Upon hearing the news that Alter's condition had improved, Alraune personally visited Duke Illenat's household.

Fundamentally, it was the Frost Witch who had caused his injuries, but Alraune had also been involved in the process.

Above all, with such an exceptional pupil in seclusion, as a teacher, Alraune simply couldn't turn away.

"It's been a while, society head."

"Oh... Are you alright?"

"I am getting better little by little. I don't think you need to worry."

Alter continued the conversation with Alraune cautiously.

He didn't want to harbor any resentment toward Alraune regarding this incident.

If Alraune hadn't intervened, he would have been bound by the curse for the rest of his life; it was a fate he could only accept.

"In all my life, I have never been so grief-stricken. To have driven Uriel's son to the jaws of death with my own hands!"

"That's not true. It's only because you slew the Frost Witch that I was able to survive. If she had been left alone, things surely would have gotten worse."

"I should have restrained the Frost Witch and sought a way to undo the magic. Was it not my hasty decision that brought you down?"

"I believe the Frost Witch... must have made preparations to end her own life. Isn't that the only way she could achieve her purpose?"

"She was a cruel monster, so I can't deny the possibility."

"The Frost Witch tried everything to kill me, but in the end, she failed. I only barely survived because my mother helped me."

"Uriel helped you? How did she manage that?"

"My mother anticipated this situation. She left a lingering consciousness within me."

"A lingering consciousness! Hah... did she truly reach such a state?"

Alraune uttered admiration and recalled the distant past.

Indeed, rather than seeking to heighten her mastery of magic, Uriel always strove to discover something new.

Most of her efforts bore little fruit, but she gleaned small but meaningful insights.

Perhaps it was those insights woven together that ultimately protected Alter's life.

"If you don't mind, may I deliver my mother's words to you?"

"To me? I don't feel worthy after my blunder."

"She said she was grateful you took care of me even after her death... and that she hoped you'd continue to teach her son well."

"Hah... She's not blaming me for my mistake?"

Alraune mourned Uriel briefly and engraved those words deep in his heart.

It hadn't been out of personal attachment to Uriel that he acted.

He had simply held Alter Radiant's talent in high esteem and considered avenging Uriel as an added cause.

But being human himself, he could not ignore the life he had led.

"Do you still wish to remain as my disciple?"

"Yes. Once I recover, I want to learn magic again."

"... Just because you learn from me does not guarantee you will become the great mage. Even so, will you continue to strive?"

"Yes. Once I've made up my mind, I have to see it through."

"I respect your resolve. As your teacher and society head, I will do my best to instruct you."

Though still conscious of Uriel, Alraune tried to maintain a neutral stance.

He couldn't favor him just because he was a peer's child.

He would have to be even stricter, yet do his utmost to draw out Alter's potential.

"First and foremost, you need to restore your physical health. Until your recovery is complete, I will not instruct you further. However, it should be no trouble for you to learn theory, so read thoroughly the books I send you."

"Yes. I will do as you say."

Though still carrying concerns, Alraune intended to respect Alter's will.

Now that the curse branded on his heart had completely vanished, he would be able to wield magic freely, without restraint.

However, because he'd suffered serious injury from the curse, his activities—not to mention practicing magic—were very limited.

So he would have to convalesce for a while and look to the future.

'If he's quick, he might surpass me within a few years.'

Alraune did not doubt his own judgment.

He'd already witnessed Alter's magic firsthand, and even then Alter had been under the curse's influence.

Now that conditions were perfect, his magic's power could only improve.

'The day may come sooner than I expect when I will have to relinquish the title of great mage.'

* * *

Brillie entered the office and faced Cadeon.

Her withdrawal from the Setinos Order was complete, and there were no longer any outside factors constraining her.

Now that the preparations were finished, she would have to negotiate with her father once more.

"You do know why I'm doing this, right?"

"... I have my suspicions. Though I don't know if I'm correct."

Cadeon had already guessed Brillie's intentions.

She had been granted a title equivalent to Sword Saint, just as promised, and in the end had even agreed to marry the youngest son of the grand duke's house.

However, she'd surely become aware of the limitations placed on her, if only belatedly, and would try to resolve it with an appropriate solution.

"I want the title of duke. What must I do for you to give it to me?"

"You're being quite bold. As I recall, you said you had no interest in the family's title or assets."

"That's how I used to feel. But things have changed now. Father, your thoughts must have changed too."

"..."

Cadeon fell silent, ruminating over her words.

He had made a grave mistake; he could not pass the title to his eldest son.

Yet if he made his youngest the next family head, he could not erase Brillie's presence.

In effect, only Brillie possessed the qualifications to continue the Illenat family line.

"I'm not going to just ask for it. I haven't paid much attention to the family so far, so I don't claim to be deserving. Just tell me what I need to do."

"Managing a family is not easy. Within, you must care for the household; without, you must defend your position from factions and rivals. Do you think you can do it, after dedicating yourself only to the sword?"

"What can't I do? Right now, there's nothing I can't achieve."

Brillie answered calmly, not even a hint of hesitation.

She'd already resolved herself; there was no room to retreat.

She had chosen her path and was determined to see it to the very end.

"Since those words have come from your own mouth, I have to ask: Is it because of your fiancé that you want this burden? I find it hard to accept."

"Are you saying I should value the family more?"

"Of course. You carry the Illenat blood. As a member, you must act for your house—not let fleeting emotions sway you."

"There's no real difference for me. The head of the household has to carry the family's burdens. I just have more to take responsibility for now."

"That ambition could ruin us. How do you plan to manage the family while letting your emotions rule you?"

"Would someone ruled by emotion have received a title from the emperor? How could I have fought on the battlefield with nothing but a sword? I have my convictions—and can tell right from wrong!"

Brillie found Cadeon's words reasonable, but couldn't fully agree.

It seemed likely that Cadeon feared her judgment would be clouded by her fiancé.

Perhaps he even envisioned scenarios in which the family was endangered or suffered grave losses because of him.

But so long as she maintained some rationality, she had no intention of letting the family fall.

"I arranged your engagement as a political marriage. But here you are, striving to become head of house for your fiancé's sake. Isn't that little different from demanding I hand over the family to the northern grand duke?"

"When did I ever say I'd hand over the family? How do you arrive at that conclusion?"

"I mean you should think more for yourself. The head must be the core of the family. Your fiancé is not Illenat blood!"

"If he marries me, he'll be on the family's side, right? Why do you keep seeing it only as a political marriage?"

"Because that's what it is! Only by placing no emotional attachment above all can you protect both yourself and our assets!"

"You were the one who arranged the political marriage! And you even considered annulment! Can you really dismiss people's feelings so lightly?"

"That's exactly why you're unfit to take responsibility for the family! You let your feelings come before the family!"

"Because I had those feelings—I got this far! If I can't inherit the title, what use is all this family business?"

"Do you think you could exist without the family? What about our history and reputation? What, then, are all the things you have received so far?"

"That's why I want to take responsibility! All this happened because of the family—shouldn't I deal with it, then?"

"Hoo..."

Sensing the conversation was going nowhere, Cadeon decided to cut it off.

If they kept arguing in circles, their mutual conflict would only deepen.

Above all, there was no turning back now; a compromise had to be found.

"There's no point arguing about the past. Let's discuss only the present. I can't outright declare you'll inherit the title. But I can give you a chance."

"Hah... so you'll just keep watching a little longer, right?"

"I can see right through you, and you want me to say that?"

"I did everything you told me to. What's the problem? I just took responsibility."

"You always have to have the last word!"

"I was never trying to win. I only stated facts."

"To think you want to become head of house while giving me such a headache... Ha..."

Though frustrated, Cadeon couldn't push any further.

From Brillie's perspective, inheriting the title was just one option.

Even if he made unreasonable demands, she could simply walk out and leave the mansion.

She only intended to use the family's prestige for her fiancé's sake, never to become dependent.

'Brillie has nothing to lose. Even if she doesn't become head, she won't go hungry.'

Brillie held the title of Sword Flower and had served in the next Sword Saint's order.

On top of that, as the second daughter of the Illenat dukedom, she would be treated as a distinguished guest wherever she went.

Should luck be on her side, she could be revered as a master of swordsmanship and earn a fortune.

'I have no choice but to yield. I can't entrust the position to just anyone...'

Though somewhat bewildered, Cadeon also felt a measure of relief.

Brillie's personality and actions had always been unusual, so he had been concerned, but things had turned out decently enough.

Perhaps her fiancé's influence was what brought about Brillie's transformation.

'I can't be sure... but she might truly be able to manage the family. If nothing else, she does have grit and a sense of responsibility.'

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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