Bethel smiled and chatted with Fors for a bit, mainly to gauge her current sequence and grasp of mystical knowledge, while addressing some of her long-standing questions.
After getting a sense of her situation, Bethel offered a few words of advice. "In a few days, I'll come to take you to the Abraham family's main residence for training. Your foundation in mysticism is quite weak... you'll need to catch up."
Fors' face flushed... not from anything else but sheer embarrassment. Despite Bethel's gentle tone, his words laid bare the fact that she was, essentially, a poor student.
It couldn't be helped. Fors had only been a Beyonder for a few years, most of that time as a rogue one. Only recently had she found a teacher in Dorian.
Even then, the Abraham family's dire situation meant Dorian couldn't provide systematic mystical training. He taught her the essentials and encouraged self-study, but expecting Fors to have a deep grasp of mystical knowledge under those conditions was unrealistic.
In front of Mr. Door, her mystical foundation was practically that of a failing student, prompting his instinct to give her intensive tutoring.
"I'll study hard and won't let you down," Fors said earnestly, pushing past her embarrassment.
She meant it. Though she was a slacker, Fors wasn't one to let opportunities slip through her fingers. Otherwise, she wouldn't have become an angel in the original story.
"I believe you," Bethel replied with a nod.
At that moment, Alaric chimed in. "That's the spirit. Let's hope you bring that same determination to your writing deadline in a week."
Fors froze, a bolt of realization hitting her like lightning.
Wait, so even while studying mysticism, I still have to meet my writing deadlines?
"What else did you expect?" Alaric asked, smiling as he raised an eyebrow.
Fors' confidence deflated instantly. She instinctively looked to Mr. Door for help.
"Sorry, Fors. I'm afraid I can't help you with this one," Bethel said, offering a slightly apologetic smile.
So even Mr. Door can't stand up to the great demon king Lucifer?
Fors felt her vision darken, already picturing her grim future.
"It's fine. It's just studying mysticism and writing at the same time. I believe you can handle it," Alaric said, giving her shoulder a mock-encouraging pat.
I don't think I can. I can't do this… Fors thought, the words stuck in her throat. She didn't dare voice them, instead muttering weakly, "Could I maybe request a deadline extension?"
"Sorry, no can do," Alaric replied, shaking his head with a gentle smile.
Fors collapsed, sprawling across the table like a dead fish, muttering under her breath about "being doomed," "how can I possibly manage this," and "I just want to be a slacker!"
"Lucifer…" Bethel began, looking like he wanted to say something but hesitating.
"You could exempt her from the mysticism lessons," Alaric suggested with a smile.
Bethel immediately fell silent. Truth be told, he was quite pleased with Fors. Her refusal to become his student out of loyalty to Dorian only made him like her more.
Someone who wouldn't abandon their teacher despite such a tempting offer was truly dependable... someone who could become a pillar of the Abraham family, perhaps even its backbone if something happened to him.
As for the formalities of mentorship, Bethel didn't care about titles.
But precisely because of this, he couldn't accept Fors' weak foundation in mysticism. In this world, staying out of mystical affairs was one thing, but once involved, knowledge could literally mean the difference between life and death.
In other worlds, "knowledge is power" might be a metaphor. Here, it was a literal truth, manifesting in battles and perilous situations.
So, the lessons were non-negotiable!
Bethel could only give Fors an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, my dear. I'll prepare some energy-restoring potions for you. If you make full use of your nights, balancing both shouldn't be too hard."
His voice was gentle, but the content was devilish.
"…Thank you, Mr. Door," Fors managed, forcing a smile while her eyes screamed defeat.
She had a sinking feeling that she, Fors Wall... the ultimate slacker, the queen of procrastination, the ruler of dawdling, and a chronic lazybones... was about to bid farewell to her carefree days and become a 24/7 workaholic.
Is this the price of being chosen by an angel?
Fors was on the verge of tears, silently agreeing with a certain emperor's famous saying: there's no such thing as a free lunch.
"Alright, let her process this reality in peace. Let's not disturb her," Alaric said, shaking his head at Fors' despairing expression.
Bethel didn't object. After half a second of thought, he snapped his fingers.
Snap...
Fors blinked, startled, as a small box appeared, floating half an arm's length in front of her.
"I almost forgot... this is a welcome gift for you," Bethel said with a smile.
"This… you're too kind," Fors said, flustered, not expecting such a gesture.
"Isn't it normal for old man like me to give a gift to a new generation?" Bethel replied with a chuckle. He didn't give gifts to just any junior, but Fors had won his favor, and a touch of guilt prompted the gesture.
Bethel added, "Why don't you open it?"
Fors quickly grabbed the box and carefully opened it. Inside was a stunning necklace, crafted from white gold and adorned with several high-quality gemstones. It was so beautiful she couldn't look away.
It's gorgeous!
"Each gemstone on this necklace has a special function…" Bethel explained. His gift to a favored student wasn't just decorative... it was a versatile Beyonder item combining escape, defense, and attack capabilities, an upgraded version of the stone necklace Fors had once used, but far more durable and not a one-time use item.
***
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