Being Advised
As soon as I entered my room, I called for Atre—but he wasn’t there.
Huh? Where did he go?
I started to panic, but Georges calmly said he was in the garden, playing with Ripka and Bianca, while gazing out the window.
The moment I heard that, I dashed out of the room and headed to the garden.
“Atre!” I called as I ran up to him.
“Atre, you’re not the same attribute as me, so was it really okay to form a familiar contract with me? And also, ever since I learned how to use magic, I haven’t given you any mana, right? I remember you said at the beginning that it was fine because you could take it on your own, and I just kind of forgot all about it…” I rattled off without pause.
Atre seemed startled by my sudden outburst, but he answered my questions.
He said that although we have different attributes, my mana feels pleasant to him because of the divine blessings I carry.
Also, since I still haven’t mastered mana control, it’s easier for him to absorb it on his own than to take it directly from me.
He added that once I could control my mana properly, it would actually consume less of my mana to give it directly, and that’s when he’d planned to tell me.
“I’ve never really thought about how much mana I’m using up…”
Apparently, giving mana to Atre is helping my mana capacity grow faster.
However, Atre told me that as he gets bigger, the amount of mana he needs will also increase, and since I’ll be using more mana myself too, I should start thinking about managing it better.
Ugh… I can't believe I’m getting a lecture from Atre...
“Haha! Hardt, you were all flustered, so I thought something serious had happened—and then you go and asks something like that?” Brother Gerald was slumped over the table, laughing.
He and Brother Chris were in the first-floor room with a clear view of the garden and a door that led right outside, so they could see Atre and the others playing.
Brother Gerald, it’s not that funny...
Why are you laughing so hard?
“What did Atre say to you? Also, why did you suddenly get so concerned about something you hadn’t even thought about before?” Brother Chris asked.
So I told them about today’s tea party, how Raphael had asked me something that made me remember, and what Atre had explained.
“So Atre gave you a little scolding, huh? Ha, ha.” Brother Chris was trying to stifle his laughter, but failing miserably.
I pouted.
“Well, sounds like it’s all settled, and we don’t get much time to talk like this as brothers. Why don’t you join us for a bit?”
“Gerald’s right. After New Year’s, the two of you will be heading back to the Westland territory, and if that happens, I probably won’t get to see you again until summer next year.” Brother Chris added.
As we watched Atre, Ripka, and Bianca playing, the three of us brothers spent a fun, relaxing time chatting together.
During the break leading up to New Year’s, I got to enjoy a peaceful time filled with reading.
I also heard from our parents about what the year-end palace party had been like.
Apparently, during the party, everyone’s attribute levels and mana amounts were revealed, which caused an uproar that made the rest of the party practically meaningless.
Hearing that made me want to try it right away. And since all it took was chanting a spell, it sounded really easy.
From there, it turned into a huge show-off contest of mana levels and capacity, full of all kinds of emotions—joy, jealousy, frustration, everything. Sounded like it got pretty wild.
When the New Year began, we returned to the Westland territory.
I was glad I got to see Brother Chris and make new friends, but I still like it here more than the capital.
Now that I have unlimited access to books at the Library thanks to the Sage’s Blessing, I’d planned to spend a relaxing spring reading all I wanted—but here I am, in Father’s study with Brother Gerald, summoned by him.
“We looked into mana levels and mana capacity among the Knights Order.” Father began. “Only Captain Kyle’s squad had a note in the remarks column. It said that mages should reach level 40 by summer, and that knights skilled with swords should possess and be able to wield a mithril sword by then.”
So something is going to happen in the Great Forest this summer after all.
And that means we’ll have to face it head-on.
Since Captain Kyle’s squad always accompanies us, I guess that confirms we’ll be heading deep into the Great Forest this summer… I was thinking that when Brother Gerald spoke up.
“Father, can we even procure mithril for everyone?”
“No, we don’t have enough for everyone. That’s why we’ll be making several trips to the dungeon from now on. You two will be going as well.”
Wait, the dungeon?
“Ahh, if only Captain Kyle’s group keeps going to the dungeon, people might start getting suspicious. But if we say it’s for Hardt’s protection, there won’t be any questions.” Brother Gerald reasoned.
So I have to pretend I’m whining to go to the dungeon just to make it look natural?
Well… I guess we do*need to keep the White Dragon a secret from the townsfolk and others…
What do you think about this chapter?
