Chapter 183

Chapter 183
## Chapter 183: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

Hoffman studied Lion’s face closely.

Observing his typical cheerful and easygoing demeanor looking slightly rigid, he was clearly feeling uneasy.

And that reaction most likely meant……

‘It is not because his personal recipe was discovered.’

Had he been anxious about that being exposed, it would have been obvious the moment he produced the potion.

Instead, his expression stiffened specifically when the offer to attach his name to the potion’s patent was made.

That implied something else entirely.

“It appears you prefer not to claim credit for this achievement.”

“Hahaha……”

Lion simply offered an awkward smile, offering neither confirmation nor denial.

Hoffman found himself able to comprehend the situation completely.

It was likely driven by the fear that if he, the eldest son, accomplished a major feat, Rikschel’s standing might become unstable.

“I apologize. I was merely… concerned that something might be wrong with the formula.”

“There is no need for apologies.”

A genuinely severe crisis had been narrowly avoided.

Was this not a medicinal brew distributed under the Hero’s designation?

Had complications arisen from a remedy of that caliber, the consequences would have extended far beyond a minor inconvenience.

It risked damaging the reputation of both the Magic Tower and the Asteri Family simultaneously.

‘He undoubtedly anticipated all of this beforehand.’

That alone demonstrated how deeply Lion cherished his kin.

An overwhelming wave of pride washed over Hoffman.

Consequently, wishing to do something in return for Lion, he spoke up.

‘Naturally, I knew he would turn it down.’

Even so, he wanted to ensure the boy understood that people in this world acknowledged his contributions.

Lion was, after all, a member of the Asteri Family, a skilled mage, and an alchemist in his own right!

He too possessed a fierce determination to pursue wisdom and truth, utilizing them for the betterment of humanity.

“This was truly a remarkable deed.”

In truth, even if the occasion had not arisen today, he had intended to share these sentiments should they cross paths again in the future.

This gratitude stemmed not from Hoffman Asteri the individual, but from someone who walked the path of a healing mage out of a desire to protect lives.

“Your courage saved numerous individuals. Naturally, my appreciation must be voiced. Thank you sincerely.”

Therefore, grounds for apology simply did not exist.

Hoffman stood up from his chair and offered a respectful, profound bow.

“My ultimate reward was securing your name on the patent, but if that is not your wish, name whatever you desire. I shall grant it without hesitation.”

“Hmm……”

Lion, the central figure of the discussion, merely maintained an uncertain smile and remained silent.

In reality, from Lion’s perspective, it had been nothing more than a minor gesture of goodwill.

A calculated kindness, to be sure.

If the Asteri Family faltered, would Lion’s personal sanctuary not wither away as well?

He had simply extended a helping hand to avert that outcome.

Furthermore, its potency had been deliberately engineered to fall slightly short of the original Hero’s Potion.

‘After all, the original creator differs.’

By adjusting the formula so that ordinary Magic Tower alchemists could synthesize it effortlessly, its effectiveness could not match the peerless original.

Though prolonged usage might yield different results, that remained the current reality.

Perhaps because of this, he never imagined such a kindness would prompt a reward.

“What is it that you desire…?”

“Yes. Speak freely.”

Hoffman uttered those words, then paused as a thought struck him, quickly appending a condition.

“Whatever you ask for, I shall keep it from the Family Head.”

“Even from Grandfather?”

For Hoffman, such a promise carried considerable weight.

No, because of his profound respect for his grandfather, it demanded an even greater level of resolve.

Regardless, his mind was firmly made up.

‘In that case……’

Lion rapidly filtered through several possibilities that came to mind.

Discarding matters not yet ready for disclosure, along with objectives too difficult to acquire independently but achievable through Hoffman.

‘I will settle on that option.’

As Lion grew visibly cautious, Hoffman smiled inwardly.

‘This must be what he wants.’

He was already aware that Lion was granted virtually anything he asked for within the Asteri Family.

That being the case, the likelihood that Lion harbored any material desires was slim.

Conversely, it also meant everything currently in Lion’s possession had been granted with the Family Head’s explicit consent.

‘Such restrictions might feel suffocating for a spirit as free as his.’

Thus, he formulated a strategy.

He would assist the boy in acquiring his wish in absolute secrecy, bypassing official reports entirely.

A clandestine present at this stage of life might appear slightly humorous, but Hoffman was dead serious.

Had he not observed Lion’s upbringing with close, objective eyes?

The independence he had recently secured mattered far more to him than ambition or prestige.

And Hoffman was determined to support Lion, even if it required bending conventional rules.

‘And if feasible……’

He longed to witness just how high this young man would soar, and what astonishing creations he would invent or uncover next.

This went beyond merely identifying a prodigy.

It was… yes.

Though their personalities differed vastly, he recognized glimmers of the respected Family Head within Lion.

“Will you truly conceal whatever I request?”

“Indeed. If you wish, I can even draft a binding covenant formulated by the Magic Tower.”

As though anticipating the question, Hoffman produced a parchment contract from his coat.

“That is unnecessary. I trust that you will honor your word.”

Opting against the formal contract, Lion extracted a further guarantee of strict confidentiality.

“Very well. State your desire.”

“Are you familiar with the magic boutique situated directly across from the Academy?”

“The storefront near the Academy… Ah.”

A formal report concerning that location had crossed his desk.

An unregistered spellcaster was vending miscellaneous articles of dubious origin to Academy students.

Initial investigations by the Magic Tower suspected hazardous artifacts, but the findings revealed…

‘They were mere playthings.’

Articles intended purely for affluent Academy students to amuse themselves with, nothing more and nothing less.

Furthermore, the pricing proved quite reasonable, leading the authorities to leave the establishment undisturbed.

“Yes. Such a merchant exists.”

“They carry numerous fascinating trinkets. Given that I am currently confined to quarters… I would appreciate the opportunity to browse their inventory.”

“……Is that all?”

While demanding absolute secrecy, his sole request was for such trivial magical novelties?

“Indeed. Grandfather insists that I rest thoroughly. Hahaha.”

Hoffman’s shoulders slumped as he exhaled a heavy sigh.

Very well. To Lion, such diversions likely held greater value than countless magical gems and jewels combined.

‘……No, this might actually be preferable.’

Brilliant breakthroughs frequently materialize during periods of relaxation.

Who could say? Perhaps experimenting with those toys would spark novel and unique inspirations.

“Understood. I shall arrange an additional medical examination in a few days and present the items to you then.”

“Thank you! Oh, and do you happen to know when Grandfather departs on his upcoming journey? A batch of fine liquor has recently arrived, and I am debating when to uncork it.”

「Alcohol is hardly beneficial for one’s constitution, but…」

The Family Head would undoubtedly be pleased.

“Ahem, his expedition is scheduled for several days from now, so timing the opening afterward would be most prudent.”

“I see. My thanks.”

Concealing his true thoughts, Lion offered a pleasant smile.

Naturally, his interest in the magical tools was genuine.

How often had his clever disguises spared him trouble in the past?

‘Should the Second Prince discover my true identity.’

Preparing as many concealment devices as possible remained the safest course of action.

Aside from that matter…

‘Several exceptional items remained concealed within that shop…’

Perhaps browsing through their stock might yield a stroke of unexpected good fortune and a genuinely useful artifact.

‘In truth, there are objects I desperately require…’

He had omitted those from the request, knowing that even Hoffman’s resources would struggle to procure them without generating substantial repercussions.

“Now, return to your quarters and rest. I shall make my report to the Family Head.”

Hoffman shook his head gently as he watched Lion depart with a parting expression of gratitude.

For the time being, if toys were what the boy desired, he would acquire them…

‘Though he will need to learn the realities of the wider world soon enough.’

With that thought, Hoffman turned his footsteps toward the chambers of the Family Head.

—

Several days later.

While Lion spent his hours enduring the tedium of house arrest.

Rikschel moved cautiously beneath the cover of night, slipping silently toward a specific destination.

That location was none other than the threshold of the Family Head’s private chambers.

With Petrick currently away in the Northern territories on official business, the Family Head’s rooms were entirely vacant.

“……”

Rikschel swallowed hard, his throat dry.

It was a natural physiological response born from the undeniable knowledge that his current actions were improper.

Regardless of the rigorous heir training and spellcasting drills Rikschel had undergone, he had never resorted to secretly pilfering another’s possessions.

Particularly not when it involved a restorative brew crafted and presented to the Family Head by his own older brother.

He had briefly entertained the notion of waiting until his brother voluntarily revealed the truth, but…

‘No.’

Rikschel hardened his wavering resolve.

Remaining passive would merely drag his brother down instead of shielding or aiding him.

That outcome was unacceptable.

Rikschel aspired to be a reliable pillar of support, just as he had always strived to be.

Achieving that required uncovering the truth by any means necessary.

The initial phase involved analyzing ‘that specific potion’ preserved by the Family Head.

“Hoo.”

Gathering his courage, Rikschel reached out and gripped the brass door handle.

Then, with extreme slowness and stealth, he pushed the barrier inward.

Click.

The mechanism unlatched with a muted sound, revealing the pitch-black interior of the Family Head’s quarters.

Rikschel froze in place for a moment, allowing his vision to adjust to the darkness.

Employing magic carelessly ran a high risk of alerting the Family Head’s wards.

Even while journeying to the North, that individual possessed the sensitivity to detect residual mana signatures echoing from his own sanctuary.

As he stood waiting in the gloom…

Rustle.

A subtle sound echoed from somewhere within the chamber.

The noise was exceptionally faint, yet sufficient for Rikschel, whose nerves were stretched to their absolute limit, to register.

‘An intruder?’

Inside the personal quarters of Petrick Asteri, the preeminent spellcaster alive?

Such an occurrence represented a crisis of entirely different proportions.

Breaching the formidable security surrounding Asteri’s domain and penetrating this deep implied an adversary of extraordinary capability…

‘Wait.’

Would an intruder deliberately broadcast their presence in such a manner?

An alternative hypothesis flashed through Rikschel’s mind.

Could there be one specific exception?

An entity possessing clearance to enter Petrick Asteri’s domain without authorization.

In short, someone who could commit such a transgression and escape with nothing worse than a stern reprimand.

Rikschel crept silently toward the source of the rustling sound and cautiously peered around a partition.

There, indeed, stood the figure in question.

“Broth-er?”

“Shh!”

Lion, pressing a finger to his lips to demand silence, was crouched awkwardly beneath a heavy writing desk, frantically rummaging through a compartment.

‘Is he attempting to manipulate my thoughts to extract information?’

…Well. He likely wouldn’t go that far.

Relinquishing his original objective entirely, Rikschel quietly settled onto the floor beside Lion.

“What brings you here?”

“I was dying of boredom. I cannot step outside, and they explicitly barred me from the kitchens.”

Yet no one had explicitly forbidden entry into the Family Head’s private study?

“……”

Naturally, such a rule hadn’t been spoken aloud. Who in their right mind would dare sneak in here?

Of course, he could hardly voice that objection.

He himself had just broken in.

“Forget that, look at this instead.”

Lion whispered casually, shoving an object directly toward Rikschel.

It proved to be…

“This is.”

“Grandfather’s personal journal.”