For a ti, the rumors about Professor Arist's generosity, wisdom, and willingness to ntor young scholars spread throughout the entire Tower of Great Sage like a gentle spring breeze.
Although many assistants and ntors wondered why this great figure had suddenly changed his deanor, these actions did objectively improve his reputation.
Especially among apprentices who were not familiar with him.
However, behind this praise lay an unseen anxiety.
In the silence of night, inside Arist's private study.
He gazed at his reflection in the mirror, his eyes lingering on the ring symbolizing power from the Thorne Association.
A twisted gray mist slowly erged from the ring, entwining his arm and creeping into his shadow.
It was his divine fragnt—
The shard bestowed upon him by Avallo.
"Little Wa, our efficiency is too low," Arist's voice was filled with impatience, "this paltry Power of Faith is just a drop in the ocean, utterly inadequate for reaching my bottleneck."
He gave this divine fragnt, which claid to co from the Crown of Pride Arvan, a catchy nickna to avoid awkward monts and slip-ups during crucial tis.
The gray mist rolled joyfully, advising him with a soft voice, "Be patient, my master. In this regard, you should learn more from your rival."
"Colin..." Arist's gaze instantly cooled.
"Indeed," Little Wa's voice carried amusent, "He is slowly devouring the faith directed towards Saint Sis under Saint Sis's na. Haven't you noticed? Now half the people in the tower are discussing him, even regarding him as Saint Sis's Chosen One... Haha, foolish mortals, as short-sighted and ignorant as insects."
Arist's voice was chilling.
"I know what he's doing, you don't need to provoke ."
"I'm not," the mist appeared exceedingly innocent, "I'm only reminding you to be cautious... Besides, at this point, you are no longer suited to strike against him, are you? A dead Colin is more frightening than a living one, and you may not be his match."
"re Platinum Level." Arist snorted coldly.
"Don't underestimate Platinum Level, and... Aren't you a Diamond? You're just a bit higher than him, actually."
Before the master's temper flared, the twisted gray mist vanished.
...
A few days passed since then.
Arist patiently continued playing the role of the 'accessible scholar', doing what Prince Colin had once done.
He roams between various seminars, generously sharing his knowledge, occasionally stopping to personally instruct those young apprentices who gaze at him with awe.
Of course—
The looks directed at him were not all of admiration; many were startled by his inexplicable courtesy.
When an old fox suddenly starts showing goodwill, no one thinks it has switched to a vegetarian diet; they suspect they're being targeted.
In stark contrast to him, Prince Colin has been scarcely seen in public view lately.
It's as if the two have swapped identities.
Recently, it appears the council has co to so decisions, and the prince is busy dealing with these matters, investing nearly all his energy.
His lectures were occasionally taught by his assistants and sotis even by apprentices.
Unexpectedly, no one found this inappropriate; his science class had no less atmosphere than usual, even more enthusiastically discussed.
After all, asking the prince a question requires so courage, but asking a student's question requires far less.
But Arist saw this as an opportunity!
That day, Arist suddenly and uniquely announced he would personally give a public lecture to the Source Magic School apprentices.
Once the news broke, the entire lecture hall was packed, with students standing even in the aisles, attracted by the reputation... just like when Prince Colin gave a lecture initially.
Seeing the packed lecture hall, a aningful smile appeared on Arist's face.
Though he admits the prince from the Holy City has a unique approach to Void Realm research, when it cos to academic prestige alone, he pales in comparison to himself.
As long as he wishes, he can effortlessly catch up in terms of reputation!
"Since everyone is more or less here, let's begin," Arist cleared his throat and announced the start of the lecture.
The lecture's content focused on the basics of Source Power structure within Source Power Morphology.
Although the teaching plan was prepared with the help of his ntors, these superficial knowledge pieces were easily grasped by him, even without referring to them.
No matter how the Deceitful Fog Nuoville perceives his identity as a scholar, the title of 'academic rising star' he earned twenty years ago didn't fall from the sky.
At least within the Source Magic School, likely only his ntor—Great Sage Dousuke—can surpass him in theory.
The classroom atmosphere was lively; after all, it was a renowned professor's lecture, where everyone listened attentively, filling many pages with notes.
Arist was quite satisfied.
Especially during the lecture, he suddenly realized teaching apprentices wasn't as dull as he imagined.
Revisiting these shallow mories helped relax his mind and reminded him of those obvious yet easily overlooked knowledge details.
Perhaps he should consider giving more lectures.
Bathing in the gaze of admiration, Arist pondered this, announcing the Q&A session, letting his assistant handle the roll call.
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