Absolutely Do Not Touch ELdmia Egga – Chapter 177

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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This life was truly a series of astonishing events.

I wanted to tell my past self, who had been whining about the lack of flying sword techniques just days ago, to be more patient.

As Cheryl, sensing the conversation would be lengthy, excused herself to seek Esmée’s understanding, Widra raised a hand to stop her.

“It’s already been six years. A day or two more won’t make a difference. The guest takes precedence.”

Widra, his face a mixture of emotions, offered a warm smile.

He looked remarkably unchanged from ten years ago.

Perhaps mages possessed methods to slow aging.

Maybe Radnelbandes was older than he appeared as well.

While I was deeply moved by his commitment to a decade-old promise, his earlier words lingered in my mind.

The specific mention of dragons and demons… did he know about my mana manipulation?

“You’ve… worked hard. You’ve grown tremendously since we last met.”

His eyes, glowing with a faint blue light, a clear indication of active magic use, seemed to confirm my suspicions.

“Young Master. I apologize for this imposition, especially considering my unannounced arrival, but would you mind waiting until our conversation concludes?”

“Of course. Jenny? Please escort Royal Mage Regneva.”

Jenny, who had been standing tensely behind us, paled visibly, but I ignored her for now and returned to Esmée.

After relaying a brief summary of the situation, Esmée responded with a chuckle and a surprisingly simple answer.

“I’m fine. Go and speak with him.”

“What?”

“Don’t be so surprised. I never confuse my priorities. However, I would appreciate it if you could summon the Ogatorf heir afterward. There are still matters to discuss and apologies to offer.”

I scrutinized her smile, searching for any hint of resentment, but instead, I received a playful punch.

“Do you take me for a petty child?”

“Widra Regneva is a renowned mage, well-respected in the Empire. Before the war, he dedicated himself to the advancement of magic. Afterward, he devoted himself to understanding demons, contributing to our war efforts. He is aware of your unique situation and has been waiting years for this opportunity to become your mentor. How could I possibly postpone such a meeting?”

Her thoughtful consideration, despite her busy schedule, was truly impressive.

This was the grace of an Imperial Princess.

My own curiosity, however, was equally compelling.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain knowledge in a field I had been navigating blindly, relying solely on intuition.

Considering my future plans, it was impossible to ignore such a chance.

After relaying the necessary information, I followed Jenny back to the guest room.

Widra, who had been observing me with a curious expression, spoke as soon as Jenny closed the door.

“The Princess is aware of your mana manipulation?”

“Uh…”

My momentary hesitation served as an answer.

Did he possess some form of telepathy?

“How…”

“How? Do you think I would have arrived so quickly, despite my busy schedule, if I hadn’t already known? Even if I prioritized this matter, it would have taken time to arrange a meeting with the Imperial Princess.”

I hadn’t considered that.

He was right.

Wait, did Esmée also not anticipate this?

Was this a deliberate act of matchmaking?

“Don’t worry. The nature of your relationship with the Princess is irrelevant. I won’t speak of it.”

He spoke casually, gesturing for me to sit.

I complied, taking a seat opposite him.

He seemed to be carefully considering his words.

“First, I believe you’re aware of the… unique nature of your ability to wield mana.”

“I’ve been careful to keep it hidden.”

“A wise decision, especially during wartime. It’s not something to be revealed lightly, especially without the support of influential figures.”

I nodded in agreement, but Widra continued to observe me with his intensely blue eyes.

“I’m not sure where to begin, but I believe it’s important to ascertain your intentions. Do you wish to learn magic?”

“I’m eager to learn, but… there are a few things I need to explain first…”

I outlined my situation: my pursuit of revenge, my aversion to political entanglements and obligations, which had led me to circumvent formal knight training, and my desire to learn magic without jeopardizing my plans.

Despite the self-serving nature of my explanation, Widra readily agreed.

“I understand. Everyone has burdens they must bear. I’m not offering to teach you unconditionally. I also require your assistance.”

“What assistance could I possibly offer?”

“Your very existence is a form of assistance. As far as I know, you are the only human on the continent capable of wielding mana so effortlessly. You can help me verify many of the hypotheses I’ve developed over the years.”

He emphasized the significance of my ability, far beyond what I had imagined.

“However, despite your efforts, the strength of those fighting on the front lines is… exceptional. Have you encountered any demons?”

“Yes. That’s why I understand your concerns.”

“I’m glad to hear it. You can probably tell from my eyes, but I can currently observe the mana flowing within you. You’re not necessarily weaker than the average demon, but… there are many who are far stronger. You’re unlikely to encounter them unless they’re of a certain rank, but the danger is real.”

In short, I wasn’t ready.

I wasn’t offended.

I had been seeking this information precisely because it was impossible to obtain within the kingdom.

I was grateful for his candid assessment.

“I’m relieved to see you’re taking this calmly. Mana is different from Aura and magic. Your current state is the result of inefficient mana usage, due to a lack of proper guidance. We’ll have to observe further, but once you master the proper techniques, you’ll see rapid improvement.”

His accurate assessment of my limitations, as if he had been observing my progress, impressed me.

“Neither of us has wasted the past ten years. Be patient. The path ahead may seem uncertain, but we will reach our goal.”

I made a decision.

From now on, I wouldn’t just offer empty thanks to the gods.

I would start with prayer.

With that resolve, I accepted Widra’s offer without hesitation.

Our initial discussion was brief.

Widra quickly prepared to depart.

“I’ll contact you. It’s rather embarrassing, but I’ve been living… rather austerely. It will take some time to prepare a suitable environment for your training. But it won’t be more than a week.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Widra.”

“Indeed. Next time, I’ll return as your teacher.”

Widra, his hood once again raised, offered a parting smile and left the estate.

Cheryl, who had overheard our final exchange while fulfilling her duties as heir, observed me with a puzzled expression.

“Training? Teacher? Truly?”

“Your vocabulary seems to have deteriorated, Young Master.”

I dodged her swift kick with practiced ease.

She frowned.

“What’s going on? Did you know Royal Mage Regneva?”

“Uh… I didn’t know he was a Royal Mage, but I met him when my village was still… intact.”

Speaking of it brought back memories of my former home.

The friendly neighbors, the playful children, my loving parents.

Memories I usually suppressed resurfaced with unexpected clarity.

“I thought things would finally calm down after Lagnis’s trial, but then a Royal Mage appears, and now the Imperial Princess is staying at the estate. I wish Father would return soon.”

“…The Imperial Princess is staying here?”

“Yes. She played a significant role in proving your innocence. She wishes to share information and coordinate our testimonies. I couldn’t refuse, considering her efforts on your behalf.”

Cheryl!

Despite her frequent threats of violence, she truly cared!

But I’m sorry!

Esmée’s explanation was clearly a pretext…!

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