Chapter 28 – Uncover the Plan

Hollow eyes. A dazed, almost soulless expression. The Eckel that Rachel saw looked faintly eerie, as if he weren't entirely human anymore.

"Y-Young Master...?"

"First, move that thing."

"Y-Yes, understood."

Rachel led the soldiers at Lawrence's command. Meanwhile, Lawrence dragged Eckel deeper into the annex.

To confirm whether the brainwashing had truly taken hold, he fired off a few questions.

"Who is your superior right now?"

"It is Lawrence Montemer."

Mental Counter. It was even more impressive than he'd thought. No ordinary mage—spirit or dragon—could possess such an ability.

Brainwashing a 4th Circle mage for a full week... That's incredible.

A 4th Circle mage ranked among the upper echelons of wizards. The fact that it could deflect even their brainwashing magic proved its extraordinary power.

But Lawrence had no intention of stopping there. He wanted to test if it could repel magic that delved into the deep unconscious, controlling instincts themselves.

"Implant a new suggestion in me. One that compels you to carry out what happened today. Make it rise from the depths of your personality, even after the brainwashing fades."

"Understood."

A faint light leaked from Eckel's vacant eyes. His lips mumbled as he began the incantation. His transformation magic flowed toward Lawrence.

And Lawrence's artifact repelled it.

To this extent already? Once it grows further, mental attacks won't be a concern at all.

He watched with his own eyes as Eckel's mind rapidly realigned. The mana he'd fired looped back, circling his own head.

So mental and transformation magic works like this. Fascinating.

Another fact learned—he could now better analyze other mages' behaviors from observation.

With Eckel's status confirmed, Lawrence spoke. It was time to turn him into a loyal hound.

"You are loyal to Lawrence. You are my shield, protecting me, and a spy operating on the front lines."

"I... serve Lawrence..."

"Eckel Yurgo must protect me, deliver false information, and reveal Media's schemes."

"Media's... ugh..."

For a moment, the brainwashing nearly broke. Lawrence waited, watching the rippling mana in Eckel's head stabilize again.

Fortunately, the suggestions and brainwashing had taken hold well. Swallowing an inward sigh, Lawrence continued.

"If you serve me faithfully, I won't harm the Yurgo family."

"For the family..."

"Act as usual, but when I input the command phrase, you must immediately turn to my side."

"Please tell me the command phrase."

The command phrase was...

"Guardian's Legacy."

"Guardian's Legacy. Input received."

"Good. Now, when I clap, you'll return to acting normal."

A crisp clap echoed.

Focus returned to Eckel's previously glazed eyes. His movements were still a bit awkward, confirming the brainwashing lingered.

"Lady Media ordered me to cast brainwashing magic on your maid. To monitor your every move."

"Do you know why she's watching me?"

"I don't know that far, but she promised me a grimoire that could elevate me to 5th Circle."

"I see..."

He'd planned to quietly build his strength in the annex, but even that was under threat.

Lawrence smirked. Pity for her, but she couldn't touch him until he entered a magic tower anyway. Once he did, she'd try bribing the tower personnel.

"Do you know which towers are participating in this selection?"

"I know the Seven Colors Tower, Tower of Transformation, and Beast Tower are participating."

"What about Iron Tower?"

"They've announced no intention to participate."

Lawrence nodded quietly and gave Eckel one more order: Spread the word discreetly to Iron Tower—that their beloved talent was right here—without Media knowing.

Whoosh—!

The massive barbell rose high. A brief pause, then it descended. Hooah!

Rough breaths echoed as the barbell moved up and down again. He was an elderly man with a thick ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mane of white hair, but his body brimmed with muscle. Anyone might mistake him for a knight, but this was a gathering of mages—a modest five-story building where they researched magic.

"Tower Master, are you really not participating in this selection?"

"How many times must I say it? I don't go to gatherings of weaklings."

"Be honest. You know no one will come anyway, so you're skipping it."

"One more irreverent word, and I'll double the weight."

Whoosh—!

The white-haired, muscle-bound elder finished his final rep and set the barbell down.

Thud—!

The weight was enough to make one doubt he was a mage, not a warrior or knight. After setting it down, the tower master stretched slowly.

"These days' lot don't understand the body's importance. A trained physique clears the mind for better research..."

"Speaking of, have you heard? Montemer's youngest young master is making waves."

"Montemer? What fun could come from those self-serving bastards."

He shook his head, recalling Edward—scrawny but radiating overwhelming mana. These modern mages just didn't get the body's importance!

Snorting, he waited for the elder's words.

"They say the young lord smashed undead skulls with his bare fists."

"...What?"

Absurd. The tower master's brows furrowed in a V. A spark of interest ignited, however slight. That was the essence of Iron Magic.

"His magic manifestation is incredibly fast too. Near-silent casting, they say?"

"Hah... What, is he a dragon now? All rumors, exaggerated rumors."

"Tower Master, this could be our chance. Battle Mage. Our generation's all gone!"

At the elder's words, the tower master surveyed those lifting iron in the training space. Muscles aplenty, but thinning hair. Muscles, but no vitality. Muscles... but now wrinkles too.

"You think becoming a Battle Mage is easy!? We must refine further! Like the ancient guardians, we can do it too!"

"Sigh... Don't say that. We follow you, brother, but..."

These days, that'd get you called a boomer. The elder swallowed his last words, glancing at his diligently training comrades.

Battle Mages. Gathered to chase the legend of Icaller, the first guardian and inventor of Iron Magic.

Iron Magic had glaring flaws. Deemed inferior to Gold Tower's, it hit harder than any elemental magic—but was notoriously hard to land. Icaller's solution? Brutal physical training.

"It's all written why he became guardian and how. We just follow doggedly. Anyway, what about the young lord?"

"He shows Battle Mage potential. Exceptional physique and chanting speed. Perfect fit for us, right?"

"Hm, perhaps..."

The tower master's expression grew intrigued. They'd failed to scout talent for ages. Most fled, saying it wasn't the magic they wanted.

But he never ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gave up. One day, Iron Tower would rise as a major school. For that, he'd lift iron and devour meat today too.

Montemer's youngest... Fine. Let's see how healthily he's grown.

"When's the selection?"

"In a few days."

"Gotta hustle, guh."

At that moment, the crystal orb in the tower rang.

The selection was now one day away.

Lawrence trained rigorously, bound by Chains of Mana. Nights for artifact crafting, mornings for physical conditioning.

His body had hardened beyond recognition; his face had matured strikingly.

"Young Master! It's here! A messenger bird from Eckel!"

"Let me see."

Lawrence examined the bird bearing glad tidings. Eckel had fed Media false reports without issue so far.

"Perfect. Right on plan."

"That's great!"

"Yeah. By the way, what'll you do while I'm at the tower?"

"Me? I... should keep managing this annex, right?"

It was obvious, but a serious issue. No one to protect her while he was away.

"Guess I need to ask the patriarch."

"I'll fetch the stationery."

"Nah, he'll handle it himself anyway."

Edward would surely grant the request. But relying on him forever wasn't viable. He might become an enemy someday.

Lawrence decided to exploit Media's psyche. The answer lay with Eckel. Plus, he didn't want Rachel getting beaten elsewhere.

Like in the North, implanting an artifact could...

It'd bolster her lacking combat power, but...

Worth considering. Artifacts let even non-mages wield magic. Rachel could become a fine mage with the right mindset.

Lawrence stroked his chin, staring at her intently.

"W-Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Rachel, want to try being a mage? Knight works too. I can make you an assassin."

"...Pardon?"

Rachel's face twisted oddly. Lawrence chuckled.

"You think Media will leave you be? The maid of her hated stepson—especially now that he's making achievements?"

"C-Come to think of it, Eckel ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was glaring too... So that's it."

"Don't think I've been shielding you. Choose: Stay meekly and die or get used, or follow me, get modified—body and all—and grow strong?"

Rachel paled. Dangerous words indeed... Was following the young master truly okay?

"A-Are those real choices?"

"Yep~! Choice is always yours. I'd be sad, though. Hard to find anyone who grills steak like you."

"S-Steak..."

Yes, she was good... But steak meant Rachel...

Rachel sighed deeply. So be it—she'd serve Young Master Lawrence to the end.

"A-Alright! I'll stay by your side! Serving the best steak!"

"Smart choice. Soon, you'll grill steak and be my unstoppable ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠maid."

"...I can hardly wait."

Lawrence smiled brighter than ever. Rachel, who endured any hardship steadfastly, would surely grow strong.

Now, he had a duty to craft artifacts for her too—not just himself.