Heinz was waiting inside a normal bookstore in the town. The place looks abandoned right now but the store also sells popular novels so every time there is a new release of books from popular authors, the store can very busy at times.
At the moment, Heinz had closed the store to meet Kyle here. As for Denise, she would have to return to the workshop since it was time to clean the laboratory, or so he thought.
Cling… Cling…
The bells chimed as the door opened. Kyle entered the store and found Heinz on the counter reading a novel.
The Vanity of Turald…
According to his memories, Turald is a fictional vampire character and is quite popular among young adults. Even Denise had read a couple of volumes about this vampire. He didn't expect that even Heinz would be interested in this.
This is quite unexpected for Kyle.
Thump.
The book closed as Heinz noticed that Kyle has arrived.
"It's good to read a few novels or just those popular ones from time to time. You can use it to make friends inside the academy."
"Yes, Master Heinz. I'll keep it in mind."
Heinz looked at Kyle for a while before shaking his head.
"Sometimes, I'm wondering whether you're really 14 years old. Even if the training and potions I gave you helped in increasing your spirit, they won't make you mature so easily. Although you seem clumsy and incapable at the beginning, you grew so quickly and had gotten used to the world of mysticism so easily…" Heinz paused for a moment before he continued.
"I also noticed that you befriended those workers who are probably 20 years older than you. You're quite unusual… In any case, all the workers in the workshop except Denise would be sent away to ensure that no one knows you here, Vale Chambers."
"Y-you're not going to kill them, are you?" Kyle blurted as he felt something off.
"Heh… I'm not as cruel as you think… Although I can experience bouts of madness because of the Dark Spells I've learned, I'm not that evil to kill those who had worked for me for a long time."
Kyle heaved a sigh of relief after hearing this.
Then, Kyle heard footsteps coming from the inner room of the store.
With a creaking noise, the door behind the counter opened, and a blonde noble lady came into sight.
Her overcoat is unbuttoned revealing the rather simple dress worn underneath. The smooth, corset-like tied fabric of her dress covers her stomach where the continuous flow is broken up by a light leather belt worn low around her waist… It was a beautiful sight...
Kyle had just seen this outfit in one of the fashion magazines in the tailor shop a while ago.
'It looks more impressive in person.' Kyle commented in his mind as he shifted his gaze from the gorgeous lady to Heinz.
"This is Baroness Florence Chambers… You already heard about her but I still need you to meet each other."
"I understand, Master Heinz..." Kyle answered with a gentle nod.
He then recalled all the information about her.
'She's the only member of the Chambers Family excluding me… She owns a manor in the countryside. She didn't re-marry after her husband died. Vale Chambers, her adopted son, died early after a certain experiment failed. Florence, Vale's mother, is also about to die due to a certain disease that Master Heinz didn't mention… However, she doesn't look unhealthy at all.'
Anyway, once Florence dies in another year or two, Kyle would be inheriting her title once he had become an adult.
At first, Kyle thought that it would be bothersome to take over such responsibility but in the end, he chose this identity since Eustace and Clovis' identities were either too troublesome or too poor.
Of course, it is only one of the reasons why he chose the Chambers Family.
"Are you curious why she's about to die although she looks so healthy?" Heinz asked as if he could read his thoughts.
Kyle nodded as he was indeed curious.
"It's because she can't adapt the Incorruptible Body…"
"Ahh… She also consumed that Anti-Corruption Force Potion?" Kyle asked in surprise.
This time, it was Florence who answered.
"Yes… The Malefic Branch is something that our Master wanted to achieve… The Whithope Family, the Becker Family, the Chambers Family, and Master's Blackcolt Family worked together to create this Branch. I really thought that we would fail in the end… Your existence is the proof that we've succeeded… It's a pity that almost all the pioneer researchers have already died… It was only Sir Heinz who was left."
'Malefic Branch… It sounds suitable for Dark Arts' branch…' Kyle commented in his mind as he looked at his Master.
"Yes… However, it isn't over yet… The Malefic Branch isn't just about Spell Dispersion and Incorruptible Body… Kyle—No, Vale Chambers… There are a few things left that I need to study but my days are also numbered. I probably have three more years. During this time, I will try to explore this path but I can't guarantee anything… It will be all up to you so you have to study well… Don't get captured by Lesley."
"W-what?" Kyle wasn't expecting that his Master would suddenly announce such a thing. He thought that he only needed to inherit the new branch of Dark Arts. As for Lesley's matters, he had long noted it in his mind.
Before he could ask even further, Heinz continued.
"I will leave today with Florence since I can't continue my research in the workshop anymore. Denise will come with me as well. I decided to nurture her from now on."
"…"
Kyle felt that things are happening too quickly…
Then, Florence walked closer and handed over a necklace to Kyle.
"This is the proof of your identity as the only son of the Chambers Family. Keep it well."
Seeing this, Heinz reminded Kyle one last time.
"If you ever had to go outside the academy, be careful of the Holy Arts Factions… They are cruel and many of them are true believers of the devils."
These last words had certainly confused Kyle even more but the two already left using the backdoor.