…
----------------------------------------
A Long Evening (2)
----------------------------------------
…
The portal led to a garden.
But due to winter season, the trees were bare of their leaves, and the flowers were not in bloom, leaving only skeleton versions of themselves as a result.
There were sculpted shrubs, but they were covered in snow.
Hadrian glanced around, brows furrowing as he recognized the area.
‘Wait… isn’t this…?’
Turning to Zelretch, who just stepped out of the multi-colored portal, Hadrian called.
“Opa?”
“Hm?”
“Why are we in Jardin du Palais Royal?” Hadrian asked bluntly.
Staring back, Zelretch tilted his head.
“Why not?”
“It’s –“
Hadrian paused, checking his watch for the time before returning to him.
“It’s past open hours, opa. What do you mean why not?”
Zelretch smiled, unperturbed by that tidbit.
“Eehh, what’s a wee bit of an evening stroll here? Not like it’ll hurt anyone, no?”
“We’re trespassing, opa.” Hadrian deadpanned.
Zelretch waved off his response.
“Ah, pish-posh. We ain’t gonna be fightin’ anyone, or breaking stuff in here. We’re not here to make any trouble. We’re just here to take a stroll, enkel.”
Hadrian sighed, inserting both hands in his coat’s pockets.
“That may be so, but you know how Fate can be, opa.”
Zelretch snorted, smirking.
“Fate can be a bitch, but we deal with it anyways. Now, lighten up, enkel. We still have much to discuss about.”
Without another word, Zelretch walked down the long path with two rows of bare trees.
Shaking his head, Hadrian followed after him.
After a few moments into their stroll, Zelretch reopened the topic from before.
“So, how long do you have till it fully awakens?”
Hadrian frowned, looking ahead of him musingly.
“Not long. It’s already at (13%). At best, with the Moon Cell's help and the suppressants, I could manage to keep it at bay for several years.”
“And at worst?”
Exhaling, Hadrian responded calmly.
“...two, or three years. Even with the suppressants.”
Zelretch glanced at him, appearing a bit surprised.
“That soon, huh?”
Hadrian shrugged.
“Yes, but it's not that bad.”
Intrigued by his calm demeanor, Zelretch chuckled.
“Oh really, enkel? Please, do explain the source of your optimism.”
Slightly miffed, Hadrian complied still.
“It's not optimism, opa. And it's not like this is the first time I had this.”
Zelretch nods reluctantly, laughing a little as he did so.
“True, true. Nevertheless, do explain it to me.”
Hadrian frowned at his skepticism.
Regardless, he answered.
“The Lucis Caelum.”
Zelretch blinked, slowly understanding.
“Ah, that royal heritage of yours? I take it that also transmigrated over?”
Hadrian nodded calmly.
“It has, as did everything else I've gained in the past.”
Zelretch whistled.
“Huh, thought it was just your teleport thingy that came over, but to think the whole package of your heritage was included too.”
Zelretch trailed off with a wistful smile.
“Then, what does your heritage have to do with this?
Hadrian stopped, prompting Zelretch to do the same.
The former stared at the latter, tilting his head.
“I’ve never told you about its origins, have I?”
Zelretch took a moment to recall, then shook his head.
“No, not that I remember at least. But I do remember you telling me that your heritage has divine origins. About the goddess, Etro, and the draconian god, Bahamut.”
Hadrian huffed, a hint of amusement on his calm face.
“That’s good enough, I suppose.”
While unknown to outsiders, the Lucis Caelum keeps archives of their bloodline's secret.
Thus, what he was about to relay to his grandfather was something that only those directly part of the royal bloodline was aware of.
A secret that the Lucis Caelum had kept from the rest of the world in Eos.
Slowly, they moved again.
Hadrian continued where he left off.
“The ancestral parents of the Lucis Caelum are Lady Etro and Lord Bahamut.”
Zelretch hummed, thoughtful.
“Hm, I've deduced that much. Was the founder born through natural conception?”
Hadrian shook his head, surprising Zelretch somewhat.
“No, the founder was born from a pair of mortals.”
Perplexed, Zelretch asked.
“But you just said… so how did he gain divinity, and even passed it on to his descendants?”
Hadrian sighed, adopting a solemn demeanor.
“The founder was given small portions of divine essence from Lady Etro and Lord Bahamut, while he was still within the womb of his mother.”
Chu-kuk
Halting in his tracks, Zelretch’s crimson eyes blinked in surprise.
“… that’s new.”
Hadrian stopped as well, chuckling as he looked over to his grandfather.
“You’re surprised at the wrong thing.”
Then, his voice takes on a solemn tone as he continued.
“After he was born and became a few months old, he was then given two vials of blood to drink. The blood belongs to Lady Etro and Lord Bahamut.”
Shocked, Zelretch sputtered.
“What…?!”
His disbelief was understandable.
The magician had probably never heard of a god willingly gifting a portion of their divinity and their blood to a mortal, let alone from two gods at that.
Hadrian smiled, mildly amused at the elder mage’s incredulous face.
“Most of my ancestors say that it was done to give proper legitimacy to the family's prestigious origins. Some speculated that Lady Etro and Lord Bahamut wished to sire a mortal child of their own in a more... somewhat direct manner. Hence, the founder's blood adoption.”
Zelretch frowned, observing his grandson’s face.
“And what do you think, enkel?”
Hadrian hummed in thought.
“I think… it is a bit of both.”
Zelretch lifted a brow, somewhat surprised by this admission.
“Oh?”
Absentmindedly, Hadrian nodded.
“Lady Etro is often considered as a warm and kind-hearted to us mortals, despite the divinities she governs over. Lord Bahamut though, is viewed as methodical, harsh and ruthless. He most likely chose the founder due to his potential and noble traits, which he inherited from his mortal parents, but he is known to be kind and caring in his own way. He's just more subtle about it than Lady Etro. They are benevolent to mortals in their own way, and I suppose adopting the founder via blood ritual satisfies both of their wishes, as well as fulfilling their duties as astrals, at the same time.”
Hearing this, Zelretch cannot help but laugh.
“A goddess of death, darkness and time, viewed as kind and compassionate by humans, while a god of light, war and magic is seen as harsh and calculating.”
The elder mage shook his head ruefully.
“Root, what a world you once lived in, enkel.”
Hadrian chuckled, agreeing to his sentiment.
“Quite so, but we're straying from the topic. The reason I mentioned them is because Lady Etro and Lord Bahamut are not mere divine spirits.”
Striking vivid amethyst eyes met crimson ones.
“Their very existences are the equivalent of what is an Ultimate One in your world.”
The reveal was enough to shock Zelretch at his core.
It took a few moments for him to regain his composure.
Then, he blinked in confusion, turning to Hadrian.
“But their divinity...?”
Hadrian nodded with a smile.
“Was earned from the many praises and undaunted faith from their devoted followers. It doesn't change the fact though, that they existed far longer than mankind in my world.”
Zelretch shakes his head in disbelief.
“Goodness me, so you already have cosmic heritage before you reincarnated in my world?”
Nonchalantly, Hadrian inclined his head.
“That's right. It's why I said that this isn't the first time I've encountered this.”
Zelretch laughed ironically.
“Talent for the understatement as ever, enkel. I thought you were implying to your experience in our previous lifetime, not the first time you've been alive.”
Sighing, Zelretch looked at Hadrian, who calmly met his gaze.
“Then, what's your move on this? Do you need help?”
“For now, just the suppressants. Now that I know what's causing me off the kilter at times, I can be on the lookout for the... symptoms.”
Hadrian closed his eyes briefly.
“The suppressants and the Moon cell can help me keep the worst of it at bay, I only need to wait for my body to adjust to it.”
Zelretch nodded thoughtfully.
“Very well. I trust you to handle this problem. Still, do let me know in advance if something occurs.”
With a gentle smile, Hadrian merely inclined his head in gratitude.
The smile was soon replaced by a solemn demeanor.
“Now, onto the next thing.”
The elder mage blinked, confused.
“Hm, what is?”
Amused, Hadrian did not hesitate to remind him.
“An intruder nearly crashed into my party uninvited, opa.”
Crimson eyes widened, as realization dawned on Zelretch.
“Ah, yes, that. Apologies, enkel. After those fascnating bombs you just dropped on me, I'd forgotten it. Ahahaha!” The elder mage laughed sheepishly.
“As I said before, an interloper nearly entered my party. Was it someone you know, opa?”
Translation: 'Have you told anyone about me? I'll come over there and kick your ass, if you did.’
Stolen story; please report.
Hidden message received, Zelretch laughed again.
“Ahahaha! Come now, enkel, I may be a catastrophic magnet, but I'm not that careless to let loose ends be.”
Hadrian stared blankly, suspicious.
“I didn't hear a no there.”
The elder magician chuckled.
But to the former king’s ears, it was tinged with nervousness.
“Err, I may have told some people about you...” Zelretch admitted hesitantly, looking away.
Hadrian frowned, a bit displeased.
“Opa…”
Seeing his growing irritation, Zelretch was quick to reassure him.
“But I assure you, they won't be approaching you without my explicit permission. They're friends of mine, so they are well aware of how serious I am with my privacy and those I care about.”
Relieved that he avoided upsetting his grandson any further, Zelretch let out a sigh.
“So, when was this?”
“Just recently, on the cusp of the operation's finale.” Hadrian answered promptly.
“Any information on our uninvited guest?”
Hadrian shook his head.
“Not much. They didn't really trespass the limit of the perimeter. In fact, the barrier sensed their presence outside, just near its boundaries. If not for that measure I installed, I wouldn't even know they were there.”
Zelretch smiled, sensing a chance to tease him.
“You sure it wasn't a chipmunk or a rat?”
Hadrian scoffed, skeptical.
“What kind of vermin exist that has been detected and regarded as an unknown by the Moon Cell?”
Zelretch cackled, finding his retort amusing for some reason.
“Ahahaha! In this world, you never know, enkel. Still, I'll look into it, and see what I can find.”
Satisfied, Hadrian nodded.
“Thank you.”
Zelretch waves it off, sending a reassuring grin right after.
The pair went on the move again.
They discussed a lot of things, mostly about business and their family.
It was a nice change of pace from their usual topics, which often diverted to their research (magic, of course), their problems and how they dealt with them.
… among other things.
Along the way, Zelretch proposed to look for a bench somewhere in the garden, given they had been walking for quite some time now.
On their way to find one, they chanced upon an interesting encounter.
After arriving at the central part of the garden, Hadrian and Zelretch slowed into a halt.
Ahead of them, two people were walking in their direction.
It was a woman, and a young teenager.
The woman has long black hair that was tied into a low ponytail. She has a light tan complexion, standing around the height of 5’9. Her physique was delicate, but healthy.
She wore casual clothes, but the manner in which she held herself, there was poise and class that contrasted with her moderate attire.
Her appearance was a bit interesting though.
She has comely Asian features, accompanied by a beauty mark above her lip even.
Yet her eyes were cerulean, hinting of a possible mixed heritage.
Hadrian thought that might be the case, at first.
But his instinct was to deny it, and he knew better than to doubt it.
The young teenager was also a curious case.
The girl was around Natasha’s age, same height too. Her short light ginger hair was messy, lending her a more boyish appearance.
Likewise, she was dressed casually, consisting of a black punk-like jacket, a dark green T-shirt, a pair of deep blue denims, and dark brown boots.
Her eyes were covered by a pair of sunglasses…
“…?”
… which she pulled down a little to meet his gaze, for some reason.
Hadrian blinked at that.
Idly, despite her child-like appearance, the blue-eyed teenager was giving off the same vibe as a certain redhead under his care and the elder magician beside him.
Both troublesome vibes, that is.
Not wanting to overthink it, Hadrian slowly turned to Zelretch.
“…?”
…and the mage stared.
He didn’t know when, but the color of Zelretch’s eyes were now violet instead of crimson.
And as much as he wanted to ask questions, Hadrian was not given a chance to, as the female pair were now within talking distance to them.
Zelretch smiled at them.
“Well, hello, a fine evening to you two.” The elder mage greeted amicably.
The woman laughed daintily, obviously endeared by his grandfather’s jolly attitude.
Even the teenager at her side couldn’t help but smile.
“A good evening to you both as well.” The woman spoke, catching Hadrian somewhat off guard as she spoke articulately with a clear British accent.
“Oh? Didn’t expect to meet a fellow Brit this late in a remarkable garden.” Zelretch said in jest, causing the female pair to smile again.
Surprisingly, it was the teenager who responded.
“Oh, you’re British?” The girl pointed a finger at them even.
“Haha, I’m half, actually.” Zelretch pointed to himself with a Cheshire-like smile.
Then, he put an arm around Hadrian’s neck.
Who was a bit unprepared by that, but went along with his antics anyways.
“My grandson here is more British than me, even though he’s only part of it. Still, brits are brits. No one’s really pure these days, so eh.” Zelretch revealed with a mild shrug.
His words surprised the two females, evident by their wide eyes.
“Wait… he’s your grandson?” the teenager asked, glancing between Hadrian and Zelretch.
Zelretch grinned, nodding.
“Yup.”
The blue-eyed teenager shook her head.
“No way, I don’t believe it.” She denied with a frown.
The woman seemed to be of the same mind, despite her silence.
Zelretch lifted a brow.
“Huh? Why not?”
The teenager sputtered.
“We–well, you don’t look old, for one! What’s more, he doesn’t look like you! He’s… he’s… well, that!” The teen ended lamely, gesturing to Hadrian for emphasis.
Their gazes met by chance, and the teenager quickly looked away.
The girl’s cheeks were tinted red, amusing all those in present.
“Damn girl, why you so rude!” Zelretch exclaimed.
Although, the end of his lips curved upwards into a slight grin.
“Erm… please forgive her. She doesn’t mean any offense. She’s simply in… disbelief, and quite frankly, I am too.” The dark-haired woman apologized, looking a bit embarrassed by her companion’s unexpected outburst.
Zelretch waved off her apology with a smile.
“Eh, none taken. But seriously though, we’re related.”
Zelretch turned to Hadrian, who blinked at the sudden attention.
“Come on, enkel! Speak up! I can’t be the only one defending our blood ties here!” Zelretch declared in a dramatic fashion.
Hadrian snickered quietly.
Slowly dislodging the old man’s arm, he faced the two females with a polite smile.
“What he says is true though, we are related –“
“Ya see! I told you so!” Zelretch interjected with a triumphant grin directed at the teenager, who looked shocked by the truth.
“… despite my reservation, at times.” Hadrian ended with a sigh.
“Oi!”
The female pair laughed, wholly amused by their playful interaction.
“If that is true, then how are you so…” The woman trailed off, trying to find an appropriate word without giving offense.
“Devilishly handsome?” Zelretch supplied with a grin, even striking a pose.
His antics garnered giggles from the two strangers again.
Hadrian, who kept track of the time, had decided to step forward this time.
“She meant youthful, opa. But I can answer that instead.” Hadrian said confidently.
The dark-haired woman looked intrigued.
“Oh, and what is your answer?” The woman smiled.
Hadrian returned the gesture with his own.
Sending her a gentle smile, dimples and all.
“It’s simple, really. It’s thanks to his genes, a proper diet, and a healthy skin care routine.” The younger mage answered calmly.
The two females blinked.
“Er, what?” The teenager muttered, confused.
The woman, on the other hand, blinked.
Then, she laughed, almost bending to her waist.
“Ahaha! As a professor, those are highly plausible!” The woman said in between her giggles.
“Must be one helluva expensive skin care…” The teenager commented idly.
In the face of her skepticism, Hadrian merely flashed her a vague smile.
“Oh, it truly is. Quite rare, both in quality and quantity, actually.” The former king added solemnly, ignoring the snickering of a certain magician behind him.
Seizing the chance to leave, Hadrian checked on his wristwatch, making sure to act surprised as he saw the time.
He then turned to the two females, who looked at him with mild interest.
“I’m sorry, but opa and I need to be somewhere. I hope you do not mind us leaving now?” The mage said sincerely, meeting the woman’s gaze.
The dark-haired woman waved her hands in front of her.
“Oh no, please, we’re the ones who should apologize. We’re the ones who approached you two, after all.” She insisted with a sheepish smile.
“Eh, it’s alright, lass. It was fun meeting you two anyways.” Zelretch grinned.
The woman giggled demurely.
“Then, we’re glad to meet you two as well.” She said with a bright smile.
Beside her, the teenager rolled her eyes.
But he sensed no negative energy from her, hinting that she felt the same way.
With a soft smile, Hadrian gave the female pair a slight nod.
“Then, we bid you farewell.”
Zelretch took a step closer to the woman, who looked at him in surprise.
With a grin, he raised his right hand, which was holding a basket.
The same basket that had food in it from before.
Realizing the elder mage’s intention, Hadrian stayed quiet.
“Here, take this.” Zelretch said, offering the basket to the woman.
The woman tried to protest.
“Oh, it’s okay, you don’t ne–“
“Please, I insist. You two will enjoy the evening stroll more with good food. And life is meant to be enjoyed in peace and comfort, not wallow yourself in it.” Zelretch advised sagely.
In the face of this unexpected wisdom, the woman blinked.
Slowly, she took the offered food basket with a small smile.
For some reason, Hadrian got the feeling that she was humbled by Zelretch’s words.
“Ah, then I thank you.” The woman bowed her head slightly in respect.
Zelretch grinned.
“Enjoy the food, girls. And get home safely.”
With that, the two magicians walked away.
When enough space was made though, the woman called after them.
“Hey wait! We don’t even know your names!”
Neither of them stopped, but it was Zelretch who looked back and responded.
“That’s alright, lass! If Fate deemed us to meet again, then we’ll tell ya!”
Hadrian smiled faintly.
‘… old man still has a silver tongue.’
…
----------------------------------------
…
‘Humans never cease to be interesting…’
This was what she thought, as she watched their departing forms.
Once they were out of sight, she turned to her awaiting companion.
The teenager exhaled loudly.
“Well, that was interesting.”
She giggled.
“Indeed. Who would have thought someone would also have the same idea as us?” She mused aloud with a small smile.
The teenager looked at her dryly.
“Eh, I doubt we’re the first to do it.”
The woman giggled again.
“Still, you have to admit. It was quite fun meeting people like them, no?”
The teenager huffed, and crossed her arms under her chest.
“That blonde dude is too much for my taste, but…” She paused, brows furrowing. “I still can’t believe that that guy is his grandson.”
The woman can only laugh in agreement.
“True. He looked young enough to be the father.”
The teenager frowned, shaking her head.
“No, no. That's not what I meant.”
At that, the woman looked slightly puzzled.
“Oh, and what do you mean?”
Slowly, the teen faced her with a solemn expression.
“That guy… is way too handsome to be related to that weird guy. I mean, did you even see how he looked? He just stood there, all calm and mysterious. While blondie kept talking, looking way too jolly wolly! Total opposites, and they're related?! They gotta be pulling my leg with that bull.”
“Pffft…”
The woman muffled her laughter with a hand.
It was rare for her to witness her smaller companion’s outburst.
After a moment, she regained her composure and spoke.
“Their different looks aside, there had been cases of people being related to those who are their polar opposite in character. I suppose they are among those cases.”
Her reasoning was sound, as expected of someone with an educational profession.
The shorter female can only agree, albeit reluctantly.
“Ngh, I guess...”
Glancing over to her, the woman’s smile soon turned mischievous.
“Also...” She began.
Curiously, the teen faced her.
“What?”
Blue eyes narrowed in suspicion upon seeing the teasing glint in her companion’s gaze.
“Why're you looking at me like that?”
The woman put on an innocent façade, which was not really convincing.
“Oh, nothing. It's just that... you seem to be too focused on that young man's appearance.” She pointed out with a teasing smile.
The teenager’s cheeks were tinted red, as heat rose up to her face.
“Gah! Don't! Don’t start! It's just - I couldn't help it, okay! And when he smiled, I just couldn't stop looking at him. I was just admiring his looks, nothing more. So, get off my case!” She tries to defend herself, albeit to no avail.
The woman laughed, wholly amused by her companion’s animated expressions.
“It's fine, you do not need to be so defensive. And I agree with you.” Her face soon turned into a more thoughtful look. “Even with my long life, I've never seen someone that...”
The teenager nodded in agreement, also looking thoughtful.
“Perfect? Yeah, same here. And there's something about him too.”
The woman faced her curiously.
“Oh? Did you… sense something from him?” Subtly implying if there was anything out of the ordinary about the young man.
Catching on, the teen shook her head.
“No, nothing bad. They're humans. Blonde dude felt weird though. His energy is all over place, it's a mess.” The girl wore a dry expression as she described the blonde man, then she became thoughtful as she continued.
“That guy though... he looked calm and a bit cold, but... he felt warm, comfortable.”
The woman looked confused.
“What do you mean?”
The girl sighed heavily.
“I don't know how to explain it, Sersi. It's just… there's something different about him, you know. Makes him unique from the rest of the humans I've comes across before.”
The woman, Sersi, hummed, taking notes.
“Well, I suppose he's meant for greater things, if he can make you feel that way, Sprite.”
The girl, Sprite, nodded in solemn agreement.
“Definitely a human to keep an eye on, that one.”
Sersi smiled gently, lifting the food basket in her hand.
“Indeed, but let's dismiss that for now. It would be rude to them to not enjoy these food they so graciously given us, and we still have to continue our evening walk.”
Sprite sighed, putting both hand up and in the back of head.
“Aye, sure. Let's go then.”
And so, the two non-human entities continued their evening stroll.
Unaware that their initial assumptions of the two humans they had crossed paths could not be further from the truth.
…
----------------------------------------
…
They didn’t find any benches.
Or chairs, for that matter.
"– das blöde arschloch wird eines tages seinen bekommen!" (1)
… which caused the elder mage to cuss out (in German) at whoever took away them away.
Apparently, the staff took them away as they were in the middle of some renovation, which they discovered from a notice glued to a wall they chanced upon earlier.
Of course, being himself, Hadrian has no qualms sitting on the ground.
He even suggested it to the old man in a blunt tone.
But Zelretch didn’t want to, for some reason.
With a shrug, Hadrian just improvised.
By conjuring some comfortable chairs for them to use.
They both sat on it, while facing the large fountain nearby.
The area was surprisingly devoid of people, apart from the two earlier.
Speaking of which…
“Those two are not human, opa.” Hadrian stated calmly.
Zelretch chuckled.
“Caught that, huh?”
“What are they?”
Creak
Zelretch leaned back into his seat with a sigh.
“From what I found, they seemed to be creations of a Celestial.”
Amethyst eyes turned wide in surprise.
Hadrian faced him, looking slightly alarmed.
“...Is it wise to leave them be?”
Zelretch hummed in thought.
“For now, yes. They seemed to be... benevolent to humans, so that's a point to their nature. But they are still creations of a Celestial. Let's observe for now, and if they bear sinister intentions, then we can hunt them down.”
The elder mage smiled, eyes flashing back to their crimson coloration.
Seeing this, Hadrian slowly relaxed in his seat.
“Well, if you got this, then I'll leave you to it.”
The elder magician flashed him a grin.
After a few moments, the latter spoke again.
“What’re your plans now?” Zelretch asked, wanting to know his intentions.
Sighing, Hadrian sobered at the thought of the future.
“The same as always: take on any missions assigned to me, albeit with a few adjustments.”
The smile on Zelretch’s face shifted, taking on a more mischievous vibe.
“And the girl? What’re your plans with her?”
Hadrian frowned, looking confused.
“She’s just an assistant. What do you mean what are my plans with her?”
“Hehehe~”
Zelretch laughed again, amused that his grandson did not see through his words.
“The girl’s role may just be an assistant to you, but things rarely ever go that simple.” Zelretch remarked, catching Hadrian’s immediate attention. “What I’m asking is how far do you plan on letting this girl get close to you? If you are entering into an official contract with her, then I’m sure you’ve told her your name. Your real name, that is.”
“…”
Hadrian’s silence was enough confirmation for the old magician to continue.
“Your silence alone is quite telling, but what do you do with the girl? You’ll be active for three or four years, enkel. That’s enough time for the two of you to know and be close to each other, whether you like it or not. You’ll be stuck with that girl for a few years. The real question is, do you plan on letting her know what you are, and who you truly are?” Zelretch inquired solemnly and calmly.
Again, there was only silence on Hadrian’s side, as he mused over the question in his head.
His grandfather stated exactly what he was concerned about, and Hadrian was not ashamed to admit that he was now having second thoughts.
It was a rare occurrence that only happens in his conversations with the old man.
But whenever it did, it was often related to things that mattered the most to him.
In this case, Hadrian was concerned of what might happen to the girl if she became involved too deeply in his affairs, just by her association with him.
As he mentioned to her before, his world was not exactly normal and safe, and he meant that in every sense of the word.
In addition, Natasha was a mundane.
Hadrian was sure that she had her own set of issues to deal with.
The last thing she would need was his own issues adding to the mix.
Sure, Natasha assured him of adapting to her circumstances, but Hadrian doubted she would be prepared for the reality that he lives in.
Moments later, Hadrian eventually came to a decision and sighed.
“No, there’s no need to come to that.” Hadrian said solemnly.
“How so, enkel?” Zelretch asked, wanting him to elaborate.
“With the contract in place, I won’t need to worry about her blurting out my secrets to anyone. But I don’t think I also need to concern myself with that possibility either. The girl knows how to keep her silence on important things. She seems to be the type to keep secrets to herself rather than tell anyone.” Hadrian mused aloud.
Then, he sighed again before he continued.
“Also, I do not plan on getting too close to her.”
Zelretch’s brows lifted upwards, intrigue.
“Oho?”
“I trust her… to a certain extent. But, not to the point where I’m comfortable getting her involved in my affairs. The girl has enough trouble in her life as it is, I do not want my own set of issues to add to that pile. I don’t plan on bonding with her too much, just keep her at an arm’s length… for the next three or four years.” Hadrian ended with a deadpanned expression.
“Bwahahaha! Good luck with that, enkel. You’re gonna need it.” Zelretch laughed, amused by the slight grimace his grandson wore.
“Thanks.” Hadrian deadpanned.
He glanced away briefly, returning to continue.
“But I’m fairly confident she would leave, and become more independent once she’s older. She seems to be the career-driven sort of person, which is part of the reason why I hired her as an assistant, despite my initial reservations.”
“Careful, enkel. That almost sounds exactly what you said the last time we talked, and now look what happened.” Zelretch teased, grinning mischievously.
“Having seen a glimpse of the future does not mean that that is the one that’s set-in-stone.” Hadrian retorted.
It was one of the lines the old man had often imparted upon him during one of their in-depth discussions regarding the Kaleidoscope.
“…?”
The wide-eyed surprise the old magician had adopted was worth seeing in full view.
No doubt, his grandfather just remembered the line that he said in the past, which was now being used against him.
“Bwahahaha!”
The Wizard Marshall broke into laughter.
His amusement lasted for a few moments, before he regained his composure.
“Touché, enkel.” Zelretch grinned, making Hadrian huff in satisfaction.
But alas, his triumphant moment was short-lived, as the older magician was more than happy to counter his remark.
“What you say is true, but you forget whom you are speaking to, enkel. I’m not a seer. I’m a Wizard, and the first practitioner of the Kaleidoscope. The visions that I’ve seen of the future…”
Zelretch’s face stretched into a wide grin.
Vibrant crimson eyes glinting in mischief.
“They are few, but they certainly look interesting, especially since they revolve around you and a certain redhead.”
“…”
Hadrian was quiet for a moment, as he discerned the meaning in his grandfather’s words.
The implication of the old man’s words was almost scandalous, causing the younger magician’s face to blank before he hurled an eloquent response.
“… I hate you. I really hate you right now.”
“Bwahahaha!”
The roaring laughter echoed in their vicinity.
Hadrian groaned, sensing an incoming migraine.
“Ugh…”