Gray then raised the question:
"Then what about my training? I need to become very strong as soon as possible and then defeat Deliora."
Extreme hatred flickered in Gray's eyes. Noah immediately recognized that Gray was consumed by vengeance, his mind caught in a dangerous obsession.
Turning his gaze toward Lyon, Noah recalled the expression Lyon had worn when Uru had released her magic earlier. That look wasn't just admiration. It was something far deeper, bordering on obsession.
Sighing softly, Noah muttered to Uru:
"It seems that both of your disciples are sick at heart. They need treatment just as much as they need training."
Uru blinked, puzzled. She knew why Gray acted the way he did his entire family had been wiped out by Deliora. But why did Noah say both disciples? She brushed it aside, assuming he was mistaken, and answered instead:
"Gray is like this because of his past experiences. It can't be helped… Gray, why don't you just do some basic training on your own for a few days? We'll be back soon."
"No," Gray shot back, his tone fierce. "I must gain strength as soon as possible, strong enough to defeat Deliora!"
His eyes blazed with hatred, leaving Uru visibly conflicted.
Noah stepped in with his own suggestion:
"Since I was the one to bring it up, I'll take responsibility. Let me train you in Uru's place for the next few days."
Before Uru could answer, Lyon who had remained silent until now spoke in a low, almost disdainful voice:
"Uru is the strongest wizard. What qualifications do you have to train us in her stead?"
Only then did Uru realize that something was indeed wrong with her disciple. But before she could intervene, Noah smiled calmly and replied:
"This qualifies me."
With that, he released his magic power.
A crushing aura flooded the area, descending on Gray and Lyon like a tidal wave. The two young boys were instantly forced to their knees, trembling violently, their teeth chattering uncontrollably. Within seconds they collapsed into the snow, unable to resist the overwhelming force.
Two or three agonizing seconds later, Noah finally withdrew his magic.
Gray and Lyon gasped frantically for air, drenched in cold sweat despite the falling snow.
Even Uru was left shocked, her eyes wide.
"This… this power… it's nearly equal to mine. No… it's even stronger."
Her words were laced with awe.
Noah gave a relaxed smile, glancing at the two pale boys.
"Well then, can I train you now?"
Gray and Lyon said nothing, their silence betraying the impact his strength had made on them.
At that moment, Uru spoke up, her voice filled with surprise.
"Such incredible magic power! It's already stronger than mine. But Noah, aren't you planning to accompany me to the Magic Development Bureau? How are you going to train them at the same time?"
When Lyon heard his teacher admit that Noah's magic surpassed hers, his face twisted slightly. That flicker of dissatisfaction didn't escape Noah's notice, but he kept his silence. Instead, he answered Uru's question.
"That's exactly what I rely on."
As he spoke, a figure stepped out of Noah's body. Another Noah, identical in every detail, stood beside them as if he were the original.
Uru's eyes widened.
"A thought projection? But thought bodies shouldn't be able to touch physical objects…"
Uru frowned slightly, still puzzled, but Noah calmly explained:
"My thought body isn't an ordinary one. I've improved it. It can decide whether or not to touch physical objects at will, and it's even capable of releasing magic. So when it comes to training them, it's more than enough."
"A thought body that can cast magic?" Uru murmured in disbelief. "Thought bodies already require enormous magic to sustain. And you can even release spells through it… you really are incredible."
Noah chuckled lightly. "I'm still learning, still practicing. I wouldn't call myself that great yet. Anyway, let's head to your friend's place."
Uru nodded without pressing further. She led them down the mountain to a nearby town. Their first stop was a clothing shop, where she picked out a beautiful outfit for Ultear.
Once the girl changed, her appearance transformed completely. She looked fresh and lovely, her beauty still childlike but striking enough to make everyone stop and stare for a moment.
Ultear immediately threw herself into her mother's arms.
"Mom, am I pretty?" she asked expectantly.
Uru's eyes softened, and she laughed as she lifted her daughter high into the air.
"Ultear is the cutest in the world!"
She spun the little girl around before setting her gently back down, then took her hand and guided everyone to a modest home where her old friend lived.
When the woman at the door saw Uru, she smiled until her gaze fell on the group trailing behind her.
"Since when did you take in so many disciples?" she asked curiously. But the moment her eyes landed on Ultear, her expression shifted in shock. Covering her mouth, she whispered, "Wait… isn't this your daughter? But… didn't you once say she had already "
"A lot happened," Uru said quickly, her tone tinged with sadness. "I'll explain everything later. For now, I'd like to ask a favor. Could you take care of my disciple and my daughter for a couple of days? There's something important I need to do, and it wouldn't be safe to bring them along."
Her friend hesitated, then asked softly, "This… is it about your daughter?"
"Yes," Uru admitted. "That's why I want them to stay here for a while. He'll be keeping an eye on them, too."
She gestured toward Noah.
Her friend tilted her head, confused. "Isn't he one of your disciples?"
Uru shook her head firmly. "No. He's my benefactor the one who brought Ultear back to me."
Hearing that, the woman's eyes widened in respect. "I see… then I'll take them in. You go and do what you must."
"Thank you," Uru said gratefully. She crouched down to embrace Ultear tightly, her voice trembling with determination.
"Ultear, Mom is going to seek justice for you. Stay here with Mom's friend for just two days, and I'll come back right away."
"You promised, Mom. Don't lie to me," Ultear pleaded, clutching her sleeve.
"Mom would never lie to Ultear," Uru whispered, stroking her daughter's hair.
Noah, watching the mother and daughter cling to each other, summoned one of his thought bodies to quietly accompany the children for extra protection.
At last, Uru's friend took Ultear's hand, leading her along with Gray and Lyon toward the house. Ultear kept looking back every few steps, reluctant to let go. Uru, though equally reluctant, forced herself to wave and smile until they disappeared from sight.
She knew she had no choice. The matter of the Magic Development Bureau had to be resolved quickly, for only then could she and her daughter finally live in peace.
When Ultear finally vanished from sight, Uru exhaled softly, then turned to Noah.
"Alright… let's go. There's a magic tricycle rental not far from here. We can "
"No need," Noah interrupted gently. "We can head out right now."
Before Uru could question him, Noah reached out and grasped her arm. A magic circle shimmered to life beneath their feet, and in the blink of an eye, the world warped around them.
When Uru's senses cleared, she was standing on the edge of a vast desert. The enormous silhouette of the Magic Development Bureau loomed faintly in the distance.
Her eyes widened slightly. "That was teleportation magic?"
"Yes," Noah admitted, glancing at the structure ahead. "But I didn't dare place us too close. If they detected us, the whole plan would fail."
Without another word, he began pulling out an assortment of strange magical tools from his bag. With practiced precision, he layered spell after spell barriers, seals, and cloaking enchantments shielding them from every possible detection method. Sight, sound, scent, touch, even magical perception itself… all were carefully masked.
Uru watched quietly at first, but as Noah's preparations dragged on, her eyes narrowed with faint amusement. Finally, she asked, "Why are you so… thoroughly prepared?"
Noah smiled faintly, not looking up from his work. "Because accidents are always born from what no one anticipates. So I prepared for everything I could think of. And now, it's paying off."
Uru shook her head helplessly, deciding not to comment further. She simply stood by, watching him finish the last of his intricate precautions.
After one final check, Noah straightened and nodded in satisfaction. "That should do it. Now… one last thing. Put these on."
He handed her a pair of sleek, enchanted glasses, slipping on another pair himself.
"These will let us see each other. Without them, we'll vanish even from each other's sight. Don't worry like the rest of my tools, they're treated so they won't expose us."
Uru examined the glasses curiously before sliding them on. The moment she did, Noah's figure flickered back into view, standing solidly before her.
With everything in place, the two of them began moving carefully toward the Magic Development Bureau, their footsteps silent against the desert sands.
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