NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 36: Chapter 36. Royal Offer
Several days after visiting Buena village, Mordred visited it during one bright and clear day once again.
At that time, he again made a stop near the tree at the hill.
Having noticed Rudeus and Sylphy below him, he flew down once again.
As the two stood up to greet him, Mordred greeted them with a natural smile. "Hello. You're here again."
On the other end, Rudeus quickly performed a courteous bow with a respectful expression, bowing low. "Your Highness! Please forgive me, I didn't recognize you in the past!"
Sylphiette looked hesitant, but after a moment silently imitated Rudeus in an awkward bow; she already also knew that Mordred was a prince.
"Oh? That's fine. I didn't explain who I am, so it's fine." Mordred only lightly smiled.
Rudeus looked up and looked at him. 'Damn it, his Prince Charming levels are off the charts! Someone nerf him!'
"Anyway, what rank are you as Magicians?" Mordred came up a bit closer, asking.
"Uh…" Rudeus hesitated for a while, before saying, "Sylphy has just reached the Intermediate rank and I'm Advanced rank."
Revealing to a prince of a foreign nation that he's a 6-year-old Saint rank Magician of the Asura Kingdom might be too dangerous, so Rudeus felt he'll stick to saying he's Advanced rank.
"Oh, really? You're Advanced rank?" Mordred tried to fake surprise.
"Uh, yeah…" Rudeus was hesitant. Although a 5-6 year old Advanced rank Magician should normally be quite outstanding, he wasn't sure if it was still shocking to someone like this prince. Perhaps in his eyes it was normal?
"If it's true, then it's something amazing! Can you show it to me? And cast an Advanced rank spell?" Mordred said.
"Oh, okay."
Rudeus thought for a moment. He didn't want to get hanged for casting an attack spell in front of a prince, so he should probably choose something else.
He knelt down and touched the ground.
From the ground before him, a round stone fortress soon rose up to surround him like an igloo, before seemingly burrowing back into the ground.
Rudeus then explained, "It's the Advanced rank spell Earth Fortress, but I modified it to make it round."
"... And this way it doesn't collapse by itself," Mordred added . "Amazing! So you're a Silent Magician too?"
"Um, yes…" Rudeus smiled in embarrassment after hearing Mordred's compliment. It seemed he underestimated the impact of revealing his Silent Casting!
"That's amazing! I haven't heard of any other active Silent Magicians apart from myself."
"Oh, you're a Silent Magician too?" asked Rudeus. And then he immidiately felt stupid - of course he was.
"Of course. I'm a Magic Power Miko."
"Oh…" Rudeus was enlightened. As Paul said, this Prince was a rare Blessed Child!
Modred smiled at Rudeus, saying, "Rudeus, was it? Your talent for Magic is great. What do you think of working for my Kingdragon Kingdom in the future?"
"What?..." Rudeus was taken aback. He didn't expect a recruitment offer from a Prince just from showing off some Advanced rank Magic!
Mordred continued, "With your level of talent, you're sure to reach King rank in the future. At that point, it would not be a problem for me to even appoint you as my Court Magician. You see, I'm someone who's going to become the next king of the Kingdragon Kingdom!"
"Oh…" Rudeus was further shocked. Becoming a Court Magician? Becoming the next king? These kinds of things were far outside of his expectations and circle of concern. "You plan to become the next king?"
"Haha, I don't plan to become the next king. I will become the next king. Although I have many siblings, they're no competition to me," Mordred replied naturally as if it was a done deal.
"Oooh…" Rudeus's eyes widened even more. He could feel the complete confidence emanating from that Prince. Perhaps he really might be someone who'll become a king one day!
However, becoming a Court Magician of a large nation? Rudeus never had such wild dreams.
For him, just becoming a Magic tutor like Roxy could be considered a successful career and not be a bad future. It would be a good normal life after his previous failure, which is exactly what he wished for.
Next to him, Sylphiette also looked shocked. As if still young and easy to impress, she looked to fully believe that this young prince they met by chance would become a powerful king in the future.
Rudeus muttered, "I'm not sure if you would want me. I'm not that talented…"
"Nonsense. You have a rare talent. You should take more pride in yourself!" Mordred said.
Rudeus felt very grateful for being appreciated, but inwardly thought instead: 'Take more pride in myself? No, I'll pass! That's what I did in my previous life. As a result, I became arrogant, never finished anything, and ended up a failure.'
That's why this time he firmly guarded himself against arrogance.
He is not great! He is just average! And if he doesn't work hard, he'll be a failure again!
Thinking like this, Rudeus said, "Your Highness, your praise is too much. I only accomplished as much as I did because I had a great teacher."
"You shouldn't look down on yourself, but if you say so…" Mordred didn't dwell on it. "Anyway, my Kingdragon kingdom has a rich library. We have books on King ranked Magic and even some Emperor ranked Magic. You will be properly paid too!"
"Ooh…" Rudeus did not stop being amazed. King ranked Magic? Emperor ranked Magic?
Furthermore, he had not thought before of having such a high-level career in this world – working directly under a king of a large nation!
Mordred added, "Both you and Sylphy have a rare talent. If you keep studying, I can offer you good positions in the future. You're still young, but think about it!"
"Yes… Thank you very much for your offer, Your Highness! We'll keep it in mind!" Rudeus bowed down his head low.
Sylphy silently and awkwardly followed suit.
"Mhm. Actually, how about I'll try to teach you something special?" Mordred looked at the two with a mysterious and daring smile.
"... Something special?"
"It's a rare and special type of Magic I developed. However, it will be difficult to learn. It's up to your talent and hard work if you can manage it or not."
After hearing this, Rudeus became interested. A special type of Magic? Was it Flight Magic?
"Rudeus, stand opposite me."
"Oh… Like this?" Rudeus walked out to stand in front of Mordred.
"Yes. Now cast Fireball."
Rudeus hesitated for a while before casting Fireball as he was asked.
However, when he tried to do that, something made his spell not take shape.
Just as a bit of flame appeared, it would become extinguished like a lighter in the wind!
He couldn't cast!
Looking up, he noticed Mordred pointing his palm toward him. He instantly realized that it was him who was disrupting his spell.
"This is…" Rudeus muttered in shock. It was simply a broken move! Even though he could cast Magic silently, he was still completely shut down as a Magician!
"It's a Magical Interrupt. It's a way to use Magic Power to disrupt the enemy's spellcasting. You've noticed how it works, right?"
"Somewhat… You seem to scatter my Magic Power before I can form it into a shape."
"Yeah! I target one of your body parts to do that, like one of your hands. There is no formal way to learn it apart from practice, so I can't give you much advice. If you keep at it, you might just be able to learn it."
Rudeus thought, 'Ooh… Well, I think I could do this too…'
"Well, good luck, Rudeus!" Mordred turned to leave after saying his piece. "See you later too, Sylphiette!"
Having said that, he stepped on the wind, ready to depart with his clothes and hair beginning to flutter in a weightless state.
Rudeus might have eventually learned it anyway, so he taught him Disturb Magic in advance to have him owe him a favour and to raise a stronger Court Magician.
Shortly before Mordred flew away, he heard the replies of Rudeus and Sylphiette:
"Thank you for today!"
"B-bye…"
Mordred sent them a small smile and disappeared with the wind.
Back on the ground, Rudeus continued staring at Mordred's leaving figure as he was still in a daze.
Becoming a Court Magician?
As he thought about it, this might be the highest level of authority and success that a Magician in this world could attain! If he became one, it would surely be a very rewarding job he could be proud of in this life.
Additionally, he'd get to live in the royal palace and enjoy all kinds of luxury, probably…
'I'm really lucky… It makes me feel as if I'm the main character, eh?...'
After this thought entered his brain, Rudeus shook his head.
'Nope! Never mind that. Forget about being the Protagonist and risking my life to slay the Demon Lord... I would rather leave it to the Hero. Being a secondary character who's a playboy and a comedic relief is just perfect for me!'
…
Later that day Rudeus mentioned his experiences and Mordred's offer to his parents during dinner.
Among them, Zenith was very excited. "Oh, my! My son's genius talent was noticed by a Prince! He's going to become a famous Magician!!!"
On the other hand, Paul looked somber. After noticing Rudeus's expression that was nearly as excited as of Zenith, he told him, "Rudy, are you sure about this? If you really began living and working in a palace, you'll have to deal with snobbish and arrogant nobles. Isn't the life of an adventurer much more interesting?"
Rudeus heard this and secretly snorted. Becoming an Adventurer and randomly dying somewhere in a labyrinth?
Paul was frequently trying to push him in that direction, but no, big thanks! The life in a palace instead was just perfect for him!
But Paul's expression remained serious. He continued, "There's more to this. Every time there is a royal selection anywhere, things get bloody. If you support the wrong Prince, you might end up dead."
Hearing this, Zenith let out a gasp. "Oh…"
Rudeus was also surprised as he had not thought this far. He replied, "Actually, Prince Mordred said that he doesn't have much of a competition. He seemed quite confident..."
"Of course he'd said that. But be careful before you agree to anything, Rudy."
"... Yeah, I understand, father. I'll keep that in mind."
"Well, if it's our Rudy, I'm sure he'll make the right choice!" said Zenith. "Unlike a certain someone, he thinks of the consequences of his actions."
"Dear…"
Zenith snorted and no longer looked at Paul.
***
***
***
Name: Zenith Greyrat
Titles: formerly a young lady of the Latreia family
Age: 23
Strength: F
Endurance: F
Agility: F
Mana: F+
…
Healing Magic: Intermediate rank
Detoxification Magic: Elementary rank
Fire, Earth, Wind and Water Magic: Elementary rank
Divine and Barrier Magic: Elementary rank
No formal training.
....
Name: Paul Greyrat
Titles: low-ranking knight, formerly heir of the Notos family
Age: 25
Strength: E+
Endurance: E+
Agility: E+
Mana: F
Special Note: Advanced rank, but stronger if he actually tries.
…
Already forgot
Sword God, Water God and North God Style: Advanced rank