Suspicious Deal (01) 007
After what happened, it was only natural that Sinat's feelings were hard to fathom even two years later. No one could peer into another's heart completely, not even a grandfather. The fact that she changed Kalen's bandages herself every day made it obvious enough. Of course, Blamia felt like his head might split open. Now even his mistakes haunted his dreams, so he had to send Kalen away as soon as possible.
Past mistakes. They were deeply personal, but for someone like Blamia, they weren't so easily contained. Who didn't carry their own scars? Everyone bore at least one wound through life. For Blamia, it had been his grandson—Sinat's older brother.
Sinat's brother, Sitram, had been a genius. Compared to that little monster Kalen, he might seem a step behind, but that was only because Kalen was an utter freak. What kind of talent mastered 2nd Hierarchy magic at thirteen? Anyway, Sitram was a genius. He'd handled 1st Hierarchy magic proficiently a full year before his coming-of-age ceremony.
Back then, the Dranus Family had still been intact. Sinat's parents were alive, and in a word, it had been a harmonious time. But Blamia's greed had taken hold. He, the Grand Archmage. His son hadn't been exceptional, but he'd seen talent in his grandson. With the ability and means at hand, why wouldn't he nurture it?
The training he'd put Sitram through was unimaginably grueling. If the boy's grit in enduring it was a fault, then it was a fault. But Blamia had crossed the line—far beyond it. What followed... well, he didn't like dwelling on it.
After that, Blamia had taken Sinat and secluded himself. He hadn't abandoned the Dranus Family, but he lacked the face to show up openly. Seeing Kalen kept dragging those nightmares back. He suppressed it as best he could, but glimpses of that talent reflected the past. Sometimes he'd catch himself explaining overly advanced magic theory to Kalen and flinch in shock.
That's why he was preparing to part with Kalen. But with Sinat holding on so stubbornly, what could he do?
"I hope this works out for the best..."
Then the request had come. Blamia had ignored it before, deeming it beyond his help, but now it served as an excuse to send Kalen off, so he'd accepted. Would it finally ease Sinat's obsession? Shaking the medicine pouch from his friend, Blamia rose to his feet.
"Does it hurt...?"
"No."
"Liar."
"..."
Kalen was at a loss. Sinat was too close—far too close. He didn't mind, but he was keenly aware of it. Ever since that incident, the distance between them had shrunk excessively. Sinat would glance at his chest at every opportunity, asking if it hurt. The shock had been so profound it had taken root like an illness.
Leaning against his back was part of the same impulse—an unconscious attempt to shield her head from the blackened area around his heart. As that familiar scene played out, a small vial flew into Kalen's hand.
"Guess I'll have to run this errand myself."
"Thank you."
When Kalen snapped to his senses, the old man beside him was Blamia's friend—the other Grand Archmage whose whereabouts were rumored to be unknown. Kalen had been stunned enough to show an expression Sinat had never seen before. He hadn't expected the legendary Manufacturing Attribute specialist in healing and potions, Eustio Tide, to be that unassuming elder.
Whether it was Kalen's words that had impressed him or not, Eustio had been steadily sending specially crafted potions—magic antithetical to spirit arts. They had no real effect, but something was better than nothing. Kalen poured the medicine in. As his brow furrowed at the bitter taste, Blamia settled into a seat.
"Kid."
"Yes."
"Sorry, but do me a favor first."
"Grandpa!!"
Sinat cried out immediately, but even Blamia—who usually yielded to her—held firm this time.
"I know how you feel, Sinat. But how long are you going to live in fear without Kalen by your side? You're my granddaughter—you can't be like that."
"...But still!"
"I'm not sending Kalen away. I'm just busy, so I'm asking him to handle one simple task for me."
As one of only three Grand Archmages, Blamia was inundated with requests—from those seeking connections, favors, or ways to exploit him. Personal pleas were endless, but whether he accepted depended solely on his whim; his nature wasn't particularly altruistic. Kalen had joined him on a few such errands before.
"Sinat. This one's non-negotiable. It concerns you inheriting the family headship."
Blamia's son—the Dranus Family head—had died, so naturally, an heir was needed. Sitram, higher in succession than Sinat, was gone. Thus, it fell to Sinat, the direct bloodline. And it was what she wanted too. She believed the Dranus lineage, lost so pointlessly, had to continue someday.
"How...?"
Indeed, as she asked. With Blamia—the family's greatest pillar—in seclusion, they'd lost much power. Trying to reclaim past glory now would draw predators.
"It's what the Rakatus Duke promised."
If asked to name the Claire Empire's most vital regions, they'd divide into the south, southwest, southeast, and north. The Rakatus Ducal House governed the southeast—a vast territory that would take a full day of hard riding to traverse.
That made it understandable. Even if not at his peak, Blamia was a Grand Archmage. Backed by the Rakatus Ducal House, any opposition would have to yield.
"What must I do, Master?"
"Nothing much. They'll send a few people; just tag along, clear the border and some monsters. Done."
Doubt was inevitable. For the Rakatus Ducal House and Grand Archmage Blamia, it seemed a pathetically small-scale deal. Labor shortages aside, any competent mercenary band could handle it without involving Blamia. Plus, the Rakatus nobles wielded magic; border beasts were trivial for them.
"Why such an easy job...?"
"Should I give you something harder, kid? I'm just delegating because I'm busy."
Acceptance was Blamia's call. But Kalen's doubts lingered. It was too trivial for someone of Blamia's stature, and promising Dranus support for such a minor favor made no sense. Like trading a fairy tale for a pouch of jewels—an absurd exchange. It reeked of a trap.
"If you hate it that much, consider it repaying what I've raised you for. Then it's gratitude to me, not them."
"Understood, but... you'd handle it quicker, Master."
"I'm busy, you little brat."
Blamia stood as if he'd said his piece. Kalen didn't stop him, but the questions remained. Passing off a Dranus-related task to him under the excuse of busyness—it just didn't add up.
A few days later, people from the Rakatus Duke Estate arrived. No fanfare for guests in a humble cabin; everyone crammed into the common room. The mismatch only heightened the awkwardness. A plain wooden table clashed with their ornate attire, screaming nobility to any onlooker.
From the Rakatus house came three: an elderly man who looked seasoned, a middle-aged man with a sword at his left hip, and a boy who seemed the middle-aged man's squire.
The gray-haired elder appeared to lead, and indeed, he spoke for them to Blamia.
"I trust you've been well, Duke Dranus."
The elder's tone was maximally deferential—befitting nobility aware of Blamia's stature.
"Duke? Come off it. I stepped down ages ago."
"Even so, your prowess hasn't faded."
Kalen served tea, and the elder was first to sip.
"I'm Eban, manager overseeing the Rakatus Ducal House's external affairs. This is Knight Captain Brucel."
No intro for the squire, huh? Kalen eyed the sword-bearing middle-aged man. The ornate hilt bore what might be the Rakatus crest—unusual. He'd thought high nobles like them rarely kept swordsmen. Or perhaps precisely because they were high nobles, they did.
"Brucel? That hot-blooded pup?"
"Haha... Come to think of it, it's been ages since we last saw you, Your Grace."
"You lot were too guilty of your scheming to show your faces. Anyway, to business."
"Ah, yes. The heir you mentioned..."
"Heir? Just a kid I taught a few spells to."
Kalen, standing nearby, stepped forward and bowed. Lifting his head, he saw startled expressions.
"Not your attendant...?"
"I said it: just taught him some magic. Not an heir."
"Ah, apologies."
Kalen and Blamia had coordinated this beforehand. With many enemies, Blamia avoided needless vulnerabilities before Kalen's full independence. Their bond would stay hidden as long as possible. This reaction was fully anticipated. Kalen introduced himself calmly.