Chapter 211
Chapter 211
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 211
Chapter Title: The Grand Debut
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'...Already.'
At that moment, someone tugged at my arm.
Elias was supporting me as I hesitated, staring at the window.
"Luca, what's wrong~?"
"...Nothing."
I said that and walked toward the end of the building.
'It worked.'
They hadn't suddenly been shocked by the sight of me and awarded 10,000 points. They hadn't even gotten a proper look yet.
It was simply that they had finally entered my sphere of activity.
There was one thing this system had overlooked.
My impression score wasn't just zero—it had plummeted right through the floor.
'I shouldn't like trash like this.'
But the allure of generating 30 points of profit from creating a spear was too sweet.
As experience had taught me, when the value was negative, even a slight change could boost the score.
It didn't matter if people read the articles and tabloids and had extreme reactions like, 'I misunderstood him! After rereading the evening paper, that student turns out to be a really good kid after all!'
Something milder like, 'Even those mages acknowledge him, so maybe his skills really are top-notch?' or 'Could it be true that the imperial family and Anhalt have joined hands?'—a touch of surprise and doubt was enough to rack up a point quickly. The difference between -10 and -9 was that minor.
Just then, the 'Congratulations!' text in front of me shook as if it might vanish any second.
This kind of reaction was a first. As I wondered what was going on, something flashed through my mind.
'Ah... no way.'
Had I accomplished their elaborate proposal too easily?
Don't make me laugh. It hadn't been hard, sure, but I couldn't exactly go around shaking hands with ten thousand people. This strategy let me snag both Berlin and the nation at once.
'Good.'
Smooth sailing.
I hoped every day ahead would be like this.
The moment I smiled lightly, a new window popped up.
Ding—!
Favorability 10,800 achieved success!
Favorability 10,810 achieved success!
Favorability 10,820 achieved success!
Favorability 10,830 achieved success!
Huh?
'Wait..., wait a second.'
Every time I blinked, new windows poured out like rain. The numbers started climbing at a frightening rate.
No, it wasn't 'starting'—as I'd thought earlier, it had been rising steadily; I'd just failed to notice.
But why was this system shoving it in my face in real time?
If it was trying to fluster me, it had succeeded. Seeing the public's reactions live, rather than vaguely assuming it was climbing, made me want to turn tail and head back.
"Luca? What's up with you since earlier?"
Elias slung his arm over my shoulder like he always did at school.
My steps must have slowed. The friends lined up on either side of the door turned to look at me.
Ding—!
Favorability 11,000 achieved success!
As if to rub it in with that final chime, the windows finally stopped.
Only after Elias interrupted did they cease, and I instinctively realized what the system intended.
'...It's messing with me.'
Because I said it was going smoothly?
If you have something to say, just tell me. You can display text, so why protest like this?
I let out a hollow chuckle, and Elias waved his hand in front of my face.
"Hot? Need a break?"
"No, I'm fine."
Like I'd rest now.
This was my chance.
I approached the door calmly and waited my turn.
Leo and Narke went first, followed by Elias.
After the sound of Elias's boot heels clicked three times, I slowly stepped forward.
As the building that had shielded me vanished, sunlight poured down from above. The sunlight reflecting off the vast white stage—the size of an entire building—streamed into my eyes.
My gaze went beyond it.
The hazy crowd I'd glimpsed earlier was nothing.
Beyond the stage stretched 100,000 spectators who had come to witness the launch ceremony.
In that instant, the cheers cut off abruptly.
* * *
Ten minutes earlier, outdoor first floor.
The young mages of the Imperial Mage Union were watching the launch ceremony from the second row below the stage.
Attendance hadn't been mandatory unless they held key positions in the union, but everyone had shown up today.
Like the commoners, they were curious about Ascanien too.
The kid had spent his life holed up at home, so even fellow nobles hadn't seen him much. There were press photos from the experiment contest, the arrest interview, and the first and second exams, but the imperial college had banned access to the arrest interview, and finding his face in the experiment contest footage meant sifting through a six-hour video.
Or hunting down the two-month-old Anhalt Daily.
For most people without the motivation to go that far, Lucas Ascanien remained shrouded in mystery.
On top of that, being imperial mages didn't mean they welcomed his entry into the palace.
'If anything, it's a bit infuriating, right?'
The mage serving as the 99th batch leader of the Imperial Mage Union stretched out his bored body and stared at the stage.
That Pleroma—though they now thought otherwise, the image lingered—entering the palace with just five months of training.
Just then, a colleague who had heard it was nearly time for Eschet to appear remarked snidely.
"Wonder what he's like."
The ceremony had started at noon with greetings, speeches from government officials, and a short performance, and now an hour had passed.
Eschet still hadn't appeared. And rightly so.
'It doesn't really start until the Emperor shows.'
Killing time amid the tedium that was hard to get used to, he saw the Emperor's secretary approach the Second Prince seated far off.
"Your Highness."
Adelbert rose from his seat. He stepped forward and lightly tapped the imperial staff on the ground.
The students from the Imperial College and Imperial Mage Union members all stood. The watching mage was no exception.
Adelbert moved his fisted hand to his chest at the sound of those steps. Those behind him followed suit.
"Waaaaaaaaah—!"
Applause and cheers erupted like an explosion.
Adelbert stared ahead with a stern face.
There was one reason for their reaction.
The Emperor's speech was next.
At that moment, the Emperor on stage raised his hand. The cheers gradually died down.
[Respected subjects.]
He paused once, gazing out at the vast plaza behind.
[It is a pleasure to announce the dawn of our new era to all gathered here today. You know we have assembled for the launch of the Imperial Mages. Those I will introduce have undergone the Empire's rigorous training for a long time and have proven their sacrificial spirit for the safety and prosperity of our world. They are promising mages more than capable of confronting the evil forces threatening the Empire across Berlin, and we can expect even greater development from them.]
"It's about time. It's already 1:30."
He'll come out soon.
The mage let his colleague's words flow in one ear and out the other. Nor was he paying close attention to the Emperor.
His eyes were fixed on the door behind the Emperor.
[...Our Empire, always pursuing the highest standards, will lead the world with all the resources at our disposal. No adversity can hinder our goals. Starting with this launch ceremony, our Empire will reclaim peace and prosperity through the dedication of these seven mages who will officially join the palace today. I pledge unwavering commitment for our 100 million imperial subjects. I believe your support and encouragement will fuel their boundless passion and devotion even more.]
As the Emperor finished, the massive door behind him swung open.
The cheers swelled to ear-shattering levels. Someone was ascending the stage from afar.
The Emperor tapped his scepter-shaped staff once and amplified his voice with magic.
[101st Batch of the Imperial Mage Union, Eschet.]
Leonard Wittelsbach—the mage he'd crossed paths with once in high society—stepped out first and took position on the right side of the stage.
Murmurs rippled around.
"He's still as striking no matter how many times I see him."
It was striking.
Among everyone he'd met in life, no one looked less human.
But it wasn't particularly surprising; the Wittelsbach family had been renowned for their looks since the ancient human era.
'Anyway...'
Was this batch's mage team planning to use federal colors?
The mage eyed them with a slightly piqued expression.
If so, the palace clearly saw Eschet as the Empire's representative team.
The Empire's intentions were transparently obvious.
They wouldn't pass up the chance to bring Bavaria's crown prince into the fold.
'Still, wonder why the crown prince didn't refuse. Someone of his caliber could have backed out.'
Lost in thought, the mage watched the newcomers.
A mage from the Papal States and one Hohenzollern entered at a proper interval. Thunderous applause came from the non-pro-imperial faction.
'I figured that Hohenzollern would just submit a resignation. How'd he stick around?'
As the mage stared at the stage, he froze upon seeing the latest arrival.
'There he is.'
Lucas Ascanien.
His face, hidden in shadow until now, was finally visible.
In that instant, the cheers stopped as if possessed by a ghost.
"Hm?"
The mage straightened up and fixed his gaze on him.
He looked more decent than expected. No, beyond decent...
"Better than I thought...."
His colleague muttered the same, exchanging bewildered glances.
No, not just him—everyone thought so. From the moment Ascanien entered, even the ancient human seats fell utterly silent.
It wasn't deliberate restraint from prejudice.
The stunned crowd acted like people who had forgotten how to react.
Then, like the others, Ascanien entered with a blank, rigid expression—but he looked surprised at something.
It was brief. He regained composure and stopped beside the Hohenzollern with his usual calm face.
The initial massive cheers didn't return even for the next ones.
The mage himself was fixated on Lucas Ascanien, ignoring the next Baden archduke heir and two Junker scions.
If he were the Pleroma we imagined, shouldn't he look the villain? The student before them had Adrian Ascanien's soft yet resolute features.
He exuded more of a leader's aura than anyone in the Imperial Mage Union.
'...Pleroma?'
Seeing him in person, it was impossible to believe those rumors. If anything, he resembled a drier-faced Adrian Ascanien.
His colleague muttered in a voice still unsettled.
"He's too perfect."
"Looks like a proper person?"
"No... it's just..."
The colleague trailed off. The mage understood the sentiment perfectly.
With expectations shattered, the mage started grasping for prejudices elsewhere.
He hadn't expected such a fine physique—but he'd vaguely assumed something off—so there had to be some odd quirk that furrowed brows.
Only then could he cling to the Pleroma rumors of the past decade as somewhat credible.
'Next up... time to show some magic and give a speech, I think.'
A chance to confirm if he was straight-laced.
The Emperor saluted them, and they mirrored the pose.
After the Emperor descended under guard, Lucas Ascanien in the center stepped forward.
He drew the wand from his belt, extended his arm, and slid his hand along it to the tip. As it transformed into the imperial staff, Ascanien swung it lightly once.
Boom—
Mana sparked from the eagle ornament at the staff's end, flashing like fire in the sunlight and engulfing the staff. The mana-created whoosh sounded like an explosion. That mana faintly reached this distance.
'With almost no effort...'
The power?
The mage narrowed his eyes, observing intently.
As expected of Ascanien, the mana quantity was extraordinary.
But beyond raw mana, his control showed no novice traces.
Great mana was a fine talent, but a difficult one. Mages with excessive mana tended to be overwhelmed by it—like tensing their arm more while focusing on control.
Yet he moved as naturally as handling air.
In a field where everyone was competent, such details made vast differences. Having served as an imperial mage for years, he knew.
"...Wha!"
"Whoa!"
As he gripped the flame-wreathed staff with both hands, gasps erupted everywhere. They knew it was mana, but red magic didn't exist, so all saw it as fire.
When the six mages beside him drew wands and aimed skyward, Ascanien slammed the staff down. Amid the roar, his amplification-magic voice reached the crowd clearly.
[Cast all your cares on him, for he cares for you.]
He channeled mana into the staff and looked up at the sky.
Red mana surged outward from his position. A fierce wind hit the mage's face.
"...!"
The mage's eyes widened.
Not the wind. The sky seemed to shatter as white, sunlight-reflecting mana poured down from above.
He glanced at his colleague.
He—and the other imperial mages—watched the unexpected sight with wide eyes.
Despite being mana, it felt like pure divine power.
[Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.]
Feeling fiery currents rush past his seat, the mage thought.
Expectations shattered again.
His voice was steady, no bizarre actions, and though not fully shown, the magic was undeniably excellent.
He still had reasons for prejudice in his head, so no positive impression yet...
"......"
But the instinctive, habitual aversion was fading oddly.
Ascanien withdrew the staff. Amid the crowd focused on the flames, a disappointed voice sounded from somewhere.
At that unexpected response, he smiled gently.
'Huh.'
Pleroma? If picking the polar opposite human image, this was it—the mage felt absurd and let out a hollow laugh.
Meanwhile, Ascanien advanced three more steps.
He swung his wand to cast amplification magic and spoke familiarly.
[Hello, my fellow subjects.]
"......"
The mage doubted his ears.
Applause started from the front rows and spread rapidly.
A far cry from the opening reaction.
Ascanien smiled softly at the response and raised a hand at the right moment.
[I meet you here for the first time. As a member of the Imperial Mage Union, it's moving to meet His Majesty Friedrich's loyal subjects in person.]
No fluster, no excitement.
Though not a politician, he carried the air of a seasoned one.
'Because he's from a ruling house, huh.'
He knew there were still reasons to be wary, but oddly, Ascanien seemed to command the situation, and watching might not be so bad—an illusion fitting that power.
"...Amazing."
His colleague chuckled as if observing a curiosity.
The mage agreed. With that, they focused on Ascanien's ensuing speech.
* * *
After my speech, we plunged into speech hell.
Endless congratulations from the Magic Department, Imperial Academy 1, and Imperial Academy 2.
Of course, it wasn't boring.
The reason was right here.
Favorability 49,500 achieved success!
Favorability 49,510 achieved success!
System, stop popping up favorability windows already. The proposal's done....
Feeling my mental strength drain away, I relaxed the tension at my mouth.
Fortunately, having mastered expression control since single digits, no one seemed to notice my mental fatigue yet.
'How much more unexpected can it get?'
I knew my original image wasn't great, but getting a favorability point per surprised word felt too generous from my perspective.
Of course, cashing in points to boost my Charm trait beforehand helped. Chances to stand before crowds weren't plentiful, so I had to sweep them up now.
The verbose speeches from Imperial Academy 1 and 2 were nearing their end.
What remained was the badge conferral by the Imperial Mage Union President and our final performance.
[Next, the badge conferral ceremony.]
'Aren't those people tired?'
I thought, gazing at the audience standing far off.
The event was approaching three hours, but perhaps due to rare royals appearing—or because they'd drawn numbers to stake spots—they still stood properly, watching us.
I glanced at the door I'd entered through and at my friends. Bewilderment was etched on Narke's face.
Before I could wonder why, a loud voice boomed from behind.
[Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Elizabeth Hohenzollern enters!]
"...?!"
Where's the Union President?
At that moment, someone emerged from the open door. Lemon-yellow hair fluttered, like Adelbert's.
"......"
I hadn't misheard.
Elias's face hardened rigidly.
Perhaps because it wasn't announced beforehand, Leo's eyes sharpened slightly.
"Whoa?!"
"Waaaaaaaaah—!"
Unlike us, the public's reaction was hot. Seeing an unscheduled royal was a stroke of luck, naturally.
The Crown Princess glanced at me with a smile and proceeded to the front podium.
Anyway, now wasn't the time to question why this person appeared.
I could only wait silently.
[Dear subjects. We proudly commemorate the launch of mages who play pivotal roles in our nation's development and safety.]
The Crown Princess continued her brief speech. The shortest so far.
[...Finally, thanks to all subjects contributing to our nation's progress alongside new humanity. May we build an even greater Empire together.]
After soaking in the cheers briefly, she took a badge from her attendant's box and approached Leo.
Whenever they stood together, time dragged with some conversation.
Leo and Narke's turns passed in casual vibes, but for Elias's, we struggled to compose our killing intent toward her.
Then, fourth.
My turn.
The Crown Princess cast a soundproof spell and said.
"Just a week, right?"
I knew she'd play familiar from the start.
I answered as briefly as possible, careful not to be lip-read.
"Yes."
She scanned my attire and said, as if offering well-wishes.
"I'm pleased to see you're making good use of my second gift."
Second gift.
I knew the first was Daniel, but I'd never mentioned a second.
Eschet's palace entry was her doing.
I met her eyes wordlessly.
"At least the subjects here no longer reject you. I didn't expect such thorough preparation, but..."
"......"
"It's because you're Sir Nikolaus, so it wasn't hard, was it? The Empire's foremost expert on manipulating the masses—failure was impossible."
She spoke leisurely, in the tone reserved for Nikolaus.
Suddenly, she clutched her nose and mouth with her hand.
My friends, standing a meter away, looked at me. As she sorted her disrupted mana—thanks to mine—and slowly lowered her hand with a smile.
Watching her, I asked.
"What's your angle? You know the eligibility debate rages on."
"Is there any reason not to choose this? He's too perfected to hand to young Crown Prince Leonard. Why would we Hohenzollerns let this chance slip?"
She didn't specify what 'he' was, but it was obviously me.
Absurd.
I'm kingdom-affiliated anyway. Chain of command age doesn't matter.
"Besides, your team has one wielding divine power at bishop level or higher. Time to put the crown prince under Hohenzollern too, bring our dear cousin back where he belongs. And snag Baden's next archduke... Would you pass that up?"
"......"
She smiled at me.
"Can't discard everything over two loaches."
Now the picture emerged.
I knew who ranked Haike Ainsidel seventh.
"If you're calling me that, why pass Ainsidel?"
"What makes you think I ordered it?"
"......"
Not your doing?
I just kept staring at her silently.
Time dragged so long my friends started glancing at me.
She smiled, eyes fixed on me.
"Crown Prince's Palace, third floor, room next to the library. Say you're here to see me—they'll let you in."
She patted my shoulder once, then moved to Cherlingen beside me.
"See you later."