Chapter 217: In Holm Royal Magic Tower
Translator: Kris_Liu Editor: Vermillion
On the top floor of a magic tower in Allyn.
Rogerio released a long sigh, "Holm Crown prize… What a young man… The youngest winner ever…"
As he was saying, Rogerio’s hand gently touched his neck, as if there was an imaginary amulet hanging there. He had been striving for Immortal Throne award for many years, but it turned out that his talent was more in magic than in arcana.
"On the shoulder of giants… shoulder of giants…" Adol, the undead, was right now sitting on the couch with a gla.s.s of wine in his hand, "Maybe this was even out of Professor’s great expectation, and maybe he was still working on synthesizing life ingredients, hoping that he could win both Holm Crown prize and Immortal Throne award. Ha, will you guys recognize his findings?"
Looking from behind, no one could tell that Adol was actually not alive.
They had investigated Richardson, the only sorcerer who was still below senior-rank from the previous Holm Crown prize winners, and they were certain that he was not Professor.
"Depends on whether Professor, this giant, will still be alive at that time." Rogerio sneered, "Besides, Felipe has made a considerable progress."
Then he called someone in and said, "keep a close eye on Lucien Evans X, the same level we have on Larry, Timothy and Ulysses. Always keep me informed."
Now, Lucien was drawing the attention of the Hand of Paleness because of himself, not because of Professor. Therefore, he was actually safer now, as the Hand of Paleness would not just kill a genius full of potential for no important reasons, and the highest council would not allow something like this to happen as well.
"And, tell that person… to continue to look for Professor." Rogerio added, "We’ve promised him the rite, Lich Convert, and we always keep our words."
Sitting on the couch, Adol sneered, "Stupid humans…"
...
In the dark cold winter night, the lights on both sides of the street looked darker than usual.
Breaking through the thin layer of snow on the ground, a coach slowly stopped in front of Holm Royal Magic Tower, the highest building in n.o.ble District.
The coachman opened the door of the coach and said politely, with a dim yellow light in his hand, "Mr. Evans, Mr. Lazar, we’ve arrived."
Although he was just a common man, as someone who had been hired by Holm Royal Magic Academy for a long time, he respected sorcerers a lot.
Lucien took a deep breath and refreshed himself.
As soon as they entered the magic tower, an elegant, middle-aged man greeted them, "Good Evening. I am the steward of Holm Royal Magic Academy, and my name’s Rodham. According to Mr. Morris, I will be helping you find what you need here, Mr. Evans. By the way, will you be staying for the night?"
The middle-aged man’s blond hair was of pompadour style, and he looked rather well-mannered.
Because of the deeply rooted relations.h.i.+p between Holm Royal Magic Academy and the royal families such as the Hoffenberg family, in this place, there was a strong sense of hierarchy.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Rodham." Lucien nodded slightly, "Could you please show me the section where those magic items are? I need a magic robe. And yes, if there’s any spare rooms, my friend and I will be staying here tonight."
"I am honored to be at your service," Rodham responded, with his left hand resting on his chest. "As the winner of Holm Crown prize, Mr. Evans, you’ve automatically become our honored member here. Later I will provide you with doc.u.ments, and feel free to enjoy anything we have here."
As it was already eight at night, the whole magic tower was very quiet, thus the sound of the footsteps from Rodham, Lucien and Lazar sounded quite loud.
At this time, a group of people walked downstairs from the second floor. The elder man taking the lead, who was wearing a crimson double-breasted suit and black cloak, looked very familiar to Lucien, as his silvery-gray eyes were identical to Natasha"s, and he even looked like the male version of her. However, this man looked skinny, pale and sick, and this was totally different from the princess in Aalto, who always had a healthy glow on her cheeks.
On both his cloak and his suit, there was a fuchsia-colored coat of arms. Surrounded by lines representing cloud and mist, the crown supported by a sceptre and a sword looked sacred. Lucien could tell at his first glance that this was from the Hoffenberg family, the royal family of Holm.
Half step away behind the elder man, there was a middle-aged man with brown hair. His elegant long suit burst at the seams because of his weight. With a black leather bag under his armpit, there was a flattering smile on his chubby face.
"Your Highness," Rodham saluted the elder man respectfully.
This elder man was the only prince in Holm, Duke of Edenbo, Patrick Hoffenberg, Meredith"s elder brother and Natasha’s uncle.
Lazar and Lucien bowed slightly, but not as respectfully as what Rodham did. There was no very strict manner of hierarchy between n.o.bles and sorcerers, unless for the sorcerers who worked for the n.o.bles.
Patrick slightly nodded. Just when he was about to continue to walk toward the gate, he saw the s.h.i.+ning, light purple ring on Lucien’s right hand. Then he asked in his harsh voice, as if he was sick, "Holm Crown ring? Are you Mr. Lucien Evans?"
The reason why the Hoffenberg family was the most influential one in Holm, a country overtly supporting the development of magic, was directly related to the fact that many of the Hoffenberg family members were influential sorcerers and arcanists, even grand arcanists. Therefore, Patrick certainly would not miss the chance to get to know the most recent Holm Crown prize winner.
"Yes, I am." Lucien smiled, "It’s my pleasure to have my name remembered by Your Highness."
Patrick nodded with satisfaction, "It seems that the name, Lucien Evans, can be heard everywhere in recent years. One is a great musician, and one is a genius sorcerer, the youngest winner of Holm Crown prize." After a slight pause, he asked, "Are you going to join the research project with the druids?"
"That’s right." Lucien did not know why Patrick asked him about this.
"Good." said Patrick, "They’ve decided to use the town called Sariva to be the pilot land for the project, and the small town belongs to our family. Although it’s a pretty poor area there, worry not, I’ll have the town officials entertain you well."
Suddenly, Patrick’s words were interrupted by his severe coughing. His cough was so bad that it looked like he was out of breath. Patrick did not get any better until he hurriedly swallowed the light green magic potion from a small bottle.
Lucien did not feel a hundred percent comfortable with Patrick’s sudden enthusiasm, but he still responded politely, "Thank you very much, Your Highness."
Patrick now looked better. He slightly raised his hand and said, "The royal family’s glory also comes from the support of sorcerers."
After chatting casually for some short time, obviously, Patrick was not feeling that great, so he needed to leave. Before that, he said in a low voice, "Natasha sent me a letter, and in the letter, there was a latest work from the talented musician, Moonlight Sonata…"
Lucien was a bit surprised. He wondered if Patrick was already aware of who he was. However, he was sort of expecting this after winning the Holm Crown prize, as he was drawing so much attention, and Lucien never underestimated the Church’s and the Congress’ ability to gather information. Now, he only hoped that Natasha would keep her words and take care of his family.
Lucien felt that it was time to write a letter to Natasha, now that he had got rid of the close watch from the Hand of Paleness.
After Patrick left, surprisingly, the fat, middle-aged man came back for Lucien. He said to Lucien with his face wreathed with smiles, "You’re Mr. Evans! What a pleasure for me seeing you here today. I’m sure that you’ll definitely be a senior-rank sorcerer some day. By the way, I’m Arthur Doyle, president of Union Bank of Holm Mining, a baron."
Lucien could imagine that this man had some important n.o.bles supporting him, or a common baron would never have the chance to become the president of Union Bank of Holm Mining.
After chatting a bit, Arthur sighed with emotion, "Young sorcerers are definitely more open-minded. Our bank has always been interested in developing new routes for the magic steam train, especially these several heading toward the harbour, but our proposal has never been approved by the Affair Committee. I sincerely hope that a young and talented sorcerer like you can join Affair Committee in the close future, so we can work together toward something."
As he was saying, he handed his business card to Lucien.
Lucien’a att.i.tude toward Arthur was not clear. He was neither enthusiastic nor cold. After Arthur left, Lazar sighed, "You’re someone important now, Evans."
"I’m not important to them. It is the possible benefit that they could gain from me that is important to them." Lucien smiled but shook his head.
Then, led by Rodham, Lucien and Lazar walked upstairs.
...
A magic steam train was running at its full speed on the open plain. The druids in the train were looking out the window with their eyes and mouths wide open.
Among those druids, some of them were good-looking elves, some were humans, and some were dwarves or from other races.
"Beyond imagination! This alchemical product…" Many druids exclaimed. The alchemical product that they were talking about was the train.
However, a pretty elven-looking man among them looked rather p.i.s.sed off and he said to his friend in a low voice, "Those b.a.s.t.a.r.ds… Railways and trains like this are destroying the balances in mother nature. The land’s crying, and the dead plants are cursing. Misfortune shall befall them!"
The young elf girl nodded, "That’s right. I don’t understand why the grand elder insists to work with those vicious people. He just wouldn’t listen even when all the other elders are disagreeing with him."