“There’s nothing for you to get so worked up about. We have to also look at this situation from his point of view.
“What’s the point of listening to an idiot like him?” Lyla wanted to be extremely strict on Mawin Jaewick.
“It’s not that I can’t understand your position, but he was called a genius in the magical tower. Wouldn’t that mean he isn’t as stupid as we think he is?”
“He seems stupid by the way he acts. And Zich, don’t you also know that being good at academics is completely different from knowing the ways of the world?”
“I do. I know it very well. Even considering that, the way Jaewick trusted his source was really strange.”
“Are you suggesting that he’s been brainwashed or something?”
“It’s possible, but what do you think is the best way to gain someone’s trust? I would say it’s through proof,” Zich said as if he was relaying some kind of great wisdom. “Think about it. We believe the information about the future because it matches the reality we know—in other words, it holds truth. If that wasn’t the case, we would have to just wonder if we have gone mad.”
“Are you saying that a mysterious person showed Mawin Jaewick some proof to make him believe such stupid things?”
“According to what Jaewick said, it seems like this mysterious guy also gave him some advice on his magic studies, his position in the magical tower, and family before. Even if Jaewick was suspicious at first, if everything the mysterious person said was true, it would have been enough for Jaewick to trust the person.”
“So, I suppose this helper had their hand over this matter.”
“They aren’t just a helper. If you listen to Jaewick, that guy cleverly used Jaewick’s grudge by encouraging him to take revenge.”
“In other words, this person is the mastermind behind the scenes.”
“There’s a high possibility.”
“Do you think you can catch this person?”
Zich shook his head. “That guy is someone who helped Jaewick while thoroughly concealing their identity. It sounds like even Jaewick’s family doesn't know about the existence of this person. There’s a high chance that this guy will just ignore Jaewick once they find out that he’s been captured. Of course, Jaewick seems to think that guy will save him.”
“Then, was this all useless?”
“It’s not, since the guy we are looking for placed us as their targets. What we did can’t be considered wrong.” Then, Zich said with certainty, “Also, I wonder if this mystery guy even intended to get rid of us.”
“You are saying they didn’t?” Lyla blinked.
“Think about it. If this guy wasn’t a fairy who wanted to give us this moron, they must have inspired Jaweick for a reason. If Jaewick succeeded in his goal, what do you think would happen?”
“Elena would lose her teacher.” Besides that, however, not much would happen. Elena would request an investigation, but there was a low chance that Sunewick or the magical tower would consider her request seriously.
“Do you think this mysterious person encouraged Jaewick for only that reason? Especially when they could possibly lose Jaewick, whom they had painstakingly built trust with over time? Even if Jaewick is stupid, he is the heir to an elite family and a good tool that could be used almost everywhere. If this guy is someone who could influence a top figure in the magical tower so well, there was no need for them to use such a dangerous method.”
“Then what do you think this person or people’s goal is?”
“A conflict to rise between the two families, Dwayne and Jaewick.” Zich said while smirking, “Even if we are wanderers, we are Elena Dwayne’s teachers. Of course, even if we disappear without a trace, there might not be a great commotion. However, rumors can form. Rumors that Jaewick ambushed Elena Dwayne’s teacher for personal reasons can spread. After all, Mawin Jaewick is someone who usually looked down on Elena Dwayne.”
“I suppose the families’ relationship would grow worse.”
“It’s not even good right now since we—specifically, you crushed Jaewick publicly.”
Lyla snorted.
“And conflicts always flare up in a flash if given the chance.”
“So, what are we going to do?” Lyla asked.
“What else is there to do…” Zich stared at Mawin. “But go joyfully up the stage that they are going to prepare for us?”
Like an actor finally allowed to go up on the stage like he wanted to, Zich smiled brightly.
* * *
The magical tower turned upside down. Everyone fussed about the news that the heir of an elite family in the magical tower, Mawin Jaewick, had ambushed Elena Dwayne’s teacher over a personal grudge. Normally, the city’s security forces would have handled an incident like this, but this case was different since it involved the magical tower’s top two families.
The Dwayne family had the master of the magical tower, Walwiss, and Orland Dwayne. Although they took opposing seats, they could participate in the top conferences in the tower. With those two, the Dwayne family clearly had the upper hand in power and authority in comparison to the Jaewick family.
Yet, that didn’t mean the Jaewick family lacked behind in any way. Furthermore, it was their heir, Mawin Jaewick, who had come out of this mess completely debilitated—not to mention that several mages died from the Jaewick family’s Quayal School of Magic. Thus, expectedly, the Jaewick family firmly protested the rumors and called for a more thorough and further investigation of this case. They didn’t even admit the fact that Mawin Jaewick had ambushed Dwayne’s teacher first.
A great meeting was held inside the magical tower. Ten mages gathered inside the meeting room. They all wore solemn expressions, but among them, there were three people whose faces appeared extremely stiff. They were the three people who were directly involved in this incident: Walwiss Dwayne, Orland Walwiss, and Wayne Jaewick.
The meeting continued on gravely. Members raised their voices and went back and forth. The fight between Orland and Wayne was especially intense as they shouted with their veins bulging from their throats.
“For now…” Walwiss started, sounding tired, “It seems like we have to investigate more. Let’s keep those two people under questioning.”
“That won’t be enough, sir! We have to disarm them, place them in separate prison cells, and thoroughly interrogate both of them!”
“What nonsense!” Orland refuted Wayne’s words. “If I am being very generous, I admit that an investigation is necessary, but how dare you treat them like mere criminals! Anyone can see that this is all your moronic son’s fault!”
“What!” Wayne’s face was red. “Are you sheltering your defective kid who doesn’t even have mana just because it’s yours! After giving birth to a wrench like that, it’s shocking how you can talk so shamelessly!”
“Even if she doesn’t have mana, she isn’t a complete moron who would gather a whole group of mercenaries and academic mages for a personal grudge and get himself beaten up to the point of death! All the people he brought with him died too! You must be so proud to have such an amazingly stupid son!”
“How dare you!”
“Silence!” In the end, Walwiss had to shout out an order.
Even though Orland and Wayne were still breathing heavily in anger, they closed their mouths. However, they didn’t withdraw their murderous glares towards each other. If someone had given them knives, they probably would have immediately stabbed each other.
“First, we will conduct an investigation on this matter.” At Walwiss’ words, everyone’s gazes shifted towards him. No one protested against this statement. Then Walwiss continued, “I will allow the two of them to be locked up, but not in a prison. I’ll set aside a normal house, and we can keep them under surveillance.”
Wayne loudly shouted, “Master!”
However, Walwiss ignored him and continued, “They’ll have to disarm their weapons and will not be allowed to meet each other. Isn’t that enough?”
“I object! Their punishment is too much! They didn’t even commit a serious offense!” Orland was the one who shouted this time.
However, the atmosphere of the meeting room seemed to lean towards Walwiss’ orders. In the first place, no one in this meeting room had particularly favorable thoughts about Zich and Lyla. On the contrary, their hearts leaned more towards Mawin as a mage from their magical tower. Moreover, there was also the issue of Zich torturing Mawin to get information out of him.
Orland read the atmosphere of the room and gritted his teeth. He stared at Walwiss. “Are you really going to do this, Father!”
“Don’t use such personal titles, Dwayne. This is a meeting between mages to reach a consensus. Regardless of how you feel about this matter, we have a duty to follow.”
“…Perhaps, are you using this as an opportunity to remove Elena’s teacher to make Elena give up on her magic studies?”
“….Your words have gone overboard, Dwayne!” Walwiss let out an angry shout, but Orland continued to glare at Walwiss.
In the end, Orland said, “In order to reach a consensus, you have no choice but to make this kind of decision…Father, I dearly hope these arguments of yours are sincere.”
Then Orland got up and left the meeting room with an icy aura. And like that, the meeting to address the incident was over.
* * *
Zich and Lyla were in the Dwayne mansion. Snoc and Nowem, whom they often brought to help with Elena’s lessons, were also with them. Given permission to wander by himself, Hans was also now with them. When the incident with Mawin first blew up, Walwiss Dwayne had called them to his mansion to protect them and keep them under surveillance. Zich also didn’t refuse and brought the rest of his companions to the Dwayne mansion.
Nervously pacing nearby, Elena said loudly, “Everything will turn out all right! Teacher and Mr. Zich didn’t do anything wrong! Father also said he’ll speak up during the meeting, so I’m sure nothing much will happen!”
‘That’ll be problematic.’ Unlike Elena’s hopes, Zich wanted something big to happen—the bigger the better.
However, he didn’t make his feelings obvious and smiled at Elena. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Elena began doing the same actions as she was doing before; it was not much. All she did was twirl her feet in nervousness. Then, Elena looked at Zich’s companions. The people involved in this incident, Zich and Lyla, and even Hans and Snoc were all too relaxed. Now that she was looking at them, it felt as if she was the strange one for being so anxious. Perhaps, was she thinking too much about this matter? Was this incident really just an insignificant matter? Was it okay for her to relax?
Even though Elena heard that a huge commotion was occurring in the magical tower due to this incident, some of Elena’s concerns were eased as she saw how relaxed Zich and his companions were. However, when people stormed into the mansion, Elena’s heart tensed up again.
“Are you Zich?” A man with sharp eyes came inside the mansion with Walwiss’ guidance and he stood in front of Zich.
“Yes, sir.”
“And you’re Lyla?”
Lyla sat in front of Zich, and she nodded in response.
“I’ve received an order to take the two of you into custody. You must immediately disarm yourselves and follow us.”
Elena shouted, “Wait a moment!” Then she ran towards Walwiss who was standing next to the man.
“What happened, Grandpa?! They’ve committed no crimes!”
“Move away, Elena. This is a matter between adults.”
Elena was shocked by Walwiss’ firm and sharp gaze. She hesitantly took a few steps back, and Walwiss also withdrew his gaze from Elena.
“Do we just have to follow you?” Zich asked with a bright smile.
The man frowned but nodded. “Give your weapons to us. We will carefully store th—”
“And why would we trust you guys?” Zich cut off the man’s sentence and flicked his hand. Hans moved next to him. Zich handed Hans his magic box, money, and Windur. “Take good care of them while I’m gone.”
“Yes, sir! I will protect them with my life!”
Lyla also called Snoc to her side and left him with her staff and other items. Then Zich and Lyla both got up from their seats.
“Now, do we just have to follow you?”
“Yes.”
“Please take the lead.”
Since Zich and Lyla obediently followed their instructions, those who were worried that Zich and Lyla might resist slowly began to relax. Lyla and Zich followed behind the man who first questioned them.
However, when Zich passed by Hans and Snoc, he quietly whispered, “Do a good job.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Yes, sir.”
Hans and Snoc quietly answered Zich’s secretive order. No one else heard their conversation.