Chapter 82. Be My Teacher
Surprised.
The moment Nahida saw Dunyarzad, her attention was immediately drawn to her condition.
No one understood Dunyarzad's state better than she did.
Following that mysterious experiment, Dunyarzad's already fragile body had deteriorated even further.
Had Nahida not expended a considerable amount of power to protect her, Dunyarzad would likely have passed away four or five days ago.
That was precisely why Nahida had rushed here the moment she discovered that the power she had left behind had been exhausted.
Dunyarzad was one of her most devout believers. And as an Archon, Nahida could not simply stand by and watch her die.
Yet now, what was she seeing?
Dunyarzad's breathing was stable. The gray-black scales covering portions of her body were gradually fading. In other words, the Eleazar had been suppressed.
How? How had they accomplished this?
Even Nahida herself had never been able to suppress Eleazar to such a degree.
"Do you want to learn?"
Futsu Mitama's voice carried a trace of amusement. Behind his mask, a faint smile appeared.
At present, he had already put the mask back on. It was not because he particularly enjoyed concealing his face.
Rather, they were currently in Sumeru City. No one knew who might pass by or accidentally catch a glimpse of him.
After proving his identity to Dehya earlier, Futsu Mitama had immediately chosen to conceal his appearance once more.
"Interesting."
Still seated on the ground, Nahida looked at him seriously.
"You want to teach the God of Wisdom knowledge?"
Although Nahida often considered herself inexperienced compared to the other Archons, there was one thing she had always been confident about.
Knowledge.
For five hundred years, she had devoted herself almost entirely to learning. No human and no Archon truly understood how she had spent those five centuries.
Sumeru was the Nation of Wisdom.
Through the Akasha, the Akademiya had accumulated an immeasurable amount of knowledge. And Nahida had spent five hundred years studying it.
Not only that, but her intelligence allowed her to draw conclusions and develop ideas far beyond the information she directly learned.
Over the centuries, she had even secretly guided the Akademiya's development.
Though many proposals had been rejected, some suggestions she offered through various Scholars had ultimately been adopted.
Because of this, Nahida retained a certain degree of pride.
No matter what happened, she was still an Archon.
The God of Wisdom.
As for someone claiming they could teach her—Nahida did not even know this person's identity.
Naturally, she found it difficult to believe that he possessed knowledge she lacked.
"Yes."
Futsu Mitama did not deny it. Looking directly at Nahida, he spoke calmly.
"Because this is knowledge you definitely don't possess. If you did, Dunyarzad wouldn't be in such a condition."
He was not exaggerating. If Nahida truly understood how to utilize the power of life, Dunyarzad would never have suffered to this extent.
The power of life could not completely eradicate Eleazar.
However, it could suppress it.
At the very least, it would allow those afflicted to live relatively normal lives instead of enduring constant suffering.
"..."
Nahida fell silent.
The confidence she had felt moments earlier quietly faded away. An Archon who could not even protect her own believer— what right did she have to remain proud?
'She's actually being lectured?'
Dehya's eyes widened slightly. She looked at Futsu Mitama, then at Lesser Lord Kusanali sitting on the ground.
The God of Wisdom was being taught a lesson.
And she was unable to refute a single word.
The scene felt surreal.
Dehya knew that Futsu Mitama was acknowledged as the future Raiden Shogun. In a sense, he could already be regarded as an Archon-level existence.
But if even the future Raiden Shogun could lecture the Dendro Archon in this manner—then what about the current Raiden Shogun?
The thought caused Dehya's expression to become somewhat complicated. For the first time, she found herself viewing Sumeru's future with a measure of pessimism.
Maha Rukkhadevata had long since passed away.
The Akademiya's actions were becoming increasingly questionable.
And the current Archon—the current Archon still seemed far too young.
Sumeru appeared prosperous on the surface. Yet beneath that prosperity, it felt strangely vulnerable.
Dehya's way of thinking had always been straightforward.
Strength was strength.
The strong naturally became stronger.
Wisdom and knowledge were important, but they still required power to protect them.
Now she had personally witnessed the God of Wisdom being subdued.
Not only that, but she was even being taught by another Archon.
To Dehya, an Archon represented a nation's ultimate foundation. If even that foundation appeared unstable—then the nation itself could hardly be considered secure.
For a time, silence settled over the area.
No one spoke.
Meanwhile, Futsu Mitama continued communicating through the group livestream.
[Venti: "Mitama, you're quite cunning. Using Albedo's potion, Zhongli's medicine, and Maha Rukkhadevata's inheritance to guide this young Archon."]
[Raiden Makoto: "So this is the current God of Wisdom? Why does she seem... somewhat lacking in wisdom?"]
[Raiden Ei: "It's not that she's lacking in wisdom. She's simply being overwhelmed in the field she prides herself on most."]
[Guizhong: "I can understand that feeling. If someone surpassed me in mechanical engineering, I would probably fall silent as well."]
[Zhongli: "Generally speaking, that is a reasonable reaction. More importantly, she is still young and inexperienced. More importantly she has never had anyone to properly guide her."]
[Zhongli: "Under such circumstances, her current state is quite understandable."]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "..."]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "Sigh."]
[Cyno: "Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, Lesser Lord Kusanali's situation is special. The Sages have confined her for far too long. As a result, there are many things she simply doesn't know."]
[Cyno: "Please don't be discouraged."]
[Cyno: "Once Lord Futsu Mitama brings her into the group and you personally guide her—I believe Lesser Lord Kusanali will improve very quickly."]
[Futsu Mitama: "Don't call me Lord. Just call me Futsu Mitama. As for titles and formalities, let's forget about them."]
[Aila: "Her strength is very weak. I can sense it."]
[Aila: "If her true body were present, things might become more troublesome. But according to Black Aila, she's still confident she could defeat her."]
[Keqing: "Huh?"]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "This is still an Archon we're talking about—"]
[Azhdaha: "Archons also differ in strength. Being an Archon does not automatically make someone invincible. Both Aila and Black Aila possess extraordinary combat abilities. They have also inherited Archon authority. The power contained within authority is beyond what ordinary people can comprehend."]
[Azhdaha: "When Guizhong was first revived, even her incomplete authority was not something ordinary individuals could resist."]
[Guizhong: "Azdaha? I feel strangely offended."]
[Azhdaha: "Hahaha. In any case, this Dendro Archon is simply too inexperienced. Did the Akademiya truly keep her imprisoned for five hundred years?"]
[Cyno: "..."]
[Eula: "Outrageous. Absolutely outrageous. To imprison an Archon for five hundred years... how arrogant can the Akademiya be?"]
[Klee: "This Dendro Archon is so pitiful..."]
[Albedo: "Perhaps that's the reason. Being isolated from the outside world prevented her from experiencing it first-hand. Without those experiences and interactions, personal growth becomes extremely difficult."]
[Paimon: "Eh? But Lesser Lord Kusanali is right there, isn't she? She can speak, see, and touch the world, can't she?"]
[Lumine: "It's different. Right now, she's experiencing the world through Katheryne's body. This isn't her true body. Even if she can see and feel everything around her, those experiences aren't truly her own."]
[Zhongli: "Indeed. An identity may be borrowed, but a body cannot."]
[Venti: "Mr. Zhongli, I feel like there's some deeper meaning hidden in that statement."]
[Guizhong: "Let's put that aside for now. What I want to know is whether we can bring her into the Chat Group."]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "Mm. I would also like to know whether my successor, Lesser Lord Kusanali, can join the Chat Group. If she could, that would truly be wonderful."]
[Futsu Mitama: "I already tried. It doesn't seem possible. Perhaps the target needs to be within a certain range before they can be invited into the Chat Group. In any case, Nahida's true body isn't here. Right now, we're only communicating with her consciousness."]
[Yae Miko: "Her true body? That does make things a bit troublesome."]
[Cyno: "..."]
[Cyno: "Because Lesser Lord Kusanali's true body is located within the Sanctuary of Surasthana. And the Sanctuary of Surasthana is situated within the Akademiya itself If Futsu Mitama and the others intend to go there—"]
[Cyno: "...cough..."]
[Cyno: "It probably won't be easy."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "If absolutely necessary, we can infiltrate it in secret With Futsu Mitama's abilities, infiltration shouldn't be particularly difficult."]
[Aila: "No problem. Black Aila's authority can assist Young Master in entering the Sanctuary of Surasthana unnoticed."]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "Let's set that discussion aside for now. Questions regarding infiltration can wait My successor is probably about to speak."]
Outside the group livestream, Nahida remained silent for a brief moment after hearing Futsu Mitama's words.
Then she looked directly at him and spoke.
"You're right. As the God of Wisdom, there are things you possess that I do not understand. Therefore... may I ask you to teach me?"
Nahida openly admitted that she did not understand the methods Futsu Mitama was using.
Ordinarily, as the God of Wisdom, she would never have lowered herself so readily.
But this was different.
If learning these things could save her believers—
If learning these things could save those suffering from Eleazar—
Then she was willing to learn.
At that moment, Nahida's expression was extremely serious. She had completely set aside her status as a god.
What remained was only a student sincerely seeking knowledge.
"Hmm~"
Futsu Mitama fell silent for a moment. His gaze drifted forward, as though he were considering something.
Finally, he nodded.
"That's not a problem. Because this is knowledge that should have belonged to you in the first place."
Then he extended a hand.
"Allow me to properly introduce myself again. My name is Futsu Mitama. You should already be familiar with that name."
"And... You should also be familiar with this power."
As he spoke, a sphere of Dendro elemental energy condensed within his palm. Unlike ordinary elemental energy, it was filled with astonishing vitality. Life flowed through it endlessly.
"!!!"
Nahida's eyes widened instantly.
Shock filled them.
Part of that shock came from Futsu Mitama's identity. Naturally, she knew who he was. Sometimes, when observing Inazuma from afar, Nahida could not help but feel somewhat envious.
The Raiden Shogun was already preparing her successor.
Meanwhile, she, the Dendro Archon, was still struggling to grow.
Forget finding a successor. There were times when Nahida questioned whether she was even qualified to be a god.
The other source of her shock, however, was the power gathered in Futsu Mitama's hand.
She recognized it immediately.
This was a technique once belonging to Maha Rukkhadevata. A technique that had been recorded within the Akasha. Long ago, Maha Rukkhadevata had used this power to create the rainforest itself, bringing flourishing life to Sumeru.
Nahida could replicate parts of it.
But she could never achieve the same level of mastery. At most, she could compress Dendro elemental energy to its limits before injecting it into another person's body.
That was exactly how she had saved Dunyarzad before.
Because her strength was insufficient. Because her true body remained imprisoned. Because she could only act remotely.
She had no choice but to forcefully condense energy and send it into Dunyarzad's body from afar.
Compared to that crude method, the Dendro energy in Futsu Mitama's palm was entirely different.
It was vibrant.
Gentle.
Overflowing with life.
Simply looking at it brought a sense of comfort.
Like standing beneath warm sunlight.
If an ordinary person were to witness the scene, they might genuinely believe that Futsu Mitama was the true Dendro Archon.
"Very surprised?"
Seeing Nahida's expression, Futsu Mitama almost laughed.
The reason was simple. Nahida was currently using Katheryne's body. And everyone knew that Katheryne rarely displayed emotional expressions.
She spent her days smiling politely behind the Adventurers' Guild counter. Seeing that same face now frozen in visible shock felt strangely surreal.
"Mm." Nahida nodded seriously. "Very surprised."
At that moment, an absurd thought even emerged in her mind.
Could Futsu Mitama actually be the true successor of the Dendro Archon? And she herself merely some demon god who had happened to be born in Sumeru?
Perhaps, for various reasons, Futsu Mitama had ended up in Inazuma. Perhaps that was why the Raiden Shogun had chosen him as her successor.
After all, setting everything else aside—
Futsu Mitama possessed the Dendro Archon's inheritance. While she herself possessed only Maha Rukkhadevata's Gnosis.
The more Nahida thought about it, the stranger it seemed. An even more alarming possibility surfaced in her mind.
What if Maha Rukkhadevata had intentionally divided her legacy?
Leaving the Gnosis to Nahida. And the inheritance to Futsu Mitama.
As that thought formed, the way Nahida looked at him gradually changed.
"..."
Black Aila immediately noticed. Her eyes narrowed slightly. A faint crimson glimmer appeared within them.
That look.
Black Aila instantly became vigilant.
Could this person be trying to steal Young Master away from them?
"She's no longer an enemy."
At that moment, Aila spoke. She looked toward Black Aila and calmly continued.
"As long as she's not foolish, she won't attack us again."
"Mm."
Black Aila gave a slight nod. The dangerous glint in her eyes faded. The shadow tentacles restraining Nahida also withdrew into the darkness.
Nahida dusted herself off before standing up. Then she turned toward Futsu Mitama once more. Her expression was somewhat complicated.
"Is this... Maha Rukkhadevata's inheritance?"
"Yes." Futsu Mitama nodded. "That's correct."
Then he looked directly at Nahida. A faint smile appeared beneath the mask.
"This inheritance should originally have been yours. If you're willing, then I'll teach you."
Within the group livestream, Maha Rukkhadevata had already expressed the same wish. If possible, she hoped Futsu Mitama would pass this knowledge on to Nahida.
"Then..." Nahida lowered her head slightly. "Please teach me."
She bowed deeply. Her voice was sincere. And serious.
"If possible... I would like to accept you as my teacher. Please guide me. Guide me in how to become a qualified Archon."