Jared, stunned by Dennis’s drastic change in demeanor, could only express his surprise. He hadn’t been told he was anything out of the ordinary before.
He understood that being an Earth Attribute Mage was rare, but he wasn’t so arrogant as to think his innate abilities made him special.
Dennis, breathing heavily, noticed Jared’s speechless state and quickly tried to recover.
“I am terribly sorry. I lost my composure for a moment.”
“Th-that’s quite alright.”
“In other words, Master Murphy already possesses the power to be selected as a Court Mage. However, as you are now, you cannot become a Court Mage.”
Jared never dreamed he could immediately become a Court Mage. He had harbored doubts even when his grandparents told him yesterday that he was being considered as a candidate.
Even now, hearing from Dennis, a member of the Association, he couldn’t picture himself as a Court Mage. In fact, he actually felt relieved at being told he *couldn’t* become one.
“We, the Mage Association, and the Wethered Kingdom want to fill even a portion of the Court Mage positions, which are half vacant. However, currently, including Master Murphy, there are only three candidates. The number is far too small.”
He wasn’t surprised there were other candidates, but he became curious about who they might be. Court Mages were considered the pinnacle among magicians, with only twelve positions available. Currently, there were only six. The path to becoming a Court Mage was that arduous, and many who aimed for it never reached it.
“May I know who the other candidates are?”
“Unfortunately, we are still in the process of confirming their intentions, just like with Master Murphy, so we cannot disclose them yet. Once they are officially candidates, they will be announced publicly.”
Dennis said apologetically, “Please wait until then,” and Jared responded with a smile, assuring him it was fine.
Dennis let out a dramatic sigh of relief, then his expression turned anxious.
“Actually, there’s something I need to tell you, Master Murphy.”
“Tell me?”
“I mentioned there are three candidates including yourself, but there’s a possibility of that number increasing.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
“It’s not necessarily bad, I think.”
An increase in Court Mages would simply lead to stronger national defenses and military power, so it should be a welcome development. In fact, both the Magician’s Guild and the Royal Palace were trying to fill the vacant Court Mage positions. However, Dennis’s expression was grim.
“This is something we are supposed to inform candidates about, and those who are informed already know this—there are movements to invite talented magicians from other countries as Court Mage candidates.”
“May I be blunt?”
“Please do.”
“I don’t understand what the problem is.”
“Yes, ordinarily there would be no problem. It’s not uncommon to poach talented individuals from other countries, and indeed, there are countries trying to invite Master Murphy to their own. We’ve dealt with attempts to recruit others, but if someone contacts you personally, please inform the Association immediately.”
Jared, never having imagined he would be targeted for recruitment, could only nod. He felt that his life was drastically changing, sparked by his engagement to Olivier.
“It’s not the recruitment itself that’s the problem, but rather the person being recruited.”
“Are you saying there’s an issue with the character of these foreign magicians?”
“No, even if there were minor character issues, it wouldn’t matter if they had the power and achievements to become Court Mages. In this case, regrettably, there are also issues with the people within the Wethered Kingdom attempting the recruitment.”
Jared had a strong premonition that he was about to get entangled in something troublesome.
“The Wethered Kingdom is not monolithic. Therefore, there are factional disputes, and within the Royal Palace, there is a struggle for succession. Tinder is smoldering everywhere, and even the smallest thing can become a cause for conflict. The individuals attempting to recruit Court Mage candidates from other countries are opponents of both the Mage Association and the King. The recruited individuals will likely become spies for another country or forces for opposing factions. We wish to avoid that.”
“So what am I supposed to do?”
“The Royal Palace and we have no objection to welcoming magicians from other countries. However, we do not want unreliable magicians. Therefore, we want magicians whom we can trust.”
“You’re not saying you want me, are you?”
“Let me be clear. Jared Murphy, you are the son of Liz Murphy and a talented magician. You already have the ability to become a Court Mage, and with merits, you will soon cease to be a candidate. Therefore, we would like you to become our ally.”
*Dammit!-* Jared wanted to scream inwardly, but he managed to suppress it with all the reason and patience he had cultivated as a magician. The thought of yet another troublesome affair presenting itself made his head ache.
“Of course, we, the Mage Association, will support you, Master Murphy. The Royal Palace will also not treat you unfairly.”
“Um, why me? Simply because my mother was a Court Mage isn’t a satisfactory reason.”
“The current Wethered Kingdom may appear peaceful on the surface, but it is unstable due to the machinations of a mysterious secret organization and maneuvering with other countries. In such a situation, having individuals who oppose the King is nothing but troublesome. Therefore, we believed that Master Murphy, as the fiancé of Olivier, whom the King trusts, would be trustworthy.”
*Ah, it’s because of the engagement after all.* But if he could become a Court Mage, his engagement with Olivier would likely progress. That would mean deeper involvement with the Alway Ducal Family, and he might end up being dragged into it eventually. Moreover, he had heard that his grandfather was close to Duke Alway and was involved in the factions. Ultimately, it was only a matter of time. He felt a pang of despair at having so few options.
“Is it possible that if the engagement hadn’t been proposed, the matter of becoming a Court Mage candidate wouldn’t have arisen?”
“No, that is not the case. Master Murphy was selected as a Court Mage candidate quite some time ago. The engagement with Olivier was only recently proposed, and the Mage Association was unaware until yesterday. You were strictly chosen as a candidate based on your abilities and achievements.”
“Are you telling this to the other candidates as well?”
“We are. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, all of this year’s candidates are individuals whose character and standing are trustworthy. However, we may have told Master Murphy a bit too much. But to become a Court Mage, deep ties with the country are essential. Some individuals receive support from those of high status and act as they are told. However, we want to be sincere with candidates like Master Murphy.”
This was likely why he had explained potential complications to Jared, a candidate, who might end up involved. Transparency is an advance payment of trust. The Mage Association showed its sincerity to gain his trust.
“Even though not all of us, including myself, are guaranteed to become Court Mages, is it okay to be told such important things?”
“It’s fine. Of course, we ask that you do not speak of this to others, but it will eventually become known. We are telling you this to build a relationship of trust, so we do not consider it a problem if you do not become a Court Mage.”
He probably didn’t intend to reveal every detail. Indeed, the names of the individuals opposing the King were not mentioned. However, that too would likely become known as he deepened his ties with Duke Alway and his engagement with Olivier progressed.
“We want you to be prepared for the fact that becoming a Court Mage will involve entanglement in such matters. With that understanding, I ask you this: Jared Murphy, do you have the resolve to aim to become a Court Mage?”
“Without needing to be asked, I do.”
“An immediate response… That’s wonderful. Several years ago, when I asked a former candidate about the issues of that time, their response was that they needed time to think. But you are different. Your answer was immediate.”
“I want to reach the height my mother attained. I also want to test how far I can go as a magician. I cannot easily let slip such an opportunity.”
“That’s a fitting answer for a magician.”
“Perhaps so. But I am also a subject of this nation. If I can be of help, I want to be of help. And besides—”
“Besides?”
“I seem to be getting involved anyway.”
As he gave a wry smile, Dennis’s smile mirrored his own.
“Indeed. Given that Olivier has set the difficult task of becoming a Court Mage, and your grandfather, Baron Daum, is someone Duke Alway trusts implicitly, you would likely be involved even if you weren’t aiming to be a Court Mage, as a talented magician like yourself.”
“My information is completely out in the open…”
Jared could only laugh, realizing that not only his engagement but also Olivier’s conditions were already known.
