Chapter 95 – The Ice Duke’s Mindset (6)

“Hmm…hmm…hmm…”

Lehel sat by the window of her office on the top floor of Akasha Hall, the warm summer sun streaming in, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. She held a letter, delivered not by the flamboyant Scarlet Kingfisher, but by a more practical royal falcon, its leg adorned with the royal seal.

As she broke the wax seal and scanned the opening lines, her brow furrowed.

“Hmm…”

A summons to the Archduke Conference.

The prospect of gathering all five Archdukes, each with their own unique magic and unyielding pride, in one location, was never a pleasant one. The only saving grace was the conference’s lack of binding authority. It was more of a…suggestion box…than a parliament.

The last gathering had been sparsely attended. Esther, preoccupied with defending the northern borders, had been absent, and the position of Illusion Duke remained vacant. Only three had bothered to show.

Still, the convening of the conference itself signified matters of grave importance.

Lehel, nearing the end of her current life cycle, had no desire to engage in Archduke-level power plays.

“What could it be this time? The royal family is so…secretive.”

She idly toyed with the bag of Magic Cubes she’d received that morning from Merak Tower.

Louis, in particular, remained an enigma, a puzzle she couldn’t solve. Even she, the Reincarnation Duke, had no clear understanding of his true nature, the source of his immense power.

Both kingdoms, Pennheim and the Holy Kingdom, maintained a curious silence on the matter. Even his companions, especially Terra Ernestine, offered no clarification.

“Well, it’s not immediate, so…”

She shrugged, gathering her belongings, and left Akasha Hall.

Traditionally, the Archduke Conference was hosted by one of the five, who would then extend invitations to the others. But none relished the prospect of hosting such a gathering within their own territory. Too much risk, too much potential for…unforeseen complications.

Lehel felt the same. Inviting the other Archdukes to Farencia Academy, or worse, Phecda Tower, was unthinkable.

“Especially that gluttonous swine…eyeing my precious Grand Canyon.”

The image of the Megrez Tower Master, a renowned beast tamer, flashed through her mind, and she crumpled the summons in her hand, her teeth grinding together.

***

“Boss! I’m here!”

Lehel, or rather, the Magic Cube delivery service, had arrived, lugging a sack nearly half her size.

I straightened up from polishing the large freezer I’d recently acquired, my back protesting the repetitive motion. She wandered around the store, her gaze flitting from shelf to shelf, a childlike curiosity in her eyes.

“Are these…all Magic Cubes?”

“Indeed. Two hundred, give or take. Should be sufficient for the second-years’ curriculum.”

Two hundred cubes at fifty gold pieces each. Ten thousand gold. Though my actual cost was a mere fraction of that, two thousand gold was still a substantial sum.

Farencia, a major trade hub, boasted a cost of living four times higher than the surrounding regions. Two thousand gold would rent a small merchant vessel in the North for an entire year.

But Lehel, ever the magnanimous benefactor, had extended a line of credit, a payment plan that involved installments and a small percentage of the store’s profits.

While the cubes would undoubtedly generate enough revenue to cover the cost, her generosity was…appreciated.

“Thank you. I’ll put them to good use.”

“Don’t mention it. We’re…business partners, after all. What’s…that?” She pointed to a large metal box on a shelf, its metallic surface gleaming under the store’s flickering gaslights.

“A microwave.”

“A…what?”

“It…heats things. By…vibrating water molecules. It’s…still a work in progress.”

I wasn’t an engineer. My understanding of microwave technology was…rudimentary. But I was determined to replicate its function using magic.

If they could create mana-powered carriages, surely a microwave oven wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility.

Heating the store-bought bread was a necessity. This had been a long-term goal.

“Hmm…fascinating. And this…freezer…it doesn’t require mana stones?”

“No. Both devices are designed to be…manually operated.”

“Manually…?”

While the microwave project remained stalled, lacking a suitable…operator…the freezer had a designated…technician.

“She’s currently…in training.”

“Training?”

“Indeed.”

Esther’s…unique…method of temperature regulation had provided inspiration.

Adela needed to master her Unique Magic.

“She needs to be able to freeze ice cream. Even in the dead of summer.”

***

Esther’s challenge: to identify Adela’s core motivation, the underlying desire that fueled her unique magic.

What compelled her to freeze everything?

For Esther, this was a complex puzzle.

For me, it was simple.

For Esther, and every Rochear before her, the answer had always been singular, unwavering: the eradication of demons.

That singular purpose had shaped the North, forged its people into the hardened warriors they were today.

But Adela was different.

She’d awakened her Unique Magic without sacrificing her emotions.

She hadn’t pruned her branches, hadn’t withered and hardened like frost-bitten crops. She retained her leaves, her flowers, her…individuality.

Hence, her surprising display of skill on the ice tiles, her instinctive ability to navigate the treacherous path.

She has potential. If nurtured correctly, she could become a formidable asset.

But her motivation remained a mystery.

Was it…love? Love for Louis?

Love was a fickle, volatile emotion, hardly a stable foundation for such immense power. If Adela’s love for Louis was the sole catalyst for her awakening, she wouldn’t have needed Esther’s guidance. She would have continued to grow stronger simply by being near him.

Esther had attempted to train Adela in Louis’s presence, hoping to harness that…connection…but the results had been…disappointing. Adela, hopelessly distracted, had made little progress.

What had triggered that initial burst of power on the ice?

Esther pushed aside her nagging doubts and resumed the lesson.

Crack!

Ice walls erupted around Adela, forming a cage, the interior gradually sprouting sharp, menacing spikes.

“Break them,” Esther instructed, her voice cold, devoid of emotion. “If you value your…structural integrity.”

“Huh? Break…these?”

“The same principle as your ice spikes. Take control. Make them yours.”

The ice spikes advanced, their sharp points glinting menacingly in the sunlight.

Adela, however, remained frozen, both literally and figuratively.

“Cold! They’re so cold! My hands are freezing!”

“If you cannot control the ice with your Unique Magic,” Esther continued, her tone chilling, “there are only two outcomes.”

“Two…?”

“You freeze to death. Or you’re impaled.”

With that cheerful assessment, Esther stepped back, observing her younger sister’s…progress.

Adela flitted between the advancing spikes, her movements erratic, her small hands clutching at the icy surfaces, her palms turning an alarming shade of red. Frostbite.

Yet, she failed to exert any control over the encroaching ice.

“Ow! That hurts!”

Another failure.

Esther sighed inwardly. What had sparked this…inept child’s…magical awakening? Even Esther’s sharp intellect couldn’t decipher the puzzle.

“Hey, is she going to be alright?”

Louis approached, a Magic Cube in hand, replacing the frisbee from their previous encounter.

Esther glared at him. “Your presence is…distracting. And unwelcome. Unless summoned.”

“You asked for my help. She’s going to get hurt.”

“I have the situation under control. She needs to learn to…adapt…to…unpleasant stimuli.”

“It’s dangerous. Adela’s…kinetic energy…is…exceptional. And her judgment…questionable. A head injury could be…problematic.”

Esther’s icy gaze narrowed. His concern was…illogical.

While she acknowledged his strength, his ability to withstand her Unique Magic with mere brute force was…reckless. However, during her self-imposed exile, she’d realized something: he’d been toying with her during their brief duel.

He’d endured her attacks, absorbing the punishment, waiting for the opportune moment to strike, efficiently, decisively.

He knew the extent of Adela’s…limitations. He understood the risks.

But Esther, her emotions long since excised, couldn’t comprehend his concern as anything other than…sentimentality.

She grabbed his arm, pulling him closer, her face inches from his, her breath, cold as a winter wind, ghosting across his skin.

“Do not interfere.”

“…”

“Adela’s potential will remain…dormant…unless she’s…challenged. I will forge her into a capable mage, whatever the…”

Crack! Crack!

“Adela?”

“Hmm?”

Louis’s gaze shifted past Esther, his eyes widening.

The Ice Prison shattered.

Adela stood in the center of the lake, two broken ice spikes clutched in her hands, a triumphant grin on her face.

“All done, Sister!”

“…”

“What were you talking about with Teacher?”

The timid child who’d once cowered before Esther, unable to meet her gaze, was gone, replaced by…this. This…confident, almost challenging…young woman.

Adela’s earlier words echoed in Esther’s mind.

There’s this…woman…clinging to my teacher…

She’s so annoying…

Could it be…?

“Louis.”

“Yeah?”

“When did Adela awaken her Unique Magic?”

“Hmm…I wasn’t present for the…event…but I believe it was while I was away from the store. Baroness Liv Greenwood was with her at the time.”

Baroness Liv Greenwood.

The girl from the library.

“I see.”

It all clicked into place. The missing piece of the puzzle.

Adela’s motivation. The driving force behind her Unique Magic.

She doesn’t want to be replaced.

“What was that?” Louis asked, his brow furrowed.

“Nothing.”

Esther’s gaze swept over Louis, assessing him. Her primary objective: the resurgence of the Rochear family. Adela’s development was crucial, but…what about the long-term future of the entire lineage?

And if this…Louis…could be the key to unlocking Adela’s full potential…

“Louis,” she began, her tone casual, almost conversational. “What are your thoughts on…demons?”

“Why the sudden interest?”

He’d defeated her in single combat. His strength was undeniable. And his appearance…well…he was certainly…presentable. A stark contrast to the grimy mercenaries who populated the northern battlefields, their bodies reeking of unwashed sweat and stale blood.

While their previous encounter had been…hostile…his demeanor in the mana-carriage had been…relatively benign. And his concern for Adela, his willingness to travel to Edenbury on her behalf…that spoke volumes.

“They’re fucking bastards.”

“Is there…room for compromise?”

“None.”

“Excellent.”

Her assessment of him continued to evolve.

She glanced at Adela, a subtle plan forming in her mind.

“The daughters of Rochear…we…have a…peculiarity.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Our bodies…run cold. It…complicates…matters of…procreation.”

“What? Procreation?”

Despite their vast holdings, their influence, the Rochear family had only two direct heirs. While the constant wars had taken their toll, the nature of their Unique Magic also contributed to their…reproductive challenges.

“A most…unfortunate…circumstance. The most efficient method of expanding a family’s influence, after all, is through…strategic alliances…and…prolific offspring.”

The Ice Duke’s mindset. Cold. Calculating. Pragmatic.

“Wouldn’t you agree?”

And occasionally…incredibly dangerous.