I'm the third son of a viscount's family, but I have a claim to the throne. - Episode 17

The dormitory room that had been mine for years was now stripped bare, containing only the furniture it came with. My belongings—armor, spare weapons, and the tools I had painstakingly gathered for crafting magical items—were packed in a magic bag gifted to me by an elderly magic artisan as a graduation and farewell present.

My clothing, sheets, blankets, and some preserved food were stored in another magic bag, one I had barely managed to craft myself just before graduation. Though much smaller and less effective at reducing weight compared to the one from my master, it was still a functioning magic item. In regions lacking skilled magic craftsmen, it could even fetch a decent price if I needed to sell it.

“My boy, you’re already graduating and striking out on your own… Time truly flies,” Father said, seated in the chair by my desk. His eyes swept over the empty room with a wistful expression. “I’ve started feeling my age catching up with me lately. Perhaps it’s time I handed the reins of the estate to Akius and retired.”

“What nonsense, Father,” I said, rolling my eyes. “You just want to go off on vacation with Mother. Akius and the others are only just beginning to develop the territory’s undeveloped regions. If you dump the estate work on them now, everything will fall apart.”

Father chuckled but didn’t deny it. My older brother Akius had started assembling manpower and resources for territorial development upon his graduation, and our second brother Carpeus had joined him recently, spearheading efforts using his formidable magic. Their letters suggested early success, but the road ahead was long. Father’s retirement wouldn’t be an option until grandchildren arrived.

“And what about you?” Father teased. “No plans to help your brothers? Bit cold-hearted, aren’t you?”

“If I joined them, it would only create problems,” I replied. “We’d end up splitting the newly developed lands between two households. Instead of one stable barony, we’d have two struggling viscounties—or worse, one prosperous baron and one bitter mage left feeling exploited. I’m not particularly interested in land development or inheriting a noble title. For now, I plan to head to the frontier, gather materials, and hone my skills as a magic artisan. Maybe someday, I’ll even open my own shop.”

The satisfaction of crafting my first magic bag had been immense. While magic itself is incredible, much of it parallels the capabilities of modern machinery or weapons from my previous life.

But magic bags? They were pure fantasy. Items that could store immense quantities while reducing the weight of their contents were truly extraordinary. Creating one had been a surreal experience, as if I’d finally become a part of this magical world.

I wanted to push the boundaries of what I could create: larger, more advanced, and more durable magic bags. To do that, I needed better materials—and better combat skills to gather them in the wild. Owning a shop was more of an incidental goal.

“Fair enough,” Father said with a shrug. “Your life is yours to live as you please, so long as the kingdom doesn’t fall into chaos. But come with me; I have something interesting to show you.”

Father led me to a door hidden behind the academy’s library. He held his hand against it, and I heard the click of a magical lock releasing.

“What’s this? Were you a library assistant or something, Father?” I asked.

He smirked. “Hardly. This door is a special entrance, accessible only to certain members of the royal family.”

“What?!” I froze. “Father, that’s classified information I really shouldn’t know as a soon-to-be commoner!”

“Quit complaining and follow me,” he said, stepping through the door.

The corridor beyond led down a staircase into an underground passage. Its floor was compacted dirt reinforced with earth magic. Wide enough for combat, it felt like a royal escape route.

After about ten minutes, the path turned upward again. When we emerged, Father knocked on another door and infused it with his magic. A voice from within granted us entry.

“Come in.”

When I stepped inside, I froze. Sitting before me was none other than the king himself—the same man I had glimpsed from afar during the graduation ceremony.

Panic set in as I dropped to one knee.

“No need for such formalities,” the king said, waving me to rise. “We’re family, after all. Congratulations on your graduation, Derikbald.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to serve the kingdom,” I replied, my voice steady.

The king gestured to a sofa. “Sit. I hear you’re planning to head to the frontier.”

I hesitated, noticing Father was already seated. Was it really acceptable to sit before the king? Yet, no one—neither the king’s guards nor Father—seemed to care.

“Yes,” I finally replied. “I plan to hunt monsters, gather materials, and improve my skills as a magic artisan. I hope to open a shop one day.”

“That’s an unusual path for someone with your talent,” the king said with a laugh. “But intriguing!”

“I’m just a third son with no ambitions for land or titles,” I said with a small smile. “I want to see how far I can go on a path I’ve chosen for myself.”

The king nodded. “Every kingdom needs its mavericks. Just remember, should the nation ever face a crisis, I trust you to rise to the occasion.”

“I will defend the kingdom with all I have,” I promised.

The king then gestured to the door we’d entered. “Register your magic here, as well as at the other exit. This passage is a failsafe—a secret route for loyal royals to retake the palace if it ever falls to traitors.”

The weight of his trust was immense. “I pray such a day never comes. But if it does, I will be ready.”

As we walked back to the academy, Father explained more about the passage.

“The palace has large-scale magical defenses tied to royal bloodlines,” he said. “This passage ensures that, even if the palace is occupied by enemies, trustworthy royals can enter and retake it.”

“But doesn’t this passage make coups easier for discontented royals?” I asked.

Father smirked. “Only royals deemed trustworthy by the king are told about it. Even if I wanted to overthrow the king, no noble would follow me at this point.”

That… made sense. Still, the trust placed in me as a potential protector of the kingdom was daunting.

Graduating and stepping into adulthood had brought responsibilities I hadn’t anticipated. But I was ready to embrace them—alongside the freedom to pursue my dreams.