Chapter 52

Chapter 52
Chapter 52: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

Lion carried on with his explanation, maintaining a steady pace to address the bewildered looks on both of their faces.

While the exact mechanics remained a mystery to them, residing in this space had somehow allowed them to accumulate mana and successfully forge a circle.

“So at this point, I possess roughly the mana capacity of a 1st circle mage. Though, I seriously doubt it will expand any further.”

The quantity was so modest that speaking of it felt somewhat embarrassing, which was why he had delayed mentioning it, but neither of them appeared bothered in the least.

In fact, their reactions leaned entirely toward genuine delight.

“Goodness gracious. My sincere congratulations, Older Brother!”

“Hmph.”

Petrick regarded Lion with a gaze charged with a complicated mixture of feelings.

“Back then, not a single trace of mana could be detected in you, so how on earth…….”

“At that time, I had the Hero’s Accessory equipped, which is likely why you couldn’t sense anything. It is a fact that I’ve reached the 1st circle tier of mana. If you’d like, I can demonstrate a bit of magic…….”

“There is no need for a demonstration.”

“You’ll stay seated.”

As Lion made an attempt to rise from his chair, both individuals intervened simultaneously to halt him.

Anxiety gripped them at the thought that casting a spell might trigger unforeseen complications.

‘So the Hero’s Accessory possessed that specific capability.’

That realization finally gave Petrick the context he needed to understand why he had remained completely unaware.

“Regardless, isn’t this a wonderful turn of events, Family Head?”

“Indeed! It calls for a major celebration.”

For the direct bloodline of the Asteri Family, an inability to utilize magic constituted a severe crisis.

Even so, it fell short of a capital offense.

The intense desire Petrick previously held for Lion’s mana stemmed entirely from the looming threat of Mana Shock.

Yet that danger had now vanished completely!

Even if the generated mana was negligible, Petrick valued it far more dearly than his own reservoir of magical power.

‘This finally allows me to breathe easy.’

What an immense relief. Truly a massive weight off the shoulders.

Just as he was letting out that silent sigh of relief, the conversation shifted.

“Older Brother, do you intend to start studying magic from now on? Studying together would make the whole process so enjoyable!”

“Regarding that… I must apologize, but I have no plans to pursue magic. I realize how strange that sounds coming from the eldest grandson of a prominent Magic Family… but my true interest lies in alchemy, which I am currently developing. Cooking also brings me a fair amount of enjoyment.”

Lion fabricated a plausible excuse on the spot.

In truth, all three foundational spells already resided firmly within his memory…

‘Could it be that Older Brother is taking this path for my benefit?’

By birthright, the position of eldest grandson naturally positioned him closest to the succession.

Add to that his newfound ability to sense mana and his status as master of the labyrinth, and the picture changed entirely.

Should these truths come to light, observers would inevitably conclude that the next Asteri Family Head would be Lion rather than Rikschel, fracturing the family into competing factions even if the brothers remained on good terms.

If the situation escalated further…

‘It would start mirroring the internal conflicts of a Swordsmanship Family.’

Perhaps his Older Brother had anticipated consequences of that magnitude.

‘And here I was, completely oblivious, acting like a naive child…’

The earlier worry had been that mastering magic would improve his Older Brother’s self-defense capabilities and bring peace of mind.

Rikschel found himself reflecting critically on his own assumptions.

“Very well, if you prefer not to learn, that is entirely acceptable. Should any complications arise, I will manage them within the limits of my own authority, so put your mind at ease.”

“Precisely! We will stand behind the Family Head and act as the first line of defense against anyone who dares trouble Older Brother.”

Eliminate whom, exactly?

Just what kind of person do they think I am…

In the eyes of the broader public, his reputation remained that of an eccentric individual.

Although he had anticipated a shift in perception following his coming-of-age ceremony, a month of subsequent seclusion had likely frozen public opinion in place.

‘Well, in the end, that public image probably stayed entirely unchanged.’

Regardless, their consideration was deeply appreciated, prompting a silent decision to offer his thanks right around that moment.

*Swish.*

Rikschel reached into his pocket and produced an object.

“Actually, I brought along a modest token to mark Older Brother’s coming-of-age ceremony. Though circumstances seem to have turned it into a recovery present instead.”

All through the day.

Or rather, ever since the coming-of-age ceremony took place, he had been carrying this item, waiting for the right moment to hand it over.

“This is?”

“It is a seed belonging to a newly discovered botanical specimen known as Evening Primrose. It is quite small, but I thought it might appeal to your interests…”

Rikschel’s voice trailed off in an uncharacteristically hesitant manner.

His expression clearly betrayed a worry that the present might be rejected or disliked.

‘Hold on, Evening Primrose?’

Meanwhile, Lion had to exert considerable effort to keep his jaw from dropping in shock.

Did he just refer to this as a modest gift?

Evening Primrose!

Within the universe of In The World, that plant held legendary status.

『Evening Primrose Seed』

-It reacts directly to ambient mana, absorbing it to fuel its growth. Reaching maturity by the night of a full moon triggers a unique phenomenon.

-In its current seed form, it has no practical application.

Even after dedicating more than a decade to playing In The World, certain memorable content items remained deeply etched in memory.

The Evening Primrose was certainly one of them.

Beginners entering the game typically started their journey by cultivating Evening Primrose as a primary method of generating currency.

Furthermore, the Evening Primrose served as the foundational ingredient required for manufacturing a vast array of high-tier items.

And among those high-tier creations…

‘The Elixir.’

It was a component essential for crafting the ultimate restorative potion capable of bringing back someone at death’s door.

‘Strictly speaking, it acts as a lower-tier catalyst, but attempting the process without this Evening Primrose is completely out of the question.’

While Rikschel appeared unaware of its true significance, for someone like Lion who harbored a passion for alchemy, the present carried immense weight.

“Thank you, Rikschel. This is a remarkably valuable gift.”

“Is that so? I am thrilled to hear it! I will secure an even better present for you next time.”

Something superior to this?

‘Since accepting gifts is a positive endeavor, I will gladly take it with a grateful heart.’

Amidst the warm and comfortable atmosphere that filled the space…

Petrick observed the exchange with a distinctly sour expression.

“…….”

Truth be told, he had failed to prepare any gift whatsoever.

It wasn’t as though the thought hadn’t crossed his mind.

Indecision had simply paralyzed him, as he worried endlessly over what might be appropriate.

Initial thoughts turned toward a villa deed or perhaps a tract of land, but both options felt fundamentally wrong.

He even contemplated gifting the entirety of Mimir Forest, though that would achieve little change from the existing arrangement.

Presenting a magic-related item to someone who had disexpressed interest in the discipline also felt awkward.

Everything he owned tied directly back to magic…

‘Wait a moment.’

A long-forgotten memory suddenly surfaced in Petrick’s mind.

“…This should suffice.”

Murmuring quietly, Petrick retrieved a long, slender object from the concealed pocket inside his jacket and extended it toward Lion.

It turned out to be…

“…?”

A battered, weather-beaten wand?

“This is the very staff I relied upon during my youth. Its structural durability is entirely depleted, meaning we can no longer expect any meaningful functional output from it.”

“Indeed…”

Rikschel tilted his head slightly as he examined his grandfather’s old artifact.

“At most, it might withstand perhaps three more casting attempts before failing.”

In reality, the magical gemstone embedded at the tip had completely lost its radiance, resembling nothing more than a dull pebble, while the wooden shaft was webbed with fine fractures threatening to shatter it at any second.

To put it bluntly, its market value had hit rock bottom.

Not even a novice spellcaster would willingly select such a wand for daily use.

Even so.

“It remains a keepsake, does it not?”

Indeed.

Measured by sentiment alone, its worth was immeasurable, defying any standard monetary valuation.

『Asteri Family ■■Wood Sti■k?』

-The personal staff utilized by Archmage Petrick Asteri throughout his travels alongside the Hero.

-Features an adjustable physical size.

-Offers exceptional mana conductivity alongside superior hardness compared to iron, granting explosive offensive output and effortless mana regulation, however… the time has come to part with it.

-※Caution※ : The staff will disintegrate entirely after executing three spells.

-Current user is not recognized as the registered owner, preventing access to further descriptions.

“A keepsake, yes. It is undoubtedly a keepsake.”

A fleeting ripple of deep nostalgia washed across Petrick’s eyes before vanishing entirely.

“However, it serves no further purpose in my hands.”

Having attained the 8th circle, Petrick could now manipulate magic freely using only his bare hands, rendering wands and staffs entirely obsolete.

Consequently, it had become a redundant possession.

Even so…

‘Wouldn’t it make more sense to pass this to Rikschel rather than me?’

Wasn’t Rikschel, rather than himself, the true inheritor of Grandfather’s magical lineage?

Besides, he had just explicitly stated an intention to avoid learning magic altogether.

“I am not attempting to pressure you into studying magic. I offer it to you because it conceals a practical utility within its framework, which might prove vital to you one day.”

A concealed function?

“Ah, could it be…”

Rikschel caught on first, letting out a soft gasp of realization, which prompted Petrick to nod in confirmation.

“Older Brother. Please take it.”

“What exact function are we speaking of here?”

Surely this is more than just a sentimental family heirloom?

The item certainly felt like it carried substantial weight…

“It is a capability that Older Brother will undoubtedly require at some point.”

Rikschel offered an encouraging nod, as if silently communicating not to worry.

“Accept the item, and the explanation will follow.”

“Please go ahead and take it.”

Unable to withstand the combined pressure from both of them, Lion accepted the staff into his hands.

Instantly…

*Sssah.*

A faint, ethereal glow radiated from the wooden surface…

『Item binding initiated.』

…The binding process completed itself.

Naturally, supplementary text materialized to provide context.

-Upon the destruction of the staff, the user is rendered ‘safe’.

The description was remarkably concise, yet…

‘Safe in what sense, exactly?’

The statement remained frustratingly vague and difficult to interpret.

“It appears you have sensed the activation.”

Observing Lion’s contemplative expression, Petrick stepped in to offer clarification.

“That particular staff has been handed down through successive generations within the Asteri Family. During my younger years, I carried it constantly because its ability to amplify spellcasting was truly remarkable. However, as the wars progressed, the fame of the staff gradually faded into obscurity.”

“…….”

That assessment aligned entirely with reality.

The remaining durability index for the artifact stood at a mere three uses.

Once it weathered three spells, it would fracture into fragments and vanish permanently, matching the fate of that ordinary fishing rod.

“Even so, family lore speaks of a specific purpose attached to the passing of the staff. That is what you just experienced.”

“Legend dictates that it intervenes to rescue its master during moments of acute crisis.”

“My original intention was to bestow it upon Rikschel once he formally assumed the role of Family Head, but…”

Grandfather and Rikschel exchanged a direct look.

*Nod!*

They nodded in unison, their expressions carrying a clear sense of determination.

“I have no personal need for such protection.”

“Whereas you require it urgently.”

“On what grounds would I require it?”

“……I apologize for speaking candidly, but Older Brother is physically vulnerable.”

“Exceedingly so.”

“…….”

Arguments became impossible when a prodigy mage and the continent’s preeminent archmage delivered the exact same verdict.

‘No, if my daily routine involved farming at the Shilling Shop…’

A wave of unfair treatment prompted an internal defensive response, which he quickly abandoned.

Regardless of what excuses he formulated, the underlying truth remained that he lacked physical strength!

Lion fixed a steady gaze upon the staff.

‘So this functions as an emergency self-defense mechanism.’

In an era of relative peace, predicting when such a measure might become necessary seemed difficult, yet having a backup plan carried obvious merits.

Best to treat it as a reassuring talisman.

Above all else, their visible earnestness made it clear how deeply they desired him to hold onto it…

“My thanks to both of you. I will hang onto it.”

When Lion finally voiced his appreciation, the expressions of the two men brightened instantaneously.

Good grief…

They were behaving as though they were sending a young child off into an unfamiliar world.

Granted, a body of water sat nearby, but Lion was hardly a child anymore.

He was recognized as an adult in this realm, and even prior to that, had long since passed the threshold of adulthood.

‘Even so, the gifts received for a coming-of-age celebration feel overwhelmingly generous.’

Between the Evening Primrose seeds and the ancestral staff…

“I will prepare another pleasant meal for you here sometime soon.”

“Ha-ha, we look forward to it.”

“Though, it might be wise to scale down the portion size for our next visit.”

“Was the amount truly excessive?”

“…One assumes the Family Head wished to sample a wider variety of dishes as well.”

“Is that how it appeared?”

The portions certainly felt a bit excessive in hindsight.

“Shall we make our way back shortly, then?”

Lingering any longer risked causing unnecessary anxiety for those outside.

“The meal was exceptionally good.”

“I will carve out time to return before long.”

Having shared a warm and comforting interlude, the three emerged from the labyrinthine depths and retreated to their respective quarters.

Lion followed suit…

“…….”

The room greeted him with an unusual, heavy silence.