Chapter 8: The Genius Young Mage
Re-written date: 5 / 15 / 2025
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"Report: A messenger from Grand Duke Viktor is requesting an audience."
Just as they were enjoying a break after filming, the voice of a guard came from outside the room.
Hearing this, Edward—who hadn't expected a visitor at such a time—showed a look of surprise. But when he heard the name "Grand Duke Viktor", he raised an eyebrow in exasperation.
The Viktor family was the most powerful noble house in the southern territory. Viktor Constantine himself was one of the four grand dukes of the Empire—a truly influential figure.
And yet, for years, he had been sending people to Durin Family castle every few months, tirelessly inviting Edward to attend the lavish banquets he hosted.
The reason for this was simple: Edward had once been known as a once-in-a-millennium genius in the Mage Tower—an unprecedented prodigy who became a Grand Mage at the youngest age in history.
Although he was later expelled from the Mage Tower for violating forbidden taboos, Edward's magical talent hadn't diminished in the slightest. In fact, after fully dedicating himself to studying both magic and Magitech Alchemy, his abilities had only grown stronger.
During his years of reclusive living, Edward's mana had grown deeper and more refined. He was now on the verge of breaking through to the sixth rank.
So, what does sixth rank mean?
The Mage Tower classified mages into six simple ranks:
Rank 1: Apprentice Mage
Rank 2: Novice Mage
Rank 3: Intermediate Mage
Rank 4: High Mage
Rank 5: Grand Mage
Rank 6: Arch Mage
Currently, the entire empire has fewer than ten Arch Mages. This made it all the more terrifying that Edward—who hadn't even reached twenty years of age—was already a Grand Mage and about to touch the level of Arch Mage.
Back at the Mage Tower, Edward's name had echoed everywhere as the youngest Grand Mage in history. If it hadn't been for that "incident" that infuriated the Elemental Branch Arch Mage, Edward would have graduated smoothly and even inherited the title of Elemental Branch Arch Mage.
Had that happened, debts would have never been a problem to begin with, and he wouldn't be tightening his belt now just to make indie films.
Still, when Edward returned to the south after leaving the Mage Tower, countless factions had tried to extend olive branches to him.
Yet Edward, uninterested in their recruitment offers, locked himself in his family's castle and ignored the world.
Later, Grand Duke Viktor—the true power in the southern territory—blocked every faction from reaching Edward, leaving them no choice but to give up.
Although part of Viktor's motivation was to keep a rare talent within his own territory rather than hand him to rival factions, Edward couldn't deny that it had allowed him to live a peaceful life as a leisurely lord.
For that, he felt some gratitude toward the duke—though that didn't mean he was willing to support him in the coming political chaos.
After all, whether it was past Edward or present Edward, he had always kept his distance from Grand Duke Viktor.
In the past, Edward had been obsessed with inventing magical and alchemical tech.
Now, he was obsessed with filmmaking and had no interest in noble socializing.
To be honest, though such banquets were seen as high-class entertainment in this world, they held no appeal to someone like Edward—who came from a world overflowing with entertainment and media culture.
That said, the current Edward was at least not as withdrawn as before.
If someone came to visit, he was willing to at least hear them out.
If they made a request he couldn't fulfill, he'd simply turn them down politely.
That, after all, was the mature and proper way for an adult to handle things.
. . . . . . . . . .
Leaving the drunk Zat and Aya in the living room, Edward brought Winry with him and headed for the castle's front gate.
At the gate, the messenger sent by Grand Duke Viktor wore a surprised expression as he said,
"It's been a long time, Baron Durin. Aside from that one time you returned from the imperial capital, this should be the second time we've met."
"..."
Seeing Edward at a loss for words, Winry leaned close to his ear and whispered,
"Over the years, this messenger has come to visit us many times. It's just that you, Lord Durin, have never agreed to see him."
"..."
Edward, who hadn't realized that the same man had been turned away at his door for three years, showed a slightly awkward expression and said,
"Well, I was completely absorbed in my magic research. It's only recently that I've managed to come out of it."
"That's truly something worth celebrating. It seems you've finally become a proper noble, Baron Durin. Now the old Baron Durin can rest in peace."
The messenger's tone was like that of an elder who had watched a child grow up.
Feeling a little embarrassed, Edward quickly changed the subject:
"Anyway, what brings you here this time?"
Although he said that, Edward had already mentally prepared himself to refuse the moment he heard the word "banquet". After all, he was still busy filming "KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!" How could he possibly have time for some boring noble gathering?
Sure enough, the messenger immediately replied,
"The Edward family's debt repayment deadline is fast approaching. If you don't mind, Grand Duke Viktor would like to invite you to a banquet in two months—"
"No thanks. I still have some ongoing magical research. While I appreciate the Duke's kind offer, I must decline."
Edward was quick and firm in his rejection. The messenger nodded knowingly as he replied, "Understood. I'll inform the Duke. He's grown used to this sort of reply from you."
"Haha... I kind of feel bad about it now. If I'm done with my matters in two months, maybe I'll attend... that... banquet or whatever."
Of course, Edward was just being polite. The messenger understood and nodded before saying, "Understood. I do have one more thing to mention."
"Oh? One more thing?"
"Yes. Grand Duke Viktor's daughter, Lady Daphne—the eldest of the ducal family—recently snuck out. If you happen to find her anywhere within your territory, please contact us immediately, either by letter or magical transmission. The Viktor family will receive it right away and offer a proper reward."
"Uh… alright."
Edward made a face. He hadn't expected something like this. Still, he verbally agreed.
As for actually finding the missing noble lady? He didn't even know what she looked like. How could he possibly find her?
Soon after, with a few more pleasantries exchanged, the two parties said their farewells.
Watching the messenger, who had tirelessly come to his door only to be turned away again and again over the years, prepare to leave, Edward once again felt a pang of guilt. After all, the journey from the Viktor estate to Durin Family castle took several days on horseback. It must have been exhausting.
"Oh right, Winry..."
Edward turned, intending to ask Winry to prepare some food for the road as a parting gift.
However, in the blink of an eye, the messenger—who had just been standing at the gate—had completely vanished.
"???"
Seeing Edward so bewildered, Winry tilted her head in confusion and asked, "Lord Durin, is something wrong?"
"Where did that guy go? He was just there a second ago!"
Winry replied with a helpless tone, "Teleportation magic, of course."
"Huh? A messenger can use teleportation? That's magic only a few Grand Mages can cast!"
With Edward's voice rising in disbelief, Winry sighed and pressed her fingers to her forehead.
"Lord Durin, have you forgotten? That man was actually Roy, Grand Duke Viktor's chief court mage."
"Roy?"
"Yes. He's also known as Major Roy. I believe he's your senior from the Mage Tower. Like you, he's a Grand Mage. In fact, the record for fastest ascent to Grand Mage that he set back then was broken by you. You should've met him two years ago, remember?"