After hearing Sellen's words, Tarnes also raised his eyebrows, looking at his teacher while waving the blue scroll in his hand: "Teacher Sellen, judging by your tone, you've already verified this, haven't you? What's recorded here isn't speculation, but actual data, right?"
He knew that with Sellen's personality, she couldn't possibly leave theory unverified—otherwise, she wouldn't have been called a "sorceress" at Raya Lucaria Academy.
Sure enough, Sellen not only didn't apologize but said quite proudly: "That's right, what's recorded here is data from Elves using magic. But don't worry—I didn't have them attempt higher-tier magic; I only taught them some of the most basic glintstone magic, which won't affect their life safety."
It was clear that Sellen also knew her good student's personality, so she had restrained herself considerably during verification.
Tarnes caught the vocabulary in Sellen's tone and asked: "Wait, 'them'? You found more than one Elf for theoretical experiments?"
Sellen said matter-of-factly: "Isn't that obvious? How can a single individual determine the universality of my verification? At least three or more individuals are needed for verification to avoid coincidence."
Tarnes sighed: "Next time you conduct this kind of experiment, remember to tell me. At least with me present, I can guarantee the Elves' safety. Did you tell them about the possible dangers?"
Sellen shrugged: "I already said it's just basic glintstone magic—even if it fails, it won't affect them. Of course, I also told them about all the possibilities of the test. The Elves agreed after weighing the pros and cons themselves."
Tarnes' mouth twitched: "What exactly did you tell the Elves?"
Sellen replied: "I was very direct—I said that since the Dwarves couldn't learn it, I wanted to teach them some magic from your homeland to test whether Elves could learn it. They agreed very quickly."
Of course they did—teacher, you mentioned both that Dwarves couldn't do it and that you were teaching magic related to me. It would be strange if the Elves didn't agree.
Tarnes sighed slightly in his heart and asked: "So what were the results? How many types of magic did the Elves learn?"
Sellen thought for a moment: "They learned both Glintstone Stars and Glintstone Pebble. I haven't taught them others yet."
Then Sellen's expression showed strange emotions: "But there's one thing I don't understand—why did these Elves ask me if I could teach them magic for close combat... I'm not one of those battle maniacs from the Haima Classroom, so I simply didn't teach them."
Tarnes' expression was also quite remarkable. He remembered when he had asked Fili and Kili, those two Dwarves had also preferred prayers that could be used in close combat.
The people of Middle-earth are probably all fanatical combat enthusiasts.
Though Tarnes knew this was just a stereotype, he couldn't help complaining inwardly.
Sellen then took the blue scroll back from Tarnes and casually placed it on the table: "Good student, are you free now? Just talking about it won't give you a clear picture of the specific situation. Your magical attainments are no less than mine—since you're so concerned about the Elves' safety, come with me to see them."
Tarnes calculated that he had finished most of his business for the day, so he smiled and nodded: "Looks like I'll be having lunch with my teacher today."
Both were people who acted immediately upon decision. Tarnes summoned Torrent and rode together with Teacher Sellen, reaching the Elves' dwelling without much delay.
Sellen sat behind Tarnes, gently patting his shoulder before pointing ahead: "Those three are the ones."
"I can see them without you telling me, teacher."
Tarnes looked at the three Elves with deep blue orbs of light created by Glintstone Stars magic above their heads, reaching out to touch each other's heads, and felt that the elegant image of Elves in his mind was somewhat shattered.
The Elves gradually noticed Tarnes' arrival and quickly approached.
"Lord Tarnes, Master Sellen, good afternoon," the lead Elf bowed elegantly.
After Sellen dismounted first, Tarnes returned Torrent to the whistle while bowing back: "Hello, I hope we haven't disturbed you."
The lead Elf's appearance was androgynous—only when he smiled and spoke could you tell he was male.
He said: "I imagine you two have come at this time regarding my three compatriots learning magic?"
Tarnes nodded: "You guessed correctly. I'm rather worried about whether learning magic might have any adverse effects on their bodies. I came with this concern in mind."
"You are indeed very kind, Lord Tarnes," the Elf said while calling his compatriots' names: "Erin, Kelson, Melsin, come over."
Actually, he didn't need to call them—the three Elves, two male and one female, were already approaching with blue orbs above their heads.
Tarnes looked at the Elves who gazed at him respectfully and wanted to say something, but he couldn't ignore the Glintstone Stars magic above their heads.
Moreover, the radiance from the Glintstone Stars magic had dyed their faces and golden hair deep blue, making them look somewhat comical.
"Uh... could you please cancel this magic effect first?" Tarnes finally rubbed his forehead and asked.
The three Elves exchanged glances, then raised their hands and waved—the magical radiance above their heads disappeared.
Seeing this scene, Tarnes was actually somewhat surprised, because these three Elves were empty-handed, not holding any staffs for spellcasting.
He glanced at Teacher Sellen, who smiled and said: "This is why I wanted you to see for yourself."
Tarnes temporarily suppressed his inner questions and invited the three Elves: "Let's find an open area where you can demonstrate your magic for me to see."
Behind the Elves' dwellings was an open, lush grassland. Tarnes stood behind the houses, watching the three Elves intently.
As they simply raised their hands, faint blue light began gathering in their palms, and glintstone pebbles appeared and flew out, leaving elegant trails.
They can really cast spells without staffs?
Tarnes' expression became extraordinarily remarkable—this somewhat shattered his worldview.
However, Tarnes accepted it quickly. After all, this was already another world, so having phenomena he'd never seen was quite normal.
Rather than their ability to cast without staffs, Tarnes was more concerned about their feelings after casting spells.
"Do you feel any discomfort in your bodies? For instance, do you feel additional stamina consumption after casting?" Tarnes walked to the Elves' side and asked.
Sellen's voice came from beside Tarnes: "I asked this question—they don't have additional consumption in terms of stamina like Dwarves do when performing prayers."
"Master Sellen is correct, Lord Tarnes," one of the rather dignified-looking Elves said while performing a chest salute to Tarnes. "We were rather rushed earlier, so introductions were delayed. Let me greet you anew, Lord Tarnes. I'm called Melsin, this is Kelson, and his sister Erin."
The golden-haired Elf named "Kelson" and his sister Erin, who had her hair pinned up, bowed to Tarnes together.
Tarnes returned the bow, and only then did Melsin speak: "We've learned from Master Sellen that casting magic from your homeland requires consuming something of oneself—for instance, those stubborn and insufficiently intelligent Dwarves can only consume stamina. But we're different from them. After discussion among myself, Kelson, and Erin, we concluded that what we consume when casting magic should be called 'mental power.'"
Tarnes' eyes widened slightly as he asked back: "Mental power?"
Melsin nodded and smiled: "Yes, mental power. To explain more simply, if we cast magic continuously, we feel our heads becoming increasingly drowsy, making us want to sleep deeply. Though there's no stamina consumption, mentally we feel the body is very fatigued and urgently needs sleep to replenish."
I see—using too much magic makes them appear as if they haven't slept enough.
Tarnes understood.
Sellen walked over at this point, looking at the Elves with a smile: "Elven bodies are indeed very interesting and magical, aren't they? Like the Creator's favored children, perfect and flawless."
Hearing Sellen's words, Melsin politely responded: "Thank you for your praise, Master Sellen."
Tarnes had originally nodded in agreement with Sellen's statement, but suddenly thought of something. After showing the Elves an apologetic look, he pulled Sellen to an unoccupied area nearby.
"Teacher Sellen, please don't get any ideas about the Elves' bodies. When it comes to bodies, I think original is better," Tarnes whispered uneasily, afraid the Elves might hear.
Sellen was stunned for a moment, looked at her student with surprise, and after seeing that Tarnes' expression was very serious, couldn't help but laugh: "Student, what are you thinking? Elven flesh and souls don't match the Lands Between—it's like the difference between glintstone magic and storm combat arts. How could I possibly replace my body with that of Elves?"
So you have considered it, teacher.
Though Teacher Sellen's reasoning made Tarnes feel something was off, he still breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, Teacher Sellen."
After declining the Elves' dinner invitation, Tarnes brought Sellen back to Stormveil Castle, coincidentally encountering the returning Nepheli Loux.
But Tarnes remembered that Nepheli Loux should still be on patrol at this time.
It was now afternoon, with sunlight slanting into the spacious lord's hall, making the gorgeous marble shine golden.
Sellen and Nepheli Loux had no common topics, so she returned to her room, leaving Tarnes alone with Nepheli Loux, staring at each other in the lord's hall.
Light footsteps broke the silence as a maid carrying a golden tray slowly approached, with two cups of steaming tea on the tray.
Tarnes nodded, and the maid understood, placing the tray on the nearby mahogany table.
"You've returned at just the right time. Thorin entrusted me with something—can you teach Fili and Kili some combat techniques? Just like you taught Dwalin. Of course, Thorin promised he would pay you teaching fees," Tarnes broke the calm first.
Nepheli Loux thought seriously for a moment but still shook her head in refusal.
Tarnes didn't rush to ask why, but patiently waited for Nepheli Loux's explanation.
Nepheli Loux cleared her throat: "It's not that I don't want to teach, but I'm not good at teaching people. Thorin, this Dwarf king, obviously values the brothers Fili and Kili greatly. I think you should find someone more professional than me to teach them."
Tarnes thought carefully and said: "But currently, throughout the entire Golden Tree territory, only your close combat skills are the most outstanding."
Nepheli Loux smiled: "Can't you summon those folks from the Lands Between through the Golden Tree? I remember there's a formidable fellow in Limgrave. He stays in a dilapidated little hut, often enthusiastically teaching combat arts to passing Tarnished."
Wait, you couldn't be talking about him, could you?
Tarnes' heart skipped a beat as the image of a middle-aged man in heavy silver armor with a face full of silver-gray stubble appeared in his mind.
Nepheli Loux spoke the name from her memories: "I remember he told me his name—Bernahl, yes, that's the name."
Tarnes showed a complex expression, and Nepheli Loux asked, somewhat puzzled: "Is there some problem with the person I recommended, Tarnes?"
The problem is huge.
Tarnes sighed inwardly, organized his emotions, and slowly said to Nepheli Loux: "It's normal that you don't know about him. Bernahl... my relationship with him is somewhat unclear. Honestly, I'm not sure whether he's my friend, my teacher, or my enemy."
Calling Bernahl "teacher" was completely appropriate, because the early him, who had just arrived in the Lands Between and hadn't yet grown strong, had indeed learned many things from Bernahl.
But Nepheli Loux said quite straightforwardly: "My foster father didn't have me read too many books, so I can't say pretty words or grand principles. I only know that if you and I became this kind of enemy-yet-not-friend relationship, I would definitely use my battle axe and storms to ask you about everything clearly. This is the last thing I can do as a warrior. So why not summon Bernahl and let your weapon clash with his blade?"
She paused and said in a relaxed tone: "Your current appearance is vastly different from the confident and brave Elden Lord in my memory. Hesitation isn't like you. The you I know, when facing enemies, though you might have fear of their powerful strength in your heart, would never be afraid to face them directly. Moreover, Bernahl might not even be your enemy. Besides, I've sworn to you that no matter what you face, I'll stand beside you and face it together."
After hearing this, Tarnes laughed softly: "I was actually comforted by you, Nepheli Loux. After having more and broader things to protect, my mindset has indeed changed somewhat."
Nepheli Loux said in an agreeing tone: "When I first became the Storm Lord, I experienced roughly the same mindset as you."
Tarnes took a deep breath, his gaze becoming sharp again: "Yes, I'll go to the Golden Tree now and try to summon Bernahl."
Bernahl was originally one of the members Tarnes had planned for the dragon-slaying expedition. As a Recusant, he would be summoned sooner or later.
Nepheli Loux's words only made Tarnes decide earlier to face this "old friend."
But first he needed to go to the Elden Ring to confirm whether he could summon that dilapidated hut in Limgrave first, then summon Bernahl through that hut.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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