Finishing his conversation with Gilead, Eugene left the room. As he walked back down the hallway, he heard a knocking sound coming from a tightly locked door.
"What is it?" Eugene asked without any alarm as he halted in his steps.
He knew whose room that was. It was one of the rooms Ciel was using. Ever since she had started going through a rough patch of puberty a few months ago, she had stopped going to the gym and instead used some of the rooms in the mansion for her own training.
"Are you really going to Aroth?"
Ciel didn't open the door fully and instead let her voice leak from a crack in the doorway.
"Did Cyan tell you that?" Eugene asked.
"Mhm. He also told me that you've reached the Third Star of the White Flame Formula."
"So you've already heard everything then."
"I asked if you're really going to Aroth?"
"Yep, I've even got permission from the Patriarch."
"Why are you even going?" as she said this, Ciel knocked on the door once more.
Knock knock.
Eugene smiled and responded with a few knocks of his own.
"Because I want to learn magic," he explained.
"If that's the case, you don't really need to go to Aroth. You can just invite a wizard from the capital to be your teacher," argued Ciel.
"Don't you know that they won't be as good as the wizards of Aroth?"
"If you request it, Father would even summon a wizard from the royal court."
"But I don't believe that a court wizard would be better at teaching than a wizard from one of Aroth's Towers of Magic."
"The court wizards are guaranteed to be skillful."
"What I want isn't a skillful wizard, but a wizard who is good at teaching," Eugene patiently explained.
"Do you really need to learn magic?" Ciel asked, her voice growing petulant.
She opened the door slightly and let her head poke out of the room. At seventeen years old, Ciel was left with very little of her past mischievous look, but the change was only skin-deep. Eugene was well aware of just how cunning this girl's true personality could be.
Ciel once again insisted, "You don't really need to learn magic, right?"
"But there's also nothing wrong with learning magic, is there?" Eugene argued back.
"If it's magic you want, then isn't your spirit magic enough? Also, while you aren't here, brother and I might be able to catch up to your skill level."
Ciel was blatantly provoking him, but Eugene just snickered in amusement.
"If that happens, that's actually good for me," Eugene smirked.
"...What's so good about it?"
"Won't that just mean that the main family is growing stronger, and that it will be more fun sparring with you two? Ah, although it has been quite a while since I sparred with you."
"If I start sparring with you from now on, will you stay here instead of going to Aroth?"
"No, I will still be going."
"Bastard," Ciel insulted him with a pout on her face before pulling her head back into her room.
Until just now, Ciel had been immersed in her training, so her hair was frizzy, and her body was damp with sweat. She didn't want to show such an appearance to anyone, nor did she want anyone to notice her body odor.
After a short silence, Ciel continued speaking, "...How long will you be gone?"
"Won't know until I get there," answered Eugene casually.
"You should know roughly how long it will take."
"It will be a year at the very least."
"Why do you want to stay for so long? Moving out will be a pain, and what will you do about Mr. Gerhard?"
It might be because they were twins, but Ciel had ended up saying the same thing as Cyan.
"My father will be just fine without me," Eugene pointed out.
"...Uncle Gion will be lonely," Ciel eventually said after some hesitation.
"That might be true."
Eugene also happened to enjoy his frequent spars with Gion.
"To make up for me not being here, you both should make sure to play with him," teased Eugene.
"And what about my brother?" Ciel suddenly brought up Cyan.
"Why bring up Cyan here?"
"What I mean is that my brother enjoys sparring with you as well."
"If he really does enjoy getting beaten up by me, your brother has to be a little strange in the head."
"In any case, brother will be lonely if you're not around. Earlier, while he was talking to me, he even secretly confessed that he didn't want you to go."
"But I plan on going anyway."
"I would also prefer it if you didn't go."
"Like I said, I'm still going."
"You son of a bitch."
Behind the door, Ciel's face twisted into a frown. In the main family, Eugene was the only one who would allow Ciel's words to wash over him without any reaction. Ciel popped her head out just to glare at him before slamming the door shut with a loud bang.
"...When are you leaving?" Ciel's muffled voice came through the door.
Eugene answered, "Tomorrow."
"Why are you leaving so quickly?"
"Is there any reason for me to delay it? Since I've received Gilead's permission, I should just save time and head off right away."
"Rude jerk, shouldn't we at least have a farewell party?"
"Why would you want to throw a farewell party for a jerk?"
Knocking on the door again as a goodbye, Eugene resumed walking down the corridor. Only after Eugene had gotten some distance away did Ciel open the door once more.
"Are you really leaving tomorrow?"
As this voice came from behind him, Eugene just waved his hand as a response without turning back to look at Ciel.
Since he had obtained Gilead's approval, Eugene showed no hesitation in his subsequent actions. After returning to the annex, he knocked on Gerhard's door.
"Come back safely."
Although he had been suddenly informed that Eugene would be leaving for Aroth tomorrow, Gerhard didn't spend much time thinking about it before giving his blessing.
It wasn't like he didn't have any concerns for his son, but Gerhard also didn't want to suppress his son's freedom after Eugene had already grown so splendidly.
Gerhard lectured his son, "While you're there, don't hang around with naughty kids, and make sure not to neglect your lessons."
Eugene returned the favor, "Even when I'm not here, don't do anything you shouldn't do, father, and don't neglect your exercise either."
Gerhard burst into laughter at this rejoinder. Gerhard had greatly improved himself during his past four years at the main estate. He had lost a lot of weight and even gained quite a bit of muscle. It was all thanks to his regular hunting trips with the collateral patriarchs and frequent walks he enjoyed in the main family's extensive forest.
"Also, if anyone tries to cause you trouble because I'm not here, write to me right away. Don't pointlessly suffer in silence on your own," Eugene insisted.
Gerhard tried to reassure his son, "I'm sure that the Patriarch will be able to spare the attention if I bring the matter to him."
"Still, wouldn't you feel better if it was your one and only son who was looking out for you instead of the busy Patriarch?"
Gerhard smiled silently and patted Eugene on the shoulder. This gifted son of his was Gerhard's pride and treasure. If it wasn't for his son…. Gerhard nodded his head as he recalled his memories of Gidol, where they had been living just a few years ago.
Gerhard tried to soothe Eugene's protectiveness, "I just don't want to be a hindrance to you."
"What hindrance? Don't say things like that anymore. I have never once thought of you as a hindrance," Eugene responded bluntly while poking Gerhard in the side. "In any case, I'll be leaving tomorrow. I'll make sure to stay healthy while I'm gone, so you should also make sure to stay safe, Father. Got that?"
"Fine, fine. I've got it."
Eugene was now taller than Gerhard. Gerhard smiled happily while looking up at his son, who had grown so mature.
That night, Eugene and Gerhard, as well as all the members of the main family, gathered together and sat around a large table. Even Ciel, who hadn't shown her face at dinner in quite some time, was now sitting at the table wearing a nice dress.
Although it wasn't a lavish farewell party, they had at least managed to wrangle something into place so that the whole family could offer Eugene blessings for the future as he prepared to leave them for a few years.
Various well-wishes were exchanged over a table laden with an array of luxurious dishes.
"So you intend to learn magic in Aroth, really…. Since you have such an amazing talent in martial arts, I'm sure you will be good at learning magic as well," Ancilla praised Eugene.
The news of Eugene rising to the Third Star of the White Flame Formula had made Ancilla chew on her lip in frustration, but the fact that that monstrous child was leaving the main estate for the time being was a joyous consolation.
"I really envy Sir Gerhard for having such a wonderful son," flattered Ancilla.
"Haha, you're too kind," Gerhard accepted the compliment with a laugh.
During these four years, Ancilla's attitude hadn't seen much change from when they had first met. She had no intention of forging a hostile relationship with Gerhard, let alone Eugene. Instead, she held out a hand with a smile, thus creating a friendly relationship with Gerhard and Eugene.
But Tanis, the first wife, showed the two a completely different attitude.
The dark circles under Tanis's eyes and her sallow cheeks left a rather desolate impression. For the past few years, Tanis had rarely left the main family's mansion, and she spent her days reacting with great agitation to even the slightest mistakes from the servants.
Tanis felt that she had no choice but to do so. And she felt like she was being driven further into a corner with each passing day. Eward had not been able to become Lovellian's disciple as she had hoped, nor did he manage to forge any connections with Aroth's high-ranking wizards. Since even Gilford and his wife, who had been friendly with Tanis, had left the main estate a few years ago, Tanis had no allies in the current main estate.
'Although it's her fault for being so prickly,' avoiding Tanis's intense gaze, Eugene focussed on cutting his meat.
Gilead had never discriminated against Tanis. He didn't even force Eward to return despite all the negative rumors. Instead, Gilead kept providing support to shore up Eward's insufficiencies.
It was Tanis's own decision to spend her days shunning any contact and clawing at her surroundings.
Just as the meal was ending, Tanis suddenly called out, "Eugene."
Although Ancilla treated Eugene warmly whenever they met, this was the first time the temperamental first wife had called Eugene by his name all year. Though it wasn't like they had even held frequent conversations in the previous years.
Tanis requested, "Once you get to Aroth, please take care of your older brother, Eward."
"...," Eugene was unable to respond to these words that had suddenly been thrown at him and could only blink in surprise.
Tanis continued, "He must have been lonely, staying in Aroth all by himself for the past few years. …I know that he didn't get to spend much time with you as siblings, but Eward is still your brother."
"...Yes, ma'am," Eugene eventually replied.
"You might be adopted, but Eward is your brother. So, please treat him like a younger brother should," even as she said this, Tanis's eyes slid to the side. She continued speaking while glaring at Cyan and Ciel, who were sitting close to Eugene, "...Take care of your older brother. You can at least do that, right?"
"...I'll do my best," Eugene avoided promising.
"Oh my, you're being too insistent, big sister. I'm sure that Eugene will do what he can," Ancilla gave a polite laugh as she drew Tanis's gaze away from Cyan and Ciel with these words.
Tanis glared at Ancilla with her narrowed eyes, then pushed her chair back and stood up.
"Please excuse me. I'm feeling exhausted. I'll be leaving now to go and get some rest."
"...You may be excused," Gilead nodded in permission with a perplexed look on his face.
Over the past few years, Eugene had gotten quite close to Gilead. Thanks to this, he was able to make a fully informed decision about Gilead's position.
'Sure enough, the Patriarch's seat is a shit place to be stuck on.'
Eugene never wanted to become the Patriarch.