Chapter 169: Stew


    I spoon some food into my mouth. Its some meat stew that the Innkeeper raves about  hes so proud his wife can make this meal. To be fair, it is pretty good. Almost excellent, Id say. The one thing that ruins my foodie experience is the stares of mypanions. Im not sure they are happy to have left Marcuss tower. Or maybe, they are upset for a different reason


    Yep, I spent three days since the first duels holed up in my room practicing magic. And I have not been practicing for future fights. Nope, Im <em>this </em>close to finishing the guide for the radiation  that, instead, is done. Now, I can kind of shoot gamma rays with solid control. <em>That</em> earned me a lot of levels and a new ss. But now, one of the most challenging parts of this journey is in front of me.


    Joey, are you ok? Stan asks.


    Me? Sure, why do you ask Stanimal?


    Because you havent shown yourself in three days after decapitating a man.


    Thats Princess Laura for you.


    Stuff happens, I shrug while putting more food into my mouth. If you want me to be a good husband for the Princess, I need to buckle up and start cutting heads, no?


    Im closer and closer to the bowl of stew, trying to fish out some weird veggies with this pathetically useless spoon. This spoon is t; how can a person use such a thing to


    You havent taught me anything these days, I hear Domiti say.


    She followed us here, but I have not taught her much so far.


    Meh, did you figure out the first 23 Cantrips with the methods I taught you?


    She shakes her head.


    When you do, we can go ahead with the rest. Until then


    I slurp the soup loudly from the t spoon.


    The duels have been scheduled for tomorrow, Lucillus says.


    As usual, straight to the point. Thats what I like about the man.


    Thats good. I need to go back to Amorium to take care of Antoninuss mother. I have the solution now.


    Also, I need some time to consolidate my sses into something else. So far, Ive had [Researcher], [Teacher], and my upgraded ss. But they are not bing one thing yet. I need to progress my research on magic and my teaching Domiti. Sadly, it will take time. A lot of time. And for now, Im stuck with these idiotic duels. Although, Im reticent to say Im actually starting to regret my antics with Princess Laura, Stanimal, and this whole farce. The more time I spend in this world


    Many are angry at you for killing that [Pyromancer]. Tomorrow, some will ask you to duel to the death, Joey, Laura says.


    I slowly exhale.


    It is something I had considered.


    Not just Elves, I bet. Some other races too?


    Theres a half-giant and a Foxman who are particrly angry with you  they are both first disciples of the [Archmages] here. Also, Adriana is technically part of your generation, even if shes much older than you. You embarrassed her, and shes going to gun for you as well. And considering your scorn for [Archmage] Marcus, thats another bridge you burned.


    Good.


    Good?! Ancestor, can you tell him how <em>good </em>his decisions are?!


    I raise my head toward Stan, and when our gazes cross, even if its for just a second, I can see all the years that have gone over his body. Hes tired. Not like I am. We are two different breeds of tired. He has just done too much. I am simply not doing enough.


    Its different.


    Joey has to win the duels. Thats my one condition. If he believes that diplomacy with certain subjects is useless, let him be.


    But Ancestor! Even the pce must respect [Archmages]!


    Id like to say something mean, something angry. Im really not in the mood to discuss what her royal family has been up to since they rose to power. And Im not interested in hearing whos doing what and whos been doing what for how long. But I also know better. Lauras worried, and shes right. Im making lots of enemies with my antics. But Im also


    Vespasianus used to say that great people shouldnt take offense in small acts. Joey mocked Marcus, but he did it rightfully so. Marcus set him up and provided that [Pyromancer] with a powerful wand. He might have crafted that weapon himself, actually. And Joey confronted him.


    Its going to be tough, Lucillus said.


    Ill need to show these rascals some good ol discipline, I smile at everyone else. And if [Archmage] Marcus wants to mess with me  or Titus  they are wee to try. But if Marcus believes that Adriana scares me just because shes a Dragon, hes wrong. Oh, by the way, how many [Archmages] are there at the academy, again?


    Everyone stops at my stream of words, pondering for a second what Ive just said. Im not boasting, to be honest. Im pretty confident I can fry Adrianas brain if I need to. Not that I <em>want </em>to. But I wont let a bunch of bullies kill me just because, either. Sure, the prospect of ughter is not the most ideal


    Officially, seven [Archmages]. Two towers are still vacant. No one had managed to conquer them over the past centuries. They are famous for being [Archmage] killers. And thats because, apparently, three [Archmages] tried to force their way up to one of the towers, even though its against the academy rules, and they all <em>died</em>.


    Wait. There are two vacant towers? I ask, confused. Im pretty sure they already exined some of this stuff, but I have 100% forgotten.


    If you conquer a tower, you be an [Archmage] of the Nine Towers Academy, Stan exins while stroking his silvery beard.


    Right, where did I hear this again?


    <strong><em>I told you. </em></strong>


    Right.


    Whatever.