While Olivier and the others were having a difficult time with the marriage proposal, Jared Murphy was at the Alway Ducal Family’s mansion.
“Congratulations again on being chosen as a Court Mage!”
The one saying this was Conrad Alway. He was Olivier’s half-brother and the only one in the ducal family blessed with magical talent.
The boy with freckles and lingering childishness, his flaxen hair framing his face, greeted him with a friendly smile.
Although Jared had no intention of taking him on as a disciple, he had promised to instruct him in magic. However, due to various events, there had been a longer delay than planned.
When Jared met with Conrad, who had visited him just the other day, they immediately began sparring, and it turned out Conrad had diligently continued his self-training. His magic power had increased.
It was rare for someone’s total magic power to increase, and it wasn’t necessarily that Conrad’s magic capacity had grown. However, how well one could utilize ten units of magic depended on training. Jared knew Conrad was a hard worker, but seeing the improvement in his control of magic made it clear he had worked harder than Jared had imagined.
During the practical training, where he was allowed to use magic, Conrad joyfully unleashed his spells as if he had been waiting for this moment.
Conrad possessed a talent for Fire Attribute Magic, but Jared had only taught him the basics of projecting mana as flames. After Jared promised to teach him magic, Conrad had reportedly spent his time meditating and sensing mana, without any advice from the mansion’s other mages.
Since he was also continuing his sword training simultaneously, Conrad seemed genuinely pleased to be able to move his body in practical combat.
Apparently, the Duke Alway himself sometimes acted as his sparring partner. As a result, Conrad’s movements were not just by-the-book but honed through practical combat, giving him good form.
Conrad challenged Jared with only his bare fists and basic magic. Jared offered him the use of his sword, but Conrad insisted on focusing on magic. During the training, as if he had begun to understand how to use magic, Conrad surprised Jared by not simply projecting mana as flames but by imbuing his arm with it, showing an application of his skills.
Conrad seemed to be the type of person who grew with experience.
“…Thank you… Older Brother…”
Conrad, breathing heavily, collapsed onto his back. Jared smiled at him.
Considering his age of fourteen and that he had only recently begun learning magic, his foundation in sword training suggested a bright future as a combatant. However, it was rare for a son of a ducal family to become a combatant.
It might happen if he were to lead the family’s private force, but Jared didn’t even know what position the Duke would give Conrad.
All Jared could do was to teach him as much as possible now, during his growth period.
Although he didn’t particularly want to recommend it, perhaps having Almeida train him wouldn’t be a bad idea. It was excruciatingly difficult, but if Jared, who hadn’t trained his body much, could survive it, Conrad should be fine.
The problem was whether Almeida would agree to take him on. She was a capricious person, and utterly indifferent to those who didn’t pique her interest.
“It seems you’ve worked very hard in your training by yourself. It might be monotonous and boring now, but you are undoubtedly growing.”
Jared offered Conrad a hand, helping him to his feet. Seeing his growth, Conrad beamed, though his face was etched with fatigue.
“Thank you, Older Brother. Please continue to guide me from now on!”
Conrad calling him “Older Brother” reminded Jared of Luzer, whom he himself had once admired as an older brother. He hoped for the swift return of Luzer, who was still missing.
“Well then, let’s regulate your mana flow. It will be difficult later if you suffer from mana exhaustion.”
“Yes!”
Leading Conrad to a table where Duke Alway and Therese, his mother, were watching, Jared seated him in a pre-arranged chair and touched his body to examine his mana flow.
Conrad, with his straightforward nature, had diligently followed the instructions for meditation and grasping mana flow, and the results were clear.
It was natural that he couldn’t fully control all his magic, but Jared had to admit that Conrad could use his available mana without waste, something even Jared needed to learn.
However, there were instances of excessive magic use, causing his mana flow to become erratic. This was a common path for any mage. Once this mana flow became smooth and constantly circulated through the body, powerful magic could be cast without incantations.
“Jared, may I ask you something?”
“Yes. What is it?”
The Duke, who had been watching without disturbing them, addressed Jared.
“Why didn’t you use magic during your training with Conrad? Or rather, it could be said that a novice like Conrad wouldn’t be a match for you even without magic…”
“No, that is not the case. It’s a personal matter, but my magic is not at its fullest right now, so I am refraining from using it.”
“Might I ask why?”
Not only the Duke but also Therese Alway, Conrad’s mother, seemed curious.
“Well, you see, after releasing the mana I had been suppressing until recently, I find myself a bit overwhelmed. Therefore, even in a practical training session, I chose not to use magic to avoid any unexpected incidents. If that caused any offense, I apologize.”
“It’s nothing of the sort. I apologize for asking such an impertinent question. However, I never imagined you were suppressing your magic. Were you also holding back during your fight with Barnabas Kaif?”
“I couldn’t afford to do that. In the battle against Barnabas, my magic was forcibly released. Although it allowed me to win, I would have died if I had kept my magic sealed.”
The Duke and Duchess gasped at the word “death.”
It seemed the incident with Barnabas Kaif had reached them, but Jared knew firsthand how powerful he was.
If the berserk Barnabas had intended to kill him without even caring about mana, Jared would have been defeated.
“But you were victorious. You are alive and here. I’ve told you this many times, but congratulations again on becoming a Court Mage. I heard you set a new record for being the fastest from candidate selection to final appointment. I am as happy as if it were my own achievement. Baron Daum must be overjoyed as well.”
“Congratulations, Older Brother!”
“Congratulations, Lord Murphy.”
“Thank you. My grandfather and grandmother are also truly happy. I cannot officially call myself a Court Mage yet, but I intend to dedicate myself to improving so I won’t fall behind my mother or the senior Court Mages.” Addressing the Duke and his family, who were genuinely pleased, Jared bowed deeply. However, when he looked up, he saw that not only the Duke but also Conrad and Therese had somber expressions.
“Is something wrong?”
“Well, you see… You will become a Court Mage due to your feat of defeating Barnabas Kaif, who defeated not only a Court Mage candidate but also an active Court Mage. We believe this is a just evaluation. Therefore, we question whether we can continue to entrust Conrad’s training to you.”
