I woke up to the sound of birds chirping annoyingly at my window.
‘Today’s the day.’
My parents sat me down last night and began discussing what will happen in the future. What will happen today is that aunt Kim will fetch us and take us to the residence of the duke in Hurge city.
I was planning on asking for my parents if they could hire a teacher for me but it seemed they thought farther ahead. The person who will become my teacher is also part of the tower.
Francis said that the young man named Jacob was also known as a prodigy in magic. I wonder how strong he is.
“Morning.”
Arthur seemed to be up earlier than me every morning.
He was already dressed in his formal clothes.
“You’re finally awake.” Arthur then came towards me and grabbed my hand.
“W-What?”
“Your parents told me to bring you to the kitchen when you wake up. They got you something!”
‘Got me something?’
Thinking it wasn’t a big deal, I got up and went with Arthur to the living room.
◇
..
We came out of the room and noticed how quiet the house was.
“Morning~!”
“M-Mother?”
My mother’s head peeked out of the kitchen. She had a big grin on her face and was wearing her usual frilly apron. Her brown hair was up in a ponytail and swayed as she danced while cooking.
“We have a surprise for you, little Clyde~”
I tilted my head in confusion.
‘It’s not my birthday though?’
I sat at the table with Arthur still wondering what mother meant. Arthur also had a smile on his face.
-----!!!
I heard horses neighing outside and the galloping of hooves.
“Oh~? Look who’s up~”
Father came inside with a big grin on his face as well.
His hands were behind his back.
‘This is getting really frustrating!’
“Clyde, we’ve been thinking… Since you were blessed with mana we thought it would be better to give you something to help your magic in the future. You were able to use magic earlier than anyone else so it wouldn’t make sense to wait until your 15th birthday to gift you this.”
“Won’t I be seen as strange?”
Only a few people know I could use magic at the level of a second year student at the academy. Wouldn’t people be freaked out by me?
“I can see what you’re worried about, son.” Father patted my head. “You seem to be far more mature than me when we moved here. So‐”
He brought out the thing from behind his back to his front. It was an object with the length of a pole wrapped in cloth. He removed the cloth gently.
“!”
What I saw next was a giant jade ruby when he removed the cloth from the top. The ruby was so beautiful that I was mesmerized by the color.
A staff. And an expensive looking one at that.
“This is the new addition to the Hermit Sage collection.” Father placed it on the table in front of me, “This will help with you in the future when you become a splendid mage.”
I felt my chest tighten and my eyes water.
“Lord Mason was kind enough to get us this opportunity to buy this at an auction. I had to fight some really crazy mages to get this staff.“
“Hic…”
A sob came from my throat.
‘They did all this for me…’
This is the love I never received from my previous life.
“Haha..” My father laughed softly. “To think I’d see my son who didn’t even cry his whole life, cry now…”
His wiped his tears.
“…Don’t cry…”
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Arthur hugged me from the side.
“You’ll be a splendid mage, my little boy.”
Mother kissed my cheek and wiped my face.
“T-T-Thank you, mother… father… I love you...”
‘I’ll call it Redheart.’
The atmosphere turned bright again during our time of eating breakfast. My father said that in the letter he received from Lord Mason, it stated that after my training, I’d be allowed to enroll in the Academy. But that’s only in 6 years since I’m still 7 years old. For that duration I’d be staying over there.
Arthur was also given permission to train under a tutor that the duke will be hiring for him.
‘They went really far for me. And to think they even thought of Arthur as well…’
◇◇
“Are you ready, sweetheart?” My mother came up to me.
I wore noble boy’s clothing since it would be embarrassing to be seen wearing commoner clothes. My light brown hair was also patted down with some gel since it was always so spiky. My staff was in my hand, still wrapped. I wore my new grey mage robe above the clothes.
Meanwhile, Arthur also wore noble clothing which was shorts and an undercoat over his shirt. He looked completely different from his unkempt appearance from the time we met.
“Yes, mother.”
I responded and put my luggage on the carriage.
Mother seemed to be holding in her tears.
I hugged her and then she kissed my forehead.
“I’ll be sure to send letters, mother. And also, tell father that he shouldn’t worry.”
“I’ll be expecting your results. Your sisters won’t be seeing their brother so much as they grow…”
My mother was holding two baby girls on her arms. Both were one year old.
Chloe and Jessica. Sadly, I couldn’t be there to watch them grow. Well, there might be time for both of them when I get back.
..
We departed after Arthur did his farewells as well. The carriage began moving after the coachman lashed the reins.
I looked over at Arielle, my distant cousin. She was looking outside the window with a bored face.
Arielle had silvery white hair compared to Arthur’s gunmetal hair, her skin was white and looked youthful, almost as if she bathes in milk. The hair ornament does its job right by making her hair more dazzling.
She had thin red lips and big blue eyes. She might turn into a beauty one day. Even if she is so rude, I have to protect her from any creepy guys.
‘Does she even need protection?’
“What are you looking at?” Arielle stopped my train of thought. Her face was looking at me as if smelling a heap of trash.
‘Ah, I was looking for too long.’
“It seems Clyde has fallen in love. Haha.”
“Wha–!? That’s not–!”
I tried refuting. Arielle’s face stiffened up.
“Disgusting.”
‘Guh…!’
“Hey, now Arielle. You can’t say that to a boy as his first love. There might be a chance. You two haven’t known each other for long anyway.” Aunt Kimberley proceeded with the misunderstanding that I’ve fallen in love.
“Uh, but I’m not in love–“
“Oh, don’t be shy! See? His face is flushed red while he’s denying it!”
Why are adults so annoying when it comes to things like these?
“Tch.”
Arielle scoffed unpleasantly and moved further away from me.
“Hurge is the city my husband’s retainers rule.”
Aunt Kimberly pointed to the city in the distance.
“We still need to stop by a shop to get you boys new clothes.”
Hurge is a city located 20 kilometers away from the capital. It specializes in diamond trade and has one of the biggest mines on the continent. Despite this, its economy isn’t as developed as it should be. Why? Because the fief lords and the Kingdom own it. The noble’s family who built the city had no choice but to give up on it and instead accept the money from the people who bought their mines. Duke Luxembourg obviously monopolizes these profits the most since he owns about 2000 acres of this land. He owns more of the land than the kingdom does.
It’s like some countries in my world. The big bosses take over the businesses of the original owners in order to profit. It seems it’s the same in every world. That’s why some countries stay developing countries while others thrive.
“There are the gates, Madam!”
The coachman shouted and then I leaned out of the window with Arthur.
“Go straight towards the shopping district.”
“Understood.”
The carriage then began speeding up. Since we had the crest of the Luxembourg house which was a golden lion, the carriages in front of us moved out of the way.
Nobles have the authority to be dicks I guess.
I looked out of the window to see huge defensive walls surrounding a huge city.
The people instantly gave way and we rode inside without waiting in a line. The second wife of the duke who owns the city is in the city after all.
“So this is Hurge city.”
I said in admiration as I looked at the big castle standing majestically in the background.
We finally arrived at one of the wealthiest cities on the continent.
◇◇◇
“Morning~!”
I felt an arm wrap around my neck and saw Arthur smiling happily.
“O-Oh, hey.”
He seemed to have been training since he looked so wet with sweat.
“Our masters will arrive about noon. Miss Sadith told me. Come on! Breakfast awaits!”
He led me through the large manor as if he’s been exploring the place. Many of the servants greeted us with respect as we passed by. I couldn’t help but notice the amount of unnecessary luxury this place has.
‘Like what’s up with people being obsessed with appearances?’
Having a big house alone is enough.
..
“Clyde and Arthur.”
The head of the household Cliff J. Luxembourg and Duke of the Kingdom greeted us when we entered the dining room.
We bowed respectfully causing a smile to surface on his face.
“Umu. You two are mature indeed. Sit down, food will arrive momentarily.”
“Yes.”
There were about six members already seated on the table. One is the first wife, Sadith, Arielle, the first son Eric and the first daughter Kenia. Kimberly is the second wife and also Arielle’s mother so she’s sitting on the duke’s right side.
“Ah? Welcome, little boys~”
The main wife greeted us with a smirk.
‘I don’t like your smile.’
Her smile gave off this impression that she looks down on people a lot . Lady Kimberly told us in the carriage yesterday that she was apparently a princess from the neighbouring kingdom, although only the sixth. She heavily emphasized to not disrespect the first wife.
‘Damn, she is hot though…’
I couldn’t help but glance at her giant bosom that kept shaking as she blew her food colder by fanning with her hands. I thanked the chefs for making hot soup tonight so I could enjoy this show.
I stopped staring and then began eating.
Anyways, the first son, Eric is a 16 year old young man with blueish short hair. His cold expression and his glasses give him the air of an intellectual. He and his father kept talking about business even though they were at the dining table.
Now the first daughter, Kenia. She is a 15 year old girl with long silky black hair. She has the air of a cool beauty type that every girl her age would feel jealousy or envy towards. Her body doesn’t have the shape of her mother’s yet but it’s obvious since she’s a swordswoman. Her body has more of a fit shape than a busty one.
Both of them are enrolled in the Royal Academy. Arielle will be going in about two years.
“I hope you two do not disappoint George and Eleanor. They took a big risk giving their children to us. Remember that when you enter those Academy gates then you’re on your own. My influence doesn’t reach the Academy since the headmaster himself prohibits any and all noble authority being forced upon students. The kids must defend themselves.”
Arielle's father sternly spoke to Arthur and me.
“Yes, sir.”
“For the time being, grow into fine and strong men. Maybe one of you can get my little girl, Arielle.”
“What!?”
Arielle nearly don’t out the food she was chewing.
“Hahahahaha!” The duke laughed heartily. “I am kidding. I allowed you to pick your own partner so I stand by that rule.”
“Humph. As if...”
The dinner continued in a merry mood. The duke asked many questions involving our livelihood like how much he’d give us per week. He also gave us tips on how to spend our money properly.
◇◇◇
Arielle and Arthur have the same teacher so the two of them left towards the training grounds while I was taken to the backyard at the eastern side of the manor’s property. A lake was located there along with a huge forest far into the distance.
Duke Luxembourg’s castle city is located 2km away from the Kingdom. His castle stands in the middle of his own city called Brastle. He has hopes that his city would become a Duchy one day.
My master was waiting for me with a magic book in hand.
“Let’s first see how far your spells have evolved, Clyde.”
The handsome young mage with blonde hair said after giving me a small staff. The one my parents gave me is in my room and would be overkill for training.
The young mage’s name is Jacob. He is a prodigy mage who received a 6 star ranking at the age of 17 years old. He’s 18 so he’s relatively still a new elite mage. Fortunately he had a residence in the city and happily complied when the Duke asked him to train me. I don’t exactly know why he was so happy. I will never understand these magicians.
“Alright.” I chose a spell called ‘Toxic mist’ which is a Low-Intermediate spell.
PSSSSSSSS
A dark green mist spread from the magic circle I conjured. The ground eroded and died from the extreme toxic mist.
‘Good. Next is fireball.’
I left the mist to linger in the air and prepared the spell. The fireball would be stronger if I combine the two.
“N-No chanting!?”
Jacob came up to me with a surprised look on his face.
“Uh, yeah? I recently managed to do this…”
“Clyde. “
“Yes..?”
“How long have you been practicing magic?”
He had a restless look on his face.
“Hmm… two years?”
‘Actually it was six years, but I can’t tell him that.’
Is this the benefits of reincarnation?
“I will absolutely make sure you become a splendid mage, Clyde! Ah~! To think I’d meet a fellow prodigy! I only started my magic when I was nine, you know! To combine two spells and chanting!?
Jacob shouted while shaking my shoulders.
I couldn’t help but get scared at my master’s enthusiasm.
Four hours later I was completely spent. My muscles which had an ample amount of mana through my veins were screaming in pain after I was done. Jacob was satisfied with the results and told me he’d come back tomorrow with a stage 3 test.
Stage 3 is apparently for those who have mastered my level of mana control and magic spells. He brought a stage 1 today which are used for beginners.
‘How would a stage 3 feel if I already feel like this for stage 1? Man, and here I was getting a big head for being able to learn magic faster than others.’
It was never really just about the kind of spells you can cast. Master Jacob specifically pointed that out to me. He said that the control you have over the spells matters most. If your control doesn’t balance with the amount of mana you sent into the spell then you’re left with a half-assed spell that has less damage than it should.
I learned after the lesson that people like my master are the real talented people. I’ve been using magic wrong all my seven years of life.
I’m beginning to hate how slow humans grow. Demi-humans grow the same speed but they have naturally stronger bodies than humans.
I went upstairs towards the bathroom when night fell. We finished eating a few minutes ago.
I had to use the smaller bathroom since the big bath was undergoing construction.
I was quite satisfied with master Jacob’s teachings. I was even itching for more.