Overpowered Archmage Doesn’t Hide His Talent

Chapter 147:

Translator: MarcTempest

Proofreader: naturallyInconsistent

Chapter 147: Did you wait long?

A day after Isaac collapsed, the mansion was in chaos.

“…”

In the training ground of the mansion, Trixie was lost in complex thoughts.

She was relieved that Isaac had not died, but he had asked for Flan instead of her as soon as he regained consciousness.

He had quickly demanded to be taken to his room.

“He must have a lot to talk about.”

It had been half a day since Flan entered Isaac’s room.

Meanwhile, Trixie, his daughter, was given a cold shoulder.

Isaac had sent a message through a maid that he did not want to see Trixie’s face.

He said he would not have any contact with her until she completed the ‘Melted Flame’.

“Am I just a means to an end?”

A means for Isaac’s immortality.

A convenient tool.

A doll that obeyed him.

She had many questions, but all she could do was train to manifest the ‘Melted Flame’.

She had to decipher the tombstone as soon as possible, or Isaac would die.

And she could only ask him why if he was alive.

There were two things she needed to decipher the tombstone.

First, a magic book with the translation.

Second, the Melted Flame.

“Sigh…”

But she soon sighed.

She had only failed so far.

She would have some hope if she saw some progress, but she had failed miserably.

That was when it happened.

“Miss!”

A maid rushed into the training ground with an urgent voice.

“Miss! Miss Trixie!”

“What is it?”

“So, someone is here.”

“Send them away.”

Trixie unconsciously furrowed her brows.

Since the lord had collapsed, von Fritz was not receiving any guests. She had closed the doors to the outside completely.

But the maid looked embarrassed.

“The thing is… the person who came…”

As she looked at the maid’s expression, something came to her mind.

Could it be?

Trixie hardened her face.

◈

Trixie quickly moved to visit the scene.

The mansion.

In other words, the heart of the von Fritz family.

Von Fritz’s name was not low among the mages.

There were not many who could visit them confidently, knowing that.

The first was the royal family. And if it was not the royal family…

“Who is it?”

“…”

The maid avoided Trixie’s gaze. But rather, that action was enough of an answer.

The moment she confirmed her guess in her mind, a commotion came from the direction of the main gate.

“Please wait a moment.”

“Von Fritz is not receiving any guests right now…”

Trixie hardened her face as she saw the maids desperately holding someone back. It was clear from their reaction. Her guess was right.

‘Of all times.’

Trixie steeled herself and took a deep breath. She had to do well in this situation, not anyone else.

“I’ll greet them.”

“Y-You, miss?”

Trixie walked toward the main gate.

As expected, the maids were surrounding five people.

Among them, the one who stood out was the woman in the middle.

She looked like Trixie. But she had snow-white hair. Snow-white skin. Snow-white eyes.

Except for the color, she was similar to her in everything. Trixie knew very well who she was.

“Everyone, step back.”

“Miss Trixie!”

The maids finally stepped back with relieved faces.

As the fence made by their bodies disappeared, the snow-white group approached Trixie slowly.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Trixie. Well, is this enough for a greeting?”

The person in the middle of the five bowed casually and Trixie bowed politely.

The next moment, their eyes met in the air.

“Yes. Miss April.”

The name of the woman who seemed to be dyed in snow-white was April.

She was her cousin sister.

‘The eldest daughter of my uncle…’

It was a ridiculous thing.

That a relative’s breath could have such a strong influence on a family that was doing well.

But if the family name was ‘von Fritz’, the story changed.

In this family, where rank and power are determined by the strength of fire, April, who can wield white flame, is an undeniable existence.

Such a woman has boldly visited the mansion at this time.

‘She must have done it on purpose.’

It doesn’t seem like a coincidence. 

It must be a thoroughly calculated inevitability.

The first one to break the silence was Trixie.

“It’s been a long time. I’m sorry for the poor hospitality, since I didn’t hear any notification in advance.”

Of course, the real meaning behind her words was to criticize April for ignoring von Fritz’s will and brazenly entering. But April didn’t show any reaction.

“Don’t worry about that. If I don’t like it, I’ll just burn it all down.”

“Are you saying you’ll burn it all down right now?”

“Yeah.”

April, who didn’t care at all, kept looking around.

Her gaze was clearly aimed at Isaac’s bedroom, so Trixie quickly added.

“Let’s talk in the reception room first. I’ll prepare some tea…”

“The head of the family, he collapsed from illness, didn’t he?”

April cut off Trixie’s words. 

Trixie had to control her emotions well.

‘How did she find out?’

It hadn’t been a day since Isaac collapsed.

But the fact that she already knew that showed how capable April was, and how much she had been watching the family’s movements.

“Answer me, Trixie. Is that not true?”

April urged.

“The head of the family is a bit tired right now.”

“It doesn’t seem like he’s just a bit tired. You’re his daughter, but you don’t care about your dad at all, do you?”

Trixie didn’t waver at the taunts or sarcasm.

She would be dragged in if she got excited. She had to figure out the other’s intention first.

“I was thinking of doing a verification soon. But since the head of the family is unwell, I’m sad.”

Trixie’s eyebrows twitched at the word verification.

“Verification?”

“Yeah.”

April smirked.

“You’re in the magic department, aren’t you? You’ve been praised as a genius, right?”

“Yes.”

“I was worried about you. I wanted to verify if the next head of the family was going to the academy to meet boys or to learn magic.”

Trixie bit her lower lip.

The verification of the von Fritz family was simple. 

Two people fought with fire, and the winner was declared ‘verified’.

But verification was very important. It was obvious. 

The verified one would inherit the head of the family’s position.

‘When dad was healthy, she didn’t even show her face.’

A few years ago, April lost to Isaac and left for the central continent’s great forest to train.

…That’s what she heard, but she showed up right now?

‘Liar.’

She must have been waiting for this time.

“Let’s do it next time. The head of the family is too tired to respond to the verification. And I’ve never gone anywhere to meet boys.”

“Wow… You’ve become so wicked while I haven’t seen you. Trixie.”

April frowned.

“I’m not going to verify the head of the family, but you. You’re getting married, aren’t you?”

Trixie’s eyes shook slightly.

‘She knew that too?’

How long had she been watching and where had she hidden her eyes and ears? 

She was flustered.

“That’s…”

“Trixie, are you nervous? Relax.”

April smiled and patted Trixie’s shoulder.

“It’s over when you prove your skills. If you succeed in the verification, you’ll become the head of the family, and live happily with your husband. It’s not that hard. Right?”

Trixie swallowed dry saliva.

She still couldn’t beat April’s fire.

She had no choice but to say the predetermined words.

“That’s a lie. I’m not getting married.”

“Ha ha─.”

April burst into laughter.

“Trixie. Do you really want to do this?”

“I’m telling the truth.”

“I see.”

April nodded twice and slowly approached. 

She rested her chin on Trixie’s shoulder and whispered quietly.

“Hey.”

A cold voice.

“…You crazy bitch. Are you insane? Did you think I wouldn’t know that you were buying time with marriage as an excuse while the head of the family was down?”

April smiled kindly and stepped back a few steps.

“Did I say something harsh without realizing it? I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“Yeah. It should be okay. But, as far as I know, there are also magic department representatives in this mansion right now…”​April clicked her tongue.

“They don’t even show up when their friend is treated like this. Are they all cowards or what?”​“Miss April.”

“No. I get it. I’ll even praise them. Cowards are the ones who survive the longest. But.”​April placed her hand on the wall of the mansion.​“…I just hate cowards, that’s all.”​Her hand on the wall glowed white, and at the same time, the whole mansion heated up rapidly.​It was enough to make mirages appear. ​“…!”​Trixie tried to forcibly pull her hand away, but April was faster and withdrew her hand herself.​“Trixie, it was just a joke, a joke. Just a greeting, okay?”​“…Don’t ever do that again.”

“What will you do if I do it again? By the way, don’t you have any pride? You’re not coming out even in this situation?”​Right then.​Clack─​A clear sound of shoes that pierced the ears.​Clack─ Clack─​The steady pace of his walk tilted the balance of the space.​Clack─ Clack─​A scent of luxury that lingered at the tip of his nose.

A tall man was walking towards this place from afar.​Only his surroundings seemed like a different world. His aura spread out and cut off the previous atmosphere.​The elegant chandelier of the von Fritz mansion.​His face, illuminated by the light, had red eyes that flickered. His nose and chin were sharp enough to cut paper.​He took away the attention of others as if it was natural.

He was worthy of being called ‘noble’.​He stood next to Trixie.​He looked down at the blue girl and uttered in a gentle tone.​“Did you wait long?”​It was a very short remark, but it was perfect for saving Trixie from her predicament.​“…”​April lost her words as she looked at the man.

She dissected every corner of him, as if to ‘deconstruct’ him.​Soon, April’s throat tightened.​She couldn’t take her eyes off Flan for a moment, and she didn’t even blink.​“…”​April, at some point.​Quietly, she swept her side hair behind her ear.