Stellar Echo: Heart of the Myst

Several years have passed since Erik began learning magic, and during this time, he has made remarkable progress. He is now proficient in using both the Aegis system and sacred geometry, and has learned various spells, including the lightning spell that Eleonora promised to teach him.

Although he can use elemental spells, since he doesn't have an affinity, Erik uses almost twice the mana that a normal mana user would spend when casting a spell of their elemental affinity. Even though Eleonora and Sigrún have searched through all the faction's records and various other sources, they haven't found a viable solution to this problem.

Because of this, Erik decided to use the Aegis system for any elemental spell, as it is the most efficient at converting pure mana into elemental form. In the same way, He uses sacred geometry for his solid Myst constructions, as it provides the best structural strength.

On the other hand, his progress in Alchemy and Artificery has been spectacular, much to the delight of both Sigrún and Eleonora. Although, he initially encountered some difficulties due to his limitations with elemental spells, after Eleonora prepared some magical artifacts to assist him. He made significant strides, absorbing knowledge like a sponge and refining his already skilled hands to a level that continues to impress his masters.

…

In the middle of a beautiful room with high ceilings and majestic arches, accented by the golden and coppery tones of carved wood and the dancing flames in the fireplace. Eleonora, Sigrún, Erik, and Liliana were gathered around an elegantly carved and polished table, drinking tea while Erik ate cookies.

"Well, Erik, today we want to inform you that you'll be starting your studies at the Arcane University," Eleonora announced in her soft, elegant voice as she looked at her dear disciple and placed her beautiful porcelain cup on the table.

"Why? Did I do something wrong?"

Upon hearing his master's announcement, Erik put down his cookies and asked, confused. He really didn't understand the need to attend the university since he felt he had more than enough learning directly from his masters, and, honestly, the idea of attending an educational institution didn't appeal to him.

"Hahaha, no, you didn't do anything wrong, nor is this some kind of punishment. It's just that it's an important part of your education to see other perspectives and familiarize yourself with more people," Sigrún said, affectionately ruffling Erik's hair while laughing at his words.

"But, Master, I can learn about other perspectives from books, and honestly, I've been very fortunate so far to have met you, so I don't want to push my luck meeting more people. After all, when things are going well, that's when disaster strikes."

Erik quickly gave his sincere opinion, hoping to change his masters' decision. However, contrary to his intentions, Sigrún and Eleonora felt their hearts tighten with pain upon hearing his pessimistic view.

What hurt them most was that they understood where Erik's pessimism came from. Despite ensuring that the bastards who hurt their sweet Erik got what they deserved, they were fully aware that the damage was already done, and Erik's outlook on the world was irrefutable proof of that.

Erik's life hadn't been easy before meeting them. He always worked hard to get ahead, but “misfortune” always seemed to strike when things were at their best. When he was in the orphanage and had a difficult but peaceful life, the director died and was replaced by someone who hated him for his appearance, giving him a terrible life until they finally kicked him out—a cycle that repeated from then on.

When he first managed to save some money, it was stolen, and he was beaten. When he began to grow attached to that old blacksmith, the man abandoned him. When he thought he could finally fulfill his dream of getting an education, he got caught up in a plot that, if not for that Kraken, would have killed him.

For these reasons, Erik's pessimistic view, in which he was convinced that simply meeting someone new was a risk to his happiness, was understandable. Although it wasn't very apparent at first, probably because, consciously or unconsciously, he believed things couldn't get worse than being stranded on a deserted island. As his life improved and his happiness increased, it became more and more obvious, and truly concerning.

In these more than 7 years that Erik had been with them. You could easily count the times he interacted with someone other than themselves, the spirits, with whom he was now very close, the wolves, or Seraphina, who loved to annoy him. With others, whether assistants, workers, or even Liliana and Desmond, he barely exchanged greetings, and it's possible they never had a real conversation.

But that was something they could not allow to continue happening because, even though cases of people choosing to isolate themselves were relatively common in the galaxy. One thing they all had in common was that they ended up with their mental state shattered, filled with regrets, depression, and paranoia. It wasn’t uncommon for them to end up committing suicide or descending into madness—something they could never forgive themselves for if it happened to Erik.

"Erik, that's not always the case. While it's true that life doesn't always go well, there are times when you find beautiful things while living. For example, look at us. It was going out and living life that allowed us to meet," Sigrún said, with an expression trying to hide her sadness and pain, as she approached Erik and gently hugged him while speaking lovingly to him.

"Yes, Erik, humans are social by nature. Depriving yourself of that is like depriving yourself of eating or sleeping. Sooner or later, it will start causing you problems," Eleonora added in a soft voice as she stroked Erik’s starry hair.

On the other hand, Liliana, who was drinking tea nearby, watched the entire scene with eyes full of disdain and some resentment. During all the time Erik had been at the university, she increasingly felt abandoned by her master. Although nothing had really changed, and her master still had her monthly classes with her as always, the preferential treatment Erik received was horrendously evident.

The little bastard had classes every single day with two of the most powerful and prestigious Masters in the entire galaxy. A privilege so great that Liliana was certain that no one in the galaxy was as fortunate as that idiot.

At first, when the great Master Silverwood, the Empress of Lightning, the honorable Auric award, the mother of runic-geometric refinement theory, chose her as her youngest disciple. Liliana felt she was the most special person in the universe, believing the world was hers for the taking.

And as the cherry on top, her master valued her immensely and gave her classes every month, something only dreamed of by other disciples, who, if they were very lucky, could have a class once a year at best. Those less fortunate had to wait decades or even centuries for a simple Q&A session.

Best of all, she lived up to the expectations surrounding her, reaching the ascended-level at 30, widely recognized as a super genius and a candidate for the best of her generation. But then that little bastard appeared out of nowhere, stealing her master’s affection, breaking her record by reaching the ascended-level at 18, and shattering her confidence by mastering everything given to him with irritating ease.

But something that comforted her was knowing that the little bastard was a useless without an affinity, so he wasted large amounts of mana just to perform a single elemental spell. Although she couldn’t deny that his solid Myst constructions were very impressive, she was sure he would never go too far with them.

After all, the best and most powerful spells of humanity were elemental spells, so he would never become a powerful mage. If he wanted to go further, the only path left for him was that of a knight, which meant that sooner or later, he would have to leave her master. Returning the peace and happiness that he had stolen from her.

But as if the universe were on her side, now she had something more on that lucky idiot. At first, Liliana believed he was just an arrogant bastard who didn’t want to waste time talking to her or Desmond, considering them inferior.

But the reality was something much juicier—this little shit was nothing more than a coward terrified of leaving his little lair. Truly pathetic, but at the same time, very promising. Since he was so spineless, it was only a matter of time before her master became disappointed in that useless boy and handed him over to Master Eldurdóttir.

Since she had taken him in, it should be her burden to bear with that freak of nature. Thankfully, that rat was officially Master Eldurdóttir's disciple, so her respected master didn’t have to endure the shame of teaching such a piece of trash—a worry less on her mind.

"That's great, Erik. I'm glad you agreed to start university. Liliana, Erik will be joining from now on. Erik will attend university, and I'd like you to guide and help him so that he can get accustomed to it quickly as possible."

While Liliana got lost in her thoughts and fantasies, the group of masters and disciple had a three-way conversation that ended with Erik finally accepting his fate and agreeing to attend university.

At the same time, Eleonora’s words snapped Liliana back to reality. She quickly stood up from her chair, bowed politely to her master, and responded with an elegant, well-mannered voice.

"Of course, Master, it will be my pleasure to guide fellow disciple Erik."