Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Genius Girl from the Royal Capital

Carl felt as though he had slept for a century. He gazed in bewilderment at the people gathered around his bed.

“Lysa, you’ve come back? Does that mean you’ve fulfilled the wager and crafted a second-tier magical artifact of perfect quality?” Ignoring Selena and Nelson, Carl’s face broke into a rare smile the moment he saw his daughter.

“I’m about to finish it, but even if I do, I wouldn’t come back! You idiot, take better care of yourself from now on!” Lysa couldn’t help but curse, then turned and left without looking back, as if afraid her tears might be seen.

Carl, still confused, looked at the two remaining in the room. “What’s going on? How did I end up here?”

Selena rolled her eyes and left as well, leaving Nelson to explain the situation with a bitter smile.

Selena, intrigued by the exchange between Lysa and Carl, followed Lysa as she departed the viscount’s manor.

Lysa had thought Selena was merely leaving, but when she realized she was being followed, she stopped in her tracks.

“Miss Selena, forgive me—I haven’t had a chance yet to thank you for your help.” Lysa gave a polite bow.

Selena replied haughtily, “Hmph, there’s no need for thanks. I simply want to see what kind of artifact you can produce.”

Selena was a proud mage; having become a third-tier mage at sixteen, she considered herself the most intelligent in the Kingdom of Elno. She had studied magical artifacts as well, but even as a third-tier mage, she could only produce second-tier artifacts of exceptional quality.

When she heard that Lysa, whose strength was inferior to hers, could make a second-tier artifact of perfect quality, she couldn’t help feeling some dissatisfaction.

“Miss Selena, you’re interested in magical artifacts too? Let me take you there. My workshop is a bit messy, though—I hope you won’t mind.” Lysa’s eyes dimmed as she spoke of her workshop.

She used to have Ella by her side; now, she was alone.

“Hey, don’t be so glum. I’m not asking you to give me anything as a token of thanks. I just want to take a look,” Selena said, thinking Lysa had misunderstood her and putting on a sour face.

Lysa didn’t explain. She summoned a carriage.

The two barely spoke on the way—Lysa, her mood heavy over Ella’s death, and Selena, unwilling to break the silence first.

The carriage entered the slums, and they arrived at Lysa’s workshop.

“Damn, I left in such a hurry I forgot to lock the door, and I don’t know where Chu Yun is now.” Lysa quickly opened the door.

Fortunately, everything was as it should be. No foolish thief had dared to break in; only the flying wings were missing.

On the table lay a note and the hide of a second-tier Thunderwater Ray—Chu Yun had brought it last night.

“Your improvements to the flying wings are impressive, but there are still some details that need work…”

“…I’ll take the current flying wings for now; I’ve left the materials for you. When you have time, follow my design and make me two flying wings—the rest is yours.”

“I’m staying at the Mage Hostel for now; in a few days, I might move into the Mage Academy apartments. I heard your family is having some trouble, so wait until you’ve sorted everything out before getting in touch. —Chu Yun”

“Who is this Chu Yun?” Selena asked, frowning, sensing a certain professionalism in the note.

Lysa didn’t hide anything and explained how Chu Yun had been guiding her.

“I see, so that’s it,” Selena said, feeling a bit better. Being bested by a woman her own age would have left her very disgruntled. As for a man a few years older, she had no interest in competing—after all, a wise woman doesn’t challenge a man.

“Sorry, Miss Selena, it looks like you won’t be able to see the artifact today.” Lysa put away the note and turned to Selena.

But Selena was already entranced by other artifacts in the workshop. “This artifact… let me take a look—I’ll give you some advice.”

Lysa’s eyes brightened. She was never the type to work in isolation; she’d always wanted someone to research alongside her, but circumstances had prevented it. Now, meeting Selena—a master of alchemy equal to herself—the two quickly found common ground.

Selena was somewhat aloof, but Lysa didn’t mind; her own personality had once been no better. She understood that Selena was, at heart, a good person.

Selena, in turn, was captivated by Lysa’s unconventional ideas. Though her fundamentals were far stronger than Lysa’s, innovation often depended most on creativity and inspiration. Lysa’s inventions sparked many new thoughts; their friendship deepened swiftly.

In the capital, Selena was a favored daughter of the heavens, but true friends were rare. Most people approached her with ulterior motives. As a mage who studied mind, spirit, and soul, she could sense Lysa’s genuine goodwill—perhaps, she thought, they could become friends.

Sometimes, the friendship between women arises quickly and mysteriously.

“Well, I’m interested in the flying wings too. Chu Yun’s requirements are a bit troublesome—it’ll take a lot of time…”

“Miss Selena, could you help me? Let’s work together to finish this project as soon as possible. The deadline for my wager with my father is almost here,” Lysa invited, having figured out Selena’s temperament.

“Don’t worry—with me here, we’ll make it in time. But I want to build a bigger flying wing—one that can carry two people.”

“Double flight? That sounds great. I’ll secretly have all the other Thunderwater Ray hides from the viscount’s manor brought over. Hehe.”

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Chu Yun had no idea how his flying wings would be transformed with Selena’s involvement; meanwhile, he was facing a bit of trouble.

Having previously declined Anna’s invitation to dinner, Chu Yun didn’t refuse when she proposed having lunch together this time.

The Star Tree Café was a high-end establishment run by elves, renowned not just for its elegant ambiance and high-quality coffee from the elven forests, but also for its delicious fruit salads.

The Star Tree Café was owned by the Clover Adventurers, and because of some connection between Clover and the Lady of the City, few dared cause trouble there.

The prices were steep, filtering out most low-end clientele. Anna, a second-tier mage, was usually poor compared to other mages, but for this first meal with Chu Yun, she naturally chose a good place.

All seemed well—until the man at the neighboring table caught sight of Anna, and things became complicated.

“Anna, who is this man?” The man’s expression was unfriendly, emotions running high.

“Cassido, he’s my friend, and also a newly registered second-tier mage at the Mage Guild—Chu Yun.” Anna then turned to Chu Yun. “Chu Yun, Cassido was my teacher’s first student. He’s just my senior.”