Kays Translations

Chapter 125: Returning to the Territorial Capital

Alex joined us for dinner, bringing together everyone in the family who was staying at the townhouse. Cain remained in the Royal Academy dormitory and was probably eating with his friends in the dining hall.

I wondered why he hadn’t come to greet Father despite being so close. Perhaps academy life was simply that enjoyable. He might also have thought Alex’s presence was enough.

“Alex, is Cain doing well?” Father asked.

“I’ve heard of no serious problems. He joined the swordsmanship club and has attracted a great deal of attention despite being a first-year student. There are rumours that he’s the strongest in his year, though he denies it. He has many friends and always seems to be enjoying himself.”

“I see. And his studies?”

Father was clearly worried about that. Cain radiated the aura of someone who preferred muscles to books, so I shared the concern.

Alex looked slightly away.

“He hasn’t failed anything, but his marks are barely sufficient. A friend has been helping him study, so I think he’ll manage.”

“Is that friend a young lady?”

“What? Yes, but how did you know?”

Father exhaled through his nose and closed his eyes, looking strangely satisfied. Brother Cain, did you have a weakness for girls?

“That’s acceptable. Tell Cain to introduce her to me one day.”

“You won’t tell him yourself, Father?”

“I’ll return to the territory shortly. I doubt I’ll have an opportunity to see him.”

“I see…”

Alex didn’t ask further, but Father’s haste clearly alerted him. He glanced at me with concern.

It wasn’t because I had caused trouble this time, all right? I disliked being treated as the obvious culprit.

Father was surely worried about our border with the Kingdom of Lund Al. He needed to strengthen patrols, collect information and coordinate with neighbouring territories.

Winter snow made military movement unlikely, but early summer had arrived. If an attack had been planned to follow the King’s death, preparations might already be underway.

“What about you, Julius?” Alex asked. “You don’t have to return immediately.”

“I’m going home. There’s nothing for me to do here.”

“You’re painfully honest. I could arrange a tour of the Royal Academy.”

“There’s no need. I intend to attend the academy in the territorial capital.”

Father and Alex both stared at me. Why did they look so surprised? I had never once said that I wanted to attend the Royal Academy. In fact, I very much didn’t.

“Really?” Alex said. “I assumed you would enrol here. The royal capital is better for obtaining unusual materials, and you would have access to the newest magic tools and research.”

“So you intend to attend the territorial academy…” Father murmured.

Alex had a point, but none of those advantages appealed enough to change my mind.

Adventurers could probably obtain better materials than shops, and my knowledge from the game was already far ahead of the world’s current technology. I still had countless unused ideas—vehicles, airships and much more.

The main disadvantage would be fewer connections with high-ranking nobles, but I didn’t consider that especially important.

“Yes. Anyone seeking to become a magic pharmacist should naturally attend the academy Grandmother helped establish. Its magic-pharmacology courses are among the best.”

“That’s true… Very well. I understand.”

Father nodded slowly, but his expression remained stern. Had His Majesty asked him to place me in the Royal Academy?

Dinner ended with that question still in my mind. Father arranged for us to leave the royal capital the following morning, so I returned to my room to pack.

There was very little to do. I placed my clothes, books and medal in my luggage. I hadn’t bought anything during the visit, but that didn’t bother me. There was nothing I particularly wanted.

A servant later confirmed that we would depart after breakfast.

The next morning, we left the townhouse before Alex needed to return to the academy.

“Travel safely,” Alex said.

“Take care of yourself,” Father replied. “Tell Cain the same.”

“Thank you for looking after us, Brother Alex.”

After those brief farewells, the carriage moved through the still-quiet streets of the royal capital.

House Heine bred excellent horses, and the racing programme had improved them further. By leaving early, we could travel as far as the second post town before nightfall.

Thanks to those horses, we reached the territorial capital sooner than usual.

Mother was surprised by our rapid return but delighted when I told her that I had received the Honorary Magic Pharmacist Medal.

Father informed Mother and a small group of trusted retainers about the attempted poisoning, my Panacea and the possibility of trouble involving the Kingdom of Lund Al.

The potential threat created immediate urgency. Father had evidently decided that he could no longer conceal all of my activities from those responsible for defending the territory.

Mother turned pale but didn’t lose her composure. She was stronger than I sometimes realised.

We didn’t tell Rosalia. She was still too young for such information.

The adults immediately began a strategy meeting—and, for some reason, they made me attend as well.

Um, I was still a child too.

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