Episode 911
Early that morning, Ian didn’t head to Enerjes as usual—he went straight to the Ministry of Magic. The air was a bit chilly, but the Ministry was as lively as ever.
No, more than lively—
“Who came up with this formula?”
“Wasn’t it you?”
“Me? This ridiculous formula?”
“Yeah, definitely you.”
“Ugh, my head hurts. Can we just take a break already?”
“I know you only slept five hours a day. Stop whining.”
“Haahhh.”
The place was practically buzzing with noise.
Naum was there too, rubbing his eyes as he learned portal formulas in the garden. The magical world truly had no end; it felt like every day opened a new path of learning.
As Naum crouched down, erasing and redrawing formulas for confirmation, Ian appeared on the stairs.
“Ian?”
“Huh? Ian?”
“Why are you here?”
“You’re skipping school!”
Showing up here instead of class!
The wizards looked puzzled but didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. Skipping classes, arguing with professors—that was just part of student life. What’s life without a little chaos?
“Ian can get away with it. He’s noble, rich, and young. The professor’s probably going to die first.”
“Don’t say that in front of the kid. The Minister will scold you. Besides, usually the professor dies first anyway.”
“Ian! Why are you here?”
With a soft thud, Ian descended the stairs and stepped into the garden. The magical circle the wizards had drawn overnight was vivid—a portal connecting to the north, meant to deliver news to Crony.
“I have something to tell Crony too.”
“Hm?”
“But is this how it’s supposed to be done?”
Suddenly, Ian crouched down and stared intently at the formula. The wizards just rubbed the back of their heads, finding it cute, and gathered around Ian to explain.
“This formula sets latitude and longitude. When configuring a portal magic circle, you have to be careful. If you mess up, you could crash into the ground or fall from the sky. Wizards can usually manage, but the real problem is when you’re transporting others. One wrong move and it’s a disaster.”
“Hmm. So this part should be calculated like this?”
“What part?”
“Here.”
Ian picked up a twig and casually traced a section of the formula.
The wizards smiled like proud dads and gathered around to check. The value Ian calculated was completely different—something they’d never seen before.
Naturally, they assumed Ian’s answer was wrong, but—
“Huh?”
“Wait, what?”
“Like this?”
Ian’s formula was astonishingly creative and flawless. Not only that, it was precise.
The wizards gasped in disbelief as Ian continued to add notes beneath the lines—effortlessly, as if reciting multiplication tables. They stared, mouths agape, reading what Ian had written.
“Ian, who taught you this?”
“Enerjes.”
“Enerjes teaches portal magic formulas?”
“No, in the ‘Basics of Formula Studies’ class.”
…Unbelievable.
Ian smiled brightly as if it was nothing, but the wizards couldn’t laugh. They knew just how extraordinary this ability was.
It was like watching a toddler suddenly break into a full sprint.
Gently, the wizards put their arms around Ian’s shoulders and guided him.
“…Ian, how about we take a look at this side too?”
“Where?”
“This formula up here, top right. No matter how I look at it, the answer’s a bit off.”
“Hey! Follow the order!”
“You do it. I’m showing you what Ian found first, see?”
“You should start with the closest part. What kind of rude friend are you?”
“Two hours of sleep a day and you want manners? You go eat, or rather, you go.”
Ian kept a smiling face, but the others were desperately grabbing at each other’s collars. They wanted to finish their sections so they could finally rest or eat. No one knew when Ian would leave, so everyone was eager to get help first.
“What are you doing?”
Arena, passing by, noticed Ian’s arms being pulled in opposite directions by the wizards, almost torn apart. Ian’s eyes went wide, unsure what to do, and Arena shot a sharp look.
“I told you, don’t bully Ian!”
“We’re not bullying! Ian’s a real genius!”
“You just realized that now?”
“It’s not about magic power—he’s calculating portal formulas without even learning portal magic.”
“These guys haven’t slept, so they’re all crazy… or whatever.”
“It’s true! Come see for yourself!”
Grumbling, Arena stepped into the garden and checked the roughly sketched formula with the twig.
Her eyes soon widened in surprise. She covered her mouth, speechless.
“…This is…”
“Awesome, right?”
Ian stood awkwardly, fiddling with the twig. Arena looked stunned, unsure what to say. After a long pause, she finally asked.
“Ian.”
“Yes?”
“School?”
“……”
Caught off guard, Ian’s eyes rolled around. Arena patted his head and stood up.
“Did you come here on business?”
“Yes. I have something to report.”
“Follow me to the Minister’s office.”
As Ian turned to leave, the wizards desperately reached out, trying to grab his sleeve. Arena slapped their hands away, warning them.
“Everyone handle your own work! If you get caught asking Ian for help, deal with it yourselves. People need to struggle a bit to grow.”
“Growth is one thing, but let’s work efficiently!”
“Shut up! If you don’t finish by lunch, no food for you.”
“Wow, at least they’re careful with their words because Ian’s here. Ugh, so fake.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing!”
“Waaah, Ian, can’t you stay a bit longer? Sniff.”
The wizards all cried out, desperate for Ian. He turned his head slightly, smiling regretfully, signaling he’d come back if he could. Then, by chance, his eyes met Naum’s. They exchanged a brief smile.
Screeeech.
The Minister’s office door closed. Arena gave Ian a ride.
“So, what’s going on? Skipping school to come to the Ministry this early?”
“Philia was one of the doctors who confirmed Lord Rato’s death. She was the one who cared for my parents in their final moments. She’s trustworthy and on my side.”
“Hm. I see.”
“So?”
“She wants an autopsy because there are suspicions surrounding Lord Rato’s death. I think that’s a good idea too.”
“I agree. An autopsy will reveal something, no doubt. The problem is Crony. He won’t allow it.”
“That’s why I thought I should step in.”
“Step in how?”
Ian handed Arena a piece of paper.
“It’s a document stating that the Ministry and Lord Crony will be my joint guardians. Since there are no family members left at the mansion, if Lord Crony becomes my guardian, I’ll have the authority to decide on the autopsy.”
“……!”
Becoming a legal guardian means taking on the responsibilities of a caretaker—essentially becoming family. That way, Ian could gain the right to authorize the autopsy as Crony’s relative.
What if Crony returns and objects? What then? It’s already done.
“And if the autopsy clearly shows signs of murder, I can request the revocation of Lord Crony’s guardianship, claiming he left the mansion unattended and exposed it to danger.”
Of course, the Ministry would have to support this claim actively. Arena didn’t say it outright, but she understood the implication. It was eye-opening.
‘…If that happens?’
Since Crony is away in the north, he wouldn’t be able to fulfill his guardian duties until he returns. That would be grounds for disqualification. And the Ministry would never cooperate with portal use, so they’d buy at least a month’s time.
Arena muttered as she studied the document.
“Still, it’s too risky.”
Either way, it’s like walking right into the enemy’s grasp. If they can carry out the autopsy and get out safely, perfect—but that’s just the plan. What if something goes wrong?
‘What kind of schemes will Crony hatch to keep Ian? Or is this all part of his plan? There’s no way to be sure right now.’
As Arena’s worries grew, Ian anxiously added,
“Buying time is key, but there’s no risk there. Crony is the commander of the expeditionary force. He would never return before his soldiers, especially as the next Minister of Imperial Defense.”
“That’s true.”
If Crony rushed back to capture Ian, it would spark a scandal about his qualifications. It’d be a terrible move, especially in these chaotic times.
“So today, instead of sending Lord Rato’s death notice through the portal, I want to just inform that I’ve applied to make Lord Crony my joint guardian. We just need a reply. What do you think?”
Hana, Romandro, and Philia all initially said it was dangerous, but on second thought, there was no other way to catch Crony. Ian becoming family was the only way to hold his leash.
Arena rubbed her chin, deep in thought.
“We’ll have to set some conditions.”
The fact that the Ministry of Magic was a joint guardian. That Ian’s guardianship could be revoked at any time if any issues arose in his environment. And above all, that Ian’s own wishes would always take precedence. Especially when it came to managing his assets, they promised to put safety measures in place—things like that.
It might sound like an obvious trap laid out in plain sight, but it didn’t seem like Crony would just ignore it.
“Even if he knows it’s a trap, he won’t be able to resist.”
He’d probably rack his brain trying to seize the opportunity no matter what.
Arena frowned, clearly bothered. The frustration of having to use this child just to catch one guy like Crony was boiling up inside her. Sensing her mood, Ian reached out and took Arena’s hand.
“Minister, I have a confession.”
Ian whispered it solemnly, struggling to get the words out.
“The truth is, my parents were killed by Crony.”
“…!”
“I think this is a golden opportunity. If I don’t defeat Crony now, I’ll have to live in fear of him forever.”
Someone might say to just back off. Didn’t his mother’s last words say the same? To not confront Crony until he found someone to help him.
“But I want to try everything I can while I still have the chance. For myself, and for my parents.”
“Ian.”
She was just a child. Arena tried to hide her pity as she gently stroked Ian’s back. He was smart—he must understand exactly what all this meant.
Ian hugged Arena tightly, and she returned the embrace, holding the boy close.
“I will protect you.”
If Crony doesn’t let go of your hand, I’ll cut off each finger if I have to. No matter what.
Whether Ian knew of Arena’s fierce determination or not, he smiled softly in her warm embrace.
At the northern border.
In the distance, a unit of minority troops was visible, but there was no tension within Bariel’s camp. Everyone was gathered around the campfire, cleaning their shoes or polishing their armor—things you wouldn’t expect to see when the enemy was right in front of you.
That was because, since arriving in the northern region, no armed conflict had occurred. Even though they faced each other at close range.
Only Crony and the other leaders had crossed the border a few times to hold fruitless talks. As a result, the tension of war had naturally faded.
“Captain.”
Crony looked up from the documents he was reviewing. A cold breeze slipped through the tent’s opening.
“What is it?”
“We’ve received a letter from Bariel. A portal has opened…”
“A portal? Ah.”
So the time has finally come.
Crony slowly rose, as if confirming his suspicion. He stepped outside and looked up at the portal. From the mysterious darkness, a rolled-up letter dropped with a soft thud.
Thump.
As Crony calmly read the letter, his eyes gradually widened. The soldiers watching nearby asked with concern.
“Captain Crony?”
But instead of answering, Crony hurried back into the tent and gave orders.
“Request a meeting with the northern forces. Immediately.”