NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4
On the way to the Ferbache Royal Mansion’s reception room, a man introduced himself.
“My name is Enrique. I serve as the Duke’s advisor.”
“As you already know, I am Johan Harsen, the third son of the Harsen Duke House.”
Upon hearing the introduction, Enrique drew a line at the corners of his eyes and said,
“It might be considered rude for me to say this, but there is something I must mention.”
Johan tilted his head at his words.
“What is it?”
“The Duke is quite outraged.”
Enrique continued speaking.
“Be cautious with your words and actions. I will do my best to mediate, but if the Duke becomes angrier, I will not be able to protect you.”
In short, if you disturb his mood, you’d lose your head.
‘I expected this.’
Francia’s father, Duke Frost Ferbache, is famously doting on his daughter. It’s no wonder that Frost Ferbache is the number one pick for female readers.
Johan had spent the night with such a daughter. He should feel grateful that the Duke didn’t come charging out to claim his head right away.
“We’ve arrived.”
They finally reached the reception room. As Enrique opened the door, he shot Johan a glance.
It was a clear signal to kneel immediately.
But Johan lightly smiled and brushed it off, striding confidently into the reception room.
“…You’ve come.”
As soon as he entered the reception room, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. It was heavy. No, it was an indescribably complicated aura that flowed in.
It felt like a cold blade slicing through his whole body, and the frigid air chilled him from the inside.
Johan faced that killing intent without flinching, holding his head high.
“……”
The Duke’s eyebrows twitched as he assessed Johan’s demeanor. There’s no denying he was a cocky brat, but…
‘His spirit is commendable.’
This aspect instead made the Duke regard him favorably. No one could stand straight in the face of his killing intent.
However…
‘But that doesn’t mean he can have my Francia.’
As the Duke’s aura intensified, Johan politely greeted him.
“I am Johan, the third son of the Harsen Duke House—”
“We’ve already covered introductions. It’s unnecessary since I’m already aware.”
The Duke’s crimson eyes pierced through Johan.
“You know what trouble you’ve caused, correct?”
“I do.”
“Then there’s no need to explain what happens next.”
The Duke rose from the sofa he had been seated on. With each step he took, a blue frost spread beneath his feet.
“Don’t be aggrieved. This is all your doing.”
Seeing the Duke approach, Johan narrowed his eyes.
‘Is he planning to kill me the second I walk in?’
Given that he’s the Ferbache Duke, killing him wouldn’t be hard at all. He could easily cover it up as a convenient accident.
Johan quickly spoke up.
“Duke, I apologize, but would you listen to me?”
“I have no intention of hearing the words of a cursed fox.”
“It won’t be a loss for you to listen.”
“……”
The Duke’s gaze sharpened, filled with skepticism. Johan seized the moment to continue speaking rapidly.
“I am set to join the Royal Office of Public Affairs as an Archmage.”
“You intend to become an Archmage? I heard you graduated in social studies and have never learned magic or swordsmanship.”
Had he thoroughly researched him? Cold sweat dripped down Johan’s spine.
But he couldn’t back down now. His life depended on it.
“I have never received formal magic training. I’ve learned independently.”
Johan chose honesty rather than mixing in lies. It was a wise choice, as being caught in a lie would lead nowhere.
“Hah, you learned magic on your own? What nonsense! Are you spouting gibberish because your life is in danger?”
Flurry. Blue frost spread beneath his feet, beginning to ice the surroundings.
The air chilled and the cold aura swirled ominously, slicing against his skin.
He looked ready to kill at any moment.
Maybe if he lowered his head now and begged to graduate with honors in social studies and said he’d work hard for his family’s sake, he’d be spared?
‘No.’
That mustn’t happen. What he needed was not mercy but the Duke’s acknowledgment and legitimacy to be with Francia.
“I think it’ll be hard for you to believe my words. So, I will show you directly.”
Snap. Johan snapped his fingers, and blue magic surged from his hands.
“What are you—”
Snowflakes filled the air. Each snowflake resembled a small work of art.
Delicate, lace-like hexagonal shapes sparkled in the light.
It was a fantastical sight as if diamond dust had been sprinkled.
Countless snowflakes danced gracefully, creating a waterfall of white petals.
The snowflakes suspended in the air altered the very flow of the reception room.
“This is…?”
The Duke’s eyes narrowed. This was no simple manifestation of elemental magic.
‘Mind projection? No, it’s not at such a high level. It’s merely a change of environment by magic.’
Generally, it’s nearly impossible to change the environment without using magic.
Even using magic, altering the very nature of the surroundings isn’t easy.
Unless it’s a mind projection that reflects one’s mind upon the world, it requires an immense affinity for magic.
Yet…
‘He managed to do that.’
The Duke couldn’t comprehend. How could someone possess such great affinity and control over magic that they could alter the environment with only basic techniques?
“…You’re not ordinary.”
The Duke’s face still remained cold, but the previous killing intent had long dissipated.
Johan released a sigh of relief within.
‘Thank goodness, it seems I piqued his interest.’
To be honest, he was half doubting. The Duke was in a rage, wasn’t he? Even if he expressed ambitions and demonstrated required talents, he couldn’t shake off the possibility of it being in vain.
‘But it worked out well.’
Johan relaxed his tense body and spoke.
“I could become an Archmage of the Royal Office of Public Affairs within a month. I will also strive to become the best there.”
He continued,
“I will work hard to be worthy of accompanying Francia— no, Princess Ferbache. I have the talent and ambition. Please allow me to court your daughter.”
With that, Johan bowed deeply.
“……”
At this point, the Duke’s rising anger quelled. Seeing Johan’s remarkable talent, he started to think rationally about the title of Duke.
‘Indeed, with such talent…’
He possessed the ability to alter the surrounding environment using mere raw magic. Losing such a talent would be a blow even for the Empire.
Though he wondered why he had never properly learned magic…
‘But this is worth keeping an eye on.’
He even seemed to display talent in ice attribute magic.
‘And that talent in ice magic could greatly benefit the Ferbache Duke House, as we are one of the four great families known for our ice attributes.’
With his rationality returning, the Duke began calculating. If this talent could properly develop and join their family…
‘No. No, no. I almost let this cursed fox get away with it.’
The priority wasn’t about the family’s status or talent recruitment; if it was about his daughter, all else was secondary.
“You reckless fool. Are you suggesting we make a deal?”
The Duke asked, laced with hostility.
“There is no audacity in my proposal. I simply wish for an opportunity to prove myself worthy to date your daughter— Princess Ferbache.”
“……”
The Ferbache Duke stroked his chin. If such a spirit, demeanor, and overwhelming talent in magic existed…
‘Objectively, he wouldn’t be a bad match for Francia.’
The Duke asked,
“Once you reach a certain age, your magic stabilizes, making it difficult to learn. How do you plan to resolve that?”
Unless one consistently trains, the magic within their body solidifies and stops growing.
That’s part of why learning magic becomes difficult as one ages.
His investigation revealed that this cursed fox… no, Johan Harsen, was twenty-one.
Even if he learned magic now, he had little chance of becoming an Archmage of the Royal Office of Public Affairs.
Still, he decided to listen. After all, he had just altered the environment using magic.
“My magical capacity is large enough, so it’ll be fine. Look, I changed the environment just using basic magic operation and yet, I’m still standing here fine, right?”
Involving the environment itself consumes significant magical energy. An average mage attempting this would risk collapsing from magical exhaustion.
But if one could alter the environment using just basic magic operation? It’d be odd if they weren’t near death.
His magical talent would be beyond even mention.
“……”
The Duke narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.
Objectively, there’s no better prospect for a son-in-law than him. He wouldn’t get mixed up in the struggles of other families, and with the Harsen Duke House being weaker, he could maneuver freely from the back.
‘This cunning fox….’
Ultimately, he managed to drive the Duke to compromise.
Taken by someone! This cursed fox!
“Haah.”
The Duke let out a sigh.
“One month.”
“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”
“You seem to quickly grasp what I’m saying.”
Johan replied with a smile.
“I will join the Royal Office of Public Affairs as an Archmage within a month. If I fail to keep my promise, you can take my head.”
One of the Duke’s eyebrows arched.
“I trust you must have a reason for your boastful claims.”
He waved his hand dismissively.
“I’ll be leaving now. I have matters to discuss with my daughter.”
“Yes. Thank you for your mercy. I will strive to meet your expectations.”
Enrique added.
“The attendant at the door will guide you to the guest room. You may stay the night.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
As Johan stepped out of the reception room, he sighed.
‘Is this the first hurdle I’ve crossed?’
To be clear, he had not technically passed it yet, but he had successfully gained an opportunity by tugging at the Duke’s rationale.
‘What’s left…’
To earn his acknowledgment, to get recognition for his courtship with Francia, all he needed was to learn magic.
That shouldn’t be too difficult.
Interpreting and manifesting rune symbols is but a trivial task.
*
“Did you enjoy it?”
Wheeze. Enrique smiled as he filled the Duke’s teacup again. The air that settled was cold, and white steam curled upwards.
“Enrique, you’ve been getting more playful. Do you think I would take a liking to that cursed fox?”
Tsk, the Duke clicked his tongue and turned his head away.
“But you gave him a chance.”
“He has the talent to warrant watching.”
Enrique beamed broadly.
If needed, he was prepared to jump in and advocate for the Princess’s choices, but Johan Harsen managed better than expected.
Regardless, he managed to pique the Duke’s interest and regain the calm to buy time.
“He must be exceptional, to be chosen by the Princess herself, right?”
“…That’s true. Having grown up around me, he wouldn’t settle for someone ordinary.”
Enrique suppressed a chuckle, glancing at the Duke nodding in agreement.
In his prime, this man was called the cold-blooded demon of the battlefield, yet when it came to his daughter, he always softened.
At that moment, knock knock. Someone knocked on the reception room door and opened it. It was Francia, now dressed differently.
“Where’s Johan?”
“He went back to the guest room.”
“Is that so? It seems the talk went well.”
Francia giggled as she read the Duke’s expression.
“He’s been given a month to prove his worth. If he can’t validate himself within that time, I too do not know what will happen.”
Francia replied with a gentle smile.
“He will surely prove himself.”
That’s because he is someone you can trust more than anyone else.
‘Just like before.’