Chapter 5

"Hmm, this is amazing. Your skills have improved again. Is it the blood of Katarina?"

"That's quite a lot for her age. I think it's also because Master has taught her a lot."

"Just being taught and actually being able to use it are different things. Dennis has talent."

"Master looks pleased, doesn't he?"

---

I have more and more children, but among them is Dennis, the second son of Katarina (though he would be the eighth if you count by different mothers). His current magical power is slightly inferior to Friedrich's, but he has the special ability to use up to five different types of magic simultaneously and in rapid succession. His magical power is still growing as he is only twelve, and I consider him to be my pure successor as a magician.

Dennis was also doted on by Blantrac. Since he only has one daughter, he treats Dennis like a son. Generally, he dotes on all of my children, but he pays special attention to Dennis.

Today, Dennis was learning magic in the garden of his house.

"Phew, maybe I'm getting old. It could also be because Dennis's skills have improved."

"Is that so? I still think I have a lot to learn."

"It's good that you don't get complacent and have the drive to improve."

"Well, everyone around me is a magic prodigy."

"You have a point. The mentors, the Margrave, and Dennis's older brothers, too."

"True. Among them, you are the youngest, yet you can keep up with them. In another five years, you'll surpass your older brothers."

After the practice session that Katarina and I were watching, Blantrac sat down on the lawn in the garden. He must be tired from practicing magic with the young Dennis, as he is nearly seventy. However, he seems delighted by the growth of his beloved disciple and never stops teaching Dennis.

"Dennis, wipe your sweat properly."

"Got it, Franziska."

"Here."

"Thank you."

As soon as the two finished their practice, Blantrac's only daughter, Franziska, appeared with a towel to wipe the sweat. Fortunately, she has grown into a beautiful young woman, resembling her mother.

She is eighteen, six years older than Dennis. Since Blantrac teaches magic in the garden of his house, they often see each other, and Franziska treats Dennis like a real younger brother. Dennis also looks up to her like a real older sister.

"Hey, shouldn't you give the towel to me, the father, first?"

"It's the same either way."

"That's true, but..."

Blantrac dotes on his only daughter, Franziska, and seems dissatisfied that she gave the towel to Dennis before him. It's a common scene between a father and daughter.

"I have tea prepared. Please join us, Margrave Baumwieser and Katarina."

"Thank you, we'll have some."

"Please, don't hesitate."

When we all entered the house, Blantrac's wife was waiting with tea. We started a casual conversation while eating cookies.

"Dennis might be more skilled than the Margrave was at the same age."

"Is that so?"

"Hey, aren't you going to say that's not true?"

"Well, it's just that..."

Originally from Heisei Japan, I didn't hesitate to teach the children magic systematically and efficiently from the basics. I was almost self-taught after leaving my mentor's books in Breichburg, but I have been teaching the children magic strictly since they were young.

The efficiency is incomparable, and among them, Dennis is particularly talented and dexterous. It's only natural that he surpasses me at the same age.

"Still, I'm working hard on writing new textbooks. It wouldn't make sense if the education efficiency was worse than before."

There is also an adventurer preparatory school in Breichburg, and many aspiring magicians gather there because it's close to my territory. Although I'm busy and can't teach directly, I'm creating textbooks for magicians by improving my mentor's books and using my experience as a temporary lecturer.

Many adventurer preparatory schools adopt these textbooks. If they follow this, the speed of improvement will be higher even in schools without a magician teacher.

However, this is not because I am excellent. It's because the books my mentor left were excellent, and the school curriculum of Heisei Japan, which I also referenced, was excellent. In terms of teaching methods, modern education is overwhelmingly superior.

"I see. But I thought you would say something like 'Dennis still has a long way to go.'"

"You might say that when you're older."

"Margrave, you're not that old yet."

"Well, that's true."

Being in your thirties doesn't really count as old. At least, not on the inside.

"Dennis, do you want more tea?"

"Yes."

"How do the cookies taste?"

"Did Franziska make these today?"

"You noticed."

"I can tell somehow."

"Tell me how."

"It's hard to explain."

Dennis doesn't have the obligation to inherit the family, unlike Friedrich, and he doesn't seem interested even when various noble families invite him to marry into their families. I think it's fine to have one carefree son, so I let him be. He will probably become an adventurer when he comes of age. Katarina is a bit worried, but I think it's fine for him to return home after making a name as an adventurer.

After all, he is an excellent magician, so he won't have any trouble in his second life even if he retires from being an adventurer.

"Well, I might just wander around the town of Breichburg."

After finishing the tea and cookies, Dennis, who had also finished his training, stood up and thought about casually wandering around the town of Breichburg. Who does he resemble in this carefree way?

"I think it's Wendelin."

"Really? Is that so?"

"You don't seem to realize it."

I thought I was quite serious in my role as a noble, at least for a few hours a day.

"Dennis, will you accompany me shopping?"

"Ugh! Father said women's shopping takes a long time."

Dennis, don't say things that will lower my reputation with Franziska. I do care about my reputation, you know.

"Even if it takes a long time, it's fun to accompany girls, and it makes you popular. You should study that now."

"Okay."

Dennis was initially unhappy, but he quickly cheered up and went shopping with Franziska. It's normal for a twelve-year-old boy to be reluctant to go shopping with girls.

"Margrave, Katarina, I have something to discuss."

"That's right."

Usually, Katarina and I don't accompany Dennis to his training. Dennis can't use 'Instant Teleportation,' but he is good at 'High-Speed Flight,' so he flies to Blantrac's house using magic. He considers this part of his training, and even if Wyverns interfere on his way, they just become his pocket money.

However, Katarina and I are here today to listen to Blantrac's concerns.

"Shall we move to a room?"

At Blantrac's suggestion, the three of us moved to his study, where only the maids enter for cleaning, and neither his wife nor Franziska are allowed. It's the perfect place for confidential discussions.

"That old woman. She interfered again."

"Is it because she can't get married... out of spite?"

"That's part of it. Also, she probably wants new jewels."

Actually, Katarina and I have known about Blantrac's troubles for some time. It's about the future of the Ringstadt family. Since Blantrac only has one daughter, Franziska, the common sense is that she will marry into the family and inherit it.

Blantrac was originally a famous adventurer and magician, so he has a vast fortune. In addition, he is the chief magician of the Breichreiter Margrave family and is also well-educated, making him an excellent civil servant. He is also my mentor, so he has strong connections with the Baumwieser Margrave family.

The Ringstadt family has become one of the most important vassal families in the Breichreiter Margrave family, and inheriting this family means acquiring a vast fortune. Therefore, various vassals and important families are plotting.

They are trying to send their second sons and below to marry Franziska.

"These are all notorious characters."

Blantrac, having become a major vassal, has no complaints about accepting a son-in-law. However, the candidates are too terrible.

"In other words, the plan is to let a fool inherit and bring down the Ringstadt family."

The Breichreiter Margrave family has grown larger due to the success of the Baumwieser Margrave territory development boom. This allowed them to increase the number of important vassal families, but they are dissatisfied that the new vassals, though magicians, are originally outsiders.

"From the perspective of the important vassal families, it wouldn't have been a problem if their relatives had established a separate family."

"But without achievements, they can't become important vassals."

Blantrac often accompanied me on my unfortunate missions at the order of the Breichreiter Margrave, which brought great benefits to the Breichreiter Margrave family, allowing him to become an important vassal. The relatives of other important vassals, however, would not have been of much help, and might have even died.

"Since they actually participated and were useful, they can say anything."

They claim that if their children had been with me, they would have performed even better. However, it's unreasonable to make such assumptions, especially since they are not magicians.

"It's just talk. In any case, they are trying to bring in a son-in-law who is easy to control and a fool."

They plan to command this person to aid the main family, transfer the Ringstadt family's assets to the main family, and bring down the Ringstadt family in the next generation. If they bring in an excellent son-in-law, the Ringstadt family won't decline, so they are deliberately preparing terrible candidates.

"I tried to look for one independently..."

He broadened his search to include the children of mid-level vassals if they were competent, but when he approached them, they declined.

"Are they putting pressure on them?"

"Both nobles and vassals are the same. For the sake of their family, they will do any evil deed."

Blantrac showed a truly exasperated expression in response to Katarina's question.

"What does the Breichreiter Margrave think?"

"The lord would like to fully support me, but it's impossible."

A drawback of a historical noble family is that the head's authority is not as strong as one might think. The current Breichreiter Margrave was originally the second son and had to struggle with the family and important vassals behind the scenes to gain some freedom after suddenly inheriting the position. After the family and territory became wealthy, his control increased, but the previously quiet family and vassals began to stir.

They started moving to bring down the upstart Ringstadt family.

"Master, what about Anita?"

"She doesn't understand anything. Her mind is that of a child."

In other words, the family members and important vassals are manipulating her. The family members don't have the courage to openly defy the Breichreiter Margrave, so they are using Anita, who wouldn't make anyone sad even if she were punished for overstepping.

"She can never get married. Just the fact that Franziska can't find a son-in-law is satisfying for her. Besides, if the takeover of the Ringstadt family succeeds, she might get new jewels as a reward."

"The Breichreiter Margrave must be having a hard time."

Because it's a historical noble family, he can't easily dispose of the rotten family members and important vassals.

"Is Franziska okay?"

You sent her shopping without a guard. What if some foolish vassal's son tries to kidnap her and create a fait accompli?

"It's fine because Dennis is with her. I was worried about this and didn't let her go out recently. She must have been stressed, so I had Dennis accompany her shopping."

I see, that's why you didn't say anything even though your unmarried daughter, though a minor, went shopping with a boy. Dennis is strong enough to handle even dozens of fools. He is also quite skilled in swordsmanship and self-defense, which he learned from El.

Compared to me... it's just a futile comparison. Dennis is overwhelmingly stronger.

By the way, how is a father who loses to his twelve-year-old son in physical strength? I can win with magic, though.

"In the worst case, I'm considering leaving the Breichreiter Margrave family."

"Wouldn't the Breichreiter Margrave cry?"

"Still, with all these troubles..."

The departure of an ultra-skilled chief magician.

Although the Breichreiter Margrave is responsible for not suppressing the schemes of the family and important vassals, his reputation in the kingdom will definitely plummet. Moreover, other nobles will fight over the good talent. The Blauw Margrave family and the Holmia Margrave family, for example, would be overjoyed.

"Why doesn't one of the Breichreiter Margrave's children become a son-in-law? There are many boys."

"You can't make the son of a lord, even if he is an important vassal, marry into a rising family. If that were possible, the problem wouldn't have escalated to this point."

At the very least, it would have to be after Franziska's son, Blantrac's grandson, becomes the head of the Ringstadt family.

To me, it seems like an incredibly trivial matter, but the opposition from important vassals and family members is significant. This is why the Breichreiter Margrave is completely unable to act.

"A drawback of a historical noble family. The Margrave is the first generation, so he can do as he pleases, but his great-grandchildren will likely face the same struggles as our lord."

I see, by then, the Baumwieser Margrave family might also have branch families and powerful vassals who meddle in various matters.

"That's something for the descendants to think about, so I'll pass."

"Wendelin, you're still the same."

"But thinking about such things now is pointless."

Even if I leave a will, there's no guarantee that the descendants will carry it out. It's up to them to try their best.

"You're still the same, Wendelin. So, what will you do, Master?"

"It depends on the lord. If a good solution is found, I'll follow it, but if it seems hopeless, I'll consider leaving. First, it's pitiful for Franziska."

Blantrac dotes on his only daughter, Franziska, and is willing to leave the Breichreiter Margrave family if she has to marry a scoundrel. Of course, as a magician of Blantrac's caliber, he can survive in any situation.

"Shall I introduce one of our vassal's children? It should be acceptable among vassals."

"However, if he's from a completely different family, he needs to be quite mentally strong."

"He might be bullied by the Breichreiter Margrave's important vassals and family members."

Especially those who are after Blantrac's assets. If Franziska marries, she will have even more interactions with the wives and daughters of the family and vassals. I can imagine Anita bullying her. That woman has a lot of free time.

"Blauw Margrave has caught wind of this and asked, 'Why don't you come to us?' as a chief magician."

"That's natural."

"Actually, it would be strange if he didn't."

The Blauw Margrave family is still struggling with a shortage of magicians. Although they have successfully revitalized their territory and increased the number of magicians in their employ, they are still struggling to hire high-level magicians. They are dealing with this by increasing the number of people, but it's difficult when the Margrave family is being mocked by other major nobles behind their backs for not being able to hire high-level magicians.

Being a major noble comes with a