"I have made my decision. I am willing to lend my strength to the Royal Family's research and future conflicts, but I do not wish to officially join the Carian household."
Sellen looked at Mohg as she delivered her answer, a response that left Mohg feeling quite bewildered.
"Wait, what exactly do you mean by that?"
"I mean that I wish to enter the Carian Royal Family as a Selected Exchange Scholar to further my studies."
Mohg was stunned for a moment. He scratched his head before speaking. "I can't give you an answer on that. You'll likely have to meet with Princess Rellana yourself."
"Fine. I thought as much." Sellen nodded, letting out a sigh with an "as I expected" expression that made Mohg's face darken slightly.
He didn't say anything more, however. After all, the task Rellana had given him was merely to attempt to recruit her.
"A Selected Exchange Scholar? It's been a long time since I've heard that term. But as far as I know, such arrangements usually only happen between the Academy and the Town of Sorcery, Sellia."
Rellana looked at Sellen with a faint, knowing smile.
The relationship between the Academy of Raya Lucaria and the Town of Sorcery was subtle; they collaborated often, yet never fully trusted one another. Rellana understood the underlying tension: the primary reason for the rift involved the inhabitants of the underworld.
Raya Lucaria had essentially severed ties with the Nox of the Eternal Cities. Those within the Academy generally disregarded their ancient connections, even viewing the resources of the underworld as mere plunder for exploration. In contrast, Sellia maintained close ties with the subterranean world. Being far removed from the Academy's direct oversight and lacking a unified, powerful local authority, the Town of Sorcery had been allowed to grow wild and unrestrained.
"If an exchange program can exist between Sellia and the Academy, there is no reason it cannot exist for the Royal Family, which is even more closely tied to the Academy," Sellen replied, her expression unchanged and her voice perfectly calm.
"Hm, you have a point. But the problem is, using the title of 'Exchange Scholar' just to bring you over alone... that doesn't seem quite right, does it? Or rather, that wouldn't suit your purposes, would it?" Rellana propped her chin on one hand, leaning over the desk to look at Sellen with genuine interest.
"Correct. Therefore, I hope the Royal Family will invite several others to accompany me for these studies."
"Heh. Sorceress Sellen, aren't you being a bit too optimistic? What benefit does the Royal Family gain from such an arrangement? We only truly need you." Rellana smiled at Sellen, though there was no warmth in her eyes.
Standing to the side, Mohg cast a surprised glance at Sellen. To be honest, her current behavior was overturning his preconceived notions of her. Who would have thought this dignified scholar would be so calculating?
Sellen did not respond to Rellana's jab; she simply met the Princess's gaze in silence.
After a moment of contemplation, Rellana nodded. "Very well. Since it is your request, Sorceress Sellen, I shall make it happen. However, I expect you to perform your duties diligently in the coming days."
"I will. You have my gratitude, Princess Rellana." Sellen performed a formal sorcerer's salute and slowly backed out of the room.
Mohg intended to leave as well, but Rellana called out to him.
"Your Highness? Is there something else?"
"Nothing much. It's just that you handled this task quite well. As a reward, I've decided you shall accompany me for a full day of special training." Rellana looked at Mohg with a thin, artificial smile.
Mohg's face instantly fell. Oh, hell no!
Clatter! Clatter!
"Princess Rellana, the troops have finished rallying. We are ready to depart for Caria at any time."
A man clad in standard Carian Knight armor rode up to Rellana's side. He dismounted with practiced fluidity and saluted.
"Well done, Entoum. By the way, where is Gwen?"
"Lord Gwen is currently with Sorceress Sellen," Entoum replied with his head slightly bowed.
"Understood. Issue the order for the troops to begin the march toward Caria. We need to start training these green recruits we pulled from the Academy."
"As you command." Entoum nodded, remounted his horse, and spurred it forward to carry out the orders.
Rellana mounted her own steed, casting a final glance back at the Academy and the Cuckoo Knights standing guard around the Gate Town.
One of her goals in coming to the Academy was to poach a group of Cuckoo soldiers and knights for Caria's defense against the Golden Order. But now... it seemed the Cuckoo Knights were becoming increasingly restless.
For the time being, there wasn't much she could do about them. Until they officially severed ties with the Royal Family to join the Erdtree, she couldn't strike them directly—unless she had a perfect excuse.
Meanwhile, Mohg's mood was anything but pleasant. He was staring at a particular Academy sorcerer who had joined the ranks of the "Exchange Scholars" with a very dark expression.
His sour mood was for one reason and one reason only: this man's name was Seluvis.
"Lord Gwen, the way you're staring at me is making me a bit... uncomfortable," Seluvis said, fidgeting with his hands. He was currently wearing the Twinsage Glintstone Crown.
"Ah, don't mind me. It's just that you remind me very much of an old acquaintance from my memory," Mohg replied with a cold, hollow smile.
Hearing this, Seluvis visibly shuddered. Why did he suddenly feel like he didn't want to go to the Carian Manor anymore?
At this point in time, Seluvis was a senior member of the Academy who had mastered many sorceries. He was a rare type of mage who held no prejudice toward any particular school of magic. However, he had a glaring weakness: he had zero interest in anything outside of research. He was a pure, unadulterated bookworm.
This was precisely why Rellana had chosen him as one of the scholars.
Her official explanation to the Academy was that she was selecting a few high-potential students to strengthen the bond between the two factions. In reality, Rellana had hand-picked the most talented mages in the Academy, some of whom were even being groomed by professors to take over their respective Conspectuses.
It was a brilliant move—using the invitation to Sellen as a cover while simultaneously fleecing the Academy of its best talent and attempting to poach them permanently.
Faced with this Carian maneuver, Ward, the head of the Academy, could only agree with a smile on his face while cursing them internally.
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Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (444 Chapters – Full)
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