The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 738 The Future Tower Master (1)

"Hey, I heard Old Man Orrun hasn't finished his crazy magic project yet. Is that true?"

A rather plump male student turned to address the grown man seated before him.

This man possessed considerable good looks, with short, gray hair and a pair of round spectacles.

Upon hearing the student's inquiry, the man offered a nod.

"Indeed. Even now, Great Sage Orrun has not concluded his work. It’s quite possible he never will," he responded, letting out a profound sigh.

The student let out a chuckle and playfully questioned, "Teacher, wouldn't you wish to caution him? Surely, it’s a tremendous waste of time to pursue something so pointless. Wouldn’t his efforts be better spent developing more practical forms of magic? What is your opinion?"

The man offered a self-deprecating smile. "Do you truly believe he would heed advice? Great Sage Orrun is exceedingly obstinate. He dismisses warnings from his fellow sages, let alone from a mere instructor like myself. It’s best to let it be…"

He casually waved his right hand, signaling for the student to depart. "Return to your studies now. I have my own tasks to complete."

The student beamed, then promptly turned and departed without delay.

Just as the man was preparing to immerse himself in his work once more, a gentle knock sounded from the exterior.

"Master Ethan, may I enter?"

Ethan was taken aback. The voice was incredibly delicate, almost childlike. He swiftly identified the speaker and a smile bloomed on his face.

"Certainly. Please, come in."

The door creaked open slowly, revealing a young girl who stepped inside.

She was breathtakingly beautiful. Her light green hair cascaded down her back in soft, flowing waves.

Her eyes, round and blue, were as clear and vibrant as the sky at noon.

Adorning her head was a ribbon shaped like a flower, enhancing her already captivating appearance.

Judging by her refined bearing, she appeared to be somewhere between five and seven years of age.

However, her most striking feature was her ears. Unlike the ears of ordinary humans, the girl’s were long and pointed, unmistakably marking her as an elf.

The moment Ethan laid eyes on her, his smile broadened considerably.

"Do you require something from me?"

Sylvia entered and halted directly in front of Ethan’s desk. She inclined her head slightly and inquired, "Am I disturbing you?"

Ethan shook his head emphatically. "Not at all. What is it you need?"

A visible sigh of relief escaped Sylvia as she explained, "I’ve come to deliver supplies for Sage Orrun. Would you be so kind as to pass them to him?"

She produced a silver ring and presented it to him.

This was no common item; it was a magical artifact imbued with a storage dimension. Within it were numerous items, including medicinal supplies, potent potions, and other necessary provisions.

"Hmm…" Ethan did not immediately accept the ring. His gaze flickered towards the substantial stack of documents blanketing his desk, and he confessed with a hint of embarrassment, "I am presently overwhelmed with work. It will likely take another five hours before I am at liberty. Could you perhaps deliver them to Great Sage Orrun yourself, Sylvia?"

"Me?" Sylvia’s expression turned to one of surprise. "Is that permissible?"

Ethan’s smile was reassuring. "Of course. Why wouldn’t it be? Simply proceed there and inform him that you are delivering his supplies."

Sylvia paused for a brief moment before giving a slight nod. "I understand."

Without another word, she turned and departed.

Ethan observed her small form receding from view, a gentle amusement playing on his lips.

"What a truly adorable young girl."

***

Sylvia made her way towards the courtyard where Orrun was known to reside. Given its proximity to Ethan’s office, her journey was quite brief.

"Hmm?" Sylvia’s eyes widened in mild bewilderment. "Why does it feel so unnaturally quiet?"

She surveyed her surroundings with curiosity. Typically, the courtyard buzzed with numerous individuals engaged in their various activities.

Yet, at this moment, not a soul was visible, as if she were the sole occupant.

Sylvia did not delay, proceeding directly indoors. Orrun’s residence was rather grand in scale. The interior was expansive and adorned with peculiar paintings that struck her as somewhat unsettling.

Eventually, she arrived at the research chamber, the place Orrun frequented for his work.

Just as Sylvia was about to knock, her ears caught the distinct sounds of a conversation emanating from within.

"You possess remarkable intellect, Old Man. I had never once considered inscribing more than seven lines within a magic formation."

"Hahaha! That is merely due to your inexperience, young one! I am one of the renowned Great Sages! My cognitive abilities far surpass yours."

"You are incredibly irritating, blast you!"

"Hahaha!"

Sylvia started, murmuring to herself, "There is someone else inside… How is this conceivable?"

Despite never having directly conversed with Orrun, she had gleaned considerable information about him from fellow students.

Whispers suggested Orrun was an exasperating old man with a disposition as unyielding as stone.

Furthermore, he was infamously known to detest any intrusion into his research quarters.

Yet, here he was, engaging in casual conversation—and even sounding delighted—with another individual. To Sylvia, this constituted monumental news, sufficient to send ripples of shock throughout the entire Tower of Silence.

Taking a moment to compose herself, Sylvia rapped her knuckles against the door before her.

Knock! Knock!

The voices within ceased abruptly. Moments later, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed, and the door swung open.

Orrun's rotund frame appeared. Due to his short stature, Sylvia found herself meeting his gaze without needing to look up.

"You..." Orrun's expression shifted to surprise upon noticing Sylvia.

A realization dawned on Sylvia that he might not recognize her. Bowing her head, she quickly offered her name and purpose.

"Apologies for the intrusion, Great Sage Orrun. I am Sylvia, here to present this month's allocated resources."

She reached into her pocket, retrieving and presenting a silver ring.

Orrun accepted the ring, his attention then focusing on Sylvia with evident interest.

"Sylvia, is it? Are you the old woman's latest apprentice?"

The 'old woman' he mentioned was, in fact, Sylvia's own master, the renowned Great Sage Moracle.

"That is correct," Sylvia confirmed with a nod. "I am Great Sage Moracle's direct disciple. Is there an issue, Great Sage Orrun?"

Orrun let out a chuckle, shaking his head.

"Not at all. I simply heard mentions of you from her less-than-sober moments about a month back. I had no idea you were actually an elf," he remarked casually.

Sylvia instinctively brought her hands to her ears, a flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.

"Hahaha! Fear not, I am not the sort to hold prejudice," Orrun reassured her with a hearty laugh, his tone meant to be calming.

A subconscious sigh of relief escaped Sylvia. It was true that some people harbored an immediate dislike for her.

These individuals would often cast hostile, hateful glances her way, as if she had committed some unforgivable transgression.

Sylvia understood that their animosity wasn't personal; it stemmed solely from her being an elf.

Perhaps feeling a sense of comfort in Orrun's presence, Sylvia inadvertently inquired, "With whom were you conversing, Great Sage Orrun?"

The instant the words tumbled out, Sylvia froze, her hands flying to cover her mouth.

However, Orrun showed no signs of displeasure. Instead, he moved aside, gesturing for her to proceed into the room.

"Please, come in."

Sylvia blinked, her expression innocent, and stepped inside. Immediately, her eyes landed upon a handsome young man standing by a desk, engrossed in a thick tome, a serious mien upon his face.

His dark hair stirred gently with the breeze wafting through the window.

His eyes, a startling shade of purple, were exceptionally beautiful and held a captivating charm.

As if aware of her scrutiny, Nolan's head instinctively lifted, his gaze meeting Sylvia's own blue eyes.

"Huh? That girl..." Nolan's eyes widened in surprise. "Why does she seem so familiar?"