Chapter 38

"Hmm... Impressive."

The white-haired old man, seated on the sofa, nodded as he raised the bright red magic sword.

"This is a genuine A-rank magic sword. I brought it for the Marshal's birthday."

"What a grand gift, Colonel. I can't accept something like this."

Normally, one doesn't give such a thing as a birthday gift.

"Then, let's choose something else."

"No, I'll take it."

If you had refused, it would have been mine...

Well, a magic sword of this caliber would be desired by anyone in the military.

"Here you go... Marshal, and who is Siegfried Alexander?"

There's a proper reason for giving such a high-value gift.

"Siegfried... He is a man who graduated top of his class from the country's best magic school. Among the 50th batch of students, known as the 'Flower of the 50th,' which included the best from prestigious magic families and talented disciples, he stood out. No one could even come close to him, and everyone else ended up competing for second place."

Another impressive title.

"Siegfried is a commoner, right? It's surprising that the nobles didn't object."

"He was that outstanding. During his studies, he obtained the 5th level qualifications for both National Alchemist and National Magician."

A student obtained national qualifications.

Moreover, the 5th level of the most difficult qualifications for alchemists and magicians...

"He must be very popular."

Everyone would want him.

I would want such a student too.

"It's impossible. He's the favorite of that witch."

The witch of the capital, Claudia Zettel.

"Why did such a man come to us?"

"Simple. He couldn't keep up with others. Well, they say geniuses are lonely."

I heard he caused trouble and was demoted, but is that true?

"Is it that bad? I've heard from a subordinate with family in Riet that he is capable and has a good character."

However, according to Lutz, his family member is so kind that the evaluation is a bit questionable.

"I only heard it from others, so I don't know the details. But it seems he had a conflict with the Drevess family."

The Drevess family... one of the great noble families of this country.

And the head of the Magician Association, the top of the magicians.

"The Drevess family... Even that witch would find it tough."

"Indeed. That's why he was sent here for refuge."

To protect his top disciple.

But if that's the case, he intends to bring him back to the capital once things cool down.

"I'd like Siegfried to stay in Riet."

His alchemy skills are solid, and I heard he recently extinguished a fire with magic.

"Let's see... If your information is correct, it doesn't seem like his personality is that problematic. I think the other towns' evaluations are biased because he had a conflict with the Drevess family."

The other towns' alchemist association branches might want Siegfried.

No, the Magician Association might want him too.

Other nobles might also try to take him under their wing.

"We need to do something..."

"Well, try your best. You're meeting that witch soon, right?"

I have an appointment with her.

"Yes. It's about time... I'll take my leave now."

He stood up, bowed, and left the room.

◆◇◆

Once the colonel left the room, I drew the sword from its sheath and raised it again. The hilt and sheath were decorated, and it was a beautiful sword, but the mesmerizing red magic power in the blade made the decorations meaningless.

"Hmm... A-rank?"

This feels like it's beyond that level.

It's probably a gift, so it doesn't have enough magic power to be a practical magic sword. However, the purity of the magic power is exceptional.

I've seen many magic swords, and as a magician myself, I can tell that I've never seen a sword as clean as this.

"Given my position, I need to have several practical magic swords made for the northern battlefield..."

Will that witch allow it?

In the world of magicians, the master-disciple relationship is absolute.

Even at 50, I still can't stand up to my 90-year-old master.

For an orphan like Siegfried, she is probably like a parent to him.

"I want that man as much as the colonel does... Hmm, I'll put my hopes in my granddaughter."

He stood up and picked up the phone on the desk, then dialed a number.

"Yes, this is the Alchemist Association headquarters."

A young woman's voice answered after the ringing stopped.

"Adelheid? It's grandpa."

"Grandpa? What's up? If it's a personal call, I'd prefer it after work."

You're still as cold as ever, Adelheid.

"You were transferred to Riet, right? I thought you wouldn't have the time."

"What do you need? I'm at work too."

You're really cold.

"Are you free tonight?"

"No, you just said you don't have the time. I have to pack and prepare, so it's impossible."

My dear granddaughter, but this formal attitude is a flaw.

"I have something important to discuss. Besides, I'm not going to live much longer. Once you go to Riet, I might never see you again."

"What are you saying... Fine, I'll make time."

A sigh...

"Thanks. Let me know when you're done with work. Let's go for dinner."

"Alright, then."

Adelheid hung up the phone.

"You're so straightforward... Well, it's fine. I don't understand, but Siegfried seems to have invited Adelheid, so I hope it goes well."

After that, I had dinner with Adelheid, but she was as usual, cold and formal.

However, she gave me a birthday gift when we parted, and I thought she is indeed a kind girl.

◆◇◆

The day after the fire was a holiday.

So, I was writing a recipe to give to Erika when the doorbell rang.

"Hmm?"

"Hey, Siegfried, open up!"

I heard the cheerful voice of Leonora along with the sound of knocking on the door.

"I'm not home."

"You are! Open up!"

I stood up, went to the door, and opened it. There stood Leonora, grinning as usual.

"Do you need something?"

"I thought I'd invite you on a date since you're cooped up in your room on a holiday."

"Date? Do you have somewhere in mind?"

I don't.

"Let's go to the market. My wife is making sweets, so we need to buy ingredients."

I see...

"Wait a moment. I'm just writing a recipe, so I'll have your wife make it."

I went back to the living room to get the notebook.

"Ah, a divine revelation. Is there something delicious?"

"Hmm... Helen, which one do you think is good?"

"I like pound cake."

That's easy.

"Then, let's go with that. Leonora, let's go."

"Please escort me."

Escort...

I remember, Leonora is a noble lady.

I always forget because she's always grinning and joking around.

"I'm busy escorting Helen."

"You're so cold... You're a real patriarch."

If you add a convenient wife and divide by two, you get a perfect balance.

"What can you do?"

"That's harsh... How about I provide some special tea leaves? The best quality from the empire?"

I don't know.

And I can't tell the difference anyway.

We went shopping at the market and enjoyed a tea party at Erika's house. We stayed for dinner and then returned home. After taking a bath, I enjoyed a glass of whiskey in the dimly lit bedroom as the last pleasure of the holiday.

"How do you like this town, Siegfried?"

Helen asked.

"I don't think much of it."

"No, there must be something."

"Really, there's nothing. I've always preferred the city over the countryside, but now that I'm here, I realize there's no difference. No matter where I am, my heart remains unchanged."

"Is that a good thing?"

I wonder...

At least, it doesn't seem bad.

"I don't know."

"What about your new workplace?"

"It's not bad."

I can say that with certainty.

"Erika and Leonora are good people."

The branch chief too.

I remember someone once told me, "It's not where you go, but who you go with that matters." Indeed, that's true.

Erika and Leonora are bright and good people. They have ambition, but they don't try to bring others down. They are also easy-going and can overlook harsh words. Working in such an environment is a good thing. And having Helen here is enough.

"You seem to be enjoying it."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Today, you enjoyed a tea party with a colleague on your day off. That's something the old Siegfried wouldn't have done."

That's true...

In my two lives, I never had friends, and I never went anywhere with colleagues.

"Are you enjoying it?"

"Can't you tell?"

Helen looked out the window. The window in the dimly lit room, lit only by indirect lighting, looked like a mirror.

"I don't know..."

The reflection in the window no longer seemed to be a demon possessed by ambition.

This concludes Chapter 1.

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