“So how was it?” Lars asked.
After the tour and discussion at the Sorcery Department, the four Egorovans had a meal alone and chatted about their day in their provided guest room.
“Interesting,” said Georgi. “Their technological prowess wouldn’t make a dent in ours, but they make up for it with their imagination.”
“Although I question the wisdom of involving the peasantry, I suppose the research did have some merit,” said Donato.
They had evidently enjoyed themselves, though their faith in their own country remained unshaken. Lars’s lips curved into a smile before he turned to the youngest member of their entourage, who was seated slightly apart from them.
“And how was it for you, Lufi?”
Luciano’s cheeks were red, and the young sorcerer’s adorable lips were twisted into a slight pout.
“It was enlightening. But…I was surprised that a boy without much magic was allowed into a court sorcerer’s research area.”
“Oh?” said Lars. “But you’re young yourself, and yet here you are—a member of a foreign delegation.”
“But I-I…! Are you saying I don’t have talent?” Luciano looked down, dejected.
Lars and the others exchanged glances.
“Not at all,” said Lars. “You are a talented sorcerer.”
“Yes,” said Donato, “I am sure that you will carry our nation’s future.”
“You won’t get anywhere comparing yourself to others,” said Georgi. “Besides, that kid’s going to be a magic tool technician, not a sorcerer.”
Among the royal siblings, Luciano had always possessed the most magical energy and a studious nature, which helped with learning new spells. Luciano was so talented, in fact, that there were hardly any obstacles to his participation in the tour to Romany. But this was all still relative to age—seeing a boy without connections make actual contributions to another country’s Royal Sorcery Department was a blow to Luciano’s confidence.
“If it bothers you, then take this opportunity to absorb as much as you can and let it fuel your growth,” Lars said quietly.
Luciano nodded silently.
“Was there anything that piqued your interest, Your Highness?” asked Donato.
After giving a brief show of mulling it over, Lars smiled.
“Yes, I’m interested in him. The accountant.”
The other men scowled upon hearing this.
“That peasant?” said Donato.
“He didn’t leave a very strong impression…,” Luciano commented.
“He said that he only had money on his mind,” Georgi remarked.
The researchers had very typical reactions.
“The documents he handed out at the start were very well put together and easy to read,” Lars continued without breaking his smile. “I believe he’s a very capable man.”
“But he can’t use a lick of magic, right?”
“The Director of the Sorcery Department said he was only here because he put those documents together.”
“My goodness… You’re kicking up such a fuss when we haven’t received even half the documentation. You didn’t even read the papers he gave us, did you?”
The three research nuts stiffened.
Lars sighed as he eyed them. These three were bound to fixate on the magic side of the equation and let the other important details slip by. It was why Lars, a man with no magical talent, was the leader of the delegation.
When the subject of this tour came up, Lars thought of it as an unpleasant job, but he had his own objective in coming here. Unlike the other members, the movement spell research was just an afterthought to him.
“Do you know what our spy said the man was doing before today’s gathering?”
Nobody had an answer to Lars’s question. They just looked at each other.
“He was in the crown prince’s personal quarters. They even had lunch together.”
“What?! But isn’t he supposed to be a commoner?!” The three of them were stunned.
Lars’s smile deepened—it was just the reaction he’d expected. “Now, I don’t know what exactly they discussed, but there’s no question that he is on good terms with the prince.”
At that point, Luciano blinked up at Lars. “Elder Brother! I remember! That man was at the dinner party…”
As he responded with a wordless smile, Lars’s mind connected the dots.
Successful research into movement spells.
The Holy Maiden’s purification.
A bastard prince.
A man of common birth, who was on friendly terms with both the crown prince and the bastard.
Not for the first time, Lars was glad that he chose to come to Romany.