The Prince Of Magic

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He was, however, curious to the events that led the spawns to retreat.

Hadrian might have been injured that time, but his memory was still as sharp as ever.

There was no way he didn't noticed the spawns' immediate reaction to Fou's presence that time.

His small white fluffy familiar was the one that ultimately saved his life and Arash's, even going as far as to brave stand in front of him and against the spawns.

The scene from that time still boggled his mind and, no matter how many times he tried to make sense of the situation, nothing comes to mind.

A noise from his mentor's side snapped Hadrian out of his musing.

"Despite the danger you've faced, you have done well in your task. I will speak to the High Council later on about your reward." Lorelei smiled.

Sensing an opportunity, Hadrian didn't hesitate and went in to discuss an important matter, which was the reason for his visit, actually.

"About that… May I have these as my reward instead, lehrer?" Hadrian asked as he slipped a paper towards her on the desk.

"What's this?" Lorelei asked, glancing at the list written on the paper.

"A list of books and materials I need for my research." Hadrian answered promptly.

"Some of these books belong to certain magi families." Lorelei said, looking at him pointedly.

"Yes, I'm aware. Will it be difficult for you to gather them?" Hadrian inquired, knowing that some of the items in the list might be impossible for him to obtain.

"Difficult, but not impossible." Lorelei answered after some time. "I'm sure the High Council wouldn't begrudge you of denying these items after what you have done."

"Then…" Hadrian trailed off, unsure.

"Expect these items to be gathered and sent to the Schweinorg castle in two to three days." Lorelei nodded cordially.

"Thank you, lehrer." Hadrian said with a smile.

"Don't thank me yet, young man. I expect for your magecraft to improve greatly in the next few weeks if these items and materials are needed for you to meet the demands of your next research." Lorelei warned with a stern expression on her face.

Truly, his mentor can be quite a perfectionist.

The Queen was already giving him a stern lecture after complimenting him with a job well done.

Hadrian let out a small sigh.

It was honestly difficult to be him sometimes.

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[... Evening ...]

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By the time he left the office, the sun was nearly gone and the night was ready to take over.

After bidding his mentor and her secretary a good night, Hadrian left the Clock Tower with his retainers in tow.

Medusa had already arrived some time ago as well, patiently waiting for him to exit with her fellow retainers in the lounge.

Looking at the brown paper bag in her arms, Hadrian can tell that his servant had purchased herself some new books to read and pass the time.

It hadn't taken the car that he and the others were occupying to arrive at the Schweinorg castle, which caused about ten to fifteen minutes of travel time.

When Hadrian and the others entered the castle, the rest of his evening became somewhat of a blur for him.

He and his four retainers met up with the others in the castle, greetings were exchanged, and everyone was quickly escorted to the dining hall where a delicious food spread was served.

No one complained since the food served on the table were carefully selected, particularly to the retainers' tastes. The homunculi maids of the Schweinorg castle had outdone themselves.

Dinner, of course, had been a lively affair, especially with Charles, Astolfo and his grandfather around.

Chatters and the tinkling noises of utensils being used filled the dinner hall, brightening the mood of the room.

When the hunger was sated, everyone had parted ways and retired to their assigned rooms to rest. Some, however, went outside or around the castle to pass some time before turning in.

Hadrian was of the latter category.

The sovereign of the moon was merely standing in front of a wall where pictures of his family were placed.

Bright cyan eyes rove from one portrait and to another, always lingering a few moments before moving to the next that caught his interest.

Looking at the photos of his family became something of a small time past time for Hadrian.

Not because he was being creepy and got nothing to do but make friends with the shadow of the wall, but to reminisce his time in childhood.

Life had been simple for him back then.

His father was still alive, his mother was not a widow and his grandfather… well, his grandfather was still the same as he was now, only he was more active with his pranks.

Unlike now, his grandfather was not as active with the pranks due to the issues of the murder cases that have yet to be resolved.

Hadrian himself was happy, despite the nigh amount of expectations that were placed upon his shoulders.

Then, the Moon Holy Grail war began and his father joined, nothing became simple after that.

'Then again, when was life ever simple for a Lucis?' Hadrian asked himself, recalling the times he wished he was normal.

*THUD*

*THUD*

He was broken out of his musing when he heard footsteps behind him.

Glancing over his shoulder, Hadrian saw the familiar form of his grandfather, Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg.

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