Occult Awakening: From Commoner to Archmage

They left the great hall and strolled through the long hallways with measured, unhurried steps.

"Is there a reason we're having this conversation outside the hall, sire?" Luca asked.

Duke Venton raised a brow. "Most people would not talk if they were faced with me like this."

"I don't really see the point of silence. Why should I not ask a question such as that? It's a rather simple one, no?"

"It is. And as for your question, privacy is a rather important thing. Tell me, what's your honest opinion of nobles?"

Several thoughts came to Luca's mind, but he felt hesitant to answer. Duke Venton probably wouldn't stoop to a trick question, but paranoia told him to be cautious.

Eventually, he decided to answer plainly. There was a reason Charles had called him here, and it certainly wasn't to bait him into slipping up.

"Very few are as necessary as they think they are. If they were upstart nobles who had to perform impressive feats to earn a title, I'd say they were somewhat necessary. But most nobles are nobles by inheritance. Such inheritance can only be passed down for so long before the inheritors become parasites. And parasites do more harm than good."

It was a risky gamble to say that to the most powerful man in the city and duchy, but it wasn't wrong either.

"You're correct. They are unambitious and lazy. It hurts to watch, and for that reason, I want to change the system that the kingdom runs on. If possible, maybe alter the Empire to some extent as well."

Luca put on a false expression of shock. It wasn't that the duke's words were not shocking, but he didn't care much about what changes occurred within the kingdom or the empire. For him, it only confirmed that they would always be on opposite sides.

"Your words are—"

"Shocking, are they not? You're a well-spoken boy with vast knowledge for your age. But when you're as old as I am, you'll see things that make you question if anything is at all worth it."

The duke paused to admire a few art pieces displayed along the hallway.

"They might be parasites, as you call them, but at present, you still need them. Try to make friends with them. You have my support to a certain extent. I don't expect you to become overbearing."

The direction the conversation took surprised Luca. He hadn't expected Duke Venton to offer his support this early.

"I won't let you down, sire."

"Good. You may leave now."

Luca nodded and turned to return to the great hall without waiting for the duke.

"One more thing, Luca." Charles's voice was sharp, and his eyes were like a hawk's. "Remember your place when making friends. Don't shoot too far above your category."

A sudden pulse of energy burst from the duke, shaking the paintings on the wall and causing the mounted light crystals to flicker.

Luca stood in a mixture of fear and calm. On one hand this was far more power than he could ever take on, but on the other hand, he couldn't muster enough dread. It hadn't even been two hours since he had stood face to face with the Sky Tyrant.

There was a brief pause. Then Charles spoke, his tone calm as ever.

"Am I clear?"

"I understand, sire," Luca replied, walking back to the great hall after the duke nodded.

Aside from the immense display of power, Luca also picked up the hidden meaning behind the words, and suddenly realized the reason for Charles's sudden goodwill.

His last warning wasn't about just any nobles. He was speaking of Erina. Like any father, he wanted men to stay far away from his daughter. And while Luca had potential, Charles would never allow it.

'As a result, he's trying to keep me on a short leash," Luca thought. 'The shorter the leash, and the more indebted I feel, the more control he has. Same with the display of power. If I fear him, the less I'll think of going against him.'

It wasn't a bad plan. It would have worked on many others. But Luca wasn't that person. Charles assumed he was a weak and ignorant commoner. A witty one, perhaps, but ignorant of the other world.

That was where he was wrong.

The duke had played nearly all of his cards, while Luca's hand remained hidden.

****

A short while later, Luca was back in the great hall, making conversation with several nobles.

As soon as he returned from speaking with the duke, they all approached him, assuming he had received some sort of favor. Coupled with the Lord Mayor's earlier words, they were eager to rub shoulders with him.

But Luca saw through it. They weren't rubbing shoulders. They wanted to wring him dry of any value and use him as a stepping stone for their own power and wealth. Beneath their politeness, he could see the disdain they held for a commoner.

'Oh well…'

Luca accepted their advances with a smile. He spoke with several nobles, learning about a few he had never heard of.

Aside from nobles, there were also men from the mercantile class. Merchants were technically commoners but wealthier than most could ever dream of. Some were richer than certain nobles.

The Vice President of the Merchant's Guild was present, along with other guild members. Luca recognized one of them as Thalia's husband, a portly man who looked like he had enjoyed a few too many beers.

He sat and chatted with counts, barons, and knights. The knights made up the majority. They were often the most eager to grow and gain power, but they simply lacked the skills to do so.

Out of everyone, the most surprising figure was the prodigal son of Count Marvin D'escoli—Henrick D'escoli—who had now inherited the title. He was in his twenties and carried himself with surprising restraint. His eyes were sunken, with dark bags beneath them. It seemed his father's death had finally sobered him when nothing else could.

Luca approached the two new mages as well but found them rather irrelevant. Their mana was weak, as if they were afraid of training it at all. Still, he noted their names down in case he wanted to make use of them in the future.

Overall, he built a wide net of connections. His coat pocket was overflowing with invites, and he was even considering some of them. Still, his plan was never to linger here for long.

"I'm leaving now," he told Erina, handing her the satchel. "Here are the things you asked me to get."

"Yeah… thanks. But how did you get it?"

Luca fumbled for an explanation. "I managed to get there quickly and snag a few before it woke up, but I was caught in the destruction when it awoke."

It was flimsy, but it wasn't as if she could prove otherwise.

"What are you using the feathers for?" he asked.

"Um, just a few decorations. Nothing much…"

"She's such a terrible liar," Luca thought.

He pretended to be convinced, then bid her goodbye before heading for the manor's doors.