“What!?”

Duke Taevas’ usual crude tone resurfaced again. His fake sophisticated act vanished instantly from this revelation.

He tried to calm himself down, but it was obvious that he was struggling to do so.

He said in an intimidating tone. “What are you saying, boy?”

But Maellan seemed to be long prepared for this kind of reaction, and he had steeled his resolve even before this day. He clenched his hands and looked at the two adults with determination in his eyes.

“It is true, Father. I have decided already for a long time, but feared to tell you about it. I want to heal people with my power, just like how Mother does it.” He said.

“Unknown to all of you, Mother’s small fizzle of lightning was not just for show at all. It can be used beyond slightly electrifying someone for a temporary moment…”

“Lightning can rejuvenate the body. Many sicknesses are associated with weakening Flames. And lightning can make fires spark brighter…”

“So in theory, we can make the Flames in our hearts burn brighter too through lightning!” Maellan claimed with much excitement._.

“Your Mother…” Duke Taevas was incredulous. “Your Mother is only good at massaging— This rejuvenation you are talking about is just the aftereffect of a good massage. What does that have to do with becoming a true doctor?”

He added: “Your mother did not even pursue becoming a masseuse! That’s so unbecoming for a noble like her, it’s just an extra skill that can help with headaches or backaches! To say that it can ‘heal’ people is too much of a stretch.”

Maellan nodded. ” I know that. But what if I could cultivate it to more than just massaging?”

The boy sounded more and more enthusiastic now as he shared his knowledge, pacing back and forth. “I have been reading several books now about this topic, and I found out actual cases in history where people with lightning Mage Focus can ‘bring back someone from the dead’.”

“Those are legends, my boy.” Even Inspector Krustal was disbelieving all this.

But Ronin knew better than all of them. He knows Maellan was not just rambling nonsense.

“No, it’s science. In the real world, people whose heart rate had stopped can get it back up again in the form of a defibrillator shock— which is just an electric shock controlled by a machine.” He rubbed his chin. “Maellan is onto something here.”

His eldest brother continued to explain this new science to the skeptical adults. “All legends have a basis somehow. And my studies had led me to the actual truth of it. Lightning can shock the body of a Magecian and ignite their Flame again, it is energy after all.”

“If I could give these studies to the Spire of Scholars, this has the potential to save many lives!”

Duke Taevas was having none of it, but an unexpected person supported Maellan’s claims.

“I have seen something similar to that.”

The cold and monotone voice of Assistant Vyrill spoke.

“I teach at the Spire of Scholars unlike my brother, who teach at the Spire of Warriors.” He went over to Maellan and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I had a student use his lightning Focus on a dead Emerald frog, once…… And it moved.”

Maellan’s eyes brightened, feeling like fate had been on his side. So someone does believe him, and not only that, but a teacher at the Spire of Scholars!

“I do remember you telling me that while we were drinking, Vyrill.” Inspector Krustal seemed to be considering it as well, thanks to his assistant and brother. “But I thought it was another tall tale one would make up while drunk. I never thought you truly meant that a dead frog was brought to life by lightning!”

Duke Taevas’ mind that was as small as a pea was reeling from all of this.

He knows nothing about science. What matters to him was to have warriors as sons, and he must get what he wants.

“But you saw Maellan’s performance already… It was beyond exceptional! He’s not made to just sit and examine dead bodies every day for this strange study…. And besides, it is not only gods who can resurrect the dead!?” He tried to reason.

“And isn’t it the final goal of humanity to find out how to become gods ourselves?” The hooded Vyrill answered back to him. “Your son may have the answer to that. Isn’t that something exceptional as well?”

“But this is not his choice—“

“It is his choice. He is the one going to the Academy, Your Grace.” Vyrill placed a hand on Maellan’s shoulder. “Not you. Therefore, it is his decision which Spire to spend his 6 years in.”

Duke Taevas was unable to speak anything after that retort.

Maellan looked so grateful that he could cry out of joy. “Thank you, Inspector!”

“Professor Vyrill Krustal. I only became an assistant inspector because Jasny insisted me to for this year’s batch.” His usually neutral tone had a hint of warmth now.

He must have realized this, as he changed his tone to neutral again. “But if you truly want to join the Spire of Scholars, passing the Triannum test is not enough. You need to take another separate test that examines your intellect and not your physical strength this time.”

“I will do my best, Professor!” The eldest Zafeiri nodded his head profusely.

Inspector Jasny Krustal sighed, but he remained with his jolly disposition. Ronin was reminded too much of Santa Claus with how lighthearted this man is, and he also look the part with his white beard and big belly.

“I really do want you to be in the Spire of Warriors after seeing so much of your potential earlier.” He patted Maellan’s head.

“But Vyrill is right, it’s your choice. You have already a bright future ahead of you on either Warrior or Scholar, and the path you take is all yours to travel.”

“Take your time to consider in this two months’ time. Don’t let other influences cloud your judgment, you are a Hero Mage after all. And a Hero always travels his own path.”

“Thank you as well, Inspector Krustal.” Maellan nodded. “But I know my path since I was young. I can still help our Kingdom this way.”

Jasny Krustal chuckled heartily. “Then you truly would be one of our greatest, boy. It’s not just powers that makes a hero, but courage as well. Don’t you agree, Your Grace?”

With these two Academy inspectors supporting his son’s ambitions instead of his own, Duke Taevas have no choice but to give up.

He gritted his teeth, and forced a fake smile. “Of course. I am glad that Maellan has the courage to find a path for himself….. even when the path I have shown him was already perfectly made for him.”

“Hah!” Little Ronin covered his mouth, trying not to cackle too loudly. “He’s so bitter about it.”

“Well, with that settled, we shall be on our way. It was a pleasure meeting you, Maellan Zafeiri. May your aspirations always reach the stars above.”

Inspector Jasny Krustal waved at them as he went. Even his mysterious brother gave a light wave directed to Maellan only.

The Zafeiri father and son watched them leave.

Once they have finally rode the carriage to leave their premises….

SMACK!

Duke Taevas slammed the back of his hand on Maellan’s cheek!