Chapter Ten: A Joke!

The clown recited spells in earnest, waving his wand as if he were a studious child reciting a lesson in front of an ordinary mirror—occasionally glancing at the small slip of paper in his hand. He looked just like the most awkward first-year student being tested on basic spells. The brilliance from his wand and the wailing, tormented evil spirit in the mirror formed a striking contrast.

Amid the flickering lights, everyone stared wide-eyed at the stage, frozen in disbelief, wondering if they were dreaming. Like them, Rufield gripped his hair tightly, questioning his own reality.

“This must be a nightmare spell! It must be! Ha... ha ha ha...”

The exorcism incantations came faster and faster, the white phoenix flashing like a light bulb, almost too quick for anyone to react. When the white phoenix flickered for the seventh time, the examiner finally came to his senses, grabbing Louis’s wand firmly. “Mr. Louis, enough! That’s enough!”

But the spell chanting did not cease until it was nearly complete, cutting off abruptly. The evil spirit in the mirror, fleeing in panic, ran out of the mirrored world’s house—its whereabouts unknown.

‘Is that even possible? Next time, I’ll need to find a way to keep it from escaping. Sealed evil spirits like this are rare, even with a lantern.’

Louis glanced at the narration, noting “Exorcism Spell lv2,” and pulled himself back from his thoughts. Amid hundreds of stupefied gazes, he straightened his posture once more.

Just as when he first stepped onto the stage, he saluted every direction of the audience with impeccable composure. But this time, no one laughed.

A deathly silence.

“Ladies and gentlemen.” In that silence, Louis spoke the ‘joke’ he often told whenever ‘Louis VI’ was mocked: “Knowledge is a beacon; its power far surpasses that of any spell.”

“This has always been my guiding principle. I thank my mentor, who did not abandon this stubborn student but instead tailored her guidance to my needs. Together, we created a miracle!”

“I don’t believe I’m a dud. My previous teachers’ methods were simply a bit misguided...”

[Though your mentor is far away, the local professors’ opinion of you has diminished upon hearing such words.]

[However, their interest in Osycris has soared—even to the point of astonishment!]

[As you wished, you made a spectacular impression by unconventional means, skillfully shifting responsibility to your teacher—making your brilliance seem plausible.]

[Osycris will take on this responsibility (though you may need to explain later).]

[Your cheating means you failed the assessment, but surely there’ll be a retest to silence doubters. If you succeed in two months, you might even teach as a “Lecturer.”]

[As for Osycris—her teaching methods have been proven by your performance. Perhaps, after this, her mentor, Dean Oliver, will grant her the position she previously applied for: Director of Yordel Academy’s Teaching Department.]

Lines of narration appeared before Louis, but he barely glanced at them. He saluted the audience again and left the stage.

It was time to leave—the performance was finished, the responsibility shifted to Osycris. Now he could retreat, keeping his achievements and fame hidden.

As Louis slowly descended from the stage, the audience blushed deep red, the silence absolute.

The ‘joke’ told by ‘Louis VI’ had been repeated countless times over the past six years. These words, much like the famous sayings of Konyiji, had spread as jokes, making Osycris and her student’s names widely known.

But this time, no one could laugh. The attendees flushed in embarrassment, feeling as if Louis’s words were slapping their faces, making them wish to flee the mortifying scene.

Suddenly, crisp applause broke the silence in the hall—it was Osycris.

Clearly, matters were not over; Osycris delivered the final blow. Her sharp, clear applause resounded like slaps, landing hard on the faces of those who came for entertainment.

Some nobles covered their faces.

A minister’s crystal orb shattered in his arms, causing him to flee in terror.

With Osycris’s applause, several branch deans who had attended rose and applauded. Soon, everyone in the hall slowly stood, offering enthusiastic applause.

The professors’ and deans’ applause was genuine, but the scene was painfully awkward! The nobles, hearing the applause, knew it was a professor’s mockery, but they had no choice but to stand, forcing awkward smiles and blushing as they clapped along.

But nobles are nobles; before long, some thick-skinned ones adjusted their attitudes, pretending nothing had happened, stepping off the stage with the deans to ingratiate themselves with Osycris. Today’s nobles were opportunists. They knew that after today, Osycris would surely enjoy the academy’s strong support.

The attitude of the deans and professors was proof—they hadn’t laughed from start to finish, and in the end, applauded enthusiastically. Clearly, Osycris had given them a reason to support her—she was qualified to remain at the academy!

Or rather, today’s demonstration by Osycris proved she had every right to stay. No more gossip, and the academy need not bear the weight of public opinion—after all, the princess marrying into the Dragon Clan was politically correct!

The Saint Oak Wizards are the world’s most renowned white wizards. Even the Witch Queen must bow respectfully and address Dean Oliver as “teacher.”

Now everything was proper. With Saint Oak Academy’s protection, Osycris had secured her life. As Sorrento’s most important heir, if she could stay safely in the kingdom, everyone understood what that meant for the future.

The throne would be hers sooner or later, so the nobles’ attitudes changed at once.

Osycris had overcome her ordeal today. When the deans looked at Osycris and Louis, their eyes shone with admiration.

The professors were greatly surprised by today’s events; Louis’s handling of the evil spirit was astonishing!

Many professors saw the truth—he tricked the evil spirit, lured it into planting a nightmare seed in his mind, then sealed himself off and repeatedly cast exorcism spells on the seed, making the “invincible” mirror demon riddled with flaws!

Mr. Stuart was indeed formidable, but to true wizards, once sealed, it was like a neutered kitten!

But Louis faced not only the evil spirit, but also interference from those sent by the Witch Queen’s faction to watch the spectacle. Yet he remained steady. In contrast, the professors’ favorites, Rufield and Terris, faltered under pressure.

No doubt! Today, those present witnessed a true, composed, and calm wizard!

And a genuine wizard, even if he knows only one spell, possesses limitless power—because he wields the power of knowledge!

This is the true wizard!

How many years has it been since generations of wizards truly settled down, quietly studying?

Today’s youth are too impatient! They dare step onto the stage without recognizing an evil spirit, dare use ‘Puppeteer’ or ‘Soul Reversal’ without grasping basic theory!

Once mocked as a bookworm, Louis VI now seemed to professors a case of slow accumulation—his knowledge was sufficient to earn the title of Saint Oak Scholar! (Though a Saint Oak Scholar is far below a Forbidden University Scholar.)

A scholar... This is a true wizard. Those who know spells but lack knowledge are mere magicians!

Indeed, the spell was not his—it was written by Osycris—but his performance today was more than enough!

Of course, if he could craft such a spell, that would warrant serious inquiry... However, he did not appear to be possessed by an external soul.

The professors felt a hint of regret; sometimes an external soul occupies a corpse—such a specimen would be invaluable for research!

Yet today, the most impressive was Osycris—the exorcism spell was exquisite, already at a master’s level!

Astounding!

As for claims that Louis created the spell... No one believed it. The white phoenix was Osycris’s symbol!

What wizard could write a spell representing another’s emblem? Likely only Dean Oliver.

This was beyond everyone’s understanding, clearly Osycris’s work.

It seemed Osycris truly intended to devote herself to magical study—this spell alone would secure her place in the history of magic.

Osycris herself was deeply shocked.

The spell was superb, its author’s skills remarkably high! The only person she could imagine capable was Dean Oliver!

Who gave Louis this spell? Or did he write it himself?

For now, Osycris could only swallow these questions and accept the responsibility Louis shifted upon her, not forgetting to flatter her own teacher, Dean Oliver—even though the little Yordel had yet to arrive.

But he would hear of it.

“Knowledge, everyone, knowledge.” Osycris smiled at the professors beside her. “Nowadays, few of the new generation devote themselves to knowledge as their elders did. I have always remembered Professor Oliver’s teachings and upheld his principles. Louis—cough, I mean, over these six years, Louis has built a solid foundation, and today’s performance shows the fruit of that preparation.”

Like the professors, Osycris lavished praise on her student, Louis, as if she had always personally guided him, not simply let him roam free.

Ah, what a hypocrite.

Regardless, Louis’s small contribution fulfilled the wish Osycris had made to her idol—to help her remain in the academy.

After today, with the recognition and support of the academic faction, Osycris would begin to firmly establish herself at Saint Oak Academy, nurturing her own vibrant growth.

Louis, too.

He discovered his presence had surpassed sixty! This seemed to mean he was finally putting down roots in the academy.

Just as he was about to peruse his storybook and check his rewards, a voice interrupted his thoughts.