part0015

“It happened after we entered Lion City.” Anandra handed Lark a sealed letter. “She asked me to give this to you, My Lord.”

“It was… strange. She told me that our lives would be in danger if she stayed with us any longer,” Anandra said unhappily. “She said that an organization called the Grand Order is currently looking for her.”

“It’s a group of magicians under the direct command of the Magic Academy,” said Tomas, the most proficient in magic among the knights. “Basically, they’re the magicians tasked to protect the academy. Although they also reside in Wizzert, they’re an entirely different organization from the tower. But I wonder… Why they’re looking for Lady Chryselle?”

Tomas mumbled the last part of his statement. The princess and her knights weren’t aware of Chryselle’s true identity even now.

“I think so too, Lord Lark.” Tomas nodded. “He would be the only one with enough power to mobilize that elite group of magicians.”

Several questions started popping up one after another. Lark remembered that Chryselle had mentioned that her great-great-grandfather was the founder of the Academy. Lark surmised that it must have something to do with that.

The handwriting was beautiful, and the way it was written made it apparent that she had already thought of everything she would say before writing this letter.

I’m sorry for leaving without telling you first, Master. A messenger from my grandfather spoke to me in the capital after you left. It seems that my brother finally found out the real identity of the person who attacked the tower that night. He has been pressuring the Grand Order to mobilize their magicians. I’ll talk to my grandfather, the current Headmaster, personally regarding this. Please don’t look for me. I’ll take care of things on this side and make sure this doesn’t inconvenience you in the slightest. There’s no need to involve Blackstone Town in this mess. Please trust me. I’ll be sure to return soon, Lord Evander.

How did she know his real identity? Although he’d performed magic far beyond the capabilities of the original owner of his body, it shouldn’t be enough for her to suspect him as the late Evander Alaester.

His blatant interest in the history of the Magic Empire. His deep understanding of magic. The way he rejected the teaching of the Grand Magician—Algrove Aria. His knowledge of magic towers, demons, and curses. Knowledge that should have been lost along with the fall of the Magic Empire.

Although all of this pointed to the fact that he was a far greater magician than what he made himself out to be, it shouldn’t have been enough for her to arrive at the absurd conclusion that he was Evander Alaester. There was no definitive evidence for her to single out a magician who died over a millennium ago.

Chryselle was incredibly smart for her age. No wonder she was the youngest Elder of the Tower. She must have connected the pieces of the puzzle after reading it.

Lark had found it amusing to use his previous name as the pen name for the books he’d written and distributed in Blackstone Town. But he realized that he had been too naïve. He should have accounted for situations like these.

“She’s coming back, don’t worry.” Lark patted the kid’s head. “She has something to take care of at home. That’s all.”

A small feast, sponsored by the lord, was held in Blackstone Town. This was to celebrate the opening of the Town Hall—a massive building that towered over all other structures. At the same time, the school was also opened. And as though the Gods were smiling upon Lark, the teachers Big Mona recruited in Lion City and Mavas City finally arrived in Blackstone Town.

Lark expected two or three of them to answer the recruitment, but surprisingly, there were a large number of them. Five men and two women.

“Ah, welcome,” said Lark. “Pardon me for asking the servants to lead you here and not the mansion. It’s the opening ceremony for the Town Hall, you see.”

The teachers looked at the flowers currently adorning the entrance to the massive structure in front of them. Next to the entrance was a four-meter long bronze placard. The words ‘Town Hall’ were carved on it.

Not far from them, several servants were handing out free food sponsored by the lord. People were chatting excitedly with each other as they ate, casting admiring glances at the Town Hall every now and then.

Although it looked plain at first glance, it was the largest building in Blackstone Town. Moreover, rumors that this building would one day become the core of this territory had already spread far and wide. Several people had been showing interest in working together with the ministers Lark had appointed.

“You must be tired from your journey,” Lark said to the teachers. “We’ve prepared a small feast for the ceremony. Please eat to your heart’s content.”

Some of the teachers looked at each other. More than half of them came here out of curiosity and not because they had been swayed by money. After hearing that they were going to be teaching commoners instead of nobles, most of the teachers decided to see the Lord of Blackstone Town himself. They wanted to know what he was like, and what his aim was for offering an exorbitant amount just to let his commoner subjects obtain an education in Blackstone Town.

The teachers accepted Lark’s offer and partook in the feast. Meanwhile, Lark started introducing the officers in charge of the ministries. Oliver, Pico, Silverclaw, Clarkson, Melody, and the rest of the officers delivered a short speech one after another.

Since most of the officers here were original residents of Blackstone Town, most of them were familiar faces. The residents cheered when the men came to the rostrum and delivered their stutter-filled speeches. Only Silverclaw remained unperturbed when speaking in front of so many people.

After the introductions were finished, one of the teachers said to Lark, “These officers of yours. It seems to me that they are quite… loved by your people.”

Lark smiled. “Of course. They’ve been working so hard to improve this town, after all. Without them, it would have been impossible for me to make all of these developments happen. They’re the treasures of Blackstone Town.”

The teachers were surprised that such humble words came from Lark’s mouth. He had a terrible reputation, after all. Although nowadays, after the war with the Empire, some people had started praising him as a hero.

“Lord, please forgive my impertinence, but I believe that all of us have been meaning to ask you this question,” said one of the teachers. “I heard that the reason you are recruiting this many teachers is for the sake of the commoners.”

The other teachers listened attentively to the conversation. They were also eager to find out the answer to the upcoming question.

“I wonder,” said the teacher, “what is the reason behind this, Lord Lark? I would have understood if it was for the sake of the nobles. But commoners… They have no way of paying you back. For them, the cost of education is simply astronomical.”

In the entire kingdom, only nobles were capable of availing the service of educators like them. Only nobles and the children of wealthy merchants had enough money to enter academies. This was why a common soldier did not even know how to read or write. The only exceptions were those who served the royal family, since those soldiers came from exceptional backgrounds before enlisting as guards and knights.

Even Melody, the so-called scholar, was simply lucky to have learned her knowledge from the noble she served back when she was living in Lion City. Lark had taught her the rest.

“There are no expectations. They don’t have to pay me back,” said Lark, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Education is free in Blackstone Town.”

The eyes of the teachers widened. Free education for commoners? How absurd. It must have cost the lord a fortune to hire all of these teachers, but he was going to let his subjects study for free? It was akin to throwing money on the streets.

“As much as I like King Alvis, I believe that he’s at fault for our kingdom’s current predicament,” said Lark. “He focuses too much on diplomatic relationships and the nobles. He has forgotten to focus on fundamental things. He should have abolished slavery long ago and given the commoners free education. Even a simple merit system for non-noble students should be enough if the problem lies in the lack of funds.”

The teachers looked around, worried that someone had heard Lark badmouthing His Majesty. Had the royal guards heard this, Lark would have been forcefully dragged into the dungeons for slandering the royal family. Thankfully, everyone around them was enjoying the festivities and it seemed that none, aside from the teachers, heard it.

“Well, he loves his subjects, I’m sure.” Lark shrugged. “And I’ve heard that he’s a lot better than our previous ruler. That tyrant king who even waged war with the Great Empire and the United Grakas Alliance.”

“L-Lord, please stop. You could get dragged to the chopping block if someone hears these things and reports it,” said one of the teachers.

Lark looked at the teachers gathered around him. His voice turned serious as he said to them, “The farmers, the soldiers, even the paupers living in this town. I consider all of them as my children. The children of Blackstone Town.”

It felt incongruous hearing these words from a young man like Lark, someone young enough to be their son. But for some strange reason, the teachers felt that he was telling the truth.

“Blackstone Town will always treat its children equally. No matter their race, gender, status, no matter their age. I see no reason why the commoners shouldn’t be given an opportunity to obtain even the most basic education.

“Money will never be an issue. You will be given the promised salary each month. You have my word for it. My only wish is that you treat each of my subjects equally. Please teach them well so that they may someday become the pillars of Blackstone Town.”