“Professor Wayland, could you please explain–”
“No. Professor Arion will answer all your questions. Please excuse me.”
“...”
A group of students in uniform were left speechless as they watched their professor sprint out of the lecture hall the moment the session ended. They had so many questions about runes and their applications; it felt as if a new world had just been revealed to them. Yet the man responsible for this revelation had no interest in answering their queries or offering advice on rune implementation. Before anyone could stop him, he was already around the corner and out of sight.
“Professor Wayland seems busy. I wonder if he’s conducting research?”
“Probably. Maybe he’s already preparing a new lecture. What do you think it’ll be about next? Oh, I just can’t wait!”
The group chuckled, their excitement palpable. Meanwhile, the man in question was striding purposefully toward one of the mage towers. His daily obligations were complete, and he only wanted to return home. The lessons he delivered were cobbled together just hours before each class - an afterthought amidst the demands of his work in Albrook. Fortunately, his teaching duties only consumed a few hours, leaving him enough time to borrow books from the Headmistress’s study to expand his knowledge across various fields.
His investigation into the other faculty members was progressing steadily, largely thanks to Professor Arion and the dwarven craftsmen. The monitoring devices he’d discreetly deployed had started to yield some intriguing results, which he promptly forwarded to both the Headmistress and the Enforcement Department. While a few individuals had already been apprehended for accepting bribes, nothing groundbreaking had been discovered yet.
‘I think I’ll cut my research short, there is just too much work to do, I need to get back into the dungeon and clear those four temples…’
Roland made his way toward the teleportation gate within the fire tower, just as he always did. His associates were still working on fabricating the components for the turret system and the generator room, and it would take some time before everything was ready. In the meantime, he was focused on creating a safe area for people to use the teleportation gate, hoping to involve the Adventurer’s Guild in the process. The Guild Master had already agreed in principle, and now they just needed to finalize the contracts.
Plans to establish a teleportation gate within the city were also underway. Fortunately, there was no need to construct a separate mage tower or develop a new tower spirit for this purpose; Sebastian was already in place. The tower spirit’s computing power was more than sufficient to manage both Roland’s personal gate and the two nearby ones. Additionally, creating a gate with a fixed waypoint was far simpler and consumed less power than a gate requiring constant adjustments from a tower spirit.
With these thoughts in mind, Roland continued on his way. However, just as he was about to enter the mage tower to return home, his helmet started beeping. Curious about the unexpected alert, he quickly glanced at the message. To his surprise, it reported the reappearance of two individuals who had been missing for some time.
‘Those two? he thought. I thought they said they’d take the ship back. Did they change their minds?’
Through one of the runic cameras, he spotted the pair - two of his associates, who also happened to be siblings of his wife, Elodia - causing a commotion at the institute. He had provided them with a temporary emblem to grant access to the facility in case they ever needed it, but he hadn’t expected them to actually use it.
The two proclaimed their intent to travel across the Kingdom as Platinum-ranked adventurers, leaving Roland to assume they’d be gone for some time, even up to a year. He couldn’t help but shake his head as he observed the scene. Armand was up to his usual antics, gesturing animatedly, while Lobelia stood nearby, rolling her eyes in exasperation. However, Roland noticed the dark circles under their eyes. Clearly, their journey hadn’t gone as smoothly as they might have hoped.
‘Did things not go as they expected? They look a bit thinner…’
Roland had to stop himself from entering the mage tower to head back home. Instead, he turned on his heel and began walking toward the institute’s central plaza, where Armand and Lobelia were causing a stir. Whatever had brought them back so abruptly, it was bound to be annoying. It was probably in his best interest to diffuse this situation before people started asking more questions.
The institute grounds were as bustling as ever. Students moved in clusters, animatedly discussing theories and strategizing for their upcoming assignments. A few staff members nodded respectfully as Roland passed, though most avoided direct eye contact. His reputation as the enigmatic Deputy Professor with a notoriously short temper had made him both a figure of awe and apprehension.
As he neared his destination, Armand’s booming voice cut through the ambient chatter.
“... and then I punched that Drake right in the jaw, and it popped right off!”
A collective gasp followed.
“Oh!”
“And what happened next?”
“Hah, listen up - this is the fun part!”
When Roland arrived, he found a small crowd gathered around Armand and Lobelia. The institute, populated primarily by the sheltered children of nobles and merchants, rarely hosted rowdy adventurers, making the siblings an irresistible spectacle.
Armand, with his natural charisma and rugged demeanor, had captivated the young mage ladies, who hung on his every word. His disheveled appearance - and a notable lack of proper attire only seemed to enhance his appeal.
Lobelia, in contrast, had drawn a circle of wide-eyed young men. As a young half-elf, she was strikingly beautiful in her own right. Combined with her status as a powerful tier-3 class holder, she exuded a certain allure that stirred something primal in the gathered youths. They were clearly eager to secure her services - or perhaps just her attention before the opportunity slipped away.
“You’re a Platinum adventurer, right? How much to hire you as my personal bodyguard?”
One of them asked eagerly.
“Hey, Edward, back off! I saw her first!”
Another interjected, his tone dripping with indignation.
“Hah, as if!”
The first retorted, glaring at his rival. The escalating competition was as transparent as it was comical, and Lobelia seemed to take it all in stride, her lips curving into a faintly amused smile.
Roland approached the scene with a purposeful stride, his eyes narrowing as he took in the crowd that had gathered around Armand and Lobelia. He could hear the students’ exaggerated excitement and chatter, but what stood out to him was the disheveled appearance of his wife’s siblings. They looked worse for wear, their clothes torn and dirty, and the exhaustion visible in their faces. He couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh. This wasn’t exactly the reception he had planned for them, but it was typical of Armand to get into the spotlight in the most inconvenient of ways.
Without missing a beat, Roland walked directly up to the group, his presence cutting through the clamor like a sharp blade. The students paused, some snapping to attention at the sight of their professor. Roland’s reputation preceded him, and it was no surprise that the crowd quickly began to disperse or at least move to the side.
‘I’m really seen as a villain huh… but not quite?’
While many of the young mages backed away, they didn’t stray too far. Instead, they lingered, as if expecting something to unfold. Perhaps they were hoping for a spectacle - watching their infamous Full-Mithril professor confront the two Platinum adventurers. Maybe, just maybe, they were hoping for a battle to erupt so they could enjoy a thrilling show. However, as Roland drew near, both Armand and Lobelia instantly recognized him.
“Wayland!”
Lobelia was the first to call out to him, her voice laced with annoyance. She quickly slipped away from the group as the teenage boys spread out, positioning herself at his side. It was clear she was happy to see him. He wasn’t sure what the two had been through, but this wasn’t the place to discuss it. Now that they were here, he could take them back home, which was probably the main reason they had come.
“Wayland my friend, you found us, just wait until you hear this, you won’t believe what happened to us!”
Armand on the other hand seemed to enjoy the attention of these young ladies. It was as if he wanted to tell him all about his recent adventures while all of these people were listening. Roland wasted no time. His hand shot out and grabbed both Armand and Lobelia by their arms, firmly but not harshly.
“You two just come with me, don’t talk.”
Roland yanked Armand and Lobelia out of the crowd, ignoring the murmurs and whispers from the students. The buzz of excitement quickly turned into quiet murmuring as the Full-Mithril professor led the siblings away.
"Wait, Way–"
Armand protested as he was yanked along. Even though he was larger than Roland his body was being yanked as if he was a young boy being punished by his father.
"Not here. Whatever nonsense you've gotten yourselves into, we’ll talk about it somewhere private."
Armand gave a sheepish grin, but Lobelia simply sighed, grateful for the intervention. As they moved through the campus grounds, Roland kept a firm grip on both of them. Students parted like waves before them as he headed straight for the fire mage tower. His work for the day was done, and he had no desire to deal with more rumors spreading. Once inside, he loosened his grip and cast a stern look at the two troublemakers.
“Come, I’ll get you back to Albrook. You shouldn’t stay here too long.”
Roland glanced around. A few curious eyes were still watching them, and he knew this was far from ideal. While his involvement in Robert’s case was widely known, he didn’t want anyone digging into Armand and Lobelia as it would inevitably lead them to Albrook. He wasn’t sure what these two had been up to, but there was always the risk that the count would uncover the truth about what had happened after the trial.
“He’s always this grumpy, huh?”
“Shut up, Armand.”
Lobelia hissed back, elbowing him in the ribs.
“Ow, what was that for?”
“Can you read the room already?”
“Ahhh…!”
Armand seemed to have finally realized something and gave Roland a wink. Lobelia, on the other hand, had known from the start to stay silent. She simply nodded as the two followed Roland, who guided them toward the teleportation gate chamber.
In situations like this, Roland’s newly gained status proved invaluable. No one questioned him, and no one dared to inquire about his two companions. The mages in charge of the teleportation gate quietly stepped aside, allowing him to activate it without interference. Moments later, the three of them walked through the gate, arriving at their destination inside his workshop.
“What is this place? and what’s with this strange white light?”
Armand asked as he was the first to break the silence.
“This is inside my workshop. I suppose it has changed slightly since the last time you were here.”
Roland responded as he noticed Armand glancing curiously around the lower workshop. There was more equipment now compared to when they last used the teleportation gate, and the chamber was well-lit. Previously, they had moved quickly from the elevator area to the gate without being given much time to look around. While he trusted the two, he had already scanned them for any potential parasites or shape-shifting abilities. They appeared clean, but it was always better to be cautious.
“Master, initializing scan… No outside influences have been detected in the Runic workshop”
A calm, mechanical voice announced and prompted Armand to raise an eyebrow.
“Oh? What’s that thing? A talking orb of light?”
Sebastian, his artificial tower spirit, floated forward, emitting a soft, steady glow.
“It’s something mages like to call an artificial tower spirit but it’s slightly different from those.”
Roland replied while knowing that Armand probably had no idea what he was talking about
“Oh… is it like a summoned spirit? Does it follow orders? Can it answer some questions?”
“I suppose so but let’s not change the subject, what happened to the two of you? I thought you wanted to tour through the kingdom for some more?”
Roland finally posed the question, bringing up the issue that had been on his mind. The two before him looked as though they were on the run and hadn’t slept in days. Given that they were still tier-3 class holders, there were only a few plausible scenarios that could have led to such a state. While Roland often encountered people above his level, this didn’t mean such individuals were common in the wider world. The Kingdom was vast, and each city typically housed only a handful of such elites.
‘Could the count have sent his people to capture them? Or did they encounter the cult again?’
The cult had always been a persistent threat, having already made several attempts to hinder him. Thanks to the church’s presence in Albrook, he could sleep soundly at night. But if the cult discovered that two people close to him were wandering the kingdom unguarded, he could easily imagine them sending operatives to infect the pair with their insidious parasites.
“Ah, it was a grand adventure! We visited new cities, fought new monsters, and drank new liquor! Truly the best time I’ve had in ages, isn’t that right, Lobelia?”
“Yeah, sure - until someone had to ruin it all. I told you to keep your hands to yourself. And what did you go and do?”
“Well, it’s not my fault the ladies can’t get enough of me! You can’t blame me for what happened. It was just a moment of passion!”
Roland narrowed his eyes when looking at Armand who flicked his hair.
“Moment of passion? I don’t understand…”
Lobelia groaned and buried her face in her hands, clearly exasperated.
“This idiot had an affair with the daughter of a nobleman…”
Roland flinched as he heard Lobelia speak. Nobles were meticulous about their engagements and social arrangements. If the young lady in question was already promised to another nobleman or waiting for a formal arrangement, this situation could spell disaster. If rumors spread that she had been involved with a rowdy adventurer like Armand, her reputation and life could be irreparably damaged.
Suddenly, everything clicked into place. Whatever noble family they had encountered would likely go to great lengths to punish the man who had seduced their daughter. The real concern was the status of this noble as higher-ranking houses would pose far greater threats.
“Does this noble or noble house have a name?”
Roland asked, his tone steady.
“I’m not entirely sure… but I think it was a Baron?”
Armand replied with a shrug. A wave of relief washed over Roland at the mention of a Baron. While his own father held the same rank, few Barons could compare to his family’s resources and influence. A lesser noble house would likely have limited means - fewer tier-3 elites, for instance, to send on a prolonged chase to this island. He exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose as he processed the situation.
"So, let me get this straight. You had a fling with a Baron’s daughter during your travels, and now they’ve sent people after you?"
Armand shrugged, his grin as carefree as ever.
"That’s one way of putting it. But hey, it’s not my fault her dad doesn’t approve of her taste in men like me.”
Lobelia groaned, her patience wearing thin as she watched her brother grin smugly, acting as though he hadn’t done anything wrong. With an exasperated sigh, she instinctively swatted him on the arm before speaking.
“Armand, for once in your life, could you stop treating everything like a joke? This isn’t just some tavern brawl you can charm your way out of.”
“She’s right. If a noble house has decided to target you, this could escalate quickly. Even a Baron can pull strings to send bounty hunters or hire mercenaries. You're lucky you made it back to Albrook in one piece.”
Armand raised his hands in mock surrender, the grin still plastered across his face.
“Relax, Wayland. We’re still alive and fine. We just had to run for a bit, but everything is fine now!”
Roland frowned as Armand started laughing but nodded slightly. For now, it was best for them to lay low in Albrook. Even if the noble managed to track them down here, there wouldn’t be much they could do as both Armand and Lobelia were under the employ of Arthur, a Duke’s son.
“A bit?”
Lobelia snapped, crossing her arms and glaring at her brother.
“You mean running from town to town for a week, barely sleeping, and fending off hired thugs counts as ‘a bit’ to you?”
She raised her voice, her frustration mounting, while Roland instinctively took a step back. A fling with a noble’s daughter was bad enough, but at least they were in Albrook now a city where people on the run seemed to inevitably converge.
Roland sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose as Armand and Lobelia continued to bicker. He didn’t have the energy for this. After a full day of lectures, runic schematics, and managing student antics, his mind was already overtaxed. The last thing he needed was yet another problem involving nobles.
‘Well, at least they are back here now, that’s one less thing to worry about.’
Though they bickered for some reason a smile crept on his face. While time was tight, it felt like such things were not bad from time to time…
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