at Luke mixed with peculiar anticipation, but all Luke wanted was to know the identity of that fog she had seen, without any new theories or discussions to bring forth.
“Well, I just asked. If you don’t know such technology, it can’t be helped.”
“Hmm… Is that so? I’m quite disappointed too.”
James was genuinely showing his disappointment.
He had expected something similar to the discussion he had previously enjoyed with Luke regarding Zephyr.
“Alright then, here’s another question, may I?”
“Sure, Luke. What are you curious about this time?”
James thought he definitely wanted to answer this time and smiled.
“Do you know about Nidhogg?”
However, at the unexpected word that came out of Luke’s mouth, James immediately straightened his posture.
“Nidhogg? Luke, where did you hear that name?”
A great Beast Mage is inevitably also a great historian.
Therefore, they understand truths about history that are not easily revealed to the general public.
Thus, that word which escaped Luke’s lips could not help but catch James’ attention intensely.
Nidhogg.
That name referred to the terrifying history of a war that is currently classified as top secret.
The destroyer of the World Tree and the mocking butcher.
And…
‘The last adversary of the mythological age.’
It was a term for a truly lethal dragon that would never again exist in history.
