Chapter 184
Chapter 184
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Family (2)
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"...Was there originally supposed to be some kind of appointment ceremony?"
Jamie had anticipated that something on a national scale might occur, given that an Archmage was a Master Class.
However, since his reincarnation as Jamie Welton, no Master Class mage had emerged, so no such grand ceremony had ever taken place.
"Isn't it obvious? A Master Class is a nation's ultimate powerhouse. When one is born, the state naturally has to host an event."
"That's true, but..."
"It's a hassle, I know. It was a huge pain for me too."
Siegfried let out a short sigh, reminiscing about the past.
Even now, he found the Archmage appointment ceremony utterly exhausting. The preparations were one thing, but as a former slave, receiving congratulations from nobles in the royal palace had been far from pleasant.
These days, he was accustomed to life and most nobles were insignificant in his presence, but back then, he had harbored deep resentment.
That had made it all the more bothersome. Mentally draining, too.
'Well, the young master's situation is different...'
'It might even be more of a hassle for him.'
After the ceremony, nobles would swarm him at the party.
He himself, a former slave, had faced endless overtures. But if the Master Class was Jamie Welton, the firstborn son of the Welton family, he'd draw even more attention than royalty that day.
"Oh, right. A letter arrived from the count."
"From Father?"
"Yes."
Jamie’s eyes widened round at the mention of a letter from Count Welton.
Three months ago.
After the incident, the Welton couple had learned of it belatedly and tried to rush to the mage world immediately.
But Jamie, not wanting them to see him injured and grieve, had asked them not to come.
His mother, Sears, had protested vehemently and insisted on coming anyway, but Count Welton, understanding his son's feelings, had barely managed to stop her.
He knew it was unfilial.
How could they not worry when their son was gravely wounded?
But Jamie wanted to show them only his healthy side.
He had barely written letters—two at most per month.
The last one had come a month ago, so this was exactly a month later.
"Read it."
Siegfried handed over the letter and closed his eyes as if to say not to worry.
Jamie opened it with a pang of guilt.
[To my beloved son Jamie.
Have you recovered well?
Your mother still wets her pillow with tears whenever she thinks of you.
Sara cries just thinking of her big brother.
This father’s heart aches too.
At the fact that I still cannot see my beloved son.
But knowing how you stood against the demons with what resolve, and how little you wished to worry your parents, I refrained from urging you and held back contact.
Three months have passed like that.
Is your body much better now?
They say no news is good news, and I tried to wait patiently, but it’s not easy.
Still, it’s a relief.
Since my proud son has a chance to earn great honor, we’ll meet soon.
So, my beloved son, let us meet that day.]
"Father..."
His body had nearly fully recovered anyway.
He had been planning to briefly visit Highuis to see his parents soon, but it seemed the family would attend the Archmage appointment ceremony.
'Makes sense.'
The Welton family was one of Selam’s great noble houses, and with an Archmage emerging from their line, it would be absurd not to attend.
Though he had lived as a noble for eight years, Jamie had never enjoyed noble society, so he was clueless about such matters.
The thought of reuniting with his family after so long brought a natural smile to his lips.
Not knowing what to say first after so long apart—he’d start with an apology, probably.
As he folded the letter, he noticed one more line at the bottom.
[P.S. Remember the Valle sisters? They’re coming too. Haha.]
Haha? What’s that about?
Jamie frowned slightly.
How could he forget the Valle sisters?
One was Jane’s reincarnation, and the other was a total tomboy.
Moreover, both had feelings for him.
Jamie scratched his chin awkwardly.
It had been over half a year since he last saw them, so he doubted those feelings lingered.
They were just kids, after all. No way those childish affections lasted.
'Still, it’ll be nice to see them after so long.'
Having acknowledged his own emotional changes from this incident, Jamie felt he could view them with fresh eyes too.
"Young master. How long are you going to keep your eyes closed?"
"...Why are you closing your eyes in the first place?"
Siegfried snapped his eyes open at that.
And said,
"Good question?"
The two stared at each other, then burst into hearty laughter—wahaha!
After finishing with Siegfried, Jamie headed straight for his lodgings.
"Hey."
If someone hadn’t called from behind.
But ignoring the arrogant summons, he kept walking without looking back.
"Hey!"
Thinking himself ignored, the caller blocked his path.
Jamie looked irritably at the woman in his way.
A beauty with a decadent face and pale skin.
It was 6th Elder Adelhardt.
"You again?"
"Again? AGAAAIN?"
"You kept bothering me daily at the hospital room, so what is it this time?"
"Brat! Anyone hearing that would think I really came every day!"
"Six days a week is basically every day."
"Ugh."
Adelhardt flinched, at a loss for words.
"Still an annoying little brat."
"Don’t want to hear that from you. So, what’s up today? Not another mana tug-of-war, I hope?"
A month ago, once Jamie’s condition improved significantly, Adelhardt had visited almost daily requesting mana tug-of-war.
'Mana tug-of-war' was simply connecting their mana like a rope and pulling against each other.
Jamie had no initial interest. He couldn’t fathom why he should entertain her.
After repeated refusals, the persistent visitor finally made an offer.
—If I lose, I’ll grant one request of yours, no matter what! You just have to accept.
He hadn’t expected such a proud woman to propose that. Perhaps her pride drove her to it.
Anyway, it was no loss for Jamie, so he accepted—and naturally won easily.
—Damn it! Not only surpassed by an eight-year-old, but now beaten in mana capacity too... beaten!
She had been furious at her first defeat, her pride shattered. Jamie thought she wouldn’t return.
But she kept coming back, requesting rematches.
He obliged each time, never losing.
He sometimes considered throwing a match, but knew it would crush her pride more, so he always went all out.
"You’ll lose anyway, so why waste the effort?"
"Lose again! Today will be differ— No, that’s not why I came!"
"You’re deafening me."
Jamie plugged his ears with his fingers to escape her shrill shouting.
Realizing her volume, Adelhardt flinched and cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Ahem. It’s not that."
"Then what?"
"Come with me for a bit."
She leaned in close.
Beautiful as she was, her strong decadent vibe made her look intimidating up close.
Luckily, as a necromancer, Jamie wasn’t fazed.
"Where?"
"Our base."
"...Base?"
He could guess without asking.
"You mean the Equility lab?"
"Exactly."
A few black strands fell across the smiling Adelhardt’s cheek.
Equility.
One of the mage world’s three major organizations, composed of commoner mages.
Irrelevant to Jamie, from a great noble house.
But he had expected them to approach eventually.
He had reached 7th Class, and after the Archmage ceremony, he’d take the vacant 3rd Elder seat.
He had no intention of joining any faction, but his background would label him noble-aligned.
They’d surely try pulling him in first.
'Or not.'
He glanced at Adelhardt.
Her beaming smile looked unnatural.
She who always scowled pessimistically, now grinning widely?
"What? You’ve been visiting daily to recruit me for Equility?"
"Wh-what are you saying?"
"Bingo. Wow, almost fell for it. I thought you were really coming out of wounded pride, but it was all an act."
"No! I...!"
"Jamie."
A middle-aged man’s voice came from behind.
Turning, Jamie saw 5th Elder Luke Frisel standing there, scratching his head sheepishly.
"Adel really came because she felt inferior to you, so don’t misunderstand."
"Luke! Inferior? Me?!"
"I just asked her once because your relationship seemed bad. Know she didn’t approach you with ulterior motives from the start."
"No, I’m not inferior! That, that little brat reaching 7th Class is nothing to me...!"
Unable to say “nothing,” her lips trembled.
Jamie barely suppressed laughter and said to Luke,
"I knew. You’re not the type."
"What’re you on about?"
"So, you wanted to meet me, 5th Elder?"
"Something like that."
Luke answered Jamie’s direct question calmly.
"Before you climb to unreachable heights... I wanted to build some rapport."
Luke was quite blunt too.
"Why ignore everything I say!"
Meanwhile, the ignored Adelhardt yelled in frustration.
"Tea in the 7th Elder’s office?"
"Yes."
"Then how about trying that trendy drink among commoners lately?"
Luke showed a glass bottle with dark liquid sloshing inside.
Brown foam bubbled on the black liquid, and condensation covered the cold bottle.
"It’s called Coke—fizzy carbonation and a sweetness that perks you right up. Kids can’t get enough."
"It’s good. Burp!"
Adelhardt, already drinking, downed it in one go with a refreshing belch.
"...Adel, mind your manners."
"Whatever."
"Anyway, want a glass?"
"Yes, please."
Intrigued by the novel drink, Jamie accepted.
As Luke poured, brown foam rose rapidly.
He had tried many foods traveling with Siegfried, but this was new.
Sipping cautiously, his eyes bulged like they’d pop out.
"Gasp!"
"No joke, right?"
Adelhardt grinned mischievously, and Jamie wiped his mouth, looking at them.
"What’s it called?"
"Coke. The most popular drink these days."
"...No joke."
The first sip tingled his tongue like electricity, and as it went down his throat, his whole body jolted.
The fresh shock resonated to his brain.
And so sweet, umami-packed—he craved more intensely.
"They didn’t spike it with drugs, did they?"
"Puhahaha! What’s this kid saying?"
"Heh. Delicious food has an addictiveness hard to compare to drugs."
As said, Jamie gulped it down like pouring it straight into his gullet.
"Kek!"
Nearly tore his throat with the carbonation.
"Can’t chug it unless you’re practiced. No way for a kid like you."
Adelhardt wagged her finger dismissively.
Trying to salvage her pride crushed in mana tug-of-war with this.
Luke gave her a pitiful look.
Jamie mirrored it without retort.
"Wh-why are you both looking at me like that!"
"Anyway, I called you to talk about us before heading to the capital. Hope we’re not wasting your time."
"Hey! Ignoring me again?"
"You gave me tasty Coke, so I can spare some time."
Above all, Jamie wanted to pull these two to his side.
Talks with others were done.
'Like them, this is my last stop.'
Jamie smiled inwardly, thinking of the other elders.
"You’re ignoring me too?! Stop it!"
Ignoring Adelhardt’s indignant cry, the two began their conversation.