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139: Elder (3)
No one responded to Jamie.
This time, there was a variety of reactions. Among them, the person who caught Jamie’s attention was the middle-aged man third from the left.
‘Oh, not a bad reaction?’
Perhaps, because he was anxious, the corners of his mouth had slumped. And his ears seemed slightly red, like he was angry.
It was the first time seeing that man. Jamie knew very well why he had such a face.
‘Must’ve hurt his pride.’
It was a characteristic that many magicians had.
Basically, magicians have a strong self-esteem and the higher their skills, the greater their self-love. Even more so, if it was a magician in the elder position.
However, since they confirmed with their own eyes that this kid they were seeing for the first time was superior, it was obvious how anyone would feel.
‘But… among them, there is no one who is inferior to me except for that man.’
The woman in the 6th seat was similar, but she was on a higher level than Jamie. If there's a chance, she could definitely rise to the 7th class too.
‘It is nice to meet them.’
Jamie smiled.
And then looked at Marquis Linmel.
Last spring, he met the man in his home. He thought he was an intruder, but it turned out that he was a great magician of the kingdom.
In addition, he received a present ‘Whole body breathing method’ which helped Jamie a lot. Of course, he improved it to his own taste, but the basics it gave was amazing.
Seeing the man, he felt good. And as if it was the same, Linmel too smiled and nodded.
“Long time no see, Jamie.”
Linmel spoke first.
He enjoyed how Jamie was still using the whole-body breathing method.
“Long time. Thanks to you, I learned a good breathing technique. I always wanted to meet you, and I met you like this.”
With that, the other elders seemed shocked at Linmel.
Linmel had never brought up the fact that he taught something to Jamie. Seeing their eyes, he coughed and said,
“Khum. You are stronger than before. It will be difficult to treat you like I used to.”
When Linmel met Jamie, Jamie wasn’t much. But it was different now.
Linmel turned to Jamie’s waist.
A sword. It was the sword that Count Welton used to have when he was young, Scud.
‘I heard he was learning it…’
He heard that Jamie was talented in swords too. He was concerned in the beginning, but it seemed like he underestimated the genius.
And Jamie also received a blessing from Pyro, so he couldn’t treat him like a child anymore.
“I’ll ask for a match next time.”
“Huhu.”
“Eh. A magician asking a match? Such vulgar things which only people using their body do.”
3rd elder Serpent joined in with a sarcastic tone.
Linmel frowned,
“What do you mean?”
“We are magicians who are scholars. Those who use their heads. The position is different from the ones who use their bodies and increase their skill…”
“I think you should be careful of your words.”
As Serpent spoke his thoughts, Jamie, who didn’t want to hear him anymore, said,
“My father is among those who use their bodies and so am I.”
Startled at that, Serpent shook his head.
“I-I didn’t mean it in that way. I am sorry it came out like that.”
“Then I am glad. I don’t know much since I am young and not good with words, but I don’t think elder’s choice of words were luxurious either.”
“Puah!”
“Puahahah!”
At Jamie’ words, Adelhart and Seigfried, who couldn’t help it, laughed.
Serpent’s face turned red, but he said nothing.
And it was right, because Count Welton was brought in by Jamie, and anything he said would be taken wrongly.
Offen, the leader of the royal side, looked at Serpent with a pathetic look and said,
“This friend doesn’t mean bad, so I hope you don’t take it too hard.”
Jamie looked at Offen.
The old man in the first seat. White beard, hair and eyebrows too, a kind face. The most famous in the Seldam kingdom. The 8th class magician with Linmel and the King’s teacher.
And,
‘Magician of Sky, Offen Ginger.’
The nickname ‘Sky’ was given because he freely controls weather. Jamie always wanted to see him in action.
Offen continued.
“Anyway, I was late for introductions. I am Offen Ginger, the 1st elder in Magic World. Thank you for responding to our request ‘Young magician’ friend.”
However, at those words, Jamie went stiff.
It was the same with those in the opposition, especially Siegfried.
It was because he emphasized the word Young Magician.
Unless one was stupid, no one wouldn’t know what he meant. Siegfried looked at Offen and said,
“I think it is rude to call him a Young magician just because of his age.”
“Ah. Hahaha. The old man was mistaken. I am sorry, Jamie. You are a 6th class magician, but I treated you like a child. I am sorry.”
When the intentions were made obvious, he changed his stance right away, Siegfried was tired.
Offen was always like this.
An uncomfortable human being to be with, and demeans others with simple sounding words. A person who ignores people and then points people out. A different level of arrogance.
In the Magic World, there were many who hated Offen.
“Haha. Since we have met, let’s get along well in future.”
“I wish we could.”
Jamie looked at Offen.
‘That one was trying to confirm the attitude of others with his words.’
At first glance, it seemed like he was downplaying Jamie, but Jamie thought otherwise.
By saying that, Offen was trying to see how many would agree to his words and how many would dislike his choice of words.
‘I don’t know why though.’
Perhaps as a part of politics.
A person like Offen is the most difficult one to deal with as they are difficult to understand. So Snake-like.
‘An enemy or an ally? I need to keep an eye out till I find out.’
Jamie closed his thoughts and looked at the others.
“Now now. We have a new member in our family, so let’s have a brighter atmosphere! Didn’t everyone look forward to seeing Jamie?”
Luke clapped his hands and tried to reverse the mood. And with a playful face he asked.
“So, how was everyone’s first impression of our Jamie here?”
‘5th elder Luke Pretzel. Head of Equality?’
Jamie looked at Luke and thought.
‘He is similar to Offen.’
The method he used was different, but as a result, he created a space where the other elders could speak their thoughts.
But he was one step lower than Offen. If it was Offen, he could have handled it better.
Offen wouldn’t care how the others saw him and would only say what he wanted in the sly way, but Luke here was trying to look good.
“Shall I say first?”
Luke smiled, but the woman next to him pulled his ear.
“Ack! Adel! What is it?”
“Shut up and stay still.”
Adelhart glanced at Offen and glared at Luke.
‘He has a good colleague.’
If Adelhart hadn’t noticed what Luke did and stopped, things would have gone downhill for Luke.
On the other hand, Marquis Linmel, the head of nobles?
‘… he doesn’t seem bothered much.’
Unlike the royals and equalists, which were fighting silently, the nobility head didn’t seem to care.
He heard that Linmel wasn’t active, but didn’t expect it to be this much.
4th elder Raymon Floris Shan was the same. He hadn’t said a word till now and just looked at Jamie with curious eyes.
Siegfried said as Luke and Adelhart were arguing.
“More than that, when will the house and lab be provided for young lord Jamie?”
“Hey, Siegfried. Why are you still acting like his guardian?”
When Adelhart asked, Siegfried responded with a smile.
“If you don’t like it, take it upto Count Welton.”
“You have grown a lot, kid?”
“I have always grown, ever since I was little.”
“Since it’s been a long time, should we go ahead with it?”
‘Bloody.’
As Adelhart acted like she wanted to fight Siegfried, Siegfried only stood arrogantly. Looking at that, Jamie realized that this place wasn’t what he imagined.
He knew this would have a lot of politics, but not like this.
“Stop both of you.”
Chi!
Offen looked at Siegfried and Adelhart with cold eyes.
“Aren't you being disrespectful to Jamie?
“… tch.”
Adelhart settled down. Siegfried snorted, then turned his head.
‘What just happened?’
And Jamie felt chills on his body at the energy from Offen. Although it was momentary, Offen exuded an energy which was difficult to do.
‘It was Fear.’
There were many ways to control the opponent’s mind, but the most advanced was Fear.
It was the main skill of dragons, and strong monsters which surpassed humans.
And Offen used it.
‘Though it wasn’t perfect.’
But Jamie was sure that Fear was learned.
If he was this good, then he wouldn’t bow down to even a Sword Master.
“Everyone calm down.”
Offen went back to his usual kind expression.
“Jamie’s house and lab are important. But… a lab isn’t something you just give out.”
“Young lord is a 6th class magician.”
“Looking at it, it is possible, but it is also true that some amount of skills need to be proved. wasn’t that the same for everyone?”
When Offen said that, the others nodded their heads.
Private labs can be used by magicians of 5th class or higher and Jamie was qualified enough to have it.
“Are you saying that verification is necessary?”
“Right, Jamie.”
“So I should show you 6th class magic?”
“The class is irrelevant. It is to see how well Jamie will adapt.”
At the word adapt, Jamie frowned.
What was he trying to say?
When Jamie saw him, Offen grinned.
“Today is the day of the Phoenix Academy’s entrance ceremony, right? Dean Siegfried.”
“Ugh.”
When asked, Siegfried visibly showed displeasure.
Though he didn’t say it, Offen was reprimanding Siegfried for abandoning his duties.
“Right. But why are…”
Offen clasped his hands and said.
“I hope he could teach there for a month.”
At that, both Jamie and Siegfried frowned.