The Prince Of Magic

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A quick shower and a new change of clothes later, Hadrian returned home via teleportation.

Few minutes had passed as he made his way to his grandfather's office outside of the castle, but he stopped when he took notice of his mother and most of his retainers on the way.

Blinking in surprise, Hadrian let a small smile appear as he slowly approached them.

"Good morning, mama." The young mage greeted her first.

His mother returned his smile, though it looked a bit strained from his perspective.

"Good morn, little one." Lucia returned, laying a gentle peck on his forehead before embracing him.

The elegant, statuesque woman pulled back after a few moments, her hands on his shoulders as she observed him with a careful eye.

For his part, Hadrian remained silent.

Seeing nothing was out of place, Lucia nodded to herself as she deemed his appearance respectable enough for her taste.

"Good, you look sharp enough for your departure." His mother said, making Hadrian chuckle nervously.

His retainers in the background laughed as well, though it was more to his expense.

"Now, I take it that you're on your way to papa's office?" Lucia asked with a raised brow.

"Yes." Hadrian confirmed, smiling when his familiars took on their usual spots on his head and shoulder respectively.

Lucia exhaled through her nose, then settled her gaze upon him again.

"I knew that this day would come, but it doesn't make it easier to see you go, little one." She admitted, smiling sadly.

Feeling an ache in his c.h.e.s.t, Hadrian breathed in deeply before exhaling.

"I know. But I'll try to return as soon as possible." Hadrian promised, meeting his mother's gaze steadily.

It was the right thing to say, seeing as his mother's smile brightened despite the few tears in the corner of her amethyst eyes.

"I'm happy to hear that, but I'll be more glad to hear you return from this safely than to do so in a hasty manner." Lucia admonished lightly.

"I will…" Hadrian said quietly.

Lucia stared at him for a few moments, her soft violet eyes roving over his face before she pulled him into another embrace.

"I love you, little one. Don't ever forget that." Lucia whispered into his ear.

Hadrian smiled, closing his eyes briefly as he returned her hug before opening them again.

"I know, mama. Thank you…" The young mage said.

Even though he didn't actually say the words, it was his own way of saying that he loves her too.

Hadrian might be a deep-thinker, but he was a man of a few words when it comes to platonic affections.

Being somewhat of an introvert might be a weakness for someone like him, especially when he had been a king, but he preferred to show his intentions through actions than words. It was more effective that way, at least in his opinion. And his mother knew this, despite the words that he chose to say.

Instead of replying, Lucia simply tightened her embrace before pulling away a few moments later.

She had her moment with him, but now it was his retainers' turn to say their temporary farewells.

Hadrian smiled when a certain black and pink haired knights slowly came up to him.

The young mage couldn't help but chuckle when he saw Astolfo was trying, and failing, to hold back the tears.

"Uhhh… Uhhhh, master…." The pink haired knight uttered through trembling lips.

"Geez, you're making it seem like I'm not coming back or something." Hadrian commented dryly.

His words seemed to be the trigger to cause the dam to break loose.

"But, but, you're still going without us! Without me!" Astolfo bawled out. Find authorized novels in , faster updates, better experience, Please click <a href="#%!d(string=15393500605196005)/departure-(2)_%!d(string=51603857662339647)">#%!d(string=15393500605196005)/departure-(2)_%!d(string=51603857662339647)</a> for visiting.

Hadrian opened his mouth to respond, but the pink haired knight turned away from him and buried his face into his comrade's c.h.e.s.t.

Charles, for his part, merely flinched in surprise but went along with his fellow retainer's actions by patting the latter on the back in sympathy.

Hadrian blinked, feeling somewhat awkward by how affected Astolfo and Charles were taking his decision.

Turning his head to the left, Hadrian was treated to the sight of the others' reaction to the two knights.

Some were smiling in sympathy, some were sighing and shaking their heads, and some were amused.

"Man, those two are really hopeless…" Yan said with a dry expression.

"Haha, they're the emotional sort, I guess." Arash laughed.

"Too much so, in my opinion." Medusa added in her usual monotone voice.

Their reactions varied from one another, but Hadrian felt no need to comment on such.

Still, one thought came to mind.

'I wonder when they'll realize that they can still come with me if opa decides I need help there…'

With a small sigh, Hadrian shrugged to himself but didn't voice out his thoughts.

He knew better than to say such things before his departure.

After all, who knows what might happen if Charles and Astolfo knew that it was a possibility his grandfather was intending to use to support him.

Feeling a pair of eyes upon his person, Hadrian snapped out of his musings, turning his gaze to where he sensed it and met a pair of bright emerald eyes.

It was Arturia.

Feeling his heart softened at the sight of her, Hadrian smiled as he gently reached his hand to hold hers.

"Take care of them for me, okay?"

The former King of Knights returned his smile, looking lovely as an elegant beautiful flower in the wilderness.

She then gave his hand a soft squeeze.

"I will, master."

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With his (temporary) farewells settled, Hadrian continued his trek to his grandfather's office.

It didn't took him long to do so, and now he stood in front of an object that seemed to be one of the old magician's creations.

Hadrian stared at the object before him with a calm but blank expression.

"So…" The young mage began. "This is my ride?"

Standing beside him was his grandfather, the man himself, who blinked at his words before turning him questioningly.

"Ja, it is." The old man nodded.

"Okay, sure. But…" Hadrian sighed, looking a bit distressed.

Zelretch looked bemused as he watched his grandson scratched his head with a strained expression.

"But?" The old magician echoed, smirking.

Hadrian clicked his tongue in irritation.

Then, he turned his head and glared at the old man.

"But why does it look like a coffin?" Hadrian grouched.

Zelretch laughed, fangs showing briefly as he did so.

"It's a see-through colored glass! How is this similar to a coffin?" The old magician asked.

"It ain't shaped like one, but why does it feel like one?!" Hadrian retorted, pointing to the coffin-like object in front of him.

The old magician laughed again, looking thoroughly amused.

When he was finished, he waved his hand and spoke.

"Come now, that's just your imagination. It works, and that's what important, no?" Zelretch grinned.

Despite his assurance, Hadrian didn't seem to be comforted by it.

Still, he sighed and proceeded in taking off his coat.

He folded the item to marble counter where his familiars were watching and waiting for him.

"Okay, I have everything prepared. So, what now? Do I just get in there?" Hadrian asked, unsure.

"Yes, you can just get inside and I'll take everything from there." Zelretch said with a slight nod.

"And the others? How will they follow?" Hadrian inquired.

"I'll send them over through the Kaleidoscope. You're arrival there is more important." Zelretch said thoughtfully.

Hadrian tilted his head with a questioning look on his face, prompting the old magician to explain.

"I believed I'd told you this before, but the process of your transportation into that world is rather difficult. I'll be sending your soul over there with the guidance of the Kaleidoscope and into the vessel that I've prepared for you to use in that world. This thing…" He tapped his knuckles against the surface of the coffin-like object. "– will keep your body safe. It will work as a doorway for your soul to return safely here and back there. Think of it like a doorway to both worlds. It might sound simple in context, but the process is a bit difficult to initiate."

"I see." Hadrian sighed, accepting the explanation. "Alright then. Let's begin. I think I'm ready anyways."

Zelretch smiled, lifting a hand and putting it on top of his grandson's head, mussing up the latter's hair.

"Don't fret, enkel. It might feel strange at first, but the sensation of having your soul be ripped out of you and into another body will feel like a brief moment of motion sickness."

For some reason, his grandfather's words didn't brought Hadrian much comfort as the old magician thought it would.

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