In Felipe's view, the Professor simply refused to admit defeat and was trying to salvage what remained of his dignity. After all, his demand posed no loss to Felipe — couldn't he simply add a clause to the contracts signed by the magical apprentices, forbidding them from revealing the identity of the Sterk City contact to each other's students and friends?
But having already secured a substantive victory, there seemed no need to risk everything by opening hostilities against a formidable and enigmatic enemy. Giving the other party a graceful way out was the rational choice of any sensible mage — especially one who had demonstrated undeniable talent in the fields of elemental and necromantic magic.
After hesitating for only a few seconds, Felipe smiled and said: "Very well, we'll proceed according to Professor's request. This situation arose because we had differing definitions of living matter and failed to reach an agreement in advance."
Then he turned to address all the necromancers and apprentices: "In the 'Pearl of the Sea,' the city of Sterk, there is a bank called 'Brilliant Gold.' Its owner, Mr. Granuf, is one of the maintainers of Sterk's underground order as well as a contact for the Magic Parliament, responsible for arranging for registered mages and certain fortunate magical apprentices to cross the Church's blockade and reach Arlin."
Having said all of this, Felipe tilted his head toward Lucian and spread his hands: "I've fulfilled my end of the wager. I'd ask the Professor to honor his promise as well."
Lucian cast an 'angry' gaze upon all the necromancers and apprentices: "Your ignorance will eventually bring you nothing but bitter fruit. Those who cannot tell friend from enemy will live in misery forever."
The mages and apprentices — who had been excitedly discussing how the Professor's magical experiments had failed to overturn the theory of human vital force — saw their expressions freeze as though struck by ice. It seemed they could not escape the Pale Hand after all.
Countless gazes turned heavy with grief and despair, yet they could find no reason to make the Professor help them resist once more.
Lucian, inwardly ecstatic but projecting an exterior of extreme 'anger,' strode down from the high platform and cut through the forest of stares without so much as a backward glance.
"Viscount Carlerdia, please allow me to take my leave early." As a mage widely assessed to be exceedingly cunning, Lucian did not let his anger linger too long — that would have seemed unnatural — and quickly calmed down to bid farewell to his host.
Viscount Carlerdia raised his glass, still containing a remnant of red wine: "Thank you, Professor, for allowing me to witness the latest achievements of arcane research in elemental magic. Failure is only temporary. With your talent and strength, I'm certain you will become a great figure in the history of magic. Now, Butler Nide, please escort the Professor out of the castle."
"Thank you for your kind words, Viscount." Lucian dared not say too much, fearing he might betray the wild joy within, and then, guided by Butler Nide's respectful gesture, made his way toward the grand hall's entrance.
Through countless gazes of shame, oppression, and despair, past Felipe's watchful eyes guarding against a sudden attack from the Professor, Lucian walked calmly onward.
Suddenly, Viscount Carlerdia laughed: "Professor, there is actually one thing I have been wanting to ask you."
"What is it?" Lucian cursed Viscount Carlerdia inwardly — couldn't the man just let him leave quietly in his 'loser' guise?
Viscount Carlerdia's expression carried a note of hopeful anticipation: "Professor, you carry a faint scent on your person — one that is almost fading, yet familiar to me. I wonder whether you happen to know another man bearing the surname Carlerdia?"
Lucian said with a puzzlement he did not need to feign: "Carlerdia is not a rare surname. There was even a duke in the old Guste Empire named Carlerdia. As for someone I know personally — yes, there is a gentleman named Rhein Carlerdia."
Could Rhein be some kind of dark creature, related to this viscount?
The reason he hadn't made the connection before was that the surname was far too common — much like on Earth, when Lucian met someone surnamed "Li," he wouldn't immediately assume they were cousins of Brother Qiang.
"Silver hair, silver eyes?" Butler Nide, who rarely spoke when his master was talking, turned around to ask Lucian.
Lucian nodded: "You know Mr. Rhein?"
Viscount Carlerdia pressed his forehead and sighed: "Of course. He is my grandfather — at least by the reckoning of human kinship. Though he has always been irresponsible about his own descendants, abandoning them without a second thought."
"Truly..." Lucian silently completed the thought, "...fate brings those destined to meet across a thousand miles." And in that instant he felt an absurd sensation of his generational status soaring upward — after all, he and Rhein were on friendly terms as equals.
Seeing that the Professor knew Viscount Carlerdia's grandfather, Felipe became even more certain of his strength and arcane caliber. A descendant of that caliber meant Mr. Rhein was at minimum a high-ranking vampire, and a Professor with such a friend could hardly be lacking in ability.
"I must ask, Professor — do you know where my grandfather is currently?" Viscount Carlerdia gazed at Lucian with bright, intent eyes.
Lucian paused for a moment: "The last time I saw Mr. Rhein was in Altor. As for his present whereabouts, I'm afraid I have no idea."
"Thank you, Professor. Heh heh — since you know my grandfather, why not stay on as a guest at the castle?" Viscount Carlerdia extended a warm invitation.
How could Lucian possibly stay? Having achieved his objective by sheer surprise, this was the best opportunity to leave. He would not dare pin his hopes on the 'family connection' between Viscount Carlerdia and Rhein — if they truly had a close relationship, why had Rhein apparently never returned to the castle? "I appreciate your generosity, Viscount, but I'm in no mood to remain here. Besides, I have other tasks to attend to."