Walter found himself momentarily speechless, slowly turning his gaze.
Zion Laird was watching him with an indifferent look.
He hadn’t anticipated Hanette Adelaira’s fiancé getting involved, especially not in Duke Adelaira’s mansion.
“Oh… I see. Is there a personal reason for this?”
“You never know what might happen after becoming a disciple. We’ve made plans, and there could be complications.”
“Is it because of the wedding and life afterward?”
“Something like that. There are other reasons, too.”
Hanette, though slightly embarrassed, stood her ground firmly.
She intended to leverage her situation without becoming entangled by it. Despite the respect commanded by Setinos Quasar, she wasn’t about to let that overshadow her status as a Duke’s daughter.
“I understand. Are you worried I might demand too much from Hanette?”
“She might not be able to follow the path you envision, Mr. Rivdad.”
“Haha… I run a magic society, but I do not impose on my members. While results are important, respecting each individual’s thoughts is equally crucial.”
Any member accepted into the Rivdad Magic Society was recognized as a potential disciple of Setinos Quasar. Thus, the evaluation of their talent and potential was crucial before considering membership.
“So, you will respect my fiancé’s thoughts as well?”
Zion finally spoke up, joining the conversation.
In the original storyline, Walter had acknowledged Hanette’s talent and regretted not being able to teach her personally. He would likely offer favorable conditions to make her his disciple.
“If Hanette becomes my disciple, of course, I will respect her thoughts. What would you like me to do?”
“First, I’d like her to have free access in and out of the society. There might be times she needs to leave.”
“I can arrange that. Anything else?”
“I’d prefer if she did not have to attend events organized by the society, unless they are directly related to her training.”
“…Understood.”
Walter realized he was slowly being led by Zion.
However, the demands weren’t overly stringent, and he didn’t want to lose Hanette Adelaira to the Logos Magic Society. He wanted to personally train her to a level beyond a Grand Mage.
“Also, I must be present during her training sessions. I need to personally ensure her safety.”
“Hmm… I can allow you alone, Mr. Zion. Bringing in other guards would be problematic for me. Hanette’s safety will be my and the members’ responsibility.”
“Alright. Lastly, if she appears to be in danger, I will immediately halt the training. I hope you understand this.”
“I understand. You must be worried… I will make sure of it.”
“Lastly, I want her to be able to leave the society whenever she wishes.”
“…Excuse me?”
This condition was particularly difficult to accept.
Normally, once admitted to a magic society, members had to stay for at least a year. Though it was possible to leave earlier with permission, it was rare and usually indicated that the member was not contributing.
Even if personal issues arose, they were usually given a break rather than being allowed to leave the society completely.
“That’s a bit challenging. To operate the society, we need a stable number of members. If Hanette leaves, it would be a loss for me and the other members.”
“We have plans. We need to stick to our timeline and can’t be tied down by the society.”
Zion lied smoothly, maintaining a serious look.
Walter likely intended to persuade Hanette, but with Zion’s intervention, he had to reconsider.
It was a delicate negotiation, but with careful adjustments, all conditions could potentially be met.
“Could you not consider staying for at least a year?”
“We are getting married in about three months. Even if she becomes a disciple now, there will be only nine months left. We don’t know what might happen within that time. Hence, we want to have the flexibility to leave if necessary.”
“Hmm…”
Walter couldn’t refute that.
Preparing for a wedding would undoubtedly involve numerous tasks. After the wedding, both would be busy, potentially conflicting with the society’s schedule.
Moreover, if Hanette became pregnant, magic training or even attending the society would be out of the question.
“I understand your point, but I cannot arbitrarily shorten the period.”
“Hanette can remain a member for three months. Is that sufficient?”
“She should stay for at least nine months.”
“Would six months be a reasonable compromise?”
“That’s still a bit… difficult…”
Walter hesitated, clearly conflicted.
Six months wouldn’t suffice to train Hanette into a Grand Mage. At least nine months were necessary to guide her through reassessment and firming up her skills.
“Then, how about this: if my fiancé becomes a Grand Mage within six months, she can leave. If not, she stays for nine months. How does that sound?”
“…Would that be acceptable?”
“If it’s alright with you, Mr. Rivdad, I have no objections. What do you think, sister?”
“If you’re okay with it, then I am too…”
Zion understood what Walter desired.
He wanted to refine Hanette’s unpolished talent to its fullest potential.
Even achieving the title of Grand Mage would be an accomplishment, and if she surpassed that, it would be perfect.
The fame and reputation following this would attract more talented individuals, perpetuating new goals and achievements.
“Alright. I accept all your conditions.”
“Thank you for your understanding. I regret having to decline the Logos head’s offer, but I can’t miss this opportunity.”
Hanette glanced between the two, finally relaxing as the tension eased.
Though she had followed instructions, it now made sense. They aimed to shorten the period as much as possible, given the set goals.
‘I heard him talking about a knight order before. Could it be…?’
In the Head's Room of Duke Adelaira’s mansion.
Robbenz was enjoying an evening drink, looking quite relaxed.
Yenid watched him quietly, slightly surprised.
Typically, he would drink strong alcohol, but now he was sipping something so mild it was almost bland.
Perhaps he intended to honor a promise he had jokingly made.
“Master, are you not going to drink anymore?”
“…This is my last drink. I have no reason to drink anymore.”
Robbenz emptied his glass and immediately refilled it.
The bottle was now half-empty.
The drink was so mild it didn’t even feel like he was drinking, but as it was his last, he enjoyed it contentedly.
“Do you believe Hanette is on the right path?”
“Good enough, I suppose. It doesn’t entirely satisfy me, but the results are good.”
Robbenz still wasn’t entirely pleased with Hanette learning magic.
He always feared she might get hurt.
But he had been wrong, and now her talent was shining brilliantly.
“Becoming Setinos Quasar’s disciple is a good result.”
“I was foolish. I should have let her learn magic from a young age.”
“That’s not true. If she had learned then, she would have been more reckless.”
“…Do you really think so? Couldn’t it have been the opposite?”
“No, she always tried to do things her way. With magic, she would have been even more…”
“Did we ever try to understand Hanette? We always ordered her around, never giving anything.”
“……”
Yenid fell silent, looking at Robbenz.
Robbenz gazed at the ceiling, sadness in his eyes, his hands trembling slightly.
“Hanette has just started learning magic. It hasn’t even been a month. Yet the heads of the societies wanted her as their disciple. Was my decision right?”
“……”
“I must have made a wrong choice. I should have sent her to the academy when she showed potential. Then, now…”
Robbenz sighed deeply, closing his eyes.
He felt he had ruined Hanette’s future.
The memory of young Hanette, staring at magic with innocent eyes, was still vivid.
Why had he stopped her from learning magic, claiming she must never do so?
“Master, you had no choice then. You know that.”
“I know, that’s why I’m saying this. If I didn’t, I’d still be holding onto Hanette.”
“Master…”
“I didn’t realize how foolish I was. What was I so greedy for that I scolded Hanette? She would have done well on her own, so what was I doing all this time?”
Robbenz shouted, voice filled with regret.
Yenid looked at him with a sorrowful expression.
Tears trickled down, leaving faint trails.
“Are these tears? No, they can’t be. If I wanted to cry, I should have done it long ago. Everything is messed up, so what good would crying do now?”
“Master, it’s not too late. Hanette will understand.”
“Yenid… that’s impossible. How can Hanette understand me when I couldn’t understand her? How can someone as stubborn and prideful as me be understood…”
Robbenz, resigned, drank again.
In his youth, even a mild drink could quickly intoxicate him.
But now, only a faint bitterness remained, and no amount seemed enough to make him drunk.
“Heh… you know, Hanette stopped drinking and gambling after learning magic. Not just reduced, completely stopped. What do you think that means?”
“Master…”
“The answer was right there. I pretended not to see it, claiming it was for her good! I ignored her talent, trying to make her like other noble girls! Was I even a father?”
“……”
“…Zion did what I should have done. He supported her with love and stayed by her side. That’s why Hanette loves him. Zion is the only one who saw her true self.”
Robbenz emptied his glass, mocking himself.
Every time he drank, he thought of Hanette.
To forget his troubled, painful feelings, believing she would improve.
Now, having lost even that hope, he intended to stop drinking altogether.
“Zion will guide Hanette in the right direction. Now, it’s my turn to help.”
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