Chapter 60: I Found It (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 60: I Found It (1)
Ten days had passed since Calian met Sispanian, and he was still at Siegfried Castle.
– Do you intend to stay there forever?
Calian chuckled at Alan’s words, which were a mix of scolding and pouting. His laugh carried both an apology and a sense of gratitude toward Alan, who was stuck waiting for his return.
– The longer your schedule is delayed, Your Highness, the more time Silike will have to prepare. Wouldn't it be better to return as quickly as possible?
– Yes. I didn't plan to stay this long, either. But I haven't been able to resolve the issue I mentioned.
The reason Calian had remained at Siegfried Castle for ten days was due to a single thought that had sparked during a conversation with Yan.
On the day he’d met Sispanian and clashed swords with Suleiman, Calian had briefly discussed with the Sword Master whether Yan knew his true identity. During that conversation, he had asked Suleiman a question.
"Margrave Gray Brissen will likely recognize my aura. What do you think?"
"The Margrave is known to be a better swordsman than Marquis Evan Brissen. He is highly likely to sense the aura within you, Your Highness."
Suleiman, who shared the same thought, had nodded in agreement.
"Is there really no way to hide my aura?"
The 'Path of the Sword' that a Sword Master walks is one of enlightenment.
Each individual gains enlightenment and enters the Path of the Sword in their own unique way. Because the methods of awakening aura differed for everyone, it could not be taught. That was why there were only six Sword Masters on the entire continent.
Being born into a prestigious family or receiving swordsmanship training from a Sword Master only increased the probability of stepping onto the Path of the Sword; it was no guarantee of achieving enlightenment.
Since their numbers were so few, they naturally had a rough idea of each other's skills. Consequently, there had never been a need to hide one's aura. The same had been true when he was Bern, so Calian hadn't initially thought of hiding his aura either.
But Calian, who was no longer Bern, was in a different situation.
He was an undisclosed Sword Master.
Even if he eventually had to fight Margrave Gray Brissen, he thought it best to hide the fact that a fifteen-year-old ‘mage’ had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship. It was the same reason he hadn't gone out of his way to tell Yan his true identity.
"I have never thought about hiding aura," Suleiman had answered, shaking his head heavily. He was no exception.
Hearing this, Calian’s gaze drifted to Arsen.
While there might be no way to hide aura itself, Calian suspected the mage might know of a similar solution. He called Arsen over.
"Sir Hertz."
Arsen approached with an expression that seemed to ask what new task he was being given. Calian asked a simple question.
"Do you happen to know a magic spell that can hide mana?"
Arsen replied immediately.
"Yes, I do. Since you possess four circles, it is a spell you can use now, Your Highness."
A mage and an undisclosed Sword Master.
Calian, who knew very well that the source of both circles and aura was the same, smiled.
"Teach me."
And so, Calian learned the magic to hide mana.
The spell itself wasn't difficult, but the problem was maintaining it. It took a full week just to keep the magic active while walking, talking, eating, and sleeping. It took another three days to completely conceal his aura with it.
Since Suleiman was the only one who could verify if any trace of aura was leaking from him, Calian couldn't leave Siegfried Castle. That was why he had stayed for ten days.
"It’s flawless! You look like a gentle prince who's never so much as touched a sword."
Finally, that very morning, Suleiman confirmed that not a single trace of his aura could be felt. With his task complete, Calian visited the now-familiar graveyard to speak with Alan.
Calian glanced around.
The tombstones were as numerous as ever. And as always, Yan stood quietly, waiting for Calian’s conversation to end.
– The preparations took some time. I'll be leaving for real tomorrow.
After relaying the message, Calian asked Alan another question.
– Has Margrave Brissen already departed for the capital?
– I delayed sending the deputy to the Margrave's territory as long as possible. It will be at least another two weeks before he can depart.
Since there was no benefit to Gray arriving early, Alan had apparently pulled some strings to delay his arrival in Kairisis.
– Thank you.
– Also, the recruitment exam for the Magic Academy's preparatory students will be held soon. You should be able to meet them around the time you arrive, Your Highness, so you have that to look forward to.
– You must be swamped with the Brissen Trading Company takeover, yet the Magic Academy is already set up?
The progress on the Magic Academy, which had been entrusted to Melfir Polun, was much faster than Calian had expected, and his surprise was evident.
– Yes. He works very quickly. Still, he seems short-handed. I will select someone suitable to help with the Magic Academy, so please look around and see if you can find anyone who might be a good fit for the trading company.
– Even if I find someone, it would be difficult to bring them from the Siegfried territory to the capital.
– Are you forgetting your advantages? Alan’s voice was full of playfulness. – Just like you brought Alan Manasil or Kyrie. Why not search your memories? See if there are any talented people destined to make a name for themselves in the 'future' you know.
– I didn't pay much attention to trading companies in my past life, so nothing stands out. No one comes to mind right now, but I'll think about it.
– Yes. Thank you.
Having finished his conversation with Alan, Calian returned to the castle, carefully searching his memories.
That evening, another grand banquet was held at Siegfried Castle. Although Calian hadn't explicitly said he was leaving, Suleiman knew his business was finished and had prepared a farewell.
The next day, Calian left the Siegfried territory, seen off by Suleiman and Demirea. The knights, including Yuran, did not accompany them. While Rachel's teleportation magic allowed for rapid travel, there was a limit to how many people it could affect. Besides, Calian, Kyrie, and Arsen alone possessed more than enough combat power to handle any danger.
"I won't go easy on you the next time you visit," Suleiman said in a low voice so Yan wouldn't hear.
Calian smiled. "I won't be as easy to handle then as I am now."
"Bwahaha! Now those are words to look forward to!"
With a final request to send his regards to Lemain and Alan, Calian parted ways with Suleiman once more.
It was time to return to Kairisis.
* * *
From early morning, Astrisha Street in the capital of Kairisis was bustling with nobles. In every cafe, they huddled in small groups, their conversations all centered on the messages arriving one after another by carrier pigeon.
– A brilliant light flashed the moment Prince Calian entered Sispanian's cavern.
Calian was already famous for his resemblance to Sispanian. Because of this, opinions were divided over what this new report could possibly mean.
The theory that Sispanian had chosen Calian as the next king was already common talk. There were even absurd rumors suggesting that Calian himself was Sispanian.
Thus, as if they had been waiting for this news, it was only natural that the youth of Kairisis flocked to the recruitment exam for the Polun Magic Academy's preparatory students, which happened to begin that very day.
"…I've seen enough, Lord Manasil. I'll be taking my leave now."
Gazing at the packed, bustling exam venue, Euria, the President of the Mage Association, took a hasty step back. In that instant, Alan, who had been standing in front of her, vanished in a blur and reappeared directly behind her.
"Don't use Warp to move three feet! Do you have any idea how difficult that is?!" Euria cried out, startled to find Alan smiling behind her.
It wasn't Teleport, but Warp. A 6th Circle spell, no less. Alan was using a high-level magic that Euria couldn't dream of using, all just to stop one person from leaving.
Ignoring her outburst, Alan maintained his gentle smile and pointed to a chair placed in the middle of a long table. The message was clear: stop making a fuss and sit down.
Euria’s face fell.
"Lord Manasil, of course I knew Baron Melfir Polun was establishing a Magic Academy. I also knew the recruitment exam started today. I think it's a wonderful thing that a Magic Academy is being built in Kairis."
She meant it. Euria was genuinely delighted at the thought of Kairis's magic developing, and she had even offered Melfir Polun her sincere encouragement.
"But as for me helping directly, I'm really quite busy."
Alan had visited her that morning and, without any explanation, dragged her here. She was Euria, the President of the Mage Association. It wouldn't be a bad thing to grace the academy's entrance exam with her presence.
Despite being dragged to the venue, Euria had decided against running away. She agreed to walk over to the long table in the temporary exam hall and take a seat. She even thought she might help proctor if they were short on staff.
– Principal of Polun Magic Academy, Euria Seiren
But what on earth was that nameplate sitting in the middle of the table? Of the five nameplates, why was the one in the center the largest and painted gold?
Euria expressed her refusal in a firm voice. "Make someone else do it."
At her words, Alan gave a half-hearted nod and pointed to the chair once more. A deep, heavy sigh escaped Euria’s lips.
And so, without uttering a single word, Alan had recruited the person who would help run the Magic Academy.
* * *
Time passed once more.
On his way back to the capital, Calian ended up staying for three days at Redington Castle, a fortress built on a low cliff overlooking a lake.
The one-day stop turned into three after the horse belonging to Veronica, Alan's granddaughter, injured its leg. The horse, moving at a speed enhanced by Rachel's magic, had failed to avoid a pothole and stumbled.
Fortunately, Kyrie had caught Veronica before she fell, so no one was hurt. Hina was able to treat the horse's injuries, but since her healing wasn't powerful enough to close the wounds instantly, it took some time for the animal to fully recover.
Thanks to this, Calian found himself marveling at the early morning view from the lord's castle. The vast, mist-shrouded lake under the blue sky was breathtakingly beautiful.
As Calian watched flocks of waterbirds take flight, a soft voice of admiration came from behind him.
"It is a beautiful and peaceful place."
It was Kyrie. The place was so beautiful that even someone as reserved as him was moved to speak first. As if in agreement, Yan set down a cup of warm mint tea.
"The lord, Viscount Redington, is a man who suits this place. He is famous for being thoughtful and serious. We will be entering Kairisis soon, so please consider these three days a period of deep rest."
"Yes. I should." Calian nodded with a smile.
It was just as Yan said. From here, it was only a four-day journey to Kairisis—the place where Alan, Lemain, Silike, and Randel were waiting. Once he arrived at the royal palace, he wouldn't have a reason to travel this far again for some time, and he certainly wouldn't be able to afford such a relaxed state of mind.
"It would be a shame to only stay for a single day. I'll take my time and enjoy it."
"Yes, Your Highness."
However, the leisure he had resolved to enjoy lasted for only half a day.
"…My."
That afternoon, he saw three carriages entering Redington Castle through the window. Seeing the crest of a griffin holding a sword engraved on their sides, the corners of Calian's mouth curled upward.
It was the crest of the Brissen family.
"What a pleasant coincidence."