Elden Ring: The Shattering!

The Glintstone lamp illuminated the dark night, not large within a room filled with all sorts of books and experimental tools. The truth proved that Kaelith's collection speed could not keep up with Sellen's destruction speed. Within half a day, she could scatter objects in every corner, creating chaos.

The sorceress removed her headscarf, her green eyes quickly moving. In a few seconds, she could turn a page, deeply absorbed in knowledge. Indeed, being called a genius also required immense effort. Kaelith's head peeked out from the kitchen, just catching sight of Sellen in deep concentration.

He couldn't help but admit, this woman didn't care for small details and loved commanding others… but she was utterly obsessed with studying Magic. She often forgot to eat, and there were times when he woke up on the chair beside her, only to find Sellen slumped on the table, rigid.

He really didn't know how she had managed to live this long.

Kaelith shook his head and walked over to set the plate down. On the tray was an unidentifiable black substance, with several ferocious fish heads adorning the top.

It couldn't be helped, Kaelith, though skilled with people, truly was not adept at cooking.

"What is this?" Sellen put down her book, bringing her head close to sniff. "It sounds like something I want to eat."

Kaelith, long accustomed to the peculiar tastes of his mentor, said seriously, "Fish head scrambled eggs, I call it 'Admiration for the Stars.'"

"Nice name." Sellen casually tossed the Magic book to the side, grabbing a spoon to eat the black "egg" substance, nodding as she ate.

"Hmm, your disciple is a bit clumsy and foolish, but his cooking skills aren't bad. After learning a bit more, he could assist in the Academy's kitchen."

I fear I'll be hunted down by all of Raya Lucaria...

Kaelith had a thousand words of dissatisfaction, but he could not speak them. He gloomily sat back down to read his paper. After a few pages, he heard Sellen mumbling beside him.

"You killed some people today, huh?"

"Uh, it was self-defense. I encountered a madman with amnesia."

"Don't lie. You don't look like someone who only kills wild boars and chickens. Your methods are ruthless. This afternoon, I was in town buying some things, and all your strange behaviors were clear in my eyes."

Kaelith's hand froze as he flipped the book, turning his head to look. As expected, Sellen was still chewing on the fish head, not even bothering to glance at him.

"Relax, your muscles are tense. It's fine to have secrets. Whether or not you want to share them is up to you." Sellen put down her spoon, burping slightly. Her blue eyes were serene and calm.

There was no hint of restraint, and even a touch of pride. After spending half a month together, Kaelith had long since realized that Sellen was a rare flower, still wearing a wry smile.

"You're really amazing, I had no idea at all."

At that time, there were too many people, and his mind was in disarray. He had no way of detecting a Sorcerer hiding in the shadows.

"That's why I say you still have much to learn. Don't worry, I'm not interested in keeping secrets from others. On the contrary, our relationship is very simple—"

Sellen casually pushed the plate aside, smiling lightly: "You're my disciple, don't talk about killing people. Even if you were to burn the Erdtree down, this point will never change."

Kaelith didn't need to question the truth of this statement; he met her gaze for a few seconds, silently got up to take the plate to the kitchen, and then poured a cup of Herba tea, placing it on the table.

"Master, tea."

Without saying anything further, for a wise person, a simple appearance was enough. The usual kinds of questions that people liked to ask were too foolish, and they couldn't possibly spend more than ten days together.

The steam from the tea rose in the air, and aside from the rustling sounds of turning pages, the two of them, separated by a few feet, buried themselves in their books. It was as if their previous conversation had been an illusion, but in the silence, they seemed to be in perfect harmony.

The Glintstone lamp lit, the Glintstone lamp dimmed, time passed day by day, and Kaelith soon became a model student among the Sorcerers...

Not only did he avoid causing trouble, but he also studied more earnestly than some of the teachers in the academy, spending each day either in Sellen's room or researching force fields with Thops. The higher-ups at the Academy even wanted him to serve as a model.

The small Academy town and the surrounding area formed a straight line, and the days passed in calm like still water. Kaelith only occasionally learned some outside news through the Academy's information board.

No one in Liurnia was willing to lead, perhaps realizing that the Academy was cautious. The Cuckoo Legion was very well-behaved...

Aside from the occasional Albinauric ambush and disturbances, the Carian forces were completely inactive, quietly farming in the Northwest corner, and no one even reached out to contact Kaelith, the so-called spy.

Meanwhile, throughout The Lands Between, the war continued. The Valkyrie-led Haligtree Knights had finally reached some form of agreement with the Royal City, and they were advancing southward from the Altus Plateau. The vanguard had already reached the Purified Ruins and would soon pass through Liurnia, signaling the first stirrings of movement in the still waters.

Bang ——

The door to the room was suddenly pushed open. Kaelith, who had been reading a Sorcerer's journal, turned around to see Sellen panting as she walked in, muttering as she came:

"These people have no brains as instructors. If there's something to discuss, why close the main gate and sit there waiting for the Haligtree army to pass by? It's such a waste of time."

Without her needing to speak, a cup of tea was immediately placed on the table. Sellen skillfully took it, took a small sip, and her mood immediately improved significantly. Over the past month, she had become increasingly accustomed to this way of life.

"The Academy has its own difficulties. Closing the gates randomly allows the Cuckoo Legion to misinterpret things, but that doesn't matter. They're just afraid of being wiped out by the Valkyrie on their way," Kaelith analyzed calmly from the side. During this period, his dark handling techniques had improved at an astonishing speed.

"They're just timid and afraid of trouble, content with the status quo, and have long forgotten their vows," Sellen said with a sarcastic smile, before asking, "Let's see that thesis of yours, what's your take on it?"

Kaelith had read a fair amount of literature during this time, but it couldn't improve his practical skills, nor could it increase his Intelligence...

However, the theoretical knowledge was very useful. In reality, learning Magic wasn't something that could be done simply by having enough attributes.

Knowing how to use it and using it well, being able to exchange it with Magic, all of that had to rely on accumulated knowledge.

Kaelith pondered for a moment, then replied, "Glintstone Magic hasn't had a breakthrough in development for a long time; it's mostly just tinkering with the basics. The most they've done is add a bit of humanoid form for exchange."

"That's because the stars are fixed. Sorcerers have ultimately been unable to find a way to guide them, so they've simply stopped developing... Perhaps I'm unwilling to accept this, since I can't make the stars move, I'd rather pursue the origin upstream," Sellen said, tapping the table with her long finger, her blue eyes narrowing slightly.

"Be careful with your words. Primal Sorceries are forbidden at the Academy. Both Master Azur and Master Lusat were exiled because of it," Kaelith sensed something was off and had to firmly interrupt.

Sellen looked at him without speaking. Her gaze made one shiver. After a long while, she shook her head: "Sorcerers should abandon everything to explore the unknown, not be afraid to remain stagnant... By the way, I forgot to tell you, Master Azur was my first mentor."

Kaelith's mouth hung open. He couldn't respond to that, and if he hadn't fully understood Sellen, he would have drawn his sword to silence her.

"Why show such an expression like a foolish duck?" Sellen instead smiled, resting her head on her hand and saying with a grin, "Could it be that you're planning to go to the Academy and report me?"

"Uh, of course not," Kaelith replied. Neither professionally nor personally could he do that. Besides, he knew that researching Primal Sorceries was too dangerous.

This required turning Sorcerers, even themselves, into bridges, transforming into "star seeds" to explore the origin.

"Then, it's fine. If you don't agree to help, we'll just keep this secret between us," Sellen said nonchalantly, unaware that Kaelith had already made up his mind. She waved her hand dismissively, then gently cupped her chin, looking thoughtful, and muttered to herself:

"I'm still missing the method to craft the star seed, it's so troublesome. That old hag Ella watches me closely every day. There's no way to get that book from her."

This was the familiar smaller version of Sellen, without any hidden meanings, and Kaelith, who understood her very well, furrowed his brows.

So, she still didn't know how to ask a Sorcerer for a wish?

It seemed like there was an answer, but no formula. This was enough to drive any scholar crazy. Kaelith looked at the conflicted expression on Sellen's face and suddenly had an idea.

Perhaps I can help with the obstacle?

He had spent so much time with Sellen, learning so many things. How could he let her become the infamous Cube Witch... in the end, turning himself into something that would make people go crazy, like a Sorcerer in search of a wish.

Moreover, she wasn't a rebellious teacher. Her desire to explore the origin could actually be a solution.

"Master, what if I help you with this?" Kaelith, after thinking it over, decisively spoke.

"You?" Sellen looked at him, initially a bit confused. After considering it carefully, there didn't seem to be anything more fitting.

She had long realized that Kaelith wasn't an ordinary person. Moreover, he had an excellent reputation, and the Academy would never suspect him. Even so, she didn't immediately agree.

"Are you sure you understand that seeking the origin requires abandoning everything? You'll have to face immense danger. If you just want to do me a favor, then there's no need for that. Each of us has our own path, and I don't want to owe anyone anything."

Sellen's expression was extremely serious, with no hint of joking. This was also a form of her obsessive-compulsive tendency to keep things clean.

Kaelith had already sensed her nature, and holding up his thesis in his hand, he said, "Master, these things can no longer satisfy me. If I know it's a dead end, why not change course in advance?"

"Bold, but true. You've studied for many years, and you'll only discover that this path is cut off."

Sellen sat up straighter and spoke each word deliberately: "Let me remind you again, the origin is both the way forward and a taboo. Are you prepared to give up everything? Just like one day, if you want to turn me into a seed, I will only appreciate your choice."

How ruthless!

Kaelith inwardly applauded this mad scientist. In truth, he wasn't just trying to hinder her—he was trying to help. His theoretical learning was almost complete, and now was the time for practical application.

"I've thought it through."

"Are you sure? The probability of success is almost zero." Sellen was as serious as ever.

Kaelith smiled, the light from the Glintstone lamp illuminating his face, revealing a wild expression.

"Without trying, how would I know?"