Chapter 27

"Wow -- that was amazing!"

He turned at the voice from behind him. A student wearing a deep hooded robe approached, looking somewhat excited. He was about the same height as me. -- One of the group that had been able to maintain living magic from the start.

It was unclear whether he was a noble. His manners were refined and his posture was good, but since he was wearing a rather shabby robe, it was impossible to tell if he was of noble or merchant origin. For now--

"Thank you."

That was all he said in response.

Perhaps sensing his suspicion, the boy laughed and took off his hood, revealing a boy with reddish-brown hair.

"No, I was a bit rude just now. My name is Alfred."

"My name is Theo--?"

...Huh? Alfred?

He looked at him twice in surprise.

Could it be-- Alfred Brightwell...?

Alfred Brightwell, the magic technician. A character who also appeared as an NPC in BFO.

He claims to be a magic technician and goes by the name Alfred, but he is actually a legitimate royal, the 4th Prince Albert.

From the game's information, he is the older brother of the future Moon Temple priestess Marlene and the fiancé of the Fobrestor Marquess family's daughter Ophelia.

The human relationships that can be inferred from the information given in the game are about that much, but he himself has a relationship with players where he sometimes puts out requests as an adventurer in the guild, and at other times appears as the 4th Prince Albert in different events.

He must be wearing a transformation magic ring. No doubt about it. I didn't know he was calling himself Alfred this early. He must be quite committed.

From the game, it seems he and Ophelia, whom he will eventually marry, have known each other since childhood, but it seems they are not traveling together.

If we talk about whether he is an enemy or an ally... I think Albert would lean towards being an ally. Of course, this is only based on what I know at this point, so I can't be complacent.

--Since Albert has a weak power base in the palace, he tends to have strong ties with the adventurer guild. So, I can imagine the reason he sought contact.

"...Theodore Gartner."

"Ah, nice to meet you."

He gave his full name, but the other only gave his first name. If he had called himself Brightwell, there would be no mistake.

He was asked for a handshake, so he responded. Since I realized it was Albert, a person I shouldn't know, it was a bit difficult to handle, but... well, just treat him normally. He probably doesn't want to be treated formally while incognito.

"Ugh..."

Talcott raised his upper body, shaking his head.

He looked around, then finally looked up at me and muttered in a daze.

"I... lost. To a kid like you."

He seemed to be in shock. Whether he intended to keep the promise or not was hard to tell at this point. The match was set up to prevent any casualties even if a fight broke out.

"Well--"

Talcott, who had been so aggressive just a moment ago, was now unusually quiet.

"Let me ask you. Do you intend to fulfill the promise?"

"I, who lost, have no intention of contesting the victor's judgment. You are stronger than me. That's all there is to it."

I wish human society wouldn't operate on such animalistic rules. That's why he gets such a nickname. Well... it's fine. It's good to make him act on his words.

"Then, please do so. I don't think that living magic, or noble education and academic studies, are a waste of time for magic training."

I thought saying this would prevent Talcott from holding a grudge.

"...Is that so?"

The way Talcott raised his head at the mention of magic training made his principles very clear.

I understood that he was being used as a scapegoat to prevent the eldest son, who would inherit the estate, from harboring resentment while exploiting the people.

"Endurance and mental training are also linked to improved control abilities, and thinking and ideas that differ from one's true self can lead to greater strength and a wider range of options in battle."

"...So, even with your skills, you still learned living magic...?"

"To reduce the time spent on trivial matters when delving into the labyrinth. I want to get stronger, so I delve into the labyrinth."

It's also about earning income and considering the future, but... it's better to be strong.

"Is that so?"

Travis took Talcott to report to the headmaster. Since the matter was serious, someone was sent to the Cardiff family, and the household was summoned.

I was asked to wait until further instructions, so I waited in an empty room. Of course, Grace was with me, but Ashley was also waiting with us in the empty room. Alfred... went off somewhere quite easily.

"Doesn't Ashley have other lectures?"

"I have permission, so it's fine. I thought it would be better to have a witness."

A witness, huh. The Cardiff family probably wouldn't act too strongly if I was there.

Ashley didn't say much, but she seemed to be worried.

"Understood. Since we have some time, shall we finish the circulation training here?"

I thought we should do it right here and now. Ashley smiled and nodded at my suggestion.

"...How do you feel?"

"It feels like the middle of your body is warm, like after a bath."

After completing the circulation training, I asked how her body felt, and Ashley said this.

She seemed to be more comfortable now that she had learned the healing magic, but it seemed that her condition still fluctuated. She said that the circulation training had a higher and more lasting effect than the basic healing magic. Maybe I should ask Rosetta, an expert, for her opinion next time.

Grace continued her embroidery by the sunny window. The time had become strangely quiet, as if the previous commotion had been a lie.

"I want to hear about your adventures in the labyrinth."

"We are currently on the 12th floor underground. It's a shallow level, so it's not a grand adventure. There are more interesting places as you go deeper, though."

We take precautions to conserve magic and maintain a safety margin, so we can't advance too quickly. But overall, it's going smoothly.

"Theodor says up to the 20th floor should be fine."

"There are no guardians, either."

"Guardians?"

"Yes, guardians are--"

Think of them as boss characters. However, they don't stay on a specific floor; they wander around somewhere after the 21st floor. They are more like rare characters than bosses.

While waiting, we watched Grace continue her embroidery.

Rosetta entered the empty classroom.

"Professor Rosetta?"

"Hello. Ashley is here too."

She smiled when she saw Ashley.

"Yes. Is it about Talcott?"

"...Yes. His treatment has been decided, so I came to inform you."

Rosetta shrugged.

"First, let's talk about him. He has been stripped of his inheritance rights and disowned by the Cardiff family."

...Well. Given his actions.

Even though he was controlled, the use of magic is serious. It might be more serious than swinging a knife in a place where it won't hit... more like firing a gun in a place where it won't hit.

I thought it could range from a light suspension to a heavy detention, but if the family abandons him, he will at least be expelled from the school.

"But, he will be allowed to stay at the school."

--I thought. Rosetta smiled wryly and added.

"Two people were quite fond of the content of your bet with him. Since this is a place of learning, they argued that young people with potential should not be exiled. However, if he causes any more problems, he will be expelled immediately... that's how it settled."

"Well, indeed... He is excellent in magic, so I understand that it would be beneficial for the country to keep him. Perhaps it was better for him to be cut off from the Cardiff family as an excuse."

"...Who was it that defeated him without making him do much? But... generally, you're right. If he hadn't been cut off from the family, he might have been expelled."

To remove the influence of the Earl Maurice. And they probably expect him to study and think for himself as long as he keeps his promise.

"The ones who supported him were the headmaster and... another important person, but for reasons I can't name."

"Hmm. Did they take custody of him?"

"Oh, you're sharp."

"If he's cut off from his family, he can't even attend the school."

He would have to think about earning money, like me.

Still, the unnamed important person... hmm.

Well, it's probably Prince Albert. It would be too difficult for him to secretly infiltrate the school.

Since the family disowned him, they saw his potential and decided to help him, creating a connection with me.

Prince Albert, who has a weak power base, would want someone like Talcott, and since Talcott is now isolated and cut off from his connections, it wouldn't be a problem. In other words... he is seen as a suitable talent for the dissolute prince.

"Talcott wants you to thank you. He owes his survival to you."

"Is that so?"

I basically only think about myself, so it's not my doing. But I'll consider it a favor to Albert.