Episode 130
“It seems Wesley suspects that someone within the Ministry of Magic is secretly working with me.”
Having successfully led the mana verification ceremony, that suspicion wasn’t entirely unfounded. But there was no way Ian, fresh from the frontier, had built up a faction of his own. That left only one possibility—they must be connected to Marib.
“So, before making any decisions, we need to ask His Highness Marib directly. We must find out if, as Wesley suspects, there are other eyes and ears planted besides me. Mini, prepare a letter to send immediately.”
Snap!
Ian snapped his fingers, and Mini quickly gathered pen and paper from the study. Romandro, who had been quietly listening, suddenly looked alarmed and moved closer to Ian’s side.
“So, what’s your plan then?”
“If His Highness confirms there is someone else planted, the best way to avoid suspicion on both sides is to join that department.”
“No, that’s not right. It’s better to pretend you don’t know and join somewhere else entirely!”
“How can I cram people into one department? If I go to the same place, all eyes will be on me alone.”
There was always the chance that a spy from the same department might be sent to keep an eye on Ian, but that was a distant possibility. The priority was to confirm whether Marib had any other agents besides Ian.
“I’m not sure if His Highness will be straightforward, but it seems he gave me this choice to test me.”
Ian had a gut feeling Marib had no other agents, but it was better to send the letter anyway—to explain why he might join a different department than the Mana Stone Management Division.
“So, you’re saying that if Marib has a trusted hand somewhere, you’ll go there…”
“If not, I’ll join the Mana Operations Department.”
“That place has a lot of tough assignments. Won’t it wear you down?”
“True, but among all the departments, it’s probably the only one more loyal to the captain than to Minister Wesley. Fieldwork tends to be like that.”
No matter how many layers of command there were, the captain who faced hardships alongside the team earned the most trust. Besides, from what Ian had seen, the department’s atmosphere seemed quite good.
“The Magic Support Department isn’t bad either, but it’s like sticking your head into a lion’s mouth.”
Especially since most of the magic circle malfunctions had involved that department, it would be very difficult for Ian to operate there. Surrounded all day by those watching and tightening the noose, how could he get anything done?
“The fairly balanced Mana Operations Department is the better choice. Of course, this plan assumes His Highness has no spies.”
With graceful strokes, Ian composed the letter, and by afternoon, Marib’s reply arrived. It stated there was no one in the Ministry who could assist Ian.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
“Minister Wesley, Viscount Ian Hielo has submitted his application to join the Ministry.”
Wesley turned his head at the aide’s report. Ian’s joining was expected, but which department he’d enter was a matter of curiosity.
“Which department?”
“The Mana Operations Department.”
“Haha. Mana Operations?”
Wesley crossed his arms and bit his lip. That was the department where Nakina, who had acted suspiciously during the mana verification, was stationed. Its captain, Hale, was notoriously difficult—a rigid man who clung to rules and often clashed with Wesley.
“This is going to be a real headache. So annoying.”
“Do you think he has ties to Nakina?”
“If that were the case, he wouldn’t have joined the same department.”
“Then maybe there’s a traitor somewhere else…”
The situation felt tangled with no clear answers. Wesley suddenly recalled what Gale had said.
“Ian really did fix it.”
That scoundrel from the frontier had actually repaired the magic circle in that brief moment. If that were true, all this messy political maneuvering would be unnecessary. But Wesley couldn’t bring himself to accept it.
“Impossible. There’s no way he can do what I can’t…”
Putting Gale aside, this was a problem for Wesley himself. He was the youngest minister in the Empire’s history, unmatched in magical ability. Ian’s arrival threatened to push all that into the shadows.
“Ian definitely has an accomplice.”
Muttering half to himself, Wesley’s aide sighed softly. Wesley turned sharply to him.
“When is he supposed to arrive at the palace?”
“The details weren’t clear, but it seems the viscount’s bodyguard will be sent to the palace training grounds soon.”
“Bodyguard? The one with red hair?”
“Yes. They plan to arrive on the weekday free training day and requested to send a letter beforehand. If you approve, Minister, they’ll take care of business at the training grounds, formally greet the staff, and start work the next day.”
Wesley frowned. It was as if every step of the process was laid bare—from the Ministry to the palace training grounds, every move was precise and deliberate.
“Anyway, Romandro.”
He didn’t like how Romandro stuck close, offering help at every turn. She stood abruptly, grabbed her jacket, and left the office.
Bang!
Not far from the office was the Magic Support Department.
Wesley burst through the door, causing the wizards buried in paperwork to flinch and look up.
“Minister? Wh-what brings you here?”
It was their first day back after being roughed up by the magic circle malfunction during the mana verification. The tense atmosphere made their nervousness obvious. Wesley clicked his tongue and gave his order.
“Prepare to welcome Viscount Ian Hielo.”
“Is he really joining? Which department?”
Their expressions were complicated—a mix of hope he wouldn’t come here and hope that he would. They had grand plans to push him to the brink of exhaustion if he did.
“He’s going to Mana Operations, so inform them as well.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
“…Get your act together.”
Though a newcomer after several years, Ian was no ordinary recruit. And with Marib backing him, everyone snapped to attention and nodded.
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
“I’m really looking forward to this. Ha ha ha!”
“Get to work, then.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
Squeak!
Bang!
The wizards buried their noses back in paperwork. Once the minister left, they all sighed in relief and exchanged glances.
“A new recruit’s coming.”
“Yeah, it’s been a while. How many years has it been?”
“We have to give him a proper welcome. See if the ‘Light of Prophecy’ is real or not.”
They wondered if the magic circle malfunction had amplified his power. The wizards busied themselves preparing for the newcomer.
“Did you hear? Viscount Hielo’s going to Mana Operations.”
“What? Really? So they’re really sidelining him? I thought after his role in the Roxanne battle, he’d finally get a proper position.”
“Doubt it. Minister Wesley gave him the choice, and Ian picked it himself.”
“Anyway, Mana Operations is in trouble now. Suddenly having to deal with Ian. Wesley’s probably completely written him off.”
“Think about it. This might be an opportunity. If they can handle Ian well instead of Wesley, they might score some points.”
“Shh. Watch your words! Even if he’s a nobody, he’s still a noble. Ha ha ha!”
The rumor that Ian would join Mana Operations spread quickly. Though the Ministry was small, this matter was so high-profile that no corner of the palace was unaware.
“Huh?”
Except for the Mana Operations Department itself.
Captain Hale, eating in the cafeteria, dropped his spoon and turned around. When those chatting noticed Hale’s gaze, they hurriedly moved away.
“What’s this about? Nakina, did you hear?”
“Just now. With everyone talking, it was hard to miss.”
“So you didn’t know either.”
Mouth full, Tommy asked Hale.
“Is there a problem? A new recruit’s coming, right?”
“No. None.”
“Then let’s eat.”
Tommy’s words made Hale sniffle and pick up his spoon again.
Well, what did it matter? They just had to keep working as usual. The three ignored the sharp stares from behind and kept eating.
“Ian! Iaaaan!”
“Shut up, Beric.”
“Come on, hurry up! Why are you so slow?”
Ian looked at Beric, who was whining while hanging on the doorknob, with disbelief. Today was the palace’s free training day—and Ian’s welcome ceremony at the Ministry. Usually the slowest to get ready, Ian was now being rushed, which was amusing.
“Are you really that excited?”
“They say there are tons of weaklings like the Cheonryeo clan.”
“Yeah. Today, your nose is probably going to get smashed.”
Ian muttered as he fastened his cuffs. The free training day was exactly that—a day when those with palace access gathered at the training grounds to test their skills and build camaraderie. A kind of day off.
“So, what am I supposed to do when I get there?”
“There’s nothing difficult about it. Everyone inside the palace will either be chatting or training. Just politely greet the person you want, then ask them for a sparring match.”
Normally, a renowned swordsman outside the palace would meet a patron who could even help them gain access to the royal grounds. But Ian and Beric had already built that kind of relationship over a long time.
“Hey, you should consider yourself honored. How often do you get the chance to spar with the palace knights?”
“Romandro, seriously, this is ridiculous. Just watch. The knights will be the ones feeling honored. Where else would you get to experience getting completely wrecked like that?”
“You’re the one who’s going to get wrecked. Tsk tsk. Should I call a doctor in advance…?”
Whether or not he heard Romandro’s concern, Beric snorted and, full of self-satisfaction, continued sharpening his sword. Ian, having finished his preparations, turned to him and asked,
“Why don’t you bring a different sword?”
“Why? No way!”
Beric’s mysterious black sword absorbed energy and would explode if overloaded. Ian frowned slightly and warned him,
“Almost half of them will be magic swordsmen. If something happens to your sword, wouldn’t that be a problem?”
“Are you worried my sword will break?”
“Your neck.”
“Oh, that kind of worry? I’m fine! Everyone will be fighting with their own weapons. I can’t exactly show up with a wooden practice sword, can I? Right, master?”
“…Do as you please.”
Beric gleefully swung his sword around, running about, while Romandro grimaced and tried to stop him. Outside, the coachman honked, signaling that everything was ready.
“Let’s go. Oh, and Romandro.”
“Hmm?”
Ian reached out his hand with a smile. Without thinking, Romandro clasped it, and for some reason, he found himself smiling back.
“This is our last handshake. They say shaking hands with a magic user brings good luck. By the time I return from the palace, I’ll already be a mage.”
“Oh, is that so? One more time then!”
“Of course.”
“Me too, me too! Shake my hand!”
“All right, just put that sword away for a moment.”
The three of them clasped hands tightly, sharing a moment of luck—completely unaware of what was about to unfold.