Chapter 30.2: The Transformation of Lovellian
Summary
ViiSiit nđvelbđ/n(.)c/(đ)m for lđtest đđvels
Lovellianâs fierce expression instantly transformed. It had turned back into the appearance of the kind young man who had said âHello childrenâ with a smile on his face during the Bloodline Continuation Ceremony four years ago.
âItâs been a long time, Eugene,â Lovellian nodded respectfully.
Although his smiling face was the same as back then, the tone of his voice had changed. This was because Eugeneâs station had also changed over the years. Four years ago, Eugene was just one of the several children from common collateral branches. However, the current Eugene was now the adopted son of the Lionheartâs direct line.
âYouâve grown a lot,â Lovellian observed. âHaha, to be honest, I almost didnât recognize you.â
âMaster Lovellian hasnât changed at all,â Eugene complimented the man.
âWell, so what. Itâs just because Iâm holding onto my youth with my magic. After all, isnât it better to have a youthful appearance than an aged one?â
As Lovellian descended to the ground, he gave Eugene a broad smile. From what Eugene had heard, Lovellian was close to a hundred years old. However, he looked like he was in his mid-twenties at most.
âAlthough he seems different from when I saw him four years ago.â
Even then, he had gotten a vague sort of threatening feeling from Lovellian. But because he hadnât started training his mana sensitivity yet, he hadnât been able to confirm anything as he was unable to sense the manâs mana. However, now that Eugene had met Lovellian once more, he now knew for sure.
Lovellian was strong.
This was actually rather appropriate. As one of Arothâs five Tower Masters, he should at least have that level of strength.
However, Eugene didnât feel any other sort of impression from Lovellian, just that he was strong. When Eugene recalled the strong men he had met in his previous life, the ones he immediately thought of were those who had given him a unique impression besides their strength.
âIt looks like he has a long way to go before reaching Siennaâs level,â Eugene observed.
Lovellian also examined Eugene in turn, ââŚThis is absurd.â
Lovellian was astonished at the amount of mana he sensed from Eugene.
It was Lovellian who had suggested that Eugene be adopted. He had already noticed Eugeneâs potential during the Bloodline Continuation Ceremony. Even after returning to Aroth, he had kept in touch with Gilead and had heard all about Eugeneâs accomplishments.
He had heard about how Eugene could sense mana in less than ten minutes after entering the Leyline. That was an abnormal level of mana sensitivity. Not only that, but Eugene had also shown monstrous levels of mana affinity that had allowed him to control the mana as soon as he sensed it.
Lovellian couldnât help but feel troubled whenever he heard these stories about Eugene. Of course, this was because of Eward.
Eventually, Lovellian said, ââŚIâve heard the news from Gilead. So, you are interested in magic?â
âYes, sir,â Eugene confirmed.
âMagic is an extremely engaging field of study. Although itâs just as difficult to learn as it is interestingâŚ. But if itâs you, Eugene, you should be able to do well,â as he muttered this, Lovellian turned his head.
He could feel a presence from behind the closed door that barred the entrance to the towerâs first floor. He didnât feel comfortable with how this presence was just lingering there, not daring to open the door. With a click of his tongue, Lovellian shot the door a glance.
Creak!
The closed door swung open, immediately followed by a sound of gasp. It had come from a skinny young man who was visibly taken aback when the door suddenly opened.
It was Eward Lionheart.
Eugene wasnât able to recognize him immediately. After all, four years was an exceptionally long time for children.
Eward had grown a lot taller. However, his physique hadnât grown to match his new height. Eugene glanced at Ewardâs barely muscled limbs. He also noted Ewardâs dull, spiritless eyes. As for his gray hair, which could be called a symbol of the Lionheart clan along with their sigil⌠it looked as dry and lifeless as withered blades of grass.
âThat fucking bastard.â Eugeneâs eyes began to burn with an inner fire as he looked at Eward. âWith an appearance like that, heâs practically bragging about how heâs regularly getting his life-force sucked away by succubi.â
Lovellian chided Eward, âShouldnât you at least come out to greet your younger brother?â
ââŚAhem,â with an awkward cough, Eward looked up at Eugene. ââŚIâm not quite sure what I should sayââ
âItâs nice to meet you, big brother,â Eugene put some force into his voice as he glared at Eward. âLetâs get along well from now on.â
âA-alright,â Eward nodded in agreement as he avoided meeting Eugeneâs intense gaze. Then, being careful not to draw Lovellianâs ire, Eward slowly began backing away.
ââŚWhat do you even think youâre doing? If you have nothing else to do, go upstairs and at least read a book,â Lovellian spat out this order as he turned his gaze away from Eward.
If it wasnât for the fact that Eward was a scion of the Lionheart clanâs direct line, and if it hadnât been a request from his old friend Gilead⌠Lovellian would have never allowed Eward to remain in his tower. It had already been several years since Lovellian had begun experiencing this internal conflict between his friendship with Gilead and his desire to expel Eward.
âYes, sirâŚ,â Eward crept away with his shoulders slumped.
Without looking at the wretched appearance of Ewardâs receding figure, Lovellian let out a long sigh.
ââŚReally now. Please accept my regrets for showing you such shameful sights as soon as youâve arrived,â Lovellian apologized.
Eugene accepted the apology, âDonât worry, itâs fine.â
âAs for that earlier commotion⌠well⌠as Hera has told you, itâs quite a common incident for the Red Tower of Magic. Though a serious disturbance like todayâs is rare.â As Lovellian smiled bitterly, he shot a glance at Hera and said, âSo Iâve heard from Gilead that you are unwilling to receive personal lessons in magic from meâŚ.â
Eugene explained, âItâs just that I donât want to burden you unnecessarily, Head Wizard.â[1]
âThatâs fine with me. But I just hope that you live up to my expectations, Eugene,â Lovellian admitted.
Lovellian appreciated Eugeneâs explanation. Although he had already realized this four years ago, the boy in front of him showed a depth of consideration that belied his age.
âThough rather than consideration, would it be better to call it calculationâŚ,â Lovellian mused to himself. This wasnât an easy judgment to make. Lovellian didnât know much about Eugene, nor had they spent much time together.
Well, it was fine either way. It was better to be overly considerate than to be shameless despite your lacking ability, and it was better to be calculating than to be greedy and stupid.
âIâm not fully confident that I will be able to live up to your expectations,â Eugene replied as he took a step back. âWaving a sword. Thrusting a spear. Swinging an ax. These are the things that Iâm most confident in. From a young age, I was sure that I had a talent for these. But magic is a field of study that I have absolutely no experience with⌠so I donât dare to say that I have the talent for it.â
These words also appealed to Lovellian. It showed that Eugeneâs mentality was much better than Ewardâs, who lacked both motivation and effort.
Eugene continued his explanation, âAlso, if I personally learn magic from Master Lovellian, many people will look at the Lionheart clan with dissatisfaction. So, for the time being, I would like to study the field of magic on my own.â
ââŚVery well. Then letâs do it like that,â Lovellian nodded his agreement with a warm smile. âUnless you ask me to, Eugene, I will not interfere with your studies. However, since it will be hard for a beginner to begin studying the field of magic all alone⌠if you ever need help, feel free to ask me for assistance at any time.â
âYes, sir.â
âHave you arranged for a place to stay?â
âNo, I havenât found one yet.â
âIn that case, just stay in the tower. It might not be as luxurious as the main familyâs mansion, but itâs an adequate place to live.â
âIs it okay for me to move in right away?â
âThereâs no reason why you shouldnât.â
At Lovellianâs cheerful answer, Eugene also smiled broadly. Eugene had hoped that he would be able to stay in the tower. That was why he hadnât even gone looking for a place to stay beforehand.
Eugene asked, âIf thatâs the case, would it be alright if I take a look at the library first?â
1. Tower Master and Head Wizard are both used for the same position of Tower Master. They are sometimes used alternately, specifically when addressing the person in question. Adding this note, in case any of you are confused why Eugene is addressing Lovellian as the Head Wizard. â