Academy’s Genius Mage

“Do not call me ‘Master’. Mind your words. Ahem!”

“Oh!”

Dorothy covered her mouth in surprise.

Wilson emerged. He looked at Dorothy rather sternly and then greeted Ian formally.

“Good morning, Master. Did you sleep well last night?”

“I’ve told you, enough with the ‘Master’.”

“That’s out of the question now. Today is the first day you take on your official duties as the head of the Oracle Family, Master.”

Ian didn’t like being called ‘Master’.

He felt that being addressed that way made it seem like his parents would never come back.

Because of this, Dorothy, who was a bit more informal, used the term ‘Young Master’.

“You see, Master, there is a reason for every protocol. Now, you are the Oracle Family itself.”

Wilson was a somewhat strict butler. Principles and rules were very important to him.

So, Ian often took a step back whenever such issues arose. Wilson, after all, had served his parents with loyalty.

“Still, let’s cut me some slack today. Stepping outside after so long isn’t an easy task.”

“You are a brilliant person, Master. Experience doesn’t matter in your case. The people of the kingdom will soon be amazed by your wisdom, Master.”

“It feels like you two are plotting to make fun of me together.”

Ian, having finished getting dressed, turned around.

“How’s this? Does it look alright?”

“Please excuse me for a moment.”

Wilson adjusted his glasses and closely inspected Ian’s attire.

The effort put into making the clothes from the finest fabric was worth it.

The Oracle Family suffered from chronic deficits. Without any territories, their financial situation was quite poor.

Actually, it was very bad, to be honest.

However, butler Wilson had been saving up, waiting for the day Ian would enter the academy. Ian was now wearing the fruits of that effort.

“Damian’s skills are commendable, but it’s really you, Master. You carry it off perfectly. I’ll prepare some additional outfits soon.”

“Don’t overdo it. I’m well aware of our family’s situation.”

He said that, but Ian knew Wilson wouldn’t heed his words. Wilson would save as much as possible to invest in him.

“By the way, Master. There is a place I need to take you before you go to school.”

“Where?”

“Previously… your father had left some instructions for me. I think it is time to share them with you.”

This took Ian completely by surprise.

Ian, who rarely showed any anger to those around him, couldn’t help but frown.

“From my father? Why are you telling me this just now?”

“Forgive me, Master. Your father instructed me to tell you on the day you entered the academy. Hence, I bring it up now.”

“……”

Ian couldn’t push further.

He had postponed joining the academy until the very last moment. Given the circumstances, Wilson must have kept silent to honor his promise to Ian’s father.

He may have wanted to tell Ian a hundred or even a thousand times.

Urging him to enter the academy.

It occurred to Ian that it might have been harder on Wilson than himself.

“Let’s go quickly!”

“I will lead the way.”

Wilson bowed his head and took the lead. Ian followed him without a word.

‘What on earth did Father want to tell me?’

Ian was curious. And he couldn’t understand why it had to be postponed until right before entering the academy.

But his stray thoughts vanished quickly.

His father, once a foremost theoretical mage, wouldn’t have set such plans for no reason.

‘Father always had a reason behind everything he did.’

Wilson soon opened a door and went inside. To Ian’s surprise, it was his father’s old study.

Wilson stood by a bookshelf filled with books and pulled out a few volumes. A special device was then revealed.

“Please channel your mana into this. It is a device that resonates with the mana of the Oracle Family.”

Ian let his mana flow without a word.

Clang!

A rough metallic sound echoed from within, followed by the sound of something opening.

Moving as if in a trance, Ian manipulated the lever.

A small box’s opening then revealed itself.

“What is this?”

Ian stared blankly at the box’s entrance.

Inside was an old pair of glasses.

“This item is a treasure of the Oracle Family. The Master once requested that I pass this item to you, and today is the day.”

“I’ve never heard of a treasure being passed down in our family.”

“My apologies, Master.”

Ian wasn’t even a bit angry. Instead, he reconfirmed Wilson’s loyalty.

“If it’s a treasure, it must be an artifact. What’s special about these glasses?”

“That, I do not know.”

“Did Father ever use them?”

“That too, I am not certain of… However, he did say that this item will be helpful to you.”

Helpful.

What an abstract term.

But Ian had an inkling of what it might mean.

‘Could it possibly solve my mana issue?’

Ian, although born to excellent mage parents, had a critical weakness.

His efficiency in manifesting mana through spells was too low.

Because of this, he had to postpone his admission to the academy until he came of age, as he would only be made a laughingstock.

However, being admitted to the academy was his last remaining privilege as a noble.

Ian, now of age, had no choice but to decide to join.

And in the midst of this, he had come into possession of this heirloom.

“Why don’t you try using it?”

“Alright.”

Ian cautiously put on the glasses.

They were ordinary, without any prescription. Nothing new appeared in his field of vision.

‘If so, mana amplification?’

Ian immediately generated mana, forming a hand sign to cast a spell.

『Light.』

Flash!

A handful of light illuminated the dim room.

But Ian’s expression did not show the slightest hint of positivity.

The Light spell he had cast was no different from what he had achieved on his bed earlier.

“There’s no change in mana. What exactly is this item?”

Ian took off the glasses and stared intently at the old pair, which looked as though they could fall apart at any moment.

“You will surely find the answer, Master. How about researching it slowly once you reach the academy?”

Wilson offered the glasses case.

That was a valid point.

His father had seldom given him direct answers. He always waited patiently until Ian deduced the answer using his own strength.

‘Perhaps this too is Father’s teaching?’

With that thought, Ian’s heart raced. He was eager to go to the academy as soon as possible.

“Thank you, Wilson.”

“I am merely doing my duty, Master. It’s about time to depart. I have the carriage ready.”

Nodding, Ian tucked the glasses into his inner pocket.

* * *

A luxurious carriage stopped at the mansion’s front gate.

Decked out in lavish decorations, it bore the same emblem on the carriage door as one bearing the insignia of one of the kingdom’s top trading companies, the “Hamel Trading Company.”

“So, it’s this household today.”

The man who drew the curtain of the carriage smirked.

He was Felix, the chief overseer of the Hamel Trading Company. In the trade world, he was known by the moniker “Grim Reaper,” earning a fearsome reputation.

Such a nickname wouldn’t have emerged based merely on being frightening.

Felix was also unscrupulous. There were even rumors of his connections to the underworld.

—

There was one more man inside the carriage.

His expression resembled Felix’s quite closely. He appeared calm, but the corners of his mouth were raised toward his ears.

“It seems we will finally see the result of our long preparations. You mentioned that you were here a few days ago?”

“Yes. Just needed to pre-season a bit before cooking. If you season and let it mature, it becomes very tasty.”

“Indeed.”

“You’ve prepared thoroughly, haven’t you?”

“As always, there’s no problem at all.”

“Then let’s go.”

The carriage passed through the main gate and swiftly reached the mansion’s entrance.

Coincidentally, Ian and Wilson, who were heading outside, witnessed the scene.

“Hamel Trading Company!”

Recognizing the emblem of the trading company, Wilson was startled. Ian, glancing at him, sensed that something was amiss.

They hadn’t been notified of any guests visiting.

‘If it were someone welcome, his expression wouldn’t be like that.’

Soon, the carriage door opened, and Felix and his subordinate descended.

Felix spread his arms wide and smiled brightly.

“Well, who do we have here! I never dreamed such a magnificent person would be in the Oracle Family!”

“Did you come from the Hamel Trading Company?”

“That’s correct.”

It was probably related to family business.

Most of the family’s affairs were handled by Wilson. It wasn’t an overreach but rather a consideration so Ian could focus on his magical studies and training.

It seemed that something had gone wrong in that process.

Judging this, Ian decided to show his dignity as the head of the Oracle Family.

“I wasn’t informed of any visitors. Could you please introduce yourself?”

“Oh, my apologies. It’s our first time meeting. I’m Felix, working as a chief overseer at Hamel Trading Company. And this is my deputy.”

A chief overseer held a fairly high position. Though several were appointed, it was the next highest after the head of the trading company.

“A distinguished guest indeed. Hamel Trading Company is known throughout the kingdom. But what brings you here?”

As if he was waiting for those words, Felix’s eyes gleamed like a predator eyeing its prey.

“I have an urgent matter to discuss with the Master. I apologize for the sudden visit.”

“Now is not a good time. I have to head to the academy soon.”

“Oh, I heard you were entering the Royal Academy. Congratulations are in order. It must have been a difficult decision?”

His intonation was oddly grating, but Ian kept his composure.

“Thank you for the congratulations, but if it isn’t urgent, we can discuss this later. I will send someone.”

“Unfortunately, it’s an urgent matter. Could you perhaps delay your departure?”

“Felix, let’s not do this here….”

“Why don’t you step aside, mr. Wilson? You incompetent butler.”

Ian’s eyes sharpened instantly.

It was incredibly rude.

But for him to be so insolent implied that something indeed was troubling the family.

However, ignoring such impudence would tarnish the Oracle Family’s name.

Ian stepped forward.

“Mr. Felix. That’s quite disrespectful. Wilson is our family’s butler. Are you insulting the Oracle Family?”

“Oh, no! How could I dare!”

Felix repeatedly bowed his head.

But Ian did not feel that he was truly seeking forgiveness. Instead, it seemed like he was mocking them.

“I apologize for my rudeness. Please show mercy, Ian.”

“Enough. What is it you wish to discuss?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to talk in a quieter place? It’s more serious than you might think.”

Felix then reached out his hand to his deputy. The deputy politely took out documents from an envelope and handed them over. Felix smiled slyly while waving the document.

“It concerns the former head of the family.”

“Former head of the family?”

“Baron Lefevre.”

At the mention of his father’s name, Ian furrowed his brow.