Chapter 65
After completing the contract.
“Let’s get along well from now on.”
The Duke offered a handshake with a very satisfied smile. I also returned a polite bow while shaking hands with a faint smile.
This contract could be considered a major success.
“Two hundred platinum coins a month.”
The reason I could sign the contract without hesitation.
It was due to the clause that stated I could receive items or equivalent materials of my choice within that amount.
White Magic Tower.
As a top-tier Magic Tower, the magical items they possessed were extraordinary.
From countless artifacts to a mountain of magical materials, they had it all.
These weren’t things you could easily acquire just by having money.
The higher the grade, the more you had to inquire across multiple Magic Towers or participate in the Magic Tower auctions held by the Empire every six months to secure them.
But with this clause?
There was no need for such bothersome efforts.
Within the limit of two hundred platinum coins, I could simply point out what I wanted.
‘I can easily obtain the items I need.’
Three years.
The amount they would need to provide me within that period amounted to a staggering 720 billion won in Korean terms.
Even for the Duke’s family, that would be a burdensome sum.
That’s probably why they included the clause regarding material support.
‘Well, I don’t plan to take much in cash anyway.’
I intended to take just enough cash for necessities and receive the rest in magical items.
After leaving the office.
I entered my room with Leonhardt.
“Did the discussion go well?”
The curiosity in his eyes was evident as he asked the question.
Well.
It wasn’t every day you had a one-on-one meeting with the Duke.
It was natural for him to wonder what we talked about.
“Yeah, roughly. I arranged to receive some support when I establish a Magic Tower.”
“I see.”
After a brief moment of thought, he spoke quietly.
“So, it’s confirmed that you’ll be leaving the family?”
“Probably?”
Upon hearing my response, a certain emotion surfaced in his eyes.
A gaze filled with contemplation.
I could roughly guess why he had such an expression.
“Are you torn between the family and me?”
“…A little, yes.”
Kyle Seltarion.
It’s been over two months since I started living in this troublemaker’s body.
In that time.
I had shown those around me how much I had changed.
Outstanding magical talent.
Unwavering determination.
And a clear vision of the path I planned to take, including the modification of the Stormblade.
Leonhardt likely saw that the road ahead of me was paved with opportunity.
That’s probably why his favorability score had climbed to the mid-70s.
Normally, he would have chosen the family without hesitation.
‘But now, it’s different.’
He was likely struggling with whether to follow me or stay loyal to the family.
I glanced at him and asked.
“Come to think of it, has it been twelve years since you joined the Marquisate?”
“…You knew?”
“Roughly. Didn’t you pass the apprentice knight exam back then? And as the top-ranked, no less.”
At my words, a nostalgic look appeared in his eyes.
Leonhardt.
His father was an ordinary knight.
He had trained under a quasi-noble knight and, at the age of eleven, took the family’s apprentice knight exam.
There, he overwhelmed the average thirteen-year-old candidates with his exceptional talent, passing as the top-ranked candidate. That was the kind of talent my personal knight possessed.
The talent he displayed back then.
‘That’s why the Marquis personally trained him in swordsmanship.’
A great teacher.
Ample support from the family.
And exceptional talent.
Those three elements formed a perfect synergy, allowing him to achieve a high level at the young age of twenty-three.
He probably thought he would devote his life to the family that had given him so much.
Now, it was time to change that mindset.
“After the succession ceremony, I’ll probably leave the family.”
“Have you decided where to establish your Magic Tower?”
“Not too far. Somewhere nearby so we can keep in touch.”
“I see.”
Leonhardt.
He was a talent I absolutely needed to secure.
There was no way I would let him go, but I wasn’t about to lower myself by begging for loyalty and tarnish my image.
Appearance mattered, after all.
“I understand what’s troubling you. Even if you don’t choose me, I won’t hold it against you, so don’t worry too much. I don’t intend to force your loyalty.”
“….”
“Think about it. You’ve been working under me for almost six years, but I’ve only shown my changed self for two months. I can’t expect you to abandon everything for me in such a short time.”
Hearing that, Leonhardt gave a faint smile.
“…I no longer know how much more you’re going to change, Young Master.”
That’s understandable.
If it had been the original owner of this body, he would have immediately started spewing curses without even thinking about his actions.
Calling him a traitor or something similar.
‘That would be the dumbest move.’
There’s an old fable from Aesop, isn’t there?
The North Wind tried its hardest to blow a traveler’s coat off.
‘But it failed.’
However, when the Sun sent down warm rays of light, the traveler willingly removed his coat. Loyalty works in a very similar way.
If you try to move someone with cold strictness, it naturally stirs up resistance.
But if you warm their heart with kindness and gentleness?
Humans, being the animals they are, will start to move on their own. Of course, in the worst-case scenario, if he truly refuses to follow me…
‘I might have to figure out a way to bring him along, no matter what.’
Anyway.
Until then, I planned to sway his heart as gently as possible.
“I have no intention of forcing loyalty. What I want is voluntary action, not coerced allegiance. Let me tell you one thing.”
Locking eyes with him, I continued my words firmly.
“Even if you leave the family to follow me, it doesn’t mean you’re betraying the household.”
“…”
“Even after my eldest brother becomes the next head of the family, I plan to continue working with and supporting the family. Modifying the Stormblade was part of that plan.”
At those words, Leonhardt quietly nodded.
“Anyway, there’s still time, so think about it slowly. Of course, it’d be great if an excellent knight like you continues to guard me, but if you don’t want to, I won’t stop you.”
“…Thank you.”
There’s no need to thank me.
It’s perfectly normal for him to feel conflicted about this.
After all, no matter how much he contemplates, the fate of working under me remains unchanged.
In the worst-case scenario, I planned to quietly ask Abel or the Marquis to send him as my escort.
They wouldn’t refuse, considering they’d feel uneasy about me establishing a Magic Tower on my own.
Marquis Houdini.
To deal with that guy, I absolutely needed someone with the skill of my escort knight.
And if Abel or the Marquis did refuse?
‘I could just offer the Stormblade as a favor.’
They wouldn’t be able to refuse.
The value of that swordsmanship was far greater than Leonhardt’s worth as a high-ranking knight.
“Now then, should we head to the banquet? Go have a drink or two.”
“I’ll pass.”
Tsk.
He’s only twenty-three years old.
Yet his demeanor is like that of an old hermit meditating in the mountains. It’s precisely because of this inflexible personality that he’s so reliable.
Soon, Leonhardt and I arrived at the banquet hall.
Perhaps because of the two dazzling badges on my chest, the gazes of the mages instantly turned toward me.
It was only natural.
In both practical and theoretical competitions, gaining recognition from mages was primarily achieved in the field of theory.
Among the people gathered in the banquet hall, nine out of ten were mages.
“You’ve arrived?”
Helton approached me.
Pouring a glass of wine, he looked at me.
“I heard the rough details from Father. You made quite an interesting deal.”
“Is that a compliment?”
At my words, Helton chuckled faintly.
“For the most part, yes. I thought you were just an immature kid, but it seems you’ve got some backbone.”
“Thank you.”
“To be honest, growing under the protection of the White Magic Tower in the Western Region would have been a much easier path for you.”
For a moment, Helton looked into my eyes, as if sensing something, and nodded.
“Yet, you still chose to face Marquis Houdini in the Eastern Region. There must be a reason you had to.”
“Is that what you think?”
“To be honest, until I saw you today, I thought it might have been a momentary impulse. But looking into your eyes, it seems that’s not the case. Here, have a drink.”
With that, Helton and I downed a glass of wine.
The wine was subtly sweet, with a bitter aftertaste.
The sharp tang tingled my tongue before its fragrant aroma spread throughout my mouth.
It was undoubtedly an expensive one.
“Kyle.”
“Yes?”
“Do you know that a teleportation gate can be installed in a Magic Tower?”
“Yes, I’ve heard that it’s possible once a Magic Tower reaches at least an intermediate grade.”
“That’s right. Until then, Father or I will likely come to see you personally. It’s better for us to visit you than for you to come to the Ducal Estate. It keeps appearances.”
Oh?
That’s unexpected.
“Your Father or Helton personally?”
“Yes. If the magic you’ve promised to deliver monthly is as powerful as what you showcased in the finals… we deemed it worth the effort. By the way, where are you planning to establish your Magic Tower?”
“To be honest, I haven’t decided yet.”
“Is that so? I guess you’re not considering Trastan Territory, then.”
“Most likely not.”
Trastan Territory.
Although it was my home base, I wasn’t planning to build the Magic Tower there.
The reason was simple.
There were already two well-established Magic Towers in the region.
‘And all the prime spots, like mana stone mines, have already been exploited.’
It was a developed area with entrenched local forces, making it difficult for my new Magic Tower to grow quickly.
If I built there and relied on family support to oust the existing two Magic Towers, it wasn’t impossible.
‘But that would cause an uproar.’
The Eastern Magic Tower Association wouldn’t let it slide.
Such associations were established by countless mages to prevent precisely these kinds of situations.
The backlash would be overwhelming.
To gather influence and challenge Marquis Houdini in the Eastern Region, I needed to build alliances and establish a stronghold.
Starting off with bad public opinion would only slow my growth.
That’s why I had half given up on building the Magic Tower in my home territory.
‘Which of the five should I choose?’
I had five potential locations in mind for the Magic Tower.
They were relatively close to home, rich in natural resources, and lacked entrenched forces like established Magic Towers.
Barring any special circumstances, I planned to pick one of these five candidates.
Meanwhile.
“Duke Meleos has entered!”
A loud announcement echoed through the banquet hall.
The Duke had arrived.
As soon as he entered, he glanced at the mages and smiled.
“For those who won in both practical and theoretical fields, step forward. It’s only right to introduce yourselves.”
As soon as he finished, several mages began walking toward the stage.
Naturally, I was among them.
After all, I was the winner in the field of theory.
—
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