CH 5

Chapter 5: A Proper Letter from My Master

The butler my sister spoke to went somewhere.

Werner: “Sister, what was that?”

Bridget: “There was a letter from Professor Kay that was addressed to you.”

Werner: “.......another letter…..”

This could be a letter related to the firework and previous letter.

I would be in trouble, shoot the firework into the sky, and be returned to the Marquis Household.

Then, Master would have a letter addressed to me ready at the Marquis Mansion.

Did he really go through all that trouble to get things done in such a roundabout way…….?

I don’t know if I should be reading deeper into this or if he really just did it because he found it entertaining…….but that’s my Master Kay for you.

Bridget: “Do you know Professor Kay’s whereabouts?” Werner: “No, I don’t know either. Last week, he suddenly resigned from his position at the Academy and then disappeared promptly.”

Bridget: “Hm? I don’t understand why he would do that.”

Werner: “Me neither.” He didn’t say anything to me, his disciple, and my Master suddenly disappeared.

Apparently, he told the President of the Academy that his lower back hurt and resigned for that reason.

But I had doubts about his reasons for resignation.

It is rumored that Professor Kay has been around for more than a millennium, but his actual age is unknown.

Professor Kay is an elf.

He does not age quickly, and at a glance, he could be mistaken for being younger than me.

He was in the prime of his health, but even so, he suddenly complained about his back hurting.

It was suspicious no matter how you looked at it.

As I thought about these things, the butler returned.

“Your Honor, here is what you requested.”

Bridget: “Thank you.”

My sister took the letter and handed it right over to me.

Bridget: “I don’t know what is written inside, but go ahead and take a look.”

Werner: “Thanks.”

Bridget: “Maybe he’s building a new research facility and wants you to come help him?” Werner: “I highly doubt that. ………..let’s see.”

I tear the letter from Professor Kay open and glance at the words.

<<<<>>>>

[My beloved Strout,

By the time you are reading this, I will be enjoying myself at a natural hot spring out in the country.

I’m sure if it is you….

...that you’ll be troubled after getting fired from the Academy.

But seeing as you are reading this letter, you were able to safely get back to your family’s home.

Well, you are an exceptionally intelligent and strong man, so I am not worried. But, do not forget that I am stronger.

Well, well. I do feel terrible for disappearing without telling you anything.

But my back was hurting.

Or at least, that is my story.]

<<<<>>>>

Ain: “He’s definitely lying………..ah well.”

If that’s his story, there’s nothing that can be done about it.

I need to disregard the unimportant details and read further.

<<<<>>>>

[I did recommend that you take over my post, but if it is that President, I’m fairly certain that he would not have promoted you as my replacement.

In fact, he might have come up with some nonsensical complaint and threw you out of the Academy.

But this is a good opportunity as well.

The way they treated you there was unacceptable.

Even if you are fired, you should be okay. But they will now be in trouble.

For now, live your life the way you want to. You can isolate yourself from society if you prefer.

In fact, I may need to ask a favor from you in the near future.

When that time comes, I will be counting on you.

As your Master, I have nothing more I can teach you concerning Magecraft Science and Technology. But do not forget, I am still much stronger than you are.

I will not demand that you not isolate yourself.

Presently, I am enjoying my isolation after buying a house with a hot spring.

I bet you are envious.

Because I am strong, I can do these kinds of things.

You are a true genius.

Your Magecraft Tools are all unique in design and revolutionary.

Even conservatively, you have progressed the Magecraft Science at least 200 years ahead.

By the way, I progressed it 800 years.

I will not tell you to be cautious in developing new technology.

No one can stop technology and science from progressing. Even if you try to hide it, someone else will always come up with new ideas.

As long as you are not purposefully using your research and development for nefarious purposes, I think that is fine.

But as your Master, as your elder, please let me say just this.

Make sure to protect your Research Lab.

Because you are weaker than me, it is very important that you do so.

In order to live a safe, peaceful, and comfortable isolated life, that is absolutely essential.

And lastly, I want to tell you something more important than that.

I am still stronger than you.

Your Great and Amazing Master who is most definitely stronger than you,

Great Sage Kay]

<<<<>>>>

I don’t think he needed to emphasize that he was stronger than me that much.

He’s lived over a thousand years, he has status and accomplished much over his lifetime, and he still feels the necessity to compete with a disciple like me.

He’s still a youth at heart.

Maybe that is something I can learn from him.

Werner: “.......but even so….would someone normally address themselves as the Great Sage or talk about how amazing you are this much?”

Bridget: “What did Professor Kay say?”

Werner: “He told me to make sure my Research Lab is secure.”

Bridget: “That’s all?”

Werner: “That’s pretty much it. Oh, and that he’s stronger than me.”

With that, I handed her back the letter to show her.

My sister reads the letter and…

Bridget: “Wow. That’s really all he said."

And mumbled the words to herself.

Werner: “Sister, there’s a lot I want to say to my Master, but what he’s saying isn’t wrong. It’s very important to make sure that all things inside your Research Laboratory are secured and safe from theft.”

Bridget: “If you’re worried about security, this mansionーー”

Werner: “I’m sure that you have great security here, but what my master is talking about is not just protection.”

Bridget: “Hm?” My sister stared intently at me and gestured for me to continue my explanation.

Werner: “When you are doing research and development, there are times when you will be using the same explosive materials you use for mining. You have to make sure that even if there is an accident, you will be able to contain the damage and destruction.”

Bridget: “I see. That makes sense. Even though you do everything you can to prevent it, it’s called an accident because it still happens.”

Werner: “And well, it’s not like I’m using it all the time, but for making Magecraft Tools, there are some pharmaceutical and poisonous chemicals that I have to use in the process.”

The walls of the Mages Academy are extremely thick.

In case there is a poisonous gas leakage, there are also mechanisms and measures to ensure that it can be disposed of quickly, safely, and efficiently.

Doing research in a location like the Marquis' home without such safety precautions would be way too dangerous.

Werner: “So that’s why until I can make a Magecraft Tool that will be suitable as a proper security and protective measure, I’ll need to be away from the Capital until then.”

Bridget: “.......you plan to make your Research Lab outside the Capital’s city limits?” Werner: “For now, yes. A few years back when I was helping my Master, we used a base of operations nearby that I could use today.”

Bridget: “........I see.” Werner: “So now that that’s decided, I should get going.”

Bridget: “Wait, wait. At least stay for a little longer and rest.” My sister hurriedly spoke up.

And it’s not like I’m in a hurry either.

So I stayed at the Marquis' Mansion for another 3 days.

I want to start my isolation life.

But it’s actually difficult to try and do so in the wilderness.

Honestly, I would like to stay isolated doing my research in the Capital.

Rather than the rural areas, it’s easier and more convenient to do so in the city.

But in order to live comfortably isolated in the Capital and to make it a reality, there is a lot of preparation I must do.

Werner: “...........just a little bit. A little further, and I’ll reach a safe, peaceful, and comfortable, isolated life.”

There’s a lot of troublesome obstacles ahead, but if it’s for my isolated life, I have plenty of motivation.

I received a lot of emergency, dry rations from my sister, and the carriage transported me into the wilderness.