Chapter 41 : Chapter 41

Chapter 41

“Thinking that the next head of the Dickens family would be in such a state… I can’t fathom what the current head was thinking, raising his son to be so reckless.”

“It’s likely that the beginning of this downfall was when Lord Eustaf’s eldest daughter left the family on her own.”

“The eldest daughter, you mean Hannah? Why would she…”

“I don’t know the details. It seems there was some internal issue… In any case, they couldn’t leave the position of the next head vacant, so Lord Eustaf passed it to the next in line.”

“The next in line… You don’t mean Owen, do you? Ha…”

As soon as I heard who the current head was, I let out a sigh.

That spoiled, immature youngest son of Eustaf.

Even though his magical talent was strong enough to place him next in line after Hannah, her position had been so secure that there was no concern. But was that confidence misplaced?

I couldn’t help but wonder if the sinister influence that had affected the Kirhausen family had reached there as well.

But for now, I didn’t have the luxury to dwell on it.

“In any case, that state of affairs won’t do. If it’s like this, I can’t confidently bring down the current Kirhausen family.”

“Those gathering at Corkis soon will likely think the same.”

I looked up at the clock on the wall.

It was well past lights-out, nearing midnight.

Soon, the meeting I had arranged through Leodimir would take place in Corkis.

A meeting with the members of Palamedes within the academy.

I planned to meet them, become their focal point, and take decisive action with the expanded forces.

Step by step.

All according to the plan I had laid out in my mind.

“As you instructed, I haven’t told anyone about your existence except for Fred.”

“Good job. You said there were three others besides Fred?”

“Yes. But I can’t be certain they’ll easily accept or follow your existence. Especially Gianni’s disciple…”

“…”

Gianni’s disciple.

At that name, I momentarily lost my words.

“Gianni… Was he still the same after I left?”

“Yes. He and Jasper were always at odds. And Gianni’s disciple fully trusts his choices.”

“Then they must think I was wrong to have fully trusted Jasper.”

“…”

“They must harbor great resentment toward me.”

Leodimir’s silence affirmed it.

The members of Palamedes were human before they were mages.

Naturally, running an organization led to conflicts of opinion, and rivalries formed.

Though bound by master-disciple relationships, not all second-generation Palamedes mages fully followed Edmund.

They had joined following their masters, who happened to be Edmund’s disciples.

Gianni Monvero, my disciple, and his disciple were such a case.

I steeled myself with a resolute expression.

‘Uniting them again will be another task for the plan.’

Moreover, the four academy professors gathering today, except for Gianni’s disciple, had all joined Palamedes after my death.

They had joined for their masters, not for me.

To strengthen the loosened bonds of faith across a generation, I had to give my all.

They were precious people who had willingly devoted themselves to a practically disbanded Palamedes.

‘I have a duty to take responsibility for them and earn their trust.’

Then.

Ding-ding-ding-ding-

The grandfather clock in the corner of the office chimed softly, announcing midnight.

“It seems it’s time.”

“Yes. They’ve likely all arrived.”

I finished the remaining Kairemonti and stood up.

Looking at Leodimir, who seemed slightly worried, I spoke.

I understood his concern, but worrying alone achieved nothing.

“Leo.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Palamedes was formed around me, but what has always sustained it is the sincere desire to learn magic—that single thread.”

I looked at Leodimir with unwavering eyes.

Meeting my gaze, he felt the anxiety pressing on his chest gradually fade.

“So don’t worry. As long as that desire persists, my sincerity will reach them and follow.”

***

Tap-tap-tap.

The four academy professors took their seats at the table set up in the center of Corkis.

Everyone had arrived, but the head seat remained empty.

They were puzzled that Leodimir, who was supposed to sit there, hadn’t arrived yet.

“…”

Tension hung in the air as the four professors exchanged glances.

It had been nearly three years since Leodimir had gathered them all in one place.

The last time was when Fred, the final member, was appointed as an academy professor.

With countless eyes inside and outside the academy watching the remnant forces of Palamedes, they rarely gathered unless absolutely necessary.

Naturally, they were tense about being summoned without prior notice.

The second-generation Palamedes mages speculated on the reason, exchanging thoughts.

The first to speak was Rick Glyce.

A professor teaching the foundational self-defense swordsmanship course for second-years and above.

“Perhaps… it’s because of the next head of the Kirhausen family who enrolled this time.”

Though he didn’t directly teach first-years, he was well aware of the unrest among the upperclassmen he taught.

Even the upperclassmen were cautiously wary of a first-year, an unusual attitude.

“It’s already a topic among the upperclassmen, even how the professors are treating the first-years. The students seem to have quickly picked up on the academy’s atmosphere.”

The other professors nodded.

“Especially the upcoming first-year class president election, which is drawing unprecedented attention.”

Following Rick, another young professor, Brenda Jin, spoke up.

A professor teaching the understanding of summoning formations for upperclassmen.

Stroking the kitten of her cat-like summon, Fury, perched on her shoulder, she continued.

“Professor Anton Lener is already showing confidence that Marcel Kirhausen will win the presidency. He’s probably trying to use the Kirhausen name to make a full-fledged entry into politics.”

Brenda frowned as she mentioned Anton.

It wasn’t just a Palamedes member’s wariness of someone close to the current Kirhausen family.

‘Because of him, Professor Showman’s position has become even more precarious.’

Brenda was the only colleague close to Powell, the academy’s lone veteran.

Her respect for Powell, who valued fairness as much as her Palamedes convictions, was immense.

Thus, she was furious that Anton had manipulated senior professors to demote Powell to teaching first-years.

[Meow…]

As Brenda’s expression darkened, the kitten Fury rubbed its face against her hand.

She petted it and sent it back into the summoning stone around her neck.

Fred, watching, fell into thought.

‘Eddie… no, Sir Edmund had a Clode just like that.’

He recalled Eddie summoning him to the training grounds late at night.

Eddie, who had trapped him in a Mana Heavysphere and silently sparred, asking him to be his training partner.

From that slightly impatient demeanor, Fred had sensed a gathering like this was imminent.

‘He said he’d soon be able to properly use Clode.’

Saying so, Eddie had activated Clode, showing what power he would wield.

That power was the mana of his five disciples contained within Clode.

Fred couldn’t hide his amazement, feeling Leodimir’s mana wielded through Eddie’s body.

If he had closed his eyes, he would’ve believed the opponent before him was his master.

‘It was a remarkable experience.’

And Fred was certain that today, the other professors would have the same experience.

Though there was one person he was concerned about.

“Fred.”

As if reading his thoughts, a middle-aged professor sitting beside Brenda broke the silence and called him.

Fred responded politely.

“Yes, Professor Devon.”

“Did the dean give you any hints? About why we were gathered today or about the current Kirhausen family?”

“No, I haven’t heard anything specific. Just the usual instruction to do my best teaching the first-years.”

The middle-aged professor, Kenneth Devon, frowned at the unsatisfactory response.

But he soon softened his expression and continued with concern.

“By the way, giving Emporium vouchers as rewards for the first-year assignment wasn’t a prudent decision.”

“…It caused a commotion, so I have no excuse.”

“Your intentions may not have been such, but it could give the impression that a commoner-born professor is deliberately favoring students of the same background. With so many high nobles among this year’s freshmen, it’s a sensitive issue.”

“I failed to consider that. I’ll take your advice to heart, Professor Devon.”

Fred accepted Kenneth’s advice without retort.

In truth, the Emporium voucher idea was Eddie’s, but Fred couldn’t mention him first.

Besides, Kenneth, a high noble himself, offered advice worth heeding.

It was genuine concern for a junior professor from a commoner background, so Fred took responsibility for the matter silently.

Then.

Tap-tap-tap.

Footsteps descended the spiral staircase.

The four professors stood simultaneously.

Leodimir, the dean, appeared and stood before the head seat.

They were briefly puzzled that he didn’t sit immediately.

In a solemn voice, Leodimir spoke.

“Thank you all for making time this late. Since there are those watching for a chance to find fault with this meeting, I’ll skip the preamble and get to the point.”

With Leodimir’s serious expression, the professors, concerned about the gravity of the matter, awaited his next words.

And those words carried a shock to match.

“The reason I gathered you today is to announce that the true head of the noble magical family Kirhausen has returned.”

“…!”

At Leodimir’s declaration-like words, the three professors, except Fred, widened their eyes.

The true head of the noble magical family Kirhausen.

As far as they knew, the only one Leodimir would call such was Noah, the last legitimate heir of Edmund von Kirhausen.

But there was no news of Noah’s return, and Furas and his family were still thriving.

What did this mean?

The three professors’ minds swirled with confusion.

But none dared to ask rashly, and Leodimir continued, looking at them.

“You all know that this time, the next head of the Kirhausen family and his attendant, Eddie Summerson, enrolled together.”

Tap-tap-tap.

As Leodimir mentioned Eddie, footsteps descended the spiral staircase.

Who else was coming?

The professors looked toward the stairs with a mix of anxiety and anticipation.

Then, Leodimir stepped aside from the head seat.

To the bewildered professors, he said:

“My master, the true head of Kirhausen who founded this Palamedes, Sir Edmund von Kirhausen, has returned.”

“…What?”

“What does that mean…”

“The current Kirhausen’s attendant, Eddie Summerson, is his reincarnation. Pay your respects to him.”

“…!!!”

Thud.

As Leodimir finished, the sound of footsteps ceased.

Eddie, descending to Corkis, appeared before the professors.

The trembling gazes of the three professors, excluding Fred and Leodimir, followed him to the head seat.

A first-year student receiving the salutes of the dean and professors with natural ease, sitting at the head.

The three professors could only interpret this in one of two ways:

Either Leodimir and Fred had been deceived by a scheme of the current Kirhausen family.

Or an unbelievable miracle had truly occurred.

From the eyes looking at him, Eddie read familiar thoughts.

This was the third time he faced such gazes.

He also glimpsed scales tipping toward believing in a miracle.

That must be their trust that Leodimir and Fred wouldn’t be easily fooled.

Satisfied with the remaining members’ cohesion, Eddie closed his eyes and pulled out the blue Mana Gem pendant around his neck.

In such a situation, clear action spoke louder than lengthy words.

Hummm-

Soon, Clode began to glow brilliantly.

“……!”

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