“I don’t intend to pry into your private life, but information is always coming in, and I need that information to act. Please bear with me on that account.”
“No, it’s fine now. Rumors have been spreading throughout the academy since this morning, so I’ve gotten used to it.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Jared felt unbearable under Jared’s gaze, which seemed to convey the depth of his pity.
“Thank you. For now, I’ve prepared myself to become a Court Mage, but the problem is *how* I can become one.”
“Yes. the Mage Association has judged you, Master Murphy, to be suitable for a Court Mage in terms of aptitude, talent, ability, character, and background. However, we still need a significant contribution. Even if you annihilate a flock of wyverns or defeat a semi-disaster-level sea demon, it’s still one step short of becoming a Court Mage. Also, at sixteen years old, you will need a major accomplishment to avoid being looked down upon by the mages of the Court Mage Corps.”
Many members of the Court Mage Corps are adults and can be called elites. Some are said to be Magician Supremacists, so the idea of an underage candidate for Court Mage could cause ripples.
For that reason, Jared understood what Dennis was saying, but he couldn’t imagine such an accomplishment just falling into his lap.
“Therefore, you will be given a task from the Royal Palace.”
“A task?”
“Many of the current Court Mages achieved great results in wars and skirmishes, but currently, even the skirmishes are small-scale. It’s best for the people to have no conflicts, so I have no complaints about that.”
“I agree.”
Jared didn’t want to become a Court Mage that badly. If conflict arose, people would get hurt.
“However, there are many problems facing the country, and some of them cannot be solved by anyone but a mage.”
“By us candidates solving them, we earn merit and become Court Mages?”
“That’s right. I can’t tell you the details, but be prepared for it to be a violent affair with the possibility of losing your life.”
“Understood. As a mage, facing death is unavoidable, so it’s not a problem.”
“I appreciate it. Then, I will convey Master Murphy’s resolve to the Mage Association and the Royal Palace. I’m sure they will both be pleased. It’s been three years since a Court Mage candidate was chosen! I myself am overjoyed to be assigned as Master Murphy’s 담당 staff!”
Seeing the man in his thirties beaming with childlike joy, Jared couldn’t help but smile. Dennis’s reaction showed that the value of a Court Mage was not just being at the pinnacle of mages. They were the nation’s fighting strength, its defense, and above all, a goal and hope for mages.
He wondered if he could reach the summit of mages where his mother once stood, and though he felt anxious, he was more excited. He recognized himself as a true mage with his uncontrollable curiosity, desire for knowledge, and spirit of challenge.
“The next time we meet will likely be when I inform you of the task. Until then, we will proceed as usual with commissions from the Mage Association, is that acceptable?”
“Of course. I’m grateful just to be exempted from classes, but to also receive compensation? There’s no reason to refuse.”
“Thank you. Commissions must go through the academy, so please inquire with your teacher. You should expect a commission soon.”
“Understood. I’ll be waiting.”
“Well then,” Dennis said, standing up.
“I still don’t know exactly what kind of task it will be, but I believe that Master Murphy can surely become a Court Mage.”
“Don’t put pressure on me. I’m quite anxious.”
“Hahaha, I’m sorry. As a staff member of the Mage Association, and also personally, I’m cheering you on, so do your best!”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Jared clasped the offered hand and shook it firmly. Dennis declined Jared’s offer to see him out of the academy, and they parted ways in the reception room. Upon returning to the staff room and informing the teacher he had just spoken with that the meeting was over, he greeted Kirsi, who was buried in paperwork, and left the staff room.
Since classes had already begun, the hallway was deserted. Although he was not obligated to attend classes, he decided to head towards his classroom, hoping to see Crysta. Just then.
“Who’s there?”
Feeling a gaze, Jared called out to the person behind him. At the same time, he circulated magic within his body, ready to cast a spell at any moment. Using magic within the academy was prohibited, but sensing a hint of hostility in the gaze, he assumed a combat stance, deciding not to hold back.
“I’ll ask again, who are you?”
When he growled the question, a low, menacing rumble, serving as a warning, caused the hostility to disappear. Then, a maid emerged from the shadows of the hallway.
“A maid?”
Jared was surprised. Generally, the academy did not employ maids. While some worked in the cafeteria or shops, those were usually outsourced. Furthermore, it was forbidden for the children of nobles to bring maids or any attendants with them. Jared had rarely seen maids at the academy, and when he did, it was only when they were delivering forgotten items.
“What does a maid want with me?”
He didn’t let his guard down just because she was a maid. He couldn’t rule out the possibility that she was a combatant disguised as a maid, and he had heard that modern maids were skilled not only in household chores but also in martial arts. Once he had sensed hostility, he couldn’t relax until he knew her purpose.
“Please forgive my rudeness. My name is Trane Gresler. I am a maid serving the Duke Alway.”
“Ah, I have a bad feeling about this.”
The maid who introduced herself as Trane was a beautiful woman around twenty years old. She looked at him with a blank expression, her light blue hair tied in a ponytail. She was dressed in a typical maid uniform, but while her height was average, her ample bosom was quite prominent, drawing his gaze.
“I sincerely congratulate you on being chosen as a Court Mage Candidate. Olivier-sama was also very surprised, not expecting you to be on the path to becoming a Court Mage so soon after yesterday’s events. As expected of you, Jared Murphy, the Earth Attribute Mage.”
“Seriously, can you tell me where and how you got this information?”
“The Duke Alway’s information network is formidable. Please accept that as your answer.”
“Ah, so you’re not going to tell me, are you?”
He hadn’t expected to be told, but he couldn’t help but be astonished by the speed at which she obtained information. He knew he wasn’t being watched, but he couldn’t be certain, as there were people in the world specialized in espionage. Given the Duke Alway’s power, it was possible they could have planted someone within the academy.
“This is bad, I’m starting to feel a bit misanthropic.”
“Is something wrong?”
Trane asked without changing her expression, and Jared replied that it was nothing.
“So, what do you need from me, a maid from the Duke Alway’s household?”
“Yes. However, first, allow me to correct a misunderstanding. I am a maid of the Duke Alway’s household, but I am Olivier Alway-sama’s personal maid. I do not serve the Duke Alway himself.”
“Is that important?”
“To me, it’s more important than my life.”
“Understood. You are Olivier-sama’s personal maid, I’ve got it. So, you came to see me, right? Please make it quick. I want to go to class.”
Jared tried to escape from Trane, who had appeared just as he finished his meeting with Dennis, the Mage Association staff member, but she shook her head without changing her expression.
“Unfortunately, you cannot go to class. Olivier-sama wishes to see Jared-sama. She wants to congratulate you on becoming a Court Mage Candidate.”
“I appreciate the sentiment.”
“That will not do.”
“Then, perhaps another day…”
“No.”
It seemed that Jared meeting Olivier was a decided matter for her, and she showed no sign of letting him escape. Since a maid from the Duke’s household had come to pick up a son of a baronial family, he knew there was no avoiding it, no matter how hard he struggled. He raised his hands in surrender.
“Alright. I’ll meet Olivier-sama.”
“Thank you. Then let us depart immediately.”
“Where to?”
“Of course—to the mansion where Olivier-sama and Her Ladyship reside.”
“I knew it. Ah, my bad feeling has come true.”
The thought of meeting Olivier made his stomach ache. Even though he knew most of the rumors surrounding Olivier were baseless, her strong personality and the unreasonable demands she made had created a sense of discomfort. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see her, but he didn’t know what to do after meeting Olivier, whom he had become engaged to yesterday. He wondered if he could manage a smile, and reflexively rubbed his cheeks. He couldn’t afford to be rude.
“What are you doing? Come, the carriage has been prepared. Let us go.”
As Trane headed towards the school’s exterior, Jared followed, mentally apologizing to Crysta, whom he surely wouldn’t see today.
