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

Within the Lebhardin Magic Society, Alter's presence was gradually growing.

From the beginning, as a disciple chosen personally by the Great Mage, he inevitably drew attention.

Even amidst this, he proved his own abilities and managed to quell the slander that he was abusing the grand duke's bloodline.

Of course, for now, he had to alternate rest and training in order to return to his original level.

'Is this much already a big improvement? Still, I can at least draw out my magic power.'

Enduring through the faint pressure, Alter struggled to withdraw his magic power.

His body had recovered quite a bit, but he still couldn't fully cast spells with ease.

Nevertheless, the circulation of his magic power was gradually stabilizing, so he found some small satisfaction in that.

'I'll have to wait a bit longer. I shouldn't act impatiently.'

Before entering the training grounds, Alter had been warned repeatedly by Alraune.

He must not overstrain himself expending magic power, and should, as much as possible, refrain from materializing spells.

Since rash actions could worsen his condition, the Great Mage had given this advice sincerely.

'Everyone tried to dissuade me, but because the Great Mage stepped in, I managed to get through.'

When he expressed his intention to train in magic, even Duke Illenat voiced his opposition.

Brillie also insisted it was too soon, and overall, the consensus leaned towards prioritizing bodily recovery.

It was only thanks to Alraune's earnest persuasion that he was barely allowed to attend the society.

'I still can't feel at ease. Everyone is very skilled.'

Though Alter did not actively interact with the other disciples, he could sometimes catch glimpses of them using magic.

Even just the density of their magic power was considerable, and the completeness of their spells was on a different level entirely.

Moreover, because everyone was continuously striving, a natural sense of competition had formed.

'Even though I can stabilize my attribute's irregularities... that doesn't make up for my lack of experience.'

He might be more talented than the other disciples, but catching up on time lost in vain wasn't easy.

They would have been honing magic since childhood.

But for him, he was only just getting started, so an inevitable gap had formed.

'I feel like I need something decisive...'

"Lord Alter. How are you feeling?"

"I'm stable for now."

Alter replied nonchalantly and looked up at his peer.

Though there was a slightly chilly atmosphere towards him in the society, a few treated him kindly.

Even though the one who addressed him was considered the next likely Great Mage, he showed no hint of wariness.

"Didn't you recently go through a lot? Improving your magic is important, but you can't neglect your well-being."

The Great Mage's chief disciple, Dewin Adnix, smiled pleasantly as he sat next to him.

Alraune often took students on recommendation, but rarely chose them personally.
So, since Alter belonged to the same rare category as himself, it was only natural he'd be interested.

"I'm much better now. Still, I'm being cautious just in case."

"Of course. You absolutely should. You'll be marrying soon, won't you? You wouldn't want any problems."

"Shouldn't you be in more of a hurry than I am, senior? You're already quite late, aren't you?"

"Oh my, who am I to talk of marriage? I can't even handle what's right before me."

Though Dewin was set to succeed his viscount house as the eldest son, he lacked the drive for family leadership.

So he cast everything aside and devoted himself only to magic.

Thanks to that he was chosen as the Great Mage's disciple and had now risen to the position of chief disciple.

"Does that mean you won't marry until you become Great Mage?"

"... That seems to be the case. I can always marry later, can't I?"

"Doesn't your family say anything?"

"They're understanding. As you know, there's not much to boast about in my family these days. We barely maintain noble dignity, but as things stand, we could collapse completely."

Of course, being the chief disciple of the Great Mage in itself was proof of his worth.
He could serve as a senior mage in another society, or bring honor as an imperial mage.
Still, having come this far, he probably had to earn the Great Mage's title somehow.

"Hmm... Since we're talking about marriage, can I ask something a bit serious?"

"Ah, by all means. Please speak freely."

"The other disciples avoid me, so why are you good to me, senior? It's strange to say about myself, but am I not a rather dangerous competitor?"

Alter too had been chosen directly by the Great Mage like Dewin.

Thus, people saw him as special and, given his talent, naturally wanted to keep him in check.

Yet Dewin remained kind, as a senior and a fellow disciple.

"To speak honestly... In terms of talent, Lord Alter, you exceed me. Fixing the irregularity in your attributes is not something just anyone can do. To try to oust such a great mage out of jealousy would be far too shabby, wouldn't it?"

"..."

"The title of Great Mage is for the best mage only. If you can't be the best, you shouldn't covet the title. So I believe I should surpass you with my own skills."

Alter listened quietly and then acknowledged his resolve.

It could be a plausible lie, but the reasoning seemed clear.

If Dewin meant what he said, then he had been recognized by the Great Mage through fair means—and, thanks to his firm standing, no other disciples could dare challenge him.

"So you won't abandon your pride for your ambition?"

"If I became Great Mage by underhanded means, I'd be found out quickly. I don't want to disgrace my family's honor."

"Hmm... If that's the case, I understand. Once a noble loses their house, that's the end."

"That's right. Better to preserve the family name than become a fallen noble."

The house supports a noble's foundation, and a family name is passed down as a surname.

Honor therefore endures, and the family's bloodline remains strong.

A noble who loses their house is hollow and treated as someone who has fallen.

'If I don't inherit the title, I'll just be an ordinary noble. But at this point...'

Alter realized, almost absentmindedly, what possibilities still lay before him.

He'd ignored it until now, but the long-standing bloodline he carried hadn't faded at all.

As a member of the grand duke's family, he still had the right to inherit the title.

'There's nothing stopping me from becoming the Northern Grand Duke.'

Of course, he still lacked much compared to his other siblings.

He hadn't contributed particularly to the North, and until now, had only been sheltered by the family.

He was simply the legitimate son of the grand duchess and gifted in magic—nothing more.

'In the end, father will decide... but the successor is almost already set.'

The grand duke's eldest son or first daughter.

Both had been practicing martial arts since childhood, and never shirked from fighting monsters.

They were always bold and led the northern army from the front.

Even the closest knights and advisors considered the succession to be already decided.

'To become the Northern Grand Duke, I'd have to surpass those two—whether in skill or accomplishments...'

Alter knew well that the title of Northern Grand Duke was tremendously imposing and powerful.

He was both the leader of the northern army and a noble recognized since the previous emperor's reign.

So, bearing heavy responsibility, he would have to protect the North completely.

'If I think of Brillie... Maybe I should inherit the title.'

* * *

Zair, lost in thought, belatedly looked around.
It was before the meal, and his wife and children were gathered together.
The food hadn't been served yet—perhaps now was the time to announce it.

"... Alter will be returning. He's almost recovered, so there shouldn't be any issues."

As Zair spoke, everyone's attention focused on him.

For them, Alter was bothersome yet impossible to ignore.

Since he was the legitimate son, he couldn't be treated lightly, and being sickly, they'd often had to yield to him.

"He went to the capital to get married. Why is he suddenly coming back?"

"He said he'll be returning with his fiancé. I suppose he wants to meet me before the wedding."

"Ah... so that's it?"

The grand duke's eldest son, Rozandion Radiant, answered calmly, though with veiled hostility.

The news that Alter had been chosen as the Great Mage's disciple had spread inside and outside the fortress.

Because of this, talk had started about the grand duke succession, and even his own position felt slightly threatened.

"Alter's fiancé is the daughter of a duke. Her title may be lower than ours, but in the capital, her family is very powerful. So it would be best not to say anything disrespectful."

Zair shot a cold, firm look.

The North's people were proud, so they often subtly looked down on others for their origins.

Especially among nobles, there could be a sense of rivalry, so it was necessary to give this warning.

"And... Alter's fiancé was granted a title by His Majesty the Emperor. It's a title equivalent to Sword Saint, so do not treat it lightly."

"..."

Rozandion felt a heavy gravity in just the words 'Sword Saint'.

The title of Sword Saint had been passed to only one person since the founding emperor of the Agnes Empire.

Only those at the pinnacle of swordsmanship ever received it, with a presence so overwhelming no one could rival them.

So a title even comparable to Sword Saint was, naturally, awe-inspiring.

"So they won't be staying long, then?"

"They should be treated as honored guests and then sent back to the capital."

"Will you not attend the wedding yourself?"

"I'll have to send a representative. I can't just leave my post."

"Still, it's a marriage with a duke's family. If they're so influential, shouldn't we show proper respect?"

The grand duke's second daughter, Marchen Radiant, calmly kept the conversation going.

With an ordinary noble house, it might not matter, but the Illenat ducal family wielded great power.

Considering relations with them, proper courtesy was essential.

"... I'll need to think about that more as well."

Even Zair was a bit troubled about Alter's upcoming wedding.

As Northern Grand Duke, he couldn't leave the front line, and so would need to appoint an appropriate representative.

Once Alter returned, he figured, he'd be able to make a decision.

'If the one to inherit my title serves as my proxy, that would be fitting. I may have to decide before the wedding takes place.'

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
No mention of the incoming danger to the North?
Or is the grand duke keeping it to himself?
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】