Sword, Magic and Academic Society

After the reunion prologue at the entrance, we were then invited inside the Dosperior estate. 

The mansion sported a grandiose expansion, and a beautifully maintained garden, with the spring's sunshine gently pouring in it. Yet, there was something different about that garden; it gave off a desolate feeling. It didn't seem like anyone was using that garden at all. 

Afterward, inside the, and obviously, oh-so vast dining hall of the Dosperior family, we had dinner while the two families catched up to the situation on either side. 

Behind the seat of honor—It should've been Randy-san's spot but he's not there so that leaves it empty—was a firewood hearth, giving off an antique charm. It must have been fairly old. On the wall behind the seat opposite of the seat of honor were three portraits hanging. 

The central portrait featured the legendary emperor Aeolus—the one and only authority in the history of this continent to ever unit it under one banner. I couldn't tell if that was the actual portrait from his era, but that portrait was famous enough to appear in historical textbooks.

On its left was the portrait of Kanaria Dosperior. She was, yet again, another famous individual to appear in textbooks for her achievement of overthrowing the allied force of other families from Original Five in the long past, which earned her, err, rather uncanny alias 'Witch of Iron First.' 

And the third and last, the portrait on the right was of Vardi-san. The previous head of Dosperior family, and also my grandfather, who perished in the previous great war.

The members gathered in the dining room were my family, Freya-san, Randy-san's wife and her children—basically Eddie-san's siblings. From a relation point of view, they were my aunt and cousins.

Schord was in the waiting room for servants. He had expressed his wish to stay stand-by in the dining room, but on the pretext that there's something to discuss, he was took away by an old lady, Anna-san. To my surprise, she was the head maid who had used to look after my mother. 

The discussion in the dining room wasn't particularly serious. It was mainly about the kind of journey my mother did after leaving the house, or what led her to Rovenne territory. How did she meet my father. How was their wedding ceremony. Did the fief give their blessing. How my sister and I were like in childhood. How were we leading our life in the royal capital and such.

From my personal standpoint, it didn't seem like probing from a marquis family. It was mere curiosity and concern as family, and to get to know our mother's family—in short, my father, me and my sister—better. Overall, they'd smiles on their face as they converse. 

My father was listening to everything with a rather subtle expression, and in fact his replies were indeed a bit vague, a sign that he wasn't paying attention. That said, his attitude saw a complete flip when Messie-san, the cook who used to bake bread when my mother was still used to living here, entered the dining room to greet. 

It was quite rude behaviour against the high noble, however no one felt offended to chid him. ...Strange, there's no way the word about my father's bread maniac trait should have made it to Rabeldin... no way, right?

Initially, Messie-san appeared perplexed why my father was enthusiastic over him, but after being touched by my father's insatiable passion for bread, they'd quite a detailed discussion over the breads. Like the crunchiness of the bread, which we were having for dinner, was due to rye kneaded into wheat or something something mumbo-jumbo that went above my head.

Once the excitement rush had died down to some extent, Freya-san suddenly remarked. 

"You know, Allen. Randy had told me you have two coexisting sides; a resolute character, but also an elusive persona, like a wind, boundless. After meeting you in person, I have finally realised what he meant. 

I have met all sorts of people, but one that sticks to their form like you is very far and few. You may appear asocial at a glance, but there's a charm in you. To say, I certainly believe it's this fleeting side of you that has attracted all sorts of fate."

"Wow, you can see through it all at a glance? You're amazing, grandmother! Umm, well Allen-kun is you know, in that phase of his teenage, so he's bit hard to interact, but he’s definitely a lovable kid~"

"Fufu. I haven't grown old inside a flower garden, of course. And speaking of you, I can see you have quite a discerning glance behind that simple outlook. I am looking forward to both of your future prospects."

Did she really see through my elder sister from a short conversation? I couldn't tell, but being praised by Freya-san, my elder sister was in a good mood. 

"I guess, now is a good time to speak of the main task. ...You may  know, Rabeldin has a tower that enshrines the tomb of our family's ancestors. The only one allowed to step inside are the direct family lineage of head of the family but, exceptions can be made at the permission of said head. And Randy had commanded that should you wish so, we can guide you, Allen, Roselia. So, are you interested?"

A surprise covered me at the unexpected proposal. 

The Rabeldin's Tower was famed as a tourist attraction. However the entrance to it was strictly regulated. 

"Wait, can I? I absolutely would like to tag along then!"

I promptly responded in delight, though it appeared my cousin Natalia-san had something else to say. 

"Y-You can't be serious, Dearest Aunt!! ......You appear to be quite spoiling your married daughter's child, that I still find it unbelievable, and I do not intend to tread on that. Of course, it stands to our etiquette of hospitality on how to treat guests from other families, but still! There would be a slew of complaints from close to distant relatives by allowing the outside guests to take steps in our ancestor's tower when they have done nothing of sort for the Dosperior family to earn that. 

And surely, it isn't a secret how my father would go above and beyond once he heard of Aunt Cecilia's alive status, so why didn't you warn him?!"

She—Natalia-san was two years older than me, and having just graduated from the Noble School of Dosperior region this spring, she'd scheduled to join knight order. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Given the sort of place knight order was, she must have been excellent in her own talent to make her place there. Oh, and her placement was on the 6th legion, the one led by Commander Suzunami.

In fact, we were earlier talking about the 6th order as I recounted—because I was asked to—about my acquaintances from there, including Commander Suzunami and her graceful aide. 

Well, she still had yet to shake off that obedient-to-rules attitude completely, but she was smart, and amicable, evident with how she respected me as senior in the knight order when she didn't have to give I was merely a provisional member and younger than her. 

Though, as soon the topic of tower sprang up, her expression changed drastically as she questioned. She didn't appear mad, but bewildered. ...What was so special about the tower, I wonder?

"Watch out for your words, Natalia. You may be right, he may act irrational when it comes to Cecilia, but he knows when to split personal matters from his duties. He must have his own reason, and information, and since he has given his permission as the head of the Dosperior family, it's my duty as his proxy to see it to the end. You have no right to question the decision here."

Unlike her serene spring-like gentle tone from earlier, Freya-san sharply remarked, her voice frigid like ice. 

I had seen that change. My mother's voice was also that cold when she's mad at us siblings. I guess, we were indeed guests from afar from a familiar standpoint huh. 

Regardless, Natalia-san didn't seem convinced.

"...Allen is already a provisional knight at the age of 12, and it's clear he has everything required to break through as one true knight. I can accept it if it'd been only him. His talent might have yet to bloom completely, but there are very far and few people even among the history of our family who can rival his unfathomable talent. So, the others might not be as inflamed about him, but on other hands..."

Then she paused, her gaze darting toward elder sister with an awkward expression.

"You didn't hear me, Natalia? I said cease your words now."

Freya-san spoke in a low tone, a clear sign of her anger. On the other hand, in a rare turn of event, perhaps she finally read the situation as my sister decided to break the the ice on matter—

"Hmm, well, I honestly don't have any interest in checking out the tower... or maybe, if there are records about relics of the past? I am fine with offering my prayer at the grandfather's grave since I heard it's located in the outer garden of the tower. This shouldn't pose a problem, right?"

However Freya-san's expression further turned stony, and she gave a stern glare to my sister.

"Roselia. Have you realised you've been just looked down for no just reason, and have been made to stop from getting your natural right? Being magnanimous is good, but do not make it a compromise. I would comply if it's truly your wish to forfeit the chance, however do know that little compromises of today would take the shape of a snowball that would create an avalanche for your future."

Oh god, what has she been teaching?! ...I think I am quite glad my sister didn't grow up under her, else she might have become the carbon-copy of my mother.

With hope in my heart, I turned to glance at my mother with expectant glance. Soon, my mother, having watched over the situation, quipped.

"There have been many mechanisms of the past in the tower whose principles have yet to be understood. I believe they're worth a visit for an Artificer like you."

Ah, yes. What was I expecting? My mother instead poured more oil in the fire while also being vague about inside situation.

"......Oh? Uh-huh, sorry Natalia-chan, but it seems I can't give up here then. Hmm, is there no way to clear that doubt...?"

And of course, once it comes to matters of interest, my sister channeled her mana throughout the body at full-throttle, while reflexively curling her lips in a smile.

"A-Ahem, how about showing them your knowledge by fixing some, err, yeah magic lamps, sister?! There can't be any second challenge fitting for an Artificer! B-besides, it's your just right to enter the tower. Why would you need permission for something that’s yours kust privilege, right, grandma?! Right?!"

With another glimmer of hope, I expectantly tossed the topic to Freya-san. 

Meanwhile, the frigid stare of Freya-san had melted away into a giggling smile who then proceeded to remark, "Despite being an Artificer, you choose to pick up arms to protect your honor? ...Fufu, you're indeed Cecilia's daughter."

…… Excuse me, what happened to not being confused with compromise? Isn't fighting for natural rights a compromise now? Hello, can we speak human?

But knowing I would be harping at the wrong place, I instead turned to Natalia-san.

I saw my cousin’s face was scrunched in confusion, the 'Was I speaking some cryptic language? ...I just wanted to talk about talent... how did we come to throw fist at each other...?' etc etc were written all over her expression, while—the corner of her lips were lifted in a smile.