The Prince Of Magic

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"Haah?!"

The bug-eyed look that his grandfather would have been amusing to witness if not for the news he had just informed him.

After spending an afternoon with his retainers touring around the hidden magical district of Paris, Hadrian returned home with the others in tow.

But not after Astolfo and Charles had extracted a promise from him to do a tour with them in the non-magical side of Paris by tomorrow.

Hadrian had to check his schedule before he could agree to their request, considering the amount of subjects and matters that he would need to peruse and attend to, but in the end, a promise was made and his retainers were more than pleased to follow him home and rest for the evening.

Even Kieran, as grouchy he was throughout lunch, seemed pleased with his decision to accompany them outside of the Flamel's chateau.

Now, the young mage was currently by the veranda that was situated outside of his chambers.

His two familiars, Ryu and Fou, were playing tag as they run along the length of the balcony's railings.

Their master took periodic glances at the two fluffy familiars every once in a while to make sure that they were not falling off the railings.

His familiars are magical and can take care of themselves, but it does not mean that Hadrian does not worry about them still.

His grandfather was on video call via the PT once more.

Hadrian sighed, scratching the back of his head before he turned to the old magician.

"Eh, like I said, this might just be an assumption on my part, but I feel like something is trying to fight off Gaia's influence in this world." The young mage explained with a sigh. "Which should not be possible in most normal circ.u.mstances. But…" Bright emerald eyes closed briefly, only to open as a calculative expression fell on his face. "If there is an artifact similar to a Holy Grail here…"

"The possibility might not be too far off from the truth." Zelretch finished, rubbing his beard with his thumb and index finger with a thoughtful look on his face. "I had sensed something similar to a Holy Grail there, which I did inform you of before your departure. However, the idea that that rotten pedo, Prelati, has gotten his hands on that is a justified cause of concern."

Hadrian paused, taking in his grandfather's calm façade before speaking again.

"Hmm… you don't look surprised as I thought you would be." He stated, curious on the old magician's response.

Zelretch shrugged, exhaling through his nose.

"The current scenario is among the ones that I have thought of before, as much as it irks me." He admitted, looking somewhat irritated as he leaned back in his chair. "When you get into my position, enkel, even the most absurd of possibilities cannot be disregarded. If this is what the situation there have come to, then we cannot leave this be."

"What's the plan then?" Hadrian asked.

"Just the usual, search for clues and follow any trails that might lead us to that bastard. Of course, discretion is important in this case." Zelretch said knowingly.

"Of course." The young mage nodded his head, having no issues with his grandfather's instructions.

"Perhaps sending one of your servants to one of those murder locations that had been recently reported there might do us some good." Zelretch suggested.

"Ah, I was just thinking about that too. The things that were listed on the papers concerned me as well. It'll need to be verified if it has some relation to what we are after." Hadrian agreed, musing aloud.

"Speaking of which, how are you settling there?" The old magician asked, changing subjects.

Hadrian took a few moments to think before settling on an answer.

"Well enough." He admitted, calm as he reflected on his recent experiences so far. "It was a bit difficult to get used to this body at first, but it's coming along well now. The daily exercises had been helpful to me in adjusting the limits of this body."

"Just try not to overdo it, enkel. That body might be perfectly suited to contain your soul, but it's still weak in comparison to what you have here." Zelretch warned, then the solemn façade was replaced as the mischievous grin makes an unexpected return, throwing Hadrian off guard slightly from its sudden appearance. "Last I heard from the Flamels, Yan and Charles had to give you a piggyback ride to help you up the stairs after exhausting yourself silly."

"Who told you that?!" Hadrian exclaimed, emerald eyes slightly wide in indignation.

"One of your retainers, of course. Here, some of them even sent me this." Zelretch said with his usual grin.

The screen of the PT was momentarily switched into a two-page view as his grandfather sent an image to him.

Said image was that of Hadrian, looking utterly exhausted as he was carried up the stairs by Yan Qing, who wore a sympathetic expression but the amus.e.m.e.nt was also present in his bright amber eyes. On the corner of the image were Kieran and Astolfo, whose faces were not fully captured but the hint of their amused grins can be clearly seen from the photo.

Recognizing the photo, one of Hadrian's eyebrows twitched in irritation as he took in the content of the image.

"Those bloody bastards…" the young mage murmured, irritation swelling.

"Ah, leave it be, enkel. It's just harmless fun." Zelretch chuckled, his grin still present.

"At my expense." Hadrian grunted.

"Also, it's adorable. I rarely find you like this while you're here in your own body. This is fine every once in a while. Think of it as a positive development in character, no?" Zelretch asked.

The unamused stare that Hadrian gave his grandfather merely caused the latter to laugh out loud.

Truly, sometimes, having a powerful but highly mischievous grandfather can be both a blessing and a curse.

At least, that depends on who becomes the old magician's target for amus.e.m.e.nt.

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