The Master of Language - T.M.L Chapter 7 (Part 1):

“Alright, I’ll teach you about the herbs we need to collect one by one.”

“Oh, we’re here to gather weeds.?”

“Not weeds, herbs. Specifically, water herbs. First, those related to the moon. Jasmine, mugwort, and lily. Then those that grow near water. Lotus, aloe, cucumber, and willow…”

Those herbs somehow seemed familiar.

“Weren’t these the ones Master was eating yesterday?”

“Good eye. That’s right.”

“Is there a connection?”

“Yes. She said she needs to use powerful water magic soon. So we’re gathering water-related herbs now.”

“I see.”

“This time, follow me and listen. Mint. This is chamomile. This is poppy. And this is belladonna. These help you fall asleep and have water-related dreams. And also…”

After that, she listed and explained dozens of herb names.

I started feeling sleepy.

“Yawn.”

When I opened my eyes after yawning, Psyche was looking at me with sharp eyes.

“Don’t worry. I can memorize most things after hearing them just once.”

She crossed her arms and said,

“Alright, then I’ll test you. Peach blossom, willow, and jasmine. Bring me these three.”

I proudly walked a few steps and picked the herbs she mentioned without much effort.

Her expression hardened while her pupils doubled in size.

She was trying hard to act nonchalant.

“Here you go. And if you’re going to make me work, at least give me some food.”

I pointed at the basket Psyche was holding.

Psyche rummaged through the basket and handed me some fruits and vegetables.

I plopped down on the spot and started eating.

They say even dogs don’t bother you when you’re eating, and true to that, Psyche just squatted down and watched me eat without saying a word.

“What are you looking at?”

“It’s fascinating.”

“What is?”

“Just everything. Your appearance is fascinating. Your weight is fascinating. Your smell is fascinating. Humans really do smell of iron and fire.”

I remembered how Master Abana had said that quite unpleasantly before.

But Psyche’s expression was quite bright.

“Do you dislike the smell?”

“No. I like it. I told you, it’s a preference.”

She says such embarrassing things so shamelessly.

But thinking about it a bit, it doesn’t match what Master Abana said.

If she likes it, why can’t an elf live with someone who smells of fire and iron?

It’s suspicious.

I should ask about the Undine too.

I spoke quietly.

“By the way, can I ask you something?”

“Hm? What?”

“About Undine. Why did Master tell me not to respond to Undine?”

The moment I said that, Psyche’s expression slightly hardened.

She hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth.

“You need to study more magic first. Otherwise, it’s dangerous.”

The words themselves certainly sound true.

But there’s definitely a feeling that there’s more to it.

I casually said while eating another vegetable,

“Is that so? Honestly, if it weren’t for Undine, moving the water surface would be much easier. Undine was so disruptive, really… Ah. I couldn’t concentrate.”

Psyche hesitated several times.

Then she quietly said,

“Amazing.”

“Huh?”

“It’s really amazing, that…”

After saying that, she abruptly stood up and went somewhere else.

I could only blankly stare at her back.

* * *

After gathering a basketful of herbs, we left the clearing and headed towards the house.

“Whoa!”

I almost bumped into Psyche because she suddenly stopped.

I probably would have made quite a commotion.

“Shh, be quiet.”

Psyche was making an expression I had never seen before.

Fear.

Her long ears drooped down to her shoulders as if the bones had melted.

I whispered softly to her.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

Psyche stayed still for a moment before speaking.

“Master is armed. And the castle is activated.”

I understand the first part, but I don’t know what the latter means.

“Castle? Do you mean that hut?”

Psyche didn’t say more and quickly brought her finger to her lips, gesturing for me to be quiet.

So I had no choice but to stand there silently, looking in the direction Psyche was glaring at.

All I could see was the forest.

Then Psyche started walking again.

“It’s okay, she says we can come in. Let’s go.”

The mystery would be solved when we arrived anyway.

I started walking after her without saying a word.

We were able to reach the hut soon.

“W-who is that person?”

In front of the hut, in the opposite direction from where we came, stood a person.

In contrast to the long black robe that seemed to sweep the ground, he had long white hair and a white beard.

In his right hand, he held a thick staff that reached the ground, and in his left arm, he carried a thick book as thick as an arm.

Not only that, but behind him was a creature that looked like a large lizard with its long tongue out, and surprisingly, flames were rising from its tail and tongue tip.

Master Abana was standing in front of him. Seeing the tight leather pants and white top, it seemed to be a similar style to the clothes she gave me.

In her right hand, she held the purple-glowing staff I had seen before, and in her left hand, she held a book surrounded by leaves as big as her palm.

Judging by the fierce atmosphere, it looks like they might fight at any moment.

Am I going to witness a battle between mages?

Dangun

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