Chapter 108 The Unexpected Teacher
Aaron stared at the thirtieth keyhole, stroking his chin in thought for a while. "As expected, let's rule it out!"
"Ah!" Gines was stunned. "Did I not explain it clearly just now?
Young Master, as someone with experience, I advise you, choosing this one is definitely not wrong."
"Forget it! No matter how right it is, it's not suitable for my age. Let's talk about it in a few years!
Besides, don't think I can't tell, if you want to drink, go by yourself. You don't need to use my name as a cover-up."
"This... alright!" Gines smiled awkwardly but politely, then inserted the key into the first keyhole. "Then let's look at them one by one!"
The Chamber of Secrets opened, and Aaron, holding Abey, followed Gines through the large door.
As he took his first step inside, a scorching heat wave washed over him.
Looking around, this Chamber of Secrets was filled with fiery red magma, with several massive machine furnaces at its center. They were in a standby state, emitting clanking sounds from time to time.
Besides that, various rare ores were piled up on one side. These ores emitted different lusters; just by their appearance, one could tell they were priceless.
"This place was transformed from the center of a volcano. The patriarch of that generation used immense magic to draw it into the family's Chamber of Secrets.
It's not in the volcano, but its energy comes from the volcano, allowing it to maintain a consistently high temperature.
I believe Young Master, you can also tell that this is a forging room, used for crafting divine weapons."
Aaron nodded blankly. "There were even forgers in the family's history?"
"Only one, but his achievements were quite remarkable.
Over a thousand years ago, this patriarch was honored as a distinguished guest by several kingdoms as the foremost forger of his time. Even now, the weapons he crafted are considered heirlooms in the royal families."
Aaron rubbed his head, unsure how to comment.
This ancestor, instead of being a proper Wizard, chose to be a blacksmith. This was clearly putting the cart before the horse.
Yet, he somehow reached the pinnacle on a different path, accumulating immense connections for the family.
The friendship of royal families! And not just one. Who would dare say he took the wrong path?
"So, the theme of this Chamber of Secrets is forging?
And you're teaching it?"
"No, I wouldn't know how." Gines said very directly.
"Then why bring me here? To figure it out myself?"
"Of course not.
This subordinate has said that each Chamber of Secrets has a unique teaching method." Gines said, leading Aaron to the center of the Chamber of Secrets, where a black stone pillar slowly emerged from a small pool of magma.
"Just place your hand on it."
Aaron did as told, extending his right hand and pressing it onto the hand-shaped model on the stone pillar.
The next moment, strange patterns appeared on the stone pillar, and magma slowly flowed up along these patterns, forming a human figure above the stone pillar.
Soon the lava dissipated, and a young man with black hair and silver eyes, who bore some resemblance to Aaron, appeared before them.
This young man was similar to a ghost, possessing a certain degree of self-awareness and capable of passing through any solid object.
Yet, he was different from a ghost; his cool entrance alone was enough to put ghosts several streets behind, and his body was no different from a human's, not the characteristic gray-white of ghosts.
Seeing the figure appear, Gines immediately bowed, showing his respect.
The middle-aged man nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Aaron and began his self-introduction, "I am the forty-seventh patriarch, Algol Gaius.
Excellent descendant, do you wish to learn forging?
I can teach you to forge a set of indestructible weapons. With it, you can defeat all enemies. If one day you become the God of Magic, perhaps you can even slay a god with it."
"That's a bit too exaggerated!" Aaron chuckled awkwardly, feeling somewhat disbelieving.
"Don't believe it?
It doesn't matter, you're not the first, and you're certainly not the last."
"Is that true?"
Algol was about to speak when Gines immediately coughed. "That... please forgive my rudeness, but Young Master Aaronis only twelve years old this year."
"Twelve years old?" Algol raised an eyebrow, looked closely at Aaron, and the corner of his mouth involuntarily lifted. "Interesting, truly interesting.
Little fellow, you're quite good at hiding it!"
Aaron's heart skipped a beat, guessing that his true strength had not escaped the eyes of this ancestor. He immediately put on a harmless, shy smile. "Ancestor, you won't tell, will you?"
"No, being able to achieve this much is your own ability. I wouldn't pick on a junior.
Furthermore, I've walked this path myself, and I know how difficult it is to be an heir."
Aaron admitted he was touched. "Ancestor, you are a good person."
"Good person?" Algol burst into laughter. "That evaluation really doesn't suit me. I've never killed anyone in my life, but the number of people who have died because of the weapons I forged is at least four digits."
"You can't say that; more people have died because of wands, and the Magical World hasn't banned their sale, has it?"
"Well said, I'm starting to like you."
Aaron scratched his head shyly, then asked, "Ancestor, what state are you in now?
You say you're alive, but it doesn't feel like it. You say you're a ghost, but it doesn't feel like it at all."
"This is a profound magic, memory magic.
On the day my time was almost up, I connected part of my memory with this space. As long as this space exists, this magic can continue indefinitely.
However, the flaw is also obvious. I exist in the form of memory and cannot leave here, so most of the time I am in a state of slumber.
Within this space, I can use magic, but my strength is only a fraction of what it was in life."
"Then how strong is that?"
"Barely a Grand Magister!"
"Hiss!"
Aaron gasped, having the strength of a Grand Magister even after death. This ancestor must have been a Saint Magisterin life!
"Then, Ancestor, can you tell me..."
"Are you sure you want to know now?" Algol smiled meaningfully. "I know what you want to ask, but not knowing is one thing, and knowing is another."
Aaron paused, then his expression changed slightly as he realized something.
"Never mind, I'll know when the time is right."
"Smart man.
So now tell me, do you want to learn forging from me?"
"This, let's just forget about it!" Aaron said awkwardly.
"Hmm?
I'll give you another chance to choose."
"Ancestor, please let me explain.
Times have changed. No matter how powerful a forged weapon is, it can't compare to a nuclear bomb, so..."
Aaron's voice trailed off as Algol's face visibly darkened.
"Descendant, you are a Wizard, wielding the power of the mystical side.
Muggle technology certainly has its merits, but there's a saying you should have heard: the end of science is theology, and forging technology is one of the best shortcuts to approaching theology."
Aaron hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "I'm sorry, Ancestor, my plan for myself is to reach the pinnacle without relying on external objects.
So, I regret."
"Another high-minded fellow." Algol crossed his arms. "I'm telling you, learning forging won't lead to losses, and learning forging won't lead to being deceived."
"I don't have that much time, really." Aaron politely refused again.
"I thought you were a smart person!" Algol shrugged, then looked at Gines. "Tell Vico that his son will be my apprentice from now on.
He has to learn, whether he wants to or not."
Gines paused slightly, gave Aaron an apologetic look, then nodded weakly. "Understood."
Aaron:...This feels a bit like a forced sale.
"I don't agree, this isn't fair."
"No, this is very fair." Algol said calmly, "You inherit my skills, and I keep your secret. Is there a problem?"
"No!" Aaron gritted his teeth. "No problem."
"Then what should you call me?"
"Ancestor, no, Master."
"That's right." Algol smiled triumphantly. "I know you might be a little unhappy, but I really can't bear to miss out on a talent like you.
Learn a little more now, and you'll thank me later.
Of course, you don't have much time, and you won't be able to learn all of my abilities, but how far you can go on this path still depends on you."
Aaron nodded, half-understanding, then looked at Gines. "The first elective course is decided."
"Yes, there are two more courses to choose from."
"Then let's go quickly!"
"Wait." Algol stopped them. "My course can be considered a compulsory course. I think Little Aaron shouldn't mind learning one more course, right?"
Aaron clenched his fists, then helplessly released them.
It wasn't that he didn't want to defy his superior, but he simply couldn't win.
"I don't mind, of course I don't mind. This is the Ancestor thinking highly of me."
"Smart man." Algol smiled even more happily, then with a wave of his hand, the portal at the back of the Chamber of Secrets slowly opened. "Go, I've opened the second door for you. Come here to find me for one hour every day from now on."
Aaron took a deep breath and eagerly walked towards the next portal.
Gines looked at Algol, hesitant to speak, and said somewhat pained, "Lord Algol, Young Master is only a twelve-year-old child. He probably can't bear such pressure."
"I trust my judgment." Algol smiled. "This fellow is not as simple as you think. If it weren't for this being my memory space, I wouldn't even be able to tell."
"But..."
"No buts.
Having so much cunning at twelve years old, the Gaius Family truly has a successor.
All you need to do is trust him, and trust me."
"Yes, this subordinate understands." Gines nodded heavily, then turned and walked towards the second door.