Further tragedies were averted, the student was released, and the sun rose as usual.

The Granor Family’s residence was once again bustling with guests.

"The date for the Noble Conference has been set. We need to quicken our pace." Granor was growing impatient. If he could attend this grand gathering of influential figures representing two-thirds of the mages in the Holy Kingdom, his standing within both the Magic Guild and the Nobility would become unprecedentedly significant.

Of course, even if he didn’t attend as a representative of the mages, his title as a Count would still grant him entry. The weight he carried, however, would be completely different.

Having tasted power, he now craved more. The former explorer among mages had grown soft, indulging in the game of controlling others’ fates and reveling with the ruling class.

"Why isn’t Gerard here?" A mage from the "Noble Faction" glanced around at his confederates, noticing that attendance was a bit sparse today. For weak-willed opportunists, the number of co-conspirators was a crucial component of their confidence.

The mention of his name made Granor fume. Gerard de Villefort had been the most eager to pledge his loyalty, which was why Granor had entrusted the investigation team to him in the first place.

But the man proved incompetent, submitting a toothless report. Fortunately, two former school directors, both High Masters, had produced an embellished memoir, which was more than enough to incriminate and discredit Kano’s two students.

Granor’s face darkened. "Mr. Vilfort went to the hunting grounds today. He already requested leave from me. But there are others who haven’t shown up..." He mentally ran through the guest list. ’And the Fernans, father and son. It’s just as well they’re not here. Those two love to dabble in unorthodox practices and don’t know how to be discreet. They’re bound to cause trouble sooner or later. In my opinion, it’s for the best they stay away!’

Everyone nodded in agreement. "Lord Earl is wise!" "The Guild Master has a point." "Yes, yes, we wouldn’t want to associate with their kind..."

The air filled with cheerful bonhomie.

Granor gave a few more important instructions before finally rising to his feet. "Leonel has cut himself off from us. If I can take his place, I will not neglect any of you here today!"

A smattering of sparse applause echoed through the small meeting room.

...

After the successful rescue, Rorschach asked about Andre’s condition. The young man himself claimed he was fine.

Rorschach stood before him, noticing that Andre winced whenever he moved, as if he were injured somewhere.

"I set myself on fire to break free from the ropes." That was all he could do at the time.

’You’re that reckless?’ Rorschach sighed and cast a healing spell on him. A blue light enveloped him, and in a moment, the injury was healed without leaving any burn scars. "My apologies. I should have checked on you immediately."

The main reason was that Andre’s adrenaline had been surging during the emergency, making him seem perfectly energetic and leading Rorschach to overlook his burns.

"It was nothing serious. I didn’t want to trouble you."

Andre first recounted his experience at the research building, then slept after receiving Rorschach’s healing. Early the next morning, Rorschach personally escorted him home.

After mother and son embraced, Andre’s mother bowed repeatedly to Rorschach. "Thank you, thank you so much!"

"No, it was our oversight that put Andre in danger." Rorschach couldn’t bring himself to say that the kidnappers had turned out to be mages. "Andre, get some rest for now. The Alchemy Department is aware of the situation, so come back when you’ve recovered." Then, using the Communication Skill, he spoke to Andre alone. "Remember to persuade your parents to move. Come back to the research building after you’ve relocated. If money is an issue, come to me."

Andre nodded, and Rorschach left before he could reply.

Andre’s father had been watching from the inner room. When Andre entered, his father walked up to him without a word. His eyes scanned his son from head to toe, and he let out a sigh of relief after confirming he was unharmed.

"You’re all right?" his father finally asked, his voice dry.

Andre nodded and replied just as drily, "I’m all right."

"You should move out."

"?" Andre hadn’t expected his father to say such a thing. His heart sank.

His father ignored his son’s crestfallen expression and continued, "Your mother and I are ordinary people. The weak must rely on a benevolent church. You’re stronger than us. You’re educated and have Magic Talent. Now that a great mage is willing to help you, you must be grateful and cherish the opportunity."

"Our family is what it is. We can’t help you; in fact, we’re a burden. What will the great mage think when he learns our whole family are followers of the Lord of Order? Don’t let us ruin your future."

"Andre, since you can earn your own money now, you should rent a place in the city center. If you live alone, a smaller apartment won’t be as much of a burden. You’ll be closer to the mages, safer during your commute, and you can be on call to make a good impression. After a few years of hard work, you’ll have a good life, one we could never have dreamed of..."

Andre choked up. He never knew his usually taciturn father could say so much at once. He, who was always so articulate when arguing with his father, now stammered as he tried to refute his father’s "ridiculous" idea:

"What are you saying, Dad? Even if I lived in the Royal Palace by myself, what would be the point? How could I live with a clear conscience?"

He explained to his father again and again that Rorschach had known he came from a Church school back when he first became his teacher, and had never interfered with his or his family’s faith. He insisted he would not be held back by them.

Andre’s father was still stuck in his stereotypes, believing the Magic Guild and the Order Church to be mortal enemies. Of course, this conflict was institutional, not personal. Rorschach would never target an individual for believing in the Lord of Order; even Master Kano himself had been known to chat amiably with Archbishop Dipresy.

"Let’s move back to our old home," Andre finally said, having convinced his father to stop trying to second-guess the mage’s intentions. He proposed they move, which was, in fact, what Rorschach had wanted him to do—not to draw a line between himself and his parents who believed in the Lord of Order. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

His father was still hesitant. "But I’ve already lost my job at the newspaper. I need to find odd jobs around here."

Andre took out the business card Rorschach had given him. "Master Rorschach gave me this card. He said if you go to the ’Hercules’ company, you’ll be offered a stable job."

...

"Rorschach, Rorschach!" Pascal was waiting for his junior at the entrance of the research building. "Did you get Andre home safely?"

"Yeah."

Pascal looked at him strangely. "Sometimes I think... you’re a little too concerned about him."

"Am I? A Sage from the East once said: ’A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime.’" The saying served as a reminder for students to be grateful, and for teachers to be responsible for their students.

Rorschach’s true intention, however, was his hope that Andre would become deeply involved in the operation of the "reactor" in the Alchemy Department. When Bayern built its own power supply facility, he would need a trustworthy and capable person like Andre to manage it for him.

Pascal clapped his hands. "Then you should say that to Master Kano. That way, we’d both have a Chief Mage for a father. Wouldn’t that be great?" With that, he grabbed Rorschach’s hand. "Come on, come on. Our Great Mage godfather is looking for his favorite son."

As soon as the two of them entered the room, they saw that Kano wore a very unpleasant expression. Fortunately, the Great Mage’s anger wasn’t directed at his students. He produced an exquisite-looking ultimatum.

"Tomorrow morning, the two of you will face a public inquiry from the Aurora Elder Council. I will attend with you. Yes, that includes you, Pascal!"

He closed the document from the Guild. "Or should I say... Mr. Thor?"