EWH Chapter 153

Melchiel’s face contorted as he questioned back.

‘Technically it’s an official document… Yes. Specifically requesting to bring along promising talents who could bring glory to this country in the future.’

Chancellor Hugo stroked his bushy beard uncomfortably at that sharp response.

‘Ha, already acting like he’s king.’

Melchiel leaned back against his chair and muttered in disbelief. Hugo repeatedly cleared his throat at such irreverent words. Hugo Aurora, one of the few Sword Masters in the Shekira Kingdom, had retired after suffering a major injury a decade ago and now served as the academy’s Chancellor, but he too had to be mindful of Melchiel’s mood.

Unlike Hugo, who looked every bit the elderly man, Melchiel appeared to be in his twenties or thirties. People often forgot, but he was actually much older than Hugo. Though it wasn’t widely known as it was classified information…

As such, whether it was a once-celebrated Sword Master, the Chancellor of a prestigious academy, or even a prince of the realm, everyone was equal before this archmage whom he’d known since childhood. Consequently, Hugo was stuck in an awkward position, watching Melchiel’s reactions while cold sweat ran down his back.

‘P-Please don’t be too angry… The royal family has often invited promising young people to parties and balls before, hasn’t it?’

‘…This time is different. The intent is disrespectful!’

True, this wasn’t unprecedented. The royal family had always sought talent, frequently summoning promising young people to the palace. Whether outstanding knights, exceptional mages, or even brilliant artists and chefs – they welcomed talent from all fields.

Moreover, this was a royal celebration. A gathering of influential figures, in other words. Such opportunities were rare. To think that anyone with talent could attend an event usually reserved for high nobles or children of wealthy families. For commoners with abundant talent but no noble status, for poor children without backing, this could be a chance to change their lives. Melchiel knew, of course, that bringing students would be beneficial for them.

‘That half-wit who hasn’t even had his Crown Prince investiture ceremony dares to summon and dismiss my students…’

But this time was somewhat different from before. The intention behind the invitation was unlike previous occasions.

Several years had passed since the King had defied everyone’s expectations by continuing to delay naming a successor. The First Prince’s formerly solid position had begun to waver, and suddenly the Second Princess, who had been quietly biding her time, stepped into the public eye. Now Elfiness’s reputation had grown beyond what any other royal could match.

That wasn’t all. Following the Second Princess, the Fifth Prince’s name had suddenly begun circulating through unofficial channels. The position of the First Prince, who had been exalted as the legitimate heir born to the Queen, crumbled in an instant.

The argument that a legitimate child should become heir had lost its effectiveness long ago when the current King, a bastard, had succeeded to the throne over his legitimate elder brother. Yet they couldn’t press the issue of legitimate succession either, as that would be an insult to the King.

In such circumstances, this summons from the First Prince. Wasn’t the intention too transparent?

‘When this academy was founded, we promised not to lend our power to royal power struggles. Yet how much time has passed for such an obvious ploy! Just what do they take us for…!’

‘…What can we do? Nevertheless, this is still a good opportunity for the children.’

‘That’s exactly what I’m saying I don’t like! No doubt it was the Queen’s suggestion. He couldn’t have come up with such a scheme with that brain of his…’

‘Ahem! …You’ve been quite excessive with your words.’

‘I’m exercising maximum restraint.’

Thinking it fortunate no one else was present, the Chancellor waved his hand slowly as if calling for calm.

‘At any rate, the main point is, that’s why I called you here – to request that Professor Melchiel accompany the children to the palace. Their side would surely minimize their foolishness then.’

‘It seems more like having me attend is exactly what they want…’

Melchiel heaved an irritated sigh.

‘Come now, don’t be like that. At least consider it. I’ve already informed the other professors, and each department has agreed to bring their top students. Only the Magic Department remains.’

‘Tch, I’ll think about it and decide.’

Melchiel sighed again, still thoroughly displeased with the idea.

“As it happens, I need to go there anyway. If Nathan wishes, he can accompany me.”

“…!”

Though he had just been thinking about wanting to go to the palace to see Azar, Nathan couldn’t readily agree to Melchiel’s offer. Something about it just didn’t sit right. So while Melchiel drank from the teacup Leonard had offered, Nathan hesitated for a long while before carefully speaking up.

“…Would it be alright for me to go there?”

“There’s no reason why not.”

Melchiel answered nonchalantly.

“However, if you come, you’ll be going there as my disciple.”

But this addition made Nathan even more flustered than before.

“What? No, there were already false rumors about me becoming your disciple while you were away…”

Nathan’s awkward smile quivered at the corners. Seemingly oblivious to his distress, Melchiel said something else to shock him.

“It’s not exactly a false rumor.”

“What?”

What did that mean?

“As it happens, I have no disciples, and you’re a student who helps and works closely with me. If you suddenly became my disciple, no one would find it strange given your position. Isn’t that proven by how no one questioned the rumors of you being my disciple while I was away?”

“That’s… true, but…”

“And I needed a publicly acknowledged disciple. Might it ease your mind to think of it as killing two birds with one stone? I don’t think it’s such a bad deal – you become my disciple and gain me as a shield…”

[…Technically, I’m the teacher here.]

Calypse interjected between their conversation, sounding somewhat miffed. Nathan squeezed his eyes shut and mentally scolded him to be quiet. Was who’s the teacher really important right now? His throbbing head threatened to let out a groan.

“Moreover, Nathan is still young and needs a guardian.”

At Melchiel’s words as he set down his teacup, Nathan finally let out a hollow laugh. Slumping into his seat with a sigh, he said:

“I’m not that young. I’ve had my coming-of-age ceremony, and I’ll be twenty next year, Professor. I can take care of myself.”

And adding his previous life, he was over thirty. As Nathan rolled his eyes awkwardly while speaking, Melchiel responded indifferently.

“Growing older doesn’t automatically make one an adult. Do you think someone barely out of their teens becomes an adult just by aging a year or two?”

“Of course, I don’t think that’s the case either. But…”

“Besides, your position is too precarious right now. Being involved with the royal family, and… being involved with them. It’s too dangerous a position for you to handle alone. I’m not really asking you to become my actual disciple. Just be my disciple in name, so I can take measures to keep you from getting entangled in unnecessary matters.”

“That’s still too much.”

“If it’s that difficult, would it help to think of me as a guardian instead?”

Isn’t a teacher or guardian basically the same thing? But this battle was already as good as lost. Nathan finally threw up his hands in surrender. No matter how much he argued, he couldn’t overcome Melchiel’s stubbornness, and everything he said was true.

Still, the reason he kept bringing up refusals despite feeling troubled and awkward was that he’d never experienced anything like this in his life. That’s why it felt uncomfortable.

No one in his life had ever told him he needed a guardian. That was something that only applied when he was very young; from the time he could earn money, the world had been utterly harsh to him, so he always had to figure everything out by himself. No one had ever stopped him to say he should do this or that. He’d learned through trial and error, getting scammed sometimes, failing sometimes – that’s how he’d lived. So it wasn’t easy to accept this.

The discomfort made him wonder if this was really okay. Even if it was just for show, what if his mistakes tarnished Melchiel’s reputation? What if his actions were used against Melchiel? Wasn’t it natural to worry about such things?

“In case you’re wondering, it’s presumptuous of you to worry about me.”

But then, as if reading Nathan’s thoughts, Melchiel spoke firmly.

“I won’t fall so easily, and even if I did fall, it wouldn’t particularly impact me. Though I live among people, I don’t share their lifespan. How much of a threat could they be to me when most don’t even live half of a hundred years? Don’t you think?”

“…”

[He’s right.]

It was Calypse who agreed with those words, not Nathan. Finally, Nathan let out a sigh.

“Then please take me to the birthday celebration, Professor… Being your disciple is too much pressure. I think I’d feel more comfortable if you acted as my guardian instead.”

This was the compromise.

“Then it’s settled. Leon, you heard that? You’re the witness.”

“Yes. …Y-Yes?!”

Leonard, who had been standing to the side like a decorative screen, answered automatically before belatedly jumping in shock. Regardless, Melchiel looked both startled individuals up and down as he spoke.

“Hmm, since there’s much to prepare, we should head to Rupelheim first. Both of you, come with me.”