Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: The Use of a Traitorous Subject
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"If they were going to do something, they would have moved already. They would have sent assassins. Of course, I currently have my friendship with Sir Maldrov, plus his son Erasol, and Heidi, the daughter of Baron Zelkerd. I also have connections with the Darkthys organization that would receive any assassination missions, so it's probably not feasible…"
"Ah… Indeed, there's no way for them to act."
"So you can relax. On the contrary, they know that leaving things as they are now is the best course. Besides, it's because I'm here that young master Ralt runs so diligently."
This one point was likely a fact acknowledged by the acting head of the Lengel family, the Count, and Lady Meira alike.
It was true that Ralt, who had been lazy and indolent, was now diligently juggling work and studies because Beonald was backing him, and this effect was reassuring the nobles under the Count's family.
"So I still have use value, and~ they don't have any justification to do anything to me, right? They're probably just watching for an opportunity. Well, break time is over. Let's move on to the next lesson."
"I suppose so. Ah~ What a pity. I wish I could see what's inside your head, young master…"
"Don't talk nonsense, just memorize what I'm teaching you now. Anyway, next lesson."
"Yay~"
The idle chatter so far was merely during the break after the alchemy lesson.
To use her as an alchemy assistant, she needed basic education one way or another, so Beonald brought Selina back to the mansion and continued one-on-one lessons.
He firmly drilled her on the basics of alchemy, starting with understanding elements and substances, before moving on to 'magic conversion' and 'elemental transformation'.
"But isn't there too much theory to memorize here? I don't think the Alchemy Department at the Magic Tower is this intense…"
"Stupid kids who ignore basic theory and the characteristics of substances and elements, foolishly attempting 'transformation', 'manufacturing', and 'synthesis', end up causing accidents… it says so in the book. Ahem!"
"Just now, your explanation had a certain realism that felt… experienced?"
"No, no way~"
To fit the background of a 15-year-old, Beonald had to hide the source of his alchemy knowledge, forcing him to lie that he had studied from an old book he found by chance at home.
He then claimed to have memorized and disposed of the book, completely removing the source, and was now teaching her the basics of alchemy.
Fortunately, being a mage meant she had a decent baseline intellect, and the fact that she had studied it as a cultural subject to understand other departments she researched with at the Magic Tower made teaching easier.
After about an hour of lessons, Beonald concluded the session.
"Anyway, as tuition and homework, don't forget to make the promised healing potion."
"Yes, don't worry. A healing potion should be easy to make since the justification is sufficient. I need to prove my usefulness to learn more. Of course, I won't forget to make separate batches for the Count's family and for you, young master."
The reason he taught her two healing potion recipes was so she would naturally make better ones for himself and his retainers, while giving inferior ones to the Count's family.
Especially since the higher-performance potion was his own researched and improved version, he couldn't let others use it.
And through this, he could also test this Selina.
'Well, if she causes trouble and gives me a reason to kill her, that would be even more appreciated… Anyway, it's about time to go out.'
Beonald returned to the mansion via a completely different route from Selina, unknown to the mansion staff or the Callermain Earldom people.
Then, with Sain who came to greet him, he went up to fetch Alterio, and headed to the mansion's training room where Heidi was diligently practicing the mana breathing method and spear techniques Beonald had taught her. He called for her from outside the door.
"Heidi, it's me. Let's head out soon."
"Ah! Yes! Young master! I'll be right out!"
"Young master? Where do you plan to go as soon as you arrive?"
Hearing that he was leaving again immediately, his personal maid Sain asked, to which Beonald calmly replied.
"Ah~ I have to go feed this guy. Just giving him jerky and simple rations isn't good for his health, and he needs walks too. You saw what happened because I couldn't look after him for a long time after the Teal slums incident, right?"
Piiiiiiit!
"Then you won't be having dinner. I'll make a note of it."
Clang!
As soon as the conversation with Sain ended, the training room door opened. Inside, Heidi, drenched in sweat from training and clad in armor, emerged along with the hot air.
"I'm sorry. I, if I had known you were coming, I would have washed and prepared…"
Flustered upon realizing her state, Beonald spoke to her calmly.
"No, it was me who wanted you to train and become stronger in the first place. So the consideration is my part. I'll wait for you to wash up. Or~ since we're at it, shall we go in and wash together?"
"N, nooooo! I, it's not that I dislike it! B, but it's still too, too early, I should say? Anyway, I'll wash up right away!"
'Hmm~ Her reaction is good, very cute.'
Despite her absurd martial talent and rugged appearance, Heidi's personality was honest and incredibly girlish, making her reactions delightful even with just a little teasing.
Beonald also liked very much that she had a personality that couldn't hide anything.
"…It seems you like Miss Heidi."
"Wouldn't it be strange not to like her? Everyone is so prejudiced just by her height and build. Her inner self is such a pure girl."
"Hmm~ So the pure type is your preference?"
"Ah, not particularly. My preference spectrum is quite broad. As long as they're not too young, and have the charm and talent to make my heart race, that's enough. Of course, Sain, you're also within my preferences, so you can rest assured."
Beonald answered so nonchalantly with a refreshing smile.
An ordinary person might think him lewd or narcissistic, but Sain thought Beonald had the right to be confident, given his looks and the fact that he was proving his abilities within this Earldom as a dark horse.
So, while blushing shyly, Lady Meira's words to keep watch on him came back to sting her head and heart, reminding her of her position.
'Don't forget. If you entertain any foolish thoughts, the price will be worse than this whipping. No matter how much of a dark horse he is, he's ultimately a mongrel from the countryside.'
"Ugh…!"
"Ah, was it that unpleasant? Haha, my apologies then."
Seeing Sain's expression harden, Beonald thought she might be displeased and stopped pressing further.
And a little later, he left the mansion again with Heidi, who came running with her damp blonde hair still not fully dry, fluttering as she ran, heading somewhere.
"But young master, where are we going today? If it's a hunting ground, the place we went to a while ago should be sufficient, I think?"
"Hmm~ I have it all planned, so don't worry, Heidi."
The pretext for this outing was hunting to provide a walk and meals for the griffin, Alterio.
In truth, the walk aside, hunting for meals was already an easy task at Beonald's level, so there was no reason to come this far to another forest outside the territory, as Heidi pointed out.
But Beonald didn't mind at all. After entering fairly deep into the forest, he poured water into a small cup, dripped a few drops of a red liquid into it, and intently watched the floating liquid move on the water's surface.
"What is that? Young master."
"A kind of detector, I suppose? Anyway, just keep watching. And take care of Alterio."
"Yes! Young master."
Heidi hadn't known Alterio for long, so they weren't instantly close, but thanks to her full armor, sturdy physique, martial talent, and strength, she could handle Alterio even if he charged roughly, almost like handling a pet.
Thus, Beonald and Heidi wandered the forest for several hours until they entered the territory of a dangerous monster species.
Then, Alterio, who had been playing with Heidi, bristled his feathers and began to be on guard.
Seeing this, Heidi also drew her spear and went on alert, but Beonald remained calm, continuing to search for something until it grew dark, at which point he stopped and said.
"Hmm… It's not coming out easily. Let's head back soon."
"Young master, what exactly are you searching for so intently?"
"Ah~ What I'm looking for? It's called a 'ley line'. As you know, when you practice the 'mana breathing method', a 'core' forms around your lower abdomen, right? And it flows throughout your body, naturally gathering in some places and flowing through others, strengthening or developing the body. Right?"
"Yes. But what does that have to do with… 'ley lines'…"
"In martial artists' terms, nature itself is the 'ultimate body', and the more one resembles it, the higher the realm. Then conversely, the ultimate body must also resemble that of humans, which means… in living nature, there must certainly be… places where mana flows and gathers like a 'core'. I named it after the 'star' we live on and call it 'stellar veins'."
"Aha!"
"Those 'stellar veins' are likely located in places beyond human reach. But since there are places where mana 'gathers' throughout the body using the mana breathing method, the same must exist on this 'star'. That is… the 'ley lines'."
"Ah, I see. But what will you do if you find it?"
"I thought you'd understand by now… The 'mana breathing method', as you know, is a way to gather mana from nature into the body. The 'mana breathing methods' possessed by old families or prestigious martial houses are improved versions in terms of efficiency, performance, and constitution, making them dimensional leaps compared to those circulating in the market, so they are treated as core family secrets and treasures. Then conversely, what if you improve the environmental factor—the condition of nature—where you practice that 'mana breathing method'?"
Clap!
Hearing that far, Heidi finally widened her eyes as if impressed and clapped. The metal gauntlets of her armor clashed, making a sound.
This was akin to the principle of multiplication.
If you think of it as 'Mana in nature × Efficiency of Mana Breathing Method = Mana Core Formation and Growth Speed', then using an improved mana breathing method increases the latter number, and finding a place rich in natural mana falls under the former.
"Now you understand. Right, normally, you should practice the mana breathing method before the body fully grows for good efficiency. But you started learning late, and after using a not-so-good one, you're only now starting in earnest, so you need to progress a bit faster."
"S, so you're searching for my sake?"
"That's also correct, but ley lines have many other uses besides that. For instance, the magic conversion, elemental transformation, and synthesis that alchemists do usually require magic stones, but with a ley line, you can do it without them. Because magic… flows there. But of course, it's not easy to find."
Where magic is abundant, the probability of dangerous monsters living is high, and it's not an easily found place either.
If found, not only would Heidi's mana breathing method growth improve, but as Beonald, he could also create various alchemical elixirs and even craft diverse tools through synthesis.
It would allow him to showcase his true expertise and prowess as a 'Master Alchemist', different from the mere tricks he had used so far.
Of course, that was a story possible only if he actually found a 'ley line', and Beonald, who failed to find one today, had no choice but to leave with regret.