How could someone who had eaten an excessive amount of caramelized meat in a random tavern turn out to be both the Hauptmann of Silberschade’s Third Division and the best mentor in Einhartturm?
This was the same boy who had once joined a stranger in a play about caramelized meat without context or invitation.
That memory alone had been strange enough. But the fact that he held the rank of Hauptmann despite being only a little older than them had already shaken them to their core and now this?
They wanted to say something. Protest, laugh, anything to acknowledge how absurd this was.
But protocol held their voices in check.
Albrecht smiled,
"First lesson," he said. "Magic demands discipline. But too much restraint? That’s failure wearing a clean uniform. It blocks instinct. Makes you predictable. And it makes me bored."
He paused just long enough to make the silence uncomfortable.
"So speak normally. Think normally. Nothing you say here will ever leave this mansion. I trust Herr Halwen. And my staff? Let’s just say there’s no chance any of them will talk."
There was a beat of silence.
"Well then,” Lina said with all the composure she could manage, “WHAT THE HELL, ALB? HOW CAN YOU BE THE BEST MENTOR AROUND? DID YOU BRIBE SOMEONE TO CALL YOU THAT?"
Albrecht let out a sheepish laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Ahahaha... well..."
What was supposed to be a tense, formal meeting between mentor and students began to dissolve into something far stranger.
"And what on God’s green earth is wrong with this mansion?" Lina continued, gesturing wildly around the room. "Why are there so many statues? Why is everything so... flamboyantly disgusting?"
While Lina grilled him with rapid-fire questions, Vierna couldn’t help but smile. She even let out a soft laugh.
Halwen turned to her.
"You know him?"
"Yes. We met by chance in a tavern. He is the one I said constantly tease me and Lina hehe."
Halwen gave a faint nod, but Vierna saw a certain ember being lit in his dark cold eyes.
"Small world."
Then his tone sharpened slightly, cutting through the lingering humor.
Still, Vierna felt a certain relief. If people enjoyed themselves around her—laughing at her jokes and giving her chances—maybe they wouldn’t see her as useless. And so she would continue the fa?ade, hoping people would keep laughing whenever they were near her.
"Anyway," he said, "Albrecht graduated from Arkanpfad Academy at age fourteen. He’s been mentoring mages for the past three years."
"The Arkmarschall even entrusted him with both training and leading Silberschade’s Third Division. And as of now, they’re considered one of the strongest units in Einhartturm."
The room fell into a deep silence.
Despite his eccentricity, Albrecht was undeniably accomplished, even though he was only a little older than them. Both girls’ eyes widened, a spark lighting in their black irises. Their hearts quickened, thumping with a rising expectation.
Maybe learning from Albrecht wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
"Herr Halwen," Albrecht said with a playful edge, "it appears that it would be beneficial for us to demonstrate before diving into theory. What do you say? Would the Champion of Das Duelhaus honor me with a friendly sparring match?"
Both girls turned to stare at Halwen.
The same Halwen who usually looked more like a grumpy old scientist than a warrior…
The Champion of Das Duelhaus?
"Don’t be like that, Herr Albrecht. I haven’t fought in a proper match in maybe seven years. Surely I’m rusty by now."
"But think of it as a teaching opportunity. A real, visceral one. It’s crucial for us to demonstrate," Albrecht said, grinning.
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Halwen hesitated
“Aww, come on, Herr Albrecht. It would be a good opportunity for me too. If the mentor’s quality improves, then the students gain as well, right? Wouldn’t giving me a demonstration count toward that? You had that kind of thing in the research facility right?”
“It’s called improving pedagogical efficacy,” Halwen said. "Hmm... I suppose you’re right. Looking at practical application would benefit both girls.”
A crooked grin tugged at Albrecht’s lips, the kind that promised trouble before he even spoke.
“Very well. Let us proceed." Halwen said.
Albrecht clapped his hands.
"Splendid. Follow me to the sparring field. And please, pardon its rather small size. I need to save money, you see."
He said it while standing in a room lined with marble floors, flanked by statues, and gilded in gold-trimmed everything. For a man claiming to save money, he certainly owned more art than most national museums.
The four of them walked together down a long corridor toward the sparring field. Ornate windows cast long panes of sunlight across the polished floors, their footsteps echoing in a mix of quiet tension and newfound ease.
Lina glanced at her uncle.
"Uncle, I didn’t know you used to duel."
Albrecht turned toward her with a theatrical gasp.
"Lina is your niece?" He grinned. "How can you even function with such a cute niece around? If I were you, I’d spend all my time researching ways to prank her every day."
"You flatter me, Herr Albrecht," Halwen replied, tone flat as ever. "But please refrain from courting my niece. You’re probably third on the list of matches I’ve arranged for her."
He said it with complete seriousness.
“Hahaha! Too bad you chose the research facility over Silberschade, Herr Halwen. We could’ve used someone with your humor.” Albrecht walked backward, eyes fixed on Halwen’s unreadable face. “And honestly? If you had joined Silberschade, I doubt I’d be Hauptmann of the Third Division today.”
“Flattery won’t win me over, Herr Albrecht.” Halwen said, but he couldn’t fully hide his smile.
“Haha, oh well, since Lina is guarded by her vicious uncle,” Albrecht went on, “I suppose that makes Vierna my next target.”
“Vierna is also important to the facility,” Halwen interjected calmly. “So refrain from courting her too.”
“Hehe, too bad, Alb.” Vierna allowed herself a faint smile. “Though… maybe you’re only second on my list.”
“Haha, then who’s the first?” Albrecht asked.
“Probably Lina.”
Albrecht laughed. “Well Lina, don’t mind if I take your place~.”
“Ha, you wish.” Lina groaned, hugging Vierna’s arm. “She’s mine and always will be.”
“Hehe, I don’t know about that, Lina. Albrecht is charming after all.”
“Uncleeee!” Lina wailed, turning to Halwen for help in this matter of life and death.
Halwen didn’t reply, only allowed a faint smile. Watching the three children joke with each other was enough to kindle a dying ember that warmed his soul—at least until the time came when they would be asked to kill again.
“Haha, we’re getting off track. But to answer your question—yes, Lina, Halwen isn’t your everyday book hugger~. He even defeated Mage Pier at his peak. But the Arkmarschall saw something different in him. Instead of turning him into a warrior, they put him under scholarship. That was… what, nine, maybe ten years ago?”
Vierna tilted her head, curiosity slipping in.
She had heard of Mage Pier before, the founder of Das Duelhaus, a living legend in Reich dueling history.
“Hoh? You did your research on me it seems?” Halwen said.
"I only heard it from the previous Hauptmann.”
Lina asked quietly, "Then why the research facility, Uncle?"
"I believe in it.” Halwen said
Vierna could not miss this opportunity. To ask about Mage Pier from someone who had actually faced him in duel...
That was a rare chance.
"Herr Halwen, what was Mage Pier like at his peak?"
Halwen stroked his chin, as though drawing the memory out of a locked drawer.
"Pier was a remarkably talented mage. An exceptional pyromancer. His fire didn’t just burn, but it lingered, and the way he manipulate those flames while casting Eidrecht? That was no ordinary feat. To be honest, it was a close match. I won by luck."
"Don’t lie, Herr Halwen.” Albrecht said, “That Eidrecht #90 you cast at the last moment? That takes guts, something that Herr Pier really lack when it comes to risk taking mid duel.”
Halwen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Where did you hear that?"
"Herr Pier said it himself, we talked a few times during my duel in Das Duelhaus. It's a real shame I never got to face you there myself."
Halwen exhaled
"So this entire demonstration, this academic excuse... was just bait to lure me into the ring?"
"Busted."
Halwen folded his arms.
"Well then, I suppose it's time I taught my junior a lesson. Consider this your test."
"A test for what?"
Halwen’s tone stayed even.
"Let’s say... if you win, you move to rank one on Lina’s arranged suitor list."
Albrecht gasped dramatically.
"Wait—seriously? You’d let me date Lina?"
Halwen gave no answer. Just the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Ohhh now it’s on, Herr Halwen. You just turned a sparring match into a real duel."
"That would be excessive. But please, come at me with everything you have. It’s been a while."
Lina took a cautious step back.
"Uncle, would you kindly not use your beloved niece as a betting prize?"
Halwen didn’t turn.
"A bet? Haha. This isn’t a bet, Albrecht would bite the dust, my dear Lina."
"Ohhh, Alb, what’s your response?" Vierna chimed in, eyes gleaming with mischief.
Albrecht rolled his shoulders, already walking toward the field.
"Not gonna be the first old man I’ve beaten. And definitely not the last. haha"
Vierna studied their faces. Amusement flickered in their eyes, and the curve of their mouths held no edge. Their movements carried no malice, only the quick rhythm of challenge answered by challenge. To her, it felt less like a clash and more like a game being played.
Each jab, each quip, was just another way to test the waters—to rile the other into performing better.
In the Reich, strength was honored. But being a sore loser? That was a stain no title could scrub clean. Duel culture thrived on ferocity but ended in grace. Most bouts, especially those in the Duelhaus, concluded with mutual respect. Of course, bad apples existed. Some refused to bow. Some stormed off. But it was rare. And clearly, this was not one of those cases.
These two weren’t just mages.
They were duelists. And their duel is about to began.
So, Lina's suitor list, Number 3 is Albrecht, who is number one?
