Chapter 301: Rejection without hesitation

"Dear Liszt,

"Upon receiving the new sheet music for 'Für Elise,' I was so excited that I felt like I was going crazy, wishing I could spread my wings and fly to your side to play it for you. Or listen as you play it for me in a carefree manner, just like that day in the ballroom when I watched you play those wonderful notes.

"You know how much I cherish the memories left behind at Longtaro Castle.

"I have packed my bags to head to Coral Island, Flower Town, to find you. My maid, Luya, can attest to this, as she is the one in charge of my luggage.

"But my father stopped me, as I am about to marry the son of a marquis whom I do not love. It is my fate and cannot be avoided. From the moment I was born as a woman of the Hyacinth family, I understood that this day would eventually come—to accept the family's provision and become a tool for familial marriage alliances.

"Yet, I hope to see you one more time before I marry, to enjoy a moment of shared passion, dancing to the melody of 'Für Elise.'

"Dearest, will you come? You know I am waiting for you here.

"Sincerely hoping.

"Yours, Duniko.

The knight who hurried to the castle brought this letter for Liszt, a letter sent from Red Crab Island by Duniko Hyacinth.

After reading the letter, he remained silent.

Duniko still harbored feelings for him, and with the complete 'Für Elise,' it had ignited her emotions, stirring her passion.

She even wanted to come to Flower Town to play and dance.

Thinking of those exciting moments from that night, his heart suddenly burned with desire and respect, wishing he could immediately board a ship for Red Crab Island to rekindle his romance with Duniko.

Nevertheless, he did not act on it.

'Let it remain a memory. Passion devoid of emotion is in the past; that is not the life I want.' If he wanted passion, there was no shortage of opportunities for it in Flower Town. Parris, Little Lily—both were women of striking beauty and figure; he could indulge if he wished.

There was no reason to seek out Duniko.

So after putting down the letter, he did not reply, nor did he plan to go to Red Crab Island, merely slipping the letter inside a knight novel he was certain he would never read again.

'It was my error to provoke her. I'm sorry, Duniko.'

The passion had faded, and the secret mission could not sustain it either.

Besides, he was too busy. In four days, it would be March 9th, marking his seventeenth birthday. On March 9th of the previous year, he was enfeoffed as a baron, and the next day, he ate the poisonous fruit of Thorns Ridge, changing from the inside out.

...

'Master, this is the lunch menu prepared by Abby. Please take a look.' Butler Carter had already begun preparations for the birthday banquet.

For him, every banquet was like a battlefield, requiring full preparation.

Liszt took a glance at the menu and handed it back, 'Just follow this menu. This is only my seventeenth birthday, not a significant one, so there’s no need to invite any guests. Mr. Carter, keep it casual.'

Butler Carter smiled, 'Your birthday, Master, is the most important occasion for us.'

Smiling, Liszt said nothing more.

It was both a compliment and the truth. In the castle, he was the most important person, and all the servants lived to serve him.

...

'Brother, is your birthday approaching?'"

"Yes," came the reply from the seashell wooden house.

The mermaid, Acheronides, asked curiously, "Will many people gather at the birthday party? That must be a very interesting event."

"Does Acheronides remember her birthday?"

"Hmm..." Acheronides tilted her head. "I'm not sure. I only remember when I first woke up, I was in a shell, and my stomach was very hungry. So I went to find something to eat, and I've lived in the sea ever since. From time to time, I would listen to the sailors on passing ships."

"Then, how about we make the day we met your birthday?"

"Okay, it was January 11th, no, it was January 12th after midnight. I remember it clearly, so her birthday was set on January 12th. I'm looking forward to next year's birthday. Will you celebrate my birthday, brother?"

Liszt said, "It must be celebrated. By then, Acheronides will have become Acheronides·Truth."

"Actually, I can already be called a Truth Magician. Acheronides suddenly gave a sly smile, stretched out her hand, and two water arrows appeared distinctly.

Aiming at the window, she pushed gently.

The two water arrows instantly transformed into a dozen water arrows, shooting into the sky and disappearing from sight.

The water arrow barrage, a skill only magicians could master, she had already learned. Casting it seemed particularly easy, without needing to charge. Liszt had seen Glanny and Elkson perform magic. Even though their skilled magic was fast, there was still a noticeable charge time.

For inexperienced magicians, it took a considerable amount of time to charge.

This was also a factor why magicians couldn't defeat knights and were governed by them. Before the magic was fully charged, the knight had already closed in.

But for Acheronides, the water arrow barrage was instantaneous.

This curiosity struck him. "Acheronides, when you cast magic, do you not need to charge?"

"No, I don't. I've already engraved the magic array into my body, and I can release water arrows using the magic array anytime. It's very easy and simple."

"This is what they call a genius magician," Liszt thought.

If other magicians knew, they might be so ashamed that they would kill themselves. What took them several years to master, Acheronides had figured out in just a few days. Instant casting was natural to her, and with a wave of her hand, she could summon countless water arrows.

Unfortunately, Acheronides could only harmonize with water-based magic power and couldn't learn other types of magic.

This made her combat abilities appear limited.

But considering she was a sea creature, the ocean was her vast stage. Specializing in water magic was clearly an advantage.

"Study well, Acheronides·Truth. Being a magician is only the first step in exploring the truth, and the future is still vast. When you become a grand magician, you can appreciate the true extraordinary aspects of magic. By then, you may not need my help to defeat Druid Mitchita personally."

"Yes, Acheronides will become a powerful grand magician and defeat Druid Mitchita!"

Having said that, Druid Mitchita had not appeared between Flower Town and Black Horse Island. It had probably already returned to its living waters because the mermaid had left the sea and could no longer be found.

...

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the birthday arrived.

Sister Lvera sent a batch of vegetable seeds through a retinue knight. The climate in Falcon Town was pleasant, and the soil was relatively fertile, making it very suitable for growing vegetables.

The gift was rather humble, probably because she was still upset about the flower soap gift Liszt had given her.

Grandmother Penelope sent a potted plant, perhaps hoping that since the nightshade had bred the Dragon Asp Worm, she expected Liszt to find another one.

However, Liszt had checked this flower and found no traces of magic.

Older brother Levis entrusted his tutor, Frank, to deliver a piece of magic equipment—a flame bracelet. The bracelet was carved and strung together with red crystals, which had fire attribute magic power. The red crystals could enhance fire attribute combat skills. It was a valuable birthday gift and had probably been prepared before he left for Golden Island.

But what surprised Liszt the most was the gift sent by the Earl. Considering the Earl had left long ago, and it was perhaps prepared by Mary, a brand-new piano was delivered by carriage.