Chapter 106 - The Archmage's Gratitude
"You've suffered because of that foolish disciple of mine. As his master, allow me to thank you on his behalf."
"Pardon? No, it's nothing. I just..."
"No. Even if you're an Immortal, even if you had the luck to make him vanish, I can't just brush off the fact that you saved my precious disciple's life. If there's anything you want, speak up. I'll grant whatever I can."
The moment they entered the forest at night, Alter stunned Vulcan with his rather bold words.
Anything he could do? Coming from anyone but Alter, it might be an exaggeration—but not from him. Politically or in terms of raw power, it was no overstatement. There were scarcely any who could match him in strength, save perhaps the captain of the Royal Guard.
Is he testing me?
He could probably shower Vulcan in a mountain of gold if asked, but Vulcan swallowed the impulsive words rising in his throat. There would be time later to make demands. Money was always better in abundance, and he needed it badly, but it wasn't urgent right now. Building rapport and taking quests to grow would net far more gold in the long run, so Vulcan humbly deferred once more.
"I'm fine for now. If I ever need help, I'll be sure to ask."
Alter glanced back at Vulcan with a faint smile. Those around him were always scheming for handouts. It could be a ploy, but Vulcan's restraint pleased him all the same.
"What about that thing on your head? If you want, I can knock it off."
"Pardon?"
- What?! How dare this lowly worm wag his tongue at me!!
And with that, an utterly random remark. On his head? Did Alter see Tud?
"...!!"
Thwack!
As Vulcan startled, the furious Tud whipped his unreachable tail at Alter—but it halted in midair, not passing through, but clashing with actual force. This meant Alter could perceive Tud precisely and even interfere with his existence.
"It's fine. He's been a great help to me, actually."
"Very well, then. But speak if you need to. Things that defy the natural order and cling to others always have motives. It may seem helpful now, but stay vigilant."
"Understood."
- You bastard! Back in my day, scum who couldn't even meet my gaze wouldn't dare speak so boldly...!
Tud growled and fumed, but he couldn't harm Alter. He'd blocked even divine intervention before, yet here he merely battered and gnawed futilely at the protective barrier Alter had layered overhead—whether from restraint, lack of need, or some limitation, he went no further.
"Your gear is the same. You wield items beyond your station, but being ruled by them prevents true growth in stature. Strive to wield, not be wielded."
"Yes, sir."
- Argh! Take back what I said about you being halfway decent!
Tud threw a tantrum, but Vulcan couldn't refute Alter's words, so he nodded. He took a few hits from the raging Tud for it, though.
They walked on without Alter pressing rewards or demands further. Perhaps because he could grant anything anytime. Instead, following Vulcan's guidance past Hainel's cabin and the stele leading to the ancient goblin hideout, Alter shared a few more thoughts.
"Aren't you curious? Why I took that boy as a disciple."
"Honestly... yes. Your other disciples are all mage tower lords. And he even fled in the night, they say."
"True enough. Among my disciples, he has the least magical talent. But he also possesses the greatest gift."
"...Pardon?"
"He has no aptitude for accumulating mana or altering its properties. But as a sage, no one surpasses him. His ability to interpret and apply magic leaves the others in the dust. Combining knowledge to derive new insights and conclusions? Innate genius. As you saw earlier."
Hainel's deductions during that brief briefing had real depth. His thinking was unique, his perspective on phenomena and information unmatched.
But even so, without magical talent, what use was it? He could be called a sage, but never a grand mage.
"That's why, when I first took him in, my other disciples envied and guarded against him fiercely. He progressed fastest at low levels, with exceptional application. Then growth stalled, and the persecution grew subtle. They feared he'd surge ahead again anytime."
Vulcan got the picture. Perhaps Hainel's flight wasn't due to other disciples alone—like school bullying.
"My fault entirely. I thought fairness meant treating them all equally, so I neglected him. Truth be told, I was a bit disappointed myself. Yet he never lost his smile, pursuing knowledge and the mage's path with unmatched passion."
Hainel was old enough that "boy" felt odd, but Alter was over 200, so it fit. Vulcan grasped the situation.
One question lingered: Why tell him this backstory?
"Then came some incident. Fearing harm to me, he shed his disciple name and fled, as you said. I knew everything— it wasn't his fault, where he went. But I didn't seek him. Even if caught, I couldn't protect him. Years passed, but he weighed on my heart. Today, thanks to you, our bond reconnects."
"..."
"Even if he returns, no guarantee it won't repeat. This time, I'll teach properly without abandoning him—but the others have grown bold. So, one favor from you."
"What is it?"
"Be his strength."
"...Me?"
Alter's request caught Vulcan off guard.
"A meager thing, insignificant. Though he clings to something odd."
- Kyaaak! I can't take this anymore!!
Tud lunged to bite the pointing finger, but unable to exert physical force, Alter remained unfazed.
"As you know, the others have solidified their factions. Even my backing won't give him many allies. Few defy their power and authority besides."
Shaking off Tud from his finger, he continued.
"Immortals are few, and those with forces are out. The more you have, the more considerations. But you seem different. Impressive, not buckling under Mokri's pressure."
He'd watched it all, unseen. Vulcan standing firm even as Mokri pressed personally appealed to him.
"High growth potential, decent luck too."
"...?"
"Moving temples suggests charisma to draw people."
Only then did Vulcan realize: Alter had investigated him thoroughly. He didn't know when or from where the reports came, but Alter knew much of his actions. It didn't irk him much—sharing this meant budding trust.
"I can't predict how great you'll become, but promise to aid him when the time comes, and I'll back you. Direct aid's tricky with watchful eyes."
"Agreed. I value my bond with Hainel too."
No reason to refuse. Vulcan accepted gladly, gaining Alter's backing—discreet, but potent.
"Good. But keep this from him. He might burden himself or fret over troubling you."
"Of course."
Now, pressure from great powers held no fear. Even clashing with nobles or user guilds, Alter would mediate or support. Inevitable friction with New Age Guild? Welcome news.
"So, what should I do?"
"Nothing."
"...Pardon?"
Wait, what?
Vulcan, fired up, got a cold rebuff.
"What can you do at your level? Gear exceeds your station, but your stature's too low. Don't meddle. I'll handle arrangements for now."
"But..."
His level lagged, so no tasks—just reprimand.
Levels are low, but if that's the case, then...
"My request is for a distant 'if,' not now. Don't bungle things by overreaching. Stay quiet—that helps. Many eyes watch."
"Tch."
Much to say, but couldn't. He couldn't reveal all, and his exploits outpaced his power, drawing scrutiny. Even Count Alter had reports on him.
"Still, let me help somehow. As you said, I'm lucky—simple scouting, at least."
Vulcan wouldn't mope. He humbled himself, prodding gently to trigger the main scenario quest. Dragon Eye in play, but luck worked too.
"Don't take it lightly. Botched tasks could drive them deeper underground. Only fitting agents—proven, trustworthy—will move discreetly. I'll handle nobles myself."
Alter wasn't easy. Back to icy demeanor, refusing. He'd wait till Vulcan leveled more.
Can't have that. At least 300 needed...
Vulcan pressed once more. Waiting meant ages, even fast-leveled.
"But I solved it without high stature, found clues. I'm entangled, free to move. High-status folk can't go low places unnoticed—low ones can. Can't cover everywhere secretly, so let me scout suspicious spots. Share basic info."
"...Can't be helped. You're tied to the temples too. Fine. But I can't fully trust you yet. Find one more meaningful clue. Then I'll acknowledge you."
"Thank you."
Alter relented grudgingly. Not full alliance, but room via temple ties to ride this grand current.
Main Scenario Quest: Not Chance, But Fate
"Here, take this. My reward for these events."
And with that, a special reward directly from Alter landed in Vulcan's hands.