The Crown Prince Who Raises a Side Character
Chapter 86: Librarian Ernest (7). The Archmage’s New Disciple

A disciple of the archmage.

Just how skilled would such a person be?

They say a disciple is destined to one day surpass their master. Even if not right away, shouldn’t they at least be a rank or so beneath them?

To go straight to the conclusion: that wasn’t the case.

At least for the disciples of Delphinaris Weinhardt, it was true that their skills were somewhat underwhelming compared to their master’s.

Delphinaris herself was a 6th-Rank mage.

However, more than half of her disciples were only 3rd-Rank, and even those considered exceptional barely reached 4th-Rank.

None had stepped into 5th-Rank, let alone the 6th.

Some speculated that this was because Delphinaris had too many disciples.

Trying to teach dozens of students alone meant limited time and attention for each one, and this, they claimed, was why her disciples failed to reach higher levels.

In other nations, there were even malicious rumors that Delphinaris was simply incompetent as a teacher, or that she deliberately stunted her disciples’ growth to avoid being surpassed and thus preserve her own standing.

“Ridiculous.”

Librarian Ernеst flatly rejected such claims.

“Delphinaris places immense importance on the fundamentals. Her disciples may appear to grow slowly, but that’s because she invests a great deal of time into laying a solid foundation.”

Just as warriors view the 4th-Rank—where aura manifestation becomes possible—as the line between ordinary and superhuman, mages also consider the 4th-Rank special, as it’s the stage where mana develops a unique property.

This perception isn’t entirely without basis.

Even with the same steel sword, one reinforced with aura can destroy the other in a few strikes, and a spell cast by a mage who has awakened their mana’s property is far more potent and efficient than that of one who hasn’t.

Because of this, many mentors focused solely on raising their disciples’ ranks.

For knights, that meant ignoring structured swordplay or physical training and focusing entirely on internal energy cultivation. For mages, it meant fixating on a single attribute—like fire or ice—and prematurely locking in their mana’s property.

But Delphinaris rejected this kind of rank-chasing. Instead, she required her disciples to learn as many spells as possible and to deeply study the utility and principles behind each one.

Even if a disciple was destined to specialize in a specific attribute, she insisted that such decisions should come only after thoroughly exploring and experiencing everything—not out of impatience to climb the ranks.

Her philosophy was that magic isn’t just something you “use,” but something you must truly make your own.

“This approach might make growth look slow in the short term, but the higher a mage’s skill becomes, the more dramatically it pays off. Like how a house built on solid ground can be bigger and more stable.”

“Hmph.”

The archdemon, who had been quietly listening to Ernеst’s explanation, let out a nasal huff.

“Even if what you’re saying is true, how many experts out there actually understand and acknowledge that?”

No matter how thorough Delphinaris’s educational method was, to the outside world, she remained a teacher who had never produced a single 5th-Rank mage.

She bore the title of Archmage, so there were few foolish enough to openly criticize or mock her. But even rumors whispered behind her back could cause tremendous pressure and discomfort.

Even if she ignored it at first and stayed her course—what if that went on for decades?

“It’s not easy for someone preparing for the twilight of life to suddenly admit, ‘Everything I insisted on was wrong!’ and change course. But if she’s desperately searching for something—or someone—to prove she was right all along, that wouldn’t be so strange. Don’t you think?”

Ernеst didn’t deny Lucidra’s words.

He merely stared at her with a calm gaze.

“Did you discover something?”

Lucidra admired, once again, how quick on the uptake he was.

And she said:

“There’s the scent of one of my kind.”

***

Delphinaris Weinhardt’s estate was as traditional as they come.

It looked almost exactly like what you’d imagine when hearing the words “home of an archmage.”

A tall, wide, green hill overlooking the city from afar.

A majestic and mystical façade made of a blend of wood and brick.

Gray smoke rising from the chimney.

Its location made accessibility a nightmare, but even so, visitors seeking out Delphinaris’s estate were never in short supply.

Whether to send a family member as a disciple or to request her help as a mage in times of need, maintaining good relations with her was considered incredibly important.

But on this particular day, when Delphinaris’s disciples were gathering at her home, even those regular guests didn’t loiter nearby.

Everyone in the kingdom knew that Ravellocia’s living national treasure cherished her disciples dearly and valued the time she spent with them above all else.

“It’s been a while, hyung. I heard your fur business is doing well lately—you’re looking radiant.”

“Oh, please. I should be saying that to you, Philip. I heard your family discovered a new iron mine. Congratulations.”

“Huh? Your brooch... is that from the Guillaume atelier? That must’ve been hard to get. Wasn’t it a bit much?”

“Oh, come on, this is nothing. You, on the other hand, wear your jewelry with such class. I guess vintage pieces really are on another level.”

The disciples were no different—some of them were tangled in rivalries outside, but within their master’s home, they refrained from outright hostility.

They still took occasional jabs and made sarcastic remarks, but nothing beyond light jabs—nothing serious.

“Eris, are you still planning to go to Sky Academy after graduation? You know, the place where less than half the students make it through. Maybe it’s time to reconsider? Our family is recruiting mages right now, as it happens...”

“I’m fine, sunbae. I’ve already made my decision.”

At Eris’s calm yet firm reply, the alum who had been making the offer momentarily revealed a flicker of irritation and anger—before quickly masking it.

“Is that so? Well, if you ever change your mind, let me know.”

Eris watched the alumnus leave with a pleasant smile on his face and a polite farewell, her own expression utterly impassive.

Professor Mary gave her a light pat on the shoulder.

“You’re working hard. I can see now why you try not to get involved with the others unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

“Well... at least here, everyone keeps it clean and doesn’t cling too much.”

“That’s only because no one wants to look bad in front of our master.”

Though the youngest of Delphinaris’s disciples, Eris was among the top ten in terms of skill.

And considering that all those ranked above her were over fifty years old, the fact that Eris—barely in her early twenties—had reached this level was nothing short of extraordinary.

She was considered the only one among Delphinaris’s disciples with a real shot at reaching 5th-Rank, and because of that, many sought to win her over as an ally.

Some, baffled that she would risk such a dangerous path despite having a guaranteed future ahead, couldn’t understand her.

But Eris merely scoffed at their objections.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Political power? A cushy life path? All unnecessary and useless.

She had a clear goal: to reach great heights as a mage and be acknowledged by her master.

Reaching 5th-Rank someday?

That wasn’t nearly enough.

At the very least, she needed to reach the 6th-Rank—the same as her master—before she could truly say she’d been acknowledged.

Murmur, murmur.

As Eris was deep in thought, a commotion broke out in one part of the estate, and a woman emerged from a room deeper inside.

A brown-haired woman with a warm, thoughtful demeanor.

Archmage Delphinaris didn’t climb onto some podium to give a grand speech. Instead, she immediately stepped down to greet each disciple personally.

“Welcome, Ron. How’s your wife’s health?”

“She’s much better, thanks to the medicine you sent. She couldn’t come in person, but she asked me to convey her thanks.”

“Kiol. Looks like you’ve put on weight. Didn’t I tell you to stop sitting at your desk all day and get some exercise?”

“Oh, master. I’m not as young as I used to be. I don’t have the energy to be running around anymore.”

“Viola! Your skill’s improved. I’m so glad your hard work is paying off.”

“It’s all thanks to your generous guidance, Master. I’ll continue to do my best.”

Each of the disciples carried their own thoughts and intentions, but in front of their master, they all behaved as meekly as lambs.

It wasn’t as though their actions were entirely free of political motive or calculation. After all, they were adults, far too old to be expressing pure childlike reverence.

However, it also wasn’t the case that they approached their master purely out of self-interest.

They had once spent their youth under her tutelage, building memories during those formative years.

At a glance, this gathering might have seemed like just another yearly tradition. But this time, there was something different.

At Delphinaris’s side.

A boy who looked to be around the same age as—or perhaps even younger than—Eris was sticking close to her like a baby bird following its mother.

Naturally, the disciples who had just greeted Delphinaris couldn’t help but take an interest in the boy.

“Oh ho, is this the new disciple?”

“Yes. He possesses truly excellent potential.”

Delphinaris’s unreserved affirmation drew mild surprise from the others.

The master they knew generally avoided making comparisons in front of her students, rarely ever saying things like “this one is more talented” or “that one is superior.”

Still, now that the newest member had joined them, it was only proper—as adults and as seniors—to offer him a warm welcome.

“Good to meet you. I look forward to working with you.”

“Ah. Yeah.”

“...?”

Those who greeted him were all left bewildered and uncomfortable.

The boy was extremely curt.

And it wasn’t the sort of awkward brevity born of nervousness when speaking to seniors or authority figures—it was a clear, undisguised expression of annoyance and disinterest.

They glanced questioningly at Delphinaris, but she only looked at the boy with eyes overflowing with affection.

It was the face of a grandparent who found everything their youngest grandchild did simply adorable.

It was rather absurd, but most of the disciples didn’t let it show.

Even if he was a cheeky brat, they could understand—he was just a kid. No one wanted to play the villain in front of their master.

But not everyone could let it slide so easily.

“You’re the adopted son of Count Grimloon, aren’t you? I’ve been watching you, and your attitude is quite inappropriate.”

Lafaire Zeppelin.

A young man in his late twenties, still relatively young among Delphinaris’s disciples, stepped forward.

“No matter how young and naïve you are, there are limits. You should understand that such rude behavior could bring dishonor to our master’s name.”

Delphinaris looked a little flustered at his pointed remark, but many of the other disciples reacted with inner satisfaction.

However, the boy’s reaction was something else entirely.

“You’re saying I dishonored our master? I don’t think that’s true.”

“It’s your attitude I’m talking about. Don’t you understand?”

“Isn’t it more of a disgrace to her name that someone who studied under her like you ended up with such mediocre skills?”

“Wh-what did you just say?!”

Lafaire’s face flushed deep red, and the other disciples scowled.

Even Delphinaris seemed to think that had gone too far and tried to intervene.

“That’s enough. ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) You’re being too harsh to your senior.”

“...Ah, I’m sorry, Master. I must’ve gotten carried away for a moment.”

The boy slouched, acting as though he was suddenly remorseful.

But Lafaire—and Eris, who stood in the same direction—clearly saw it.

From an angle invisible to Delphinaris, the boy flashed Lafaire a mocking smirk.

Lafaire exploded.

“Master, please don’t stop me! For the sake of my family’s and my own honor, I must correct this brat’s insolence here and now!”

“Calm down, Lafaire. He’s still just a child.”

“No, it’s fine, Master.”

The boy spoke to his master respectfully—but his voice carried unmistakable arrogance and sly malice.

“If my senior wishes to teach me something, I’ll gladly accept the lesson.”

“...! You’d better not take those words back later. Master, you hear him yourself—he agrees. Please allow a sparring match.”

“Indeed, Master. Seniors and juniors bonding through shared practice—it’s a wonderful thing, isn’t it?”

Since both parties insisted, and the other disciples voiced agreement, Delphinaris could no longer stop it.

***

Ernеst asked:

“So, in other words, there’s another demon nearby besides you?”

“It’s probably not the demon itself. The scent’s too faint. Most likely a contractor.”

***

“Guhh!”

Lafaire was hit squarely by a blast of mana fired by the boy and collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth.

While everyone looked on in shock, the boy tilted his head innocently and spoke to Lafaire.

“Is that the end of the lesson? I learned a lot.”

That so-called "thank you" made it all too obvious it was nothing more than mockery.

Eris’s eyes widened, trembling.