Side Story: A Parting Gift from a Father

A year before Callus decided to leave, a boy visited the royal castle, located in the royal capital of the Ledyvia Kingdom.

“Oh boy, what does His Royal Majesty want from me?” the boy muttered. Emilia Licht had been suddenly called to the royal castle.

He generally refused these summons, but he was told that this came from the king himself. Even Emilia couldn’t deny the order.

“Well then, I guess I’ll look a bit more proper,” he said.

He straightened his back and put on a more serious expression as he set foot into the king’s room, where His Majesty awaited. The large room was dazzling and luxurious, and the king and a few knights were present. The knights seemed like they were used to battle, and even Emilia could tell that they were skilled fighters. After looking them over, he turned towards the king, Gallius Balldrad Leditzweissen.

“Pleased to meet you, Your Majesty. I’m glad to see that you seem to be in excellent health,” Emilia said.

“You seem as lively as ever yourself,” the king replied in a regal tone. He spoke solemnly and majestically.

The kingdom and the Magical Committee were on friendly terms. However, the two didn’t seem to trust each other completely, and sparks would fly whenever one caught the other’s attention.

“What business might you have with me, King Gallius? Since you’ve personally requested me, I believe it’s no simple matter,” Emilia said.

“Oh, it’s nothing too serious. I just wanted to tell you some things in private, without the Committee’s involvement.”

“I see.” If it really wasn’t a huge deal, there would be no need to summon me. The king surely has no desire to meet me personally either, Emilia thought.

However, the following words that came from Gallius’s mouth dispelled Emilia’s confusion.

“I want you to pull back from operating the Academy of Magic,” King Gallius said.

“Oh?” So that’s how he wants to play, Emilia thought. He thought back to the boy at the manor, Callus. He knew that the boy was a prince and the king’s son. He even was aware that the boy was planning on enrolling at the academy in a year.

Emilia had failed to bring Callus, but he’d been planning on meeting the boy at the academy. He hadn’t expected the king to personally go to this extent—the child’s birth was a secret, after all, and he’d assumed King Gallius had no love for the boy.

“Your Majesty, may I ask why? Both the Committee and the kingdom have worked together to manage that institution. I believe I have the right to be involved.”

“Indeed, you’re correct. However, there’s been a recent increase in claims filed against you. At this rate, it might affect the number of applicants to the academy. Hmmm... How about five years? For five years, could you step back from the academy? That should be good enough.”

“I see...”

It took three years to graduate from the Academy of Magic. In five years, Callus would be long gone. Gallius and Gourley had worked together to think of a plan to simply keep Emilia away for that time. It seemed the king actually loved his son dearly, since he was willing to go this far to protect him.

“I see... Well, I’m beat,” Emilia muttered as a furious rage emerged within him. He had been looking forward to Callus’s years at the academy, and he certainly didn’t expect this to be taken away from him. He suppressed his emotions and answered calmly, “I understand, King Gallius. I’ll accept your suggestion.”

“All right. Thank you,” Gallius replied, surprised by how smoothly this had gone. He’d expected more of a struggle.

“Even I’m aware that irreversible consequences will be upon me if I refuse.”

From an outsider’s perspective, Gallius’s request was a reasonable one. Emilia wasn’t much involved in the management of the academy anyways, so five years wouldn’t have been a difficult order to follow. If Emilia were to decline such a simple demand, it would lead to the crumbling of the relationship between the kingdom and the Committee. Doing so would take away his playground, and that would be the worst punishment for him.

“If I knew that this was going to happen, I would’ve had a countermeasure, but I see. This is where things are going,” Emilia said with a frown, taken aback by this unexpected turn of events. It felt like a toy he was waiting to play with had suddenly been taken away from him.

Emilia was a calculating person, but he didn’t take emotions into account, for he didn’t truly possess any himself. But Gallius had made the first move in the form of this unusual request. Although it risked his son’s identity being exposed, he still chose to protect his child.

“I’m sorry to call you in while you’re so busy. That’s all I’ve got to say. Be careful on your way out,” Gallius said.

“Then I’ll excuse myself, Your Majesty. I hope that we can meet once again.” Emilia obediently left, for he understood that voicing any complaints would only make his situation worse. On his way out, he stared at an empty corner of the room with a faint smile. “Your plan went well, didn’t it?”

He quickly averted his gaze and acted like nothing had occurred as he exited the room.

Once Gallius confirmed that Emilia had left, he breathed a sigh of relief. “Phew, he’s gone.”

Gourley suddenly appeared in the seemingly empty corner that Emilia had been staring at earlier.

“Thank you for your cooperation, Gourley,” the king said.

“It seems like he saw through me, though. His instincts never cease to amaze,” Gourley replied, glaring in the direction that Emilia had left.

Gourley’s invisibility magic had been cast without an issue, yet Emilia had locked eyes with him. Once again realizing how frightening the boy could be as an enemy, Gourley braced himself for the future.

“Even so, it’s extremely reassuring just to have you near me. Without your suggestions, I doubt that I could come up with this plan to stop him. I’m truly grateful to you,” Gallius said.

“I’m only doing what I need to for my apprentice,” Gourley replied, shaking his head.

As the king had stated, this series of events wasn’t his idea. Gourley had suggested getting rid of Emilia so that Callus could enjoy his academy life in peace. King Gallius had immediately consented; he had no qualms with removing that monster if it would protect his beloved son. Though this would put Gourley in danger, he had decided to make himself invisible and keep watch so that Emilia wouldn’t do anything odd.

“He’s reckless, but he won’t do anything that might break off the relationship between the kingdom and the Committee,” Gourley said.

“I hope you are right about that. And may this be the last time I ever need to face him,” King Gallius said, sighing deeply as he sank into his chair. It seemed like he’d just finished some exhausting task. “This is about all I could do. The rest is up to you, Callus. Good luck.”

This act was the king’s parting gift to his son—a son to whom Gallius felt he’d failed his obligation as a parent.