"'Magic is Absolute.' That's what the Mage Emperor said when he founded the Empire. Indeed, this is true. Magic is everywhere, there is no place without magic. Magic is the absolute law of our world, the symbol of authority and power," Professor Zeke Brightspire explained in his Magical Authority class.
Adam rested his chin on his palm, which was supported by his elbow on the surface of the desk. He listened to the lecture, though his mind occasionally wandered off, especially to the thought of the Son of Heaven. He was fairly certain that this Son of Heaven was someone from the Ashebourne family, but he didn't have all the details.
What puzzled him even more was the connection between his father and that Ashebourne figure. After all, while his father was well-known and had a solid reputation in town, it was just a small town. There were many Alchemists and Runemasters throughout the Empire, and Adam imagined that plenty of them were far more prominent, particularly in the capital.
"Or maybe 'Son of Heaven' means something else? Maybe it's not him at all," Adam muttered under his breath. He tried to make other connections, but he couldn't think of anything besides that noble from Ashebourne.
Why was that man called the Son of Heaven anyway? Though the event had happened decades ago, Adam hadn't paid much attention to history, especially when it came to the nobility. He had long since decided to follow in his father's footsteps, taking over the workshop and staying in this town.
RINGGGGGGGG!
The school bell suddenly rang, breaking through his thoughts. Professor Zeke wrapped up the lecture and said, "Class is over, you can go now."
One by one, the students rose from their seats, including Adam and Jed. Jed lightly tapped his fist against Adam's chest. "Good luck, and don't let the bald guy give you too much trouble."
"Alright," Adam chuckled. They bumped fists before going their separate ways—Jed heading left, while Adam walked down the corridor to the right.
As Adam walked along, the door of a nearby classroom slid open, revealing the balding Professor Kevler. "Oh, it's you," Kevler said, surprised, before closing the door and continuing down the corridor, with Adam following behind him.
"How are you?" Kevler asked, his voice soft as they continued down the hall.
Adam looked out through the corridor's windows, the afternoon sunlight streaming in, casting shadows of the pillars outside.
"I'm fine…I guess," said Adam, his voice low.
"'I guess'?" Prof. Kevler furrowed his brows when he heard this. "You seem to be…strange today."
"Maybe," Adam laughed bitterly. "I do have my reasons for doi—"
CREEK!
The door to Kevler's office slid open, interrupting Adam.
"Since we're talking about that," Kevler calmly said soon after. "it is best to discuss this inside shall we?"
Adam nodded and followed the professor inside the office. He sat on chair beside the desk and noticed a plaque saying: High Scholar Prof. Kevler Stella.
High Scholar? Adam raised one of his eyebrows. It's the first time he had heard of such a title.
As though he can read his mind, Professor Kevler suddenly spoke out. "I've been part of the invention of IIUI-F barrier 30 years ago and I have contributed a lot in the present day's magic theorem."
"So High Scholar is—"
"Indeed," Kevler interrupted. "The title of High Scholar are given to people who had contributed a lot in a certain field, example runeforge, alchemy, magic theorems, and more."
"I see," Adam nodded in understanding. "Such a fascinating title."
"Enough about that," Kevler said. "Tell me, exactly, what's going on with you?"
Adam sighed and told everything that happened, not hiding any single detail. After that Adam asked, "Do you have any idea about this so-called Son of Heaven? Am I correct to assume that he's that one from the Ashebournes?"
"You indeed have the correct assumption," Kevler smiled. "That guy that you're thinking of is indeed the person that person, more specifically, Draxus Ashebourne, the 23rd Divine Executioner of the Holy Church."
"Divine Executioner? Like those in the history class?" Adam asked.
Kevler nodded, "Correct. Draxus Ashebourne, according to the rumors, is said to have been bestowed by the gods divine power. Hence the title Son of Heaven. Because of this, he quickly replaced the old Divine Executioner using brute force and sheer power in just the age of 14."
As Adam keeps listening to what Kevler is saying, he increasingly became shocked. At the same time, impressed that an individual can quickly join the rank of powerhouses at such a young age.
"If that's the case then…" Adam hesitated for a moment. "Could it be my father's disappearance was related to Draxus Ashebourne?"
"Maybe," said Kevler. "or maybe not. However, the fact that the Son of Heaven mustn't be a force to reckon with is a fact."
Adam smiled bitterly upon hearing this. For 3 years he had been chasing his father's ghostly shadows, wondering about his disappearance and not knowing anything about his circumstances. Now, he has a possible clue connected to his father's disappearance, he is not even sure if he can continue chasing because the Ashebournes might be his potential enemy in the search of the clues.
"I just suggest that you should just forget about finding out the connection between your father and the Ashebournes," Kevler added. "It is better to just learn alchemy and runeforge then open your father's workshop and took over."
Adam just nodded his head in agreement. He understood that, while he didn't really know much about Ashebournes, just by being a noble family in Uzbor Empire speaks for itself. He just felt a pity that he wouldn't be able to find out what truly happened.
"I guess I will just take your advice professor," Adam said. "It seems to be the most viable and feasible plan for me to take."
"That's right," Kevler patted his shoulder. "I hope you just pay attention to my class next time."
"Yes, professor."
After that, Adam left the office and returned to his home.