Serya began twirling around with Ray nestled under her arms, leaving the knights in confusion.
Though the knights’ swords, brimming with frosty intent, surrounded them, Serya paid no heed and rubbed cheeks with Ray.
Andelune blinked uneasily before regaining composure and tightening her grip.
“Identify yourselves!”
The sword infused with mana emitted an even more intense aura.
Sensing the threat, Serya pulled Ray closer with one arm while grabbing Andelune’s sword blade with her free hand.
Crunch!
The sword, imbued with mana, absurdly bent with ease.
Even without manifesting a sword aura, this was certainly not something an ordinary knight could do.
“What is this…?!”
Andelune turned her head in shock as a colossal greatsword materialized out of thin air and swung towards her waist.
Creeeeak!!
“Gah!!”
Her cuirass crumpled under the impact, and Andelune tumbled across the ground.
Some knights panicked and attempted to unleash their sword auras.
Diorica rushed in front of the knights urgently.
“Stop! Enough!!”
Diorica commanded, spreading mana around to draw everyone’s attention.
“This is Knight Serya Alstein! Show proper respect!”
The knights froze in place.
All eyes first turned to Serya’s face then shifted to the floating greatsword.
Hercules.
One of the two supreme artifacts currently in Serya’s possession.
Realizing the situation at last, the knights and nobles were left speechless and hastily retreated.
Ray laughed joyfully, leaving Angelo bewildered.
“Just what…”
Who exactly was this kid who suddenly appeared alongside Serya and was now splitting his sides?
As the atmosphere grew strange, Diorica stepped forward again to clarify the situation.
“Let us discuss this matter further at another time.”
“No, there’s no law for such nonsense. Even if we must address this ledger immediately…”
“I will not repeat myself twice.”
Diorica snapped sharply, her eyes flashing.
“Please step aside for now.”
“…”
The nobles lowered their voices, sensing the situation was far from ordinary.
Diorica was the chief professor of the Royal Magic Tower and associated with the Alstein Dukedom, and here was the renowned Serya herself present.
“Hmm.”
The nobles gradually gave up on pressing the issue.
This incident wasn’t worth escalating into conflict with the Alstein family.
“We must ensure no scandal arises from this.”
“Understood.”
With that confirmation, the nobles slowly dispersed.
Having finally sent all the nobles away, Diorica looked over at Serya, who was still holding Ray and rubbing cheeks with him.
It seemed they needed to relocate.
*
Diorica moved the location to the administrative office of the main building responsible for managing the magic tower.
On one side sat the Philips Count’s people and Serya, while Diorica took a moment to catch her breath.
Meanwhile, Ropheiren, who had come to the main building regarding a contract inscription, found himself standing in the corner after unexpectedly meeting Ray.
Diorica stared at Serya while pressing her temples.
Serya was sitting with Ray perched on her lap, stroking his hair contentedly.
For the first time today, Diorica witnessed Serya displaying such significant emotional changes.
Clearing her throat, Diorica bowed her head to Serya.
“Aunt, it’s been a long time.”
“It has been.”
“Aunt.”
Hearing this title, Ray became curious.
“You call her aunt…?”
“Niece. A newly acquired one.”
Serya added briefly.
To firmly secure Serya, the Alstein family adopted her as the previous head’s foster daughter.
Thus, Serya was currently equal in rank to the Alstein Duke, the current head of the house.
Since Diorica was the second son of the Alstein Duke, he referred to Serya as “Aunt.”
Understanding the situation, Ray nodded.
“So, this person is our aunt’s real niece?”
“Real… what?”
Caught off guard momentarily, Ray extended his hand with a cheerful smile.
“Let me introduce myself again, Professor Diorica. I’m Ray, your aunt’s real niece.”
“…”
Diorica reluctantly shook Ray’s hand, feeling rather awkward.
Seeing this, Serya scolded Ray.
“Ray, you need to maintain decorum.”
“Hmph.”
Ray stuck out his lips in protest, prompting Serya to indulge her desire and pinch his cheeks.
“Absolutely adorable. Our niece.”
“…”
Diorica felt a stiffness creep into his neck.
This so-called ‘real niece’ of Aunt Serya had quite the audacity.
‘Is he quick-witted or completely clueless…’
Muttering inwardly, Diorica spoke.
“…Ray, I’ve heard your name once. Now I understand the skills you possess and your origins.”
“Skills?”
“Didn’t you knock down five squires in the conference area? It caused quite a stir.”
Actually, half of it was a lie.
Most professors at the Royal Magic Tower weren’t interested in squires’ brawls.
They only paid attention because a squire received something of X grade for free from Zephirin.
Diorica had thought Zephirin might have lost his mind, but now he understood.
‘Zephirin, you crafty snake.’
He seemed to have figured out that Ray was someone cherished by Serya and acted accordingly.
After securing Ray’s favor to strengthen ties with Serya, he likely aimed to obtain an opportunity to study the artifact acquired from Valerius’ dungeon.
‘Tsk. Though usually strict and noble, deep down he’s just like the others.’
The reputation of Zephirin, known as the noble craftsman, suffered unfairly at that moment.
While contemplating how to mock Zephirin and other fellow professors, Diorica continued smiling.
“If Aunt taught you, it makes sense why you have such impressive skills for your age.”
Listening in, Ropheiren scoffed internally.
‘Stupid. Who teaches whom?’
What kind of swordsmanship could Harshia possibly learn from Serya?
That was utterly ridiculous.
Rather, it made more sense that Serya established her remarkable reputation by learning swordsmanship from Harshia.
Both Diorica and Ropheiren were equally misguided, yet Ray and Serya remained silent, maintaining their positions.
After some more small talk, Diorica brought up the main topic.
“And… Lady Alesya. The incident involving the importation of obscene novels into the magic tower… I’ll let it slide.”
There would surely be backlash from other nobles.
However, upon confirming that Serya held considerable goodwill towards Ray and Alesya, respecting Serya’s intentions became necessary.
‘There’s no need to antagonize Aunt over such trivial matters.’
By adopting Serya as a foster daughter, the Alstein family could claim a larger share of the artifacts recovered from the dungeon and partake in the glory of eradicating the locusts.
Moreover, Serya was a genius swordsman potentially capable of reaching the Master level.
She couldn’t be underestimated simply because she was adopted late.
In fact, within the Alstein family, Serya wielded considerable influence.
“There might be some noise, but I’ll handle it appropriately so Aunt doesn’t have to worry. With this evidence, the other nobles won’t be able to persistently oppose indefinitely.”
Relieved by the good news, Alesya hugged the ledger happily.
“Indeed, meticulously keeping records proved worthwhile!”
Alesya nodded proudly at her own diligence, which Ray watched with narrowed eyes.
After clearing his throat to refresh the atmosphere, Diorica gestured towards Ropheiren.
“Professor Ropheiren’s contract inscription is scheduled to proceed within two days. Thanks to Professor Ropheiren’s cooperation…”
Diorica paused mid-sentence to scrutinize Ropheiren from top to bottom.
Ropheiren stood with arms crossed, chin raised, looking down on Diorica.
Diorica thought she had lost her mind.
‘What gives her the nerve to act so defiant?’
They hadn’t even left the Royal Magic Tower yet.
If she had any sense, she shouldn’t be acting this way already.
When Diorica glared, Ropheiren smirked and provoked him further.
‘My backing is Lady Harshia, fool.’
With Lady Harshia present, does the emperor scare her?
Not even Emperor Dad could make her kneel.
Diorica wanted to overturn the desk right then but restrained his anger given the setting.
“After the contract inscription process, Professor Ropheiren will officially relinquish her teaching position. She can accompany Lady Alesya when she returns to her territory.”
“Understood.”
The response came from Ray.
How dare a mere squire speak without his master’s permission?
It was outrageous, yet everyone remained silent.
Neither Alesya nor Jenkins pointed out Ray’s mistake; instead, they tacitly accepted Ray’s representation as natural.
Though Diorica questioned its appropriateness, sensing that dragging the conversation would only cause more headaches, he quickly concluded the meeting.
*
After concluding the consultation with Diorica, Ray climbed onto Serya’s shoulders and exited the main building.
Serya, delighted to serve as Ray’s mount, swayed her body side to side with satisfaction.
Impressed by Ray’s youthful performance, Ropheiren departed earlier.
Feeling sufficiently cheeky, Ray slowly descended from Serya’s shoulders.
Serya, seemingly reluctant to let go, inserted her hands under Ray’s armpits and repeatedly pulled him close then pushed him away.
After some time, Serya placed Ray back on the ground, rummaged through her belongings, and produced a long object wrapped in paper.
“Here, it’s a gift.”
“What is it?”
“Rafuma. It’s an herb. Helps you grow taller.”
“Hooh…”
Ray looked at Serya with gratitude.
As Serya reached out stealthily again, Ray swiftly stepped back.
The ride and mount play had been fun enough. If caught now, he wouldn’t be able to get down for at least ten minutes.
Though Ray wanted to grind the herb and consume it immediately, he resisted.
Such high-grade herbs typically contained mana.
If consumed improperly, causing an increase in core mana, it could lead to fatal consequences.
‘I’ll trust Resina’s arrangements.’
His studies abroad didn’t have much time left.
Thanks to Serya’s visit, minor issues were resolved, and things to worry about diminished.
Once his studies conclude and he returns to the baron’s territory, he could visit Resina’s arrangements.
Thinking about growing taller, Ray smiled but soon hardened his expression.
Though the matter was settled well, without Serya, things could have gone awry.
Seeing the rapidly increasing wrinkles on Ray’s forehead, Alesya quietly backed away.
Ray beckoned her with a finger.
“Come here for a moment about Miss Alesya.”
“I-I have urgent business now…”
“Hey, don’t come for business?”
“Ah! Fenrir! Help me!”
With Alesya riding the spirit wolf and fleeing, Ray clenched his teeth and chased after her.
