The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Wants to Break Off the Engagement

"...... Pardon?"

Alter absentmindedly echoed the words, his expression colored with doubt.
He certainly possessed outstanding talent as a mage, but it was hardly to the extent to be discussed as a great mage's successor.
Of course, he had heard similar things from his family, but he'd always taken them as lies meant to praise him.

"I'm asking if you would consider becoming my successor. You'd start as an apprentice, of course... but if you prove yourself, you could be officially designated as my heir."

"Uh... I don't possess skills great enough for that."

"Huh... are you just being polite now? In front of me, you can speak candidly, can't you?"

"I know I have some aptitude for magic, but I really don't think it's to that level."

"Are you saying that sincerely? You're astonishingly unaware of yourself, you know."

Although Alraune was a bit taken aback, he couldn't say he didn't understand Alter's position.
Until coming to the capital, Alter had lived in the northern regions his entire life.
The north was remote from the capital, and magic education there was likely underdeveloped.
To have met under those conditions, he was bound to respond ignorantly, he thought.

"Very well. Let me explain it directly. First, are you aware that you possess the innate trait of the frost attribute?"

"Yes. Since I can make ice, I guess it means I have the frost attribute."

"Mages are generally inherently born with just one attribute. There are exceptions, of course, but they are rare."

"I've heard that the great mage can wield two attributes. Then, does that put you among those exceptions?"

"Yes. I can manipulate both the flame and earth attributes. But that doesn't mean my understanding of other attributes is lacking. After all, being called a great mage means I ought to understand all the attributes, don't you think?"

Alraune answered matter-of-factly, as if it were only natural.
To be at the pinnacle as a mage, one should, of course, have deep knowledge of magic.
Even with attributes not personally granted, one must research and draw out practical results somehow.

"Ahem. In the end, magic is all about shaping something specific out of an attribute. For example, I might use the flame attribute to conjure an arrow, or the earth attribute to build a wall."

"I understand what you're saying. If you shape something with an attribute, that becomes magic, right?"

"Correct. Most mages do it that way, and I have not departed from this method myself. However!"

Alraune's eyes suddenly widened, fixing Alter with an intense gaze.
Though he felt the pressure, Alter tried to remain steadfast.

"Sir Alter, you eradicated monsters without shaping any particular form. With only the attribute itself, you claimed an entire area as your domain! Do you understand what I mean?"

"Yes. I think I do, somewhat. Normally, I'd have to form something out of ice to attack, but I froze the monsters just with cold energy alone, didn't I?"

"Exactly! The nature of an attribute is that it abides by the laws of nature and cannot be fixed arbitrarily. That's why we fix its abnormality by building it into a specific shape. Yet, how did you use the attribute itself as your weapon?"

"Well... uh... I just did it. I didn't have much time to think."

"If I interpret that information, it sounds as though you cast magic purely by intuition... Am I mistaken?"

"You're probably right. I guess so."

"If that's the case, then I would deem you as possessing an innate genius for magic. To so flexibly apply attributes without fixing them into form—shouldn't you be called a genius among geniuses?"

"......"

Alter could only avert his gaze, at a loss for words.
Being praised by a great mage was a rare thing, but he didn't find it particularly moving.
He was mostly just pondering how to bring this conversation to a close.

"Furthermore! The density of the attribute was extremely concentrated. That's why, even after the monsters were frozen, they have yet to thaw. Judging by that, we can infer that you wield magic power at a high concentration."

"So, to sum it up... is it correct to understand this as me being suited to becoming a mage?"

"'Suited' doesn't even begin to cover it. When it comes to the frost attribute, no one could match you. With such talent, if you put in the effort, you would certainly deserve the title of great mage."

After inspecting a sample generated by Alter's magic, Alraune felt a vague but growing expectation.
He had perfectly controlled an unstructured attribute, and the power he displayed was extraordinary.
Such a brilliant prospect couldn't be let slip, thus he, as the great mage, resolved to personally persuade Alter.

"...... I understand what you mean, but I think I must decline your offer to become your apprentice."

"Opportunities like this are rare! A disciple I choose plays a decisive role in the selection of my successor. No mage could ignore your ability, so why won't you become my apprentice?"

"To start, my health isn't good. If I use magic even once, I collapse right away. How could I possibly learn magic in such a state?"

"Really...? Do you mean that sincerely? Your health is that fragile?"

"How could I lie to a great mage? If my body were healthy, I would have considered your offer favorably, great mage."

"Good heavens... how could this be. To be born with such outstanding talent, and yet also such misfortune!"

Though Alraune sighed in lament, he couldn't give up so easily.
He could not let go of a mage blessed with such talents.
Even if it meant staking the honor of the great mage, he had to change Alter's mind.

"Ah, and one more thing. I haven't undergone my coming-of-age ceremony yet, so I can't decide on this matter myself. I would need my father's permission."

"What? You haven't had your coming-of-age ceremony? So you really are as young as you look?"

"Uh... yes."

"Hmmm... To be born with remarkable talent at that age, and yet turn away from the pinnacle of magic due to a single misfortune?"

"But I can't risk dying just to learn magic, can I?"

"Hmm... sheesh... good grief..."

Alraune couldn't hide his regret, though he empathized.
Without preserving one's life, no future could be pursued.
Death is impartial to all, and everything built up until then dissipates in vain.
That is why, as humans, we strive to protect our petty lives, leaving no regrets behind.

"Is your body just frail, or are you suffering from an illness?"

"I'm not sure which. Maybe we need to investigate further?"

"...... Is that so? Then may I check briefly myself?"

"I'd appreciate it if you would."

"Would you give me your hand? I can quickly examine you with my magic power."

With those words, Alter readily held out his right hand.
Gently pulling back his sleeve, Alraune grasped Alter's hand.
Immediately, a chill began spreading from the point of contact.

"... Your hand is quite cold."

"Yes. If I were just in poor health, it wouldn't be this cold."

"Hm... mm..."

Slowly, Alraune let his magic power flow, enveloping Alter's hand.
He had a sensitivity to even the smallest changes in magic power befitting one called great mage.
In principle, magic power springs from the heart, flowing with the blood, and is connected to the user's will.
So, by understanding its patterns, one could even infer the causal relationship magic power had in the body.

"...... As the great mage, staking my honor, I will say it plainly. You are not simply frail, sir Alter."

Releasing his hand, Alraune was convinced internally.

Alter, on the other hand, could only look at him, lost in doubt.
Had he really found a reason for his frailty, unlike the priests?

"Your magic power is flowing smoothly, but it seems there are impurities mixed in."

"Impurities? If those were eliminated, would my condition improve?"

"This is my first time encountering such a case, so I cannot be certain. But I do think it's worth trying."

"How can I remove these impurities?"

"Before we proceed, I need you to promise me something. If you agree, I'll spare no effort for you, sir Alter."

"What am I to promise?"

"If your health improves, you must become my apprentice. Will you swear it?"

Finally, Alraune put her last card on the table to secure Alter.
Of course, he couldn't cure him right away, nor had he identified the cause of the impurities.
But if there was even a slim chance, he had to do whatever it took to win him over.

"I will agree only if your method is what improves me. There might be another way, after all."

"That goes without saying. Of course it should be so."

"I'll talk to my father separately."

"Don't worry about that. I'll send a letter myself. I will take care of everything—Sir Alter, you need only prepare yourself in mind."

"......"

For a moment, Alter seemed to hesitate, then lapsed into silence.
He couldn't help but believe the words of the Empire's greatest mage.
If he was offering to cure his condition, wouldn't he be obliged to cooperate?

'So, I really am ill? Impurities, he said...'

He was curious about the impurities, but that would have to wait.
If even the great mage treated it as a condition, it surely wouldn't be an easy problem to solve.
But from Alter's perspective, there was nothing to lose.

'Great Mage, huh... If only my health returns, there's nothing I can't do.'

* * *

Zair received a report that a letter had arrived from the great mage in the capital.
He could guess, more or less, that it was in connection with his youngest son.
If Alter had displayed such powerful magic, of course the great mage's interest would be piqued.

'... He wants to take my son as his apprentice? Under certain conditions, at that?'

Checking the letter, Zair couldn't help being a little surprised.
He already knew that Alter had a talent for magic.
But because his son's body was so frail, he'd been forced to give up—never imagining that the great mage himself would directly make the request.

'So, what I worried was reckless, but it may have had its results.'

Even after receiving a letter from Duke Illenat, Zair's unease lingered for a while.
Alter surely had his reasons, but above all, he had to treasure his own life.
And yet, having used magic, jeopardy was bound to follow in some form.

'Sending him to the capital was the right decision. Isn't a solution emerging now?'

More than anyone, Zair was desperate for his youngest son's recovery.
Alter had been confined indoors since he was little, unable to realize his own gifts.
It might be a bit late, but from now on, maybe the future could finally be opened up.

'Marrying him to the duke's daughter is the obvious course. For Alter to live comfortably... there's no other way.'

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
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