People are at the border, but they become the incarnation of the sun

At the market, the door of a small shop was pushed open, and Reinhardt and Tops walked in and sat down at a round table.

This small shop was the same one he had visited some time ago, but it served more than just shrimp.

"Boss, give me two glasses of Roya fruit wine!"

"Okay, right here!"

After receiving the boss's response, Reinhardt sat at the table and said with a smile, "Senior Tops, do you know that his fruit wine is quite delicious..."

Reinhardt chattered away like a chatterbox, introducing the store to Tops, his former teacher.

However, don't be fooled by Topps's appearance of being big and strong and having a big bald head. In fact, he is not only inferior but also introverted. He hasn't said a word so far, but just sits there stiffly and nods in agreement.

Soon the shop owner brought over two glasses of yellow wine and placed them on the table.

"Lord Rhine, this is the Roya fruit wine you requested."

"Thank you, how many runes?"

When the boss heard that Reinhardt wanted to pay, he quickly refused, "No, no, no, Master Rhine, no need to pay."

"If you hadn't intervened last time, I'm afraid my little shop would have been affected by those lunatics. You're our benefactor, how could I dare to take your money?"

The boss's words suppressed his desire to pay.

After a moment's thought, he said, "Okay, then let's go together next time."

There are pictures here, which can be viewed after the updated version

16. The Loser Protagonist - Topps

"Okay, then let's go together next time." Reinhardt nodded slightly and said so.

This time, the boss did not refuse. He smiled respectfully and turned back to the counter.

After all, they said they would get together next time, but those who understand will understand, so who will remember then?

You know, those Cuckoo Knights always use this excuse to get free stuff in town, and they are used to euphemisms like this.

But little did they know that when Reinhardt said they would do it together next time, it really meant it would be together next time.

Cuckoo Knight? He didn't want to get involved with those people with ulterior motives.

Seeing this, Tops, who was sitting across the table, felt a little envious and a little yearning.

How great would it be if one day I could become so powerful and also be loved by others?

It’s a pity that there are no ifs in this world.

"Come on, cheers, Senior Tops!"

Reinhardt picked up the barrel-like wine glass and clinked it with Topps's, then took a big gulp, making a refreshing sound.

How cool!

The mellow fruit aroma and smooth wine flowed into the stomach through the esophagus, making the whole person feel comfortable.

To be honest, he was quite surprised when he saw Roya fruit wine for the first time.

After all, the dried loa fruit is a favorite of Lingmatorete, and even in its plump and ripe state, humans cannot digest the loa fruit.

However, when this fruit is made into wine, it has a unique flavor.

According to the boss, his homemade wine is brewed with the golden Loa fruit produced in the area closest to the golden tree on the Yatan Plateau as the main ingredient, and Miranda fruit as the auxiliary ingredient, so the taste is sweeter and mellower.

"I never thought there would be so many delicious foods in the border area during peacetime."

Reinhardt sighed in his heart while smacking the flavor.

I used to think that the people in the border area had always lived a barbaric life, sleeping in the open air and eating raw meat and drinking blood.

It seems that there is a chance to write a book like "The Border on the Tip of the Tongue"?

Reinhardt's thoughts gradually strayed.

However, it is normal for him to have such thoughts, because a devastating war really shattered the entire border area.

Except for the Rhea Lukalia School of Magic and the Hall of the Round Table, it seemed as if all civilization had regressed to its starting point.

Even the [Last King] Mongette, who stood guard in front of Elden's throne, looked half-naked and did not look like a king at all, but he was full of the temperament of a king.

On the other hand, the [Blood King] Mung, who defected to external gods, did look glamorous, but he did not have the oppressive feeling that was unique to a king.

They are obviously two brothers, and both were abandoned by Marika, but the gap between them is like the poles of yin and yang.

After three rounds of drinks, a faint blush appeared on Reinhardt's face, and he was already in a state of tipsiness.

"It's time to have a good chat with this Tops senior."

Thinking of this, he slammed his wine glass onto the table with a bang, startling Tops who was sitting opposite him.

Fortunately, the wine glass was made of wood, otherwise it would have been smashed to pieces by him.

"Hiccup~"

Before he could speak, Reinhardt burped and, through drunken eyes, looked at Tops and said, "...Senior Tops, I don't intend to stop you from leaving the academy. I brought you here simply because I have a few words to say to you."

"I hope you will reconsider after listening to this."

Tops didn't say anything, just nodded, subconsciously pursing his lips, with a nervous expression that was almost fear on his face.

It seemed that the drunk Reinhardt made him feel a little uneasy.

But Rhinehart didn't care what Tops thought of him, at least not when he was drunk.

So he said again: "Senior Tops, do you know? There is an old saying in my hometown, called -"

"Thirty years to the east of the river, thirty years to the west of the river, don't bully young people into poverty."

"What's the big deal if I fail once? I just have to get up again after I fall down!"

"You have to have the indomitable spirit of a cockroach! Only in this way can you pave a path to success, understand?!"

"But... I've failed three times..." Seeing Reinhardt's stern look, Tops replied angrily.

Although his voice was very low, Reinhardt still caught it clearly.

"So what!"

Bang! A punch slammed down on the table, nearly spilling the wine in the glass.

"Did you know? Edison once said, 'Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration...'"

"Even though you don't have that one percent of inspiration, and the remaining ninety-nine percent of sweat is just sweat after all, it seems to me, Senior Tops, that you don't lack theoretical knowledge. What you lack now is that flash of inspiration that you haven't discovered yet. And that feeling is right beside you, you just haven't discovered it yet."

Even though these words were said while he was drunk, Reinhardt himself was very clear about them. His mind was very clear now, and even the scene of Topps' death in the game kept appearing in his mind.

Tops's creation of pyroxene magic, a completely different system from any other, was a discovery worthy of establishing a new classroom, yet its end was so tragic that it would be no exaggeration to say that his body was left exposed in the wilderness...

As mentioned before, things change over time, and Tops is almost the same as that Mr. Xiao.

If it appears in a useless novel, it will definitely be a promising existence in the future.

However, even after he said so much, Tops still shook his head, "...No, Mr. Reinhardt, your expectations of me are too high. I can't respond..."

As he spoke, Topps' voice was filled with tears.

He is obviously a grown man, but he always looks like he is crying.

"...I know full well that I am just a piece of waste stone, without any talent for magic..."

"So what?"

Reinhardt seemed to be half sober, as if he was angry. He tilted his head slightly and looked at Tops, saying indifferently, "If my words are not enough to convince you, then what about Lecturer Seren? Are her words enough to convince you?"

"...Selian?"

Under Topps's stunned gaze, Reinhardt nodded and said, "Yes, that's right."

"Lecturer Serlian once told me that to become a qualified pyroxene magician, you don't need unparalleled talent or extraordinary qualifications, nor do you need to be able to perform pyroxene magic to a certain degree."

“All it takes is a heart that always maintains a thirst for knowledge.”

"Besides, isn't it already written in the book?"

"Pyroxene magic is about exploring the stars and their lives."

"Have you forgotten even the most basic principles, Senior Tops? Or do you feel you've lost that thirst for knowledge?"

There are pictures here, which can be viewed after the updated version

17. Take Topps

"...Did Se Lian really say these words?"

Tops' body couldn't stop shaking, but his eyes flickered with a faint light, which was a hope called hope.

"Of course it's true. I wouldn't try to deceive you in this way."

It has to be said that Seren does occupy a very important position in Topps' heart.

After all, she was the person Tops admired and longed for the most, and she was also the most talented witch in the history of the academy. Any magic apprentice hoped to become as powerful and elegant as Seren.

Therefore, Tops couldn't help but believe what Seren said.

"So, what's your answer, Senior Tops?"

The dim candlelight illuminated the faces of the two men, and Reinhardt forced Tops to answer with his eyes.

Because he knew that Tops had never lost his thirst for knowledge, otherwise he would not have been able to develop the ultimate barrier magic that could distort the will of the gods.

That is not just a coincidence, it requires a lot of effort and continuous exploration to achieve.

As for the basic qualifications for learning pyroxene magic?

If Tops didn't have this qualification, he wouldn't even be able to enter the magic academy, let alone become a magic apprentice.

"...I, I don't know, but I'm very grateful that you are willing to say so much to an unknown person like me." Topps looked embarrassed, his eyes were wandering, and he hesitated for a long time before he could utter this sentence.

To be honest, if Topps were a girl, she would definitely make men want to protect her.

But unfortunately, this is an old man, and a very rough and strong old man.

You clearly have such strong qualifications, but why do you always look so inferior?

"Come on, Senior Topps." Reinhardt stood up and patted him on the shoulder. "Since you don't know what to do right now, I do have an idea. Would you like to hear it, Senior Topps?"

Topps slowly raised his head and met Reinhardt's gaze. Seeing his clear, serious eyes, still free of the intoxication, he nodded and said, "...Okay, okay."

As the saying goes, those who are barefoot are not afraid of those who wear shoes. Topps can now be said to have complete trust in Reinhardt and is not afraid that the other party will plot against him.

After all, I am just a piece of waste stone, while others have a bright future and prospects. What is there for them to pursue?

"Well, since Senior Tops is willing to listen, I won't waste any more words." Reinhardt cleared his throat briefly, then suddenly changed his attitude and said in a serious tone, "Senior Tops, would you be willing to join me in studying the mysteries of pyroxene?"

"However, although we're conducting research together, I'm more hoping that Senior Tops can teach me more about pyroxene during our exploration. I believe that in some areas, Senior Tops' theoretical knowledge is more abundant than mine."

Upon hearing this, Tops quickly waved his hands. He would never dare to do such a thing.

Even though he is the other party's senior, it is only the other party who insists on calling him that, and he himself has no qualifications anymore.

What's more, she is the student of that genius witch.

And I am just a piece of waste stone, what virtue and ability do I have...

"I'm not kidding, Senior Topps." Reinhardt gripped Topps' shoulders with a little more force and said in a resounding voice, "Although I have a talent for using pyroxene magic, I'm not very talented at studying it."

"Besides, I think you, Senior Tops, actually have great potential. Maybe one day you will become a great pyroxene magician."

He is no less capable than the two masters, Azrael and Luther, who founded the classroom.

However, Reinhardt did not say the last sentence out loud, for he was afraid of scaring Tops.

Besides, just by saying this, Tops' eyes were already red, tears were already welling up, and his hands on his legs were tightly grasping the magician's robe.

It has been so many years, so many years he has spent in the academy, so long that he himself can't even remember, but this is the first time that someone looks at him like this and respects him so much.

Topps was so moved that he could not express himself. He held Reinhardt's hands tightly, tears streaming from his eyes.

"...Mr. Reinhardt, you are such a kind person... If you really don't mind, I am willing to teach you all the little knowledge I have accumulated."

Finally got it done.

A barely perceptible smile played on Reinhardt's lips.