Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

Early morning.

It was a day like any other, but for Aira, it was extremely special. With her mother’s permission, she was formally beginning her training with Christian.

As it was the first day, she was already filled with determination.

“I will meet Mother’s expectations. Absolutely.”

For the first time, her mother had shown expectations and encouragement towards her.

Even if it meant coughing up blood, she would meet those expectations and gain her mother’s acknowledgment.

Even if it required bowing her head to Christian!

“Alright!”

She had already changed into her practice outfit and tied her hair tightly to keep it out of the way.

She had brought several potions, so she felt confident to overcome any training.

Now she was fully prepared.

Confident, Aira stood in the center of the training ground, waiting for Christian to arrive.

‘Today, I was the one to arrive first. Expect me to always be here before you to greet you!’

Thinking about Christian’s likely dumbfounded expression, an odd smile crept up on her face without her realizing it.

But then…

“…….”

He didn’t come.

An hour passed, and still, Aira stood alone in the training ground, waiting quietly by herself.

The specially assigned private training ground was not likely to have any other visitors either.

‘He’s a bit late, huh?’

That guy, did he oversleep doing something weird again?

“Hoo, darn bastard. Fine, I’ll wait a bit longer. I’m a kind elder sister after all.”

Yes. It was a special day. There was no need to start off by turning red in the face on the first day.

Let’s be generous. I’m the one requesting to learn, and he’s the one offering something to me.

I am the inferior, and you are the superior.

Damn it!

She decided to wait another hour.

By now, the sun had risen, and the mansion had begun to buzz with activity.

“…….”

People started gathering in the previously empty outdoor training grounds and the great training hall, dedicating themselves earnestly to their practice.

Yet, this place remained silent. No, it was beyond silent; it was desolate.

“He’s really late, isn’t he?”

Maybe she should go and give him a stern talking-to.

It seemed like it would be okay to do that at this point.

“Endure, endure. He’ll come. Yes. So what if he’s a bit late. Well, it’s just that he’s particularly late today, that’s all.”

Endure, Aira Worden.

You’ve already endured twice.

So you can certainly endure a third time.

“…….”

Another 30 minutes passed.

Grrrrr—.

Now even her stomach was growling for food.

According to her original plan, by now she should have been asking the maid to bring food here and would be receiving feedback about her early morning training.

“That damned guy…”

Aira’s expression twisted with frustration like a demon’s.

If Christian had seen it, he would have rejoiced at the Master’s return.

***

“Someone must be speaking ill of me…”

Only two people came to mind who would do such a thing— his Aunt or Aira. It seemed best to forget about it as it wouldn’t lead to anything good to encounter either of them.

Early in the morning, Christian had leisurely walked and occasionally ran to reach his destination in two hours, having set out to the outskirts of the city.

Looking up at the large building, Christian smiled nostalgically.

“Whether in the past or now, it sits so far out.”

It was difficult to call it a mansion as the surrounding buildings and the architectural style were entirely different. It was a modest building characterized by its high floors and rugged exterior.

However, the faint blue letters floating mid-air outside the first floor, without any sign, indirectly indicated that this was no ordinary building.

〈Logia Magic Tower〉

“The west is Logia.”

There were five magic towers on the continent in total.

North’s Aloca, central’s Rososine, east’s Ukali, south’s Raimondi.

And here, the west’s Logia.

Most branches of these magic towers were established in major cities, especially in capitals of countries or regions that were geographically and administratively significant.

Ironically, one of the two Logia magic tower branches in the Rondel Kingdom was established here in the Rangar region due to monsters.

Monsters were so active that even the Count of Worden occasionally conducted exterminations. Materials from these monsters, especially mana stones, became crucial experimental materials for mages.

Hence, whenever an extermination began, the Logia magic tower dispatched mages and in return, received mana stones and some by-products.

In short, Logia and Rangar had a mutually beneficial relationship.

“Shall I go in then?”

Christian, who had been staring at the Logia magic tower branch for a moment, opened the front door and entered.

“Hmm? A visitor so early in the morning… How unusual.”

As Christian entered, an elderly man who had been dozing off in a small reception desk in the spacious hall yawned and greeted him.

“You’re not refusing visitors just because it’s morning, are you?”

“Haha, visitors are always welcome.”

The old man smiled warmly, and Christian returned the smile widely.

“If you’re that welcoming, you should greet me yourself instead of sending this fake.”

“…”

Christian’s gaze left the elderly man at the reception desk and moved to the central table of the hall. Under his gaze, the old man’s appearance gradually blurred and disappeared, and like a mirage, a person appeared at the central hall table.

A young woman, with faintly blue hair and healthy brown skin, seemed surprised as she looked at Christian and said.

“… Lord Worden, how did you know where I was?”

“Oh? You know who I am? Ah, the Logia magic tower also has the function to detect mana patterns.”

“I didn’t know the Count of Worden had such loose lips.”

“My father isn’t the kind to talk idly, you know.”

In fact, I had never even met him, so I’ve never had a conversation with him.

Though there was no need to tell her this.

However, Christian’s sly attitude naturally displeased the woman, and her expression turned into a frown.

“We’re a bit sensitive about these matters. Logia magic tower’s illusion magic is quite well-known, isn’t it?”

The Logia magic tower’s notable feature was its notorious knack for deceiving others using illusion magic.

Even though it was a branch of the Magic Tower, it was unmistakably a Magic Tower nonetheless.

The moment one set foot inside, a spell spread throughout the entire building would automatically activate, investigating the mana patterns of visitors or intruders and activating the defense system accordingly.

For those with whom one had established a somewhat amiable relationship, a welcoming illusion, like the old man at the reception just now, would appear as part of the system.

“Even though I am famous, no one has managed to find out where I was. Not even Lord Worden’s father.”

“Surprisingly, my father might be a touch oblivious. He didn’t notice this.”

“…… Shall I deliver those words to him as they are?”

“My apologies, I sincerely apologize.”

Christian offered an earnest apology, and the other party, appearing somewhat satisfied, crossed her arms and nodded gently.

“Then let’s proceed with formal introductions. I am Masaya Rio, deputy manager of the Rangar Branch, Logia Magic Tower.”

“I would also like to formally introduce myself. I am Christian Worden from the House of Count Worden.”

With formal positions acknowledged, they ceased their verbal sparring and exchanged introductions.

However, the way Christian gazed at Masaya and the way Masaya looked at Christian had not changed significantly.

“Now that we’ve exchanged greetings, would you kindly remove this bothersome mana net?”

Christian, with a deep frown, spoke, prompting Masaya to widen her eyes in surprise.

“Can you actually see it?”

“Would I be behaving this way if I couldn’t?”

“I assumed you might have heard about it vaguely from your father, but…”

Despite Christian’s protestations, Masaya could not help but think that way.

The moment Christian set foot in the place, Masaya had unfurled dozens, if not hundreds, of mana strands like a net to envelop the surroundings.

This was to identify who the visitor at this particular time was by checking their mana pattern.

Yet, it was a feat only a handful of people could notice.

The Logia Magic Tower was a group that had spent a lifetime studying how to deceive people, excelling in illusion magic.

The terrifying aspect of the Logia Magic Tower was precisely that.

Even when someone held a blade right next to them, it could go unnoticed. They could erase the malice so no mana pattern could be detected.

If someone recognized this, they were surely a watchful figure that the Logia Magic Tower would note as someone of interest.

‘He doesn’t look powerful at all…’

It was known that someone supposedly talented had completed body activation at the mere age of fifteen—Christian, the young master with a bit of flair, was perceived only to that extent.

“Shall we cut it here and now? Then, you’ll know whether it is a lie or not.”

“If you cut it, I will formally charge the repair cost to the House of Count Worden.”

“Tch…….”

As Christian was about to unsheathe the sword he secretly carried, Masaya, smiling, replied without stepping back.

For Christian, it was not about the money.

If he acted out in the name of the family without informing them, it was clear he’d be reprimanded for undertaking pointless actions.

When Christian stepped back, Masaya also flicked her fingers in the air.

Then, the strands of mana that had been spread like a net around Christian’s body vanished without a sound.

“My eyes are much more comfortable now.”

“You really can see them?”

“Ah, I told you I could. May I sit down now?”

“Do as you please….”

When Christian sat across from Masaya without hesitation, she let out a small, dry laugh and spoke rather seriously.

“Why have you come here, Young Master Worden?”

“Why else would one come to a branch of the Magic Tower?”

Christian smirked as he spoke.

“I’m here to spend some money.”

TL’s Corner:
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