Chapter 44 – The Ideal of Battle Mages #1
Nothing hurts quite like seeing someone you hate succeed. And in Korea, there's even a proverb for it: "When your cousin buys land, your stomach aches."
That was exactly how Media Montemer felt right now.
Lawrence. The defective good-for-nothing she'd always dismissed. The youngest son, shunned by the family, was now drawing immense interest and expectations from everyone.
It made her seethe with rage, a thousand demons churning in her gut.
'Those old fogies who never spared a glance for Loras or Lorelian—!'
No matter how unlikely he was to become heir, Lawrence was still their rival.
And yet, they mentioned him so openly...?
At that moment, Edward Montemer's calm voice rang out. This time, no mana resonated; it was just his clear tone.
"Support him."
"P-Patriarch."
"The master of the Iron Tower is a valuable asset. Unlike other mages, he can carry out operations alone. I've decided."
"……."
Media bit her lip.
Why... why do you only care so much about things involving Lawrence?
She desperately wanted to argue, but what could she do? No matter her influence in the family, she wasn't the patriarch.
The unmistakable lord of this great house was Edward. Whatever reasons she pushed forward, nothing could override his will.
'Why......'
She bowed her head to hide her frustration. Shadows fell over her face, wrinkled in fury. If expressions could kill, she'd have murdered someone a hundred times over by now.
"……I'll carry it out immediately."
"Mm."
"Then, moving on to the final agenda."
She maintained a poker face and continued the meeting. Her stiff voice and expression held until the end.
"We'll request assistance from the mage towers and the officer academy."
"We should also pass the information to the Holy Kingdom's Inquisition."
The Empire would move. The Holy Kingdom, devoted to Seikria, would too.
Alzeras's fate was all but sealed. Its end would surely be destruction.
The meeting concluded smoothly, and the department heads bustled off.
As Media left the conference room, she let out a deep sigh. It was meant to ease the boiling anger and frustration in her chest, but it only made her mood worse.
"Mother, are you unwell?"
"Aurora."
"Please calm down."
"Orlean."
[Eldest Son: Orlean]
[Eldest Daughter: Aurora]
The two siblings approached Media with grim expressions.
Seeing Orlean calmed her uneasy feelings a bit. At 21 years old, he'd soon be old enough to challenge for the patriarch's seat after his birthday.
Orlean was a 6th Circle mage—the most promising after Edward, rumored to be a genius. He'd even inherited Edward's unique ability.
"Hoo... I've shown you my pathetic side. Just thinking of that brat makes my blood boil......"
"Aw, Mother. He's only eleven this year. I'm almost an adult, and Brother's at the age to learn politics."
"But... he's the family defective. No matter what ability he's awakened, I doubt it'll last."
"Then we discard him when the time comes. I'm already 5th Circle. Brother's 6th Circle."
A ten-year gap wasn't something easily bridged. Neither Aurora nor Orlean saw Lawrence as a rival.
In fact, Orlean had reached far higher at age eleven than Lawrence now.
Media nodded, gazing at her two children.
Yes. He'd sink on his own eventually. No matter how he thrashed, he wouldn't touch the patriarch's seat.
"Right. I'll trust in you two."
"To be precise, trust Brother. Just give me a big vacation spot to inherit. I'll research magic there."
"You're a fine mage too. Shouldn't you take a more important role?"
Aurora smirked and shook her head.
"Brother handles the work. I'll head out first."
"……."
She dipped her head slightly and hurried off.
Orlean glanced at her retreating figure, then bowed stoically.
"Don't worry."
"……Yes."
Her eldest son, stoic like Edward. But he was clearly destined for greatness as a mage.
Gazing at her grown children, Media resolved herself.
'But as a mother, I can't shake this unease.'
Wise women's instincts were sharper than any beast's senses, they said. Hers screamed now.
If she didn't eliminate Lawrence soon, the family's dominance might crumble.
So...
'The eldest son has the elders, council, and other families' attention... The eldest daughter won't listen... No choice.'
She'd have to borrow outside power again. Media moved quietly.
To lure prey from its fence, preparation was needed. And a hunter to seize it.
'Lawrence. Sorry, but you won't live long.'
She'd send him to join his dead mother soon.
Media's steps quickened. Meeting them would require much preparation.
A few more days passed.
Training diligently at the Iron Tower, Lawrence lived the same yet steadily progressing daily routine.
Kugugugugu—
The stone chunk he'd made emitted light, sucked into the cracks.
[Recovery Rate: 59%]
"Ooooooh—!"
The watching mages exclaimed in unison. Unbelievable at first, but the more they saw, the more mystical it became.
What kind of unique ability allowed such miracles so effortlessly?
"Youngest, can't you tell us now?"
"Haha, no."
"Come on. I'll teach you back workout secrets."
"I'll sculpt shoulders like cannonballs! Please, just tell us!"
Lawrence smiled silently at the nagging senior mages, then politely pointed behind them.
"……."
"T-Tower Master?"
"Heh heh heh heh heh. Are my mages bullying the youngest?"
"N-No, sir!"
Their disciplined stance made one wonder what had transpired before.
With the Tower Master here, no more pestering Lawrence. Probing unique abilities was taboo—like asking a martial artist for their secret techniques.
"Today's sparring day, right? Everyone, out of the tower."
"Yes, sir!"
"Youngest, join the spar today. It'll be fun."
"Understood."
The world called Iron Tower mages Battle Mages. Seeing their real combat up close made hearts race.
Even Rachel, mid-snack prep, came to spectate.
With mages lined up, the Tower Master asked Dillon to find Lawrence's opponent.
"Dillon, what circle are you?"
"Uh... 3rd Circle."
"Isaac?"
"4th Circle, sir!"
4th Circle...
The Tower Master glanced at Lawrence's expressionless face, unreadable.
What would Lawrence show against 4th Circle Isaac? It quenched curiosity and tested his level.
The artifact creator. To teach him properly, they needed his baseline.
He'd taken Lawrence as disciple; teaching nothing would be embarrassing.
"Then, Isaac and Lawrence, mock battle."
"M-Me, sir?"
"Yes. You."
"But... the youngest is only eleven."
Isaac was 47, with grown sons—practically grandfather to the boy. Sparring a child didn't sit right.
But the Tower Master was firm.
"So what? If an eleven-year-old enemy appears on the battlefield, you won't fight?"
"N-No, but......"
"Enough nonsense. Suit up."
"……Yes, sir."
He eyed Lawrence, who nodded acceptance.
They donned heavy armor.
6th Circle or higher, like the Tower Master, used Iron Armor spells, skipping physical gear.
Lower mages wore iron plate—that was the Battle Mage way.
Mages charging enemy lines in armor. That's what Iron Mages were.
"Shall I help you?"
"Nah. Gotta get used to doing it myself."
"Got it."
Lawrence equipped the heavy armor deftly. Awkward at spots, but seniors' advice helped.
The smallest size still engulfed him like a pot. Comical, but his eyes burned fierce.
Don't judge by looks, as they say.
Hesitant Isaac steeled himself at that gaze.
"No holding back for a junior, Young Master."
"Wouldn't have it any other way."
"Don't think standard magic duel. We fight rough."
Battlefields of swords, blunt weapons, auras, arrows. Trainees there were demons incarnate.
"―――."
"Chant?"
"Young Lawrence, we prep fully before battle. Without buffs, knights overwhelm us."
"I see."
"-Boost my speed. Haste."
"Got your style now."
Can't lag behind.
Lawrence activated pre-equipped artifacts.
[Haste]
[Strength]
Pajijijik—!
Mana boosting strength and agility enveloped him instantly.
The seniors' shock was natural.
"Battle's on!"
At the Tower Master's call, Lawrence gritted his teeth and charged Isaac.
Isaac had only speed. Lawrence had both.
Yet decades of physical gap couldn't be closed easily.
"Not bad!"
Isaac charged head-on, chanting nonstop.
Is this their inefficient style?
'Impressive focus. How much training for that flow?'
Seamless mind-body control. 4th Circle, but he'd rival 5th in elemental magic.
Speed favored Isaac overwhelmingly.
Shoulder tackle. Isaac slammed his bulk into Lawrence, chanting through the impact.
Kuwoong—!
Even with Strength, their power matched.
"-Steel, pierce the foe! Iron—!"
In their unyielding clash, Isaac sharpened his mind and finished.
As his chant neared end, Lawrence's lips moved a beat faster.
[Iron Spear]
Jjeoeoeong—!
"……."
All fell silent.
Perfect chant interruption. A sharp steel spear targeted 4th Circle mage Isaac's throat precisely.