Poor Noble Nord’s Adventure

41. Errand Complete

“Ah, you really helped me out. Thank you.”

“No trouble at all; it wasn’t much effort,”

Node responded, addressing the researcher from the Flying Dragon Laboratory, as usual.

After wrapping up at Elisio’s residence, Node found he had time to spare and decided to visit the researcher’s lab.

The task at hand was delivering an item the researcher had requested—a package wrapped in white cloth that Node had received from Master Rayson at the Magic Academy. Upon receiving it, the researcher stashed the package in a desk drawer.

Curiosity tempted Node to ask what it was, but he refrained, knowing that stirring the pot might lead to unforeseen consequences.

An errand is an assignment, after all. Node believed it was necessary to perform the task without overstepping his responsibilities.

Instead, he relayed a message from Master Rayson.

“Ah, by the way, Master Rayson said, ‘Come yourself next time.'”

“Haha… Got scolded on my behalf, huh? My apologies.”

“Are you acquainted with him?”

Master Rayson had addressed the researcher as “Eric.”

Node only knew the researcher’s surname, but he assumed “Eric” was his given name. Judging by how quickly the favor was granted, they seemed to be on familiar terms.

“Master Rayson was my mentor when I was at the Magic Academy. So yes, you could say we’re close.”

“Wait, does that mean you were a magic—apologies, a mage?”

“Ah, don’t worry about it. Technically, I hold the title of Master, but I left the Academy because I got fed up with it. In a way, I kind of burned bridges with my mentor, so it’s a bit awkward to see him.”

The researcher shrugged as he spoke.

“Fed up?”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

Node instinctively covered his mouth with his hand, but it was too late. His whispered question had reached the researcher’s ears.

However, the researcher didn’t seem too bothered and continued, seated in his chair.

“You might have noticed this since you’ve been there, but the Academy is extremely insular. Essentially, it’s very exclusive toward non-mages.”

Node recalled the stares he had received from mages at the Academy. Their gaze had been unreserved and cold. He remembered thinking it was far from welcoming, as if they were questioning his presence there.

At the same time, Node thought of Elisio, though he considered her an exception due to her commoner background and unconventional nature.

“Exclusive… yes, I did get that impression.”

“And that’s not the only issue.”

According to the researcher, the Academy might be a research institution on the surface, but in reality, it was a hotbed of political power struggles.

Without noble backing, even obtaining funding was impossible, let alone conducting meaningful research. Aligning with a patron inevitably meant becoming entangled in factional disputes.

It was a place where being skilled at flattery was more valued than genuine talent, the researcher criticized harshly.

“Master Rayson was one of the reasonable ones—a neutral party.”

“Excuse me, may I ask something?”

“Sure, what is it?”

“It’s about a mage I know.”

Node shared Elisio’s situation with the researcher.

He explained how Elisio had been turned down by the prominent figures of the Academy, including Master Rayson, when seeking an apprenticeship.

Now, she was trying to craft a magical artifact to demonstrate her capabilities and open doors for herself.

Node hoped the researcher, having experienced the Academy firsthand, could provide insight into her chances of success.

The researcher’s response was blunt and merciless:

“Well, it’s probably hopeless.”

“Why do you think so?”

“I mentioned earlier that Master Rayson is neutral, but that’s not a position one can hold without effort. He hails from a powerful noble family, which provided him with a strong foundation. I’m the same.”

Still, even with that backing, ties to one’s family are not easily severed, the researcher explained.

In contrast, Elisio had no such support.

Her talents were undoubtedly exceptional, but she lacked the backing of influential figures.

Graduating as a top student at a young age was impressive, but for the Academy’s power brokers, that only made her a potential asset—or a threat if she refused to align with them.

The more talented she was, the more problematic her independence would seem.

Elisio, with her carefree nature, was far from politically astute. While Node admired her easygoing personality, it was a fatal flaw in this case.

Elisio had told Node she wasn’t particularly close to anyone from the Academy.

This meant she had neglected to build connections and alliances that could have been crucial in the future.

Without noble backing, Elisio wasn’t just unhelpful in factional disputes—she might even be a liability.

This, the researcher surmised, was why she couldn’t secure an apprenticeship.

“But if she demonstrates her abilities—”

“That’s unlikely to help.”

The researcher’s bleak assessment left Node searching for hope.

Even the magical artifact, Elisio’s last-ditch effort, was met with skepticism.

“Listen, Node.”

The researcher’s tone was gentle but firm, as though he cared about Node and didn’t want to sugarcoat the truth.

“Mages who achieve the title of Master have all, at one point, been called prodigies. Your friend has a remarkable talent, but she’s not unique. There have been others like her before.”

The researcher revealed that he himself had obtained the title of Master at 18, ending the conversation on that note.

──”I’m so glad I’ve become friends with you, Node!”

As Node left the lab, Elisio’s smiling face and cheerful words replayed in his mind.

If crafting the magical artifact didn’t work, what could he do for her?

When he looked up, dark clouds had crept over the capital.

Autumn weather was fickle.

Before the rain began in earnest, Node urged his carriage toward home.

From the back, his companion Newt chirped softly, sensitive to the damp change in the air.

§

“Phew, what a mess.”

“Kyuru~.”

“Welcome back, Master Nord.”

By the time Nord finally reached the Ferris estate, the weather had worsened, and a sudden downpour lashed at the carriage.

Visibility dropped rapidly as the heavy raindrops pounded against the canopy, soaking Nord seated at the driver’s bench with no mercy.

Although the carriage’s canopy was designed to shield the driver from the rain, the headwind rendered it useless, and Nord was soon drenched to the skin.

Newt, who had been in the cargo bay, stayed dry but leaped out as soon as they arrived at the Ferris estate.

The dragon flitted joyfully around the garden, getting soaked as well.

At the mansion’s entrance, Nord demanded a dry cloth from Alec, the family steward, and began removing his armor while waiting.

Reduced to just his undershirt and pants, Nord found even those were thoroughly soaked.

“Oh dear, what an unseemly state…”

“Give me a break today, Alec. If I stay like this, I’ll catch a cold.”

“I suppose it can’t be helped. I’ll have the bath prepared immediately.”

“Thanks.”

Receiving two dry cloths from Alec upon his return, Nord lightly wiped himself down and began drying off his General Spider armor.

Though he planned to clean it thoroughly in his room, he wanted to minimize the mess before entering the house.

“Come here, Newt.”

“Kyuu?”

Newt, too, had beads of water glistening on its deep green scales.

Unlike human hair or animal fur, its scales repelled water, so it didn’t seem to mind much.

Even so, the dragon’s body appeared as if it were sweating all over.

“Kyuu~…”

Using a fresh cloth, Nord gently rubbed down Newt’s scales.

From its head to its snout, then its throat, neck, back, and tail, he worked with care.

Newt closed its eyes, purring softly as if enjoying the sensation, leaving no risk of accidentally harming its eyes.

Once the back’s green scales were dry, Nord moved on to the wings.

“Spread them out.”

“Kyuu!”

With a flap, Newt unfurled its wings, scattering droplets everywhere.

The dragon’s wings sprouted from its back, roughly where shoulder blades would be on a human.

Nord carefully wiped the delicate structures with a gentle hand.

A dragon’s large wings are divided into two parts:

The muscular frame of bones and the thinly scaled wing membranes are used to capture the wind.

While the frame is sturdy, the membranes are fragile and require delicate handling.

After drying both sets of wings, Nord turned to Newt’s underside.

Its white belly scales felt smoother and softer compared to the hard scales elsewhere.

Though Newt had grown considerably, its belly still appeared adorably round.

Indulging a bit of mischief, Nord tickled its stomach, making Newt wriggle in delight.

“There, all done.”

“Kyu~♪”

Newt chirped contentedly as Nord led it into the mansion.

Inside, the sound of rain hitting the eaves resonated through the halls.

As Nord worked on maintaining his armor in his room, Alec entered.

“The bath will be ready shortly. In the meantime, please have this.”

“Thanks.”

Alec brought a steaming cup of freshly brewed tea.

It was a golden-hued herbal tea made from plants grown in the Ferris family’s garden.

The warm drink filled Nord with a soothing heat from within.

Draining the cup, he let out a contented sigh and spent the time waiting for the bath, idly stroking Newt’s head while listening to the rain.

§

Ordered to bathe with his younger siblings, Nord ended up looking after his brother Elen and sisters Iris and Helena.

After scrubbing them down and soaking in the warm water together, Nord dried them off and returned to his room, where he found an envelope awaiting him.

Wondering who it was from, he flipped it over to check the sender. It bore the name Johan, head of the Aubrielle family.

Nord retrieved a letter opener from the drawer, cut the seal, lit a candle, and began to read.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To my dear brother, Nord,

It has already been over a month since you visited the Alba territory.

Autumn has deepened here, and the harvest season is in full swing.

Preparations for winter are underway, and winter wheat has already been sown.

Though the mild summer made for pleasant weather, it negatively affected crop growth, and the yield this year seems likely to fall short.

Thanks to your defeat of the General Spider, however, we can now safely access the forest again.

With wild vegetables and hunted meat, we should be able to make it through the winter.

Additionally, we managed to obtain black soil imbued with the earth spirit’s blessing from within the forest, ensuring successful planting for next year.

(abridged)

Everyone here is doing well, so I hope the Ferris family is also in good health.

Your sisters-in-law often mention wanting to see you again after your victory over the spider.

You are always welcome to visit the Alba territory whenever you wish.

Your brother, Johan

P.S.

It seems a dragon has made a nest in the eastern mountains.

Although there hasn’t been any harm to nearby settlements yet, the military might issue a subjugation order if adventurers fail to act.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finishing the letter, Nord looked up at the sound of knocking on his door.

“Master Nord, dinner is ready.”

“Got it. I’ll be right there.”

The lengthy letter detailed the Aubrielle family’s and Alba territory’s current state.

Aside from the postscript, everything seemed to be peaceful and uneventful, which was a relief.

Realizing it had grown dark outside, Nord extinguished the candle, called Newt, and headed to the dining room.

The rain had stopped at some point, and instead of raindrops, the mansion now resonated with the chirping of insects, heralding a serene autumn evening.