episode_0076

“The royal capital?”

Riel turned to look at his mentor and repeated the question.

“So you’re saying we have to go all the way to the capital? Ugh, what a hassle…”

His mentor, Ellin, had suggested they go together since she had business to attend to in the royal capital.

“I went out of my way to tell you, and you really won’t regret it?”

“Why would I regret it? I can go anytime I want anyway.”

At seventeen years old, most were still students, and only a rare few prodigies could barely shed the label of apprentice mage. But Riel Frost had already made a name for himself as a genius mage—so much so that rumors of him had spread even beyond the Mage Tower.

If he wanted, becoming a court mage would be as easy as rolling off a log. Even if he just dropped by for a visit, people would welcome him with arms full of gifts. What could possibly make someone like him regret not going to the royal capital sooner?

“You still haven’t heard the news? Haven’t you read the papers?”

“How many weirdos do you think there are here who actually read that stuff?”

It was a statement that would make any noble clutching their pearls in outrage—after all, they subscribed to newspapers to stay informed—but within the Mage Tower, it was an absolute truth.

“You should take an interest in things outside the tower once in a while. Being good at magic isn’t everything. Keep this up, and you’ll just end up a know-it-all fool.”

“I don’t want to hear that from someone who holes up in the research wing every day. Besides, you only know because the Deputy Tower Master told you, right?”

The Deputy Tower Master—the direct disciple and secretary of the Tower Master, and the second-in-command of the Mage Tower. Though in reality, he was the third, constantly at risk of being overshadowed by Riel, who grew more formidable by the day.

With the current Tower Master, Ellin, unlikely to step down anytime soon, no one believed the Deputy would ever ascend to the position—not when Riel existed.

“True. I’m fine because I have someone to keep me informed.”

“Tch, whatever. So what’s this big news I’d regret missing if I don’t go to the royal capital?”

“You must’ve at least heard that a hero’s party is being formed, right?”

“…Marika mentioned it in her letter.”

Even if Riel had overheard the news in passing, he wouldn’t have paid attention—he never bothered with other people’s conversations.

“It’s not confirmed yet, but I heard the candidates are gathering this time. They’ll get to know each other, assess their skills, and even hold mock battles. Your friend is the Saintess, so she’s a confirmed member.”

“She never told me that. …Did Marika hide it on purpose?”

Why wouldn’t she share something so important with him? Regardless, if these so-called candidates were going to become Marika’s companions, Riel had no choice but to check them out.

“Fine, I’ll go. Tell the Deputy Tower Master for me.”

“Hehe, as expected, you’re still so protective. Like family, huh?”

“We’re not related by blood, but she’s like a little sister to me.”

And so, they arrived at the royal capital.

From the very beginning, things did not go smoothly.

“Hey, mage.”

“…?”

Did this guy think “mage” was his name? Sure, there were plenty of mages in the kingdom, but at this moment, only Ellin and Riel were present. And given how the other’s gaze was fixed squarely on him, it was obvious who was being addressed.

“You calling me, brat?”

The boy had ashen hair, similar in shade to Riel’s own—though nowhere near as lustrous or radiant under the light. Combined with his blue-tinged eyes, he vaguely resembled a younger version of Riel.

But that was where the similarities ended. There was no trace of childhood innocence in his rude expression or the arrogance ingrained deep in his bones.

No matter how Riel racked his brain, he couldn’t recall ever meeting this kid before. They certainly weren’t close enough for him to remember the face.

Yet here was this brat, addressing him so casually and disrespectfully. Even Riel, who prided himself on being this era’s sage, couldn’t let that slide.

“Who are you calling a brat?!”

Riel fired back, intending to put the kid in his place, but the boy only grew angrier, as if he were the one being insulted.

“You, obviously! If you’re not a brat, then who is? You shouldn’t talk back to your elders. Go on, say it. ‘Elder.’”

“You little—!”

That was exactly what Riel wanted to say. He’d been tolerating the disrespect from this child, trying to keep things civil, but there was only so much he could take.

“Hey! Is no one here?!”

Clearly, the boy was from a noble family. Several knights, who had been processing visitors, halted their duties and approached.

“What seems to be the matter, Lord Kyle?”

“Kyle? That name sounds familiar…”

“This kid is Kyle Foldragon Glynnis. The prince of the kingdom, you know.”

“Oh, right.”

Wait, so Ellin knew and just stood there watching? Of all people to pick a fight with, it had to be the prince. Unbelievable luck.

“This insolent wretch has insulted me! Throw him in the dungeons at once!”

“Sorry, sorry. My apologies, Your Highness. Let’s just let this one slide, okay?”

“Hmph! Finally realized the situation, have you? Too late for that now.”

Not really. This was the royal capital—the heart of the kingdom, where the royal family’s power was strongest. Arresting Riel would be nothing but a nuisance, not impossible.

“You—Riel, was it? You mages have been getting awfully full of yourselves lately. How dare you disrespect His Highness?!”

Two knights grabbed Riel by the arms, restraining him.

Riel was well aware of the knights’ hostility. Jealousy, or perhaps the fear that mages would render them obsolete—either way, they had a deep-seated grudge.

They smirked, delighted to have caught him red-handed. But Riel made no move to resist. There was no need.

“Stop.”

It was time for Ellin to step in as his mentor. She halted the knights in their tracks.

“What now? Surely the Tower Master isn’t about to order us to forgive someone who disrespected the prince in the royal capital?”

These insufferable fools had really crossed a line today. The knights openly sneered at Ellin, pouring all their pent-up hatred for mages into their words.

Ellin sighed at their childish behavior. These were knights, not mere soldiers or guards—yet this was the level they stooped to?

“You know I’m the Tower Master, but it seems you don’t know who the Tower Master is. Ellin Martina. Surely a knight of your standing understands what that means?”

Only then did the knights’ eyes widen, their smirks vanishing.

“Y-You don’t mean—?”

“If you understand, release Riel now.”

“But that’s a separate matter! Forgiving what this boy did is—”

“Riel didn’t resort to violence, nor did he insult the royal family. The prince is young—that’s a fact. But if you insist on arresting him over this, then we’ll have no choice but to see whose influence is stronger.”

To the knights, those words were a death sentence. No matter the outcome, causing unnecessary trouble for the royal family would cost them dearly—early retirement was guaranteed, and heavy punishment inevitable.

“Our apologies!”

“Hey! Where do you think you’re going?! Useless fools!”

The knights retreated as if fleeing, and Riel dusted off his sleeves.

“If you were going to bail me out anyway, you could’ve given me a heads-up to avoid this mess.”

“Consider it a good lesson. In the capital, always mind your words.”

“You bastard! Don’t think this is over!”

The prince was still here? What grudge did he have against Riel to keep pushing like this?

“Ah, my bad, Your Highness. Didn’t realize you were the prince. So, what did you need me for, my lord?”

Riel’s mockingly respectful tone only infuriated Kyle further. He knew exactly what he was doing—twisting the knife.

It might’ve been childish to mess with a kid like this, but Riel wasn’t about to back down when the other started it. A lion hunts even a rabbit with full force.

Kyle gritted his teeth, clearly seething, but he forced his anger down, remembering his original purpose.

“…I called you because I have a question. You’re Riel, Marika’s childhood friend, right?”

“That’s right. What about it?”

“I’ll be blunt. Give up on Marika. She’s going to be my wife.”

What kind of nonsense was this? Telling him to “give up” on Marika suggested a complete misunderstanding of their relationship. And from what Riel could tell, Marika wouldn’t be interested in this brat anyway.

“That’s not something I can just ignore. Saying you’ll take Marika as your wife means you’re aiming to be my brother-in-law.”

And Riel had no intention of allowing that. The terrible first impression was bad enough, but the way Kyle spoke of Marika as if she were already his was downright infuriating.

“I see. So that’s how you’ve been getting close to her—pretending to have no ulterior motives.”

“I’ll spare you the lecture since others often misunderstand too, but you won’t gain anything by making an enemy of me.”

“How long do you plan to keep up this act? Marika is—”

“Riel!”

A voice loud enough to drown out the prince’s rang out as a black-haired girl rushed toward them.

Marika sprinted over and threw herself into Riel’s arms, hugging him tightly.

“What—what are you doing here? I didn’t expect to see you in the capital.”

“You’re one to talk. You sent me letters about every little thing, but you didn’t mention something this important?”

“I didn’t want you to worry. It’s just a meet-up with the party candidates, nothing major.”

Marika laughed as if it were no big deal. Behind her, the sound of three pairs of heels clicking against the floor came to a stop.

“Lady Marika, you can’t just run off like that!”

The three girls, like Marika, wore elegant dresses that accentuated their individual beauty—as if they were the stars of today’s gathering.

One of them, Leona Pyroite, recognized Riel and widened her eyes.

“Riel? The prodigy mage everyone’s talking about?”

“Flattery will get you nowhere.”

Though it was all true anyway.

“Wow, I’m a fan! They say you’re already more skilled than most mages, even though you’re around our age!”

“Thank you. Not that it’s an exaggeration—it’s all fact.”

Leona’s eyes sparkled as she shook Riel’s hand enthusiastically. Riel couldn’t help but puff up with pride.

Praise was always sweet, especially now that his incredible feats in the Mage Tower were taken for granted.

“Riel…”

Amidst the flattery, another voice cut in.

“…Sir.”

A blonde woman with golden eyes—the one who had recently been chosen by the Holy Sword and officially recognized as the Hero—stared at him intently.