Their meal together wasn’t as bad as Zich and his companions expected. Walwiss showed basic manners to them the entire time. Even though he didn’t use high-level honorifics to Zich and Lyla, he used lower-level honorifics. He also called Lyla ‘Ms. Lyla’ as Elena’s teacher every time he addressed her. Elena, who felt nervous and fidgety the whole time, slowly began to talk more as their meeting progressed smoothly.
‘If it’s not about magic, they seem to have a very good relationship.’ Zich recalled how Elena told Orland that she didn’t want to leave her grandfather’s house. ‘Well, no wonder. If her relationship with her grandfather was awful, there would be no reason for her to stay here. She could easily just stay with her father.’
From what Elena told him, it seemed as if Orland used to live in the same house as her and Walwiss in the past. However, Orland naturally moved out when he switched his school of magic, and since Elena had studied Walwiss’ Pulru School of Magic, she stayed in Walwiss’ house. In a normal family, children would usually follow their parents, but the Dwayne family was not an ordinary family—they were a family of mages.
When the main course was finished, the desserts were passed out. Even though Walwiss hadn’t brought up any sensitive topics so far, the reason why he invited Lyla was to discuss Elena’s magic studies. In the end, their conversation turned serious and Walwiss asked, “How is my granddaughter faring in her studies?”
Elena’s body froze. She felt as if she was going to let out a hiccup at any moment.
“It’s progressing well. Ms. Dwayne is a brilliant pupil. Her ability to absorb information is outstanding.”
“Is that so?” No matter how much he was against his granddaughter studying, Walwiss felt happy that his granddaughter was receiving compliments. A pleased expression appeared on his face. However, it was only for a moment before Walwiss soon hardened his expression again “Then what about the most important matter—her mana?”
Lyla calmly replied, “It hasn’t awakened yet.” A short silence filled the whole room.
Walwiss let out a small sigh. “I believe that you already know my stance on this matter. Whether or not Elena told you about it or not, my opposition against her studying magic is a famous story in Sunewick.”
“Yes, I’ve heard.”
“Then you must know what I'm going to say next.”
“Are you going to tell me to stop teaching Elena?”
Walwiss relaxed his body and squinted his eyes. So far, Walwiss had let out a strong and pressuring aura as the master of the magical tower and the leader of the Pulru School of Magic, but now he looked like an ordinary grandfather who was worried about his granddaughter.
Walwiss looked at Zich and Lyla and asked, “Are the two of you lovers?”
The two of them replied instantly.
Lyla replied, “No.”
Zich replied, “No sir.”
“Is that so? The two of you look good together.”
Zich smirked and Lyla let out a scoff.
“Then do you two have lovers?”
Zich replied, “We both don’t have one.”
“If the two of you date someone and get married and have children, you would understand my thoughts and emotions. Raising a child is no ordinary feat.”
Walwiss drank one sip of the tea that came along with his dessert. “Ms. Lyla, I’ll just ask one question. Is the path of a mage easy?”
“Not at all.” Lyla shook her head without an ounce of hesitation.
Even though Lyla had an astounding amount of magical knowledge and could masterfully use all kinds of magic including Silent Incantation and complicated magic circles, Lyla could never say that it was easy to walk the path of a mage. Likewise, Walwiss felt the same way even though he had walked the path of a mage his entire life and was respected and admired by everyone as the head of the magical tower.
“I also think so. People talk about me as if I’m a master of magic, but from my perspective, I’m just a person who slightly dipped their foot in the ocean called mana. That’s how deep and vast the study of magic is.”
Lyla nodded and agreed with Walwiss’ words.
“All the people around me said I was a genius, and I also think I’m a genius. My environment was perfect for cultivating my magical talent, and I also enjoyed studying magic. However, despite all this, walking the path of a mage was extremely tough and tiring.”
“I understand.”
“Then Ms. Lyla, do you think I can advise my granddaughter to walk such a difficult path?” Walwiss continued with a tearful voice, “You might think that I’m a rotten old fart who doesn’t consider his granddaughter’s feelings at all and that I just push my own viewpoints.”
“I haven’t really thought of it like that…”
“If you didn’t, I’m thankful. No matter how I see it, I think my son thinks that way about me.”
Lyla made a bittersweet smile.
Walwiss added, “Even if you do think that, I hope you can understand where I’m coming from. It’s a bit embarrassing for me to say this myself, but the Dwayne family is one of the most renowned families in Sunewick. There are many people among our ancestors who became the head of the magical tower. It’s natural for the descendants of our family to walk the path of a mage, and it’ll probably continue to be like that in the future as well. If one of our family members shows passion and interest for magic, we will do our best to support them.”
However, Walwiss had blocked Elena’s path of becoming a mage.
“Ms. Lyla, what do you think is the possibility of Elena awakening her mana?”
“I don’t know exactly, but it’s probably extremely low.”
“Yes. Even with amazing talent, the path of a mage is very difficult. How could a person lacking the most fundamental part of being a mage walk such a difficult path? It’s basically the same as standing in front of hundreds of soldiers in a war without a sword, spear, bow, armor, or even a random rock. As Elena’s grandfather and her guardian, I cannot let this be.”
“But this is what Elena wants.”
“Yes. It’s very difficult to stop a youngster from following their dreams. I was the same when I was young, but I’m too old for that now. So it’s difficult to understand youngsters with such fiery passion. I also can’t understand my son. If Elena had a little, even the tiniest bit of mana, I might have thought the same way as my son.”
However, Elena didn’t have mana, which was necessary for all mages.
“I’ve already accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish. The only thing I want now is Elena’s happiness. If she gives up magic, I’m willing to do anything for her. If she wants to study something else, I will fully support her, and if she wants to open up a shop, I can provide her with all the funds she needs. And if she wants to get married, I can look for the best spouses.”
With his abilities, power, and status, these were all things that were possible under his domain.
“Magic is the only thing that is not possible. If Elena chooses another path, I have no plans to stop her from studying magic as a hobby. However, I’m against her making magic as her ultimate goal.”
“Elena feels happy while studying magic.”
“There’s no guarantee that this feeling will last. Effort without repayment or result is always difficult. Moreover, what if she has to deal with this for the rest of her life? That won’t be happiness but suffering instead.” Walwiss was firm about this matter.
“So, Sir Dwayne, am I right to think that you will continue opposing Elena’s magic study?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then do you want me to immediately stop teaching Ms. Dwayne?”
Walwiss stared at Elena; she looked at him with anxiety in her eyes. Walwiss let out a sigh. “Even if I say yes, it seems like neither Elena nor you, her teacher, would stop.”
“Yes.”
“Why don’t you at least reply in a roundabout manner in consideration for me? Please think of this old man’s health.” Walwiss shook his head side to side. “I heard that you were travelers. How long do you two plan to stay in this city?”
“We haven’t decided yet, but we probably won’t stay too long.”
“I understand.” Walwiss stared at Elena. “I still oppose your decision to study magic.”
“…Yes.”
“But as your grandfather, I don’t want to keep pushing away your wish. This is the only time I’ll let you do as you wish.”
Elena’s eyes widened.
“It’s only until this teacher leaves this city. When she leaves, I’m going to start opposing your magic studies again.”
“Grandpa!” Elena jumped into Walwiss’ arms.
A disapproving expression appeared on Walwiss’ face; however, he couldn’t get rid of the subtle smile forming on his lips. Yet the words that came out of his mouth were still cold. “Don’t be happy about this. As I said, it’s only until your teacher leaves this city.”
“I’m thankful even if it’s just that.”
Walwiss patted his granddaughter’s back as if it couldn't be helped.
While watching this sight, Lyla playfully said, “You didn’t place any conditions. I thought you would at least say that if Elena doesn’t show any results by the time I leave, she has to give up on magic.”
“It’s because I don’t want to turn my granddaughter into a liar.”
Even if he made such a condition, he didn’t think that Elena would keep this promise. Seeing Elena’s embarrassed face, it seemed as if Walwiss was not wrong.
Lyla smiled softly. “Sir Dwayne, you are a kind grandfather.”
“How can I be a kind grandfather when I’m against something that my granddaughter loves?” Walwiss waved his hand. “Anyway, I will also be at peace. I won’t have to fight my granddaughter for a while. Ah, now that I think about it, Teacher, do you have any plans to join the mages in the magical tower?”
Lyla blinked at the sudden scouting offer. “It’s very sudden, but if I decide to stay in the magical tower, wouldn’t I have to keep teaching Elena?”
“Ah, yes, that’s right.” Walwiss frowned as if he hadn’t realized this. “As the head of the magician’s tower though, I have to constantly try scouting mages like you.”
Walwiss let out a groan and fell into contemplation. Lyla’s playful question seemed to have been a very difficult dilemma for him.
“Don’t worry. I have no plans to join the mages in the magical tower.”
“…I don’t know if I should be happy or sad about this,” Walwiss said bitterly.
* * *
After the meal ended, Zich and his companions left the Dwayne mansion. Elena went outside the mansion to send them off, and she had a very bright expression. This was natural as she received approval from her grandfather to study magic, at least temporarily. Like before, Zich and Lyla rode the carriage and got off in front of their lodging.
Lyla’s question was also similar to the previous day. “How was he?”
“He’s suspicious.”
Zich’s reply was serious, but Lyla eyed him and said, “Don’t tell me. Are you going to say Walwiss Dwayne seems suspicious because he’s too great of a grandfather?”
“How are you able to read my mind so well these days?”
Lyla swiped her face down with her hand. “Stop playing around and just tell me!”
Zich chuckled for a while and then finally said, “Walwiss is suspicious in the first place because he severely opposes Elena’s magic studies.”
“There’s a reason for it. Moreover, after listening to their conversation, it seems like he really does love his granddaughter.”
“He could’ve been acting all along. I tricked so many people with my acting as well.”
“I think it’s difficult to compare you to other people.”
“Why? Does Walwiss Dwayne’s affection seem very real? Moreover, you don’t want to be suspicious of a grandfather who loves his granddaughter, right?”
Lyla flinched.
“This is why you can’t be swept away by your emotions. This is especially so towards old people, whom we usually consider weak and vulnerable. If they show a bit of emotion, people normally get swept along.”
“…Yeah, yeah, I’m the stupid one.” Lyla didn’t have much to say, but she added, “It’s weird to think he’s suspicious just because he refused to allow Elena to study magic.”
“So let’s just say that Glen Zenard really is related to the robed figures, and he’s been a trashy person all along. Then what if Glen Zenard helps free Elena Dwayne’s mana in her moment of despair? What do you think will happen?”
Lyla opened her eyes wide.
“It’s just a theory right now. Not a fact, but a theory. However, if this theory is correct, Walwiss, who is blocking Elena’s magic study, becomes super suspicious.”
Zich had a point.
“Nevertheless, there’s no conclusive evidence or even a minor clue. I only have some possible speculations that simply resemble a story right now.”
“So for now, did our plan to pry information from Walwiss Dwayne and Orland Dwayne fail?”
If they just looked at their results, then they had failed. However, Zich didn’t think they came up with zero results, because he uncovered some very interesting information from their encounter with Walwiss.
‘It’s that person, right?’ Zich was surprised when he first saw Walwiss Dwayne. Even though it should have been his first time seeing him, Walwiss looked very familiar to Zich.
‘Whenever I dream of myself as Brave, there’s always an ill-tempered mage fighting with Leona. That mage really looks like Walwiss Dwayne.’
It was as if they were the same person.