The Prince Of Magic

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Having heard of his grandfather's response, Hadrian sighed and rubbed his forehead to ease the incoming headache.

Just when he thought he had enough surprises, another one comes in to top the previous one.

But then again, the one with the Spider's involvement was not something to scoff at either.

If anything, that one time was the weirdest revelation he had ever experienced, in both lifetimes.

Back on topic, one concerning thought did come to mind.

Lowering his hand back to his l.a.p, the young mage met the crimson eyed gaze of his grandfather.

"You don't seem worried by this new development, opa." Hadrian commented, noticing the lack of concern from his old magician's demeanor.

"I had experienced something similar to this case before, so, frankly, I'm not that worried." Zelretch mused aloud, turning to glance to the right, one that was out of the camera's limitations. "Moreover, you're vital signs are all clear and healthy. Other than a small advise on stuffing your face more and more exercises, enkel, nothing new or bad is in your system."

A few taps on a wireless touchpad was heard in the background, the old magician hummed before speaking again.

"On a different note, the Spider's blood seems to have acc.u.mulated in your body quite nicely. Physically, there are no issues or major changes in sight. This might change in the future as your body becomes more developed, so you should keep watch of it. As for your magic circuits, there is a noticeable change."

Inwardly, Hadrian was concerned, something that he would only admit to himself.

Outside, the only reaction he gave was a raised brow of curiosity, his face set into a calm, neutral expression that gave nothing of his inner worry.

"What change is that?" He asked in a calm tone.

While most of his retainers looked puzzled by his reaction, most likely wondering why their young master does not seemed to be concerned by what he heard, the old magician saw differently as a knowing smile slowly appeared on his lips, having noticed his heir's true feelings on the news with a few signs that he caught on the latter's face with a mere glance.

"Nothing too drastic, but it seems that your circuits can generate more od than usual. The output seems to be have increased, which would make it far easier for you to cast certain spells that require a great amount of prana. However, this would also mean that you would have to make adjustments in controlling your circuits again once you return to your body here."

"Did it affect the vessel I'm using right now?" Hadrian asked next.

"In a way, I suppose we can presume as such. Magic circuits can only be found within one's soul, after all, which automatically means that you would need to make those adjustments sooner than we might think." Meeting his grandson's gaze, Zelretch raised an eyebrow. "Do you feel something different whenever you activate your magic circuits lately?"

Quietly, Hadrian began to think, trying to recall on anything that would define the question he was asked.

Truth be told, there were some moments that seemed strange whenever he used his magic circuits, but those moments were so subtle and only occurred during his spars with his retainers that Hadrian had not taken notice of it.

The automaton does not seem to be alarmed in those moments. Otherwise, the Moon Cell would have quickly notified him of the issue.

If the automaton had not done so, then it was just as his grandfather had said. The change was not that dangerous or drastic for him to be aware of it.

"I'm not sure." Hadrian admitted after some time. "The first day I woke up in this world, nothing was amiss. These days, the only times I use my circuits were during my spars with the guys and whenever I'm within the workshop. I could hardly notice any changes whenever I'm sparring with the others, and the times I did so during research were minimal."

His response caused the Wizard Marshall to hum and muse.

"Hmm… perhaps, due to the distance between your original body and soul, the change in your circuits was just beginning to catch up and have yet to fully settle. In hindsight, your deployment there had been rather unexpected and sudden. Therefore, a lag between your soul and your body here must have happened, probably after you 'arrived' there. The effects of the change must be playing catch up." Zelretch mused aloud, rubbing his beard in thought.

"Perhaps…" Hadrian shrugged, unsure of what to add.

"Back to Harry's counterpart, will the things I… received from him affect me?" Hadrian asked.

His inquiry snapped the old magician out of his musing.

"Hm? That? Nein (no), you'll be fine, enkel. The uh, the things, or shall we call it 'data' – let us simply address the things that you received from Harry's counterpart as 'data', yeah? – that was transferred over to you some time ago is simply just that, an additional information that originated from a different source. I'd experienced that kind of case before in the past, though I have to admit that I was not in a different body that time." Zelretch added as an afterthought, looking to the side with white brows furrowed.

With furrowed brows, Hadrian absorbed the explanation in silence before pushing another question again.

"Now that I think about it, if every dimension where Lady Gaia and Lady Alaya exists there are 'barriers' in place, how are you and the other magicians out there can traverse between other worlds?" Hadrian asked, noticing the strange gaps in his grandfather's earlier statement.

The question brought a smug smile on the old magician's lips.

"Isn't it obvious that I'm quite unique?" Zelretch grinned, wagging his brows playfully.

"No, really, opa, why is it that? I mean, I have to get dropped here in a different body, why do you guys get a pass?" Hadrian asked, smiling at the magician's attempt in humor.

"Jests aside, it is merely down to our skills and capabilities as Magicians. In my case, traversing through different dimensions is as simple as shooting a Finn Shot at a moron to me. For the other magicians, I am not so sure. I know that Aozaki girl – the younger one – can't travel through dimensions, but she can travel through time, which I'm sure you're already aware since you'd met her yourself." Here, Zelretch flashed his grandson a cheeky grin that the latter simply sighed at. "Simply put, traveling through different worlds is easy for me since it's my magic's main specialty, but for other magicians, they would need to find a different method to do so with their own true magic. They would need plenty of resources, time, talent and ingenuity to do what I can do with a flick of my hand."

"So then, for other magicians, the ability to travel through different worlds depends on one's skills and talent in true magic?" Hadrian simplified.

"Partly. The second requirement is that a magician's source of true magic must have an alignment or relations to traveling different dimensions. Just like my kaleidoscope, for example. It is why I had already given you a crash course of my true magic as soon as you were able. With it, you'll be able to freely traverse through different worlds independently, and without the two great ladies' notices, just like me, your opa. And in your own body, nonetheless. Isn't that an exciting thing to strive towards to, enkel?" Zelretch grinned, prompting Hadrian to smile wryly and scratch the back of his head in response.

"I suppose." Hadrian sighed, unable to refute his grandfather's reason.

Inwardly, the young mage was determined to pour through the research notes and tomes that his grandfather gave him regarding the Second True Magic in the near future.

The grandfather and grandson were interrupted as a certain cheeky retainer came joined in the conversation.

"Not meant to intrude or anything, but, no side effects then?" Charles asked, chiming in suddenly as he brought the conversation back on topic.

"Oh, there are side-effects, but nothing harmful." Zelretch said with a reassuring smile that contradicted his answer somewhat.

With a deadpan expression, Hadrian could not help but make a comment.

"Opa, your words gives me no sense of relief at all."

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