Chapter Fourteen: Teacher and Student

In the Vice Dean’s office of the Royal Academy of Magic, Chu Tian sat behind his broad desk, regarding Dio with a half-smile. Dio, standing before him like a schoolboy who’d made a mistake, gazed at Chu Tian with a mix of awe and trepidation, striving to appear composed, though his trembling legs betrayed him.

With a gentle chuckle, Chu Tian motioned for Dio to sit. “No need to be nervous, have a seat,” he said. Suddenly, Chu Tian realized he didn’t even know the young prodigy’s name. “By the way, what is your name?”

“I... I’m Dio,” Dio stammered, his tongue tying itself in knots. To be so close to his idol filled his simple heart with happiness, yet fear gnawed at him—had he just committed some grave error? Would his idol forgive him? Gathering his courage, Dio bowed his head and softly explained, “Vice Dean, I didn’t mean what I said earlier. Those were just my usual ramblings and experiments...”

He risked a glance at Chu Tian, who still wore that inscrutable half-smile, and Dio hastened to add, “Vice Dean, I was wrong. I promise to correct myself from now on.”

Such a pure-hearted child, Chu Tian thought with a sigh. Intelligent and eager to learn—he’s the one.

Seeing Dio still standing, Chu Tian rose and walked over, pressing him firmly into the chair. Unexpectedly, this friendly gesture startled Dio so much that he sprang up as if the chair were on fire, wrenching himself from Chu Tian’s hands. Chu Tian was taken aback.

Blushing furiously and bowing his head even lower, Dio stammered, “Vice Dean, how can I sit while you’re still standing?”

What a respectful child! Chu Tian’s interest deepened. He returned to his leather chair and again gestured for Dio to sit. “Tell me, do you enjoy being a priest?” he asked.

The question frightened Dio, who had only just managed to seat himself. Was the Vice Dean questioning whether he still wanted to be a priest? Did his research cause Marquis Vladino to doubt his qualifications? Misunderstanding Chu Tian’s words as “Do you still want to be a priest?”, Dio leapt up and declared loudly, “Being a priest has been my dream since childhood!”

Unaware of Dio’s mental leaps, Chu Tian nodded in satisfaction. It seemed his plan to recruit Dio could proceed…

He casually retrieved a magic crystal from his ring and handed it to Dio. “Cast a spell on this,” he said.

Dio, no longer the ignorant boy Chu Tian once was, knew exactly what a magic crystal was for. Fighting back a rising sense of dread, he accepted the crystal with trembling hands, his mind filling with gloomy thoughts: It’s over! The Vice Dean really is testing if I still want to be a priest! If I do poorly, I’ll lose my qualification for sure.

His eyes reddened at the thought, but unwilling to let his dream shatter, Dio summoned all his magical energy, aimed at the crystal, and shouted, “Healing Light!”

Chu Tian didn’t need to look to know the result. Comparing oneself to others could be maddening: Dio, without any spell incantation or gesture, could unleash a healing spell with a single shout. Chu Tian was certain—here was a rare genius, gifted both in theory and in talent.

Sure enough, as if to confirm Chu Tian’s thoughts, a milky glow began to flow within the crystal, swiftly flooding its transparent depths until no other color shone through. As the light revolved, faint cracks appeared on the crystal’s surface.

It seemed the most crucial part of his plan was secure. Chu Tian pocketed the crystal, narrowed his eyes, and smiled. “Would you like to be my student?”

It was like a scene from Chu Tian’s own past with Anthony, though some steps had occurred out of order. Yet for Dio, the shock was even greater.

Dio stood dumbfounded. One moment he had feared for his priesthood; the next, he was being offered a chance to study under his idol! The gap between reality and expectation overwhelmed him. Student of Marquis Vladino! Grand-disciple of Saint Anthony! Heir to the continent’s preeminent priestly order! Chu Tian’s words rained down, leaving Dio dizzy and dazed.

Chu Tian patiently waited for an answer, smiling, not at all surprised—his own reaction back then had been much the same.

With a thud, Dio dropped to his knees and bowed three times, performing the continent’s most solemn rite. Overcome with emotion, he could not utter a word. After all, not everyone possessed nerves of iron like Chu Tian.

“All right, enough!” Chu Tian stepped forward and helped Dio up, then, as if by magic, produced a battered notebook from his ring and handed it to Dio. “I don’t have much to offer as your teacher. Take this as a token for our first meeting.”

Finally pulling himself together, Dio straightened up, then bowed again as he accepted the notebook respectfully.

A glance at the cover made his eyes redden once more. Choking back tears, he rubbed his eyes and whispered, “Thank you, teacher!” On the cover, in seven bold letters, was written: “Priestly Arts—Notes by Anthony.”

“Take your time studying this,” Chu Tian said. “And I’ll give you a chance to put things into practice.” He narrowed his eyes, smiling at Dio.

“You know I have many duties at the Imperial Command and the Academy, often leaving me unable to attend class. There are still many students who need lessons. So I’d like you to substitute for me, which will also deepen your understanding of magic. How about it? Will you accept?” The big bad wolf at last revealed his sharp claws.

“No problem, but… Teacher, I’m afraid I won’t do well!” At this point, Dio would probably have obeyed even if Chu Tian had told him to jump off a cliff.

“Don’t worry, you’ll grow through practice,” Chu Tian continued to coax him. “Only by teaching others can you truly grasp the essence of magic. This will be the best training for you! Or are you telling me my student dares not even take the podium? How will you ever set foot on the battlefield then? Remember, all of Master Anthony’s great achievements were earned in battle!”

Chu Tian’s tone grew more severe, finally invoking Anthony’s name. With each word, Dio’s resolve strengthened.

He nodded firmly. “I understand! Thank you, teacher, for this opportunity! I will work hard to improve myself!”

Chu Tian breathed a sigh of relief. At last, he needn’t worry about embarrassing himself in magic class. Most importantly, he now had ample time to pursue Princess Selena.

The next day, Chu Tian and Dio entered the classroom together. No matter how astonished the students were at Dio’s lack of punishment, Chu Tian immediately announced that Dio was now his personal disciple and would henceforth substitute for him in class.

Though the students were initially confused by Dio’s new role, their doubts soon vanished. As the lessons went on, Dio’s profound and extensive knowledge completely won them over, and any suspicions about Chu Tian gave way to admiration—truly, a great teacher produces great students!

At that moment, Chu Tian cared little for such matters. Leaving Dio in charge of the class, he slipped away to a quiet spot, quickly changed into formal attire, and, clutching a bouquet, positioned himself along Princess Selena’s usual route to class…

———

Many years later, the continent’s first revered Level Ten Priest, Dean of Caesar Priestly Academy, the holy Archpriest Dio, wrote in his memoirs: “All I have achieved today is inseparable from my teacher, the great Lord Vladino. Back then, to deepen my understanding of magic, my teacher, despite enormous pressure, allowed me—then a mere junior priest—to ascend the Empire’s highest podium…”