"Hmmm..." slowly opening my eyes on the familiar soft bed, the dim light of the room cleared the view before me.

The ceiling that had become familiar over the past year I had been here, the magic lights on the other side, the soft touch of the bed.

And of all of them, the familiar presence of old scent.

"I won.. finally," I mumbled with a smile, knowing just what kind of face she would be making.

And as I knew, a smack flew towards my head.

"Ouch!" it was painful but the fact that I won this time didn't change.

"Yes, you did. After an entire year, you finally made me move from my spot. But..." she stopped, and I looked on the other side.

I knew what type of face this grandma of mine would be making.

As our eyes met, she looked down at me from her chair.

Those pure blue eyes were angry, and I knew the reason.

"You fool. Did you use almost all of Solnova in that last one? That much desperation?

And that was after using almost all of your Mana?

Do you know what happens after that severe draining?

Death, foolish child, death!

What would I do if you die on me just to win like that?!"

She shouted, and I smiled at this reaction.

It was really something to see the person I took an entire year to just make her move from her starting place like this.

And that was after using everything I had prepared through this time.

But one thing was certain.

I was now stronger. Strong enough to stand against geniuses of other races my age.

Reaching (tier-3) at the age of ten?

That was some really special stuff but, it was true.

And.. I wasn't that special for this achievement.

Many were as strong as me at my age and many were far stronger than my current self.

I had read and gained unparalleled knowledge in the library on the 48th floor, so I knew those things.

That place... was heaven.

Though it restricted me in some areas because I was weak at the moment, as the area opened up and I gained access to new knowledge, as I got stronger.

There were books on everything.

From today's knowledge to the ancient knowledge of the past.

That magical place had books of everything, from stories of children to the super tough books of magic.

Those thick tomes, that sweet, old scent, that beauty... were incredible.

But, well, I was now used to unreal stuff after living in this place for the past year.

But this angry master of mine was the most enjoyable thing I loved and her cooking.

"Ok, master. I deserve the harshest punishment. But, isn't it night? Shouldn't we have dinner first?" I genuinely smiled and tried to get up from the bed.

It wasn't the best idea to use almost all the energy in my body, but I wasn't foolish enough to use it all.

I wasn't someone that would risk my life in a fight I wasn't sure about.

I had planned today's fight for a long time and calculated all potential outcomes.

From the first fight with my master a year ago, I knew the endless difference in strength.

I was still nowhere near her strength.

Our spar sessions were once every week, and what we did in them was up to us.

She had never once moved from the place she had started. She did not need to.

Her passive magic defense was something only Asta, my partner weapon, could breach.

And that was also only because she was using only one type of shield from the first fight.

Deciphering that magic... no, that was not magic.

That almost (Indigo) ranking passive skill was horrible.

Just the way they made it made me pass out every time I tried to [Understand] it.

But, after five months, I had successfully created a counter for that shield.

And after taking a month to enchant that specific algorithm in Asta, it had become the sole weapon that can pierce that specific shield.

But I knew damn well this old lady wasn't using the strangest or even stronger one of her abilities.

In fact, she had never used a single skill or magic to attack me.

All I had got were the physical combat lessons and physical beating every once in a while.

That was enough to remind me of the way they had beaten me up in the forest, and probably more.

I knew I was going to get punished for today but, well, that was already decided when I started to make this plan so, no regrets.

Getting up and seeing the wordlessly walking grandma, I caught up to her and held her hand.

The room was just dimly lit, and she was just walking out without saying anything.

I knew she was sad, as well as disappointed.

"Sorry master," I genuinely apologized for worrying her like that.

Though we both knew nothing serious can happen to me in her presence, she still worried about me.

"I knew you are a fool but, pulling this kind of stunt is a no. Do it slowly, Eon.

Yes, you are getting stronger every day but, people worry about you.

Even though I know of your plans, strengths, and thinking, they don't.

I can't stop you but, you are precious to me in many ways.

Not just as a student, as a successor, or as my lovely grandson, but as someone I cherish dearly.

Well, I had to say, that was one hell of a fight. I won't mind a similar one with less danger, alright?" she smiled and, as patted my head.

Her warm touch was now familiar, but still as gentle and special as the first time.

Even after knowing I would do that, she didn't move from her place because she couldn't block that sudden attack, but because I was falling.

Calculating that thing was also difficult, and this result was the fruit of my endless labor.

So, even with petty tricks, I had successfully made my OP master move from the spot she would start.

"I won..." I mumbled under my breath and smirked at her.

Looking at me with a really annoyed smile, she shook her head.

"Go wash up, you fool."

With the last smack, she walked out, and I stayed in the room to change the clothes I was wearing.

This was also some good armor but, it won't work from tomorrow as I knew.. I was in for some harsh punishment.

Well, the divine dinner will be enough reward for this triumphant victory.

[[ Master is having fun, but grandma is mad. Hehehe. You two love each other, just like me~! ]]

My cheerful little friend came out and set down on my head.

She was also receiving training from a master and it surprised me we could do things like this, too.

Celes was more special than she could think, and I was really blessed to have her.

***

On the 25th floor of the eternal tower, or what I named it, Celes and I reached the dining area and kitchen.

This place was... exceptional and divided into two parts.

The kitchen area was a divine place filled with all kinds of magic equipment, artifacts, and ingredients.

The first time I came here, I had left blankly staring at this heavenly sight.

This was amazing, and she used every tool I didn't even have the knowledge of with such proficiency that it left me speechless every time I saw it.

And even now, after a year, I wasn't fully familiar with everything here.

Well, I wasn't here for making something, but to eat the food grandma would make tonight.

Wearing my pajamas and strolling into the kitchen, I sat down at one of the tables she had prepared for today.

"Perfect timing," she said without looking back and summoned her special white flames in her hand.

The ingredients she used in her special meals were so special, according to her, I can't even think of processing them by normal means.

Well, she said she was almost done so, it meant something delicious was on its way.

She was working on the other side of the giant kitchen island and, from the looks of it, she was already done.

She was a saint of cooking if not for magic; I dare say.

That speed, control, and flavor weren't something anyone can produce, I knew from experience.

But, well, I didn't think much about what I was eating or what it actually was.

The gorgeous looking, esthetic, deliciously aromatic, perfect flavored heavenly meals she made were... divine.

Just like right now.

A unique aroma filled the room, an aroma that could mesmerize, a scent that pierced the nostrils and tickled the brain.

This was the magic of her cooking, and it was enough to just smell this fragrance.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on N0vel--Biin.

But I had been eating it and will eat it today too, or now...

"Okay~! Eon's favorite. Aknola stakes and Nortinian pasta with Qyuio sauce.

The ice cream will be ready by we finish so, let's start.

Oh, and Celes, your favorite purple light flowers are ready too." She finished the serving with a freshly picked purple flower from the garden that Celes loved.

The garden was heaven for Celes and she can roam around there freely for however long she wanted.

Eating the lights with different flavors was delightful for her, and she loved this particular flower.

My appraisal skill couldn't appraise it so I didn't know what it was at first, but, after searching through books in the library, I found it.

And, well, let's not talk about what this was because... just the fact that we had an abundance of them in the garden was preposterous.

And though I didn't know what these dishes we were eating were, I loved them from the first time she made them.

Serving everything, she set down before me and signaled me to start.

With an already delighted smile, I started with a piece of this implacable stake.

And that exceptional taste was just like always... exquisite.

This was the start of the dinner... and the evaluation from the fight some time ago.

"You did well this time, Eon." She started with a small piece of meat and I gathered my attention like always.

"Your basic archery skills have reached the point I have nothing else to teach in that field.

Now, from now on, you will have to find the path you want to walk. And that process is slow... and beautiful.

You will have fun when you explore the world and understand yourself.

You are about to achieve Aura, too.

Maybe a year at most? Yes, that much will be enough if you go through this phase.

So, your archery training will be on you, and I know you will do well." She finished eating the first bite and continued with the soft pasta.

Her words were expected, and I knew a day like this would come.

Everyone had their own paths, and now I was ready to find my own.

The path of the bow and arrows, and the path of a [Magic Archer].

But.. it was still far away.

I nodded, and she continued.

"So, we will start the Energy training from tomorrow.

That would be my teachings, Eon. Not general, not from books, not from someone else.

So, be prepared for more hell than you have experienced until now." she finished half of the pasta in that short time.

Looks like she will have seconds, like always.

"We can use Solnova in different ways, just like any other energy.

We can use Mana in magic, as well as creation and alchemy.

Aura can be used with a weapon but, some can use healing with that very Aura.

Spirit Mana is used in spirit summoning but, one can perform magic with it.

Solnova, in my version, can be used to create spells and strengthen physical as well as astral bodies." She said with the last slurping of pasta.

She said it casually, but I knew from those words that it was time for me to learn what was hers.

To learn the fraction of her true knowledge and something that belonged to her.

It was her point of view and one day, I will have to find my own path with this energy, just like magic and archery.

But I would accept her teachings with all my being.

Those were invaluable and my greed for knowledge wouldn't allow me not to learn that.

A mind filled with the same thoughts, I continued listening to her point about my strength and weaknesses from the last fight so I could work on them.

Her phase was faster than anything I would expect from a teacher but, she could do it because it was me learning from her.

Even if I didn't want to, I would remember everything she would say and... I was thankful for that.

She was teaching me as much as she can in the time we were learning aside from playing and having fun.

Maybe there was a reason she was doing it or maybe not, but... I loved this grandma of mine.

She was a cool person and if I can; I wanted her to go with me to my house, to my family, and have her there.

Maybe I can talk to her about that?

We have a lot of time together anyway so no need to rush.