Chapter Seven: Francia, Missing Yohan
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A few days later.
Francia, an Special-class mage of the Imperial Bureau, arrived at the knights' headquarters.
The Lady of Fervache, renowned not just within the knights but across the empire for her unparalleled beauty, easily drew the attention of everyone around her.
"Isn't that the Lady of Fervache?"
"She's stunning as always."
The faint floral scent she exuded left men in a daze. Even women, unable to resist her allure, watched her with admiring eyes.
Who could possibly resist her? Her hair, smooth like obsidian, cascaded down, complementing her ruby-like eyes that sparkled as if holding secrets.
Anyone who looked into those eyes felt as if they were being drawn in, naturally compelled to admire her.
And her abilities were beyond question. As someone who had joined the Bureau as an Special-class mage at the threshold of high-level magic, she was a force to be reckoned with.
Francia Fervache.
She was not only the most beautiful member of the Imperial Bureau but also its brightest star.
However, despite the admiration she garnered, Francia could not afford to let her guard down.
The Imperial Bureau, being the empire's most prestigious knightly order, was filled with elites from prominent noble families.
It was also a battlefield rife with dirty power struggles and petty politics—a silent war among nobles where one could fall victim if not constantly vigilant.
"Lady Fervache."
As Francia reached her assigned station to begin her duties, a man nearby turned and called her name.
"…Commander."
It was none other than Fedelian Rozino, the sole crown prince of the Rozino Empire.
With a friendly smile, he tilted his head slightly.
"You seem particularly radiant today. Did you find a lover during your vacation? I heard you attended a party."
"I have no such business. And I have no desire to engage in idle banter with you, Commander."
Francia glared at Fedelian with narrowed eyes.
"And here, I am not Lady Fervache, but a newly-appointed Special-class mage. I'd appreciate it if you refrained from addressing me otherwise."
Her words carried thorns, but Fedelian simply raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Quite prickly. But that's charming in its own way."
As always, whenever they crossed paths, the crown prince wasted no opportunity to make frivolous advances. Francia, who was well aware of his true, vile nature, frowned in disgust.
'I miss Yohan.'
Compared to this despicable, trashy man, Yohan was practically a saint.
That was precisely why she had chosen him—or rather, why she had been compelled to do so.
"By the way, is everything prepared? There's only a month left," Fedelian asked.
"You're referring to the routine dungeon reconnaissance, I assume?"
"Indeed. This will be your second one, won't it?"
As a newly-appointed Special-class mage, this would be her second dungeon reconnaissance mission.
"…That's for me to handle. It's not something you need to concern yourself with, Commander."
"How could I, as the commander, not be concerned about an Special-class mage under my charge?"
Fedelian smiled warmly as he spoke.
"As the commander of the 2nd Division, it's only natural for me to care about my subordinates."
"…"
He was relentless, always finding something to say, and stubborn to boot. Despite the irritation bubbling inside her, Francia restrained herself, mindful of his status as the crown prince.
"I'll handle it on my own."
"You always say the same thing," Fedelian remarked, shrugging.
"I'll handle it myself. It's not your concern. Don't worry about it.' If you keep refusing help like that, you'll only isolate yourself."
Francia's crimson eyes turned cold as she stared at him. She felt as though she might vomit, but he was the crown prince, and she couldn't afford to let her true feelings show.
"I said I'll handle it."
"Hmm."
Fedelian's brow arched slightly.
"Well, I suppose there's nothing more to say. But as commander of the 2nd Division, understanding my colleagues is part of my duty. Do prepare thoroughly."
With that, he brushed aside a strand of Francia's hair before heading outside.
"…"
Francia's face twisted in fury, her expression like that of a demon. She felt disgusted and filthy, wanting nothing more than to cut off the hair he had touched.
'Haa.'
But if she cut her hair, the silky locks Yohan had once praised would be gone. Taking a deep breath, she suppressed the fiery rage threatening to consume her.
'Yohan, I hope you return soon.'
Though she always missed him, today, more than ever, she longed to see him.
***
A month can feel both short and long, but for Yohan, who was in the midst of studying magic, it didn't seem like a long time at all.
With the need to master magic from the basics to advanced levels and progress into the realms of supreme magic, time was naturally tight.
However—
"…Done."
In just under four weeks, Yohan had reached the high-level stage of magic. He had also learned several spells from the Book of Calamity.
Though he had only memorized and practiced a few spells, his abilities were already sufficient to make a significant impact if he joined the Bureau immediately.
The ranks within the Bureau are divided as follows:
- Third-class, Second-class, First-class.
- And then, Special-class.
Magicians ranked Second-class or below are categorized as regular mages, while those in the First-class rank are considered archmages.
Archmages, while impressive in title, aren't necessarily overwhelmingly powerful. Their designation is primarily due to the sheer number of spells they have memorized.
Still, their capabilities are nothing to scoff at.
But the most crucial rank is the Special-class—a rank so formidable that a single mage at this level could annihilate an entire metropolis on their own.
Once a mage surpasses the stage of an archmage and enters the high-level domain, they are classified as Special-class mages. These mages are strong enough to command their own battalions.
Yohan, in less than a month, had surpassed the level of an archmage and mastered high-level magic.
His extraordinary talent in magic would even leave mythical Transcendence mages astounded.
'Though in reality, I've only mastered a handful of high-level spells.'
Yohan stretched out his hand and summoned his mana. A frosty blue crystal of ice emerged.
The refined color of his mana reflected its user's nature. With the frost-colored hue…
'Does this mean I'm steadfast?'
Yohan chuckled softly. He had never thought of himself as steadfast, but his mana seemed to say otherwise.
'Activating high-level magic won't be a problem. As for the Book of Calamity… there's no suitable place to test it.'
The spells in the Book, though functional, were too mysterious to gauge their power. He couldn't risk using them without knowing their effects—especially not in a place like the family's training ground, where the knights practiced.
'Anyway…'
With this, he would be able to see Francia again.
Though he would inevitably have to deal with the likes of Fedelian, Cassis, and Rudella—those crazy people.
'It's about time I head to the Bureau.'
Yohan stood up from his spot in the family's training ground. A servant approached him, offering a towel.
"You've worked hard, young master!"
"Ah—yeah. Thanks."
The servant's name was Irene, the daughter of the Harsen family's steward.
Aware that Irene harbored feelings for him, Yohan deliberately avoided meeting her gaze.
"Um, young master."
"What is it?"
"May I ask why you suddenly decided to study magic?"
As he wiped the sweat from his brow, Yohan stared into the distance before responding.
"Because I need to prepare for marriage."
"…What?"
Irene blinked in surprise.
"Marriage?!"
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Yes. Not yet, but I need to start preparing."
With that, Yohan handed her the towel he had used to wipe his sweat.
"Thanks for the towel. You've worked hard, so call it a day."
"Y-Yes…."
Even as she watched Yohan walk away, Irene stood frozen in shock.
The thought of the young master, who was like a treasure to the Harsen family, leaving the household seemed impossible to believe.
If she shared the news with the other servants, the women in the manor would surely be heartbroken.
Still, this matter aside, Irene acted as if she were accustomed to this situation and brought the towel to her face, inhaling deeply.
'Even his sweat smells good.'
Her eyes sparkled with bliss as she clung to the towel.
***
Meanwhile, at the Imperial Bureau, as the reconnaissance mission approached:
Knights and mages moved about busily in preparation. Amid the hustle, a rumor began to spread.
"Did you hear? Another Special-class mage is coming soon."
"What? Another Special-class mage?"
One man furrowed his brow. Was Special-class a dog's name now? Just recently, Lady Fervache had joined as an Special-class mage, and now another one was coming…
"Isn't it just a baseless rumor?"
"The commander himself said so."
"Ah."
If the crown prince, the commander of the Second Division, had said it, then it was likely true.
"This must be a sign. With the reconnaissance ahead, having another Special-class mage might mean the heavens are looking out for us."
The man, feeling an ominous foreboding, shook his head grimly.
"Right? I was planning to propose to my lover after this mission."
"You still haven't proposed? If you keep hesitating, someone else might snatch them away."
"Don't even start. It's not like our jobs are safe. It's hard to bring it up."
The man chuckled at his colleague's hesitation and asked another question.
"Anyway, do you know anything more about this new Special-class mage?"
"I heard they're from a lower noble family, but nothing about their skills. If no one's talking them up, they're probably mediocre."
"In that case, they might not even pass the mission's evaluation."
"Well, we'll find out soon enough."
To join the Imperial Bureau, one must pass three tests.
The first is a written test. While called a written test, it isn't particularly difficult.
The second is a practical exam, designed to prove one's abilities.
For knights, this means demonstrating the level of their mana blade. For mages, it's about the grade of magic they can use.
These first two tests aren't too challenging. Any elite candidate should be able to pass them.
However, the third test is different.
It requires participation in a reconnaissance mission into the Demon lair (Magul).
This is a place where a single misstep could cost one's life, making it a daunting challenge for first-timers.
"I hope the new Special-class mage is skilled."
"It would mean better safety for us on the frontlines."
Nearby knights chatted as they prepared for their mission, their words catching the attention of Francia, who was also making her preparations.
'Yohan!'
If an Special-class mage was arriving at this time, it could only be him.
'I'll finally get to see Yohan again.'
Francia's face flushed, and she smiled shyly at the thought of meeting him. Her heart raced with excitement at the idea of their reunion.
After all, it had been nearly a month since they last saw each other! She could hardly wait to meet him again.
"You can make that expression, too, I see."
At that moment, Fedelian tilted his head toward her.
"Were you thinking about me, perhaps?"
"..."
"Ah, ignoring me again, I see."
"..."
Fedelian grinned at her complete dismissal of him.
The more prickly and resistant she was, the more he wanted her.
"I'd like to see that expression on you more often."
"I'll pass."
"Oh, don't be like that."
When he reached out to touch her hair, Francia slapped his hand away.
"We're not close enough for that."
"Hmm."
Faced with her disdainful gaze, Fedelian shrugged his shoulders.
"If you're that cold, even I might feel hurt."
"Maybe you should stop talking to me, then."
"I couldn't do that. You're our Special-class mage, after all."
"Sigh."
Francia let out a deep sigh, and Fedelian's eyebrow twitched.
'Her resistance is stronger than I expected. At the very least, I thought I could earn her favor.'
Up until now, women usually melted at the sight of his face.
Even those who built high walls around themselves would soften after just a bit of conversation.
But Francia Fervache was different.
Perhaps her beauty came with a more challenging temperament. Winning her favor was proving difficult, but he wasn't worried.
'Once the next reconnaissance mission comes, she'll have no choice but to rely on me.'
His plan was flawless. He had recruited the right mages and carefully crafted the scenario.
All that was left was to execute it, and Francia would undoubtedly fall for him.
Fedelian was confident of this.
"You must be busy preparing, so I'll leave you be."
"Please, leave quickly."
"Haha, you're really hurting my feelings."
With a smile that looked sincere, he walked past Francia.
But the moment she couldn't see his face, his expression hardened.
'Her resistance only makes me want her more.'
How thrilling it would be to see a woman like her completely captivated by him.
Recalling the emotions he felt at that thought, Fedelian smirked darkly.
***
The next day.
The Special-class mage scheduled to take the Imperial Bureau's entrance exam finally appeared.
His name was Yohan Harsen.