"Guru Jarana Maitis... Could you be the one they call 'Sky-Sunder Maitis'?"
Rest's eyes widened at the mention of the old woman's name.
Sky-Sunder Maitis was the most veteran of the Court Mages, having served the Aiwood Kingdom for at least seventy years. When it came to Barrier Arts, she was rumored to surpass even the Sage himself, Academy Director Verloid.
She was a living legend, famous for an exploit during a war with a neighboring country where she had encased an entire fortress in a barrier. Thanks to her, the garrison held out for a month without a single casualty.
She was a master of barriers that could completely sever the fabric of space—hence her alias, Sky-Sunder.
"It is an honor to meet a mage of your legend. My name is Rest Clover."
"Hmph. You’re quite the flatterer for an old hag. Still, I don’t mind silver-tongued brats."
It appeared he had made a good first impression. Maitis snorted and tapped her staff against the ground.
"I heard you were this thing’s son, so I wondered what to expect... but you’ve actually got some promise. You’re nothing like your father!"
"Urgh..."
Maitis whacked Lucas with her staff again. Lucas’s face flushed a deep crimson from the humiliation, yet he remained silent, unable to resist due to the vast difference in their social and magical standing.
"Guru Maitis has agreed to establish the barrier for the Magical Wilds," Andrew explained. "Lord Ebern is here strictly as her assistant."
"Ah, I see."
Rest breathed a sigh of relief. He had been dreading the thought of his father being entrusted with such a critical task as the barrier's construction. If the true authority was Maitis—the kingdom's premier expert—then he could feel secure for the time being.
"This old woman has to deal with all sorts of tedious chores, you see," Maitis said with a malicious glint in her eyes, repeatedly poking Lucas in the shins with her staff. "I brought this man along since he looked like he had nothing better to do. I heard... that he spent years tormenting you. I imagine seeing the son he cast aside become so distinguished must be eating him alive. Serves him right, I say!"
"U... Guuh..."
As Maitis laughed like a wicked witch, Lucas’s face twisted in agony. It was clear she had struck a nerve.
I wondered why this man was here... To think it was just the Guru being spiteful, Rest thought.
He had originally worried that Andrew was being insensitive by bringing Lucas, but if it was Maitis’s doing, it made much more sense.
"I've put him in charge of all the manual labor, so feel free to use him however you like!" Maitis cackled. "He's just an Honorary Viscount, after all. Besides, he has no heir and his house is headed for ruin! Don't hold back; this old woman gives you permission to treat him however you please!"
"I... see. Thank you for your consideration."
While he gave a strained smile at Maitis's intense personality, Rest felt a flicker of pity for his toxic father for the first time in his life. No matter how worthless a parent Lucas had been, seeing him reduced to such a pathetic, cowed state was almost moving.
Well, I suppose it is all his own doing... If only he had reached out to help when Mother fell ill.
When his mother had been dying, Rest had desperately searched for a way to cure an illness that was beyond the reach of standard Healing Magic. He had even begged Lucas for financial aid through a maid who had been his mother’s friend... but he had been coldly turned away.
I don't intend to dwell on the past. Even if I had the money for medicine, it might have only prolonged her suffering.
Still, there was no mercy for those who showed none themselves. Rest was no saint; he felt no need to lower a golden thread to a sinner who had cast himself into hell.
"Well then, let's move. Lead me to the points where the barrier needs to be anchored."
"Yes, certainly... Lord Ebern, the luggage is over there. If you would be so kind."
"Wh—Me!?" Lucas stammered, looking aghast.
"Yes, of course," Rest said with a bright, pleasant smile. "We need to conserve our mana while we're in the Magical Wilds, so please carry it on your back without using any magic, all right?"
"Kh...!"
Lucas's mouth flapped open and shut like a gasping fish. As a small, petty act of revenge, Rest watched as his father was forced to shoulder the heavy burden of the supplies.