How to Raise a Dumb Wolf - Chapter 48

Perhaps the dim light made her eyes play tricks on her.

For one instant, Aisha saw shock, confusion, incomprehension, disbelief, and other tangled emotions in Eric’s deep-blue eyes.

She wondered whether she had done something wrong—whether her experienced teacher had indeed recognized her lack of practice. Her heart raced at the thought that he might scold her or even expel her.

Then Eric spoke—

“You… did well.”

He looked away and spoke with perfect calm.

“Where is your preparatory report?”

Relieved that she had not been scolded, Aisha hurried to retrieve the summary she had prepared and hand it to him.

Eric flipped through it and nodded his approval. Only then did he begin explaining the principles of transformation magic.

Perhaps it was Aisha’s imagination, but Eric seemed faintly agitated today, making his speech slightly faster than usual. He appeared to be suppressing his emotions with all his strength so nothing strange would show.

Besides… Aisha felt that something else was wrong, though she could not identify it. She could only continue listening intently.

The odd feeling persisted through the morning lesson.

Only after class ended, as Aisha carried her notebook, wand, and handouts back toward her room, did her footsteps suddenly stop.

Eric had not mentioned her mother once today!

Aisha froze and carefully reviewed the lesson. Only then did she confirm that her memory was correct. Eric truly had not referred to Tina a single time.

After growing accustomed to his way of criticizing her, today’s exception seemed strange instead. She tilted her head and thought for a long time without finding an answer.

Perhaps her teacher had simply forgotten.

Aisha smiled to herself, stopped worrying about such a minor matter, and returned to her room with her books to prepare for the afternoon general lecture.

…

Meanwhile, Eric hurried back to his laboratory after class and resumed his magical research as usual.

His research was at a critical stage, demanding his complete concentration every day. Yet today, he felt only inescapable agitation and distraction.

Fwoosh—

“Tch.”

Once again, an incorrectly drawn pattern caused his spell to fail. The magic array, two-thirds of its circle already complete, erupted prematurely in a burst of scorching flame and instantly burned to ash. Only a faint magical outline remained, as though mocking the “advanced mage” who had made such a novice error.

Eric clicked his tongue irritably, but as usual, it did nothing to calm him.

…In truth, he had not known peace since Aisha entered the tower.

Struggle, guilt, regret, and self-disgust tormented him constantly.

It was not that he failed to understand his actions were wrong. But once he began, stopping became difficult.

He knew perfectly well that Tina Killott could not be copied or replaced. He also knew Aisha was not Tina.

But… Aisha was part of Tina. She was the continuation of Tina’s life.

Since Tina could never return to him, then… then at least let Aisha remain here a little longer. Do not let her leave so soon.

The girl’s gifts differed from Tina’s, but they were still considerable. If Eric taught her through conventional methods, she would certainly leave him quickly.

After this child departed, no amount of patience or endless waiting could ever bring him another.

He could not surrender the final thread of hope.

In fact, he had even wished the child might be a little foolish—might happily study at his side for several years, then remain in Wold for work after graduation and never leave.

Even so, before witnessing the girl’s talent, Eric had never imagined he could do something so despicable that even he could barely endure it.

He had always been proud. When Tina rejected him, he could not humble himself enough to ask her to stay.

But at that moment, his single thought had been: *Keep her here.*

The words he had spoken with feigned grace at their final meeting had left him one strand of hope—and ultimately become the prison that confined him.

Eric could sense Aisha’s growing anxiety at her inability to advance. No matter how many new spells he used to distract her, he could not divert her desire to improve.

He constantly mentioned Tina’s name, trying to forge a connection among the three of them. Yet Aisha’s expression only grew more confused.

Aisha had asked why he never inquired about her innate magic. Eric evaded the question every time.

Sooner or later, she would truly notice.

At times, Eric felt uneasy and guilty. He knew he was doing wrong and betraying Tina’s trust.

At other times, he could not help secretly hoping that Aisha would write to Tina and complain about his negligence. Then his name would appear in Tina’s life again.

Tina had always been swift and fiery. Perhaps she would become so furious that she charged straight to Wold to settle accounts with him…

That would be wonderful. He would finally see her and hear her voice again… after twenty years…

But nothing happened.

Aisha did not impatiently write home to report her experiences at the Tower of Magic. She trusted him. She believed the teaching methods of a mage on the ninth floor of the upper section must have their reasons.

Or perhaps… she simply did not believe her inability to learn was her teacher’s fault.

The truth scorched Eric’s conscience and sense of morality like the fires of hell. His former, stubborn pride and arrogance had been crushed beneath the feet of the man he had become—a man who could only use contemptible methods to retain his student.

The agitation born from those tangled emotions finally reached its peak today.

The girl had improved.

The change was subtle, but fundamental. After more than ten days of dejection, she stood again with lively energy.

Yes, Eric should have expected it. Even without a teacher’s guidance, Aisha would eventually find her own method. She would still leave as quickly as possible.

No—perhaps she had already grown tired of her current state. Once the three-month trial period ended, she would apply to Claudia and transfer to a teacher better able to help her. Then she would spread her wings and fly into a new sky—

…It was almost a cruel irony.

Even after using methods his former self would have despised as disgusting and vile, he still could not keep her.

Fwoosh.

Eric could not control the tremor in his fingers. Another magic array shattered halfway through being drawn.

Sparks leaped onto his pale face, while the remains burned away, leaving only a deathly white afterglow.

…

After discovering a new study method, Aisha began visiting the Free Arena frequently.

At first, she continued buying tickets. But on her third visit alone, the elderly beastfolk at the entrance waved her through.

“Go straight inside. Several young men have already visited our medical center asking about you. If we don’t start paying you, they may form a group and tear our owner apart. Some girls have come looking for your treatment too.

“Young lady, why don’t you sign on at the medical center and work here regularly?”

Aisha smiled self-consciously, her ears gradually reddening. She was surprised to hear that people had asked about her.

But she did not remain proud for long. Their desire to find her did not necessarily mean her skills were exceptional. Honestly, with her current ability, she could not completely heal any wound beyond a certain size.

Her treatment was simply free of charge.

Not everyone who visited the Free Arena was a professional or soldier. Many were students short of money.

Besides, Aisha’s treatment was not entirely selfless. This was simply the place where she could encounter the greatest number of subjects for magical practice.

Unable to tell whether the old beastfolk was joking or serious, Aisha did not dare answer impulsively. She thanked him for waiving the spectator fee and jogged into the arena.

The old man called stubbornly after her, “There are more customers during the hours you visit now! Our owner says you should genuinely consider working here after graduation! The pay is excellent!”

Aisha’s entire face reddened, and she ran even faster.

Still, being appreciated felt wonderful. She could not help feeling faintly pleased, and even treated patients faster that day.

As a result, she exhausted her magical power and returned to the Tower of Magic half an hour earlier than usual.

Perhaps the day was destined to be fortunate. Upon returning, Aisha discovered that a letter from her parents had finally arrived.

Her heart leaped. She had waited for it for so long.

Aisha hurried back to her room with the letter. After thoroughly mussing the fur of the giant wolf waiting beside the door, she sat nervously at her desk and opened it.

Hock and Tina had clearly written the letter together. Both of their handwriting styles appeared throughout it.

Most of the letter congratulated her for passing the Tower of Magic’s examination and earning Eric Green’s recognition. Her father and mother were both proud of her.

One section was unmistakably in Hock’s hand. His handwriting looked hesitant there. He explained that he and Eric had clashed in the past, and that he worried Eric might make things difficult for Aisha.

Aisha smiled helplessly at the passage. Apparently, both her parents had known her teacher. Yet Eric had never once mentioned her father.

The final section came from her mother.

Tina said Princess Elizabeth had learned the news, was very happy for Aisha, and wanted to write to her. But Tina was unsure whether Aisha and Elizabeth were close enough to correspond, so she asked Aisha’s permission on Elizabeth’s behalf.

She also explained that spring brought poor weather to Helman and that it had rained frequently. Letters might therefore be delayed, which was normal. They were both well, so Aisha need not worry. Finally, Tina wished her success in everything to come.

After reading the entire letter, Aisha could not help smiling.

Even without analyzing the words carefully, the interwoven handwriting and harmony between paragraphs were enough to reveal how loving her parents’ marriage was.

Tina’s sentences were lively and graceful, showing that she had been in an excellent mood while writing. Life must truly have been going very well lately.

After rereading the letter several times with satisfaction, Aisha finally began her reply.

First, she agreed that Elizabeth could write to her. Honestly, although Aisha had felt a friendship form between them in Vitas, she had not expected the princess to be willing to correspond and was still somewhat surprised.

Then came greetings and good wishes for her parents, followed by a report on what she had recently seen and experienced in Wold and the state of her studies—mainly the good parts.

Then…

Aisha paused. After some hesitation, she tentatively asked what kind of relationship they had once had with her teacher, Eric Green.

Once the letter was complete, she skillfully sealed it with glue and prepared to post it the following day.