The tall, handsome captain of the knights jolted awake and hurriedly bowed.
"Your Highness, I'm here to ask about your schedule for today. Do you plan to go out?"
Reinhardt pointedly ignored Lulu, the princess's personal maid, who was giggling nearby.
"Today? I might go out. I may get the chance to witness a new guild opening its doors in White Eagle City." Princess Andrea smiled brightly.
"A new guild opening in White Eagle City is a major event. No wonder you're dressed so... formally today, Your Highness." Seeing that the princess was in such a good mood, Reinhardt was delighted as well.
"Should I notify the Grand Duke?"
"No need for that," the princess replied, suddenly sounding a little hurried.
"Reinhardt, come with me first. We'll head to the Magic Tower to witness the handover ceremony. Lulu, you come along too."
The three of them went out, turned right, and arrived at the tower in the northwest corner of the Duke's Mansion—the Magic Tower of White Eagle City.
When they reached the first floor, they found only Jessica on maid duty. Then the three of them went straight up to the top floor of the Magic Tower.
"Good morning, Aunt Kaydelin."
"Oh, my darling Andrea, you look absolutely beautiful today!" The mage gave Andrea a big hug.
Alice, who was nearby, set down her spellbook and secretly pulled a face at her cousin behind her mother's back. After they had exchanged greetings, Mrs. Kaydelin asked the princess:
"Andrea, you've been busy practicing swordsmanship these past few days and haven't visited your aunt in ages. What brings you to the Magic Tower today?"
"I heard a new guild was being established, so I came to see what it was about," the princess said lightly. Remembering how her father had snuck out of the Magic Tower that night, she felt a little awkward.
"The Alchemist Association's branch is being established. It's nothing worth making a fuss over—there's only one Full Alchemist, and not even an apprentice. You didn't need to come all this way." Mrs. Kaydelin glanced at Alice, who was peeking over her spellbook.
"May I ask which Alchemist is going to be the president?" the princess asked, though she already knew.
"Who else could it be? There's only one Alchemist in all of White Eagle City. Don't you know him?" Her aunt deliberately glanced at the long sword in the princess's hand, with its unusual sheath.
"Oh, you mean him. Well, since we're already here, let's witness it together. This is a major event for White Eagle City, after all."
"That's true. In another country, it wouldn't be out of place for the ruler and the Speaker of the Council to attend." Aunt Kaydelin's tone was laden with meaning. Then she turned her gaze to Reinhardt.
"Since the captain of the knights is here, and you're the strongest one around, help us carry the box downstairs. He should be here any minute, so we'll wait for him on the first floor."
As everyone went downstairs, Reinhardt followed behind them, carrying the long wooden box. A strange taste seemed to linger in his mouth. It reminded him of a tropical fruit called a lemon, brought in by the Rainforest Merchant Guild.
This time, Edward didn't ride over on his "Sidecar." After what had happened last time, he felt wary of the flashy vehicle, afraid something strange might happen again. So he left on foot, wearing his khaki trench coat.
It wasn't long before he reached the Mage Guild, where he was taken aback. The first floor of the Magic Tower was no longer dark and gloomy; it was brightly lit. Behind the main hall's counter stood three familiar faces: the Knight Princess, the captain of the knights, and the Magic Girl. There was also a middle-aged, beautiful woman in mage's robes, with two young women dressed as maids standing beside her.
"Good morning, everyone." The Young Alchemist awkwardly took off his hat and bowed. His gaze settled on the smiling Knight Princess, then paused when he saw the Battle Armor he had made himself. His eyes held surprise, admiration, and a strange sense of satisfaction.
"Mr. Smith, allow me to introduce you."
The Knight Princess stepped out from behind the counter and turned to point to the middle-aged woman:
"This is my aunt, the head of the Royal Mage Corps and president of the White Hawk Branch of the Magic Guild, Mrs. Kaydelin."
She added:
"She's the only Great Mage in the duchy."
Then she said to her aunt:
"Auntie, this is Mr. Edward Smith, the Alchemist who graduated from Ailande Magic Academy."
Edward hurried forward and gave a proper mage's bow. From the princess's introduction, he had gathered that the woman held three roles: Great Mage, president, and aunt! He couldn't afford to offend her in any of them...
"Mrs. Kaydelin, I've heard so much about you, though I've never had the pleasure of meeting you. It's an honor."
Kaydelin looked the young man up and down before replying:
"I've heard a great deal about you as well. My Andrea and Alice have both received so much help from you." She paused, then continued:
"Still, I believe Casters should wear robes. I really don't understand you young people and your so-called fashion."
Edward glanced down at his trench coat and hat, then at everyone else's attire. Suddenly, he understood. It was as if a character from Casablanca had wandered onto the set of Game of Thrones. The incongruity was impossible to ignore.
The Knight Princess grinned and took her aunt by the arm.
"Oh, Great Mage, you just don't understand the taste of us young people."
"So you think I'm old?" Aunt Kaydelin teased.
"Not at all. My aunt will always be young and beautiful. Let's not talk about that now. We have more important things to do."
Mrs. Kaydelin gave an annoyed snort, then turned to explain the contents of the letter to the Young Alchemist.
"You mean I'm now the president of the Alchemist Association's White Hawk Duchy Branch?"
Edward could hardly believe it. How had he suddenly ended up with an official position?
"That's right. But from now on, you'll answer to me. All right, don't just stand there. Open your supply box. We have several documents to sign afterward."
Mrs. Kaitlyn urged him on.
Edward went over to the long box on the counter. He glanced at the captain of the knights on the other side, wondering why the handsome knight was looking at him with such a strange, hostile expression.
The young Mage Alice squeezed her way over and pointed at the lock on the box.
"The Alchemist Association is so strange! They didn't even give you a Key. How can they know whether you'll be able to open that lock?"
Edward took out his Alchemist Gloves from his Spatial Ring and put them on as he replied:
"It's an Alchemist's rule: there's never a Lock Core inside the lock. And we never use Keys to open them."
A flash of light came from his hand as the Shaping Technique took effect. The locks on the box fell away.
Edward opened the box. Inside, books and all sorts of bottles and jars were neatly arranged, with a golden plaque lying on top.
The plaque was made of metal. Its surface bore the Alchemist's Scale Emblem, carved using the Bas-relief Technique. One side of the scale held a Reagent Bottle, while the other held a stack of gold ingots. Ornate Cursive lettering spelled out "Alchemist Association White Hawk Duchy Branch."
A letter lay on top of the plaque. Edward picked it up and saw the words "For Mr. Edward Smith's eyes only" on the envelope.
Edward had a good idea who had written it, so he opened the envelope and slipped off to one side to read it. He left the curious young Mage to rummage through the box.
The letter read:
"You little brat, read this carefully. I'm done with the formalities.
"Even though you played me this time, I haven't forgotten what you did for me. Since you still call me Mentor, I've decided to treat you as one of my own.
"I called in favors from my Family and went to a lot of trouble to get you the position of president of the White Hawk Duchy Branch. That means you'll get all the knowledge a Full Alchemist is entitled to, free of charge. And whenever you advance in the future, you'll automatically gain access to the knowledge for your new rank.
"Your Communication Fee can also be charged to the Association. You'll get a free Academic Journal every month, and you'll receive your salary and Material Subsidy as well.
"In return, you can't turn down anyone who comes to you for help repairing a Magic Array. You must ensure that the route between White Eagle Port and Ailande remains open. And you can't shirk your Guild Duties.
"But, as Alchemists always say, when you run into those Dwarf Guild bastards—the name we use for members of the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery—make sure you fleece them for all they're worth.
"That's all. Once you've finished reading, send me the Patent Transfer Certificate and those Concrete Formulas you never told me about. Remember to vote for me.
"Yours,
"Your Mentor, Wilson.
"Remember to burn this after reading."
With a flash of light, the letter in Edward's hand turned to Ashes. A happy smile spread across the Young Alchemist's face.
Before you continue