Chapter 213 - Right of Succession
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"Y-you traitor!"
It seemed he had thought he could get me on his side, but that was utterly impossible. This was royal magic on the level of state secrets—I could only pass it on to someone who would continue to reside within the country.
That was my reasoning when I refused, but whether he understood or not, Owen glared at me resentfully and complained.
"You think it's fine because you're the only one getting taught, don't you? Mm, that's it. You'll secretly teach me later. That'll work, won't it?"
Why would he say something like that here? I had no intention of teaching him either way, but I at least wished he'd consider the setting before speaking.
"That won't do. I'm being taught on the condition that I do not divulge it to anyone, so I won't teach a soul."
"G-Guh… you stubborn fool!"
When I refused outright, Owen staggered back a step or two while hurling insults. I was smiling wryly at the sight when his expression suddenly lit up with realization.
"That's right. What are you planning to do about the Elvish language? It's an ancient tongue that now exists almost solely for magic. You won't decipher it so easily."
I could almost hear the subtitle: So I'll offer to study it with you. But he needn't worry about that.
"It's fine. I'll master Elvish even if it kills me."
"...Damn. You'd probably pick it up in no time, Aoi."
Owen, his hopes dashed, muttered dejectedly as his shoulders sagged. It might indeed be a difficult language, but if you placed yourself in an environment where you had no choice but to learn it, you'd grasp the knack within a few months. Like any foreign language, if it became a part of daily conversation, you'd learn it quickly.
As I thought that far, I remembered something important.
"Ah, that's right. I have to return to Fiddiq Academy within the next week."
When I murmured that, Rivett furrowed his brow.
"You have to return?"
He echoed in bewilderment, and I turned to nod in reply.
"Yes. I need to start new lectures soon. I am, after all, a senior instructor at Fiddiq Academy, so I can't afford to neglect my teaching duties indefinitely."
When I said that, Edra, who had been listening nearby, spoke up.
"Is that truly so important? From the students' perspective, time spent learning magic from you, Aoi, is no doubt irreplaceable. But from your perspective, wouldn't learning Elvish magic be more important than teaching magic to others?"
"Hmm, indeed."
"This isn't an opportunity that comes often."
Several voices chimed in agreement with Edra. However, while that might be true in general, it wasn't the case for me.
"My primary duty is as an instructor. As a teacher at a magical academy, teaching magic to my students is my most important responsibility. That said, I do want to learn Elvish magic as soon as possible, so I'll visit this country on the weekends—two days each week."
After answering, I looked toward Rivett. He let out a sigh with an exasperated expression.
"It's commendable that you take your duties seriously, but can you truly learn magic that way? Learning magic in a different language is bound to be far more difficult than learning the magic of other nations."
I nodded in acknowledgment at that observation. Indeed, gradually learning an entirely unfamiliar magic system piece by piece each week would certainly be challenging. Moreover, having so many unknown spells right in front of me but being unable to memorize them quickly would likely be immensely stressful.
I pondered, but I could not deny my identity as an instructor.
Just then, Langus suddenly nodded with a grave expression.
"...Very well! I've made my decision. I relinquish my rights as a candidate!"
At his abrupt declaration, Edra and the others froze, their faces stricken with shock.
"Huh?"
A moment later, I voiced my own question mark.
"...Wh-What did you say!?"
"What do you mean!?"
Hedniz and the others shouted in astonishment. The room descended into chaos, but Rivett regained composure and asked calmly, bringing a measure of order.
"...Why relinquish your rights as a candidate? Is kingship so trivial a thing to you?"
To that question, Langus puffed out his chest and tucked in his chin.
"...I have continued striving to become king all this while. It was admiration for His Majesty, my father, and I believed it was my very mission. However, that resolve wavered yesterday."
Langus said this, and Rivett fell silent—presumably urging him to continue. Sensing it from the atmosphere, Langus narrowed his eyes.
"To be honest, at this rate, I will never become a mage as great as His Majesty. No matter how hard I try, I cannot produce that fire magic. That is my limit."
When Langus confessed this, Rivett reluctantly conceded.
"...If we speak purely of magical talent, you are indeed the most ordinary amongst the four candidates."
It was a cruel remark in a sense. Yet Langus merely shrugged, a faint smile even curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Precisely. That's why I was desperate to put up a front and make myself appear greater than I am. I acted deliberately to look like the most outstanding candidate, and I was careful with my words and conduct... all of it was to keep anyone from realizing my lack of magical talent, and because I was ashamed of myself."
Langus, who had carried himself more confidently than anyone and likely left a good impression on the Senate, now made this confession. From the outside, no one could have guessed the inner turmoil he harbored.
The senators seemed equally taken aback, exchanging surprised glances. Rivett, too, stared at Langus with a puzzled expression.
"So you're saying you've become resigned, or something of the sort?"
Rivett asked, and Langus quietly shook his head side to side.
"Not at all. I was simply struck with awe. Not by Elvish magic, but by the human magic I had looked down upon—used by the mage Aoi, who fought my father and won... I realized that even without Elvish magic, I could still aim higher. That thought came to me. To me, who had been walking in darkness, it was a ray of hope—and I came to see Aoi, who gave me that hope, as something like a goddess."