"Oh? An Arcane Giant?" Rhode did not immediately catch on.
"Oh." Rhode remembered.
Arcane Giant: Stats 8/8, cost 12 mana. Costs (1) less for each spell you've cast this game.
That was all Rhode knew about Arcane Giants-their incarnation in a card game.
Once he realized Hearthglen was talking about his Magic Mech blueprint, he hurried over and rolled it up.
This is my dream for the future. I can't let you set your sights on it!
Meanwhile, Hearthglen was muttering to himself, "Ah, of course. Of course."
He had not gotten a clear look at the drawing, but he could tell that it depicted an enormous blue construct with an exceptionally complex structure.
In Hearthglen's experience, the only constructs of that color and size were Dalaran's Arcane Giants.
There really were not many large magical constructs in this world!
He had heard his teacher, Kel'Thuzad, say that Grand Archmage Antonidas had created several enormous Arcane Giants to serve as patrol guards. Antonidas alone held the patent for their creation.
And now this Mage Rhode standing before him actually possessed their blueprint!
That plainly proved Rhode really did have someone backing him!
And that backer was even more powerful than his own!
He might be a disciple of Antonidas, the chief councilor of Dalaran's Kirin Tor!
That carried far more weight than Kel'Thuzad's name.
No wonder Rhode had failed to show him proper respect and spoken with such a barbed tongue.
Besides, this was not something anyone could build just by getting hold of a blueprint. Its creator needed powerful mana of his own.
He would have to be at least a Magus!
In other words, this Rhode was actually far beyond an Intermediate Mage. He had even surpassed the bounds of a High Magic User!
Yet he was still so young!
Hearthglen had become completely trapped in his own imaginings.
But the more he thought about it, the more convinced he became. All the logic fit together perfectly.
Only such a young, brilliant Mage could have won the chief councilor's favor and become his disciple.
That would also explain why Audric had so swiftly promoted a newcomer like Rhode straight to vice chairman.
Someone must have given him instructions!
Antonidas sent his prized disciple to Durnholde Keep to gain experience. He must have some purpose in mind. Perhaps he's dissatisfied with my performance...
With Rhode's strength as a Magus and his powerful backing, wouldn't my position be in danger?
At that thought, another chill pierced Hearthglen to the core.
"Oh... um... are you all right?" Hearthglen had been so arrogant just moments ago, but now he suddenly sat there with his face alternating between green and white. Rhode had no idea whether he had caught a cold or something, so he could only gently ask after him.
"I... I'm fine." Although there was nothing unusual about Hearthglen's words, Rhode keenly noticed that much of the arrogance in his eyes had faded.
What on earth is going on?
Is it just because of this supposed Arcane Giant?
But that's not even what it is!
Even if it were an Arcane Giant, does Hearthglen need to react so strangely?
Or are all the Mages in this world this temperamental?
Rhode was utterly baffled.
He asked, "Then... was there anything else you needed, Hearthglen?"
"If I may be so bold, Rhode, which noble family do you belong to?" Hearthglen looked up at Rhode.
Mages are always nobles.
Antonidas must have discovered Rhode, a gifted young noble from a distinguished family, during his travels through the various kingdoms and taken him as a disciple.
He needed to find out exactly which noble family Rhode belonged to, so he would at least know where things stood.
"A noble? Heh, I'm no noble," Rhode answered honestly.
As a modern man, he simply could not stand all the rotten rules and habits surrounding the nobility here. Naturally, he had no desire to join their ranks.
Just look at Hearthglen. He was a textbook example of an insufferable noble.
Hearthglen looked him up and down for a moment, then chuckled. "I don't see why you would conceal that. Is there some delicate matter you cannot speak of?"
He can't possibly be a commoner.
Mages equal nobles. That is an eternal equation.
Could he come from a fallen noble family?
Perhaps he's a descendant of the old Arathor Empire?
With the Arathor Empire's complete fragmentation, the glory of its imperial family had ultimately scattered to the winds as well. Many of its descendants were therefore unwilling to speak of their true identities.
"What delicate matter?" Rhode's voice noticeably rose. "Are nobles so impressive? Are nobles necessarily better than commoners?"
Clearly, in this world, countless talented commoners would never have a chance to get ahead simply because they lacked the title of "noble." Some might even end up on the streets as beggars.
Hearthglen frowned at those words. His stomach began to hurt.
The man before him thought nothing of nobles like them.
Such words practically bordered on outright heresy, yet Rhode had spoken them without hesitation.
Would a fallen noble say something like that?
Someone who looks down on ordinary nobles... can only be a noble of the highest standing!
In other words, a member of the current royal family!
Could he really belong to Lordaeron's royal family?
Hearthglen probed again. "Those words are rather shocking, Rhode. You had best not let any noble besides me hear them, or they'll never let you hear the end of it."
Rhode merely stared at Hearthglen with a faint smile, seemingly unconcerned by the veiled threat in those words.
Under that stare, Hearthglen's nerves began to tremble.
Yes.
That must be it!
He's one of those arrogant royals who thinks nothing of anyone else!
And he's Grand Archmage Antonidas's prized pupil, a powerful, brilliant Mage!
Those two exalted identities are what make him so brazen, so spoiled and reckless!
Now Hearthglen could no longer remain seated.
His background completely overshadows mine. Why am I still sitting here? Am I just asking to embarrass myself?
He stood and said to Rhode, "I'm feeling a little tired, so I'll take my leave. Please make yourself at home, Rhode."
"Wait." This time, it was Rhode who stopped him.
Rhode had suddenly remembered the murder in the alley.
Since the killer was a Formal Mage, Hearthglen was actually a prime suspect!
How convenient. The murder happened this morning, and this vice chairman showed up here this afternoon?
Could he have actually been nearby this morning?
He had time to commit the crime.
The killer was a Formal Mage, and the only Formal Mages currently in the city, apart from Audric and Rhode himself, were Hearthglen, who stood right before him!
Before you continue