Chapter 15: An Ability Beyond What Was Seen (3)

Naturally, from the 6th Magic Division onward, they lived within the outer castle.

Curiously enough, the 13th Magic Division was the only exception that resided inside the royal castle, and that was why Patrick had come here.

“Is it here?”

When Patrick arrived in front of the Magic Division Headquarters, magicians stood in his way just like the knights from earlier.

“What brings you here? Please state your identity first.”

Unlike the knights, the magicians were a little more courteous.

“I am Patrick Waver, the butler of the Third Prince. I have come because I have a request to make to the Head of the Magic Division.”

Although his title was that of a butler, a butler serving a prince held an entirely different status.

They knew that well enough, so they couldn’t treat Patrick carelessly.

“I see. Did you happen to make an appointment?”

“No. I came unexpectedly due to an urgent matter. Would it be difficult to meet him?”

When Patrick asked politely, the magicians glanced at one another before one of them spoke.

“I will go in and ask.”

The Head of the Magic Division, like the Captain of the Knights, wielded immense power over the castle’s defense. Naturally, their status was considerable, whether noble or not.

A short while later, one magician went inside, inquired quickly, and returned.

“He says it’s all right to meet.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll escort you.”

Following the magician’s guidance, Patrick was able to reach the Head’s office.

Upon entering, the Head of the Magic Division, Frace Therondia, who had been waiting for him, greeted him.

“What business brings the Third Prince’s butler here to me?”

At his question, Patrick went straight to the point.

“I came to ask for a favor regarding a magician named Caldein Flavan, who is here in the castle.”

“Caldein Flavan? Hmm… Was there such a magician?”

Frace frowned slightly, as though trying to recall the name.

Even after a moment, no such name surfaced in his memory.

Of course, it wasn’t easy for him to remember every magician’s name.

“He is said to be affiliated with the 13th Magic Division.”

Patrick added by way of explanation, but Frace’s frown only deepened.

“If it’s about that division, only the 13th Division Head would know. I don’t really pay much attention to that place.”

“Would it be all right if I go there to meet them myself?”

Since he was going to make contact with the Magic Division, he naturally needed permission first.

“Go ahead. I’ll assign someone to guide you.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll take my leave.”

Once approval was given, Patrick immediately followed the magician’s lead and arrived at the 13th Magic Division Headquarters.

Unlike the main building, the place looked quite shabby.

The magician who had guided him soon turned back and left.

Left alone, Patrick tilted his head when he saw that there wasn’t even a guard at the entrance.

“No one’s guarding this place?”

The atmosphere was so still that it almost felt as if no one was inside.

“Is anyone here?”

With a hint of uncertainty, Patrick carefully opened the door and stepped in.

Yet, no answer came from within.

“Is it truly empty?”

Reluctantly, Patrick turned to leave.

Then he heard a faint rustling sound from deeper inside.

“Someone’s here?”

If there was anyone at all, he had to at least talk to them.

Patrick followed the sound down a dim hallway.

As he passed several doors, he noticed one slightly ajar.

On that door was written: “Division Head’s Office.”

“Is it here? Is anyone inside?”

Through the crack, a faint light glimmered.

Slowly, he opened the door, and the first thing that caught his eye was the thick layer of books piled high amid the dust.

“Not an office but a storage room? Then that sound earlier must’ve been a rat.”

Patrick turned to leave again.

But then another sound came.

“Ugh…”

This time, it was unmistakably human — coming from behind the desk.

Startled, Patrick quickly went around the desk.

Behind it, a woman in her mid-thirties was lying collapsed on the floor.

Startled, Patrick rushed over to check her condition.

“Has she lost consciousness?”

He needed to find somewhere to lay her down, but the room was cluttered with books everywhere.

“I’ll have to clear this up first.”

Leaving her on the floor for the moment, Patrick opened the window and began tidying up the books.

Dust rose in thick clouds.

He worked swiftly, and before long, the piles of books were neatly organized.

Thanks to that, a sofa and table that had been hidden in front of the desk came into view.

After finishing, Patrick carefully moved the unconscious woman onto the sofa and waited quietly.

“Ugh…”

“You’re awake?”

Patrick, who had been reading one of the books nearby, approached her upon hearing her faint groan.

“I’m… hungry.”

Her weak voice made Patrick awkwardly scratch his cheek.

“I suppose I should prepare something to eat.”

Patrick stepped out into the hallway and found the kitchen.

There, he gathered whatever ingredients were available and began cooking a simple meal.

Before long, the aroma of food spread throughout the 13th Magic Division building.

Perhaps because of that—

From the once-silent building, faint presences began to stir, and before long, people peeked their heads into the kitchen like zombies.

They were all members of the 13th Magic Division.

They looked utterly famished, staring holes into the frying pan in Patrick’s hands.

“I suppose I’ll need to make more. Please wait in the dining hall for now.”

Patrick spoke firmly, then searched through the cupboards and pantry to prepare more food.

It was a hearty noodle stew made with flour, dried seafood, and vegetables in a large pot.

When the meal was finished, Patrick divided it generously into bowls.

More than ten bowls of the steaming noodle stew were placed on the table. The members, as if waiting for the signal, lunged forward and began devouring the food.

Slurp—!

None of them had seen this kind of dish before, but that didn’t matter now.

All that mattered was filling their empty stomachs enough to feel alive again.

Meanwhile, Patrick carried one bowl and headed back to the Division Head’s office.

By then, the 13th Magic Division’s Head — Haren Swallow — had woken up and was sitting on the sofa, her head drooping low.

“Ah, you’ve woken up. Here, please have this first.”

“...Who are you?”

“A guest. I think it would be best if you filled your stomach before we get to the main topic.”

At that, Haren glanced at the bowl of noodle soup before quickly pulling it toward herself and beginning to eat.

Slurp—!

Though Patrick called it noodle soup, it was actually Kalguksu, one of the traditional dishes of Korea.

It was a simple meal to make, requiring only flour and a few ingredients for the broth.

It was also one of the recipes Patrick planned to introduce later.

“Ahh~!”

Haren drained the bowl down to the last drop of broth and placed it on the table with a satisfied sigh.

“Did it taste all right?”

“It was really delicious. You even went as far as cooking for us… Thank you so much. But who exactly are you, and what brings you here…?”

At last, Haren’s curiosity turned toward Patrick.

“I am Patrick Waver, the butler serving His Highness, the Third Prince.”

At his introduction, Haren Swallow’s eyes widened in shock.

“You serve the Third Prince?! My goodness—! I’m so sorry! I don’t even know how to make up for this…”

Even if he was merely a butler, one who served a prince held considerable rank.

It was enough that even a Division Head of the Magic Division would find it difficult to treat him lightly.

Yet just moments ago, she had allowed him to cook for the entire division.

“You need not worry. Cooking is something I often do for His Highness anyway.”

“Even so, how could I possibly let you—”

“It’s truly fine. More importantly, I came here looking for someone. Is there a magician named Caldein Flavan here?”

“If you mean Caldein Flavan, yes, there is.”

“I’m relieved. I was worried he might not be.”

Here, Caldein was responsible for organizing and analyzing data related to magical formulas.

He rarely ever went outside, to the point that few even knew of his existence.

So when Patrick suddenly came asking about him, Haren’s face was full of curiosity.

“But may I ask—why are you looking for Caldein Flavan?”

“I wanted to see if he could take on a role as an instructor of magical knowledge.”

“An instructor? For whom exactly…?”

Listening to that explanation, Haren asked hesitantly, as if suspecting something unbelievable.

Patrick, maintaining his calm expression, replied evenly.

“For His Highness, Prince Raion. He has recently taken an interest in magic. So, while seeking someone who could personally instruct him, I heard that Caldein Flavan is quite knowledgeable and came to recommend him.”

The 13th Magic Division itself hadn’t been established to defend the castle but to preserve magical knowledge.

In truth, it was closer to a research institute than an organized military unit.

Of course, their knowledge of magic far surpassed that of most magicians.

However, their actual skill was near the bottom, and most of them had been transferred here as a form of demotion.

“If you’re looking for the Prince’s magical tutor, wouldn’t it be better to visit the 1st Magic Division or the Royal Magic Division instead?”

Both of those divisions boasted the finest magicians in the Canel Kingdom.

Naturally, if it were for the education of a prince, such a place would uphold prestige and reliability.

“I’m aware of that. However, His Highness specifically requested Caldein Flavan. And whatever His Highness commands, I simply obey.”

“In that case, we should at least ask Caldein’s opinion. Even as the Division Head, I can’t force him. I’ll call him here.”

Haren leaned her head out of the door and shouted in a sharp voice.

“Caldein! Caldein, where are you right now?”

Her voice echoed loudly down the corridor.

A few moments later, the man in question poked his head out from the kitchen before making his way to the Division Head’s office.

“You called for me?”

“Come in. You have a visitor.”

Caldein stepped cautiously inside.

He was the one who had finished his bowl of Kalguksu the fastest in the dining hall earlier.

Despite being forty-one years old, he looked closer to fifty.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Patrick Waver, the butler serving His Highness, Prince Raion.”

“P–Prince? What? The Prince?”

Bewildered, Caldein looked to Haren for an explanation.

Haren simply repeated the proposal that Patrick had just told her.

Naturally, Caldein couldn’t believe it.

“You mean… His Highness the Prince truly wishes to take me as his magic tutor?”

“That’s correct.”

“You mean… Prince Raion himself?”

“Yes.”

Caldein kept repeating his questions, unable to believe it.

At that, Patrick spoke seriously, his tone steady.

“Of course, His Majesty the King’s approval will still be required, but I don’t foresee much difficulty. So, you can think of it as the decision resting solely on yours now, Sir Caldein.”

Even as he listened, Caldein felt dazed.

He had spent over twenty years as a magician, yet never risen beyond the Second Circle — walking this same stagnant path all his life.

And now, suddenly, he was being asked to become a Prince’s tutor.

It could only feel like a dream.