The wind blew, carrying the fragrance of blooming white lilies with it. The sweet scent wafted through the garden and gently permeated the mansion through the open windows.
The elegant white mansion stood adorned with vibrant lilies, presenting a picturesque sight.
Amidst this scene, a carriage made its way towards the mansion.
Prominently engraved on the carriage was the lily emblem, representing the Astria family.
"We have arrived," declared the coachman as a man descended from the carriage.
It was Ian Astria, the eldest son of the Astria family.
Stepping out of the carriage, he was greeted by a middle-aged man who emerged from the white mansion.
Every step the middle-aged man took exuded a dignified air. He was Perrian Astria, Rudy's father and the head of the Astria family.
Perrian cast a stern gaze at Ian, yet his words were laced with warmth.
"Son, it has been some time since I last laid eyes on you."
"I apologize, Father. The recent Rebel issues have made it difficult for me to visit the territory," Ian replied.
Perrian offered a faint smile as he regarded his son. Then, gesturing towards the mansion, he suggested, "Let us go inside and have a meal."
The two entered the mansion and engaged in conversation over a meal, discussing recent events.
"By the way, have you heard any news from Rudy?" Ian inquired.
"Well, no news is often considered good news, isn't it?" Perrian responded.
Ian couldn't shake off a peculiar feeling.
No news from Rudy?
The Rudy he knew would have inevitably caused some kind of trouble by now. It seemed odd that there was no news at all.
"Hmm..." Ian pondered.
The Rudy he knew was notorious for his mischievous nature. He would humbly submit to those stronger than him but showed no mercy when exerting power over weaker individuals.
Emotions and fists often took precedence over reason and words for him.
It surprised Ian that such a person hailed from the prestigious Astria Duke family.
The reason for his surprise stemmed from the fact that he knew his father well.
Perrian must have had conversations with the professors at the academy, even if he didn't particularly take an interest in Rudy. To some extent, he should be concerned about his well-being.
Yet, he claimed there was no news, indicating that nothing noteworthy had occurred.
"People undergo transformations when their environment changes, don't they? It's about time for Rudy to mature, huh," Perrian chuckled cheerfully.
However, Ian held a different opinion. He believed that people weren't so easily swayed by circumstances.
"I've received an invitation from the Academy, so I think I'll go and witness it myself."
Ian had also been invited to Homecoming Day. Initially, he hadn't planned on attending due to his busy schedule, but he had decided to make an appearance.
While Rudy lingered in his thoughts, another matter also troubled him—Astina Persia, the daughter of the Persia family.
Following the rescue of Princess Rie and the capture of the Rebels, the Persia family's actions had been rather peculiar.
Nobles associated with them were returning to their territories, back to the Persia family's domain. Their intentions were evident to anyone who paid attention—they sought to change their successor.
Hence, Ian concluded that he needed to meet with Astina.
When she last visited the capital, he was preoccupied with other affairs and couldn't interact with her separately.
Naturally, those around him met Astina and shared their impressions, but he considered those accounts mere hearsay. To truly comprehend the kind of person she was, he had to meet her himself.
If Astina had indeed saved Princess Rie, she would undoubtedly align herself with the Royalists, becoming his adversary.
"Well then, I shall attend to a few other matters," Ian announced.
"Yes, return once more before you depart for the capital," his father replied.
With a farewell to his father, Ian rose from his seat.
---
Raei Translations
---
Meanwhile, in Professor Robert's laboratory...
"...So this time it's pretty garbage, isn't it? Who created this for you?" Robert inquired.
"Luna assisted me. And it's not garbage. It's an authentic spell."
"The magic circle itself appears to be the work of a skilled wizard, but what's the significance of this pattern?" Robert pointed towards the center of the magic circle.
The central symbol of the magic circle caught Robert's attention.
"What kind of spell is this?"
With confidence, I responded to his question. "I brought it because I don't know. What if I use it and something significant happens?"
"So, you're suggesting that I give it a try?"
"...Well, not exactly."
In truth, that was my intention.
But would it be too harsh to say it so directly?
Robert fixed his gaze on the magic circle and began manipulating his mana.
"Are you planning to use it here?"
I was taken aback as he suddenly started casting the spell. I had assumed we would relocate to a safer location.
Robert remained silent, continuing to manipulate his mana.
"Huh..."
As Robert moved his mana, a sigh of exasperation escaped his lips.
He halted the movement of his mana and stared at me.
"Where did you obtain this magic circle?"
"I stumbled upon it," I confidently lied.
"I see, you stumbled upon this magic circle, you little..."
After uttering those words, Robert resumed moving his mana.
And the magic was unleashed.
Bang!
A black pillar emerged from the laboratory floor, reaching up towards the ceiling. It resembled a towering spire, sharp at the top and thick at the base.
"What the!"
A voice echoed from the hole in the ceiling.
Ignoring the voice, Robert approached me.
"What kind of person are you?" his eyes and voice bore a stark difference from usual.
They brimmed with a fierce, murderous intent.
"Have you met Levian? Where is he now?"
He knows Levian?
The sudden mention of Levian caught me off guard. While I had suspected he might be aware of Levian's existence, the fact that he recognized this spell posed a problem.
"Do you know Levian?" I asked.
"I won't answer that. Where did you find this magic?"
A shiver ran down my spine.
Robert's murderous intent, infused with mana, stabbed sharply at me.
I calmly pondered the situation.
Levian and Robert.
An unexpected connection.
Robert was able to cast the spell with ease after a brief examination. However, it seemed he was unaware of the meaning behind the symbol in the magic circle.
"I won't answer either. But there is one thing..."
I met Robert's gaze, looking directly into his eyes.
"I am not an enemy," I declared.
"Not an enemy..."
My words held a dual meaning. It signified that I was not an enemy to Professor Robert, nor to Levian.
Upon hearing this, Robert fell into contemplation.
Observing the pensive professor, I sincerely spoke up.
"Master, please calm down and let's talk. There's no benefit in resorting to this."
"...Sigh."
Robert let out a sigh in response to my words and relaxed. He then flung himself onto the sofa before him and took a seat.
"Sit."
Pointing to the spot opposite him, Robert invited me to join him.
As I settled down, Robert began to speak.
"First of all, I am not your master."
What is he talking about now?
"Then what am I?"
"Just a student attending the academy. I am a magnanimous professor."
"...You're teaching me, so I'm your student and you're my master, aren't you?"
"Nonsense. It's ten years too early for you to be my student."
What is he even...
Absurd as it may be, there was nothing I could do if he insisted. I decided to leave it at that.
"What is your relationship with Levian?"
To that question, Robert offered a brief reply.
"A master who taught me for a while and a nemesis."
Then he turned the question back to me.
"And what about you?"
"I'm a stranger. I just happen to know someone who has a relationship with him."
Professor Robert scrutinized me, and I met his gaze without flinching.
"So, what do you possess?"
"His grimoire."
Our conversation was brief. On the surface, it seemed like an ordinary exchange, but to me, it felt like a duel of swords.
It seemed like if I gave the wrong answer, I would be struck down.
"One final question."
A small query.
"Whose side are you on?"
I could answer this question without hesitation.
"I am on the side of the survivors."
Survival was my goal.
There was no need to align myself with those destined to perish.
I simply walked in the direction that held the best chance of survival.
Upon hearing my response, Robert let out a sigh.
Then he displayed a serene expression.
"Well, if that's the case......"
Bang!
"Robert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
In the midst of our conversation, someone abruptly burst into the room.
"Huh?"
Professor Robert appeared on the verge of uttering something warm, but his eyes widened upon seeing the unexpected visitor.
It was Professor Mcguire who had stormed into the lab.
His usual composed demeanor had vanished, replaced by a visage distorted by anger.
"How dare you make a hole in my lab?????? You??????"
"Oh, hold on a minute... There was a reason for that."
I gazed at the lingering black pillar, a reminder of the ceiling it had pierced.
Realization struck, and I turned to Robert, my expression filled with shock.
With widened eyes, Robert motioned for me to leave.
"You caused quite a mess last time, and Cromwell let it slide, but now you've made a hole??"
Carefully avoiding Professor Mcguire's attention, I rose from my seat.
"You! Let's settle this with a fight to the death today, you brat!!!!"
Silently, I exited the room.
