The presence of Aurelius Valemorth filled the hall in a way that was difficult to explain.
He didn't need to raise his voice or display power. Simply being there already created a sense of weight in the environment, as if the air itself recognized who he was.
For a few seconds, no one said anything.
The archmage observed us with calm attention, analyzing every detail. His blue eyes seemed to see far beyond superficial appearances.
At last, he turned his gaze directly to me.
"Takumi."
He pronounced my name as if he had known it for a long time.
I nodded.
"Yes."
Aurelius lightly rested his staff on the ground.
"The request sent by the guild of Vailor mentioned your victory against one of the demon generals."
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"Looks like the news spread quickly."
The archmage gave her a brief glance, but showed no surprise.
"Some news deserves to travel quickly."
He looked back at me.
"Especially when it involves someone defeating a general."
For a moment, I felt that he already knew more than what had been written in the letter.
I took a deep breath.
There was no reason to go in circles.
I reached for the sheath of the sword at my waist.
The sound of metal sliding echoed softly through the hall as I drew the blade.
The light coming through the windows reflected on the steel.
Aurelius watched the movement with interest.
I extended the sword so he could see it better.
"It was because of this."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Explain."
I held the sword firmly.
"During the battle against the Fourth General, something happened."
The memories of that moment came back immediately.
The pressure of the fight.
The feeling that I wouldn't be able to win.
And then...
"The sword reacted."
Liriel added calmly.
"A golden armor of energy appeared around his body."
Elara nodded.
"It was an extremely intense manifestation of mana."
Rai'kanna added with a small smile.
"And also extremely useful."
Aurelius listened to everything without interrupting.
His eyes returned to the blade.
"Continue."
I took a deep breath.
"The problem is that I don't know how to use that power."
Silence filled the hall again.
Aurelius walked a few steps closer.
His proximity made the calm aura he carried even more evident. There was no hostility or judgment in his expression.
Only curiosity.
He observed the sword for a few seconds.
Then he looked back at me.
"So you came to the Arcane City seeking answers."
I nodded.
"Yes."
I held the sword upright again.
"I need to learn how to control my mana."
Lyannis tilted her head.
"Preferably before he destroys something by accident."
Rai'kanna let out a quiet laugh.
Elara maintained a serious posture.
"If Takumi doesn't master this power, he may become unstable."
Liriel added,
"And the Arcane City has the best mages in the world."
Aurelius listened to all the comments patiently.
Then he spoke to me again.
"You came to me."
I nodded once more.
"Yes."
That was the crucial moment.
I took a small leather pouch from my belt.
The weight of the gold coins could be clearly felt as I placed it on the nearby table.
"We received fifty thousand gold coins as a reward from the elves."
Aurelius looked at the pouch without any reaction.
I continued.
"I'm willing to pay for the training."
Lyannis raised an eyebrow.
Rai'kanna crossed her arms, waiting for the response.
Elara and Liriel remained silent.
Vespera watched everything with the same calm attention as always.
The archmage first looked at the pouch of coins.
Then at me.
For a few seconds, he remained completely still.
Then something unexpected happened.
Aurelius started to laugh.
It wasn't a loud or exaggerated laugh.
It was calm.
Almost amused.
Lyannis blinked twice.
"That's not exactly the reaction I was expecting."
Rai'kanna also seemed surprised.
Aurelius rested one hand on his staff as the laughter faded.
He shook his head slightly.
"Gold coins."
He looked again at the pouch on the table.
"Do you really believe I would accept money to teach something like this?"
I remained silent for a moment.
I hadn't considered any other possibility.
Elara seemed thoughtful.
Liriel observed the archmage's reaction with curiosity.
Aurelius walked slowly to the table.
With a simple gesture, he pushed the pouch of coins back toward me.
"Put that away."
I obeyed.
He looked at me again.
This time, his gaze seemed even more interested.
"The reason I accepted the request for entry was not money."
Lyannis tilted her head.
"Then what was it?"
The archmage subtly pointed to the sword still in my hands.
"That."
Liriel seemed to realize something at that moment.
"The sword?"
Aurelius nodded.
"Weapons that awaken power on their own are not common."
He took another step.
"Especially when they choose their wielder."
The hall fell silent once again.
I felt the weight of his words.
The sword.
The golden armor.
All of it was still a mystery to me.
The archmage then asked a simple question.
"Takumi."
I raised my eyes.
"Yes."
He rested his staff on the ground once more.
"Do you truly want to learn how to control that power?"
The answer came without hesitation.
"I do."
Aurelius remained silent for a few seconds.
Then a small smile appeared on his face again.
"I think this could be interesting."
The atmosphere in the room shifted slightly.
It was as if something important had just begun.
And at that moment, I realized something clearly.
The real training hadn't even started yet.