Vermilion Drake.
I’ve heard of that name before.
He is the grandson of Alberton Drake, who once held the position of the Black Mage Tower Master, and one of the geniuses who was able to manifest magic at a young age through his innate magical powers passed down through generations of his family.
His speed was unprecedented even within the prestigious Drake family, and he is the only man whom the previous Mage Tower Master, Alberton Drake, called a talent capable of surpassing him.
Even before my regression, he was a notable figure often mentioned in discussions about the next generation of leaders.
At the mere age of nineteen, he entered the Black Mage Tower, making quite a name for himself.
“Ver, how about removing those cumbersome gloves and greeting me properly? It’s not polite on a first meeting.”
Usually, when shaking hands, even with those below you, it’s customary to remove your gloves and at least offer a handshake, but seeing him still wearing gloves while shaking hands with us, Georg frowned.
For someone as rigid as him, actions that break etiquette like this were clearly not pleasant.
“Ah, right. My apologies. I wear them so often, sometimes I forget.”
Even Vermilion Drake, who usually seems to breeze through things with casual banter, couldn’t handle Georg’s reprimand.
Only then did he seem to realize the presence of the gloves he was wearing,
removing them and putting them in his pocket before offering another handshake.
“Let me introduce myself again. I am Vermilion Drake. I apologize for my impolite behavior on our first meeting.”
“It’s alright. Please don’t worry about it.”
“I feel the same.”
“Thank you for your generosity.”
Just as I was about to take his hand, my eyes instinctively widened.
“…!”
It wasn’t his outstretched right hand, but something faintly visible on his left hand, which was subtly pressed against his waist and half-covered.
At first, I thought it was just a large mole, but upon closer inspection, it seemed to be some kind of hand piercing, visible from both the back of his hand and the underside.
Piercings on the hands aren’t something I see often, but there’s nothing inherently strange about it. Normally, this wouldn’t be something to be surprised about.
However, I was startled because I had seen the exact same piercing in the exact same location on someone else.
ᆞA hand piercing, quite an unusual hobby.
・You’ll probably get one too someday.
- What does that mean?
ᆞIt signifies that we are compatriots.
I can still clearly recall the conversation I had with that person.
The one who pushed me, or rather, Sylvia, to that extreme.
He always called himself a member of the Dawn’s Eyes, wrapped in a robe so that his face was never seen.
At first, I thought he was just a suspicious guy with a rather unique hobby, but he referred to it as a symbol of their compatriots.
I don’t know why he told me such an important piece of information, but no matter the reason, it was crucial information for me now.
If anyone else had been wearing the same insignia, I might have considered it a coincidence, but given the rumors I had heard from Ruben, I couldn’t help but look at Vermilion Drake with suspicion.
It was the eldest son of the Drake family, who was said to be secretly supporting the Dawn’s Eyes.
And now, here he was, wearing the same insignia.
It was too much of a coincidence to overlook.
“Excuse me, Princess Eleonore. Could it be that eye…?”
“Yes, that’s correct. I’m sorry for showing you something unpleasant.”
“It’s not a problem. It seems I’ve asked a rather impolite question.”
Moreover, Vermilion Drake seemed to be strangely focused on Sylvia.
It wasn’t the kind of reaction you’d expect when a man takes interest in a woman, but rather, his gaze scanned her from top to bottom as though she were an object.
And frankly, it was unpleasant.
“Princess, I’m sorry, but could you bring me a glass of water? I’ve been drinking hot tea, and my throat is a bit dry.”
“Mm? If it’s something like that, you could just ask someone passing by…”
“Oh, no. It’s fine. I’ll go myself. You three should continue your conversation.”
In order to give Sylvia a break from his gaze, I asked her to do a task I wouldn’t normally ask of her.
Georg, who hadn’t noticed Vermilion Drake’s gaze, was about to ask why I had Sylvia do such a trivial task, but Sylvia quickly waved her hand and left, so he couldn’t say anything further.
With just the three of us left, I decided to start investigating this man more seriously.
“By the way, I’ve heard a lot about you. Your grandfather was the former Black Mage Tower Master, Alberton Drake, correct?”
“That’s right. He was my proud grandfather.”
“Then, is it true that you, Prince Drake, aim to enter the Mage Tower as well?”
“Yes, I’m trying my best to join as soon as possible.”
Though he kept a calm facade,
I could tell from the slight twitching of his lips as I continued my questions that he was rather pleased with the compliments.
It seems he’s the type to be vulnerable to praise.
He was born as the talented eldest son of a prestigious family, living his whole life hearing nothing but praise, so this personality of his seems a bit strange.
Or perhaps it’s because he’s only ever been praised that he developed this character.
Either way, it’s a good thing there seems to be an opening for me to probe further.
“So, where do you stand in terms of magical proficiency? I, too, am walking the path of a sorcerer,
so I’m quite curious.”
“Eh? A sorcerer… Do you, Prince Lyard, also have some expertise in magic?”
Since there are very few people of my age who can use magic,
Vermilion Drake seemed quite taken aback by my casual mention of it.
“It’s not something to brag about, but I can use it to a certain extent. At least in terms of manifestation, I can freely use magic up to the 5th tier.”
The 5th tier.
It’s a level that most people spend their entire lives striving for but can barely reach.
With my current body, I might be able to aim for the 6th or even the 7th tier, but I downplayed it since I heard that when Vermilion Drake entered the Black Mage Tower at nineteen, he had achieved this level of magic.
Even he, hailed as a genius for reaching the 5th tier at nineteen, would probably think I’m crazy for claiming to be able to do this at just fifteen.
“Is that really true? Kyle, you’re a 5th-tier magician?”
“No, it can’t be true. Georg, I think Prince Lyard has a very strong sense of humor.”
Georg’s eyes widened in surprise, asking whether it was true or not.
On the other hand, Vermilion Drake, as I expected, didn’t believe me at all.
He stared at me for a moment with a blank expression, then scoffed as though it was laughable.
It was the first time I saw his real expression, and instead of feeling unpleasant,
I actually felt quite satisfied.
It seems that poking his pride brought out his true nature.
“It’s no joke, and it’s no exaggeration. You seem quite surprised, Prince Drake.”
“You can’t help but be surprised.
If that’s truly the case, the Mage Tower Masters from each tower would be fighting over you,
and you’d already have the position of the next Mage Tower Master secured.”
“I’m not particularly interested in the position of the Mage Tower Master, so it’s fine.”
“……”
Having thought all along that my words were an exaggerated lie, the one who had been sneering at me all this time showed an obvious sign of displeasure, furrowing his brows at my last remark.
Then again, considering he had walked into the Black Mage Tower on his own, he must have considerable interest in the position of Mage Tower Master as well.
It’s only natural that he’d react like this when I boldly said something like, “I have the ability to be the Mage Tower Master, but I have no intention of it.”
Originally, I had made that boastful remark in order to provoke him, and it seems to have worked quite well.
“Then, would you mind showing me?”
As expected, his reaction came swiftly, and I put on a smug smile while pretending not to notice.
“Show you? What, exactly?”
“Of course, the magic that Prince Lyard so proudly boasted about.
Though my eyes aren’t completely useless, I can gauge someone’s skill by just a quick look.”
Is he trying to test me?
No, to be precise, he’s probably convinced that my words are nothing but a lie, so he’s aiming to reveal my true, shameful self and embarrass me.
Anyway, this is a welcome turn of events for me.
I wanted to see his strength just as much as he wanted to see mine.
If Vermilion Drake truly is a member of the Dawn’s Eyes, perhaps he draws his power from the same source as the robed man I encountered before my regression.
Maybe, just like me, he received some kind of support from the Dawn’s Eyes, causing his powers to manifest early.
If that’s the case, the reason he’s been hailed as a genius who blossomed with unprecedented speed within the Drake family might be due to this.
It would be disappointing if I were wrong, but at least it’s worth testing.
If this is the quickest way to protect Silvia, then I’ll gladly test it, no matter how many missteps I have to take.
“Alright. No need to delay, let’s do it now.”
“Now, you say?”
When I nodded eagerly, Vermilion Drake, to my surprise, seemed momentarily flustered.
He must have expected me to make excuses and try to avoid the challenge somehow.
But he was wrong.
The one who’s eager to test the other is me, not him.
“Yes, wasn’t that what you wanted, Prince Drake?
To expose the false bravado of some ignorant fool trying to build up their reputation and lay bare their pitiful shortcomings in front of all these people?”
“…Very well. In that case, I won’t ask anyone else.
I will personally request that Prince Lyard show me his skills.”
With a grin, Vermilion Drake turned to Georg to arrange for a place.
Just as I was about to follow him, moving my steps, suddenly—
“Prince Lyard, please don’t go.”
“…Princess?”
I didn’t know where she had appeared from or how much she had heard, but Silvia suddenly grabbed my wrist and stopped me.
She looked at me with eyes that seemed incredibly sad.