Chapter 94

The Marquess Family's Magic Genius - Chapter 95 (94/324)

95

Abel.

Meeting him wasn't difficult.

Although I had become much busier since becoming the next head of the family, it didn't mean he would refuse to meet me.

Inside the office.

Abel, who had become quite thin, smiled slightly at me.

"What brings you here today?"

"First, take this."

What I handed him was a sword manual for the Defense Sword technique. Among the seven sword techniques of the family, this was the most defensive, as its name suggests.

"Thank you."

"No, not at all. When I establish the magic tower, you will help me, won't you, Big Brother? I'm just getting a head start on earning your favor."

At my words, Abel chuckled.

"Right. I'll support you steadily as much as I can. By the way, I have something for you too."

"Something for me...?"

"Just wait a moment."

Abel brought out an old wooden box.

"What is this?"

"You mentioned before that you wanted the original copy of a magic book between the 1st and 3rd Circles."

"Could it be... the original?"

"Yes. I started looking immediately, and fortunately, a copy became available. So I bought it."

No words were needed.

I took the wooden box and opened it.

Inside was an old book. It was a magic book, with the marks of time clearly visible, as if emphasizing that it was the original.

Let's see if it really is the original.

The moment I activated my Insight.

A phrase appeared before my eyes, and I couldn't help but smile.

'Henderson Raydion.'

Fire Arrow.

The author of the original I found back then was Henderson.

If this was an original he made himself, it could be trusted. I had already confirmed the effects of this original.

'What a find.'

Air Wave.

Literally, a magic that creates a wave of wind over a fairly wide area. Originally used to push opponents away, its characteristic is that it's not very powerful due to its wide range.

But, if combined with the original's secrets and the mixed activation method written here?

'It would be perfect for creating distance.'

A wide range means it's also hard to avoid. It could be very useful as a defensive magic.

I closed the wooden box and bowed to Abel.

"Thank you, Big Brother."

"For just this? I'll do my best to help you in the future. If you have any more requests, just let me know."

That's great.

I had a few things to ask him.

"Can I tell you now?"

"Of course."

"I need spirit stones."

"Spirit stones?"

"Yes. Do you know about the spirit training array?"

"I've heard of it. Is it for Ersiel?"

"Yes."

"It's not hard to give you. I have some spare spirit stones. But... will it be okay? I heard the efficiency is the worst."

"To improve efficiency, I've made some modifications in my way. I can't be sure if it will work, but if it does, I think it will yield good results."

At my words, Abel smiled wryly.

"At this point, I'm curious about what you can't do."

"I didn't know I had such talent for magic either."

"By the way, didn't you learn magic before?"

"Before...?"

"When you were six. After your aura training failed, you called many famous masters to overcome Hermemus, didn't you? I remember there was a royal mage among them."

Ah, you're talking about that.

One of the scenes in the memories Kyle passed on to me. Many famous masters came to teach me, but ultimately shook their heads and left.

"Yes, I learned."

"Did you not feel anything special back then?"

After a wry smile, I said the answer I had thought about.

"At that time, I was very young, so I didn't listen to the masters' teachings properly. I didn't understand the severity of the Hermemus disease... and wasn't I forced to do aura training for a hundred days under Father?"

"That's right."

"To be honest, I was disillusioned with all the training at that time. I didn't even have the motivation to try hard."

At my words, Abel nodded in understanding.

No matter how excellent the teacher or how talented the student, if the student doesn't put in the effort, there's no result.

"I'm glad you've come to your senses."

"I'm glad too. Oh, by the way, I have one more request."

"Go ahead."

"I want to teach our family's sword techniques and mental training methods to the Sword Demons. Is it possible?"

"To all of them?"

"Yes."

"Hmm..."

At my words, Abel began to think.

He needed time to consider.

After waiting quietly, he asked.

"Do you think they're worth it?"

"They didn't run away when the rebellion happened. At least, they're not just verbally loyal."

I said to Abel, who nodded.

"My concept of loyalty is simple. I believe in a relationship where you give back as much as you receive. They kept their promise to give their lives for me, so now it's my turn to give them something in return."

"An interesting definition."

"Human beings are inherently selfish. We live for ourselves. One-sided relationships are bound to break down eventually."

At my words, Abel chuckled.

"Where did you learn that?"

"I'm just telling you what I think."

"Alright. I don't mind teaching them up to the 1st form. However, revealing the higher forms and mental training methods is difficult. I'll need to observe them more before making a decision. If you still feel the same way later, I'll allow it."

The 1st form was enough.

It would take time to master it perfectly.

At least half a year.

The 2nd form could be allowed after half a year without any issues.

"Thank you."

"No, it's nothing. To maintain a good relationship, I have to help with such requests. We need to work together for a long time, after all."

It was a joke, but it also reflected his true feelings.

Abel certainly didn't want to lose me now.

I felt the same way.

The next head of the Marquess family.

Creating a strong connection with him was essential.

It was a beautiful symbiotic relationship.

"Oh, by the way. About the grain. The prices are not looking good. It seems they will rise soon."

"Is the food reserve in the territory sufficient?"

"Yes. Even if we hadn't bought wheat last time, it would have been sufficient. It's customary to store enough food for three years."

"That's good. The magic families will probably benefit from this."

"I think so too."

Magic families naturally have many mages. If all the mages in the family work together, they can make it rain over the entire territory.

Even with a drought, water element magic can be used, albeit with reduced power.

"Starting from the Great Mages, there are many High Mages. They should be able to overcome the drought easily. I envy the magic families in such times."

"What's the point of envying what you don't have? Instead, they probably envy us. In a one-on-one battle, knights are definitely superior to mages."

Assuming equal levels, in a one-on-one battle between a knight and a mage, the knight usually has the upper hand.

However, mages excel in areas like war.

Each has its strengths and weaknesses.

At my words, Abel nodded and looked at me.

"Are you still in contact with Lady Iris?"

"Yes. We communicated through the communication device last time."

Although it was a public communication device, there was no risk of information being exposed. Both of us were mages, so we didn't need a communication mage.

After the rebellion.

She contacted me not long after.

I remember comforting her for a while because she was quite worried.

Abel looked at me and smiled wryly.

"Maybe because you bought a large amount of wheat, you're quite worried. Since you're related, it's not surprising."

We did take quite a bit.

But it was fine.

"Lord Viscount probably realized the drought was coming soon. Besides, it's a well-known agricultural city, so they should have enough to be self-sufficient."

"That's true, but..."

"Even if they're not, we didn't steal from them. What's the problem? Besides, to be honest, our family and the Viscount family weren't that close."

A fairly powerful family nearby.

The Neron Viscount family was just that to the Marquess family. There was no need to feel guilty for outmaneuvering them.

We didn't force a contract on them or anything.

And most importantly, I wasn't the one getting the blame.

The excellent shield in front of me would filter out the criticism. I and the Viscount could continue to maintain a close relationship.

"If you're really worried, you could give them a warning."

"...Sigh. That would be like giving them medicine and then poisoning them."

"You're not going to return the wheat, are you? We have a mountain of expenses to cover."

At my words, Abel nodded quietly.

Indeed.

He wasn't a fool who would ruin a deal out of guilt.

If he were, the future of the Marquess family would be bleak.

"By the way, when do you plan to become independent?"

"I plan to build a magic tower in Phrenus, but there are still unwelcome guests there... I'll start after I clean things up."

"Seems like you've made up your mind."

"Yes. After considering everything, Phrenus seemed to be the best choice. Unfortunately, Trasden already has other magic towers, and if I push them out, the Eastern Magic Tower Association won't sit still."

"Hmm... That's true. I understand. I plan to push Phrenus out soon."

"Really?"

"Yes. Probably after selecting the training knights. We need to boost the morale and we'll need a lot of gold. Phrenus is a good choice."

"Definitely a good place. Oh, about the management."

At my words, Abel smiled.

"I'll do as you say. However, since the family's power has been weakened, I can't get good terms from the royal family. It will likely be a temporary lordship, and there will be some conditions attached. Is that okay?"

It didn't matter.

No matter what conditions they set.

'Just achieve them.'

With my knowledge and experience, it was definitely possible.

"I'm confident."

"Good. If you say so, I'll do my best to help."

Indeed.

Abel was someone I could communicate with easily.

He then took out a map.

The map showed the eastern part of the empire in detail.

"Since this will soon be your territory, let's discuss how to occupy this place."

It seemed Abel wanted to hear my opinion.

It was a welcome development for me.

Discussing the strategy for the territory battle meant he recognized me.

My actions so far had increased his trust in me.

I nodded readily.

"Understood."

Phrenus.

Now it was time to seriously discuss how to swallow this tempting territory.