Chapter 10.2

Translator: Lizz

 

The solitary confinement cell, created for the punishment of troublesome mages, was located in the basement of the residential wing. When Zechs was thrown in there, half-dragged, he remembered and understood what he had done. Although his anger had not subsided, he was in a state of mind where he could look at that anger calmly.

 

The first thing he thought was that it was good he hadn’t gone berserk. If he had let his anger take over and lost control of his power, he might have killed his opponent or caused serious damage to the building. If such a situation had occurred at a section of the Royal Castle, he would undoubtedly have been held accountable for it. Incidentally, he realized for the first time that when he lost himself in anger without going berserk, he would end up beating his opponent to a pulp.

 

The next thought that came to mind was the question of why he had ended up in such a trance. When he was in Daza, it was not uncommon for him to be verbally abused or even physically assaulted when Jesse wasn’t around. Town residents would sometimes call him a ‘filthy mage’, and his fellow mages would spit on him, calling him ‘barbarian’. Despite this, no matter what was said or how much he was beaten, Zechs would ignore his attackers. He didn’t want to sink to the level of those cowards who belittled others to affirm their own status. He had always suppressed the anger that swelled up and threatened to burst.

 

But this time, he hadn’t been able do it. His reasoning had disappeared somewhere, even before he became aware of his anger.

 

Confused with himself, Zechs spent three days in solitary confinement, after which he was sentenced to seven days of confinement in his own room. They had been warned from the beginning that private fights between mages were forbidden, and those who broke this prohibition would be appropriately punished. However, considering past precedents, a total of ten days of confinement was too heavy. According to what he heard later, at that time, the process of assigning new mages to their platoons was taking place, and due to the violent incident Zechs had caused in the middle of it, no platoon wanted to take him in, leading to the extension of his confinement period.

 

On the final day of his confinement, Zechs was taken out of his room by one of the professors. The Commander-In-Chief, responsible for the Iron Fortress, was calling for him. The professor who came to fetch him had dark circles under his eyes and looked exhausted as he led Zechs to the office on the top floor of the residential wing. Judging by the professor’s condition, discussions about his fate had likely continued until now. The vicinity of the Commander’s office was heavily guarded, with mages stationed here and there for protection.

 

Thinking he would be interrogated by the Commander-In-Chief and the professors, Zechs was taken aback to find only a bent old man in the room he was led into. Furthermore, at the old man’s request, the professor who had guided him there left the room. He was left alone in the office with the old man.

 

Given his demeanor and the fact that he was wearing an overcoat, which mages were generally forbidden from wearing, it was clear that this old man was George Lambert, the Commander-In-Chief responsible for the Iron Fortress. Although Zechs was not well-versed in worldly matters, even he knew the name.

 

At his urging, Zechs gingerly sat in a pre-prepared chair with a backrest, facing the Commander-In-Chief directly across the desk. The large desk was cluttered with magic books, which made him feel somewhat nostalgic.

 

“Hmm… Well, you are…”

 

Lambert adjusted the small glasses perched on his wrinkled face with his hand while lifting the documents on the desk.

 

“Yes, yes… It says here that you were placed under room confinement for committing an act of violence against a fellow mage. Is that correct?”

 

“Yes, it is.”

 

Zechs felt a bit weary, wondering why such a thing needed to be confirmed now. Well, it was unlikely that the highest-ranking officer overseeing two thousand mages would be familiar with the details of a disturbance caused by a low-ranking novice mage.

 

“According to the testimony of the other party, you suddenly attacked them while you were both in the same classroom…”

 

Lambert spoke slowly as he checked the documents, and Zechs struggled to suppress a snort.

 

It was obvious that those people would never admit their faults. Even if they testified that Zechs had lost his temper and attacked them, there would be no one to refute it. The fact that he had resorted to violence made Zechs’ guilt unavoidable.

 

“…According to the testimony of another person present at the scene, the other party made very insulting remarks towards you.”

 

Zechs was surprised by the following words. He never expected anyone to defend a Seldian.

 

“Zechs, is it? Do you have any explanation?”

 

Zechs hesitated, not expecting that he would be allowed to explain, but after a while, he answered.

 

“…No, I don’t.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“I have to admit that the latter testimony is true. However, even if it is, the one who resorts to violence is the one who gets punished. Isn’t that right?”

 

“So you won’t defend yourself.”

 

‘Hm hm’, Lambert mumbled, his mouth moving as if he were an ordinary old man dozing by the fireside.

 

“It seems that you haven’t been doing well in your interpersonal relationships since you came here. There doesn’t seem to be any problem with your magical abilities, though.”

 

Zechs almost wanted to ask for advice on how to navigate this situation, but he couldn’t possibly say that, so he just shrugged his shoulders.

 

“As you know, we basically operate in platoons. It’s problematic if someone becomes too isolated, no matter how capable they are. Hmm… Do you have any fellow apprentices?”

 

With that, Lambert once again lowered his gaze to the documents and scanned the pages.

 

“Let’s see, who was your Master? Ah, here it is. Leon Varden…”

 

Zechs’ face suddenly stiffened. He could feel the tension in his clenched fists. He could easily predict the following words, the reaction.

 

But no matter the reaction, he couldn’t possibly lose control or lash out at the Commander-In-Chief. He poured all his efforts to keep control into his body.

 

“…Hmm? Leon Varden? Could he possibly be an apprentice of Ceres?”

 

The old man’s voice, which had been so muffled it seemed like he was falling asleep, suddenly became clear, with surprise.

 

The completely unexpected reaction made Zechs blink.

 

“Huh?”

 

Ignoring Zechs’ reaction, Lambert continued to scan the documents.

 

“From the northwest, Lille… Hmm, as I thought. I have heard of him.”

 

“Eh? You know him?”

 

Zechs could hardly believe it. Wasn’t there a possibility that Lambert was confusing Leon with another mage with the same name? Or, considering the possibility, despite its rudeness, was his memory altered due to age-related brain degeneration…?

 

“I’ve never met him in person. But I’ve heard about him. He’s said to be an exceptionally talented and diligent mage. He studies the knowledge taught to him more desperately than anyone else, and the precision of his magic manipulation, honed through relentless daily training, surpasses that of any other mage.”

 

Zechs couldn’t hide his confusion, having never met anyone who evaluated Leon as highly competent. However, the last part seemed to match his own assessment of him.

 

“Unfortunately, Ceres often wrote in her letters that his guiding vein is too fragile… Ah, Ceres, his Master, used to work here at the Iron Fortress alongside me. Even after she left due to an injury, we continued to exchange letters.”

 

Upon hearing that, Zechs finally remembered. Leon had not spoken much about his own Master, but he had heard from the village elder, Orga, that there was once a mage named Ceres in Lille, who was formerly from the Iron Fortress, and she had opened the private school where Leon had studied under her.

 

“I see. You are surrounded by rather difficult circumstances.”

 

Lambert said, smiling wryly at Zechs as if to comfort him.

 

“Being of a different ethnicity can be a cause for persecution, even if one is not a mage. And having an unknown Master can be a reason for disdain among mages.”

 

Lambert tapped the desk as he pondered. From the atmosphere around him, it was clear that he had no such feelings.

 

He probably understood that the cause of the violent incident caused by Zechs lay somewhere in that vicinity.

 

Even if he understood, there was nothing Lambert, as distinguished as he was, could do about it. However, knowing that there was at least one person who understood him was enough for Zechs.

 

And above all, the fact that the highest authority of the Iron Fortress acknowledged Leon made Zechs’ heart feel much lighter.

 

“…I deeply apologize for the troubles I’ve caused this time. I’m sorry. From now on, I will make sure this doesn’t happen again. If any punishment is to be imposed, I will accept it.”

 

As Zechs bowed deeply, Lambert hummed.

 

“But the problem hasn’t been resolved, has it?”

 

He seemed to be implying that similar incidents would continue to happen in the future.

 

“I’m used to being despised and disliked.”

 

At least when it comes to himself.

 

“Well, to be honest, there’s nothing we can do about your problem. If you demonstrate your abilities from now on, your situation might improve. The opposite could also be true, though.”

 

“I understand.”

 

“Zechs, I don’t intend to impose any further punishment on you.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“You may return to your room.”

 

As Zechs bowed and attempted to leave, he was called back at the door. When he turned around, wondering what it was, he saw Lambert, still seated, directing a sharp gaze at him, quite uncharacteristic of an old man.

 

“Leon Varden is indeed unknown, and I’ve heard his abilities are below third-rate.”

 

“…”

 

“But that is not a problem. Having assessed his own abilities, he learned all the magic he could from Ceres, who was renowned as the most knowledgeable in the Iron Fortress, and mastered it through blood, sweat and tears. As he grew older, he diligently honed basic skills that everyone else overlooked and acquired unmatched techniques. He uses very rare methods to teach and guide children born with guiding veins, never abandoning anyone. That is what I have heard. Is it wrong?”

 

“It is not.”

 

In fact, Zechs did not know what kind of efforts Leon had gone through to get to where he was now. But the more he interacted with other mages, the more he realized his Master’s uniqueness. He knew that Leon always stayed up late, poring over magic books, and tried to come up with explanations that Zechs could easily understand.

 

“Then be proud. You have a wonderful Master.”

 

Zechs was affirmed by that powerful voice, and tears suddenly welled up.

 

At that moment, Zechs realized. He loved Leon.

 

[T/N: It’s not that kind of love alright.]

 

Leon was the only one who accepted Zechs when he was abandoned by everyone and could trust no one. It was Leon who never abandoned the short-tempered, irritable Zechs and turned him into a mage.

 

He recalled the day he first connected with Leon. For Zechs, who didn’t even know how to use magic, Leon had linked his own guiding vein with his to guide him. At that moment, he had been able to catch a glimpse of the depths of Leon Varden’s being through the guiding vein.

 

Leon’s guiding vein felt like delicate glasswork that might shatter at the slightest touch. The power flowing through it was ambiguous, like the cool breeze that brushed your cheek on a still summer day, yet it was comforting at the same time. Or it was like the sunset. Not the intense scorching sunlight, but the nostalgic, sorrowful red light that shone in the last moments before being swallowed by the darkness.

 

That was Leon. He had no strength or dependability. Yet, it was such a person who had saved Zechs.

 

As they spent five years together, Zechs began to believe that Leon would never abandon him. He eventually believed completely that Leon would never hurt him. Therefore, Leon’s act of betrayal was a double betrayal for Zechs. Hence, he couldn’t forgive him. He couldn’t forgive him, but… Leon was still the most important and beloved person to Zechs. He could never tolerate his honor being tarnished by some suspicious strangers.

 

It was Leon Varden who had nurtured him into a mage. He was Zechs’ only Master.

 

Zechs longed for status and honor, so that he would never be looked down upon or despised again. He would become the greatest mage in this country, someone who could not be ignored. And then, he would let the world know who his Master was.

 

Lowering his eyes and taking a deep breath, Zechs bowed deeply once more before returning to his room.