The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Decided to Divorce

25

“… Excuse me?”

Alter asked, puzzled.

Certainly, he had the makings of a mage, but not to the extent of discussing succession as an Archmage.

Of course, I had heard similar words from my family, but I took them as lies meant to lift my spirits.

“Have you ever considered becoming my successor? You’d start as an apprentice, of course… but if you prove your worth, you could be officially named.”

“Uh… I don’t think I have such remarkable abilities.”

“Hmm… Are you being modest now? You can speak frankly in front of me, can’t you?”

“I am aware that I have a talent for magic, but I don’t think it’s to that extent.”

“Are you speaking sincerely? You seem quite ignorant of your own capabilities.”

Allaune couldn’t help but feel puzzled, yet he understood the position.

Alter had lived in the northern territories before coming to the capital.

The northern territories, being far from the capital, likely had a less developed magical education environment.

Having met under such conditions, it was inevitable that he would give an ignorant response.

“Very well. I shall explain it to you directly. You do know that you were born with the ice attribute, right?”

“Yes. Since I can create ice, it must be the ice attribute.”

“A mage typically possesses only one innate attribute. Of course, there are exceptions, but they are rare.”

“I’ve heard that the Archmage handles two attributes. Does that mean you are an exception?”

“Indeed. I can wield both fire and earth attributes. However, my understanding of other attributes is not lacking. As an Archmage, shouldn’t I be well-versed in all attributes?”

Allaune answered calmly, as if it were a matter of course.

A peak magician should naturally possess extensive knowledge of magic.

Even if it was an attribute not bestowed upon him, he would still research and draw out perfect practical experience.

“Ahem. Ultimately, magic is about constructing a specific form from an attribute. For example, I could create arrows with the fire attribute or build walls with the earth attribute.”

“I see what you mean. Magic is created by forming something out of an attribute?”

“Exactly. Most mages do so, and I am no exception. But!”

Allaune suddenly widened his eyes and fixed them on Alter.

Alter felt the weight of his gaze but tried to maintain a composed demeanor.

“You, Lord Alter, have slain monsters without constructing a specific form. You’ve simply dominated an entire area with the attribute itself! Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes. I think I understand a bit. Normally, I would have to create something with ice to attack, but you’re saying I froze the monsters with just the cold?”

“Precisely! An attribute, being bound to nature, cannot be arbitrarily fixed. Therefore, we construct a specific form to stabilize the anomaly. But how did you manage to use the attribute itself as a weapon?”

“That was… uh… just something I tried. I didn’t really have time to think about it.”

“So, if I interpret that correctly, you used magic intuitively… Have I misunderstood?”

“Most likely, you’re correct. Probably.”

“If that’s the case, then I must conclude that you, Lord Alter, possess an innate talent for magic. You’ve applied the attribute flexibly without fixing it, so you must be called a genius among geniuses.”

Alter stood there, lost for words, merely gauging the situation.

It was rare to receive praise from the Archmage, yet it didn’t feel particularly moving.

Instead, he was left pondering how to conclude this encounter.

“Moreover! The attribute’s concentration was excessively dense. That’s why the beast remained frozen and hasn’t thawed since. From this fact, it can be inferred that Lord Alter wields a high concentration of magical power.”

“To put it simply… does this mean I have the right qualities to become a magician?”

“It’s an understatement to say you’re merely ‘appropriate.’ In the realm of ice attributes, there is no one who can match Lord Alter. With such talent, if effort is added, you could rightfully receive the title of Archmage.”

Allaune’s expectations grew vaguely as he examined the specimen created by Alter’s magic.

He had perfectly controlled an unestablished attribute, and its power was overwhelmingly mighty.

Such an extraordinary talent could not be missed, so as the Archmage, he intended to persuade Alter himself.

“… I understand what you’re saying, but I’m afraid I must decline your offer, Archmage.”

“Such opportunities are rare! If I choose you as my disciple, it will greatly influence the succession. No magician could ignore Lord Alter’s skills, so why refuse to become my disciple?”

“My physical condition isn’t good. After using magic once, I just collapse. How could I possibly learn magic?”

“Really… Are you serious? Can one be so frail?”

“How could I lie to you, Archmage? If only I were healthy, I would have considered your offer positively.”

“Oh dear… To be born with such superior talent and yet such misfortune!”

Allaune lamented but couldn’t bring himself to agree.

He couldn’t easily give up on a magician with such qualities.

He had to change Alter’s mind, even if it meant staking his honor as the Archmage.

“Ah, and there’s one more thing. I haven’t yet undergone the coming-of-age ceremony, so I can’t decide on this matter. It requires my father’s permission.”

“What? You haven’t had your coming-of-age ceremony? You’re not just young in appearance?”

“Uh… Yes.”

“Hmm… To possess such remarkable talent at your age, yet you refuse to pursue the pinnacle of magic because of one misfortune?”

“I can’t risk learning magic and dying, can I?”

“Oh… Well, that’s… Oh dear…”

Allaune, while agreeing, couldn’t hide his disappointment.

Without preserving life, no future can be planned.

Death is fair to everyone, and everything built up until then fades away into nothingness.

That’s why, as humans, we strive to protect our meager lives without regrets.

“Is it just a weakness, or are you suffering from an illness?”

“I’m not sure which side it is right now. Shouldn’t we find out a bit more?”

“… Is that so? Then, may I take a moment to check?”

“If you would do that for me, I would be grateful.”

“Would you extend your hand? I can briefly verify with my magic.”

Alter extended his right hand without hesitation upon hearing those words.

Allaune lightly pulled up his sleeve and then firmly grasped Alter’s hand.

A chill began to spread from the tips of his fingers.

“… Your hands are quite cold.”

“Yes. They wouldn’t be this cold if I were truly frail.”

“Hmm… Uh…”

Allaune slowly released his magic, wrapping it around Alter’s hand.

A great sorcerer could detect even the slightest change in magic.

Magic naturally wells up from the heart, flowing with the blood, directly linked to the will of its user.

In other words, understanding the pattern allows one to deduce the cause and effect of magic.

“… I assert with the authority of a great sorcerer, Lord Alter, you are not frail.”

From noble mtl dot come

Allaune released Alter’s hand with inward certainty.

Unlike Allaune, Alter could only look at him, seized by doubt.

Could it be that he had discovered the reason for his frailty, unlike that of a cleric?

“The magic flows smoothly, but it seems tainted with impurities.”

“Impurities? If they are removed, might my condition improve?”

“I cannot be certain as this is the first case of its kind. However, I believe it is worth attempting.”

“How can we remove these impurities?”

“First, make a promise to me. If you agree, I will spare no effort for Lord Alter.”

“What promise should I make?”

“If your condition improves through my methods, you must become my disciple. Can you do that?”

Allaune had resorted to his last strategy to secure Alter.

Of course, he was yet unable to treat Alter, nor had he determined the cause of the impurities.

But should he find even the slightest possibility, he was determined to enlist Alter at all costs.

“I will do so only if I improve through your methods. There might be other ways, after all.”

“That goes without saying. It must be so.”

“I’ll speak to my father separately about this.”

“Don’t worry about it. Shall I not just send a letter myself? I will take care of everything, so you, Lord Alter, just prepare yourself mentally.”

“…”

Alter hesitated for a moment before choosing to continue in silence.

He couldn’t disbelieve the words of the empire’s greatest sorcerer.

If anything, he should be more cooperative if it meant curing his illness.

‘So my body was indeed afflicted? Impurities, you say…’

He was curious about these impurities, but it seemed like a matter to be deferred for later.

If even the Archmage had set conditions, it wouldn’t be an easy fix.

But from Alter’s perspective, there didn’t seem to be any downside.

‘An Archmage… If it heals me, there’s nothing I can’t do.’

***

Zayer received a report that a letter from the Archmage had arrived from the capital.

He had a hunch it involved his youngest son.

If such powerful magic had been used, it was only natural for the Archmage to take an interest.

‘…He wants to take my son as his apprentice? On certain conditions?’

Zayer was somewhat surprised as he read the letter.

He knew Alter had a talent for magic.

But he had been too physically frail, and Zayer had reluctantly made him give it up; who would have thought the Archmage would make a direct request?

‘I worried he had overexerted himself needlessly, but perhaps there was a gain after all.’

Zayer couldn’t shake off the anxiety after receiving the letter from Duke Ilenath.

Alter had his own circumstances, but he had to value his life above all else.

Yet he had used magic, so harm was inevitable in some form.

‘It was good to send him to the capital. A solution seems to be emerging.’

Zayer wished for his youngest son’s recovery more than anyone.

Alter had been confined to his room since childhood, unable to showcase his talents.

It might be late, but perhaps it was time to carve out a future.

‘Indeed, marrying him to the Duke’s daughter is the right move. For Alter to live comfortably… there’s no other way.’