Looking at the somewhat shy Isha, Li De gave a kind smile and ruffled the girl’s small head.
“Don’t be afraid, Isha. This is your home now. Be more confident—no one here can bully you.”
It was a joke to think that someone with a golden bloodline could be left unprotected while she grew up—that would truly be madness.
Part of the reason he had Vina bring Isha along was to help the girl adapt to her new environment faster.
Though Isha was still a bit timid now, she had already improved so much compared to yesterday’s frightened little animal-like state.
Isha’s voice was soft, like the quiet chirping of a nightingale—light and ethereal, yet filled with the innocence and shyness of a young girl.
Li De couldn’t resist patting this obedient girl’s head again. Isha looked absolutely adorable, especially with those ruby-like eyes that made him adore her even more.
Isha could feel Li De’s affection and slightly closed her eyes, enjoying his touch like a little kitten basking in its owner’s affection.
“Let us first understand what magic is.”
Li De messed up the girl’s hair, satisfying his playful streak before beginning his role as a teacher.
“Magic refers to manipulating the mana floating in the air, channeling it through a fixed magic model in the mind to produce spells. That is what we commonly refer to as magic.”
“Mana is the most fundamental element of our world—even the Creator cannot avoid using mana.”
“The most basic step to learning magic is meditation. Meditation is something that is both simple and easy, yet also has a high threshold. It’s simple and easy because any ordinary person who can meditate can be considered a mage apprentice.”
“The threshold is high because, without extraordinary magical aptitude, one could spend their entire life unable to complete a single meditation session.”
As Isha gazed at Li De, who spoke confidently, her heart was filled with admiration. Her bright crimson eyes sparkled like stars.
Her small hands, hidden beneath the wide blue mage robes, were tightly clenched.
Her expression was focused and earnest.
She knew that all of this was a blessing from the Goddess of Luck.
Isha would work hard to learn from her teacher.
The girl made a small vow in her heart.
After explaining some basic magical knowledge, Li De looked at the girl who was still staring at him intently and smiled faintly.
“Magical knowledge requires long-term accumulation. If you don’t understand it now, that’s fine—we have plenty of time to learn later.
Now, I will teach you the Meditation Technique.”
Li De’s expression became more serious as he pointed to a diagram of magic nodes on the table and began carefully explaining it to Isha.
Half a sun-hour later, the explanation was complete.
Seeing that Isha hadn’t spoken a word throughout, Li De gave a smile.
“The Meditation Technique is the starting point for all mages. Only by mastering it can one qualify as a mage apprentice and step into the realm of magic.
The Meditation Technique involves continuously running a non-fixed magic model in the mind using mental force. For beginners, this is very difficult, and most people need a month or two to learn it. Isha, don’t rush—there’s no need to worry, we have plenty of time.”
Before his words could finish, a faint wave of mana suddenly emanated from Isha’s body.
Upon sensing the mana, Li De’s eyes widened as he stared blankly at the girl, swallowing back everything he was about to say.
A look of confusion appeared on Isha’s pale little face. She raised her head slightly and looked at him, speaking softly.
“Teacher… I… did I just learn it?”
The teacher said it was difficult, so why did she learn it so quickly?
It must be because the teacher taught her well. Isha’s eyes lit up with happiness, and this simple-minded girl immediately credited all the success to Li De.
Looking at Isha’s cautious smile, Li De didn’t know what to say, feeling an inexplicable sense of malice from the golden race.
This was absolutely ridiculous!
Even vampires, a superior race gifted with spellcasting talent, would need at least three to five days to master meditation. Some with poorer aptitude might even take a week.
Less than half a sun-hour.
For the first time, Li De gained a direct understanding of what “talent” and “golden bloodline” truly meant.
No wonder dragons, a golden race, were eternal legends—it wasn’t without reason. Such overwhelming talent made it almost impossible for them not to be strong.
Seeing Li De remain silent, Isha’s heart suddenly grew tense. She cautiously looked at him, too afraid to speak.
To this girl, Li De, who had saved her from countless acts of malice, was like the heavens—her only trustworthy person in life.
The more she cared, the more she feared losing him.
Seeing the hints of worry and unease in Isha’s eyes, Li De felt a sudden pang in his heart.
He didn’t know what this little girl had endured to become so sensitive, but he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pity.
What touched him was that, despite everything she had been through, her heart remained pure—clean and untainted like her eyes, her ruby-like gaze shining brightly and purely.
Reaching out, he affectionately ruffled the girl’s hair, and Li De gave a gentle smile.
“In the future, treat this place as your home. You don’t need to be so cautious anymore.
You are my disciple, the princess of the Crimson Mage Tower.
Here, no one can drive you away, no one can bully you.
There’s no need to be so worried or sensitive.
Believe me, Teacher will protect you—I swear it with my life.”
Isha’s eyes froze for a moment, then slowly reddened.
She, who hadn’t reacted even when countless people cursed at her yesterday, was deeply moved in her heart at this moment.
It was like a child lost in the dark after wandering through countless streets, seeing countless unfamiliar and cold faces, enduring countless malicious stares, only to finally turn around and find family waiting under the warm yellow glow of a streetlamp for a very, very long time.
All the anxiety and unease within her surged forth in this moment.
She directly threw herself into Li De’s arms, tears seemingly drawn painfully, thread by thread, from the depths of her soul, soaking his clothes little by little.
She cried, but not a single sound escaped her lips.
Li De froze for a moment, then revealed a tender smile, gently embracing this girl who had endured so much suffering.
His warm hand gently patted her back.
“Everything will be alright.”