血王:夜王朝

Chapter16:国王的思想

"Really, it's only been a few days since the start of term and you've already caused such a stir, always so eye-catching," Newt Swainborn, the sixty-four-year-old dean of Moonglow Academy, sat in his office chair, stroking his beard and looking at the young girl standing straight opposite him with a helpless expression.

"Hehe, I didn't expect it to turn out this way, and it's not really my intention. My goal is to study quietly and make progress," Rachel replied with a dry laugh.

"Ah, well, that's what youth is all about, right?" Swainborn shook his head and looked past Rachel at the two dolls standing quietly behind her, known as Ram and Rem, high-grade dolls with incredible appearances. "What happened that allows you to drive them so effortlessly? That complex magical circuitry is a bit of a headache even for an old man like me. One might say doll makers aren't normal people."

"Although that's true, it sounds strange coming from the dean," Rachel commented, then turned to look at Ram and Rem. "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you the specific reason. Even my sister Belial doesn't know. It's a major secret of mine, but one thing is certain now: a shortcoming that has troubled and limited me is gone."

"Oh, what's that?" Swainborn wasn't upset by Rachel's secrecy. Everyone has a few secrets, especially when it comes to one's strength and magical power, which are matters of life and death and should not be casually disclosed. What piqued Swainborn's curiosity was the shortcoming Rachel mentioned.

"Magical power. My magical power is at the lowest limit among my peers, barely enough to use magic. If it weren't for my passable control, I wouldn't even be able to cast a spell. This has always been a problem that I couldn't fundamentally solve," Rachel explained earnestly.

"Hmm, that's true," Swainborn nodded in agreement.

For those who wield magic, magical power is the foundation, the basis, and the most important element. Control can only be maximized on the basis of having magical power. If one's magical power is minimal, even with extraordinary control, it would still be insufficient. The primary issue is magical power.

Rachel's magical power was not only the lowest in Moonglow Academy but also in other academies within the imperial capital's academic district. Logically, the academy would not accept someone like Rachel and might even advise her to give up on the profession of magic.

"Now, I no longer have to worry about my magical power," Rachel said with newfound confidence.

Swainborn took a sip of tea from the cup on his desk and gestured for Rachel to continue.

"Words might be too vague, so let's be direct," Rachel said, releasing her suppression of her own magical power. With a crack, the wooden floor beneath her feet immediately split, and the table near Swainborn developed a clear crack.

"Pff," Swainborn couldn't help but spit out the tea he was drinking. Rachel quickly jumped away from that spot.

"Dean, don't spit around like that, it's impolite," Rachel protested with a touch of annoyance. Swainborn's expression turned serious in an instant. He put down his cup, got up, and walked over to Rachel.

"Such a thing could actually happen," Swainborn muttered, recalling the brief burst of magical power he had just felt. It was not something a human should possess. This thought naturally emerged and then uncontrollably spread.

"Dean, even if you look at me like that, I can't tell you the specific reason. To be honest, I'm also very confused. I don't know why this has happened," Rachel said, unable to provide an explanation.

"Is that so?" Swainborn looked at Rachel with an indecisive gaze, his thoughts seemingly turning.

"Um, well, I just remembered that there's something very important to do in the student council. I have to go first. If there's anything, just call me, that's all," Rachel said hurriedly, feeling a bit uncomfortable under Swainborn's gaze. She then quickly left without looking back.

Swainborn did not stop her, but remained standing there with a struggling and hesitant expression. After a while, he murmured, "It seems I need to report to the king."

Moonglow Academy is a school personally supervised by the king and represents something special. As the dean, Swainborn has the right to enter and leave the palace at any time, unless the king is sleeping or thinking, in which case Swainborn can still go to the palace without reporting.

This time, the situation was urgent and too bizarre, and Swainborn did not dare to delay. After Rachel left, he immediately took a carriage to the palace. No matter how urgent it was, the necessary procedures had to be followed, such as inspection by the guards, body search, and reporting. A series of procedures took an hour and a half.

"Newt Swainborn, dean of Moonglow Academy, pays his respects to His Majesty," led by a maid, Swainborn arrived at the palace's backyard. At this time, the king had just finished the morning court and was taking a walk here.

"Well, Swainborn, no need for formalities. We are old friends. Why go through such trouble? You could have just come in directly. The privilege I gave you is for you to use, not to be placed aside as a decoration," Tris Von Gulrich, the twenty-fifth monarch of the Moonglow Empire, is ten years younger than Swainborn. The two had served together in the military when they were young and were very good friends. The king was holding a book that he had turned to the end, seemingly reading some information.

"That's true, but rules are rules," Swainborn stood up from the ground and said with his head down.

"Ha, still so stubborn. Time has not eroded your character but seems to have intensified it," the king chuckled, finished reading the last page carefully, then put down the book and turned to Swainborn. "So, at this moment, what's the urgent matter that brings you to see me in such a hurry?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, the candidate with a clean background, no political affiliations, and no greed for power that you asked me to look for, I think I have found."

"Hmm," the king's originally indifferent smile suddenly changed, waved for the surrounding attendants to retreat, and then said seriously, "Explain in detail."

"Yes, she is the current student council president of Moonglow, with a sister who has difficulty with her legs, and..."

"Ah, discovery."

After reporting the details, Swainborn took his leave, leaving the king alone to ponder. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew by, followed by a girl carrying a fresh fragrance who pounced on the king from behind. The king's expression was first startled, then, feeling who it was, immediately showed a smile.

"Is it Niya? My little princess, what makes you so happy? Tell your father and make him happy too."

"Hehe, look, isn't it cute? I bought it yesterday," Svaniya jumped down and ran to the king, raising the Hatsune Miku doll in her hand; "And, I also saw something very fun. Let me dance it for my father." Imitating Rachel's dance movements, Svaniya clumsily kicked a few times, looking very funny because she couldn't find the knack.

"Damn, why can't I do it? It looks so simple."

"Hahaha, very good, very good, it's already very good," the king reached out and stroked the princess's head, smiling gently. Seeing his daughter's bright and lively innocent smile, the king thought of the candidate named Rachel mentioned by Swainborn before, and an idea began to take shape.