Cain did not like the two men who were following him. One claimed to be Del's owner, saying he was a prisoner, while the other was whimpering like a lost puppy, but had an impure look in his eyes.
Mana vessel is my disciple and mine. You guys don't even know how brilliantly and colorful his mana is. Although he frequently runs away in tears, he always manages to accomplish everything I ask, finding joy in magic, and saying 'Master, Master,' without realizing how cute he is when he does that.
Although Cain wanted to shake them off and go find Del alone, he restrained himself like an adult.
Even when Del was kidnapped by the kidnapper named Adrian or Andre, Cain couldn't find him at all. He was a natural-born magician, he could solve even the smallest things in his daily life with magic. In situations where he couldn't use tracking magic, he didn't know how to find a missing person or which organization to ask for help.
Other magicians under Cain were in the same situation. He even went to consult with his grandfather, a former Magic Tower Lord candidate who was over 90 years old. But he gave the obvious answer, "Just use tracking magic with the missing person's blood and his precious belongings."
Although there was still some blood left for experimentation, the problem was the precious belongings. A person's mana naturally contains things they consider precious. However, Del had no belongings to speak of. He traveled without luggage, showing no great attachment to anything.
So, after Del returned, He tried to find a specialty for him to spark his interest. So he went to various magicians, but the answers were all similar.
"The apprentice does everything he's told to do."
Del had talent in handling magical plants, but that doesn't mean he obsesses over them like Phlos.
"Rather, it seems like he's dedicating himself to work to forget something."
This was also a common opinion among magicians.
For that reason, Cain couldn't use tracking magic this time either. On one hand, he felt disappointed. Del said he loved being my disciple (he never actually said that), and he enjoyed staying with me the most in the Magic Tower. (again, he never said such a thing). So why did he leave without a trace? Since tracking magic was not an option, Cain would have to ask others to help find Del.
Cain, while chewing on his lips, bluntly spoke.
"You know Mana vessel is the future Crown Princess, right?"
Upon hearing this, Khan clenched his fist, and Alan lowered his head in silence. However, their reactions were none of Cain's business.
"Of course, that's an old story. Since Mana vessel joined under me, he vowed to stick with me in the tower until he died because he liked me so much. However, the crown prince, unable to let go of his lingering attachments, begged Mana vessel to come back. This time, he asked to see Mana vessel and said he would wait in this town."
"Did Del Narcissus really say he would stay in the tower?"
"Narcissus... does he like the Magic Tower Lord?"
"Hey, why do you all have those faces of disbelief? Ask Mana vessel later! Make sure to ask, you guys!"
Cain ranted angrily. Despite discussing the crown prince, both Khan and Alan were visibly uncomfortable.
"Anyway, there's a possibility that the crown prince took Mana vessel! Since he mentioned something about staying at an inn, let's go and investigate. Wouldn't it be fitting for the Archduke to have a chat with the crown prince?"
Cain got to the point. No matter how famous he was for magic as the Magic Tower's owner, there were clear limits to his status. In any case, he was a commoner, he could be arrested for insulting the royal family. Even if he were caught, he could easily escape with magic, but it was better to choose the easier and more efficient way.
"The crown prince is just the emperor's son"
Khan said arrogantly. He held sovereignty in the Northern territories that not even the Emperor could touch. In reality, the crown prince had little presence as dust to him.
Cain nodded and took the lead. It was a bit annoying for the villagers to murmur at the sight of a magician with red hair and red eyes wearing a Magic Tower robe.
This was Cantate, the closest town to the Magic Tower, Where trade in magic tools and magic stones was active and was considered a sacred place for many magicians. The Magic Tower Lord was like an idol in Cantate.
Even though no one dared to approach Cain to talk or follow him closely, the whole town couldn't help but be excited.
The three of them arrived in front of the Kingsbury Inn, receiving enthusiastic stares filled with admiration and astonishment from the townspeople.
***
Kingsbury Inn was known as the most luxurious inn in Cantate. Among its floors, the topmost 5th floor boasted only two rooms, spacious and comfortable. This was inspired by the fact that there were only two rooms on the top floor of the Magic Tower.
Anyway, in the luxurious suite of the inn, Hunter who was having lunch received a strange report. Alexis, the Archduke, Tower Master Cain, and the well-known priest Alan Bate, who was being considered as a candidate for the High priest, had come together.
"They are waiting in the next room,"
The aide said, glancing cautiously. Everyone felt great pressure, especially waiting for Duke Alexis.
"I had finished the meal anyways. Let's go."
Hunter was across into the next room. The scene in the next room was interesting. The Duke stood by the window, looking at the street with a fierce gaze. The Magic Tower Lord was walking frantically around the room, and the priest sat on the sofa, murmuring in prayers.
What an unusual combination
Hunter lightly announced his arrival. Simultaneously, the gaze of the three men turned towards the Hunter. They all had a formidable presence. The Hunter inwardly chuckled. However, his poker face didn't reveal any feelings, making the suspicion towards the crown prince even stronger.
"I greet His Highness. May the blessings of Eura always be with you," Alan greeted first. The Hunter silently nodded in response.
"I heard a story that Your Highness may have taken Del Narcissus with you."
Next was Khan. Without bothering with greetings or formalities, he went straight to the point. The aide behind the Hunter seemed dissatisfied, but he couldn't casually draw the duke's attention and could take a short breath.
Hunter, on the other hand, appeared to have no interest in Khan's greetings. His expression remained indifferent until the name 'Del Narcissus' was mentioned.
"What nonsense is this? Why would I take Del, who should be in the Magic Tower?"
"Well, Mana vessel disappeared! Isn't it because of you? Didn't you take him, Crown Prince? You came to find him!"
Cain aggressively confronted the Hunter. The aide behind him wanted to point out Cain's lack of courtesy as well, but once again, he only sighed in frustration.
"Wasn't Prince Del lying in the sick in bed?"
Hunter's voice trembled slightly. Cain twitched for a moment, but then boldly raised his voice.
"He recovered not too long ago. Thanks to the genius Tower Master here!"
"What? I didn't hear such a thing. So, Del is truly recovered?"
"It hasn't been long. Uh... maybe a few days?"
After awkwardly telling a lie, Cain looked at Hunter's expression and continued in a loud voice,
"Anyway, the problem is that he's gone. Since the kidnapper is inside our tower, he couldn't have been kidnapped this time..."
"Kidnapped?!"
This time, not only Hunter but also Khan and Alan joined in. With widened eyes, they bombarded Cain with questions like "Kidnapped? When did it happen?", "Who kidnapped him?", and "What exactly happened?" Cain bit his tongue slightly and casually raised his head.
"The important thing right now is not that but the whereabouts of Mana vessel, my disciple.
He explained that he couldn't use tracking magic on Del in the current situation. "So, I need your help. If necessary, mobilize the army, release prisoners, use all your abilities—whatever it takes to find him."
Cain vowed that if they found Del this time, he would make something precious for him. Anything he desired—buying things, redecorating the room, crafting a special wand, gifting a greenhouse for his cherished plants to thrive, revealing hidden secret spots in the Magic Tower. If he ever lost Del again, Cain promised to immediately cast tracking magic.
Or, perhaps, make Del someone who could never leave him, someone more special compared to now. Cain thought about it absentmindedly.
Being just a mentor wasn't enough. Even though Del acknowledged him as a mentor, he didn't stick around but wandered off and disappeared. So, they needed a relationship closer and more intimate than that of a mentor, maybe like family or a lover.
That's how a small obsession began to grow in Cain's heart.
(wow guys this is getting intense 😆 I'm just wondering here how and when they're gonna meet Andrea lolol.
Anyway, I've updated the schedule so yap, also this story is officially completed! with 141 chapters!!! Also heard smut in the latter half is pretty good hehe 🤭
*Ahem *Ahem ANYWAYS Congrats to the author and translator they did such an amazing job! 😸💕)