It was hard for Lucas not to break into a cold sweat, considering the circumstances he was currently experiencing. Haytham didn't immediately go to the interrogation phase; instead, he seemed to enjoy his sweet time with his wine by sipping it little by little. It was like the saying, the calm before the storm.
The silence prevailed for a few minutes when Haytham suddenly spoke. "What's your name, brat?"
"Lucas Wright, sir," Lucas replied in an instant. Prior to coming downstairs, he had prepared a set of answers that involved his identity. Since no one knew about his former identity, it would be no harm to use his real name.
"Hmm…" Sir Haytham didn't seem surprised nor interested in knowing his name. "What about family?"
"Actually, sir, I lost my memory."
"Oh?" Haytham looked intrigued with both his eyes opened. "Since when?"
"The day you found me, sir," Lucas replied truthfully. At first, he intended to pass Haytham's answer through lies. However, several times of contemplation made him change his mind. He needed to know the truth behind his transmigration, and relying on a senior's help would greatly assist his case.
"You only remember your name then?" Sir Haytham questioned further with one of his eyebrows raised.
"Umm…The only thing that surfaced within my mind was the name of 'Lucas Wright', sir. I don't know whether it's my name or other people's names."
"So, there's a probability that this 'Lucas Wright' thing may not be your real name?"
"According to my memory, there's a fair chance, sir."
"So, when I showed you the tower of Yale this afternoon, you had no recollection of it?"
"I didn't remember, but I do sense it was somehow familiar." It was true when he first saw the tower; the feeling was there.
"Hmm…" Sir Haytham fell into deep thought before inching closer and staring directly at Lucas' eyes. Greyish-orbs filled with unhidden fiery meet with serene brown-eyes. "Are you sure you don't remember anything?"
"You should be able to tell my sincerity," Lucas stated calmly and returned the stare. Leaving the part where he owned the memory from the Earth, he was being entirely honest here.
Sir Haytham withdrew his posture and ordered lazily. "Go open the door. There'll be a guest here soon."
"R-right," Lucas said in a stutter, a bit caught off guard with the sudden topic change. Nevertheless, he regained his composure pretty quick and went to the entrance door to fetch the so-called guest.
When he opened the door, he felt his body about to be blown from intense winds originating from the outside.
Bloody hell! Who in the right state of mind would create a city in the middle of the extreme north pole?
While Lucas was busy cursing under his breath, the pressure he withstood vanished all of a sudden. Full of bewilderment, Lucas peered his gaze across from him and was startled to see a man with a hat standing there.
Since when has this man been there?
"Is Haytham inside?" A cold voice full of authority shook Lucas from his dumbfounded state.
"Y-yes, he's inside." Forget to greet the man; Lucas can only reply stiffly.
Without waiting for Lucas's response, the man stepped inside the house, followed by Lucas, who lagged behind.
"What are you doing here, Haytham?" The man had taken off his hat, revealing stark-looking silver hair. His face's features were quite ordinary except his eyes which seemed to be hiding inexplicable iciness.
"Why can't I be here?" Sir Haytham refuted back nonchalantly while continuing to drink his wine.
"You know why you can't be here. This isn't your place." The man frowned.
"Since when did Yale's rule become this strict? I own this house, and this automatically made me a part of Yale's citizen, aren't I right, Ivan?" Sir Haytham grinned.
Ivan doesn't seem pleased with Haytham's statement, but he couldn't refute it since what he just claimed was true, according to the rules of Yale.
When the two parties reached the stalemate, the sound of Lucas's sneezing immediately broke the tension between the two men.
"Who's this kid?" Ivan inquired and scrutinized Lucas in detail.
Before Lucas said a word, Sir Haytham went first. "A kid I recently found." He then added with a sarcastic tone, "Tch, tch, you keep saying I didn't belong here, but here I am, rescuing a citizen under your territory. Were it not for my effort. He'd be a lump of frozen meat now."
"I got another much more important matter to attend to," Ivan replied shortly, keeping his poker face.
"Tch, tch, you've long lost your humanity's side, Ivan. That's why rather than you, Helena prefer marrying me." Haytham said with a smug smile.
"Do you think I won't dare to attack you?" Chills without notice start to gather around Ivan's palm, forming a crystalline sword that is soon positioned precisely at Haytham's neck. His poker face was slightly cracked by the moment.
"Try me," Haytham taunted with a blaze gleaming behind his eyes. He then proceeded to grab the sword's tip and grip it tightly using his free hand. Contrary to the expectation, the sword didn't get crushed; instead, it melted with steam puffing. The two maintained their respective stances until an exclamation sounded near them.
"M-magic!" Both men simultaneously turned their heads, only to find an astonished Lucas with his mouth blocked by his palms.
"Emm, don't mind me. You both can continue. I'll be fine on my own." Lucas awkwardly said and took a couple of steps backward.
To Lucas's disappointment, Ivan didn't heed Lucas's words and revoked his sword before shaking it lightly. The crystalline sword that previously appeared to be solid and transparent slowly crumbled into a pile of snow.
With eyes remained glued at Haytham, Ivan said with a stern look. "During your stay here, I'll personally monitor you."
The corner of Haytham's mouth twitched, his facial reflecting a helpless look. "Am I that untrustworthy?"
"Obviously, you're the most rebellious and reckless one among us. I won't take a risk by letting you wander around my city unrestrained. God knows how many problems would befall on us if that were to happen."
"Alright, alright, stop nagging me. Just go already! Shoo! Shoo!" Haytham waved his hand repeatedly as though chasing away flies.
Ivan, who was being chased away unexpectedly turned to Lucas and looked him straight in the eye.
Lucas, who noticed his stare ended up breaking into cold sweats. His stare is simply too frightening!
Luckily, Haytham went to rescue him before he ended up fainting out of nervousness. "What are you doing still standing there? Leave already, shoo!"
'Thank you, Sir Haytham!' Lucas rejoiced inwardly. Once again, he thanked God for letting Sir Haytham, who rescued him, instead of the scary-poker-looking Ivan.
Ivan wordlessly wore his hat and walked out of the house under Lucas's escort. Finishing with his job, Lucas almost in an instant collapsed. Fortunately, there was a door behind him that he could use to lean his weight.
"Scared?" Haytham asked with a snicker.
"Yes," Lucas didn't get embarrassed by disclosing his true feeling. It was indeed after all a horrendous experience.
"Heh, there are hardly any people who aren't scared of him. Of course I belonged to this type of people." Haytham said in an arrogant tone.
"Sir Haytham must be almighty!" Lucas bootlicked him right away. Before the former resumed his drinking, Lucas quickly added. "Sir Haytham, can you show me once again your magic?"
Haytham seemed in a good mood as he answered chirpily, "Sure."
An orange blaze flew from Haytham's sleeve, hitting the ceiling, illuminating the surrounding area at the end of the process.
"Wow!" Haytham's nose appears to grow taller hearing Lucas's amazement.
"This is just an insignificant trick. If I attempted to be serious, this whole house, no, the entire district will be burned to ashes." Haytham stated with a grin.
"Woahh!" Lucas couldn't hide his awestruck-look face. The existence of magic is just like adding spices to bland food, it was akin to the ray of hope for the hopeless Lucas. He had already thought he'd spend his entire life as a traveler, searching for an answer to his transmigration or worse, becoming a farmer. Now, however, there was an alternative method that guaranteed a better future. Why wouldn't he be ecstatic?
That's why not wanting to waste this opportunity, Lucas shamelessly requested, "Sir, no, Master Haytham, please appoint me as your disciple!"