After giving the order, Adam turned around and walked into his office. Thanks to his efforts over the last ten years, he no longer needs to do anything by himself -- the only thing he needed to do was verify the accuracy of the experimental data before drawing conclusions.
Although his assistants harboured some doubts in their hearts, Adam has always believed in this path of research.
"Perhaps a scientific explanation isn't sufficient in an unscientific world," Adam guessed. Because of this, he designed a second set of experimental plans, separating the experiment completely from an ether-rich environment. He believes he'll come to a conclusion soon enough.
"Master!" the devil popped out. "There isn't a need for you to be so strict on yourself -- once you become a fully qualified mage, you'll become immortal anyways, which means you'll have unlimited time to do research, as well as grow in wisdom. Rather than be entangled in the present, why not wait until your promotion?"
Adam ignored them, sorting out the various experimental reports scattered on his desk. The devil pouted and was prepared to leave.
"Wait a minute," interrupted Adam. "Take my identity token and allocate some funds for the next stage of our experiment -- at least twice the previous standard."
Adam was now rich and powerful, so he didn't care about the loss in each experiment. Although the Academy still allocates a generous amount of funds each month, Adam no longer pays attention to it, maintaining the research with his own funds.
"Wasting your power stones, it's better to give it to me if you're just going to throw it away..." the devil murmured. This hurt the devil, seeing their owner wasting so much power stones every month.
Adam didn't really care what the devil did, since after ten years of being together, the relationship between both of them has eased up a lot. Adam will give them a hefty amount of pocket money every month, but the devil ends up using it all up within a few days.
After a while, the devil returned, reluctantly handing over Adam's identity token before muttering, "Master, James is about to die."
Adam looked up immediately.
"I can feel his life force weakening; his mental power is taking a toll on him. If this goes on, he would have less than a year to live."
It's weird that the devil was getting sentimental over their peers. Perhaps socialising with humans gave the devil empathy.
Adam was silent for a moment, staring at the devil.
...
Three months flew by, and the apprentices from Monte Carlo have yet to bother Adam. Adam occasionally overheard gossip from his assistants, but nobody ever reported to Adam about them, fully knowing that gossip means nothing to him.
James applied for leave not long ago with his body rapidly ageing. He also purchased a mental power burning potion.
This was his last-ditch effort to promote to a mage. Upon injecting this potion into him, he will either sublime in the flames, or die, never to become a mage.
Unlike ten years ago, James was actually powerful -- controlling his psychic powers was second nature to him. The elements reached out to him, but he rejected all of the elements, choosing to give up on becoming an elemental mage.
James was on the peak of psychic meditation among all the apprentices, using his psychic power for everything.
"I don't know what is the purpose of this exchange programme -- the apprentices here at Moldo are simply a flock of sheep, no? They are innocent, cowardly, and have zero fighting ability..."
Telekinesis became James' eyes and ears, allowing him to eavesdrop on the subtle chatter in the distance.
"Francis," James muttered, narrowing his eyes and instantly recognising the apprentice who was speaking. The person who killed off all his companions.
The group of apprentices of Monte Carlo were walking -- in front of Francis was a vortex of air that was constantly spinning, shoving and blowing all the apprentices in their way into the sky. They could fly, but they chose to walk, clearing intending to humiliate the apprentices of Moldo.
The apprentices of Moldo Academy didn't dare to speak out either, since they were not allowed to perform any sneak attacks. Besides, official duels have been carried out, but many have died because of it.
"A group of cowards," Francis bellowed. "After those wastes died, it seems that there isn't anyone else who dares to challenge us! Research? Knowledge? How useless!"
As soon as he shouted, he swept his hand across the air, swiping a strong gust of wind in front of him, shoving a large number of apprentices out of the way. This wasn't magic, but the application of the wind element. Since it doesn't actually harm the apprentices, it wouldn't alert the Academy Law Enforcers.
The wind came to James, which was suppressed by his psychic barrier. He thought about leaving, but when he thought of his companions that fell in battle, he chose to stay.
"Can't hide forever."
Francis felt his gust of wind dissipate, raising his head to glare at whoever dared to stand in his way. He was a little surprised at seeing such an old apprentice, attracting his attention.
"Who are you? And why do you seem... familiar?" Francis asked.
