System vs Rebirth

The middle-aged magician stepped up first. "You have visited El-Alanca at least once, right, my lord?"

"Indeed." Noel nodded, remembering the time he visited the academy with Rose.

"I am one of the professors at the El-Alanca Academy. And it seems that one of my students has become your guide for a while."

"One of your students?" Noel recalled two people who had become his guides. So, he didn't know which one was his student.

"Yes. He goes by the name Sharkan. After his meeting with you, he asked me about the origin of the spirits. Does every single person have a spirit in their body? If that is the case, won't the world feel like it's fair to everyone but unfair because we're limited by the conversion rate?" 

Noel maintained his poker face, but he indeed had this name. He was the one suggesting that the spirits lived in everyone, but most of them couldn't awaken them.

"But why would you be the one telling me this?" Noel frowned. If he remembered it correctly, Sharkan should have asked him to use this topic as his thesis, meaning that this teacher might be trying to use it for his own purpose.

That was when the middle-aged man took out a small book from the handbag, handing it to Noel.

Title: Spirit Manifestation Theory

Author: Sharkan, Dr. Gran

Inspired by: Noel Ardagan

"Hmm?" Noel opened the book. And the opening of the book instantly made him understand the entire thing.

'The Spirit Manifestation Theory introduces the concept of the fairness of the spirits residing in everyone's body, but also the unfairness of one's talent in awakening it. This work is inspired by Noel Ardagan.'

'Dr. Gran' in the book was none other than the man before him. 

Noel couldn't help but ask, "Where is he?"

"He is currently handling his graduation ceremony. And since my job there was done, I took the opportunity to see the man who proposed such a wonderful idea. He said he wanted to meet you once he graduated." 

"Hmm…" Noel examined his face and found no lies. Even the Affection Medal gave him similar information.

Name: Gran

Affection: Admiration (60/100)

Description: Hold dear admiration for your contribution. 

"So, Mr. Gran. Why do you visit this place? Since you came through the migration route, you should have agreed that you can't leave this place for a while, right?"

"Of course," Gran confirmed without hesitation. "There is no healer who doesn't learn about injuries and sickness. There is no antidote without knowledge about poison. I believe in this principle, and this is also the reason for my visit. You, who have created runes in order for normal people to fight without a spirit, should be a perfect inspiration for my works." 

Noel squinted his eyes. On the one hand, he didn't like that he wanted to take advantage of him. On the other hand, this Gran was quite useful, especially for the mission Ardagan had. 

[Mission: Helping Heisk advance to Humanoid Rank]

[Description: Get a lot of materials that could be used to improve Heisk's ice power.]

[Reward: Spirit Information Part 2]

[Penalty: None.]

In the second mission, he gained knowledge about the fact that the True Spirit Body was either the spirit reaching its peak or they needed to be granted that power by the Spirit God.

And with how Ardagan planned to tell him more about the spirits, he was certain that he could get the third part.

This Spirit Magician, who was researching spirits, would allow him to peek and even trigger a mission, which resulted in more information about spirits.

Noel weighed the pros and cons. If he let him stay here, he could also inform Sharkan to bring more Spirit Magicians in the second batch of migration. This way, he would get a squad of Spirit Magicians that would be able to alleviate a lot of burden from the soldiers' shoulders.

With that thought in mind, Noel said with a disappointed tone, "Still, I have to know what you want from me and what you can do for me. After all, you've only stated your desire, and it doesn't look like it's going to benefit my territory." 

"I know, sir. That's why I came up with a proposal. While I admit that I'm not reliable enough as a combatant, I'm still a Spirit Master. I can help the soldiers with my firepower. Additionally, I can provide some lessons to people whether it's basic knowledge or anything. I am a teacher after all." 

"You don't have any interest in runes?"

"While I do have some interest in it, I don't have any plans to switch my research subject. I will probably ask some questions about runes if it actually benefits my research." He paused for a moment. "I hope that Lord Earl will be kind enough to answer a few of my questions once in a while. You don't have to aid my research since it's not that expensive."

Noel contemplated for a minute before raising three fingers. "I have one question, one condition, and two warnings."

"Please." He understood that Noel would be wary of him.

"Since you're researching Spirit, you should know about Spiritual Energy, right?"

"Indeed. After all, Spiritual Energy appears together with the demons and spirits." 

"I want you to help me with my own research for rune technology. Of course, you'll be paid accordingly. You may use it as funds for your own research."

"I don't have any problem with it." The Spirit Magician nodded without hesitation.

"Then I have to warn you. Everything in this city is still a secret. If I see you spreading information, I'm going to cut you down even if it means offending the Tower Association. Second, I won't have too much time to spare."

"You are the lord of Lounstein, so I understand you have to do everything to protect your territory. You are also the creator of the Rune, so I don't mind waiting as long as I can get my answers eventually."

"Alright." Noel finally agreed to accept him. "For now, I will assign you to a small house. You can use it as your research building as well."

"Thank you very much, Sir." Gran politely bowed his head. While he didn't become Noel's retainer, he still considered Noel his superior.

After that, Noel turned to the female magician and asked, "So, may I know your reason, Miss?" 

The female magician looked at Noel with an emotionless face before saying, "I don't want to be looked down upon by other Spirit Magicians."

Noel tilted his head in confusion. "Sorry? I don't understand."

"Ah, Sir. You may not know her, but she is quite popular among the Spirit Magicians in the Tower Association. She is known as an eccentric battle specialist among the Spirit Magicians… More importantly, she is…" Gran was hesitant and even stopped when the gaze coming from the woman was filled with murderous intent. 

"It's because of this, alright?!" She suddenly raised her arm, revealing everything underneath the robe. 

There were numerous bottles hanging from her clothes. Those bottles varied in size and shape, but because they were made of glass, Noel could clearly see that the bottles were actually empty.

'No, it's not empty. Spiritual Energy?' Noel frowned. "May I know what they are?"

"My Spirit is called Spiritual Wisp. Basically, it's a spirit that can accumulate Spiritual Energy and utilize it in its original shape. It's like the Hard and Soft Approach, but on a larger scale.

"I once aspired to become a powerful Spirit Magician that could fight with a wonderful element, but I ended up with this spirit. Of course, I'm grateful that I have a spirit in my body, so I try to become a Spirit Magician despite my condition. 

"However, my Spiritual Energy doesn't contain elements, which makes other Spirit Magicians best me since their elements end up affecting my pure energy. It's like I'm simply amplifying their power. 

"That's why when I learn about the Runes, I research it to the best of my ability and notice something. The runes are incompatible with elements. It's not that they can't fuse, but the runes have made the pure Spiritual Energy count as an element… a Void Element.

"There is a difference between pure Spiritual Energy and this new Void Element. Pure Spiritual Energy has elements within it, so spark it and you will get a blaze. On the other hand, the rune produced a Void Element, which is a Spiritual Energy that has no elements within it. Even if you torch it, the Spiritual Energy won't flare up. I believe that this is what I need to fight those Spirit Magicians." 

She explained everything she had found as that was the reason she came to Noel. She lowered her head and asked out loud, "Please take me as your disciple. I wish to learn to be the best."

Noel was quite surprised that there was a spirit like that. But when he thought about it, this woman might be more knowledgeable about Spiritual Energy than Gran.

At the same time, he didn't think he could take her as his disciple. It wasn't that she didn't have talent in runes, it was just that her talent was much more focused on the Spiritual Energy, not the Rune itself.

Noel asked, "Since you have researched the runes, can you demonstrate the runes?"

She nodded while raising her hand, trying to form a rune. But as Noel expected, she only managed to form most parts of the rune but was unable to complete it, causing the rune to disappear. 

Even though she never learned from him, it didn't change the fact that she was an established Spirit Magician at the level of a Master. Her control and strength should surpass those of Tristan and others. 

Hence, a few months should be enough for her to at least form one simple rune. 

The fact that she couldn't do it showed her affinity with the runes, which made him unable to accept her as his disciple. 

Noel asked, "In that case, what can you do with those bottles?"

"This…" She scratched the back of her head. "I can't demonstrate it here."

"Why?"

"It's because once I use these bottles, it will cause massive destruction."

Noel then walked to the window and opened it. "In that case, can you demonstrate it outside?" 

"But will it become a problem if I destroy it?"

"It's fine as long as it doesn't destroy the building."

"In that case, I will set up a barrier with my Spiritual Energy once I throw this." She nodded her head and walked to the window.

Noel didn't understand what she meant, but the moment she threw a round bottle, she hurriedly concentrated her Spiritual Energy to protect the building.

As soon as the bottle shattered due to the collision with the ground, the stable Spiritual Energy expanded rapidly, causing a powerful blast. 

Boom!

The building shook for a split second as Noel formed a Spiritual Barrier Rune out of reflex, feeling the true impact of the explosion.

Noel couldn't help but widen his eyes in amusement. He seemed to have underestimated this Spirit Magician. 

"What happened?!" Dimitri suddenly slammed open the door, worried about Noel.

"Oh! We're just testing something. Please tell anyone that we aren't in trouble." Noel made a wry smile, apologetic since he didn't want anyone first.

"Master. Please don't do that to me." Dimitri sighed and left.

Before saying anything to her, Noel turned to Gran, saying, "Sorry, but can you leave us alone?" 

"Yes, Sir." Gran hurriedly left the room. It seemed that she had piqued the lord's interest. 

Noel said, "Honestly, you don't have a high aptitude for runes. Your talent lies in Spiritual Energy, not the rune itself."

Her body shook as if she had expected this reply from Noel, but she was still determined to get stronger.

"However, I have a way that will allow you to fight with runes without learning them directly. In fact, your talent for Spiritual Energy far exceeds that of most people, and you might be able to overpower those who have mastered the runes with this method.

"Though, it's not something known to the public and it's not like I can disclose it to outsiders." Noel smiled as if implying something.

She was smart enough to notice the hint and hurriedly fell on one knee. "If Sir… I mean, if my lord will be kind enough to accept me. I, Felicia, would like to offer my loyalty to you."

This was another path that Noel offered. He wanted her to be his retainer. Although Anna never disclosed the identity of the grandmaster level Spirit Magician, he knew this would be her. Even if she wasn't the person Anna mentioned, Noel didn't mind training her to become one.

"Still, as a Spirit Magician, I need to ask you to help with the rune research. Your knowledge of Spiritual Energy will benefit us very much. In the meantime, I will also arrange your training in wielding runes." 

"Of course. As your subordinate, I shall dedicate my energy to your greatness." 

"In that case, I'm counting on you, Felicia."

"Yes, my lord."

Both of them got the benefits. Noel anticipated Felicia's future and Felicia didn't want to waste his kindness. 

Though, that moving moment couldn't help but get interrupted by Noel's question. "Why do you bring that dangerous stuff here by the way? What if they blow up here?"

"…My apologies."