Chapter 430: Praiseworthy
430 Praiseworthy
The three kids were surprised by Adam's question. Art was the first one to excitedly raise his hand and ask, "Me! Professor, can I go first?"
Adam chuckled, "Sure, go ahead."
"Ahem!" Art slightly coughed and adjusted his robes before passionately speaking, "Magic has always been a part of the Doyle Family. My parents are powerful magi and so were their parents before them."
He paused for a moment before he clenched his fists in enthusiasm, his eyes sparkling like the stars in the night sky. "And I think magic is awesome! I can even show off my skills to my friends."
Adam glanced at this blond youth and a moment later, burst into laughter, "Haha, magic is indeed awesome."
He then glanced at the other two kids and asked, "Who's next?"
Eleiney and Aiden glanced at each other. The latter then encouraged his friend, "You go first."
"Mm!" Eleiney nodded.
She looked at Adam and spoke with a solemn voice, "I love creating things and magic allows me to make the impossible possible. For me, magic is a form of art. It is a way for me to express myself."
"Hmm, not bad." Adam nodded with a smile. "So, are you planning to become an artificer like most people in your family? Or is there something else that you're interested in?"
Eleniey fell silent for a few moments, thinking of the right words to say. "Everyone in my family has great hopes for me becoming a splendid artificer..."
"But what do you wish to pursue?" Adam asked encouragingly.
"I..." Eleiney hesitated as she slightly shook her head. "I don't know."
Adam's lips curled up into a warm smile. He gently patted the little girl's head and said, "It's alright, you're still young. You must take your time to figure things out and not blindly rush into it."
"Mm!" Eleney nodded, a small smile blooming on her face. "Thank you, professor."
Adam then glanced at Aiden and asked, "And what about you, Aiden?"
Aiden raised his chin and spoke with great confidence, "I want to help people!"
"How so?" Adam smiled.
"There are so many problems plaguing this world," Aiden began in all seriousness. "And I think magic can be used to make things better. I wish to make a difference in this world!"
Hearing such words from the kid, Adam's lips twitched as he thought to himself, Haa... kids sure are high-spirited. They get a permission slip from society to say such things, but if the same was said by an adult, everyone would probably laugh at him.
"Aiden, I admire your strong sense of justice, but how far would you go to help out others?" Asked Adam.
"I'll do whatever it takes!" Aiden proclaimed heroically.
Adam's lips twitched yet again. Looks like I must beat some sense into him...
"So, professor, what are you going to teach us today?" Eleiney asked excitedly.
"Hmm." Adam stroked his chin, deep in thought. "How long has it been since you all have gone through the ritual of becoming a magus?"
"A month!" The three kids spoke in unison.
"And I believe you are using the mana extraction techniques handed down in your family?"
"Yes, Professor!" The three replied.
"I see." Adam nodded. "And what about the magic spells and magic combat techniques?"
"We've been taught those from a very early age. Of course, we were never able to put them into practice up until recently," Eleiney answered for herself and her friends.
"Hmm." Adam went deep into thought.
I thought these brats would be arrogant and entitled, but it seems like they're quite polite and well-behaved. Well, at the very least that's how they are with me.
As for their reasons to practice magic, it is certainly praiseworthy. They seem a little naive, but I can't forget they're only fifteen years old.
Hmm, I can certainly work with this...
He snapped out of his thoughts and gazed at his new students with a smirk. "Before I start teaching you, I will need to see your magical prowess."
"How... would we go about that, Professor?"
"Do you wish to see us cast spells or something?"
"No, that's too boring," Adam chuckled. He then cracked his knuckles and grinned, "You three will go against me."
"What?!" The three young magi were dumbfounded.
"B-But you're a Mana Liquesfaction Magus, and we... we're just newly advanced rank 1 magi!" Art protested, finding the sudden turn of events quite incredulous.
"Kekeke," Adam cackled like a madman. "Don't worry about that. I'll limit myself to the power level of a rank 1 magus."
The three kids turned silent. They then glanced at one another, seemingly making conversations with their gazes alone.
A few moments later, they nodded.
Eleniey stepped forward and asked in a serious tone, "Professor, do you promise to keep your mana levels and strength in check?"
"Of course, of course!" Adam waved his hand nonchalantly. Suddenly, his eyes lit up and he added, "Ah, I'll do you one better. I won't use any spells as well. How about it?"
The three kids were taken aback and couldn't help but think that their new mentor was very cocky. Generally, if five to six rank 1 magi teamed up, they could take care of a rank 2 magi.
Thus, they were already pretty confident in winning against Adam if he maintained his power level equivalent to that of a rank 1 magus.
Now, he even promised to not use any magic spells.
But what Adam said next truly shocked them. He casually grabbed the wine gourd hanging from his waist, uncorked it, and started drinking.
"I also won't use my right hand. That should be enough of a handicap for you three right?"
Now, the young magi felt that they were being looked down upon by the raven-haired youth.
They hailed from powerful backgrounds and were considered genius among geniuses, but the way Adam treated them left them with a sour taste in their mouths.
Art stepped forward and imitated Adam's act of cracking his knuckles. "Professor, don't regret your words."
"Sure, whatever." Adam rolled his eyes.
The three kids glanced at each other and then slowly surrounded Adam from three sides.
Then, without speaking another word, they attacked him!