You didn’t send a single word, so I thought you were dead!

The man who appeared has blue hair and narrow eyes. His hair looks a bit messy, so it’s easy to guess he doesn’t take much care of it.

Oh, isn’t it Nordeil? Long time no see.

It’s not ‘long time no see’.

The man sighs—Nordeil.

A friend?

Sylvie walks closer and asks Kuuza. Then Nordeil shifts his gaze to us,

Hey Kuuza. Who are these people?

They are companions I’m currently traveling with.

You have companions…?

What’s with that doubtful look?

When Kuuza says that, Nordeil replies, “It’s nothing,” and turns back to us.

Travelers, welcome to Academia. I am Nodayle Maribar, a friend of Kuuza’s.

…At least, he’s not a character that appeared in the game.

Then we introduced ourselves to him, and I opened my mouth again.

Um, Mr. Maribar, are you a Researcher at Academia?

You can just call me Nordeil. As Mr. Ruon said, I belong to the Research Institution of Academia.

Didn’t you join the court?

Kuuza asks. Nordeil shrugs.

It was supposed to be at first, but I wasn’t skilled enough, so I ended up working at the Research Institute. The pay is low, but I guess it’s okay since I can live a decent life.

…What about your other friends?

They’re all still there. In fact, one of them, Arete, is a rising star.

Nordeil says proudly, as if it were his own achievement.

You wouldn’t know, since you didn’t frequent the Town, but he’s even been entrusted with one of the Mage Corps units.

Oh, that’s interesting… However, I have another matter for visiting here this time. I’d like to take care of that.

Saying that, Kuuza gestured to Sofia with his hand.

Ms. Sofia is a person who has made contracts with all Four Great Spirits. She has come to Academia to become even stronger.

Oh, so it’s related to Spirits… I’ll inquire about the Professor.

Are you sure? Then I’ll rely on you.

Leave it to me.

While they were talking, I thought about the name mentioned earlier… Arete.

That name never even appeared in the game. The person I know was certainly affiliated with the Mage Corps, but I don’t think they were a Captain. So, that means they’re not connected to Kuuza, I guess.

We follow Nordeil’s guidance and enter the Academia grounds. The inside of the building, contrary to its exterior, is primarily white, exuding a clean atmosphere.

“Let me ask one thing, Kuuza hasn’t returned here, has he?”

Nordeil asks. Kuuza replies, “Of course.”

“Because I have things to do with Ruon and the others.”

“I see… How’s your magic skill? Has it improved at all?”

“Thanks to you.”

Nordeil laughs at the reply—I believe Kuuza’s ability is currently among the top in the Continent. He has magic attacks similar to No-Chant Casting, and also possesses the ability to use Advanced Magic.

How many Humans in the Court Mages can use Advanced Magic… While I was thinking, Nordeil suddenly stopped.

“Wait here.”

Saying that, he approached a nearby door and went inside. After a short while, he emerged from the room… accompanied by a female Professor.

“Who among you is contracted with Spirits?”

She looked to be in her early thirties. Despite wearing no makeup, her skin was quite beautiful, but her eyes were a bit bloodshot, perhaps from sleep.

The woman with wavy black hair and a crimson robe. After glancing at us, she focused on Sofia.

“Hmm, it’s you.”

“You can tell?”

“Well, I’m a researcher. And I used to be contracted with Spirits, just like you.”

The female Professor said, stifling a yawn.

“My name is Hedda Bruns. Just Hedda is fine.”

From there, we introduced ourselves—afterward, Nordeil explained about her to us.

“Professor Hedda has a background as an Adventurer. I think you’ll get along well with Ruon and the others, and she might even match your objective.”

Oh, that sounds good… As I nodded, Hedda smiled and gestured with her hand for us to enter the room.

“It’s going to be a long discussion, so why don’t we have some tea? First, I need to hear what you all want to do.”

Nordeil left, and the four of us spoke with Hedda. A man who seemed to be an assistant brought us tea.

I had a preconceived notion that a Professor’s room would be filled with research materials, but her room wasn’t like that. There were neatly arranged bookshelves. The floor and desk were clean. However, perhaps due to a lack of budget for supplies, there were many signs of repairs on the furniture.

“Oh, I see. By using the power of all Four Great Spirits, huh?”

After hearing our explanation, Hedda let out that impression.

“Fusing Spirit Mana is not theoretically impossible. However, most Humans find it difficult to do.”

“Is there a reason?”

“Yes. I know because I have memories of doing something similar.”

With that preface, Hedda began her explanation after drinking her tea.

“Simply put, it’s the Qualitative Mana Issue that Humans possess. Just as there are equipment items, like Magic Swords, that don’t suit certain people, Spirits also have compatibility… That said, Spirit Contracts are made by the Spirit Faction ‘matching’ the contractor’s Magic Power, so it’s not that a contract can’t be made.”

“It’s about people having attributes they’re good at and bad at, right?”

When I interjected, Hedda replied, “Correct.”

“For example, I had good compatibility with the Earth Attribute, so when I was an Adventurer, I mainly used the Earth Attribute. But conversely, I had poor compatibility with the Wind Attribute. As long as you use Magic Power, such strengths and weaknesses are bound to arise.”

—For example, I can use magic of all attributes, but even among them, I have strengths and weaknesses. Although, I forcibly raised all attributes through training.

“Well, even if you’re not good at it, if you train, you can use magic at the same level as your strong attributes. However, when fusing the Power of the Four Spirits, it’s not that simple.”

“You have to be good at all of them?”

Sofia’s question. Hedda immediately nodded.

“In my case, I simply couldn’t fuse Wind Power… That’s why, Sofia. The ability to fuse a Spirit’s Power is very rare. Moreover, that method would undoubtedly become a powerful weapon.”

“If we were to start training now, how long would it take to complete?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t know. But since you’re already fusing power at this stage, I don’t think it would take decades… However, since there’s no precedent, I can’t say anything more.”

“Is that so…?”

“Well, it’s not good to give up before you even try. Let’s try it first.”

“Yes… here?”

“There’s a place like a Training Ground, so we’ll move there.”

Along with Hedda’s words, we stood up and moved. Sofia had a stern expression, as if wondering if she could really do it, but Hedda seemed to have found some potential in her.

Whether Sofia’s technique could be used in a real battle… that seemed to depend on how Hedda saw it.