Chapter 138

Episode 138

After the emergency order was issued, there was no significant news.

Aside from remnants of Roman’s followers causing a disturbance in Alpheon, there were no special events.

That didn’t mean I was just waiting idly for Princess Beatrice’s messenger hawk.

I spent most of my days planning for the future or practicing magic.

Planning was something I always did, but practicing intermediate magic required careful attention.

However, an unexpected problem arose due to the power of intermediate magic.

‘It’s excessively strong.’

Normally, this would be a good thing, but for secret training, it was a bit problematic.

Even at level 1, the power was substantial, and Enclave couldn’t withstand it for long. After a couple of shots, the barrier would break. This slowed down my training pace compared to before.

I wished I could create a secret underground training ground and unleash magic freely.

‘How powerful are the mages of the Magic Tower for this to be the case?’

The high-ranking mages of the Magic Tower must have mastered advanced magic. The Tower Master probably mastered the highest-level magic.

I wasn’t sure about the structure of magic in this world, but I had a feeling I’d find out through experience someday.

For now, all I could do was gain related knowledge through Jericho.

Magic was strictly regulated in the Empire and neighboring countries. Using magic and passing on related knowledge were both restricted.

So, there was a limit to gaining knowledge from books.

‘There’s no need to rush. Someday, I’ll rewrite the history of magic myself.’

To achieve that, my plan was important, but the Lady’s timely assistance was also crucial.

For now, I needed to focus on what I could do.

『Enclave.』

I cast the barrier again and activated the ‘Fireball’ spell.

*Whoosh!*

A large fireball formed above my hand.

As I extended my hand, the fireball changed direction and flew swiftly in the direction my palm pointed. It soon hit with a thud, causing an impact.

‘It’s quite a useful spell.’

‘Fireball’ is a universally used spell in all RPGs because it generally deals area damage.

The spell I cast also impacted not just one part of the barrier but the surrounding area as well. That’s why Enclave couldn’t withstand it.

It would create quite a spectacle if used on a group of pesky goblins and kobolds.

‘I should level it up to 3 and then move on to the next spell.’

‘Fireball’ is an intermediate spell.

I didn’t expect to level it up as quickly as basic spells. So, I planned to reach level 3 with ‘Fireball’ and then learn the ‘Ice Spear’ spell.

The routine was the same as when I learned basic spells. It’s best to learn versatile attributes first.

‘But what changes when intermediate spells level up?’

Most basic spells increased in number. At level 10, you’d have 10 magic objects.

But intermediate spells were powerful individually.

I didn’t think they’d simply increase in number.

‘Maybe there won’t be a visual distinction. This system is annoyingly unkind.’

Still, there was a positive aspect in having to figure things out myself.

If everything were visible like a status window, I might not have put in as much effort.

As I steeled my resolve and practiced magic, I heard a knock from outside.

I immediately dispelled the magic and retracted ‘Enclave.’

“Come in.”

It was Administrator Balzac who entered. I checked the clock; it was the scheduled time for the report.

We had recently held a meeting and reorganized the internal structure. The results were gradually becoming apparent.

“I’ve completed the report and came to deliver it, my lord.”

“Was there anything special?”

“Everything is proceeding as you planned, my lord. There’s no need for concern.”

Indeed, Balzac’s words were accurate.

Selendis, who had rapidly risen from a lower rank to a higher one and earned the title of genius, had been maintaining order by traveling between territories since the emergency order was issued.

Vice-captain Paris stayed at the main castle, training the troops.

Jericho was working day and night in the secret warehouse, enchanting items. He had already completed the initial batch of 2,000 sets and was working on the next batch.

“Jericho is working very hard. I should reward him specially.”

“There have been reports of strange cries coming from the secret warehouse.”

“Leave him be. Sharing the burden of suffering only doubles it.”

Jericho’s complaints were something to be acknowledged.

Through enchanting, I discovered that merely enhancing weapons and armor increased Jericho’s magical prowess.

When I first realized this, Jericho tried desperately to hide it, fearing more work would be assigned to him.

But my ‘Mana Detection’ skill accurately detected his changes.

So, my guilt towards Jericho lessened. After all, it could be chalked up to ‘training.’

“Steward Hassale is doing very well too.”

“I believe he’s achieved the best results in this reorganization, my lord.”

“I think so too.”

Hassale had completely taken over the trading company like a fish in water. He was considered the best appointment in this reorganization.

Not only did he continue to discover gold nuggets, but he also restructured the governance and hired a large number of new employees. The company’s scale increased fivefold in the blink of an eye.

“At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before our family’s prestige becomes widely known.”

“I heard we’ll start long-distance trade before the year ends. If you support us, things will go even more smoothly.”

“You don’t understand. If it were going to succeed because of my help, I wouldn’t have appointed Hassale as steward. I did it because he’s better than me.”

“But wasn’t it you who came up with the idea for the anti-monster equipment business? I heard the response from adventurer guilds and noble families has been very positive.”

Hearing that made me smile.

My idea of providing a ‘trial version’ exceeded expectations. Several adventurer guilds had already signed supply contracts.

The response from noble families was lukewarm, but it was only a matter of time before it heated up.

“Just because you keep praising me doesn’t mean your salary will increase, so take it easy. Anyway, thank you for organizing everything. I hope we can have regular discussions like this in the future.”

“I’ll make sure of it. By the way, my lord, I heard on the way here that Sir Gladius will arrive at the main castle soon.”

“Really?”

Gladius is Ionia’s father. I had suggested he live with us instead of apart, and he accepted the offer.

Most importantly, the head of the Hogden family had a favorable view of me.

When relocating, it’s customary to return the previous title and fief. But the head of the Hogden family preserved Gladius’s baronetcy.

So, Gladius was set to become a quasi-noble with titles in both territories.

“I plan to grant Sir Gladius the title of Knight Commander and appoint him as an instructor for the Walker Mercenary Corps. Prepare accordingly.”

“As you command.”

“By the way, what is the Lady doing? I haven’t seen her today.”

“She’s studying in her room. I believe Sir Edric is conducting the lesson.”

I nodded and handed the documents to Balzac. After he left, I was about to resume my magic training when I heard another knock.

It was Sir Edric, whom I had just mentioned, who entered.

“Sir O’Brien, do you have a moment?”

“Of course. Please, come in.”

Sir Edric was a vassal of the Kalisto Dukedom and came from a baron family.

Despite that, he could speak to me as an equal because he was the teacher of the Lady, as well as the eldest and second sons of Kalisto.

In the Dukedom, he was known as the ‘Sage of Kalisto’ and was a close friend of Duke Kalisto.

Because of this background, no one dared to treat him lightly.

Despite this, there was no noise around him because he had no desire for power. He was a man of integrity.

“It’s rare for you to request a conversation, Sir. What brings you here?”

“I just finished Lady Lucia’s lesson. There’s something that’s been on my mind.”

“What’s been on your mind?”

Edric was someone solely interested in academics. What could it be?

“To be precise, it’s not something that’s been on my mind but something I wanted to discuss.”

“I’m not sure if I can help, but please feel free to speak.”

“Recently, the Lady has been having trouble focusing on her lessons. Do you have any idea why? You’re very close to the Lady.”

For a moment, I doubted my ears. Worrying about such things…

No, wait.

If you’re the tutor of the Duke’s daughter, you might have such concerns.

“The Lady is a genius who excels in all academic fields. She understands ten things when taught one. But seeing her like this is a bit perplexing.”

“If it’s about learning, you would know better than I would. Would asking me yield any answers?”

“Sigh… I’m not sure how to report this to His Grace.”

Then, something came to mind, and I cautiously spoke.

“When did she start having trouble focusing?”

“As far as I remember, it was right after she returned from the Kalisto main castle.”

“I see.”

“Do you have any idea?”

“I have one.”

Sir Edric’s eyes lit up, like a scholar who had discovered an equation that could describe all the laws of the world.

“Next month, the Inspection Unit has its annual summer vacation. We’re going to Caleon, and the Lady mentioned she wanted to see the sea. I think that’s why she’s having trouble focusing.”

“What? You mean it’s just because of that?”

“It’s not just that. The Lady has never seen the sea before. She was very interested in the outside world, and I think the recent trip to the capital acted as a catalyst.”

Hearing that, Edric stroked his chin in thought.

He soon let out a sigh.

“Hmm. I think I’ve been too focused on teaching. Listening to you, I realize I’ve been missing something important. Experience is truly important in life. I hope this becomes an opportunity for the Lady to learn a lot.”

“Then she should take a break from lessons. Including travel time, it’ll take about a month.”

“I should take this opportunity to get a vacation from His Grace too. The summer sea… It’s wonderful. Truly wonderful.”

Edric smiled, seemingly recalling fond memories.

After he left, I received news that Gladius was requesting an audience.

I immediately headed to the office.