Neron’s eyes immediately burst wide open, nearly popping out of their sockets, in shock… or so I would have loved to say.
No, the man merely let out a broad grin in response to my similar expression. I could see a hint of curiosity in his eyes, but he remained calm even at this moment.
“Oh?” Was all that proceeded from his lips.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it? A white Core Grade at such an age. And you were able to become a Professor even with that kind of Mana Core… you’re truly special, aren’t you?”
My time sounded more daring, but I needed to do at least this much not to seem like a total pushover or a snotty little brat.
“Hmm. Is that what you think?” Neron asked, his face showing what I could only conclude to be slight disappointment.
He wasn’t satisfied with my comment just now. Of course, I knew why. I had predicted all of this, so I didn’t intend on stopping here.
“Hehe, of course not. That’s what a normal person would say. Disqualifying a person who has a White Mana Core shouldn’t be what I, someone with the very same Grade, should be resorting to.”
Neron shrugged, as though trying to tell me that he knew that much. I needed to get my point through to him. My answer would decide everything.
“A Mana Core is important to every Magic-User. But, it is a mistake to decide the power of one with the Grade alone. After all, Mana is ultimately mana. Core Grade or not… what matters the most is the quality and use of mana. And I know, Professor… that you have a lot more mana than all the people I have seen so far!”
More than Legris Damien. More than Damien Lawcroft. More than literally anyone in this Academy. This man, Neron Kaelid… was a beast in disguise.
As I said this, a wide grin formed on his face, replacing the calm one he had donned after I revealed his Mana Core Grade.
“What are you trying to say, kid?”
I just had to come out and say it, then.
“You only possess a White Core Grade, yet you’re more powerful than most of the others here. Your teaching skills are amazing, and you have deeply piqued my interest. While I don’t know how you managed to get so strong using only the base core as a foundation and nothing more, I have to say… Professor Neron Kaelid… I am very interested in your person.”
Yes, I just had to tell him what I wanted.
“Please, take me in as your apprentice… and teach me!”
Silence.
No one said anything after I made this statement. Neron and I only stared hard at each other. This uncomfortable decorum seemed to last forever as I wondered what his answer would be.
An apprentice was simply one whom a senior chose to personally train. In Ainzlark Academy, lecturers were allowed to take a single disciple. Of course, that meant there would be a lot of competition among students to attract the attention of the most prestigious Lecturer. This also applied to the lectures, as they would all compete to secure the most promising student.
This system was implemented to improve the performance on both ends. Also, since apprenticeship was outside the normal school curriculum, Lecturers weren’t allowed to show preferential treatment to their disciples within the classroom or in any academic activities. Still, the mere privilege of having one as a mentor made the difference between those who did and those who didn’t.
I would very much prefer to be in the former.
It certainly wasn’t impossible for a Lecturer to choose me as his disciple, but the chances were slim. That was why I had to add more value to myself by drawing more attention to my abilities. Still, the issue of a White Mana Core Grade would drive almost all of them away.
My initial goal was Legris Damien, but he was out of my reach at the moment. Even if he had an interest in me, it was too forward of me to think he would actually go as far as making me his apprentice.
At the present moment, only one was qualified to guide me and also serve as my connection to the system… Neron Kaelid!
‘It’s a good thing I was able to sense his Mana Core…’ I smiled in relief.
There would be no prejudice since we both had White Cores. After watching him teach, I had no doubt about his abilities in that area, and he seemed quite powerful based on his mana quantity and concentration alone.
He fulfilled all my conditions, the only problem was… did I fulfill all of his?!
“I see…” Neron murmured, breaking the long-held silence between me and him.
He stroked his bald chin, looking at me with his pitch-black eyes. I couldn’t tell if he was being condescending, wary, or curious.
“I honestly wasn’t expecting this… it’s quite early, isn’t it?”
Neron was right. This was merely the second day of Lectures, and I was already asking to be his apprentice. There hadn’t been enough time to fully grasp both our worth. Of course, I already knew he had extremely high value as both a Magic-User and teacher. The problem was with him.
‘Usually, Lectures observe the students for a while and then decide on who to choose. He must be referring to that!’
The problem was uncertainty—and time!
“The early bird gets the worm, no? I believe I have judged your worth to be top-tier, Lecturer. You’re more than skilled enough to be my Master.” I smiled with a twinkle in my eyes.
Neron sighed and patted me on my shoulder.
“You’re quite the kid, I’ll give you that. To be honest, I would like to say yes…”
My expectations plummeted instantly and my expression dropped.
‘But…?!’
“But, it’s too early, Jared. In fact, at the moment, I’m too occupied to deal with having an apprentice.”