Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 155

‘Sir Ian, are you busy?’

At the sound of someone calling him, Ian turned his head. His sleeves had been rolled up for a long time, and his once neat hair was now slightly disheveled. It was the price he paid for being buried under piles of documents for days. As the sole link between the Magic Department and the Imperial Palace, it was a common sight.

‘What is it?’

‘A carriage has arrived for Sir Ian.’

‘Ah, the Luron stones? I’ll be out soon.’

‘And you know there’s a mana verification shortly after, right?’

Ian nodded. Quite naturally, Ian was being addressed with honorifics by the other mages. It was common for even nobles to be treated casually if they were young newcomers, but as he emerged as a strong candidate for the next Minister, respect followed him naturally.

Hee-heeing!

In the distance, three or four carriages could be seen approaching in a line. Mages, including Ian, gathered to see the Luron stones, and among them was Commander Acorella. She had been nervously biting her nails, but she quickly ran down the stairs.

‘Hurry! Hurry and come over here!!’

‘Commander Acorella, it’s dangerous!’

Hee-heeing!

Whether the horses were startled or not, Acorella jumped around, gesturing to her subordinates. It was an order to come and unload the goods. From inside the carriage, Romandro and Beric peeked out, looking for Ian.

‘Ian, Ian!’

‘Is this where we should unload it?’

At the sight of them waving their hands, Ian smiled and replied. As the guards and staff lowered the boxes to the ground, Acorella snorted and carefully opened the lid. Inside was a pile of shimmering, purple Luron stone chunks.

‘Oh my! Oh my!’

‘I’ve never seen such large ones before.’

‘Wow, they’re huge. Each box must weigh several kilograms? We’ll need to call more people.’

Acorella’s hands trembled as she lifted a Luron stone. The mages watching from the top of the stairs also murmured in admiration. Even if they weren’t from the Mana Stone Management Department, the large supply of such precious mana stones was a positive thing for everyone.

‘Commander Acorella! Nosebleed! Nosebleed!’

‘…The color is so dazzling and beautiful, haa, it’s driving me crazy. I want to grind it, burn it, mix it here and there for research right away. Can I lick it!? Minister Ian!?’

‘Are you crazy? Why would you lick it?’

‘Did I ask you? I asked the owner of the mana stone.’

She was smiling with half-crazed eyes, blood streaming from both nostrils. It seemed like she would cause trouble if he didn’t allow it, so Ian nodded and gestured.

‘It’s your department’s property now, so lick it or do whatever you want. But it would be best to move it to the storage room quickly. Someone from the Imperial Treasury Department will be here soon.’

‘Kyahho! Thank you!’

‘Yes. Understood.’

After confirming with the mage that the Luron stones had actually been received, Ian was to be paid. For now, only tens of thousands of gold coins would come in, but it was enough to settle the donation and reward Romandro.

‘Ian! No, Master! Wanna eat?’

‘Don’t be fooled. This guy emptied the Imperial Training Ground’s food supply. He doesn’t do the training he’s supposed to, just loafs around. If you look at his fate, he’s living the best life.’

‘I went, but Jayrut wasn’t there, and neither was the Tooth. Everyone else was just small fry, so I took it easy.’

Due to the Wesley incident, security in the Imperial Palace had become even tighter. Therefore, Jayrut and Barsabe were also busy and rarely appeared at the training ground. The mages immediately recognized the young red-haired swordsman.

‘Ah, that’s him. The one who made Commander Jayrut release his mana.’

‘He’s younger than I thought? And he’s Sir Ian’s escort?’

‘Amazing, he matched Commander Jayrut.’

‘I heard he was brought from the borderlands, it’s definitely an unknown place. There’s a Luron stone deposit, and a mad dog like that…’

Beric’s lips twitched into a smile as he looked at Ian. His eyes were sparkling, and his ears were perked up. He couldn’t tell if it was praise or an insult, but he seemed happy to be the center of attention. Ian chuckled, patting Beric’s shoulder.

‘Are you happy?’

‘Oho, this feels surprisingly good.’

‘Those who make the sword their destiny are often like that.’

‘Ian, so about the food?’

At Beric’s words, Ian checked his watch. It was an awkward time to eat, and more importantly, he had an important schedule today.

‘I don’t think so. I’m about to have the mana verification.’

‘Mana verification? We did that at the New Year’s party.’

‘That was to check if you had mana, this is to determine the superiority. If you’re going to be the head of the mages, you need to have mana that everyone can acknowledge.’

Everyone could guess, but competing to determine the hierarchy was another matter. Perhaps some of those who didn’t run for the head position gave up because they didn’t want their level to be revealed.

‘Can I come along?’

‘As you wish.’

With Ian’s permission, Beric jumped around excitedly. Romandro followed Acorella, waving his hand.

‘Sir Ian, I’ll take care of the rest here. Once the Treasury Department issues the check, I’ll handle the donation immediately.’

‘Thank you, Romandro.’

‘So, you take care of Beric.’

‘…I almost took back my thanks.’

Romandro was fed up, saying that it was better to do administrative work than to take that madman to the Imperial Palace, as it was a life-shortening task. Beric, regardless, tugged at Ian’s collar, urging him on.

‘So? Where are we doing it? The mages fighting!’

* * *

Although its official name was the Magic Training Room, the mages all called it the ‘Glass Dome.’ This was because the dome walls were made of defensive mana stones to prevent damage to the outside when practicing offensive magic.

‘Ian! Master! Fighting! Kill them all! Grind them up! Crush them! Trample them! Aja Aja!’

Beric stood out among the calm mages. He even clenched his fists, shouting cheers. Ian glanced at Nakina, asking for help, and she unhesitatingly grabbed Beric’s collar and sat him down.

‘Is everyone here?’

The head of another department, who was in charge of the selection, was there. He scanned the surroundings and stopped, looking at a certain point on the upper floor. Then, he bowed his head. Ian and the other candidates also turned around.

‘Isn’t that His Highness Marib?’

‘The Minister of Justice is also here.’

‘Everyone is showing their faces, one by one.’

‘Why is His Highness here, ah.’

The mages murmured, glancing at Ian. What other reason could there be? It was to see with their own eyes the ability of Ian, whom Marib was directly supporting.

Swish.

Ian and the mages all placed their hands on their chests and bowed in that direction, and the head cleared his throat and explained the procedure for the mana verification.

‘Face each other and shoot mana, and check who pushes and who gets pushed. Magic is not allowed, only pure mana spheres to prove your ability. The time limit is three minutes. No objections will be accepted, and anyone who wants to give up can do so now. There’s nothing more unsightly than being pushed over by your opponent’s mana.’

A moment of silence. A mage raised his hand.

‘…I give up.’

‘Good.’

‘I also give up.’

‘Anyone else?’

They gave up, glancing at Ian. In fact, the outline of the next Minister was almost clear. Internally, more than half of the department was with him, and externally, he had the full support of the Imperial Palace. Also, judging by his confrontation with Wesley, his mana power was also beyond compare.

‘I give up.’

‘Then the remaining ones are…’

The head raised his eyebrows at Jang. As if asking if he wasn’t going to give up. Ian also looked at him, and his expression looked very complicated and troubled.

‘If Delilah withdraws her support, it would be meaningless.’

Beyond the meaning, it could even be dangerous. To defeat the person Marib, Gail, and Delilah were pushing and become the Minister? How long would that position last?

If someone no one wanted seized the victory in the power struggle, it would be like drinking from a poisoned chalice.

‘Jang?’

‘…I, I won’t give up.’

Jang hesitated for a long time before declaring, as if squeezing it out. He had his pride, and on the other hand, it meant he was deeply attached to the position of Minister. Whether he was foolish or just stubborn, time would tell.

‘Is that so? Understood. Then, only Ian and Jang will proceed with the mana verification. It won’t take long. It will be decided in a single round.’

Thwack!

The head pointed to each end with his hand. It was a signal to move far apart. While the two walked to the end, everyone else left the dome.

‘Master! Let’s win! If you win, I! I won’t eat a whole pig today!! Victory is ours!’

‘You’re going to make my ears fall off, you rascal. Shut up.’

‘Ian! Show them what you’ve got!’

‘Isn’t that the skill that defeated Wesley!’

‘He didn’t defeat him, he, he just blocked him!’

‘Jang! Be careful!’

‘What, Jang. You didn’t give up? That’s unexpected?’

The mages’ commotion erupted at once. The light of magic slowly spread through the dome. Soon, a large number appeared on the glass. It was a countdown.

‘Ian, I don’t know what you did when you met Delilah, but it’s not over yet.’

-10, 9, 8…

‘I, with this, I will, will prove it again.’

Jang stuttered, unable to overcome his nervousness. He thought that if he defeated Ian here, he could turn Delilah’s heart around and even reverse the public opinion of the entire Magic Department. Ian smiled sincerely and slowly released his mana.

Zhiing.

‘Jang. It’s good to see you doing your best until the end.’

‘Shut up. How long have I waited for this day since I entered the Magic Department? What do you know, you who just came in!?’

-7, 6, 5…

‘Do I need to know?’

‘What?’

‘You don’t know what situation I’m in either, do you?’

‘Listening to you is annoying.’

-4, 3…

‘Consider this not to be your opportunity. If you don’t give up, you will eventually see results. I admire you for not giving up.’

At those words, Jang bit his lip. The courage to take a step even though he knew the path ahead was blocked. The determination to hold on to even a small hope. It was clear that a new opportunity would come to Jang someday, though not now.

‘Shut up!’

-2, 1…

Swaaa!

As the numbers disappeared, Jang unleashed his mana. He flew forward, instantly reaching Ian’s eyes, with the short grass fluttering.

However, the moment he met Ian’s golden eyes.

Poof! Bang!

Crack!

Jang’s power was deflected and scattered in all directions. Light poured endlessly from Ian’s body. The two men’s mana collided in the air, entering a power struggle.

Or so it seemed.

‘Huh? Jang?’

‘Huh, huh!?’

‘Jang! Hey! What are you doing?’

‘Ugh! Damn it, this, what is this!’

Just a few seconds.

Jang had only managed to block Ian’s mana for a few seconds.

Unable to withstand the incoming force, his feet began to slide backward. Sweat dripped down, but no one noticed it. Not even Jang himself.

‘No!’

Poof!

The moment his strength faltered slightly, Jang’s body flew and slammed into the wall. Dust settled thickly, and the mages all stood up at the same time.

Swish.

Ian waved his hand gracefully, dispersing the smoke, and then looked up at the audience. As if asking why they weren’t making a judgment yet.

Then, a single flower slowly fell in front of him.

‘Well done.’

It was a flower thrown by Marib. A white flower to celebrate the victor.

Then, the mages around him also created flower petals with magic. One by one, the petals they sent piled up at Ian’s feet.

‘Iaaan! He’s my master!’

‘Well done, amazing, Ian!’

‘What was that just now? Did I see it wrong?’

‘Jang! Are you okay? Jang! Wake up!’

‘He was unusual at the New Year’s party, but wow.’

Ian held up Marib’s flower and gave a light salute. The mages’ awe-filled applause continued to erupt along with the flower petals.