Chapter 144: Teaching

Chapter 144: Teaching

Your penmanship is awful.

Yeah, public schools fault. Writing properly always required too much effort to learn.

There are certain disciplines in magic that require calligraphy, Joey Luciani.

Ok, ok. Is the contract any good?

One thing I did not expect from Lord Juler is that he would go full-Dolores-Umbridge on me. Apparently, all self-respecting future [Archmages] write student-teacher contracts in blood, Joey Luciani. Thanks to an impromptu [Numbness] spell, it wasnt so bad. And Lord Juler said I would get a nice surprise very soon.

The contract is ready. She just needs to sign with her own blood, and it will be enforced.

A magical contract meant that there was no way out of this. If she leaked information about what I was going to teach her, she would be tortured. Plus, even if she was abducted, this contract magically enforced her silence. To be more precise, if she somehow managed to say anything about my magic, she would immediately be stabbed with unimaginable pain. But I wasnt really concerned about that. From how Lord Juler explained the contract, it was sort of a magical geas that would make it virtually impossible for her to spill the beans. There are a few countermeasures, but the [Supreme Archmagus] said it would take someone of his caliber to crack the thing.

I hope Domitilla wont be freaked out, I sigh.

I had promised Julias daughter to teach her magic, and I had almost forgotten. Then, Lord Juler brought it up during lunch. Apparently, it was common for [Mages] to be either students or teachers. Sometimes, both.

Even though I have many things on my plate already, it would feel improper to refuse a bit of teaching. Plus, I plan on simply starting from the first 23 Cantrips and taking it from there based on whatever she wants to learn. My fundamentals are solid, incredibly so. But my knowledge of specific magic falls short of pretty much any trained [Mage].

I look up from the contract at my desk, still bloody fresh, and I realize I need a burger. Its like one of those whiny pregnant lady moments when the woman, based on cravings that have no scientific basis, wants something; however, she frames it as needing it.

At this moment, I need a burger.

Now, you might think, Joey, but you have a bakery, not a restaurant. Well, yes. And no. I do have cooking stations supplied with little grills and air ventilation needed for grilling stuff indoors. I havent yet shipped my countrys trademark dish to the market, but Im prepared for emergencies.

The day my special burgers and a revisitation of the club sandwich hit Amorium, I will probably be the richestmhh.

I go down the stairs, and as Im stepping on them, I shout: Stanimal! Are we the richest food-makers in town?!

I wait for a zap, but, for once, he doesnt seem inclined to punish my insolence. Well, some good news every once in a while, at least.

Sure, can we discuss the thing after I make some food? Also, Domitilla should be coming soon for our first lesson. I just finished up the contract for our apprenticeship.

Sure, Stan says.

I start walking to the kitchen, but as soon as I pass my Stanimal, he grabs my arm.

Lucillus heard from Antoninus that you mentioned curing Rottenbone, Joey.

I turn my eyes to his silver beard first and then to his deep eyes.

Yeah. I have been trying to figure that out.

And so Lucillus says, Joey. Rottenbone. I cant cure Rottenbone.

Huh.

Right.

I didnt really tell Stan, did I?

Yeah not going great, to be honest.

And you are researching one of the most elaborate curses in existence to save a woman who has a terminal case? I searched Antoninuss place. And I found potent spells to numb her pain, increase her response to the curse, and slow it down. That should be beyond, far beyond, your capabilities.

His stare glues me to the ground.

Im curious to hear how youd do that. I just want to make sure that my niece is in good hands.