Edmonte's Story - Kazen II Kad (reading eggs books .TXT) 📗

/> “I see. Thank you,” the young man said with much relief.

“Then, excuse me,” I said and went away from there.

Sir Barth and my apprentices were still not back from their excursion of the town when I got back to our suite. I did not felt like going for a walk myself so I sent my guardian butterflies all over the town to send me images and useful information. It was actually a mentally tiring process and I had to command my scouts to stop when headache began to develop. I took herbal medicine and prompted to sleep. I did not remember waking up for dinner and when I opened my eyes next, the place was dark except for the table side where a single oil lamp was left burning. There was also a damp cloth on my forehead.

“Iris?” I queried. The other must have been asleep right now so I turned to the demon-spirit.

“Sorry, Master. We should have known,” the majestic butterfly began. Then she told me how the knight and my apprentices found me in a feverish state when they returned. Thankfully, I had taken medicine so they decided to let me rest without waking me up for dinner. That meant I missed the audience I supposed to have with the king. I need to apologize tomorrow.

“Thank you, Iris,” I told her before I closed my eyes and felt myself drifting off to sleep again.
Chapter 10: Different Views

My fever and fatigue did not abate the next morning and the six days after. The Royal Healer, whom the king graciously sent to attend me, concluded that my body could not cope up with my sudden magical outburst, thus straining my physical self. I admitted, though silently, that I never send out more than a dozen of the butterflies simultaneously as scouts, and that I never really need to open my mana reserved. Maybe my action broke the plug that held my mana reserved and the result was as stated. Thus, I was order to be confined to bed with no visitor and leave to do anything physical and magical – Sir Barth was rather glad to be my personal assistant for that period of inactivity, while my two apprentices had to endure being taught by another necromancer for the time being. I made a mental not to myself that I would not abused myself again to the point that I need someone to help do all the simple stuff like eating, moving my body, and even cleaning myself. Once was enough experience for me!

I thought after my fever and fatigue had dissipated, I would be free to go back to my normal routine, but no, I was not so lucky; I still had restriction the magical restriction and I need to have one healer with me anywhere I go so that they could perform medical emergency in the case of relapse. Therefore, I had to endure being constantly followed by Sir Barth, Iris, and Sven, a stubborn looking pale complexion healer who was only a few older than myself, as I made my way to visit those who help me. My first stop should have been King Salvatore, but I doubt I could just drop by his office without being under heavy scrutiny so I settled for Arch mage Irving.

“I hope my sudden visit didn’t keep you from your work, Your Eminence,” I told the arch mage I observed the few stacked of paper and parchments on the table of his office. There were also some people doing here and there when we arrived at the Department of Magic wings at the castle.

“Oh, it’s okay, and I’m glad that you’re hale now,” Arch mage Irving dismissed. “By the way, I have something to share with regards to the 2nd Magus Institute in Joarna.” He reported that Master Zhou had sent a missive to him and Mistress Thora to informed them that the progress was well into its early third stage, where they would held an opening to the general public to invite them to either be instructors, contributors, or student themselves. The institute would also welcome others non-magical training. Of course, he also concluded he would appreciate any extra personnel from Magus Association to help with the 2nd Magus Institute.

“That’s good,” I nodded. I was extremely glad with the progress. “So, are you going to send some people there?”

“I would like to but it’s not my decision to make. That’s the chancellor’s.”

“What?” I asked bewildered. “Aren’t you the Arch mage of Soparto Kingdom?”

“Your Excellency, I may be the arch mage of Soparto, but I am a normal member of Magus Association, and I neither have the wish nor the time to take on another responsibility.”

With Arch mage Irving and me out of the election, that left two candidates for the upcoming chancellor seat election; Mistress Thora and Viscount Graham. I ran all the mages affiliated with Magus Association that I knew in my mind and could not find anyone else that I could nominated for the position. Well, there was probably some other hidden jewel somewhere in the association, and the best place to ask is the institute itself.

“I’m going to the institute and see if I can find any other candidates for the position,” I told as I stood up from my seat.

“Then, please send my regards to Mistress Thora,” Arch mage Irving said.

“Excuse me,” I said before going out of the room.

I would like to so some thinking while walking my way to the Magus Association Institute, but my guardians would have none of it so I had to do some serious thinking while being driven inside a horse carriage to my destination. When we arrived at the destination, I jumped out even before the carriage came to a full stop and briskly walked into the premises. Actually, I had never seen the inside of the institute and I had no idea where to find Mistress Thora, so I was just going to grab someone for assistant when I caught sight of someone familiar.

“Master Zimmon, how I’m glad to see you,” I greeted the demon-bearer.

“Your Excellency, I see that you have recovered. Are you here to sight-see or to see to your apprentices?”

“I would like to talk to Mistress Thora, but I don’t mind having a tour of the place and see how Gaby and Theo are doing.”

“I see. Then, let me give you a tour of the place,” Master Zimmon said and I followed suit.

The three stories building were divided into three different sections: the study area, the residential area, and the common area. The common area, situated at the ground floor, boasted an administration department, infirmary, a large dining hall, and the kitchen area. The residential area only cover a small the east wing of the ground – Master Zimmon told me that residential area only served as temporary stay and not a permanent accommodation place. Then, the study rooms, laboratory and halls occupied the first and second floor. I also met with Gaby and Theo in one study rooms, being attended by a residential necromancer. All throughout the tour, I had to ignore all the commotion that arose due to my presence there, and I was not sure if it died down when I finally to meet Mistress Thora.

“If you would like a tour of the place, I could have arranged it for you, Your Excellency,” Mistress Thora began. I never met the seer before, although I was aware of her advancing while we exchanged letters. Yet, the old seer with grey in her copper hair still had the sharp look in her hazel eye.

“Ah, it’s okay. I rather like the informal setting so I can see how the institute is normally operating. By the way, Arch mage Irving sends his regards.”

“Thank you. So, what can I do for you today, Your Excellency?”

“I want to know if there are any more candidates suitable for the chancellor seat,” I asked outright. Mistress Thora seemed alarmed and a little surprised by my question.

“May I know why?”

“Well, with me and Arch mage Irving out of the election, that’s only leave you and Viscount Graham as candidates. If you can name me one more candidates, we can appoint two people to be Chancellor and vice-chancellor in this institute, and one person to be the vice-chancellor with Master Zhou as chancellor at the Magus Institute in Joarna, Estrey Region.”

Mistress Thora did not reply immediately. She was lost in thought for a while, and I thought she was thinking of someone for the third candidate. When she finally asks, it was a question for me, “Why don’t you want to be the chancellor, Your Excellency?”

Now it was my turn to be silent. “Because I...believe there are other people who are more suitable to lead Magus Association better than I. Can’t you understand that by seeing me? I’m barely into my two decades of living! I don’t have a clue about organization! And the matter of leadership is so out of my league! I...don’t want my incompetency be the downfall of Magus Association.” There. I finally let out all the reasons for my refusal.

“I beg to differ, Your Excellency. I don’t believe age can hide all the talents one can have, and you certainly didn’t lack talent. I and most of the people who know you will agree with me on this.” I could see Sir Barth nodded in agreement over this statement. “Moreover, it was through your numerous contributions since you become the advisor of Magus Association – such as the introduction of non-magical trainings and the joint study of opposing magical branches and interrelated magic – that we see such improvement in the training curriculum of the institute,” Mistress Thora said. Indeed. I could see the truth in her words. I saw the progress myself during the tour of the institute not so long ago.

Yet, I did not want to admit the truth. I pretty stubborn with my conviction as the late Arch mage Hirscher was in pursuing me. “Let me think about this,” I said instead.

I bade Mistress Thora farewell a moment later.

It was nearly an hour after noon and I did not want to get back to the palace so soon. Thus, after having lunch, I decided to seek out Viscount Graham. Well, since I already talk to two other candidates for the election, I thought it would be fitting to talk