Old Man Cornelius.

Fabian and the others approached the main gate of Novem Lar. 

There was a long line before entering the city. That was something that was expected of the royal capital, but right now, the wait was even longer than usual because of the upcoming festival.

Luckily, the queue for nobility was separate from everyone else. Because of that, their wait wasn't particularly long. They were also registered as the researchers for the festival which simplified entry even further.

Still, they were questioned and searched. A knight from the Second Knight Order was assigned to the gate for the express purpose of dealing with nobles. Knights from those orders were often assigned duties that forced them to impose authority on members of nobility. The first two orders were considered an extension of royal family's limbs so, regardless of the status of the individuals, defying the knights on duty was akin to going against the crown itself. 

Fabian and the others safely made it through the checkup and advanced into the city.

As Fabian walked down the streets of Novem Lar, amazement at the sheer size and scale of the capital colored his face. The buildings were primarily made from stone and brick, but some other materials were also present; occasionally, he saw marble, wood, and even metal. The buildings were also much taller than in Delsea. Plenty of them reached dozens of meters in height.

The most standout of them all was the Palace of Storms at the center of the city. Its spire towered above every other structure, reaching for the sky. Fabian couldn't tell for sure, but the royal palace must have been at least a hundred meters high.

"This city is amazing..." Fabian muttered as he looked around. "This feels nothing like Delsea..."

"Right?" Mary agreed, "every time I visit the capital, its scale never seizes to amaze me..."

Hearing the youngsters' words, Julian intervened.

"Sadly, we have no time to gawk at the surroundings. First, we have to get to our accommodations," he said.

"Ohhh, and I wanted to sightsee a bit..." Maria complained, discouraged.

"...Maybe you will have some time tomorrow. But only after we move our luggage to the mansion," Julian replied. He was always soft on his future daughter-in-law.

"Yay, thank you, father-in-law!"

"I-I'm not your father-in-law yet," Julian answered, stumbling. Despite his words of denial, his shakiness gave away that he was happy being called such. It seemed that the parent was just as easy to please as his son...

Ignoring his father's reaction, Fabian asked something he had been curious about for some time.

"Oh yeah, now that you remind me, where are we staying?"

In response, Julius furrowed his eyebrows. After a slight pause, he spoke with some tension.

"As usual, my teacher is going to host us."

Berions didn't have enough money to buy and maintain a separate residence in the capital. Instead, they usually stayed in the mansion of their benefactor.

"Your teacher, huh...?" Fabian muttered, his mind recalling the person in question.

"Yes, Liberions were kind enough to accommodate us for the festival. Like they always do," Lord Berion replied and sighed.

While his father was busy feeling self-conscious, Fabian thought about the owner of their soon-to-be residence.

So we're going to meet him... That old man...

The Berions' host during their stay was none other than the great spiritual philosopher and famed magic researcher—Cornelius Aes Liberion.

He was Julian's magical mentor and benefactor, as well as someone who often talked to Fabian about the nature of spirits and the world. For some reason, it was Fabian in particular that he liked to question. Maybe it had to do with the boy's status as a genius or his unique view on spirits and magic. Regardless, he was someone Fabian had quite a history with.

The boy had a complicated expression on his face as his group traveled towards Liberions' mansion.

***

When they arrived at the residence, they were greeted by the estate's servants. All of them were dressed in maid or butler uniforms and possessed an uncanny level of coordination. When they greeted the guests, their motions were in perfect sync and their bows were enacted with impeccable form.

Then, Fabian and the others were guided to the reception room. That only included the Berions and Maria. Attendants and guards stayed behind.

When they entered the room, they were met with endless bookcases. Those cases stood along the perimeter of the room and were filled with books, scrolls, papers, and tomes. Despite that, the room didn't induce a feeling of chaos or untidiness as all of the writings were neatly packed on the shelves.

At the center, was a table for tea ceremonies, surrounded by comfortable-looking armchairs that were made out of leather. To the side of the table was the room's hearth, an almost obligatory piece of furniture in any reception room.

The fireplace was embedded in one of the walls. It was made from pure white marble and was adorned with golden decorative patterns. Pillars flanked the flame by the sides, and above the hearth was Liberions' crest. The crest looked like a book with an eye in the center and was cast from pure gold.

Immediately after entering the room, the guests dropped on one knee and turned their faces towards the ground. The host stood before the armchairs and looked at the visitors. Julian began speaking as the representative of the group.

"Lord Cornelius, my heart prays for the warm embrace of Dea Domius."

"And that it will receive as ordained by Dea Coria," the owner of the mansion replied.

After his answer, the guests lifted their faces, and the host continued.

"It's been a while, Julius," Lord Cornelius started, "and you as well, young Fabian."

"It has been long indeed, Lord Cornelius," Julian said.

"I-it has been long," Fabian echoed, stumbling from nervousness.

Cornelius found the boy's response entertaining, and he laughed slightly.

"Haha, it is not me that you should be wary of, young Fabian. Instead, you should be careful of Lord Dion and his schemes," Cornelius said, facing the young mage.

"His schemes?" Julian asked in his son's place.

"Yes," Cornelius replied, "there's no way he will sit on the sidelines while you put into question the foundation of his family's prestige and respect. He can't prevent you from presenting your discoveries, but he can still put shade on the conclusions you reach."

"How would he do that?" Julian spoke, "my son has reached a level of proficiency with roaring flash that rivals the young heir of Dariuses. At least, based on what I've heard."

Hearing those words, Cornelius paused for a second before explaining the difference in views between Julian and the capital's aristocracy.

"Hmmm... while that is true, it's only your perspective as a researcher talking. You see results as binary values: either true or false. But there is more to it than that. At least, that certainly is the case for the larger noble society," Cornelius refuted him. His speech was calm but filled with authority.

"...So how exactly would they try to contest our claim?" Julian asked, impatience creeping into his voice. 

Cornelius didn't pay attention to the change in his disciple's tone. He maintained the same steady pace as usual.

"In the first place, roaring flash is the magic of warriors. Dariuses have long since protected Audera Kingdom and have defeated many of its foes on the battlefield," Cornelius explained. "In other words, the value of young Fabian's achievements will always be doubted if you cannot attain the same level of results."

Julian was surprised. His eyes widened in shock as he realized the implication behind his mentor's words.

"So what you're saying is that," Julian spoke cautiously, "...Fabian needs to defeat Lord Dion's son in battle?"

The baron hoped that he had simply misunderstood. But his mentor's next words crushed those hopes.

"Preferably yes," Cornelius replied," It doesn't have to be a victory technically, but it's better to put all the possible doubts to the side. If he can defeat the wielder of roaring flash while wielding one himself, there can be no denying his mastery."

As the count spoke, his disciple's body started shaking. Once Cornelius finished his words, Julian erupted in anger, no longer able to hold himself back.

"But that's absurd!" he screamed. But after seeing his mentor's face, still unmoved as stone, Julian forced himself to reign in his anger. "It is a festival for sharing our magical discoveries, not for comparing brawn. How could they deny us with just simple violence?"

"Simple violence?" Cornelius repeated. For the first time since the conversation began, his voice had an emotional undertone to it. He was exasperated with his disciple. "It's not just simple violence. Honor of an entire legendary lineage is on the line—their whole legacy. Let me ask you this: what is the value of your research if it can't provide any results? Why does it matter that the weak can learn the same techniques as the strong if they still remain helpless?"

"The point is that learning is a possibility! Dariuses' heir underwent severe training to become a warrior from an early age. Learning roaring flash alone will not be enough to match that."

Julian's words became fiery as he contested his mentor. But aside from his exasperation, Cornelius remained calm. His next words poured over Julian like a bucket of cold water.

"You are absolutely correct. But can you really convince everyone else of that? Your research is done for the love of magic and a deep-seated desire to understand it. But at the end of the day, it will be seen as an attempt to undermine Dariuses' authority."

Being reminded of the political consequences of his discovery, Julian went quiet.

"Listen, my disciple, as long as a family of their size and prestige opposes you, you will have to play by their rules. They can't do anything to the festival itself as it is a part of the royal will, but they will utilize everything they can to disrupt you through other means. I've heard rumors that Dion is already discussing it with the King."

Seeing that Julian didn't respond, Cornelius concluded his warning.

"In addition to that, it's highly unlikely that the King Mage will interfere. Too many downsides to opposing Dariuses and no good reason to justify it. Though, he will likely lend his support if you win. That's where that man draws the line."

Cornelius's gaze stayed on his disciple for some time, and then he sighed. Fabian felt that it was a very uncharacteristic gesture from Lord Liberion.

"You probably have a lot to consider right now so you may go ," the lord of the mansion said, "oh, but you, young Fabian, stay for a little longer."

Then, everyone stood up and began leaving. Julian still seemed like he was considering his mentor's words. His wife and daughter looked at him worriedly. Out of people that left, only Maria's gaze remained on Fabian as they exited the room.

That left Cornelius alone with the boy. 

"Now, young Fabian," the count spoke, "I have only one question. And that question is the same as before."

For a second, the old man's gaze became sharper. Fabian knew exactly what Cornelius had in mind.

"Have you finally found your answer?"

For a while, Fabian didn't reply. Then, after a few seconds of silence, he answered.

"...No, I don't think I have."

Cornelius closed his eyes for a second.

"I see..." The count responded after a slight pause. "You may go now."

With that, Cornelius dismissed Fabian.

***

After concluding his conversation with the old man, Fabian headed for the room that was assigned to him. When he entered, he found that Lucy was inside, waiting for him.

"Lucy? What are you doing here?" Fabian asked, puzzled by her sudden appearance.

"Young Master, I'm here to hand you this," she answered as she pulled a book out of a leather bag and handed it to the boy.

Fabian took the item in his hands and examined it. It was a simple book with a brown hardcover. It had no title, and there was nothing on it that would help Fabian figure out what it was.

While Fabian studied the book, Lucy spoke.

"When I was checking over your belongings, I found that you forgot your diary in the manor."

Fabian was slightly stunned at the diary's existence but quickly recovered and expressed his gratitude.

"Oh, thanks. I really did forget it, huh...?"

"Yes, Young Master. Without it, you won't be able to take notes about magic and write down your ideas like you always do. I thought it would be too distressing for you so I brought it here out of my own discretion."

"You're right," Fabian replied and laughed slightly, "I've been so busy with all the festival stuff that I even forgot about its existence. I'll make sure to write something down today."

"It is my pleasure to be of use, Young Master," Lucy said and bowed.  "May the blessing of Deos Somnius visit you tonight."

With those final words, the maid left the room.

"May it visit you as well..." Fabian muttered in response as he watched the door close.

Then, he walked up to the desk that was in the room. He opened its drawer, intending to put the diary in it. But before he did, an intense curiosity welled up inside of him.

He took the book in his hands and was just about to open it. But at the last moment, he stopped. Instead, he placed the diary in the drawer. 

He stared at it for a few seconds. Finally, he began closing the drawer. For some reason, his hand moved much more sluggishly than he intended. As the diary slowly disappeared from his sight, his gaze remained locked on it the entire time.

Finally, it was gone. An entire lifetime of memories shut away into a tiny wooden box.

Then, he went to sleep like usual. He made a mental note, to purchase a new diary later.