**

I read about how nobles and customs work in fantasy medieval . Although that may have just been authors scribbling together the research they had on hand into something original. The King is always above the chaste of society while the duke, marquis, earl, count, viscount and baron titles follow.

There are many other sub class noble titles but they are only acquired if you have worked and showed incredible skill in politics. You can immediately gain a title of Baron if you were to participate in a war and reap benefits though.

There are few occasions where these nobles other than Earl and higher can meet with the king of their nation….

"You have done a splendid job, boy."

I sat there by the side of Charlotte who's hugging my arm while grinning happily. Her father, Philip I. Colchis seems to not be disturbed about his daughter hugging a boy.

Yes. I was summoned to the palace a day after that incident. Knights arrived to escort the princess back then. She screamed saying:

"We'll meet again, Clyde-sama!!"

So she did know my name.

And then it brings us back to today. She spat a bunch of nonsensical stuff like me being there as her knight in shining armor and saving her from danger. I could only shake my head in disappointment at the past me.

'Weren't you supposed to hide my power!?'

I moved as if on impulse at that moment. I didn't use spirit magic though. I only used the [Breath of Mana]. It's a technique I could use to turn a manifested spell into mana. To put it into words, no mage on this planet can beat me if they cannot multi-cast. I only have one arm to catch spells so it'd be impossible to catch another one right after with that technique.

"This calls for a reward." His Majesty stroked his greyish beard. He contemplated seriously.

"N-No your Majesty. It was nothing…"

"No, no. Saving my precious daughter is not nothing. I have already lost my eldest daughter last year…" He had a sad expression on his face. "I was always a man who put his family after the kingdom and look what happened. Charlotte snuck out of the palace without my knowledge so I am grateful to you for saving her."

Charlotte had an embarrassed look on her face.

'Is she that sheltered?'

"Hmm… you are a minor so it would stupid to give you something large in fortune. But I can sent the gold to your parents to use or keep until you come of age."

'Right, I'm only ten.'

"Your majesty, If I may…"

"Humu." He nodded his head.

"It might just be my inexperience as a mage…" he laughed as if finding my sentence funny… "I think that spell going off course was not the fault of the High Elf Princess."

His expression then hardened.

I almost fell off my seat when he looked at me. His aura was that overwhelming.

"Hmm…"

I sensed uneasiness from Charlotte's siblings.

'So it was them…'

It's no surprise that the siblings are infighting since the throne is on the line for the future.

A succession war…

Charlotte seems to share my thoughts since she has a dark look on her face.

"Well, I will have my best mages look into the High elf King's daughter's magical abilities and if she had a motive."

The thick atmosphere disappeared when the king spoke.

"I will have Charlotte think of another reward besides the one I have prepared for you." The king smiled warmly.

"Yes, Father!"

Charlotte hugged me from the side.

◇

The 12 year old princess never let go of me once even when we returned to the ducal residence.

"I will be awaiting your arrival at the academy, Clyde-sama~"

Charlotte shouted from the carriage they dropped me off from. She waved her hands even as the carriage drove off.

I breathed out deeply.

'That was really scary.'

I have a hunch that her siblings will now be wary towards me as well. I mean, I'm only 10 but I managed to stop a spell from a first year student without difficulty using my unorthodox magic, as they call it.

I sighed deeply and yet again promised to leave it for the future me.

◇

Two months passed yet again.

"Good work today, Clyde-kun." My teacher, Jacob praised me after I finished with today's lesson.

"We'll be working on Monarch rank spells next time, so focus on recovering before the next lesson." He packed his things up and left.

I went to the well behind the manor to draw water for myself. I could've had a maid do it but I'd rather do it myself. I'm not used to being served even though I've lived with the Luxembourg family for two years.

The duke had Sadith, Kimberly and us children come to his residence in the capital situated in the noble district. The residence doesn't pale in comparison to his manor in his city at all.

My mana is completely spent after that intense training we had for 6 hours. I managed to cast my first High-intermediate rank spell today. The spell was part of the stage 4 mage training chart so it was fairly difficult the first few tries. It took a week to master the spell though. Due to my potential, I was able to finish stage 4 faster than any Magic Tower affiliated mage in the entire kingdom.

My teacher believes I'll be able to finish the final stage even faster since my growth was so astonishing.

"----!!"

I suddenly felt a chill up my spine as if someone was watching me. A very powerful gaze that seems to peer into my soul.

I was about to call the spirits but then the gaze disappeared as quickly as it came.

'What was that?'

Shaking my head, I finished wiping the sweat off my body.

Even if it's a god or another celestial, I should pretend I don't know they are watching me.