Chapter 50
Chapter 50
Chapter 50
Challenge for a Leap (1)
The day after a major incident occurred in the eastern border region.
An enormous banquet was held at the newly renovated Belstad family mansion.
"Allow me to introduce myself for the first time. I am Horn from the Peras Guild."
"I am Poker, the head of the Bach Guild! Congratulations on becoming the successor of the family, Viscount!"
"Thank you, everyone."
Rudian had officially become the heir to the Belstad family.
With the support of the Delphione and Bellatrix ducal families, and with the Second Prince joining in, there was no one who could prevent Rudian's acquisition of the Belstad family.
"I am Jester, the new head butler of the Belstad family. I look forward to serving you, Viscount."
"I see."
Rudian completely replaced all the employees of the Belstad family who had been close to Gude among those who had been under Gude's command.
Those positions were newly filled with people dispatched from the Delphione and Bellatrix families.
Jester was one of those whom Luciella had assigned to Rudian.
"From now on, you will become the deputy guild master and lead Seoris."
"I am grateful for the important responsibility entrusted to me and will do my utmost."
Jester, who had just entered his early 50s, was a talented individual with outstanding business acumen who had been entrusted with managing an entire business under the Delphione family.
Providing such a person was evidence of the considerable favor Luciella had bestowed upon Rudian.
"Needless to say, I am merely a shareholder with equity, and you will be the one actually running things. Nevertheless, make sure the reports that come up to me are properly prepared."
"I will keep that in mind."
Rudian purchased shares in the Seoris Union Trading Company through Gray with magic metal sold to the Bellatrix ducal family.
The amount was so enormous that even the Bellatrix ducal family, who would be offended if called second in wealth, had to urgently gather money from here and there.
'I didn't know rare metal would be worth that much....'
The rare metal, about the size of several soccer balls, was worth more than all the other magic gold ingots combined.
With that one move, Rudian acquired wealth that would be counted among the most significant in the Empire.
'It's fortunate that I didn't have to hand over the artifacts as well?'
Although he had completely converted the gold ingots and magic metal into cash, Rudian still had numerous Lichmond School magic books and artifacts besides the magic book he had given to Gray.
These would be of great help as trump cards in the future.
While Rudian was discussing future matters with Jester.
A familiar and cheerful voice entered Rudian's ears.
"I'm here, big brother!"
"Lord Gray."
"Hey, I told you to just call me Gray!"
The treasure of the Bellatrix family, still retaining an innocent and youthful appearance.
Gray Bellatrix approached Rudian with a bright smile, holding a glass of wine.
"Thanks to you, my position within the family has become quite solid with this deal. Mother was also very pleased."
GULP! GULP! GULP!
Gray finished speaking and immediately downed all the wine in the glass.
Rudian looked at him with an astonished expression.
'Isn't this guy still... A minor?'
A middle schooler already developing a taste for alcohol?
Seeing Rudian's gaze fixed on the wine glass, Gray extended the glass with an innocent look and said:
"Would you like a glass too?"
"No, thank you."
Well, it's meaningless to hold such a high-ranking noble to conventional customs and etiquette.
Asmodeus can only hope that that appearance, which would make even him drool with desire, doesn't get ruined by becoming soaked in alcohol so soon.
"Sorry to bother you while you're enjoying the banquet, but I have a message from my mother."
"A message from the Duchess?"
"Yes, about the Lichmond School magic book you gave me."
Specifically, it was an apology for not yet having assessed the value of the magic book, along with a request to meet after the banquet to discuss compensation directly.
"Mother is rarely troubled like this. Usually the value of such magic books is difficult to convert into material worth, and it's also hard to put a price on them."
"That's true."
In particular, the value of a foundational magic book that forms the basis of a school of magic could be called priceless or a true treasure.
No matter how high-level magic one casts or how complex spells one creates, their foundation originates from the manipulation of magic based on basic magic books.
"So she wants to settle the matter, so please spare some time when this is over."
"Of course. If it's a summons from the Duchess, I naturally should."
Gray sneaked up to Rudian, who was nodding, and whispered:
"So, don't you have anything else hidden? If you do, don't keep it to yourself and bring it out quickly."
Rudian answered with a bright smile.
"Keep dreaming."
***
After the banquet celebrating Rudian's official ascension to the headship of the Belstad family ended.
As the congratulatory delegation from the Delphione family, including Luciella, departed, Rudian moved towards the Bellatrix party that remained.
"Welcome, Rudian."
"Yes, it's good to see you again, Your Grace."
Unlike Vincent, Sonya Bluephill Bellatrix came in person to offer her congratulations.
Of course, as the head of a ducal family, she hadn't made time because she was free but had come with a purpose....
"HMMMM! The alcohol here is really good! That Gude, I never thought a mere viscount would hoard better alcohol than what's in my private cellar!"
...But it was still impossible to get used to her appearance as someone who seemed so temperamental.
Duchess Sonya greeted Rudian while gurgling wine from the bottle like a trumpet.
Seeing that sight, he thoroughly understood how her son Gray had somehow ended up like that at such a young age.
"Anyway, congratulations. In just a few days, you've become a noble whose fame has spread throughout the capital?"
"It's due to the power of the two ducal families and His Highness the Second Prince. I'm merely a figurehead."
"Hehehehe, if that's what you think, then so be it."
Duchess Sonya exchanged glances with Rudian with a strange smile.
Then she dropped a bombshell statement nonchalantly.
"If Gray had been a daughter, I would have snatched you right away."
"Uh, Mother?"
"Then I wouldn't need to give compensation or have complicated discussions like this."
At this statement that could have been a joke or serious, it was rather her close associates around who were clearing their throats and trying to maintain composure.
"Well, that was half a joke, so let's stop there."
'Half...?'
"Now, to get to the main point, shall we discuss the compensation for this magic book?"
Duchess Sonya took out the Lichmond School magic book that Rudian had given to Gray from inside her robe.
"The examination of this is complete. The result: it's authentic. Moreover, it's a comprehensive volume containing content that only direct lineage members of the school can learn."
Of course.
It was taken from that secret space of Caslay's.
"The problem is, it's honestly difficult to pay for this with money. We've already had a large expenditure."
The Bellatrix ducal family had spent too much money at once on acquiring shares in the Seoris Union Association and purchasing magic metal from Rudian.
"Of course, it's not completely impossible. But if possible, as the head of the family, I cannot ignore such financial imbalance anymore, so I'd like to negotiate."
"Negotiate..."
"You've already received your title from this incident, so that's excluded. I'd like to give you territory, but that requires some dealings with the imperial family, so it will take time. If possible, I'd like to find a solution in the magical realm, which is our family's specialty."
"The magical realm?"
"Aren't you interested in magical tools or artifacts? If so, I can give you quite good ones."
"Hmm...."
As he possessed numerous special artifacts created by Caslay, it wasn't an appealing offer.
Honestly, Rudian wasn't very interested unless it was an artifact on par with the Psychic Luminous's Sand of Time.
"I don't need artifacts."
"Nnngh...!"
Sonya groaned at Rudian's refusal.
"Instead, I'd like to make a counter-proposal."
At Rudian's statement, the expressions of Sonya and Gray were half-tense, half-interested.
"Let's hear it."
"Please provide me with magical education."
"...Huh?"
Facing Sonya who sent a question mark, Rudian emphasized his voice once more.
"I would like you to mobilize all the infrastructure of the Bellatrix family to make me an archmage."
"......"
***
In the original , Gray Bellatrix was a master of magic that no one could catch up to.
The foundation was clearly Gray's genius as the first priority, but without the magical theory, knowledge, and know-how accumulated by the Bellatrix family for generations, Gray's greatness would have come much later.
"No, wait...!"
Gray could not hide his astonished expression as he asked Rudian.
"You're in the Knight Department, right?"
"Yes."
"And you're asking to be taught magic?"
"Yes."
"At that age, you're starting magic and asking to be made an archmage?"
"Yes."
"It's not just 'Yes'!"
Everyone was looking at him like he was crazy.
Only Sonya, who hadn't lost her composure, calmly stared at Rudian's face.
"I'm sure you're aware that your proposal is quite absurd? If you're just being stubborn, just make a different proposal. We Bellatrix are really willing to grant almost anything."
"I'm not joking."
"...Really?"
Only then did Sonya's expression change.
"Magic is not a discipline that can be mastered alongside swordsmanship. The level commonly referred to as archmage is 7th class. Even if you start learning magic now, assuming you're more than talented and with all of Bellatrix's resources dedicated to you... It would take about 30 years to become an archmage. That's assuming you drop out of the academy and lock yourself in a magic tower, investing more than eighteen hours a day in magic."
"But Gray Bellatrix is already at 6th class and is expected to reach 7th class before adulthood, isn't he?"
"Gray started magic at the age of four. And even considering that, it took 11 years. And that's only possible because he received praise as the greatest talent in our family's history."
Magic education? They can provide it.
If all the capabilities of Bellatrix were mobilized, they could create a curriculum at or above the level received by imperial royalty.
But even so, giving a definitive answer about creating an archmage was clearly a separate issue.
"Maybe it would be better to settle this with money after all. Considering the time, it's a losing business no matter how I look at it."
"I don't need as much as 30 years."
"...What?"
Facing Sonya, who widened her eyes, Rudian spread his ten fingers and continued.
"Ten years. Please create a curriculum assuming I'll reach 7th circle within ten years."
"...Are you insane?"
"I'm serious."
How complex and vast magic is was something he had realized once through coughing blood while accessing the magical theories that existed in Adi's database.
But Adi had concluded that it was perfectly possible to reach 7th class within ten years based on the evidence Rudian presented.
"I'm fine with including a clause stating it doesn't matter if I don't reach it, but I'm worried that this might cause Bellatrix to neglect my education."
"Ha! What do you take us for!"
Sonya, overcome with anger, slammed the table.
"On my honor, I will definitely make you an archmage! Even if your talent is hopeless!"
"That's quite a reassuring statement."
Surely the other party must be one of the continent's greatest intellects.
As expected, pride, separate from intellect, was something that could drive people crazy.