However, barely an hour after greeting, Cordelia encountered her first obstacle.

‘How do I get in?’

Finding the Rophel Mage Association wasn’t difficult. Following the path Baron had shown her, she soon discovered the massive building. The problem came after that.

The main gate was tightly closed, with only a narrow door open, through which everyone passing had a shining ring-like object on their arm.

When no one was around, Cordelia tried to open the door and enter recklessly, but naturally, the door didn’t budge.

After lingering there for a while, she stopped someone who was opening the door to enter.

“Excuse me.”

“What is it?”

A man in a long black robe turned to look at Cordelia, seeming annoyed.

“I’m trying to get inside. How can I enter?”

At her question, the man looked her up and down, then waved his hand dismissively.

“Judging by your attire, you look like a traveler. Not just anyone can enter here.”

“I’m not here for sightseeing, um… how should I put this? I’m trying to get to my master’s research lab.”

“Master? Are you a mage?”

“Ah, yes! That’s right.”

Cordelia nodded, her face brightening. The man then asked skeptically,

“I’ve never seen you before. Who’s your master?”

“Leonard Atilei.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than he burst into laughter, holding his stomach. It was certainly not a friendly laugh.

“Why are you laughing?”

“You should at least do some research before trying to pull off a scam. Listen, he passed away over two months ago. Even if he hadn’t died, it’s absurd to impersonate that man’s disciple of all people.”

“It’s true. I really was Master Leonard Atilei’s disciple.”

“Haha. Hey, Katherine. Come here. We’ve got someone claiming to be Master Atilei’s disciple.”

He showed no sign of believing Cordelia’s words. Instead, he called over other fellow mages entering the Association and mocked her.

“How can I make you believe me?”

“That’s simple. If you’re really Master Atilei’s disciple, show me your seal.”

“Seal? What’s that?”

“Haha! Claiming to be a mage’s disciple without even knowing what a seal is!”

What had been one spectator had now grown to more than five. They surrounded Cordelia and laughed at her.

Cordelia was quite flustered.

She thought Baron might have mentioned something about a seal in passing before, but she hadn’t received anything separately.

She searched her pockets again, wondering if Baron had secretly packed something for her, but all she found was an old key.

‘They should have told me I needed a seal to enter. Now I’m being humiliated at the entrance without even getting inside.’

Just as she was feeling dejected, wondering if she should return to the inn…

“You say you’re Leo’s disciple?”

A voice she had heard only once but could never forget came from behind her. It was a clear, pure voice, like the dew at dawn.

And it belonged to the very man who had immediately recognized Roti as a magical beast.

“Huh? The voice I heard at the inn, gasp.”

“M-Mr. Elfenbaum.”

Surprisingly, the owner of that voice was Rosenblur Elfenbaum.

The group of mages surrounding her saw Rosenblur and hurriedly made way, flustered.

She had thought him surreal even when seeing him riding a horse from afar, but up close, he seemed even more unreal. It was as if a statue had come to life rather than a human.

He looked down at Cordelia with cool, deep blue eyes and said,

“Can you take responsibility for those words?”

“What? Oh. Of course. I’m certain.”

“Then I’ll help you. If you’re truly Leo’s disciple.”

“What do you mean by help, ah!”

Rosenblur suddenly grabbed her arm without warning. Then he muttered something briefly. At the same time, light began to emanate from her body.

Though she had experienced it only once, Cordelia clearly remembered this moment. It was similar to when Leonard first said he would accept her as his disciple.

Complex geometric patterns spread like a spider’s web from her fingertips across her entire body. Soon the light faded, and silence enveloped the hall. No one dared to speak.

Except for Cordelia.

“Um, is it confirmed? Can I go inside now?”

“Good heavens, good heavens! It’s true!”

“Katherine! Contact the elders immediately! Tell them Master Atilei’s disciple has appeared!”

“Oh my God!”

People collectively shouted like madmen and ran off somewhere. Cordelia, startled by their frenzied reaction, took a step back. She had expected surprise, but this response was excessively intense.

“W-what’s going on?”

“So it’s true. To think Leo left behind a disciple.”

“Do you believe me now?”

“I have no choice but to believe. The Acheron is engraved all over your body.”

“Acheron?”

“It’s the name of the star Leo established. Surely you don’t mean to say you don’t know?”

“I’m hearing it for the first time. Ah, but I do know this. Master operated a star, what was it called… Sei, Seri…”

“Seirius.”

“That’s right. Seirius. The highest one.”

Rosenblur completed Cordelia’s words as she struggled to remember. He couldn’t hide his incredulous expression.

“You’re the sole heir to Leo’s school, yet you don’t know the school’s name?”

“He didn’t tell me.”

“Well, alright. We have plenty of time.”

He naturally opened the door and entered with Cordelia.

“Why did you come to Rophel?”

“I, well, I wanted to visit Master’s research lab.”

“Your timing is perfect. Maximilian has requested the permanent closure of his lab. You might be able to prevent that.”

He muttered in a low voice. Already knowing the inside story, Cordelia didn’t ask what he meant.

“Follow me. I’ll guide you.”

“Um, by the way.”

“Yes?”

“Could you perhaps let go of my hand?”

“Ah.”

Rosenblur seemed to have just realized he was still holding her wrist. He smiled sweetly and released his grip.

Seeing his smile head-on, Cordelia felt her mind go blank. He was an excessively beautiful man.

“I’m sorry. I was too surprised.”

“Ahem. It’s alright. Still, your reaction is less intense than those people earlier.”

“That would be normal. To think you’re that Leo’s disciple.”

“Is it really that surprising that I’m Master’s disciple?”

“Goodness, you’re not asking because you don’t know, are you? Eight years ago, when Leo established his school, he declared he wouldn’t take any disciples.”

“Really?”

“You have no idea how many mages were disappointed by that. Leo was an idol to mages, no, more like a living legend. And then suddenly, after Leo was reported dead, for his disciple to appear… it’s impossible not to be surprised.”

“Was Master that great?”

Cordelia was honestly perplexed. Leo had always acted so conceited that she had thought, ‘Yes, yes,’ while assuming there was some exaggeration mixed in, but it seems Leo was far more extraordinary than she had imagined.

“Haha. I find it even more fascinating that you don’t know that. Oh, come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself properly. I’m Rosenblur Elfenbaum. We met once at the inn before.”

“Oh? You remember.”

“Of course. It was the first time I’d seen such an unusual magical beast.”

“Roti is more like a dog than a magical beast, though.”

“May I ask your name?”

“Ah, yes. I’m Cordelia Vasquez.”

She curtsied slightly in the manner of a noblewoman.

“Vasquez?”

“You probably won’t know it. It’s a fief in quite a rural area.”

“I see.”

“But may I ask you something as well?”

“Anything.”

“Are you close with Master? You called his name so familiarly.”

“Hmm. How should I put it… Too distant to call a friend, but too close to just call an acquaintance.”

“Ah, I see.”

“You see?”

“Master couldn’t possibly have friends. Especially not someone as normal as you.”

“Hahaha.”

Rosenblur stopped walking and laughed loudly. Since his voice was pleasant, his laughter was naturally pleasant too. Oddly enough, Cordelia thought his voice sounded like bells.

“I’m sorry. The reason I laughed was… because you really do seem like Leo’s disciple.”

“But I am Master’s disciple?”

“Yes. It seems you are indeed.”

He smiled gently and started walking again, so Cordelia followed.

The deeper they went, the more spectacular the scenery became. The open dome-shaped ceiling of the building was studded with what looked like jewels or something similar. They sparkled so brightly that it seemed as if they might pour down at any moment.

“Wow.”

This time it was Cordelia who stopped and exclaimed in admiration. Rosenblur explained with a kind smile.

“What’s on the ceiling is called the Hall of Stars, with seventeen diamonds embedded in it. Each represents a different school. Originally there were sixteen, but eight years ago, Leo added a new star.”

“What was Master like eight years ago?”

“You don’t know?”

“How could I? I’ve only known Master for two… ahem. Uh.”

She was about to answer without thinking but stopped mid-sentence, realizing her mistake.

When should she say she met Leonard?

In reality, it had only been about two months since Cordelia became his disciple after his death, but saying that would arouse suspicion.

“Two?”

“Uh, one year. That’s right. It’s been about a year since I met him.”

“A year? Just that?”

A look of disappointment crossed his face. Cordelia didn’t understand why he would be disappointed that she had met Leonard only a year ago, but she didn’t press the issue.

“Then you must have just finished your apprenticeship and become a junior mage.”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm. I see. I suppose Leo couldn’t have foreseen everything.”

He muttered words she couldn’t understand. The two continued walking past the Hall of Stars. Whether it was just a feeling or not, it seemed like people were increasingly gathering around them.

At first, she thought there might be some kind of meeting, but people were murmuring and glancing at Elfenbaum.

Cordelia spoke in a small voice, almost whispering.

“Mr. Elfenbaum, you must be very famous here.”

“Me?”

“Yes. People are staring a lot.”

“I’m not so sure. It seems they’re looking at you, not me.”

“Me? But this is my first time here today.”

“If you came with the Acheron engraved on your body and five mages saw it, by now every mage in the Association probably knows. Who you’re a disciple of. Probably not just the elders, but all the Seirius of each school as well.”

“Oh, is that so?”

News sure travels fast. Cordelia was surprised at how small the world of mages seemed to be.

As if to prove Rosenblur’s words, an old man with a staff suddenly appeared.

With white hair, he was dressed like a wizard straight out of a fairy tale. He abruptly thrust his face in front of Cordelia and asked,

“Are you that Atilei fellow’s disciple?”