Chapter 253: Robert (1)
TL/Editor: Raei
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Robert looked at Rudy.
The moment for decision had come.
"You're not a kid, what's with the whining?"
Robert patted Rudy's head.
'I believe in this guy.'
Robert didn't want to make Rudy like himself.
Or perhaps, it was for his own sake.
To avoid any more regrets, Robert had come here.
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Raei Translations
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Robert was an orphan.
He barely survived after being abandoned in the capital.
To avoid starving, he begged; to survive, he clung to adults.
Fortunately, being abandoned in the capital was a blessing in disguise.
Near the capital was Ephomos.
It overflowed with orphans like him, and there were people willing to take care of them.
Though "taking care of" might sound kind, in reality, these people exploited the orphans.
They made them pickpocket to line their own pockets, providing the orphans with just enough bread to live on.
While living day by day through pickpocketing, he encountered magic.
Necromancy.
It was a magic that orphans in Ephomos could easily come across.
The very people who made the orphans pickpocket were necromancers.
They used the money the orphans made from pickpocketing for their research.
Every day, as Robert pickpocketed and contributed to them, he learned magic by watching from the corner of his eye.
He learned the basics of magic this way and practiced it.
Though young enough to survive through pickpocketing, he thought that learning necromancy was essential for surviving the future.
He lived by pickpocketing in the morning and learning magic in the evening.
During such a life.
"What are you doing?"
"Excuse me?"
"My wallet. Give it back."
He encountered Levian, a middle-aged man.
"Ugh... Wind Blaster!"
Robert used magic to try and escape from Levian.
"Oh..."
Levian was impressed that a child who was pickpocketing could use magic properly.
"What do you do?"
"I'm a wizard."
"...What?"
Despite trying to escape with magic, Robert couldn't get away from Levian, who was an accomplished wizard at the time.
Levian smiled and approached Robert.
"How about learning magic from me?"
Levian saw potential in Robert.
It was unthinkable that a child living off the streets and pickpocketing could have learned proper magic on his own.
Yet, since Robert had used magic, Levian believed that with proper instruction, he could become an even greater wizard.
Thus, Levian took Robert back to the capital, kept him nearby, and observed him for several days.
Confirming his initial judgment was correct, Levian made an offer to Robert.
"You should enter the academy."
"...The academy?"
"If you go there, you'll be able to learn a lot. About magic, about being human, and even what it means to have friends."
With a smile, Robert responded.
"I refuse."
Robert was aware of the academy.
He knew it was a place for nobles, where attending cost a fortune.
He'd rather save that money to live on his own.
"Haha, such a bold one. But,"
Levian said with a broad smile to Robert.
"Did I give you a choice?"
Robert was then captured by Levian's magic and sent to the academy.
Tied up with ropes, he was loaded onto a carriage and sent to the academy with just a letter.all new stories at ph!"
"...What's this?"
"A letter from Levian."
[Turn this one into a proper person. Professor McDowell.]
"Huh..."
Robert was thus left in the care of Professor McDowell at the time.
Given Levian was a royal wizard, Professor McDowell couldn't possibly refuse his request.
"What's your name?"
Professor McDowell asked as he untied Robert.
"...Puhah! Who are you?"
"McDowell. Call me Professor McDowell."
"Professor? Anyway, send me back to the capital. If there's any money Levian paid, please return it."
"Money?"
"This academy's expensive, isn't it? So, Levian must have paid for my tuition. Please give that money back."
"There's no such thing."
"What?"
"If there's no money, I can't attend, can I?"
"Why ask me? I wouldn't know."
Levian had not given any money to Robert.
"I was being serious!"
"Elena, you've got your work cut out for you."
"Tell me about it."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Amid their conversation, a loud announcement was made.
"Now, we will announce the valedictorian of the 12th class of Liberion Academy. The valedictorian is... Charles Cromwell. And the salutatorian is Robert. There will be an award for the two of you. Please come forward."
"...Are you kidding me?"
"A fair and wise ranking, indeed."
Robert and Cromwell said simultaneously.
Then, Robert bristled.
"In our third year, my grades were..."
Just as they were about to fight, Mcguire pushed them from behind.
"Go on, both of you. Are you going to keep fighting even on graduation day?"
"Ugh..."
Grumbling, Robert and Cromwell went forward.
"Robert..."
Elena looked at Robert's back with pity.
"Elena, you don't need to worry so much."
"Huh?"
"This is actually better for him."
Mcguire said with a smile to Elena.
"Because Cromwell took the top spot, Robert will become stronger. He'll become an even better wizard."
"Really?"
"Just keep watching. By Robert's side."
Elena and Mcguire watched as Robert and Cromwell walked forward.
"Don't get complacent just because you did a bit better in school. I'll soon surpass you as a wizard."
"We'll see about that."
Thus, they bickered back and forth, finishing the graduation ceremony.
Cromwell and Mcguire stayed at the academy, while Robert and Elena headed to the empire's capital.
Becoming royal wizards was quite easy for Robert and Elena with their skills.
Robert was the salutatorian of the academy, and Elena had consistently ranked third.
They supported each other, honing their skills, and both became outstanding wizards.
"Robert, you're getting on in age. Aren't you thinking about marriage?"
"What kind of bullsh*t is that?"
"Hey, even as a royal wizard, should you be using such vulgar language?"
"What does it matter how I speak?"
Robert continued his magic research under Levian as planned.
They got along well, bickering just like when they first met.
"I'd like to see my grandchildren someday, Robert."
"Then ask your own son."
"You know I don't have a son."
"Why are you telling me to get married then? I'm too busy studying magic."
"You have a partner, don't you?"
"...Partner?"
"Elena is there, isn't she?"
"...?"
As they were talking, Elena burst into the room.
"Robert!! Let's have dinner together tonight! I've finished my work!"
Elena looked back and forth between the two puzzledly.
"...Is there something going on?"
"No, nothing special..."
"Elena. What do you think about Robert?"
As Levian asked with a pleased smile, Elena tilted her head in confusion.
"Like a good friend... we've spent a lot of time together..."
"No, I mean as a partner."
"What??????"
Elena's face turned crimson red.
"Partner? Partner? As in the partner I'm thinking of... Suddenly?"
"I really dislike beating around the bush."
As Levian said this, Elena fidgeted with her fingers.
"That's... I don't hate the idea..."
"Really?"
Hearing this, Levian pushed Robert's back.
"You two planned to have dinner, right? Off you go then."
"...What? I still have work to do. My research isn't"
"That can wait. You can ask others for help."
"As if there's a dark wizard among the royal wizards..."
Then, a black hand emerged from Levian's shadow, lifting Robert and Elena out the door.
"Old man!"
"Go enjoy your meal."
Levian smiled, watching them leave, and then closed the door to his study.
Robert looked at the closed door with a bewildered expression.
"Ro, Robert... What should we do...?"
"Let's just go have dinner for now."
And so, they got up and left the Magic Tower.
Levian watched them leave the Tower from his study.
"Good times..."
Levian smiled contentedly.
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