Chapter 277

Chapter 277
Chapter 277: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

“Please clarify.”

“Clarify what?”

“Everything concerning my brother.”

“First, I must verify if the patient gave consent.”

Thankfully, Hoffman was not the type to be cowed by Rikschel’s intimidating presence.

*Oh, for crying out loud…*

Hoffman cast a quick look toward Lion.

I was aware of this because the Family Head had briefed me beforehand.

I never anticipated I would be exposed this rapidly.

Judging by his facial expression, Lion appeared to have tried his absolute best, but…

“Lion.”

“Yes, Mr. Hoffman. I consented.”

Upon hearing his name called, Lion strained to communicate his intentions to Hoffman entirely through his eyes.

His expression clearly conveyed that not everything had been laid bare.

*I knew it would turn out like this…*

Hoffman released a quiet sigh and spoke with an annoyed expression.

“Didn’t I instruct you to report his condition in detail the moment I came back?”

“My apologies. You must be occupied…”

“It is fine. I anticipated this outcome. So, how much did Lion explain?”

“I stated he sustained injuries at the Great Barrier and underwent treatment. I also added that he has not yet fully recovered.”

“You disclosed everything to him. Does that imply you lack sufficient trust in Lion to have traveled all this distance?”

“That…”

Only then did Rikschel cast a cautious glance toward Lion.

He had been so fixated on the notion that he was being deceived that he had completely overlooked this aspect.

*If that turns out to be true, I shall apologize a hundred times over.*

However…

Rikschel still maintained that there was a strong likelihood his brother was concealing something else entirely.

That was simply how his brother had always operated.

It proved to be a genuinely accurate assessment.

“Naturally, I trust my brother, as well as Mr. Hoffman’s healing magic, but shouldn’t I, as his younger sibling, look after him with even greater care?”

“I understand.”

Despite maintaining a calm exterior, Hoffman was secretly breaking out in a cold sweat.

If things went awry, Rikschel would uncover the entire truth, and even if he compelled him to remain silent, his suspicions would merely intensify.

Furthermore, he could not simply dismiss an immediate descendant of the Asteri lineage, placing Hoffman in a dreadful predicament.

*Is there truly no alternative?*

Making the soundest judgment possible under the circumstances, Hoffman slowly began to speak.

First, he would address the current condition of Lion Asteri.

…By opting for rather provocative terminology.

“No mage remains in optimal condition after being transported while unconscious. Lion was no exception.”

“…He was unconscious.”

“…”

At Rikschel’s chilling utterance, Lion clamped his mouth shut and averted his gaze.

*I am well aware of what you are attempting to accomplish…*

It appeared the strategy was to throw Rikschel off balance with provocative words before subtly introducing the matter of corruption.

It was a decision strikingly similar to what Lion himself had contemplated.

Yet…

*What about my position?*

*I have no idea. Sort it out yourself.*

Wrapping up a brief silent conversation via eye contact, Hoffman pressed on.

“His internal injuries were severe. Not only his mana circuits but even his mana circles suffered damage, resulting in persistent bleeding.”

“…”

At this point, mana began to flare up around Rikschel’s physical form.

Hoffman knitted his brows at the surging energy.

*That energy…*

Rikschel and I occasionally convened to exchange perspectives regarding the Asteri household or the Magic Tower.

*His rate of progression is astonishing.*

Rikschel habitually kept his personal energy suppressed, marking this as the initial occasion he witnessed his growth firsthand.

*Which is precisely why I must conceal it even more vigilantly.*

Rikschel’s magical aptitude would undoubtedly eclipse Hoffman’s in the near future.

Nevertheless, owing to his tender years, his emotional maturation was bound to lag behind.

What consequences might follow if one were to inform such a youth, ‘Your brother has become corrupted’?

*He will devise a solution.*

Because he possesses capabilities of his own.

He would harbor confidence. In truth, he possessed every right to feel confident.

However.

*It would constitute unhealthy development.*

Power, as the adage goes, recedes the more desperately one craves it.

Even a realm that once felt within grasp slips away the moment one harbors the slightest greed or impatience.

And should one plunge into that abyss…

*It could devolve into a talent that never reaches its full bloom.*

Countless mages suffer that very fate.

Perhaps Lion and the Family Head withheld the information from Rikschel for this exact reason.

*He claimed it was to keep Lion from stirring up trouble.*

The Family Head’s devotion to his grandson was truly remarkable, rendering my deduction highly probable.

Pausing for a beat, Hoffman resumed his narrative.

“Fortunately, however, Lion has recuperated. He cannot channel magic just yet, but he is no longer confined strictly to his bed. That is the sole reason I authorized his discharge.”

“…”

“I trust this explanation proves sufficient.”

“I see.”

Rikschel lowered his head.

His neatly parted fringe shifted, rendering his facial expression unreadable.

“It must weigh heavily on him, but ultimately, Lion has bounced back, hasn’t he?”

Hoffman gently patted Rikschel upon the shoulder.

It was during moments such as this that he truly comprehended how Rikschel remained even younger than that reckless Lion.

“Therefore, dismiss your worries and return home…”

“There is, however, a contradiction in Mr. Hoffman’s statements.”

Rikschel lifted his head once more.

He had not kept his gaze fixed on the floor merely out of upset feelings.

Naturally, a turbulent mix of emotions surged within him upon learning his brother had sustained injuries severe enough to induce unconsciousness.

…A great deal of emotion, in fact.

I concede it reached an unbearable threshold, surpassing even normal occurrences.

Yet.

*I did not lose my composure to the point of radiating aura outwardly.*

Maintaining one’s wits is essential if one hopes to walk alongside a brother.

No, even to keep pace behind him.

Consequently, he had intentionally emanated his energy to observe how Hoffman would portray his brother’s medical state.

And he successfully identified it.

A vulnerability.

“My brother clearly suffered internal trauma. Yet why are you veering around the subject concerning his overall condition?”

“That…”

“Had it been you, Mr. Hoffman, you would have elaborated on external injuries as well. What motivation lies behind deliberately omitting that detail?”

“Are you accusing me of intentional concealment?”

“Indeed.”

“Do you realize how insolent that inquiry is?”

Hoffman’s aura flickered in a threatening manner for an instant.

Even a master of healing arts was hardly incapable of wielding alternative branches of magic.

In reality, precisely because he mastered delicate healing magic, he proved equally adept in other arcane disciplines.

“Therefore I ask. Did you fail to inspect it? Or are you actively preventing me from confirming it?”

The crux of the matter was that Rikschel refused to back down either.

*Oh dear. This boy is genuinely furious.*

Realizing the situation had deteriorated, Lion broke out in an entirely different variety of cold sweat than before.

*If this persists, the bond between them will only fracture further.*

Foremost, Rikschel required calming down.

Furthermore, even though few mages frequented the uppermost level of the Magic Tower.

*Rumors travel like wildfire among men.*

Even the slightest atmospheric shift risked giving rise to unfavorable gossip.

Take, for instance, whispers regarding friction between the reigning Tower Master Hoffman and the designated successor, Rikschel.

*Should that prove the case, I would far prefer the truth be brought to light.*

My grandfather did not keep it under wraps out of pure malice, after all?

He merely wished to shield our youngest from suffering.

Lion offered an awkward laugh and stepped directly between them to act as mediator.

Just as he prepared to speak and halt Rikschel in his tracks—

“What is the meaning of this?”

Abruptly, a fierce gale swept across the summit of the Magic Tower, accompanied by a voice as biting as a frosty wind that pierced the atmosphere.

The sheer magnitude of the pressure left Rikschel powerless to resist, forcing his gaze toward the source.

And standing there.

“Family Head.”

“I inquired as to what you think you are doing.”

Petrick stood devoid of any discernible expression.

“Did you kick up this entire commotion merely to verify Lion’s wellbeing?”

“Merely? Grandfather.”

“Go spoil yourself within the confines of home. My apologies, Tower Master. I have indulged him far too extensively.”

“…No, Family Head. I can comprehend his position entirely.”

Hoffman released an internal sigh of relief.

While Rikschel’s conduct crossed into arrogance, it was fundamentally understandable.

*Were circumstances different, I would have offered him words of comfort.*

Regrettably, however, Lion’s current condition constituted a secret that had to remain protected.

Under those conditions, deflecting attention elsewhere served as the wiser course.

*I certainly did not anticipate Rikschel spotting the flaw so instantaneously.*

Even so, the Family Head arrived at a remarkably opportune moment.

He had likely commenced preparations the instant word reached him that Rikschel and Lion had arrived at the Magic Tower.

“I shall arrange separate compensation for this later. Now then.”

Sporting a rigid expression, Petrick teleported the pair back to the estate.

…

…

…

*Wow.*

Fortunately, the distance was short enough to bypass warp sickness, rendering the transit reasonably tolerable.

The underlying complication, however… was Rikschel.

I assumed everything would settle smoothly once Grandpa intervened and separated them.

…Something felt decidedly off.

“Are you attempting to keep everything concealed from me once again?”

To be precise, Rikschel’s current demeanor was abnormal.

Lion recognized this state all too well.

This particular disposition was…

“It was a matter that required no concern on your part. Furthermore, barging in on Hoffman with such abruptness constitutes an overreach. As heir to the Asteri lineage, you must exercise far greater discretion…”

“Heir.”

Rikschel wore an identical expression to the one Petrick had displayed moments prior.

Only then did Petrick seem to grasp the situation and open his mouth, yet Rikschel proved quicker.

“Because of this title of heir, am I expected to turn a blind eye to my brother’s state?”

“…”

“The sole reason I accepted the mantle of successor was to acquire the strength necessary to safeguard my family.”

“Rikschel.”

“Not by leaning upon the Family Head’s authority, but out of a desire to shield them myself.”

Rikschel dragged a hand through his hair as though utterly exhausted by the exchange.

As he swept his bangs backward, he bore an uncanny resemblance to his grandfather.

Specifically, a youthful Petrick during his days alongside the Hero.

*This is turning out poorly…*

Lion suppressed a wry inward smile, acutely aware of Petrick’s stubborn streak and fiery temper during his own youth.

Indeed. At that exact age, such a dilemma was bound to manifest.

Particularly for someone possessing a sensitive and compassionate younger sibling, enduring such a dynamic proved impossible.

*…Given my historical track record.*

This marked already the nth instance I had provoked worry.

“Yet observing that I remain powerless to act even after securing the succession, it would appear my qualifications fall short.”

Petrick, who had failed to foresee Rikschel’s reaction, parted his lips slightly.

Even for someone of Petrick’s stature as an 8th Circle mage, navigating this scenario proved far from simple.

*…Good grief. He acts precisely like Lara.*

Or perhaps, stirred by some lingering memory from the past, he found himself doubly overwhelmed.

“I shall spend the coming several days meditating upon my suitability for this role. Do not bother searching for me.”

With those words, Rikschel brushed past them and strode off toward an unspecified destination.

Even remaining within the mansion, locating him would prove virtually impossible.

Alternatively, he might simply secure a room elsewhere.

Within the abruptly chilled corridor, Lion and Petrick exchanged glances.

“Lion.”

“Grandfather.”

That…

“He has entered the throes of adolescence, hasn’t he?”

Furthermore, it was the turbulent passage of youth that fully gave voice to the distinct stubbornness unique to the Asteri bloodline!

The central dilemma here being—

*What if he chooses to abdicate his position as heir?*

In that event.

What course of action should I pursue…?