Chapter 481
Just as Duke Kilanas was about to bend to a 120-degree angle, Lather’s timely intervention straightened him up again.
“Duke Kilanas, as a student walking the path of magic, I understand your sentiments, but right now, I’d like to introduce my friends,” I said.
“Oh, my apologies, Your Grace. I was so blinded by joy that I acted rudely.”
In the meanwhile, it was quite amusing to witness his genuine shock.
It’s fascinating. I’ve never been into magic, so when other magicians praised Trixie, it didn’t register much for me. But seeing a duke acting like this really does feel like gazing upon someone far above the heavens. Even if the Empire was a mess before the coronation, maybe it managed to endure thanks to Trixie’s influence?
“Your Grace, I owe you greetings, and I sincerely apologize, Count Tailglehen.”
“Please raise your head, Your Grace. There’s no need for apologies.”
I shook my head at the sight of Duke Kilanas bowing politely in my direction.
Apologizing for being rude? It’s not like Duke Kilanas came here on some weird business, nor was he a bother to me. Simply showing up as an ordinary guest is already the epitome of politeness.
“Moreover, I am genuinely thrilled to meet the first Master who gained renown as a martial artist. I fully understand your feelings, Your Grace.”
“I can’t look up at the Count’s generosity enough. Thank you.”
Thankfully, my sincerity seemed to put Duke Kilanas at ease, as his expression softened.
His polite behavior was a little burdensome. After all, he’s older and has a higher title than I do, making me feel like the lowly dog beneath the table.
Still, if I didn’t accept his apology, it would just make him uncomfortable, so I held back. I couldn’t let the big names in Yuben feel awkward with me.
Duke Kilanas, who had suddenly appeared, set off to tour the fair with Lather. Of course, it wouldn’t be easy for a magician to part from Trixie, thanks to instinct—
“Why not stay for a few days at the Academy and have a chat with Trixie? A discussion between great magicians representing the Empire and Yuben could significantly advance magic across the continent. I’m actually looking forward to it as someone living in this era.”
“If that’s possible, it would be more than an honor…”
“I’m fine with it. Given the distance between the Empire and Yuben, it’s been hard to get in touch with Yuben’s magic regularly.”
Those words made him shine with peace and happiness. Since we’d agreed to have productive discussions after the booth hours, he would probably make good use of his time until then.
“Looks like, in front of Trixie, Duke Kilanas is just a magician,” I muttered as I watched them walk away. While an imperial duke is treated as higher than a kingdom duke, if Trixie were a mere baron, I bet Duke Kilanas would still bow to her. There’s something grand about authority that transcends titles, right?
“It’s possible thanks to the blood of elves. If magicians who showed me respect shared a similar lifespan as mine, they could easily reach my status,” I mused.
Trixie, overhearing my muttering, shook her head with a smile, though it wasn’t a particularly convincing gesture of humility.
Having a long lifespan doesn’t automatically make one into a great magician like Trixie. If that were the case, this continent wouldn’t be human-dominated; it would be ruled by elves. Instead of igniting the World Tree, wouldn’t the imperial palace have turned into a hellfire?
“I can’t even imagine becoming like my teacher, even if I lived ten times longer.”
It seems I wasn’t the only one thinking this way, as Rizie, holding some cookies, smiled and countered.
Yeah, Trixie’s ability isn’t just a product of her long life. It’s a legendary intersection of the bloodline of a magical noble family, Kato’s, the specialized bloodline of the elves, and Trixie’s personal talent. It’s not something that can be attained just by living long.
“Ahaha, don’t say things like that. You’re the only magician who can succeed me,” Trixie said.
And it seemed Trixie was pleased with the compliment, gently patting Rizie’s head.
Thinking about it, Rizie is the original protagonist and Trixie’s only apprentice. Who knows? She could become the next great magician.
‘Trixie is bound to develop, too.’
It’s unfortunate, though, Rizie developing to Trixie’s current level doesn’t mean Trixie will remain idle.
I became curious, though. If Trixie, who will likely live for 300 or 400 more years, diligently cultivates her magic, just how high would she rise? I could easily see her using dimensional cutting or the roar of time.
“That’s right. The only ones who can succeed their teachers are always the disciples.”
While I was lost in thought, Mar, who had been seated, cautiously approached us.
For a moment, my heart skipped a beat, but I quickly calmed myself. It was a knee-jerk reaction to think, ‘If you need something, just say so; don’t move around on your own.’ I almost treated Mar like a critically ill patient who shouldn’t be allowed to move.
“Uh, sis! If you need anything, just tell me and don’t move around!”
In reality, I held back those words, and Rizie spoke for me.
But being in the observer position made things a bit awkward. It isn’t like she’s doing heavy exercise; she’s just walking, yet I’m freaking out. What does that say about me?
Thanks, Rizie. Reflective therapy works!
“First Snow wanted to be with the little moms,” Mar joked, making Rizie, who rushed towards her, flinch.
What can they do when the first child of the Krasius family wants to stay with them? That’s a perfect justification that can’t be refuted.
“Oh, First Snow wanted to eat the cookies made by Rizie—”
“Here!”
Rizie quickly snatched a plate in front of me and handed it to Mar, her face brimming with a mix of excitement and joy. She seemed thrilled to serve the cookies she made to First Snow.
‘That’s heartwarming.’
In an instant, I got robbed of my snacks, but I didn’t feel disheartened. To Rizie, First Snow is like her husband’s child; it’s not her biological child. Even so, she treats First Snow like her own. How could she not be happy about that?
Honestly, I was worried about having six factions of children just like their six mothers, but judging by how things are now, that doesn’t seem likely.
‘…Six factions within the family.’
Just imagining that for a second was dizzying. A household where the wives kept each other in check, and the children competed with one another? It would turn a home that should be one of peace and warmth into a hell.
Suddenly, I felt a surge of respect for the Gold Duke. Despite having twice as many wives as I do, he somehow manages to lead their family without any discord. He’s a hero who unites everyone around him instead of letting them compete.
Rumor even has it that the Gold Duke has more children than retainers. I should seek some advice on being a good husband from him if the opportunity arises.
‘Huh?’
Just as I made that promise and reached for one of the cookies Mar was holding, I sensed something off.
“Hey, Mar? Where’s Ainter?”
I didn’t see that familiar golden-haired head anywhere. He’d definitely been around when Duke Kilanas left with Lather, right?
“He just stepped out, saying he wanted to check out some other booths.”
“Oh.”
That unexpected answer made me blink in surprise. Since the other club members had already scattered, I had planned to tell Ainter to go have fun, too, but I didn’t expect him to wander off on his own.
Wait, was it just that the only ones left in the booth were me and my love interests, so he felt awkward and snuck out? Considering Ainter is the relatively normal one, that’s a strong possibility.
“I feel like I chased away the club members for no reason. They’re probably having a better time than we are.”
Looking around the empty booth, I felt like a roommate who invited his girlfriend over and kicked out his buddy. I didn’t intend for it, but I was practically the biggest jerk around.
“Did I really chase them away?”
“Of course not.”
When Trixy joked about it, I earnestly protested, and both Mar and Rizie chuckled.
How sad. No one believes in my innocence as a husband.
Despite other members leaving for various reasons, we couldn’t abandon the booth ourselves. Even if there were no guests, shutting down prematurely would feel wrong. We didn’t want to give the impression that we thought we were number one and could leave whenever.
So, thanks to that, instead of wandering the fair, we decided to stay at the booth, but it didn’t feel suffocating or boring since we could spend some cozy time together as a family.
“I’m really glad to spend the last fair with you, Oppa and the sisters. I could come as a guest next year, but I won’t have such an experience again.”
Rizie grinned and said something like that.
I can vaguely understand her feelings, so I gently ruffled her hair. Indeed, as Rizie said, this fair is probably our last chance to gather and do something together. Starting next year, we won’t be part of the Academy anymore.
“Whenever the term ‘last’ is attached, even familiar experiences feel different.”
Trixie seemed to understand Rizie’s feelings too and nodded, speaking up.
“Therefore, you can look forward to our last field trip.”
She added a weighty phrase afterward.
The big event after the club fair in the Academy’s schedule is the field trip, but why is it coming out of Trixie’s mouth? It sounds like she knows something and isn’t just speaking casually.
“Oh, right. I heard from a junior not long ago, too.”
Even Mar clapped her hands, showing that she knew something.
What’s going on? An Academy graduate knows, yet the current Academy inspector doesn’t?
“This year’s field trip destination is the Servette Duchy, right?”
…?
“Personally, I would have preferred Wulken, but Servette is nice too.”
“I think they’ll probably go to Wulken next year.”
I turned my gaze to Rizie as I watched Mar and Trixie continue the conversation easily.
Fortunately, it seemed this was new information for Rizie.
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