Chapter 54
A few days later, Marchioness Distar summoned Lith once again, this time in a proper polite way, giving him time to prepare and an explanation for their meeting .
They met in a neutral territory, in Count Lark's lounge . Contrary to etiquette, the noblewoman stood up when he entered the room, making a curtsy even before Lith had greeted or bowed to her .
"Welcome, young mage . Thanks for saving my daughter's life . No one knows how much time she had left in such conditions . "
"I actually do . " Lith thought with a cruel inner smile . "She had barely two weeks left when I first visited her, before her organs started failing one after the other . Luckily, she has a tough skin, so I wasn't forced to play the sink or swim healing attempt .
I wouldn't have cured her before at least five days, my safety comes first . I can waste time and lose opportunities, but I will not gamble my whole life for a stranger, no matter who he or she is!"
"Also, I have several reasons to apologize to you . First, for how I treated you . I was rude and condescending . I shouldn't have tried forcing your hand, but I was desperate at the time . Your sister was ill too, I hope you can understand me . "
Lith inwardly sneered .
"You only say this now, because I succeeded and you are afraid of needing my help again in the future . I feel no compassion for the likes of you . "
"No need to apologize, your Ladyship . Life sometimes burden us with a weight we are unable to carry, and desperation can make even the best of us lose his morals . " Was what he actually said . He needed a new and more powerful backer .
Being friends was of secondary importance, their relationship was strictly business related . It was important to lay solid foundations for it, putting aside pointless grudges . But he wouldn't forgive nor forget .
If she failed or betrayed his trust, it was a good thing that revenge is a dish best served cold .
The Marchioness shook her head .
"I think that your forgiveness is still undeserved . I lied to you that day . I have no authority outside my Marquisate, so I cannot guarantee your successful enrolment in any academy outside the Lightning and White Griffon . "
Her gown had many small pockets, hidden by the complex embroideries . From one of those, she took out a ring bearing the King's crest .
"It's a long and boring story…" She said looking furtively at Count Lark, suppressing an ironic laughter .
" . . . but what it matters is that at the moment in my Marquisate I hold a power on par with the King, so both academies can only accept my orders . "
Lith wasn't yet completely convinced that going away, even for just two years, was the best course of actions . He decided to test the waters first .
"Wouldn't be possible to be home-schooled? If you hold such authority, it should not be a problem giving me the same benefits I would get from an academy and private tutors . After all, the location isn't that important . "
"It actually is . The forests surrounding the academies play a big part in both the points and grades system . Also, yes, if you insist, I could achieve what you asked, but bear in mind that my situation is merely temporary .
Once the Court finishes deliberating the current matter, everything would get back to normal and I'm not sure to have all the resources you'll need . On the other hand, if you enrol in an academy now, it would be like according to a King's decree .
And once inside, even if I lose my almighty status, you would be protected by the rules of the kingdom and of the Mage Association . No one would be fool enough to make an enemy out of the King . Archmages and Royalty are deeply intertwined . "
"It sadly makes sense . " Lith inwardly sighed . "It's best to exploit the situation to its fullest . Between her desire to make up to me, no matter her reasons, and her temporary King status, I should be able to get some extra safety measure .
If only half of what Nana told me is true, I'll need every advantage I can get to avoid useless drama and pointless face-slapping . "
"I understand . I think that going to the Lightning Griffon is out of question, the Headmistress will probably want my head on a stick either way . "
"I wouldn't be so sure . " The Marchioness replied . "Anyhow, with your talent as a healer, I had guessed you wanted to go to the White Griffon . You do know it's the school with the biggest light magic department, right?"
"But of course . " Lith lied through his teeth . "But I'm also quite interested in the art of forgemastering . Which academy would be the best choice for such specialization?"
"Any of them . " Marchioness Distar shrugged . "They all have good Forgemasters, but the great ones avoid academies like the plague . Artists like to be free, while in an institution they have to take care of paperwork, teaching, the student's items .
All things that would keep them away from their research . Not to mention that for an academy Forgemaster, keeping the nature of his research secret is much harder . To get funds from the academy, you have to share . All great mages hate sharing . "
That piece of news reassured Lith .
"White Griffon it is, then . How long will the trip take?" Lith recalled that Nana once stated that the academy was more than five hundred kilometres (311 miles) away from Lustria . Even if it was just for an audience, he would need to pack some clothes .
"From my house? Considering that we first have to speak with the Headmaster, and then you have to take your admission exam, I'd say three, four hours tops . You'll get home in time for dinner, that's for sure . "
Lith found difficult to do the math . Even flying at his top speed, he would need at least two hours to get there and back, not to mention that the Marchioness didn't seem the type to fly that long, messing her hair and dress right before meeting the Headmaster .
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