Magic Academy Bans Harem

Chapter 421 Extra Chapter: The Unbreakable Curse

"My dear student, what is your birthday?"

It's that time of year again—the cold winter.

Ritas Berengrom Elson has been an apprentice of "Tree Witch" Livis for six years.

Ritas, whose youthful naiveté has largely faded, graduated from Erles Magic Academy four years ago as the top student. Furthermore, he became a full-fledged professor last year.

Although Ritas is the youngest professor of magic in this era, and arguably the second most accomplished in history, in the eyes of the "Sage," he has only just begun to learn.

So, starting from that year, the cheap teacher who had forced him to acknowledge himself and "manipulated" him for six years finally began to teach him some things.

January 1st.

Ritas, who was interpreting an ancient document, slightly raised his eyes and glanced at the white-haired elf who was also full of "youthful vitality" that day, and casually replied.

If he can't even remember such a significant date, it might mean his teacher is starting to get confused, even if it's not outwardly apparent.
"I'm not asking about your made-up birthday, but your real one. And besides, I'm not starting to make mistakes. So if you continue to offend me like this, I'll probably have to find a way to punish you soon~"

"!"

Ritas's hand, which was touching the stone slab, stiffened involuntarily for a moment, and he immediately cleared his mind of all thoughts.

"They said it was fabricated or something."

"Let me guess. It's probably because you think celebrating birthdays and such is too much trouble. So, you chose one of the most representative common holidays in mainland China to prevent others from having the opportunity to celebrate for you."

"I just had too many changes when I was a child, so I can't remember the exact date. That's why I chose the first day of each year."

Ritas, who was basically right, argued in his somewhat peculiar way.

"Really?"

"Even though I'm actually younger than my official age, I still can't break the records of 'Sage' Crissandot. So, I can't be used as material for a teacher to show off."

Ritas tried to change the subject by slightly provoking Livis.

But Livis, who knew her "beloved student" inside and out, would never fall for such a trick.

Why are you so reluctant to tell me your birthday?

"Although it wasn't my intention, it's a good thing that only I know my birthday. After all, if some mages with special abilities know this information, they might be able to force things like 'curses' and 'karma' to befall me."

"Hmm? Do you really think your dear teacher would cast a 'curse' on you? Even if she were to, it would only be a 'blessing'~"

Under Ritas's distrustful gaze, Livis said with a smile,
"And in exchange, I can tell you my birthday~"

"It's today, isn't it?"

Ritas sighed and speculated.

He now understood why Livis had suddenly decided to find out his birthday.

"Oh? Now that you know, don't forget to give me a gift."

"."

After mentally condemning the first person in history to celebrate a birthday and present a gift, Ritas slowly spoke with a helpless expression.
"If I remember correctly, my birth date is..."

Time flies, and one day several years later...

In a secluded garden in the stronghold of one of the Four Sages, the "Pioneer," Livis sipped her red tea and grumbled with dissatisfaction.

"That old man from Artinia gathered us together as if it were something important, only to announce things that we all already knew. What a waste of time."

What did the "crown of creation" announce?

Opposite Livis was a young girl. The girl's voice and movements were slightly stiff, and her eyes were devoid of any emotion.

This girl is one of the eight bodies that Susola split into, and her registered identity in the magical world is "Sura So".

"Oh? That old Susora didn't share information with you? Although, according to the rotation, it is indeed your turn to guard the stronghold. But because of this, while the other old guys went out to have fun, leaving you alone at home is really going too far. So... why not take advantage of the other Susora's carelessness and make you the final unifying will, the only Susora, no, the only Sura~"

Livis, with an air of wanting to stir up trouble, urged.

"Why do you always try to divide us? And besides, do young girls these days really dress like that?"

At this moment, Sura was actually wearing a brown mascot costume and a mascot headdress that looked like a blooming sunflower.

"of course it's true."

"But you yourself don't wear them."

"Even I wouldn't pretend to be a young girl."

Livis spoke in a very serious tone, then changed the subject.

"What that old man from Artinia said was nothing more than 'we live in a closed world,' something that had been said to death back when the first sage was still alive. The 'Hall of Wisdom' sent a fleet, but despite trying every method, that fleet could only keep circling around the 'edge of the world.' In reality, even if they didn't circle around, they couldn't cross that red ocean. Moreover, the boundary of the sky is actually more obvious than the other side of the sea."

Livia said with a bored expression.

"It is still necessary to let young people know these things. Perhaps some of them will be able to find a way to explore the truth of the world."

"Young people? The old guys can gather them; how many of them are truly young?"

As if she had forgotten that she was also in that group, Livis said disdainfully.

"Speaking of young people, your student has completely faded into obscurity in recent years. There are many rumors in academia that he has become just another ordinary person, and some even say that he was able to become a professor thanks to the criticism of a 'good teacher'."

Sula then brought up Ritas. The reason such rumors circulated wasn't entirely due to the harshness and jealousy of academics, or the Tree Witch's terrible reputation.

It was also because Ritas was too dazzling back then. At less than twenty years old, he produced results that many academic mages could not achieve in their entire lives.

If Ritas's research focus were on magical tools, even someone like Susora might have high expectations for him.

"Indeed. As a 'good teacher,' I should probably quiet down some of the louder voices."

"No, I mean, I want to know about his current situation."

Seeing the dangerous glint in Livis's eyes, which nearly caused a physical upheaval in the academic world, Sura quickly explained.

"His current situation? It's similar to ours back then. He found the 'flaw' in the world in a very ordinary way. He noticed the falseness of the sky by recording it. He discovered that only the full moon in the entire night sky might be real. So, he plans to break the curse on me and have me take him to the surface of the moon to look down on the real world from the outside."

In a casual, conversational tone, Livis spoke of some truly remarkable things.

A hint of surprise appeared on Sura's face, not because Livis was saying anything extraordinary, but because she was astonished that the young Ritas had already begun to touch the deeper layers of the world.

"He wants to break the curse on you?"

"Hehehe, what an arrogant little guy, isn't he? He really has been arrogant ever since we first met."

A look of nostalgia appeared on Livis's face.

For her, it should have been a fleeting moment, like a passing cloud. But looking back, it felt like an eternity.

Is it possible for humans to suddenly become such "enormous" beings in the blink of an eye?
Or is it that she is the only one who keeps encountering these incredibly unique individuals?

Initially, she became Ritas's teacher largely because she projected the image of her previous student onto Ritas. But now, the way she looks at Ritas is clearly decisively different from before.

"That curse is deeply embedded in your body and soul, becoming a part of who you are. So, to break it would be tantamount to courting death?"

Although she had been talking to Livis about the same thing, Sura, who was subtly on a different wavelength, asked with a serious expression.

"You don't need to worry about that, old man. Although I only found out in the last few years, my beloved student actually has a very special 'ability'. He can perfectly simulate the 'experiment' process in his mind. That is to say, as long as his understanding of the experimental materials, possibilities, and laws is accurate enough, he can try again and again without any loss of resources until he achieves 'success'. It is precisely for this reason that, just like his resume, his experiments never fail."

In reality, Livis wasn't entirely clear about the exact origin of Ritas's ability. It was simply because there had always been "superhumans" with strange and special abilities in the Western Regions, so she arbitrarily categorized Ritas's ability as a superhuman.

"Such an ability. If the 'Thorough One' knew about it, he would definitely be very interested."

After a short pause, Sula responded.

No matter how unbelievable or fantastical Livis's claims were, Sula never doubted them. Because, she was the "Tree Witch."

However, while Livis wouldn't talk nonsense about important matters, she often teased Sula about trivial things.

For example, Sula's current mascot costume
"Only 'thoroughbreds' are interested?"

Livis asked with a playful expression.

"With magic crystals dwindling in the world, if someone could eliminate the costs of research and development and find a suitable method of regeneration, perhaps the depletion of magic crystals could be prevented."

"Hmph~ When you start having wicked thoughts, don't forget that your beloved disciple is the 'only' disciple of this infamous witch."

"."

To avoid further losses in the Susola family, Susola put aside her interest in Ritas's abilities and continued talking about Livis's curse.

"If you could try and fail an infinite number of times, there might actually be a way to break your curse. But are you sure? Your curse, combined with your nature, is what has allowed you to maintain your prime over the long years. So breaking the curse would just mean letting you age normally."

As one of Livis's few friends, Sula was clearly genuinely looking out for her.

"My prime? No one has ever seen me at my prime, including myself. Because this curse doesn't just bind my years. It also binds my 'potential'."

As Livis spoke, she casually flicked the condensed magical particles with her fingers, sending them soaring into the sky and painting the entire sky with vibrant colors.
"The reason I always mock you as 'old things' is never because of your appearance. To me, eternity is nothing but decay. I possess a 'spirit' that none of you have."

Livis looked up and pointed to the sky.

The colorful sky seemed to make way for Livis's gaze, parting to both sides along with the clouds to reveal the bright, full moon on the other side of the sky, which still faintly glowed even in the daytime.

"Therefore, if someone can break the curse for me, I will gladly accept. Then, according to their wishes, I will lead them beyond the limitations of this world to see the truth they seek—"

"School just started at the academy, and I have things to do, so I'll head back now. Remember to have the magical tools I ordered ready before I come back next time!"

Livis, having already plunging half her body into the spatial rift, smiled and waved to those behind her before departing, silently watched by Sula and the other "Susolas."

As the space returned to calm, Sula thought to herself that Livis might have "changed" a little.

Although the overall atmosphere remains the same, the Livis of the past would probably not have cared about trivial matters such as someone slandering her disciple, nor would she be as spirited as she is today.

It seems that the curse on her is indeed gradually dissipating.

And when Livis's curse is finally lifted, will he be able to witness a new transformation in the world?
Back at Erles Higher Magic Academy, as the sky was completely bathed in the colors of the setting sun, Livis suddenly remembered that this was the day.
After being coerced and lured into revealing the answer to satisfy her curiosity, she completely forgot about Ritas's birthday, which was in mid-March.

If those old guys in academia knew that Ritas, who was actually quite young, had lied about being almost a year older, they would be even more astonished.

Unfortunately, this matter still needs to be kept secret.
With a light heart, Livis arrived at the college's third dormitory area.

Contemplating whether she should also send some gifts to her beloved disciple who showed her filial piety every year, Livis went straight to Ritas's dormitory mansion, which was easy to find because it was marked by the guillotine.

then
Livis saw it.

She lay dead in the courtyard of the dormitory mansion, the bloodstains long since dried. Her disciple had been dead for some time.

(End of this chapter)