Lovellian’s fierce expression instantly transformed. It had turned back into the appearance of the kind young man who had said ‘Hello children’ with a smile on his face during the Bloodline Continuation Ceremony four years ago.
“It’s been a long time, Eugene,” Lovellian nodded respectfully.
Although his smiling face was the same as back then, the tone of his voice had changed. This was because Eugene’s station had also changed over the years. Four years ago, Eugene was just one of the several children from common collateral branches. However, the current Eugene was now the adopted son of the Lionheart’s direct line.
“You’ve grown a lot,” Lovellian observed. “Haha, to be honest, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Master Lovellian hasn’t changed at all,” Eugene complimented the man.
“Well, so what. It’s just because I’m holding onto my youth with my magic. After all, isn’t it better to have a youthful appearance than an aged one?”
As Lovellian descended to the ground, he gave Eugene a broad smile. From what Eugene had heard, Lovellian was close to a hundred years old. However, he looked like he was in his mid-twenties at most.
‘Although he seems different from when I saw him four years ago.’
Even then, he had gotten a vague sort of threatening feeling from Lovellian. But because he hadn’t started training his mana sensitivity yet, he hadn’t been able to confirm anything as he was unable to sense the man’s mana. However, now that Eugene had met Lovellian once more, he now knew for sure.
Lovellian was strong.
This was actually rather appropriate. As one of Aroth’s five Tower Masters, he should at least have that level of strength.
However, Eugene didn’t feel any other sort of impression from Lovellian, just that he was strong. When Eugene recalled the strong men he had met in his previous life, the ones he immediately thought of were those who had given him a unique impression besides their strength.
‘It looks like he has a long way to go before reaching Sienna’s level,’ Eugene observed.
Lovellian also examined Eugene in turn, ‘...This is absurd.’
Lovellian was astonished at the amount of mana he sensed from Eugene.
It was Lovellian who had suggested that Eugene be adopted. He had already noticed Eugene’s potential during the Bloodline Continuation Ceremony. Even after returning to Aroth, he had kept in touch with Gilead and had heard all about Eugene’s accomplishments.
He had heard about how Eugene could sense mana in less than ten minutes after entering the Leyline. That was an abnormal level of mana sensitivity. Not only that, but Eugene had also shown monstrous levels of mana affinity that had allowed him to control the mana as soon as he sensed it.
Lovellian couldn’t help but feel troubled whenever he heard these stories about Eugene. Of course, this was because of Eward.
Eventually, Lovellian said, “...I’ve heard the news from Gilead. So, you are interested in magic?”
“Yes, sir,” Eugene confirmed.
“Magic is an extremely engaging field of study. Although it’s just as difficult to learn as it is interesting…. But if it’s you, Eugene, you should be able to do well,” as he muttered this, Lovellian turned his head.
He could feel a presence from behind the closed door that barred the entrance to the tower's first floor. He didn’t feel comfortable with how this presence was just lingering there, not daring to open the door. With a click of his tongue, Lovellian shot the door a glance.
Creak!
The closed door swung open, immediately followed by a sound of gasp. It had come from a skinny young man who was visibly taken aback when the door suddenly opened.
It was Eward Lionheart.
Eugene wasn’t able to recognize him immediately. After all, four years was an exceptionally long time for children.
Eward had grown a lot taller. However, his physique hadn’t grown to match his new height. Eugene glanced at Eward’s barely muscled limbs. He also noted Eward’s dull, spiritless eyes. As for his gray hair, which could be called a symbol of the Lionheart clan along with their sigil… it looked as dry and lifeless as withered blades of grass.
‘That fucking bastard.’ Eugene’s eyes began to burn with an inner fire as he looked at Eward. ‘With an appearance like that, he’s practically bragging about how he’s regularly getting his life-force sucked away by succubi.’
Lovellian chided Eward, “Shouldn’t you at least come out to greet your younger brother?”
“...Ahem,” with an awkward cough, Eward looked up at Eugene. “...I’m not quite sure what I should say—”
“It’s nice to meet you, big brother,” Eugene put some force into his voice as he glared at Eward. “Let’s get along well from now on.”
“A-alright,” Eward nodded in agreement as he avoided meeting Eugene’s intense gaze. Then, being careful not to draw Lovellian’s ire, Eward slowly began backing away.
“...What do you even think you’re doing? If you have nothing else to do, go upstairs and at least read a book,” Lovellian spat out this order as he turned his gaze away from Eward.
If it wasn’t for the fact that Eward was a scion of the Lionheart clan’s direct line, and if it hadn’t been a request from his old friend Gilead… Lovellian would have never allowed Eward to remain in his tower. It had already been several years since Lovellian had begun experiencing this internal conflict between his friendship with Gilead and his desire to expel Eward.
“Yes, sir…,” Eward crept away with his shoulders slumped.
Without looking at the wretched appearance of Eward’s receding figure, Lovellian let out a long sigh.
“...Really now. Please accept my regrets for showing you such shameful sights as soon as you’ve arrived,” Lovellian apologized.
Eugene accepted the apology, “Don’t worry, it’s fine.”
“As for that earlier commotion… well… as Hera has told you, it’s quite a common incident for the Red Tower of Magic. Though a serious disturbance like today’s is rare.” As Lovellian smiled bitterly, he shot a glance at Hera and said, “So I’ve heard from Gilead that you are unwilling to receive personal lessons in magic from me….”
Eugene explained, “It’s just that I don’t want to burden you unnecessarily, Head Wizard.”[1]
“That’s fine with me. But I just hope that you live up to my expectations, Eugene,” Lovellian admitted.
Lovellian appreciated Eugene’s explanation. Although he had already realized this four years ago, the boy in front of him showed a depth of consideration that belied his age.
‘Though rather than consideration, would it be better to call it calculation…,’ Lovellian mused to himself. This wasn’t an easy judgment to make. Lovellian didn’t know much about Eugene, nor had they spent much time together.
Well, it was fine either way. It was better to be overly considerate than to be shameless despite your lacking ability, and it was better to be calculating than to be greedy and stupid.
“I’m not fully confident that I will be able to live up to your expectations,” Eugene replied as he took a step back. “Waving a sword. Thrusting a spear. Swinging an ax. These are the things that I’m most confident in. From a young age, I was sure that I had a talent for these. But magic is a field of study that I have absolutely no experience with… so I don’t dare to say that I have the talent for it.”
These words also appealed to Lovellian. It showed that Eugene’s mentality was much better than Eward’s, who lacked both motivation and effort.
Eugene continued his explanation, “Also, if I personally learn magic from Master Lovellian, many people will look at the Lionheart clan with dissatisfaction. So, for the time being, I would like to study the field of magic on my own.”
“...Very well. Then let’s do it like that,” Lovellian nodded his agreement with a warm smile. “Unless you ask me to, Eugene, I will not interfere with your studies. However, since it will be hard for a beginner to begin studying the field of magic all alone… if you ever need help, feel free to ask me for assistance at any time.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Have you arranged for a place to stay?”
“No, I haven’t found one yet.”
“In that case, just stay in the tower. It might not be as luxurious as the main family’s mansion, but it’s an adequate place to live.”
“Is it okay for me to move in right away?”
“There’s no reason why you shouldn’t.”
At Lovellian’s cheerful answer, Eugene also smiled broadly. Eugene had hoped that he would be able to stay in the tower. That was why he hadn’t even gone looking for a place to stay beforehand.
Eugene asked, “If that’s the case, would it be alright if I take a look at the library first?”
1. Tower Master and Head Wizard are both used for the same position of Tower Master. They are sometimes used alternately, specifically when addressing the person in question. Adding this note, in case any of you are confused why Eugene is addressing Lovelian as the Head Wizard. ☜
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