Chapter 9: Internal Conflict

Chapter 9: Internal Conflict Looking at the list of candidates and their descriptions, Leonard understood that not all of them hailed from the Aldros Empire. There were some academies that these tutors graduated from that weren’t within the Valdoria Continent. "Are these tutors currently at the Aldros Empire?" Leonard asked. "Unfortunately, not," Spencer said regretfully when he glanced at the candidates chosen by fate. "The application of these tutors was documented by the Mage Association. The Mage Association spanned across all continents, and allowed Mages to connect from different places." "I see..." Nodding, Leonard understood the gist of the situation. It was comparable to an internet network setting. The Internet allowed people to chat from different places of the world they were in regardless of the timezone or distance. So in the world of Aetherion, the Mage Association served as the internet network for mages. He had to keep this information in mind. Based on the old Leonard’s memories, the Mage Association never dabbled into any politics or disputes and remained neutral. It only served to grant certificates, licenses, and protection of neutral mages. Even at the capital of Aldros Empire, there stood a majestic Mage Association that wasn’t exactly under the jurisdiction of the Royal Family. They even refused to assist the capital during a famine war. Nevertheless, that didn’t mean either party would attempt to sabotage the other. "Then I guess that means I won’t be forming a magic circle anytime soon?" He shrugged. Some might be desperate to learn magic after coming to a fantasy world, but Leonard wasn’t going to behave in such a manner. All those beautiful dreams of learning magic and demonstrating them with ease were meticulously crafted by the people who believed life was smooth. If magic were so easy to learn and adapt, then there wouldn’t be an abundance of commoners who get suppressed by the nobles. Additionally, he would have already formed a magic circle before reaching his current age of 15. Just when Leonard was about to dismiss Spencer and get some rest, the latter’s eyes suddenly lit up. "Wait a second, Crown Prince. This old servant’s memories are really getting terrible." Spencer chuckled heartily and retrieved a candidate. "Lady Mirelle Ashthorne has arrived at the Aldros Empire as a guest instructor of the Aldros Imperial Academy. We can just head over there now and have her personally tutor you." "Guest instructor?" "Yes, the Aldros Imperial Academy wanted to promote equality and recently announced a new policy to allow everyone to be eligible to participate in the entrance examination. The examination is fair and constructed in a way where everyone is equal. Lady Mirelle Ashthorne believes in equality and was thus convinced to become a guest instructor." Upon hearing that long explanation, Leonard already got some understanding of Mirelle’s characteristics. She was gentle but firm—an idealist who believed anyone, noble or not, could succeed with the right guidance. Yet despite her idealism, she was still highly sought after and requested to tutor nobles. This meant that her skills were excellent enough for the nobles to turn a blind eye to her idealism. ’Getting close to her could probably alleviate some of the pressure I’m receiving.’ Leonard began to wonder how he could rope such a character into his faction. He preferred such idealistic people because they were the easiest to control and solidify one’s position. Back in his old world at the corporate place, Leonard tends to promote such idealistic employees to gain their faithful loyalty. "By the way, Spence, how come no one from the House Lawson was present at my investiture?" Leonard suddenly inquired. There was a total of 7 houses under the Aldros Empire. The imperial house was called House Aldros and was the only house out of the rest being a unique entity. After all, the emperor hailed from House Aldros. The remaining 6 houses, excluding House Lawson, were respectively: Viren (House of Shadows), Draymoor (Martial Nobility), Faelwyn (Elven Heritage House), Merrowind (Administrative Nobility), and Caldreth (Religious Pillar House). Out of the houses, only House Lawson remained ordinary, having been only labeled Loyal Vassal House. However, those who really believed them as ordinary would come to regret it. A loyal vassal house capable of being in the same rank as the other houses meant that it held many powers and secrets unknown to the public. With Leonard suddenly raising the question regarding his house’s absence on his investiture, Spencer was placed in a predicament. His gaze dropped for a second—almost like he knew more but wasn’t ready to say it. Seeing his reaction, Leonard’s eyes narrowed. "Just speak your mind without worries, Spence. I don’t want to be deceived or be kept in the dark." Upon hearing that, Spencer ultimately chose to reveal the truth. "Crown Prince, ever since the emperor decided to exile the Madam to the Kingdom of Elaris, the house’s structure of power was beginning to shift." Spencer pursed his lips. "Continue on," Leonard demanded. "Yes, Crown Prince. Without the Madam’s presence, some people within the family were starting to vie for the power of position. The internal conflict in the house is still ongoing, with many lives lost in the process." The lives lost in the process didn’t refer to the main line of the Lawson household. Instead, it referred to those born in the branches or servants or inferior status that were sucked into the internal conflict. Although the event wasn’t publicized, such news would be impossible to conceal from the other houses. "No wonder there weren’t any Lawson members present at the investiture but nobody found it weird." Leonard laughed hysterically. This series of events seemed like a coincidence at first glance. But it was actually all planned from the beginning. The missing jigsaw puzzle was completed. His father’s pep talk regarding the suggestion to investigate the culprit of the poisoning incident as a reward was laced with hidden intentions. This was further emphasized when his father stated that he was not the celebratory feast type of person. ’The so-called celebratory feast didn’t refer to the aftermath banquet, but how my House Lawson didn’t attend the celebratory at all.’ Exhausted, Leonard was truly flabbergasted by the layer of traps placed against him. In the previous life, betrayal was a backroom deal. Here, it was wrapped in royal velvet and sealed with a crown.