I don’t argue with him and simply nod my head. Seeing this man, I already know nothing I say would convince him to tell me about my background, no matter how much I want to know it.

"Thank you, Master Edrel," I say with a slight bow, and the Orc laughs, rubbing his bald head awkwardly.

"S-So teacher went through all this for me?" Aleena says, her voice laced with emotion.

"Haa, not going to lie. I immediately left seclusion and started sniffing around his background. I don’t want my student marrying a jerk. I also dug into the background of those two succubi I heard Jacob wants to marry too—they’re clean as well," Edrel says, startling me even further.

If someone could dig into my background so easily, including the two sisters’, then I’ve clearly underestimated how dangerous this world really is.

"Teacher~"

"Don’t blame me. I can’t be too cautious. I’m happy you met a good person, but you also have to work hard, Aleena. There are obstacles you’ll face with your husband in the future. I might not be there to save you," Edrel says with a sigh.

"Teacher~ just what have you been busy doing?" Aleena asks, her eyes almost teary.

The Orc looks left and right before suddenly snapping his fingers. Immediately, I sense a fluctuation of Mana in the air, and I know he has cast a barrier around us.

No chant. Advanced magic.

This level of casting is far above Aleena. He did it in mere microseconds. This man is an absolute monster.

"Aleena, I’m stuck at Advanced magic, even though I’ve already reached its pinnacle. I just need a breakthrough to step into Archmage magic. I already grasp the concept, but it feels like something is still missing. That’s why I’ve been in seclusion, to figure out what it is," Edrel reveals.

Suddenly, he turns to me, a smile slowly creeping onto his lips.

"You... can see my Mana," he says, and I instantly break into a cold sweat.

"Haha, what are you talking about?" I reply, waving my hand dismissively.

Aleena also looks confused, clearly lost in what’s happening.

"There’s no need to hide it. Despite concealing my Mana, I noticed you could still peer deeply into it and read my signature. Your Mana Control is around the Advanced stage, but your foundation looks weak. Don’t chase quick power-ups—build a solid foundation," Edrel says as he begins digging into his food again.

"Jacob... what are you hiding from me?" Aleena asks, now looking left out.

I glance at the Orc before turning back to her.

"I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. Everything you taught me, I was able to grasp on the spot, and I felt like I could go even further. But I didn’t want Lilith to feel left out if I advanced to Intermediate magic too quickly, so I kept it hidden. I also intentionally held back my Mana pool so I wouldn’t shatter your confidence. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything," I say, lowering my head. A weight lifts off my shoulders now that I’ve said it out loud.

"Ooof... is that what you’re apologizing for? Truth is, I already knew you were holding back your Mana pool. Your expression back then looked so fake, haha," Aleena laughs.

I laugh too, and even Edrel joins in.

"You actually made the best decision, Jacob. Now, show me your basic magic casting," Edrel says.

I nod and stretch my palm forward, spreading my fingers apart.

"Fireball."

"Ice shard."

"Windball."

"Earth."

"Lightning."

I cast all five spells at once, weaving them together into a single chant. The spells dance around each of my fingers, especially the lightning, wriggling wildly as if trying to devour the others.

I notice Edrel and Aleena staring in awe.

"This... such Mana Control," Edrel mutters, a smile forming on his face.

Aleena, on the other hand, is completely flushed—bright red, and staring at me in a strange way.

What is wrong with her?

I quickly dispel the spells as they consume my Mana at a ridiculous rate. Even if each one doesn’t use much individually, maintaining all five at once is a different story entirely.

"You need to upgrade to Intermediate magic. Here, I have a few intermediate spells for you," Edrel suddenly says, producing a bunch of scrolls and handing them over to me. "Don’t mind the appearance—I’m an old geezer. I prefer storing my spell formations in scrolls."

"Thank you, Master," I say with a bow. Even though he didn’t officially take me as a student, I shamelessly started calling him Master. If licking someone’s foot would help me reach greatness, I’d do it—as long as I’m not getting cucked.

"You’re welcome. Among those scrolls, there’s an intermediate purification spell that should be compatible with you. I really couldn’t find anyone else who could use it, but you should be able to. Fufu," Edrel laughs mischievously.

As a man of culture, I immediately catch on to what he’s implying and nod in understanding, a smile curling on my lips.

When I glance over at Aleena, she’s still bright red and avoiding my gaze, tugging lightly on my clothes while biting her lower lip.

I gulp at the sight. She reminds me of Lilith when she’s in the mood—but right now, it feels even more intense. And she’s acting like this right in front of her mentor.

As if sensing the strange atmosphere, Edrel clears his throat.

"Aleena, I heard you’re now a B-Rank adventurer. If you had taken more quests and practiced your magic in the dungeon, you’d likely be A-Rank by now. But what matters is building a solid base before moving forward. I expect to see you stronger the next time we meet," he says as he stands up.

"Yes, Master... thank you for caring about me," Aleena says with a bow, though she’s still flushed and still holding onto my clothes.

Then Edrel turns to me.

"Get as strong as me or even stronger by the next time we meet. I want to spar with you. If you’re weak, I’ll beat the shit out of you," he says with a serious smile, and I can’t help but break into a cold sweat.

The Orc gives us a final wave, and right before our eyes, he casts a teleportation spell—

and vanishes.