The Archmage’s answer was filled with confidence, something that was characteristic of him. “What is there to worry about? You’re just trying to reclaim what is rightfully yours; what’s there to even prepare? As for the others I attracted, well… what do you think this whole thing was? It’s the most sacred event of all time — your official ascension as the next Emperor of the Rohlserlian Empire! We need a big audience! Unfortunately, they were all I could attract to your event, Son. Can’t help you more than that, so please accept my apology.”
‘You… You actually wanted to make this whole thing so big a spectacle?! Where is your elderly wisdom of keeping things confidential? And also… I knew it! You kept saying that the time of the Rohlserlians was no more, but at every given chance, all you remember is that massive and glorious empire!’ Baiyi complained internally.
“Alright, my student; a king does not dither, so chop-chop! Go and claim my final legacy as yours!” The Archmage declared, with a tone of finality.
With that, Baiyi took off into the air, using a levitation spell. He began to accelerate, and with a sonic boom and a bright flash, he was gone.
“I hope… I hope you would treasure my last gift to you, child,” murmured the Archmage as he gazed at the horizon, where Baiyi had disappeared to, with a pensive look.
Barely two seconds had passed, and Baiyi suddenly returned from whence he had gone.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you dare return empty-handed!” The Archmage exclaimed, visibly displeased.
“I’m just… kinda worried,” Baiyi said, with concern, as he landed in front of the First Voidwalker “I mean, what happens after I take your final legacy? Will… Will you vanish forever?”
“Preposterous! Think with your noodles. What do you think this is — a passionate shonen story? ‘Inheriting the last will of your sensei’ and whatnot? If this was such a story then how come I don’t see you grinding to increase your level by killing hordes and hordes of monsters?” The Archmage scolded
“Oh. Touche.” Baiyi nodded in approval of the Archmage’s reasoning.
“Go, go, go. Get it over with ASAP so that I can go back to the Void. By the way, damn; it’s been a while since I summoned some cards! Next time, I’m gonna try summoning something from that ‘Dead Heat Summer Race!’ event!”
“Fine! I’ll stage that event once you’re back in the Void.” Baiyi took off into the air again.
This time, he did not reach the horizon Archmage’s sight before flying back again. He didn’t wait for the Archmage’s before saying, “I can’t believe I got duped by your hijinks! I did not even leave instructions and plans for them, so how do you expect me to leave?”
“Can you, for once, just have an adventure without fussing over preparatory plans?” The Archmage asked.
“What kind of person do you think I am?” Baiyi snapped. “Fine; let’s say I did leave just like that, how do you suppose the kids would treat a weirdo, who had appeared out of nowhere? They’ll kick you out, and you know that, right?”
This time, the Archmage admitted defeat.
Baiyi led the Archmage back to the mansion, and coincidentally, they met the girls, who had all finished taking baths. They were as convivial as they were gorgeous, and as soon as they saw Baiyi waving them over, they obediently came to his side.
They were all looking at the militia armor set standing behind their teacher; even Little Mia’s eyebrows were furrowed in curiosity. She found the armor very familiar, but the memories she had of it were tactile. It seemed she had rubbed her cheeks against that armor before. However, she was not sure of herself because old militia armor sets, like the one behind her teacher, were common, so it was not much of a surprise that another soul armature was summoned into an old militia armor set, like the one before her.
Even her own Mr. Hope had vouched that, for its humble appearance, the old militia armor set was actually more functional than its appearance suggested.
Tisdale crept close to her and nudged her gently. She lowered her voice and said to Mia, “Is it me or does this soul armature look familiar?”
Mia was about to reply with a staunch affirmation when Baiyi coughed dryly. Looking at his students, he announced, “Um, this… This is my old friend. He came to visit me and is going to stay here for a few days. You may call him— ”
“‘Grandpa’. Just call me that!” The Archmage interrupted Baiyi, and promptly named himself. He stepped forward, before being invited to, and with a jovial tone of voice, he said, “Haha! Look at all of them! They are all such healthy, adorable children!”
Then he gestured towards Tisdale with a wave of his hand. “Dale, come over.”
“Ey? M-me?” Tisdale was puzzled; how did the stranger manage to know her name without her introducing herself? However, out of courtesy and a lingering feeling of familiarity, Tisdale contained her skepticism inside and walked to the old militia armor.
“Mm-hmm. Good girl. You’re always so good…” The militia armor gently ruffled Tisdale’s hair with its rough gauntlet, which was made out of cow-leather; the voice emanating from the militia armor was one of fulfillment. It was as if the new soul armature was finally getting to meet an old friend.
‘Uh… It’s weird, but I feel like… I feel warm. This fella who called himself “Grandpa” does emanate a kindly, senior mien… Why?’ Tisdale thought to herself.
“Look at you! You’ve become more beautiful and more gentle. Your countenance is demure and elegant, and your intellect has sharpened even more; nevertheless, you remain ever so humble. To see you grow into such a fine, young lady really makes me pleased,” the new soul armature added.
His string of unadulterated praises made the girl blush so hard, her cheeks turned red. She timidly replied, “Thank you for the compliments. I’ll work even harder.”
The other students were befuddled. Why was a stranger lavishly praising Tisdale on their first meeting?
Baiyi felt even more perplexed. His master’s penchant to act like a friend to everyone had already made the situation murkier than he would have liked, and because of that, he had no lies to use to allay his students’ confusion.
Furthermore, the Fifth Walker reckoned that he did not much time left to explain to the kids. He still had to talk to Aya and Vidomina’s butler about taking care of the kids. The Archmage seemed to know that his apprentice was embarrassed, so he assured him. “Don’t worry about the kids; you can trust me with them. I know you’ve got some other things to do.”
“According to our schedule, they are supposed to have their first class with our new part-time teacher today. Our part-time teacher, Joseph, would be coming over for his first class,” Baiyi replied.
“Got it. You can trust me on this; don’t worry!” said the Archmage, who was oozing confidence.
That did not pacify Baiyi, however. He recollected the fiasco that happened back then when the Archmage had taken over the plushie, to teach as Professor S. Nevertheless, Baiyi found himself more worried about the whereabouts and status of the Book of Servitude.
He could not attend to the kids and look for the book; he had to choose to do only one. Hence, after reminding his students to pay attention to their upcoming classes, he turned to go and see Aya.
At that moment, from behind him, he heard Tisdale mutter, “Huh? We have classes already? And here I thought we were gonna go shopping today…”
Whenever the kids made the sort of complaints, Baiyi would pretend that he did not hear them, but the Archmage did not just acknowledge it, he jumped at the opportunity. “Oh, you don’t feel like going to class? Okay! Then let’s go shopping together!”
The students cheered loudly, and Baiyi’s head ached. ‘Alright; he had just descended. He would, of course, want to hang out with the kids in this way, right? Right.’
After reassuring himself, Baiyi opened the door to leave, but before he could take a step, the Archmage yelled for him to stop.
Baiyi turned around and saw the leather palm of the militia’s gauntlet open.
‘What now?’
“Money! I can’t believe I have to remind you!” The Archmage said in a low voice. “Since I’m the one taking them out for shopping, as the senior, I can’t be asking them to pay for their own things, can I?”
“Don’t… Don’t overspend on them, okay?” Baiyi replied, tossing a storage pouch to the Archmage.
However, the old militia armor’s hand was still outstretched, and it still seemed as expectant as before.
“Oh, dear old me! After putting in so much effort and heart, all I get is a miser as my apprentice. I even give him my greatest and most priceless treasure, yet he can’t even give me something decent in return! Oh, my heart… aches! It aches!” The Archmage wallowed in a melodramatic tone.
A (╬￣皿￣) expression instantly appeared on Baiyi’s mask. That storage pouch contained three million gold coins, which was enough to buy three apparel stores, yet the old geezer was still complaining!
Fine. Fine! He tossed him another two storage pouches filled with gold coins, and the Archmage finally retracted his hand. He looked back at the student and said, “Alright, everyone! Get ready; wear your best clothes! Today, we are going out… as stars!!!”
The girls cheered again and rushed upstairs to change into their very best.
Baiyi could only leave in silence. Before the door closed, he heard the Archmage’s say, “Remember to tell that Butler-guy next door that we want a more luxurious coach!”
‘That’s all you now care about? Have you forgotten all your eldest child immediately after meeting the younger ones? Are you not even the slightest bit concerned about the trials and tribulations your student is about to face?’ Baiyi complained silently as he walked toward the Butler’s house.
After giving the butler some instructions to carry out while he was away, Baiyi left for Aya’s house, which was situated opposite the Aegis Mansion.
The dragon-lady was already dressed gracefully — an A+ look for a teacher, no doubt. When she saw Baiyi by her door, she was surprised. “Why have you come over this early? Are you here to wish Mordred and me good morning?”
Mordred, however, was quick to act. She leaped onto Baiyi’s thigh and shouted, “Good morning, papa!”
“It’s nothing like that,” Baiyi said, as he patted Mordred’s face. He informed Aya he would be going away on a long journey…
“Oh? Was it because of that strange frequency a while ago?” Aya asked after listening.
Baiyi nodded. “You felt it too, huh…”
Although the frequency had spread throughout the continent, not everyone would have been able to detect it. Even Baiyi’s students had no idea that such a frequency was broadcasted that morning. As for Aya, Baiyi never got around to conclusively ascertaining her innate power, but judging by the fact that she had sensed that frequency, Baiyi decided that it could not be too bad.
“Understood. You can rest assured; I’ll take care of the kids for you,” Aya replied primly. Suddenly, she closed the distance between herself and Baiyi, and when she reached him, she stood on her tiptoes and planted a soft kiss on his mask, softly saying, softly “Be careful. And come back soon.”
A typical scene of a wife sending her husband off…
Two extremely cold snorts rang out from deep within the Void, causing the Fifth Walker to flee in a hurry. “Hmph!”