Chapter 17: A Rumor Completely Different from the Truth (1)

We had been so engrossed in our conversation that we hadn’t even noticed the time passing.

“No, Your Highness. Since Prince Raion must be waiting, I believe I should return immediately.”

“Is that so? What a pity. I thought we might enjoy some tea and talk as we used to. But I suppose there will be another chance.”

“Then, please excuse me, Your Majesty.”

With that, Patrick bowed once more and left the King’s office.

How much time had passed since then?

The news of Raion’s butler Patrick visiting the royal office soon reached Queen Elina’s ears.

That was because she had planted her eyes and ears throughout the royal palace.

“Did you hear what His Majesty discussed with Patrick?”

The attendant, who had brought her the belated report, lowered his head to the floor.

“I overheard the beginning, but afterward, His Majesty dismissed everyone from the room, so I couldn’t hear the rest.”

“Then what did you hear at the start?”

At Queen Elina’s sharp question, the attendant began to sweat as he replied.

“It seemed that Prince Raion wished to study magic and asked to be assigned a magician through Butler Patrick.”

“Magic? Prince Raion, you say?”

Queen Elina was well aware of Raion’s lack of talent in magic. It made no sense—he had no potential whatsoever, and yet he wanted to study magic?

“That’s what I heard, Your Majesty.”

“How strange. Magic? What on earth is he trying to do? Then, did His Majesty say who he would assign to the prince? Surely he didn’t appoint a royal magician or a member of the upper magician corps?”

The attendant faithfully repeated what he had heard.

“At first, His Majesty intended to do so, but Butler Patrick declined and instead recommended a magician named Caldein Flavan from the 13th magician Corps.”

“Caldein Flavan? The 13th magician Corps? Does such a unit even exist within the royal corps? Do you know anything about it?”

It was a lower-tier division, mainly an institute for preserving magical knowledge, so even in the palace, few knew of it.

“It’s a place where demoted magicians gather. Except for their leader, Haren Swallow, all of its members are mere 2nd Circle magicians.”

“2nd Circle? Then how could Patrick recommend someone like that to teach Prince Raion magic?”

The situation made no sense at all.

Even the attendant explaining it couldn’t fully understand it himself.

“Butler Patrick said it wasn’t to learn magic itself, but to have someone suitable for studying knowledge related to it. That’s all I heard, Your Majesty.”

Elina’s tightly furrowed expression softened.

She had been worried that something advantageous might fall into Raion’s hands, but it seemed there was nothing to be concerned about.

“And you heard nothing of what was discussed afterward?”

“I’m afraid not, Your Majesty.”

Now that Raion’s matter appeared resolved, Elina’s curiosity about the rest of the conversation grew stronger.

However, if the King had gone so far as to dismiss everyone from the room, it was unlikely he would answer her questions directly.

If anything, asking might only create an awkward atmosphere.

“I understand. You may return to your duties.”

After he left, the Queen’s brow furrowed again, wrinkling with restless curiosity.

At last, she abruptly rose from her seat and hurried toward King Laskan’s office.

Tap, tap!

Her hurried footsteps echoed along the long carpeted corridor.

Soon, she knocked on the door and stepped inside.

“What brings the Queen here?”

“I heard that Raion’s butler visited earlier. I came to ask if I might hear what it was about.”

“Oh-ho∼! It’s truly heartening that the Queen worries so about Raion.”

“Of course I do. But what was Patrick’s visit about? Did something bad happen to Raion?”

Elina put on a worried expression, though her concern was far from genuine.

King Laskan approached her and patted her shoulder kindly.

“He said he wanted to study knowledge about magic, so I assigned him a magician.”

“Is that so? But Raion has no talent for magic, does he?”

Both of them knew this well, yet Elina spoke as if she were concerned.

“It’s not so much learning magic as studying the knowledge behind it. Isn’t that admirable?”

“Indeed. Then surely, Your Majesty should have assigned a royal magician or someone from the 1st magician Corps.”

Elina feigned ignorance once more, even though she already knew.

“I wanted to, but he insisted on using someone from the 13th magician Corps. He said it wasn’t necessary to go that far since he wasn’t actually learning magic.”

“Still, won’t Raion feel disappointed?”

Elina maintained her anxious tone.

“He chose this himself, so I don’t believe he will. In any case, I’m grateful that the Queen cares so sincerely for Raion.”

“Your Majesty, please don’t say such things. I think of Raion as if he were my own child. I only feel sorry that I haven’t been able to help him live properly until now.”

“Truly, thank you.”

When their initial discussion came to a close, Elina cautiously changed the topic.

“Was there anything else he mentioned?”

“Hmm… not particularly. Butler Patrick and I have known each other for a long time, so we simply exchanged greetings. Is there something you’re curious about?”

It didn’t seem she could press further.

So, Elina smiled gracefully and replied,

“No, I just felt a little regretful since I haven’t heard from Raion directly.”

“I see. Ah! Wait a moment. Raphael, are you outside?”

At the King’s call, Raphael Price, who had been waiting at the door, stepped inside.

“Did Your Majesty summon me?”

“Are you still searching for the owner of that recipe I mentioned before?”

“I visited again afterward, but the trading company continues to refuse any disclosure.”

“Then leave it at that. Don’t pursue the matter any further.”

“Pardon? You mean… to stop?”

Hearing that, Elina, who was beside them, asked in surprise,

“But Your Majesty, weren’t you hoping to recruit him as a royal chef? Why withdraw the order now…?”

“After some thought, I realized—what good is having someone by my side who so clearly wishes to keep his identity hidden?”

King Laskan continued without pause.

“Besides, he contributed by spreading new recipes throughout the royal capital of Canel. If the royal family acted improperly, it might rob the people of their happiness. So, I believe it’s best to leave the matter here.”

Elina honestly couldn’t understand.

If she were the monarch, she would have wanted to possess everything.

Still, she could not openly oppose the King’s decision.

Yet, she too wished to make the owner of that recipe the royal chef, so she could enjoy those delicious dishes anytime she pleased.

“Your Majesty, even for him, being appointed as the royal chef would be a great honor. And for the royal family to share the same food as the common people—surely that diminishes our dignity?”

She voiced her opinion carefully, but King Laskan did not budge.

“I understand what you mean, but I’d prefer if you would respect my decision.”

It was clear he did not wish to hear any more objections.

Thus, Elina fell silent, and after a moment, rose quietly.

“Then I’ll take my leave so that Your Majesty may focus on your duties.”

As soon as Elina left the room, King Laskan’s demeanor grew even calmer than before.

He was no fool; he was well aware of the rumors circulating through the palace about Elina.

Naturally, he also knew that the Queen’s every word and action were far from the truth.

“Hmm… I wonder how things will turn out. For now, watching quietly seems to be the wisest course. In any case, Secretary, do as I said.”

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

With that, Secretary Raphael quietly exited the office as well.

—

[Status Information]

Name: Raion Canel

Age: 13

Occupation: 3rd Prince of the Canel Kingdom / Regressor / Arcane magician

Abilities:

 Synthesis (合成) Level 10

 Decomposition (分解) Level 10

 Extraction (抽出) Level 9

 Emission (放出) Level 4

 Engraving (刻印) Level 4

 Formation (形成) Level 7

 Analysis (分析) Level 10

A pale blue, translucent window floated up before Raion’s eyes.

A year had passed, and Raion had now turned thirteen.

At the same time, several of his abilities had reached Level 10, and new messages appeared before him.

[Abilities that reach Level 10 will automatically advance to higher-tier abilities.]

[Due to Synthesis (合成) and Decomposition (分解) reaching Level 10, combined usage is now available.]

[Due to Analysis (分析) reaching Level 10, target conditions are no longer restricted.]

[Due to Analysis (分析) reaching Level 10, user information has been updated.]

[Status Information]

Name: Raion Canel

Age: 13

Occupation: 3rd Prince of the Canel Kingdom / Regressor / Arcane magician

Life: 300 / 300

Stamina: 1,000 / 1,000

Mana: 1,200 / 1,200

Abilities:

 Synthesis (合成) Level 10

 Decomposition (分解) Level 10

 Extraction (抽出) Level 9

 Emission (放出) Level 4

 Engraving (刻印) Level 4

 Formation (形成) Level 7

 Analysis (分析) Level 10

 Decomposition-Synthesis (分解合成) Level 1

 Specific Analysis (特定分析) Level 1

 True Martial Art (眞武道) Level 10

Tip:

1. You can synthesize abilities to create new methods.

2. Tap an item to view detailed information.

3. When five or more abilities reach Level 10, new abilities will emerge.

While reviewing his abilities in the workshop, Raion’s jaw dropped as he looked at his updated status window.

Among the new entries was one called True Martial Art.

Perhaps because it was something he had mastered through his experience in a past life, its level was already maxed out.

“So… these are my stats?”

The first things that caught his attention were the values for Life, Stamina, and Mana.

However, since he had no reference for the average, he couldn’t tell whether his numbers were good or bad.

There was, however, one person perfect for figuring that out.

“Patrick!”

At his call, Patrick appeared almost immediately, knocking before entering the workshop.

“You called for me, Your Highness?”

“Stand right there for a moment.”

“As you command.”

Raion then shouted toward him,

“Specific Analysis (特定分析)!”

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