"Isn't your goal to become the Water God? When that time comes, you'll be the pillar of this nation. Which noble would dare ignore you? They'll all be falling over themselves to flatter you. Isn't it exciting just thinking about it?"
"Get lost! Who's going to flatter anyone? As a noble, can you stop using such crude language? Did you swallow your etiquette lessons instead of learning them?"
Although there was no bashful flirting like I'd imagined, seeing the confidence return to Izoruti's eyes put my mind at ease.
Afterward, we walked through the garden, discussing many topics related to swordsmanship and magic. Because of my busy schedule, I hadn't been going to the Water God Style Dojo every day. Izoruti reported her progress in learning magic to me; she really was a diligent child. In my memories of the original story, Alice also learned magic from Rudy for a while, but she seemed to have forgotten it all in the end.
After walking for an hour, we returned to the venue. By then, the ball had entered its second half, and some guests were already starting to leave.
Naturally, I had to see the guests off at the door; that was my responsibility as the male host.
Izoruti also bid her farewell. Seeing her carrying the packed snacks was exceptionally funny. If only I had a camera. When she becomes the Water God, this could become a funny story to tell.
After all the guests had been seen off, the butler came over to pass on a message, saying my grandfather wanted to see me.
This surprised me a bit because normally, if Grandfather had something to discuss, he would either have the butler tell me directly or mention it at the dining table while we were eating.
This was the first time he'd asked me to come to his study. My intuition told me this was likely something very important, just like when my father told me I was coming to Yars.
I had never been allowed to enter the villa at the back, which belonged solely to my grandfather.
There were very few servants in this building, and it felt quite desolate. The few scattered servants had very grim looks in their eyes. They were likely "special talents" who had been specifically trained.
However, I wasn't given any trouble along the way and reached the study door easily.
After knocking three times and receiving permission from within, I entered my grandfather's study.
"Grandfather, the butler mentioned you were looking for me."
"Ah, Dorin. Don't be nervous, it's not a bad thing. I hear you're highly regarded by the Water God and Bladiconde. Your Water God Style Swordsmanship and magic are both coming along very well?"
"You overpraise me, Grandfather. I am following your instructions and studying the Water God Style and magic diligently, but I haven't reached a level worthy of praise yet."
"Haha, you brat, don't be so humble. I heard from that old man Stephen that your reading, writing, and arithmetic are also excellent. Since it's your birthday today, I'm going to reward you."
"Thank you, Grandfather. I'm very happy to receive a gift from you."
"Do you like the girl you danced with at the ball today?"
"No, Grandfather, I don't particularly like her. She was just the most unique among the ladies present, which is why I chose her."
Grandfather looked at me playfully, with the eyes of someone who had seen it all.
"Haha, it's alright, Dorin. If you like her, just say so. However, that woman won't do. You can't get close to her, nor can you have any designs on her."
"Yes, Grandfather. I won't have any designs on her."
I muttered to myself, *This old pervert. I wouldn't be interested in a girl who's only a few years old anyway. I'm a normal man, and I only like normal women.*
Grandfather seemed very satisfied with my answer. He stood up and said, "Follow me. You must keep everything you see next a secret."
I nodded seriously.
I watched as Grandfather stood up and pressed a book on the bookshelf. Then he rotated an oil lamp next to a painting; the oil in the lamp didn't spill, seemingly encased by something. A rumbling sound immediately rang out, and the wall beneath the painting suddenly recessed. Upon closer inspection, it was actually a stone door.
There was actually a secret passage here. The design was truly ingenious. Pressing a book on a shelf is easy to discover, but who would think a common oil lamp needed to be rotated to open it? This oil lamp must be a magic tool.