Chapter 130
Chapter 130
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: New Mage, New Sword-Mage
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“It seems Wesley suspects there’s someone in the Magic Department colluding with me.”
Having successfully led the Mana Confirmation Ritual, it made sense he might think that. But Ian, freshly arrived from the borderlands, couldn’t possibly have built a faction already. That left the connection to Prince Marib as something that couldn’t be overlooked.
“Thus, before choosing, I should ask Prince Marib. Whether, as Wesley suspects, he’s planted any other eyes and ears besides me.”
“Mini, prepare to send a letter at once.”
Snap!
As Ian flicked his fingers and gave the order, Mini quickly grabbed a pen and paper from the study and came out.
Romandro, who had been listening quietly, freaked out and moved to Ian’s side.
“What do you plan to do then?”
“If His Highness says he has someone planted, going to that division would draw the least suspicion from both sides.”
“No. It’s better to pretend you know nothing and go separately!”
“How could we cram into one division? Going to the same place would just draw all the eyes in that division to me.”
And who knew? A spy from the same division might approach under the pretext of monitoring or checking Ian. But that was a distant possibility. For now, confirming whether Prince Marib was using anyone besides Ian was priority.
“I doubt His Highness will answer properly, but still, giving me these choices to test me seems right.”
Ian instinctively knew Prince Marib had no other pieces, but sending the letter served the dual purpose of explaining a choice outside the Mana Stone Management Division.
“So you’re saying, if Prince Marib has a limb there, you’ll go to that place…”
“If not, the Magic Operation Department.”
“Isn’t that full of dirty work and high fatigue?”
“But it’s probably the only division across all of them where loyalty to the captain outranks even Minister Wesley. Field jobs are always like that, aren’t they?”
No matter how many superiors there were above, no one could earn as much trust as a captain who struggled alongside you in the field. Plus, from what he’d glimpsed passing by, the division’s atmosphere seemed pretty good.
“The Magic Support Division isn’t bad either, but it’s like sticking your head into a lion’s mouth.”
Especially since most of them had been involved in the magic circle malfunction, it would be tough for Ian to operate there. Spending all day with people watching and squeezing him from all sides—how could he get anything else done?
“The balanced Magic Operation Department is the lesser evil. All this under the assumption Prince Marib has no spies, of course.”
Scribble, scribble.
Ian wrote the letter in elegant prose, and by afternoon, he received Prince Marib’s reply. It stated there was no one in the Magic Department to help Ian.
* * *
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
“Minister Wesley. Viscount Ian Hielo has submitted a joining request.”
Wesley turned his head at his aide’s report. Joining was expected, but which division was intriguing.
“Division?”
“Magic Operation Department.”
“Hah. Magic Operation Department?”
Well, well. Wesley crossed his arms and chewed his lip. It was where Nakina, who’d acted suspiciously during the Mana Confirmation Ritual, was, and its captain Hail was a tough nut—stuck-up about principles, constantly clashing with Wesley over little things.
“This is a real headache. Annoying.”
“Is he really connected to Nakina?”
“If so, he wouldn’t have gone to the same division.”
“Then a turncoat elsewhere…”
It felt like an endless tangle with no clear answer. Seeing no perfect resolution, Wesley suddenly recalled Gail’s words.
‘Ian fixed it.’
Ian, that borderland showoff, had fixed the magic circle in that brief moment. Then everything would be clear without this messy game. But Wesley couldn’t admit it.
‘No way. If I couldn’t do it, how could that guy…’
Putting Gail aside, this threatened Wesley himself. He was the empire’s youngest minister ever. It meant his magic prowess was unmatched—until Ian could send it all into the dustbin of history.
“Ian absolutely, absolutely has an accomplice.”
The aide sighed faintly at his superior muttering like he’d lost half his soul. Wesley abruptly turned to him.
“When does he enter the palace?”
“No details given, but it seems he plans to send his guard knight to the imperial training grounds soon.”
“Guard knight? Redhead?”
“Yes. He’s entering on the free training day midweek, and asked to send a messenger bird beforehand. If you permit, he’ll handle business at the training grounds, formally greet the division members, and start the next day.”
Wesley’s brow furrowed. He knew the joining process inside out. His route from here to the imperial training grounds was perfectly efficient, no waste.
“Damn Romandro.”
He didn’t like her sticking close and helping with everything. She shot up, grabbed her jacket, and left the office.
Bam!
The Magic Support Division wasn’t far from the office.
Wesley flung the door open, and mages buried in papers flinched and looked up.
“Minister? Wh-what brings you here?”
It was their first day back after getting reamed for the magic circle malfunction at the Mana Confirmation Ritual. Their tension was palpable in the stiff air. Wesley clicked his tongue inwardly and ordered.
“Prepare to welcome Viscount Ian Hielo.”
“H-he’s joining? Where?”
Their expressions were odd—a mix of hoping he wouldn’t come here and hoping he would. They had grand plans to roast him into overwork if he did.
“He’s going to the Magic Operation Department, so relay it there.”
“Ah, yes, got it.”
“…Get your heads straight.”
A new recruit after years, and no ordinary one. Plus Marib dangling behind. At Wesley’s warning, they nodded with gleaming eyes.
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
“We’re looking forward to it. Hahaha!”
“Funny… Get to work.”
“Yep, yep.”
Creak!
Slam!
At Wesley’s scolding, the mages buried their noses back in papers. Once he left, they sighed in relief and glanced at each other.
“A newbie’s coming.”
“Yeah. It’s been forever. Years, really.”
“We gotta welcome him right. Check if that oracle light was real.”
They’d suspected the malfunction amplified the mana power. The mages bustled to prepare for the newbie.
“Heard? Viscount Hielo’s going to Magic Operation.”
“What? For real? Then they really got shafted? I thought he’d secure a spot after Roxan battle merits.”
“Nah. Minister Wesley gave him choice, and Sir Ian picked it himself.”
“Magic Operation’s in a bind anyway. Suddenly stuck with Ian. Completely out of favor with Wesley.”
“Think about it. This could be a chance. If they screw Ian for Wesley, they score points.”
“Shh. Watch it! Showoff or not, he’s nobility. Hahaha!”
Word that Ian was joining Magic Operation spread fast. The Magic Department was small, but this drew palace-wide attention—no one unaware.
“Huh?”
Except the actual Magic Operation Department.
Captain Hail of Magic Operation dropped his spoon in the cafeteria and turned. Gossips scattered when their eyes met his.
“What’s this I hear? Nakina. You catch that?”
“Just now. Everyone’s blabbing; hard to miss.”
“You didn’t know either.”
Tommy, face in his tray, asked Hail.
“Problem? Newbie coming.”
“Nope. None.”
“Then eat.”
Hail snorted and picked up his utensils again at Tommy’s words.
Yeah, why care? Keep working like always. The three ignored the prickling stares on their backs and shoveled food.
* * *
“Ian! IIIIan!”
“Shut it, Berik.”
“Hurry and get ready. Why’re you so slow?”
Ian stared incredulously at Berik hanging off the door handle whining. Today was imperial free training day—and Ian’s Magic Department welcome. The guy usually last to prep was now rushing him. Hilarious.
“That excited?”
“Full of Cheonryeo Tribe types, right?”
“Yeah. Your nose’ll be smashed flat by end of day.”
Ian muttered while fastening his cuffs. Free training day meant opening the grounds. Palace-access folk gathered to gauge skills, build bonds—a rest day sort of.
“What do I do there?”
“Easy. They’ll be chatting or training. Politely greet who you want and request a spar.”
Usually swordsmen met patrons outside for palace access, but Ian and Berik had built that bond long ago.
“Appreciate the honor, punk. Palace knights aren’t everyday sparring partners.”
“Lady Romandro. Ugh, unbelievable. Watch. They’ll be honored. Where else get smashed like that?”
“You’ll be the one smashed. Tsk. Call a healer ahead…?”
Oblivious to Romandro’s worry, Berik snorted in self-delight, fondling his sword. Ready Ian turned to him.
“Bring a different sword.”
“Why? No!”
The mysterious black sword that burst absorbing energy. Ian frowned lightly, advising.
“Half’ll be Sword-Mages there. Trouble if your sword acts up?”
“Worried it’ll break?”
“Your neck.”
“Ah. That’s fine! They’ll use their own weapons, can’t be me alone with a wooden practice sword. Right, master?”
“…Do what you want.”
Berik swung his sword excitedly, bouncing. Romandro recoiled, trying to stop him. Outside, the coachman honked ready.
“Let’s go. Oh, and Lady Romandro.”
“Hm?”
Ian extended his hand, smiling. Romandro gripped it reflexively, smiling back cluelessly.
“Last handshake. They say shaking with a Mana User brings luck—and after palace, I’ll be a mage.”
“Oh, right! One more!”
“Of course.”
“Me too, handshake!”
“Sure. Move that sword.”
The three clasped hands tightly, sharing luck. Unaware of what was to come.