“S-Solomon Raphna??”
Senior Elaine and Gwena were shocked after hearing Astoria Braveheart’s words.
“Are you sure about this decision, Headmaster Astoria? There will be a strong backlash of opposition and heavy criticism from other academics once we publish the book by this name,” Elaine mentioned with concern before adding, “Furthermore, Her Majesty might disapprove of it.”
“That’s right, Headmaster Astoria. I agree that entitling Vaan Raphna as a Wise Scholar would not do him justice. However, the limit you can push for is Venerable Sage, which requires the recognition of six other headmasters of the High Witch rank and Her Majesty’s approval,” Gwena added.
“Solomon is pushing it too far, Headmaster Astoria. It won’t be accepted no matter what.”
“To entitle Solomon to Vaan Raphna, we don’t just need the recognition of all headmasters of the High Witch rank across the seven witch kingdoms, but four out the seven Transcendent Witches have to approve on top of it,” Elaine continued to argue reasonably.
“Solomon is the highest title a person can have in the world of academics. A person with the Solomon title isn’t any less respected and authoritative than Transcendent Witches.”
“Forget about there being no one worthy of being nominated for the Solomon title; even just nominating a man for any academic titles is something that hasn’t been done before, Headmaster Astoria,” Elaine mentioned.
“Just because it hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t,” Astoria Braveheart coolly stated.
Afterward, Astoria Braveheart glanced at the sky outside with a distant look and continued, “Just as you said, it is something that hasn’t been done before. However, Vaan Raphna is also a man the world had never seen before. And in the future, a person like him may never appear again.”
“With my authority as the headmaster of the Blackmoon Academy of Witchcraft, I can only grant the title Wise Scholar to Vaan Raphna. Granting anything higher would just be as you said. However, that doesn’t stop us from naming the book as such.”
“Even so, many witches will not view us favorably for using the title Solomon so lightly, Headmaster Astoria. They will lose all their respect.” Elaine’s brows scrunched together with worries.
“It doesn’t matter. We can’t let fear deter us from doing what is right,” Astoria Braveheart said.
“We have read Vaan Raphna’s notebook and benefitted from it, learned from it, and enlightened by it. It isn’t farfetched to say that Vaan Raphna has become someone akin to a teacher to us. And when his knowledge spreads across the seven witch kingdoms, he will be considered the teacher of many witches.”
“What I want to do is push forward an ideology. Witches may disapprove of the name, but they won’t be able to deny the knowledge that the Book of Solomon Raphna will provide to them. If they have any integrity, they will acknowledge Vaan Raphna as their teacher and benefit from his knowledge.”
“The name Solomon Raphna won’t just be a mere name, but an officially recognized title granted to the person in time,” Astoria Braveheart said.
After all, Vaan Raphna’s knowledge will enlighten and guide countless witches in the next fifty years to come. He would be the great teacher of many witches.
Senior Elaine and Gwena quickly understood Astoria Braveheart’s intention. She was trying to immortalize Vaan Raphna for his contribution to the study of magic.
Such a wise person had to be respected and remembered.
Astoria Braveheart shortly turned to Senior Gwena and politely said, “Can I entrust you with finding students in the academy who are familiar with Vaan Raphna, Gwena?”
“Of course, Headmaster Astoria,” Gwena agreed before asking, “But may I ask why?”
“I want them to use Visualization Magic and create portraits of Vaan Raphna. I have learned much from Vaan Raphna—No, Teacher Raphna’s notebook. As such, I want to hang one of his portraits in my office,” Astoria Braveheart stated before she started pondering further.
“It’s our negligence and fault that we did not uncover and recognize Teacher Raphna’s unparalleled wisdom sooner despite living right under our noses. Hm… A portrait might not be enough for the future great teacher of witches.”
“Maybe I should also find someone to erect a status of Teacher Raphna in the academy’s courtyard?” Astoria Braveheart wondered.
“I understand you have a lot of respect for Vaan Raphna after reading through his notebook, but isn’t this going overboard, Headmaster Astoria?” Gwena said bitterly.
To erect a statue of a man in the academy where new witches are trained and nurtured… It could be mistaken for a message to empower and weaken the authority of witches.
“Hmm, I suppose you are right. We can’t do statues,” Astoria Braveheart nodded and said, “Just do the other thing I asked for, Gwena.”
“Yes, Headmaster Astoria,” Gwena nodded and left.
Shortly after, Astoria Braveheart turned to Senior Elaine and said, “After you finish compiling the Book of Solomon Raphna, please produce a copy for me, Elaine. I will personally make a trip and deliver it to Her Majesty.”
“Understood, Headmaster Astoria,” Elaine complied and left shortly after taking Vaan’s notebook on the desk.
Once Senior Elaine and Gwena were gone, Astoria Braveheart sat down in her comfortable cushioned-wooden chair and rested with a sigh.
The peace and silence in Astoria Braveheart’s room allowed her to think and reflect on everything she had learned.
“I am greatly saddened by Teacher Raphna’s death before I could learn more from him… There’s something wrong with the series of events leading to and after Teacher Raphna’s death…” Astoria Braveheart thought.
Wise Scholar Eniwse’s berserk transformation… Vaan’s death… The wasteyard removal happening ahead of schedule… Isabelle Gleriath’s assassination… And Lord Istana’s inciting the Dark Hellhounds in the region…
“This seems like an elaborate scheme to remove Teacher Raphna’s backing and eliminate him, followed by a clean-up of the evidence, which included silencing Isabelle Gleriath…”
Astoria Braveheart lined up the sequence of evidence and couldn’t help but feel like demons were involved after realizing the potential threat Teacher Raphna posed.
“Is Istana Gleriath involved with demons? I should meet Marquis Ember. This information might help with her inquisition.”