Witch Training Manual: My Water Magic Is Wrong

Wayne got into Dirk's carriage.

Dirk sat down opposite Wayne, and after the carriage started moving again, he spoke: "Young Master, in the years since you left the capital, the biggest change in the city is that everything has changed."

Wayne leaned back in his seat and didn't interrupt him.

Dirk continued, "The main reason is His Majesty the King's immense power. His own condition directly influences the power structure of the capital."

Dirk is telling the truth.

Seven years ago, the King single-handedly defeated the Holy See of St. Hilde, forcing them to cease their interference in Wiggins' affairs. That year, the Wiggins Papacy's status changed from "vassal" to "equal." This was not achieved through diplomatic maneuvering or economic leverage, but simply because the King's mere presence deterred the Knights of St. Hilde from crossing the border.

However, Wayne knew all of this.

Dirk changed the subject: "Young Master, do you remember the 'rejuvenation' wave that swept through the entire capital a few months ago?"

Wayne nodded.

He certainly remembered King Antep III's "ageless beauty" spell that covered the entire city. During that time, women throughout the capital flocked to the streets like madmen, bathing in the magical light. The scope and duration of that spell were unprecedented in the history of Wiggins.

Dirk lowered his voice, his tone tinged with obvious caution: "But now, that bit of magic has worn off. Some of the women on the streets of the capital who had regained their youthful appearance have reverted to their original state. So people are starting to say that His Majesty the King is ill."

Wayne's gaze shifted slightly.

Dirk continued, "The situation in the capital now is far more complex than it was when you left. The old guard has seized this opportunity to resurge and is making constant covert moves. Some have even raised the slogan of 'divine right of kings,' advocating that the Papacy should reclaim its oversight of the kingdom's affairs. In short, they want to limit royal power and redefine the power boundaries between the Papacy and the king."

After listening, Wayne remained silent for a moment, then asked, "So, is the king actually ill?"

Dirk shook his head: "I don't know. Nobody knows the real news. All the medical records inside the palace are sealed off, and even the Marquis can't get any definite information. All we know is that the King hasn't made a public appearance for weeks."

The panel popped up at this point.

[Antip III - Current Status]

[Status: Dementia.]

[Note: His magical talent is excessively powerful. His outward appearance resembles dementia, but it is not a disease; rather, it is a forced dormancy resulting from the over-circulation of magical energy within his body.]

[Note: The Millennium Purple Sun is approaching, and the instinct for survival has caused the king to suppress his magical abilities. His current state resembles a deliberate disguise, presenting himself as harmless to reduce the attention of certain beings.]

[Note 2: Currently, only two people in the entire capital know this truth: one is Queen Evelyn, and the other is you. The Queen chose you because you are the most suitable pawn in her hands in this upcoming power reshuffle.]

Wayne looked at the panel and felt a headache coming on.

"...That's true, they never give us a moment's peace."

He had initially thought that returning to the capital would at most involve dealing with his cheapskate father's arrangements, having a few cups of tea with Professor Cecil, submitting his performance report, and then settling down for a few days of peace. Now it seemed that the capital was far more treacherous than he had imagined.

Seeing him speak, Dirk assumed he was worried about the situation in the capital and offered words of comfort: "Young master, there's no need to worry too much. Although the Marquis may not have acted in a very dignified manner in some things, he is serious about protecting you. Once you return to the capital, as long as you stay in the Marquis's mansion, no matter how rampant the old guard is, they won't dare to openly lay a hand on a marquis's son."

Wayne leaned against the carriage wall and after hearing Dirk say, "The Marquis will protect you," a slight twitch appeared on his lips.

"Dirk."

"Young master, please speak."

Wayne turned his head: "You can't be unaware of how much of that old man's marquisate is genuine, can you?"

Dirk opened his mouth, but didn't reply immediately.

Wayne continued, "How did he get this marquisate? He has no fiefdom, no real power, and even the marquisate's expenses have to be covered by royal business profits. To put it bluntly, it's just a nicer-sounding empty shell."

Dirk remained silent.

He certainly knew the weight of the Marquis title. He had worked in the Marquis's mansion for most of his life, and he knew the accounts, connections, and actual influence of the mansion better than anyone. Every word Wayne said was true. The Marquis's mansion's prestige in the capital relied on the occasional favor of Her Majesty the Queen and Lynch's old connections among his acquaintances. If faced with a direct confrontation, that wall would crumble at the slightest push.

"Besides," Wayne added, "you're saying the old man will protect me? Are you kidding me?"

Dirk's expression froze for a moment.

"It's good enough that he doesn't cause me any trouble."

After saying that, Wayne didn't continue, but his meaning was clear enough.

Dirk sat opposite him, then lowered his head in shame: "...Young Master is right. I had been thinking too simply."

It was evening.

The carriage slowed down at the entrance to a small town.

Dirk lifted the carriage curtain and glanced out, then turned to Wayne and said, "Young Master, we're just ahead in Pace Town. We'll rest here tonight and set off again early tomorrow morning. We should reach the capital by evening."

Wayne looked out the car window.

The town is small, but it is quite well-maintained. At the entrance stands a wooden sign with the words "Peis Town" engraved on it, and the edge of the sign is also carved with a fine pattern.

Dirk was clearly not a first-timer in Pace. As the carriage moved further in, he explained things to Wayne:

"Young master, this town of Pes may not be big, but it's quite famous along the main road from Bellino to the capital. Its most distinctive feature is... it's quite different from other places."

Wayne raised an eyebrow: "How are they different?"

Dirk's expression became subtle, and he carefully chose his words: "Well... Pace Town... it has another name in the surrounding area, called 'Widow Town'."

"Widow Town?"

"Hmm." Dirk nodded. "There are several times more women than men in this town. Most of the men don't live very long; they either died in wars when they were young, had accidents while doing business, or... died from overwork."

After listening, Wayne nodded thoughtfully: "Does that mean many women are widowed?"

Dirk coughed lightly. "So... the people in this town are relatively... open-minded. When you get off the car, young master, if any overly enthusiastic ladies strike up a conversation with you, don't worry too much. Just politely decline. They don't mean any harm; they're just... a bit direct."

After listening, Wayne felt that there was probably a lot of hidden information behind Dirk's words "relatively direct".

"...So you mean, someone might come knocking on my door tonight?"

"It's not possible."

Dirk looked at him with unwavering certainty.

"Absolutely. Young Master, your face is like honey thrown into a beehive when you enter Peisi Town; everyone who sees it will want to lick it."