“It was of no help. You can feel it if you take an interest.”

Lou, who used to be cautious even when mentioning the Emperor, had changed her attitude considerably in the past few days. It meant that their relationship had become closer.

“Until tomorrow, isn’t it?”

“Until tomorrow.”

“I heard you have a schedule in the afternoon.”

“Yes.”

The ladies’ gathering continued today. In the morning, there was the induction ceremony, and in the afternoon, they had to change into different clothes and go to the gathering for horseback riding. Lou just wanted to focus on the homework given by Ophelia, but unfortunately, the condition was to find the Northern Sage during the gathering, making the situation quite awkward.

So now, the only person she could trust was Melipheus. How do you recognize a sage right away?

“A sage must cultivate the eyes to see the truth. You have to go beyond all prejudices. Actually, it’s not easy because, in the end, a sage is also a person. You just have to keep making efforts tirelessly throughout your life.”

Lou quietly listened to Melipheus’s words and asked.

“What kind of person was the Northern Sage?”

“Sophia Clarice, the guardian of the North, handled the cold atmosphere well. She loved the snow and ice, but her heart was very warm. She took care of orphans and widows. She even suggested to the Emperor to build a hospital in the slums.”

The sages started to move slowly. Children with many things to say and many things to do, temporarily separated from the Emperor, watched Melipheus walk first.

“Then should I look for someone with a warm heart…?”

Hahaha. Melipheus laughed sincerely and found it amusing.

“Yeah, later. I’ll play with you all afternoon today. Promise. I’ll be back soon.”

Hayden’s soothing words were heard from behind. Oh, promising to play all afternoon today. Simon Cainberg would be very disappointed.
“It’s not that difficult, Young Ae. Young Ae can already do it well enough. That’s why Ophelia gave you such homework. However.”

However?

“There is a new level of understanding that comes when you realize it again. Even with the same power, you can apply it more skillfully and use it in more diverse ways.”

So, it seems they gave this assignment in hopes of achieving that. It seems like the sages are not helpful at all; maybe because they have already reached that level. Lou had a bad feeling that she might not be able to solve this homework by tomorrow.

“Well then.”

Melipheus entered inside and stopped walking. Inside the Imperial Hall, the room used for secret gatherings had a few chairs and a table placed simply.

After Melipheus, Ophelia and Hayden followed, and the door was gently closed. Ophelia looked particularly lively today. Her blue eyes shone beautifully, and her lips, like spring roses, had deepened in color.

“…Put down the Kynana document, Young Ae. Nobody is going to take it away.”

After magically closing the door and turning around, Hayden, holding the Kynana document he received, said to Lou, gently holding it in both hands so it wouldn’t crumple.

Lou glanced at him and, as if indicating that the document wouldn’t be taken away, she rather hid it behind her. Hayden smiled, and Ophelia smiled too. Lou quietly placed the document on the table. With a purple ribbon tied around it, the precious document was laid out carefully, matching the angles.

“I thought you’d prefer a sword.”

“There are many swords, but there’s only one Kynana.”

“Is that sword precious, too?”

Hayden said in amazement, but Lou pretended not to hear and stood quietly.

“Young Ae, have you used magic until now?”

Ophelia asked.

“No.”

So, since killing Delgau, she hasn’t used it once. Lou, ignoring Hayden’s gaze, which seemed to express disbelief, nodded her head.

“Then, how much progress have you made on the homework?”

Ugh. I knew this kind of talk would come up here.

“I’m working on it.”

“Okay, then.”

Ophelia brightly smiled and extended her hand. Once she extended it, Lou took her hand. Seeing that, Melipheus, who turned back and stood there, said.

“Let’s begin.”

Begin what? Lou, who didn’t know English, looked at Hayden as if asking what was going on. However, he just pulled a chair and sat down.

“Start, Young Ae.”

“Yes? Oh, me?”

“No, not Young Ae.”

Lou turned her head to Ophelia, who held her hand.

“Oh.”

Is it Ophelia?

“Oh?”

But having the young sage do it for the Western Sage?

“Yes? Me? Right now? Is it okay?”

“Just try it, and you’ll understand.”

Melipheus also pulled a chair and sat next to Hayden.

Lou finally realized. These so-called adults of the Sage Council were nothing more than teachers without a plan, making the young sage do things first and watching. All three of them!