A Wager

"Y-Y-You became a Second Circle Mage!?"

Elira questioned as her finger that was pointing at Kael trembled without stopping.

Kael, who already expected such a reaction, grinned.

He even went a step ahead, formed two Fireballs that orbited around him, and Elira could feel her life being ruined right in front of her eyes.

Kael continued to smile like a demon whose plans had succeeded and then, in a jovial tone, he questioned,

"You haven't forgotten the bet, have you?"

Elira's body jerked at the question.

Kael's grin widened as he approached Elira, recalling what happened four days ago.

…

"Why can I not form my second Circle?"

Kael questioned with a frown on his face as he glanced at Elira.

By now, he had been here for three days, and in these three days, he had met quite a lot of people. Some of them were also Second Circle Mages, and almost all the new Second Circle Mages he met had 20-21 Mana, while Kael, who had 22, still couldn't form his Second Circle.

"I am sure I have enough Mana to form the Second Circle, so why can't I do it? Is there something I am missing?"

"Haah? You think it is that easy to become a Second Circle Mage and study Magic?"

Elira, who was busy reading her book, snapped at his question. The man was already learning his third First Circle Spell on the third day of his training, and he still wanted more!?

A show-off through and through!

"Mana Quantity and Mana Density are two different concepts. You might have enough Mana to form the Second Circle, but your Mana Density isn't there yet.

Once it is, you will naturally be able to form the Second Circle."

Elira answered, trying to calm herself down and continue their lecture, but then,

"How do I raise my Mana Density?"

"You didn't read the book I gave you, did you?"

"I did not get the time."

Kael's answer was simple, and against that, Elira couldn't say anything. Even she knew how packed Kael's schedule was. 

Not to mention she was here to teach him anyway, he needed no book. 

"You meditate."

Elira answered.

"I am meditating, every night."

Kael replied, and a vein popped out on Elira's head. Still, she kept her calm and replied.

"You meditate, patiently."

"Yes, I meditate pa-"

"You meditate, patiently, for years!"

"Years...? But that's to-"

Elira finally lost it. 

"A Mage is a noble profession that requires years of practice, study, and patience! Some people need years to reach the level of a Second Circle Mage, while some talented ones can do it within a year. 

Even the most talented mage needed a month before her Mana was dense enough to become a Second Circle Mage,

And you say you are being patient when you have just started learning magic theories for three days!?

You call this patience!?

Even someone like you would at least need two weeks before you can become a Second Circle Mage."

"Two weeks…?"

Kael raised his eyebrow.

"What? You think you can do it faster than that?"

"Hm? I don't thin-"

"Then how about we make a wager?"

Elira proposed, her eyes shimmering slyly.

"A wager…? As in a bet?"

"That is what the word means, dumbass."

"What are the conditions?"

Kael questioned, and hearing that question, Elira smiled like a sinister demon.

"If you are unable to form your Second Circle within two weeks, you shall become my personal maid for an entire day.

You will stay with me all day, dress as a maid, do whatever a maid does, and,"

The Mage smirked mischievously and continued,

"Every time you speak, you need to make sure you praise me in a sentence or two, no matter who or how many people are around us."

Kael stared at this crazy woman in silence.

Elira, who saw the look on his face, grinned.

"What? Scared?"

Kael's mouth twitched. 

He, however, didn't lose his control.

He remembered Instructor Tharian's lectures, 'always keep your calm and try to find your advantage in any situation.

Then crush the crazy woman in front of you!'

Yes, he added the last part on his own.

"And what if I win?"

Kael questioned.

"Heh, you won't."

Elira waved her hand confidently.

Kael, however, smirked and then,

"Let's keep it the same.

If I win, you will become my maid, who will follow me around for an entire day.

And of course, every time you speak, make sure only praises about me come from your mouth, okay?

I am quite excited to see you praise me in front of your brother."

Kael smiled. His smirk was even more demonic than Elira's.

Elira was taken aback for a moment. Soon, however, she found her confidence, and then she laughed out loud.

"As if you are going to win,

Hahahahaha!"

…

"Hahaha… Haha… ha…"

Elira laughed awkwardly.

'H-He actually did it…

That makes no sense! Even she needed an entire month to break through!'

Elira's world was falling apart. 

Right now, however, she had another, much more important thing to worry about.

"K-Kael, m-my most t-talented student, there is no need to take things t-this far, is there? You know your instructor only did it so she could push you to your fullest potential, right?"

"Hmmmm? Is the Royal Court Mage Elira going back on her word?"

Kael leaned forward and questioned.

"T-That's not it. I am simply saying it is unnecessary."

"How can that be? How can the Royal Court Mage Elira's words be unnecessary? Do you realize how many people, including me, idealize you?"

"No, y-you don't understand. I am the Court Mage, I cannot stay with you for an entire day, I have duties that I need to fulfill-"

"You still haven't used this month's leave, so you do not have to worry about that."

Kael smiled lightly, and Elira widened her eyes in disbelief.

"How did you know that?"

Kael stared at Althea, who stood a few meters away, and smiled.

"I have my ways."

Elira, who understood what he meant, turned towards Althea with a shocked look on her face.

"Althea, how could you…?"

"…"

The Almoner of Services didn't reply.

She had no intention of becoming part of the banter between the two fools.

"Althea…"

Seeing how she blatantly ignored her, Elira was even more shocked. Then, she slowly turned towards Kael and,

"You aren't going to back down, are you?"

"Not a chance."

Kael answered with a smile, and Elira clenched her fists, her face twitching nonstop.

"I'll make you regret it, show-off."

"Mind your manners, Maid."