"Haah… what a monster", Regal looks rather fatigued while lying down on a couch within his lounge.
"Oh? Your disciple? I must admit, the young William is also quite the talent", Kendrick was sitting on another seat as he makes his own comment on this topic.
It's been about 3 days since the training began for the heroes.
"Hmm? I see you two are resting, I shall join you"
"Geh…", Regal groaned at the entrance of the mans voice.
Ruk walked into the room as Ellis wasn't too far behind, it seems they just finished their own training with the heroes.
"Oh! I see you two have left them to their own work now then? We were just speaking about how well their training is going", Kendrick welcomed them.
"Is that so? I suppose my Disciple Eric is also doing quite well", Ruk nodded as he made his way onto a seat near Regal.
"I don't suppose you mean that you punching him half to death shows his potential?", Regal blurted.
"It does in fact. Also, it is quite disrespectful to be lying in such a manner", Ruk retorted.
Regal couldn't be bothered to deal with this nonsense, he simply slouched further in provocation. "I can do whatever I want in my own home, if it makes you happy then I can find a more suitable and isolated room for you to sit in".
This reminded Ruk that they were indeed in fact within Regal's home, so he can do such.
"But you have us as guests, what about your reputation~?", Ellis added.
"…seriously?", Regal didn't even bother explaining, his current reputation spoke for itself.
Ellis shrugged slightly, her intentions were just to joke in the first place.
"Pamel, get me some tea", Regal said as he waved his hand over the back of the couch so Pamel could see.
The others then seemed to add on.
"Me as well please"
"I too would like a tea"
"Haha! I guess I'll join your tea time too then!"
'…copycat bastards', Regal thought.
Regal then closed his eyes to engage in his thoughts while waiting. 'After forming the first circle, she could activate almost any spell I taught her. The control was a slight issue, but that's the main training point at the start.
Just like me she's probably around the 3rd circle already. We are loved by mana so our mana pathways have been widening naturally our whole lives until awakening, and even after awakening. Though it's not as effective as actively training our pathways.
Nonetheless, it gives a headstart. Now if she learns to control well, she could summon a second circle within a week.'
Regal smiled to himself, 'Perhaps it will be time to have some fun soon'.
"Look at that, he smiles while napping? Freaky", Kendrick pointed out.
"Shut it muscle brain", Regal said as he opened his eyes.
'Ah… I guess my plan involves the other heroes as well'
Regal moved into an upright seated position and briefly stretched afterward.
"So how strong are the heroes currently? You think they could win in a fight?", Regal asked rather randomly.
"That William could likely take down rank D monsters with some room to breathe, he hasn't had time to develop his strength, but his swordsmanship has been developing by leaps and bounds these few days", Kendrick answered.
'He could kill a kobold last time without any training, maybe I would see a similar sight as last time if I sent him at a higher rank?
No, the difference between ranks isn't that simple, a kobold was probably on the easier end of its rank', Regal contemplated.
"I haven't taught Eric any fighting techniques yet", Ruk said.
"Himari can do her job as a healer if needed", Ellis added.
'I guess they aren't exactly the main combat of the group'
"Why ask?", Kendrick asked in regards to Regal's strange question. It didn't seem like a time to fight yet.
"I just had something fun planned, that's all. I'm sure you would agree Kendrick", Regal answered.
"Oh? I look forward to it then", Kendrick replied with a grin.
Ruk and Ellis looked at each other in slight concern from hearing this.
Regal then started looking around. "Where is he with those drinks?"
"I'm right here Sir", Pamel casually answered as he appeared beside Regal.
The others in the room didn't expect it and were quite surprised. Regal however, wasn't shocked in the slightest and just turned his head in Pamel's direction.
"Perfect, I was wondering if we've recieved any communication from the royal palace?", Regal asked.
Pamel was placing down beverages on the table and he answered, "We haven't recieved any orders directly from the king, however you do have a letter from the crown prince".
Regal doesn't bother checking his mail, if it was anything truly important, then Pamel would tell Regal. As it turns out, the crown prince wasn't that important.
"The crown prince?", Regal pondered for a moment.
"Should I relay his message?", Pamel suggested while pouring milk and honey into the cups by individual request.
"He was that kid who wanted to be my student, correct? Hah… don't tell me he's angry, how bothersome.", Regal placed his palm on his face as he spoke.
'The crown prince, he is similar to Ruk in a way. He used his authority to try and force interactions with me, if I was rude he would make threats to drag me to the dungeon.
Of course, he soon realised his threats would never work on me. Even getting scolded by the king himself.
His original annoying self became even more annoying and disgraceful as he went as far as beggining me with his face to the floor', Regal didn't have a good impression of the prince, but he was quiet for a while so it made him curious.
Regal looked up and asked, "What does he want?".
"It was something along the lines of 'I'll be visiting in two days time', though there was a lot of flattering before that.", Pamel revealed the contents, the message was rather brief, but the letter itself was about 2 pages long.
"When did he send that?", Regal asked.
"Two days ago", Pamel responded with a casual atmosphere to follow.
"…", Regal was speechless, he looked at the time and saw that it was past 1PM, it's likely that the prince would come some time soon.
Pamel looked confused at Regal's current state. "I've already told the guards to turn him away as per usual".
Regal suddenly shot his gaze toward Pamel, "What are you talking about!? We should welcome our great kingdoms prince with open arms! Make preparations for lunch immediately!".
'What is he planning…?', the others in the room collectively thought.
***
"Welcome your highness", Pamel spoke while taking a bow at the young boy in front of the Riverwood estate.
"It's Pamel!", the young boy cheered. The crown prince was in fact, a 12-year-old boy.
His harassment toward Regal was only while Regal was within the capital, he wasn't informed until recently that he was summoned by the king.
"Shall I take you Sir Regal?", Pamel asked with a welcoming smile.
"Pamel! I told you that you should call a great man like him 'Lord Riverwood'!", the prince corrected.
This boy was also partly responsible for Pamel's speech in the royal palace.
"My apologies Prince Alba", Pamel excessively bowed in repentance.
"W-well… I can let it go this time.", the prince was flustered by the apology.
Pamel raised his head and directed his hand toward the entrance, "Shall we go, your highness?"
In response the young prince nodded with excitement and walked along.
A few moments later, they arrived at the reception room where Regal sat alone and treats lay on the table in the centre.
Regal had a suspicious smile on his face as he welcomed the prince, "Well if it isn't Prince Alba? Welcome, please have a seat". Regal directed toward the seat opposite him.
Prince Alba's eyes were sparkling the moment he saw Regal, he quickly walked to the seat he was offered and sat down.
Regal slided the plate of treats over toward Prince Alba, in response the prince ate one. The prince had guards accompanying him, but they didn't seem to have much concern over the food the Archmage was offering.
"Now then, what might you be visiting for, Prince Alba?", Regal asked.
The prince quickly swallowed his biscuit as he prepared to answer, "I heard you have taken on a disciple."
'I figured that would be the reason for his visit', Regal thought.
"That is correct… she is one of the heroes I summoned recently, though I guess you would already know about that", Regal replied.
Suddenly the prince looked slightly sad.
"I heard…", the prince mumbled.
Regal didn't dislike the prince. Children, even if they are nobles, have very little to hate about them.
"Why won't you take me as a disciple?", the prince asked as he looked Regal in the eyes.
Regal sighed as if he had been asked the question before. "Prince Alba, as I have told you before. As a prince, you would never be able to commit to becoming a mage.
Even if you are talented, then the best you could ever become is a 6th circle mage.
Even if that would satisfy others, it wouldn't satisfy me."
"B-but I am! I am talented! My current teacher told me that since I formed my second circle within two months, I'm very talented!", the prince argued in a panic.
"I've heard…", Regal smiled. "While I have previously said that I wouldn't take you in as a disciple, perhaps I can offer a temporary arrangement?"
Upon hearing this, one could visibly see the prince getting his hopes up.
"You mean-!?"
"Now now, let me finish. I'll temporarily teach you alongside my disciple.
Within a month, if you two battle and my disciple loses, then I will officially take you in as my second disciple", Regal interrupted.
Without even wasting a second for any thoughts, the prince made his decision. "I'll do it!"
***
"With that being said, you've got a new training partner", Regal explained to Anne with a young man slightly shorter beside him.
"Go on and introduce yourselves", Regal insructed.
Anne was flustered, she didn't expect someone else to train with, but she wanted to change in this new world and talking with a fellow student would be a big step!
"My name is Anne Fischer, disciple of Regal Riverwood", she introduced.
'Anne… that was the one wasn't it.', Regal thought as he made a mental note this time.
The next person to speak should've been the prince, however no words were spoken.
The master and disciple both looked at the prince who seemed to be in a daze.
'S-she is so pretty…', were the thoughts of the young prince.
For some reason, Regal was slightly ticked off.
"Oi! Hurry up and introduce yourself!", he demanded.
This woke up the prince.
"H-hello- no, I mean- G-greetings, my n-name is Alba… crown prince of the kingdom", Alba said with plenty of stumbles to accompany him.
Anne was put at ease by this strange introduction, she thought that she wasn't the only one who was a little socially awkward.
She smiled at the prince, "A pleasure to meet you".
In response, the prince fell to the floor and died.
"Alba!?", Anne shouted.
The guards also hurried over to check up on him.
Regal was watching on the side with a very disturbed face, 'What's with this kid'.