Poor Noble Nord’s Adventure

38.2. Elisio

According to Elisio, the Magic Academy is a three-year program where students learn magic before graduating. However, if one aspires to join the Magic Institution and become a mage, they must apprentice under a certified mage and pass the institution’s exams.

It’s a grueling path, and without any connections, Elisio hasn’t been able to secure an apprenticeship.

Although the Magic Institution exams won’t be held until after the spring thaw, leaving about six months to prepare…

At this point, Nord raised a hand to interrupt Elisio’s story.

“Sorry. Hate to cut you off, but can I ask something?”

“Of course, go ahead.”

“How old are you, Elisio?”

“Me? I’ll be fifteen next spring.”

In other words, Elisio was currently fourteen—meaning he enrolled in the Magic Academy at the age of twelve.

“Is that normal?”

“Well… it depends. Most students are around your age, Nord. It’s not uncommon for people over twenty to enroll either.”

“And how were your grades?”

“If I may say so myself, I graduated at the top of my class.”

Elisio replied nonchalantly, but it was clear proof of his genius.

The Royal Magic Academy, as the name suggests, is the kingdom’s premier school for magic.

Naturally, those who enroll must have exceptional pride in their abilities. Yet, here was someone far younger, achieving even better results.

The disparity in talent can be unbearably cruel.

Elisio once mentioned being harassed by someone at the academy. The motive was almost certainly jealousy. While Nord could never condone such actions, he could at least understand the feeling.

“Sorry, go on.”

“Understood. To gain an apprenticeship with a mage, even as a commoner, I think presenting clear ‘achievements’ would improve my chances.”

“I see. You’re aiming to showcase your skill and potential.”

“Exactly. I’m glad you understand.”

Nord himself was admitted to the Iron Dragon Knights because of Neuth’s taming—proof that he’d discovered a way to subdue wyverns. It was a stroke of luck, but Elisio’s plan was similar.

He intended to create undeniable achievements—ones the institution’s mages couldn’t ignore—to prove his worth as an apprentice.

“So, since I’m good at crafting magical tools, I thought I’d use that to sell myself.”

“You mean like this?”

“Yes, that flaming magic sword I gave you was a prototype I made as a test.”

“Are you sure I can keep something like that? Maybe I should return it—”

“No, please keep it! The prototype helped me identify areas for improvement, and now I’m working on a new tool with those refinements.”

As Nord moved to retrieve the flaming sword from his belongings, Elisio frantically waved his hands to stop him.

Seeing this, Nord decided to put the sword back and let Elisio continue.

“The problem is, I can’t get the materials I need…”

“Materials?”

“Spirit crystals.”

“Ah…”

Nord recognized what Elisio was talking about.

Spirit crystals are rare magical stones imbued with the power of elemental spirits like fire or ice.

Nord had previously mined ice magic crystals in the snowy mountains, but those were a tier below spirit crystals.

More powerful and often referred to as the “Blood of Spirits,” spirit crystals are unique magical stones with immense power. The process of obtaining them, however, is simple: defeat a spirit.

Spirits, powerful entities of nature, have a core that remains as a spirit crystal when they vanish upon defeat.

The issue, however, lies in the details.

“Those are incredibly expensive.”

“Exactly…”

While spirits are mischievous by nature, they’re not hostile unless provoked.

However, once angered, they unleash destructive powers, giving rise to sayings like “Never wake a sleeping dragon or a spirit.”

Due to their difficulty to obtain, guild quests for spirit crystals are typically reserved for Silver-ranked adventurers.

“Sorry, but a spirit crystal is a bit much…”

“Oh, I wasn’t going to ask you for one!”

While Nord wanted to help, spirit crystals were far beyond his reach. Purchasing one was out of the question, and harvesting one directly was equally unfeasible.

Elisio shook his head emphatically to deny any such intention.

“I figured spirit crystals would be impossible to get. That’s why I tested whether I could achieve similar effects with lower-quality magic stones using the prototype I gave you.”

“And? Did it work?”

“Yes, thanks to you, I’m confident I can harness sufficient power with magic crystals.”

Magic crystals, also called “Spirit Tears,” are naturally formed magic stones created by concentrated magical energy.

For example, ice magic crystals can be found in snowy mountains during the harsh winter, making them significantly easier to obtain than spirit crystals.

“So, you need magic crystals?”

“Yes. Since you used to be an adventurer, I wondered if you could help me acquire some.”

Nord recalled mentioning his adventurer days to Elisio on their way to town after he saved him.

“What kind of crystal are you looking for?”

“It requires multiple types, but I’ve gathered all but one. The missing piece is a fire crystal…”

“Fire, huh…”

Nord considered his options. If it were ice magic crystals, it would’ve been simple.

Having collected them before, he knew how to obtain them.

Though it required waiting for winter, they’d be accessible within two months.

However, fire magic crystals were another matter entirely.

The issue stemmed from the geography of the Hamill Kingdom, which lacked volcanic regions.

Unlike regular magic stones, spirit-infused magic crystals require an environment that amplifies the spirit’s power.

For example, ice crystals form in extreme cold, water crystals in lakes or oceans, and fire crystals in places like volcanoes.

The nearest volcano Nord knew of was beyond the kingdom’s borders, far to the south.

“Just the trip there and back would take a month or two…”

“Yes, and that’s why the commission fees are so high.”

Even with the swift military carriage he borrowed from the Iron Dragon Knights, traveling to another country was no small feat.

A week-long journey might’ve been manageable, but a months-long trek was out of the question.

“I’m sorry, but it’s too far for me to go myself.”

“I understand… Besides, I couldn’t pay you enough even if you did go.”

Elisio admitted he couldn’t afford much more than a token reward, possibly offering to craft another magical tool as repayment.

At first, Nord nodded in agreement, but then he caught something Elisio said and asked for clarification.

“Wait, what did you just say?”

“I said I could only repay you by making another magical tool.”

“…But don’t you need materials for that?”

“Well, I plan to gather extras, so I could still make something like the sword I gave you.”

The sheer mismatch in their perspectives left Nord speechless.

“Wait… Elisio, are you saying you could mass-produce this sword if you had the crystals?”

“No.”

Elisio shook his head, her fiery red hair swaying in the sunlight streaming through the window.

“That sword was mostly made from regular magic stones, with only the core using a magic crystal. I could make something much more powerful.”