Chapter 209
All four of the people who had come with him had followed his mother.
Unable to stand the boredom, Franz decided to try doing something.
“In the end, the source of everything in this world is divine power…”
The connection between magic power and divine power, and its application.
Until recently, he couldn’t use magic power, so it remained just a thought, but now he can fully test it.
Franz slowly drew up his magic power.
His fully recovered mana core operated normally, emitting magic power, and the magic particles around his body reacted, sparkling with a blue light.
'Let’s test their compatibility first…'
Maintaining the state of his drawn-up magic power, Franz slowly drew up his divine power.
It was hard to explain exactly what divine power was.
The vague sensation felt throughout his entire body was like holy power, but its properties and characteristics were similar to magic power.
Then again, thinking about it, magic was also no different from creation. After all, it generated substances like water and rock out of thin air.
In any case, the coexistence of divine power and magic power was possible.
Then the next test was whether he could use these two powers at the same time…
'It doesn’t seem like it’ll be an ordinary task…'
Using the magic of two different attributes at once was simpler than one might think.
Because they used the same energy source called magic power, they merely went through different processes; the resulting magic was the same.
Of course, that was only easy for Franz; for ordinary mages, it was beyond difficult - it was impossible without considerable talent.
Compared to that, what about what he was now trying to do? It was so difficult that even Franz, an unprecedented Archmage, couldn’t guarantee success.
“Not that I have any intention of giving up, though.”
It wasn’t that it was impossible, but rather that he wasn’t used to it.
In other words, as he got used to this, he would naturally become able to do it.
Fwoosh-.
A magic circle was drawn at Franz’s fingertips, and a small flame bloomed.
At the same time, he used the power of creation with his other hand. A golden flame bloomed in the empty air where there had been nothing.
Whenever his concentration wavered, the size of the flames changed from moment to moment.
Sweat quickly began to form on his forehead, and his breathing grew heavy.
How much time passed like that?
“Truly amazing.”
Suddenly, a voice was heard from nearby. He had been so focused on what he was doing that he hadn’t even noticed someone approaching.
Turning his head, he saw a familiar person standing there.
Colhen Gilbert.
He was a former Imperial Family mage who had retired after meeting a woman and was now a researcher continuing his study of magic.
He was also the teacher who had taught Franz the basics of magic.
And most importantly…
He was his father.
Franz extinguished the flames blooming in both hands and immediately stood up.
“Father, have you been well?”
“I sent a few reports to the Magic Tower. Did you perhaps not see them?”
“Reports and personal regards are separate matters, aren’t they?”
It wasn’t an empty statement. His father was the kind of person who would continue his magic research right up until the moment he collapsed.
In other words, one could say his passion for magic was just that great.
“Well, I’ve been doing alright. More importantly, what on earth was that golden flame? I couldn’t feel any magic power from it.”
Bringing up magic first even though they were meeting for the first time in a long while was very much like his father.
Someone else might have felt disappointed in this situation, but at least Franz didn’t. No, he actually welcomed it.
“It’s quite a long story to explain, but it’s roughly something like a new power.”
“A new power…? Tell me about it in detail.”
His father’s eyes sparkled like a child’s who had discovered a new toy.
Past or present, he is truly a consistent person when it comes to magic.
“The thing is, actually…”
Since he had been bored anyway, Franz was just about to explain about divine power.
“Stop that and eat first.”
His mother, who had appeared at some point, narrowed her eyes and looked at his father.
“Can’t I just listen to a little bit before we eat…?”
“You say that, but you’ll end up chatting for ages.”
“That’s…”
His father couldn’t bring himself to refute her.
It was because he had a history of talking all day long about magic with Franz when he was young.
Even so, a look of regret still lingered on his face.
“Father, I came with the intention of staying for about a day. Let’s have our conversation after the meal.”
“I-if that was the case, you should have told me earlier…”
His father slumped his shoulders and let out a sigh of relief.
It was then.
The four who had followed his mother to the kitchen came in, each carrying a plate.
Since there was no way his mother would have made guests do it, it was highly likely they had offered to do it themselves.
“Franz, those girls made all the food.”
“Is that so…?”
Franz was simply bewildered.
He had expected them to help, but he hadn’t known they would go beyond that and make it themselves.
Still, he wasn’t particularly worried.
He had already confirmed their cooking skills several times before. Not to mention, with his mother right next to them, a passably decent meal must have been created.
After placing the plates on the table, they immediately approached his father.
And sure enough.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. It is an honor to meet everyone.”
His father showed a reaction that didn’t stray from expectations.
Since the other party was the Hero’s Party along with a ducal daughter, it was burdensome even for Franz’s parents.
Fortunately, that awkward atmosphere didn’t last long. Thanks to the precedent set with his mother, the girls approached him affably.
And so, mealtime began.
Franz scooped up some food with his spoon and was about to bring it to his mouth.
But suddenly, he felt gazes on him.
Stopping what he was doing and lifting his head, he made eye contact with the four people who were looking at him.
Though it was only for a very brief moment before they slyly averted their eyes.
“Well, they did make it themselves.”
Franz had also served them food before, so he understood that feeling better than anyone.
And he also knew better than anyone what words they were hoping for right now.
Clatter-.
Franz took a large scoop of food and brought it to his mouth.
“I don’t know who made this, but it’s delicious.”
It wasn’t exactly empty flattery. The food was quite delicious. It tasted similar to what he used to eat when he was young, bringing back fresh memories.
If there was a problem, it was that he had to repeat the same action four times.
“Well, they put in enough effort. I should at least do that much.”
In the end, Franz was only able to start his meal properly after praising all four types of food.
For reference, the most delicious out of the four was…
There wasn’t really anything like that. They were all delicious.
After that eventful meal ended, he talked with his father about the new power, just as he had promised.
“Are you saying that is truly the power of the Creator…?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Listening to your story, I realize there are truly infinite possibilities. For example…”
As always, the conversation with his father was beneficial. He offered unexpected opinions and pondered over problems together with his father.
While Franz was doing that, the girls enjoyed teatime with Franz’s mother.
“Actually, when Franz was young…”
The main topic of conversation was Franz’s past.
“The Magic Tower lord really did that?”
“He did. He was a child with absolutely no charm.”
The girls laughed, letting out a giggle, as they listened to Franz’s past.
Getting to know the unknown sides of the man they loved was a great joy to them.
At the same time, Franz was taking up a larger and larger space in their hearts, though they themselves were unaware of that fact.
And so, night arrived.
“Mother, Father, good night.”
Franz said goodnight to his parents and headed to his room on the second floor.
Fortunately, the rooms his older brother and sisters used to use were empty, so there was no major issue with the girls staying over.
Following him, the girls said goodnight to Franz’s parents and followed Franz into his room.
“Wow!, is this the Magic Tower lord’s room?”
“Could there perhaps be some naughty books…?”
The girls looked into every nook and cranny of Franz’s room as if searching it.
Franz didn’t particularly mind.
He was just watching them as if looking at curious little kids, like when younger cousins came over to play.
It was during that time.
“The spirits say there’s a hidden drawer over here.”
Hera said that as she felt around the inside of the desk.
“A hidden drawer…?”
Franz blankly traced back his memories.
He remembered the fact that there was a hidden drawer, but he couldn’t remember what he had put inside it.
But that was only for a moment. Soon recalling the memory, Franz hastily grabbed Hera’s wrist.
“Hera, no.”
“I-is that so…?”
Hera didn’t say anything in particular and stopped what she was doing.
But why was it? Her ears twitched nervously.
“Franz, is there really that kind of book in there…?”
“There isn’t. I’m telling you there isn’t.”
“Hmm, I’ll have to check for myself.”
Yusti-ah let out a strange nasal sound and narrowed her eyes.
“Come on now, everyone, hurry back and get some sleep.”
Franz hurriedly shooed them out.
Because at this rate, he was bound to have the contents discovered.
Of course, there were more than a few complaints, but there was no need to pay them any mind.
What were they going to do if they had complaints?
For reference, the hidden item was a diary.
The reason he couldn’t show it was that things about the modern 21st century were written in it.
He thought he would have to reveal it to them someday, but…
At least, not yet.
Afterwards, Franz fell asleep without any other issues.
Was the family home still the Family Home even after he had visited for the first time in a long while? He felt like he had fallen asleep more comfortably than ever before.
When he opened his eyes, the darkness of the night had not yet faded.
Someone was staring blankly at him.