Reading three books a day and memorizing them had turned into reading five books and adding meditation time within a week.

Even in meditation, he added time whenever concentration wavered. Seeing him catch even a momentary blank stare, one could feel that a genius Archmage was different indeed.

But Riley also stubbornly performed his tasks well.

At first, she wondered if it was possible to memorize three whole books in a day, but surprisingly, it was. Even when given the task of five books, she performed without hindrance.

She understood difficult words she had never seen before, and the knowledge she had never encountered somehow felt familiar. It felt like something she had seen before.

As her comprehension increased, her memory improved. She memorized without even trying to memorize.

How could this be? Curious, she asked Arpeggio, and Arpeggio answered matteroffactly.

[Dash] The core of magical circulation is the brain. Blood is supplied and circulated through the heart, but magic is supplied and circulated through the brain. Do you think magicians are treated as national talents simply because they can use magic? Magicians are basically smart. Using magic made of complex spells requires tremendous brain function. As magical circulation becomes more active, the brain develops. Ah, of course, only in terms of storing information and acquiring skills. Idiots remain idiots. The existence of a study brain and a stupid brain is proven through magicians. And most magicians are lazy and don’t train themselves. They’re full of fools who can’t even utilize what they’re born with. That’s why the country is in this shape.

[Dash] Of course, that doesn’t mean all magicians are smart. They’re just, on average, more intelligent than ordinary people. Among them, there are some crazy hybrids mixed in, like Gibnen Lianster. There are research results that the more natural magic you have, the higher your intelligence. Plus, magicians can pass on the knowledge they’ve acquired over their lifetime to others. Gibnen got the knowledge and some magic of the former tower master, so he ascended to that position at his age. Ah, of course, his young age is too much of a disadvantage. Experience isn’t something you can learn from books or inheritances.

[Dash] You must have received knowledge and magic from your father. He was a man with more than enough. And opening up your magical power must have significantly increased your brain function. Especially the memory part, you shouldn’t have any difficulty.

Arpeggio, though gruff and seeming bothered, had a considerate side as he promptly answered her questions. At first, she thought he was a scary person, but the more she knew him, the better he seemed.

Talking to him was no longer scary, unlike the first day, and Riley now conversed with him frequently.

“I can’t come here the day after tomorrow.”

“Why.”
“There’s a formal meeting.”

At Riley’s words, Arpeggio stopped in his tracks and stared at her intently.

He looked Riley up and down, stroking his chin as if in disbelief, and then said,

“The little brat is getting married?”

“It’s about time for marriage. In fact, it’s late compared to the average.”

“How old are you?”

“Twentyfive.”

At Riley’s words, Arpeggio chuckled.

“Little brat. Everyone under 100 years old is a brat to me.”

“How old are you then?”

“Exactly 100 this year.”

Riley was visibly surprised.

“I thought you were in your 30s.”

“The lifespan of a magician and an ordinary person is different. The more magnificent and great a magician I am, the longer I live. Aging is slow, too.”

“You definitely… my father also lived for quite a long time. He must have lived a long life, right?”

“No. He died at my age. It’s just that aging is slow, not invincible. Your father’s death was not natural.”

At the thought of her father, Riley became sullen, and Arpeggio clicked his tongue.

“At least you can walk down the aisle together at your daughter’s wedding, what’s the rush?”

“……Right.”

“So, is the guy you’re marrying okay? There are so many scoundrels these days that getting married is scary.”

“He’s a good person, more than I deserve.”

“Who is it?”

“It’s Gibnen.”

Arpeggio, who had been twitching his ears, dropped the documents he was holding in shock.

“You’re joking?”

“We may not look good together, but it’s not a joke.”

“Oh, my. The world’s most pitiful woman who’s about to marry the world’s greatest scoundrel is so close to me.”

“Will you not get fired for describing your boss like that?”

“Yeah, I’m a breadwinner.”

“I envy you.”

“But you must be out of your mind. You’re the first person I’ve seen in my life to describe Gibnen Lianster as a ‘good guy’.”

In response to Arpeggio’s serious look, Riley firmly replied,

“He’s kind and considerate. He’s very thoughtful, and most of all, he’s the most affectionate and good person I’ve ever seen.”

“Good Lord.”

Arpeggio looked at Riley as if he felt sorry for her, and then suddenly began to check if she had a fever.