Chapter 89
Prussian Grand Duke’s Residence
Raoul had not been feeling well recently.
He was eleven years old.
He was constantly being compared to Prince Serhi, who was one year younger than him.
“Young master, you need to concentrate. Now is not the time to be thinking about other things.”
Raoul was irritated by the tone of the teacher who was instructing him.
“I am concentrating. Since I can’t seem to grasp the subject, I suppose I must start doubting your level as a teacher.”
“Well, that’s…”
“This part is something I have learned before. It seems you did not teach it properly to your predecessor?”
The teacher’s face turned red.
“I clearly said to start from this part… Young master, can you explain to me what you understand?”
“Are you doubting me right now?”
“Of course not.”
“This part is…”
When Raoul confidently explained what he had understood, the teacher’s expression stiffened.
“I think I made a mistake. I apologize, Young master.”
The teacher admitted his fault and bowed his head to Raoul.
“What should I do? I’m in such a bad mood that I don’t think I can accept your apology.”
“Huh?”
“You’re fired. Reason: a teacher inferior to his student. How does that sound?”
The teacher’s face hardened.
He was an employee, and Raoul was a high-ranking noble’s son. Even as a teacher, he couldn’t treat Raoul carelessly. So he bowed his head.
“…If that’s what Young master thinks, I understand. I hope you find a better teacher than me.”
The teacher packed his books, bowed, and left the room.
Watching him leave, Raoul chuckled.
“Fool, doesn’t even realize I’m ahead of him.”
“Young master, did you kick out the teacher again?”
The nanny approached with a displeased look.
“The teacher’s academic level was just too poor.”
“Oh my, what am I supposed to tell His Highness…”
“No need to tell me.”
At that moment, the Grand Duchess Christina entered and looked at Raoul.
“Nanny, please leave.”
The nanny glanced at Raoul, carefully closed the door, and left.
“Raoul, did you trouble the teacher again?”
“I didn’t like the teacher at all. He was such a fool he didn’t even know what I had learned.”
“Raoul, please watch your language.”
“…Yes, Mother.”
“The teachers I select are carefully chosen. If you keep driving them away like this, it will be difficult.”
At Christina’s cold words, Raoul’s shoulders slumped.
“I’m sorry, Mother.”
“If you’re not sincere, don’t apologize.”
“Mother…”
“Don’t think your fake apologies will work on me.”
Under her piercing gaze, Raoul bit his lip hard.
“If you don’t like this teacher, I’ll choose another. But if you cause trouble and drive the next one away as well, I won’t be able to provide you with any more teachers.”
“Y-Yes, Mother…”
Raoul stood and bowed.
“I guess I was impatient. Being constantly compared to Prince Serhi made me upset…”
Christina sighed and gently stroked Raoul’s head.
“Raise your back.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“If you’re so easily swayed by such words, it means your mind is weak. You must be mentally strong, Raoul. You cannot rule this empire with a weak mind.”
“…”
“No matter how talented Prince Serhi is, he hasn’t taken the throne yet. You still have plenty of opportunities. I will make sure to create those opportunities for you. Trust only me.”
“I will.”
“That’s good. Now focus more on your royal studies. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“I believe you understand and trust me. Now go, it’s time for your swordsmanship lesson.”
Christina pulled the bell rope.
“Nanny, prepare for training.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Let’s go, Young master.”
As the nanny led Raoul out, Christina gazed at the desk where Raoul had been studying.
“Finding a suitable teacher is difficult.”
Although she had appointed the best talents as teachers, Christina was still dissatisfied.
If one could become the Crown Prince, they would be educated by the empire’s most distinguished ministers in the royal palace. The Crown Prince also has a separate institution called Regalis.
Regalis exists solely to teach the qualities of a ruler to the Crown Prince, entrusted to the empire’s top ministers.
The Prime Minister, the Royal Secretary, judges, the Treasurer, and the Commander-in-Chief teach there.
The Prime Minister is the Emperor’s chief aide, responsible for laws and documents; the Royal Secretary oversees royal court affairs; judges handle judiciary and trials; the Treasurer manages taxes and finances.
The military is in charge of military organization and fortress management. Experts in each field teach the Crown Prince.
‘I must make sure Raoul becomes the Crown Prince.’
To do so, all obstacles must be removed.
Raoul’s unpleasant memory was stirred because of that bastard.
Elia, trying to shake off her mood, went with Jirk to the construction site.
The building was nearly complete.
And Austin, the Master of the Magic Tower, came to the island with researchers. Until the building was finished, they would stay at the Tower Outpost barracks.
The barracks had been hurriedly prepared by Jirk and the wizards after hearing Austin’s news.
When Elia showed a troubled expression about the researchers coming, Jirk stepped in to help.
“Jirk, thank you so much.”
There were many things she was grateful for.
He always helped her in every way possible.
“I’m really glad I can help you, Princess.”
Elia suddenly wondered.
Why did Jirk help her so much?
“Jirk, why do you help me so much?”
“Because I like you, Princess.”
“You like me?”
“Yes, you are the most lovely person in the world.”
Hearing it from Jirk made her blush.
“Well, I am a bit cute.”
Gaji, who clearly couldn’t stand it, turned his head quickly. He had come along to get some fresh air outside.
“It should be finished in a few days.”
“It’s really going up fast.”
“Because magic is great.”
“Seems like it.”
Especially, the magic Jirk used was amazing.
‘His mana must be incredible.’
Austin had once told her.
“Jirk’s mana affinity is 90%.”
Mana affinity is said to be a measure of talent for a wizard. The higher the mana affinity, the greater the potential to become a high-ranking mage.
Mana affinity is the ability to naturally absorb mana and convert it into magical power. The higher the affinity, the more mana can be converted.
In that sense, Austin said Jirk was a genius. Other wizards would pant when mana was depleted, but Jirk never showed such signs.
It felt like his magic power was endlessly springing up.
“I’ve never seen Jirk’s mana run out.”
Both Austin and Jirk were like that.
Austin once said Jirk would become a wizard who surpasses him someday.
Perfect as the next Master of the Magic Tower.
‘It wasn’t bragging for nothing.’
Now she understood.
Summoning and controlling golems and homunculi for a whole month was not something just anyone could do.
And multiple creatures at once.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Because Jirk is so handsome.”
“Huh?”
Jirk looked flustered by that comment.
“Why are you embarrassed? You knew it all along.”
“Am I handsome?”
“What?”
“I didn’t know if I was handsome.”
That was even more ridiculous.
Golden curly hair like an angel, sparkling green eyes, fair skin with delicate features.
Every time he smiled, the surroundings brightened.
Jirk leaned his face close to Elia’s nose.
“Do you think I’m handsome too, Princess?”
Is this what it means to glow from one’s face?
Suddenly, she recalled Austin’s advice.
“Jirk is insensitive about his looks; it might be better if he never finds out.”
She finally understood that comment.
“Jirk, I’m not saying you’re ugly. Don’t get conceited.”
Sometimes compliments can be poisonous.
Elia admitted her mistake.
“Jirk is handsome, but there are really many handsome people in the world. Our Duke is also incredibly handsome.”
Thinking of Alexis, she smiled warmly, and Jirk sighed.
“I’m still lacking compared to the Duke. I will try harder.”
Elia couldn’t understand what he meant by trying harder. What else could he do with that face?
