Chapter 156: The First Mages

Inside his private chambers at Althoff Manor, Raymond sat behind his desk, examining the rewards he had received after completing the military development milestone.

Three Mage Summoning Tickets rested within the Infinite Clan Treasury System, alongside the Knight Summoning Tickets he had accumulated but never used.

For the past several months, Raymond had concentrated on strengthening his territory through agriculture, infrastructure, commerce, and military development. The results had exceeded his original expectations, transforming an impoverished Barony into a rapidly developing County.

However, there was one particular field in which House Althoff remained severely lacking.

Magic.

Although Raymond had encountered information about Mages during his travels and conversations with nobles, he had never possessed the opportunity to recruit experienced practitioners into his service.

That was finally about to change.

"Three Mages," Raymond murmured, leaning back in his chair. "I wonder what kind of people the System will give me."

He opened the Family Treasury and selected the three tickets.

[Infinite Clan Treasury System]

[Mage Summoning Ticket ×3]

[Would you like to use the selected summoning tickets?]

Raymond smiled and confirmed the selection.

[Summoning initiated.]

Three circles of pale golden light appeared across the spacious chamber, their intricate patterns rotating slowly above the floor.

Raymond immediately stood.

The circles expanded, illuminating the furniture and casting shimmering reflections across the polished wooden walls.

Moments later, three figures gradually materialized within the light.

The first was a distinguished-looking man in his early forties, possessing neatly combed dark hair, sharp grey eyes, and an immaculate navy-blue robe decorated with silver embroidery. He carried himself with the composed confidence of someone accustomed to academic institutions and formal research.

Beside him appeared a woman in her early thirties with chestnut hair gathered into a practical braid. Her green eyes moved around the chamber with immediate curiosity, and she wore a dark travelling coat over clothing that appeared considerably more suitable for fieldwork than noble gatherings.

The final figure was a tall, broad-shouldered man approaching fifty, with short iron-grey hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and a weathered face marked by years of outdoor experience. Unlike his companions, he wore reinforced leather garments beneath a dark cloak and carried a sturdy wooden staff.

As the summoning light disappeared, all three turned toward Raymond.

The dark-haired man stepped forward first and bowed respectfully.

"My Lord, I am Professor Lucien Ainsworth," he introduced himself with a composed expression. "My professional experience lies in magical theory, Mana circulation, and the study of magical formations. It is an honor to enter your service."

The woman followed with an enthusiastic smile.

"Your Excellency, my name is Evelina Hartwell," she said, placing a hand against her chest. "I specialize in elemental magic and its practical applications, particularly where magical techniques can assist agriculture, water management, and construction."

The older man bowed his head.

"Roland Strathmore, Your Excellency," he introduced himself in a deep voice. "My experience concerns defensive magic, protective enchantments, and battlefield support. I’ve spent a considerable portion of my career working alongside soldiers."

Raymond examined the three newcomers with growing satisfaction.

Their specialties were remarkably complementary.

Lucien possessed the knowledge required to establish a foundation for magical education, Evelina could potentially contribute to civilian development, and Roland offered practical military experience.

"Welcome to House Althoff," Raymond greeted them warmly. "I’m Raymond von Althoff, the ruling Count of this territory. I hope we’ll have a productive relationship."

Lucien bowed again and replied, "We shall endeavor to meet your expectations, Your Excellency."

Raymond gestured toward the chairs surrounding a nearby table.

"Please, have a seat. Before we discuss your assignments, I’d like to understand your capabilities and professional backgrounds."

The three Mages complied.

Raymond began by questioning Lucien about magical cultivation.

The professor explained that the development of a Mage depended upon several interconnected factors, including Mana sensitivity, control, theoretical understanding, and the ability to construct and execute spells reliably.

He also confirmed that the recognized hierarchy extended from Beginner Mage through Intermediate Mage, Apprentice Mage, Master Mage, Grandmaster Mage, ArchMage, Legendary Mage, Mythic Mage, and finally Forbidden Mage.

However, Lucien emphasized that rank alone did not adequately describe a practitioner’s professional expertise.

"Two Mages of comparable advancement may possess entirely different capabilities, Your Excellency," Lucien explained, folding his hands upon the table. "A practitioner trained in combat magic may excel in direct confrontation, while another who has devoted decades to formations could accomplish things the combat specialist would struggle to reproduce."

Raymond nodded thoughtfully.

"Then specialization matters just as much as advancement."

"Precisely, my Lord," Lucien answered with an approving expression. "An institution that intends to cultivate capable Mages must teach more than the accumulation of Mana. Students require theoretical instruction, practical exercises, disciplined spellcasting, and an understanding of the dangers associated with improper magical manipulation."

Raymond immediately recognized the similarities between Lucien’s explanation and Jonathan’s approach to Knight cultivation.

Awakening Mana sensitivity was only the beginning.

The real challenge lay in developing that potential through systematic training.

He then turned toward Evelina.

"What about your abilities? You mentioned agriculture and construction."

Evelina leaned forward eagerly.

"Yes, Your Excellency. Elemental magic has numerous practical applications beyond combat. Water manipulation can assist with certain irrigation problems, earth magic can support construction work, and controlled elemental techniques can be useful in workshops and agricultural operations."

Raymond’s interest sharpened.

"Could you create an entire irrigation system using magic?"

Evelina considered the question before shaking her head.

"Not permanently through spellcasting alone, Your Excellency. Magical techniques require energy, suitable conditions, and appropriate expertise. However, I could assist your engineers with difficult excavation work, water movement, and certain construction processes."

Raymond smiled.

"That’s already more than enough to interest me."

He imagined the possibilities.

Althoff possessed extensive agricultural lands, expanding construction projects, and numerous locations where conventional engineering remained expensive or labor-intensive.

Even modest magical assistance could improve efficiency considerably.

Of course, Raymond had no intention of replacing his engineers with Mages.

Instead, he wanted them working together.

Finally, he turned toward Roland.

"And what can you contribute to our military?"

Roland straightened in his chair.

"Defensive formations, protective spells, battlefield observation, and magical support for organized troops, Your Excellency," he answered. "I am accustomed to working alongside Knights and conventional soldiers rather than operating independently."

Raymond nodded appreciatively.

"Excellent. Our military has recently established a Knight Training Corps, and we’re expanding our defensive infrastructure. I suspect you’ll find plenty of work."

Roland’s expression brightened slightly.

"I would welcome the opportunity, my Lord."

Their conversation continued for nearly an hour.

Raymond learned about the Mages’ previous professional experiences, preferred working environments, and the resources they would require to perform their duties effectively.

He deliberately avoided making immediate promises about laboratories, magical equipment, or specialized facilities until he understood the practical requirements.

By the conclusion of the discussion, he was convinced that summoning the three Mages had been an excellent decision.

However, there was another matter he intended to address.

After arranging for the Mages to remain in a private reception room, Raymond returned to his chambers and reopened the Family Treasury.

He had postponed using his remaining Knight Summoning Tickets for long enough.

According to his records, fifteen Bronze Knight Tickets and seven Silver Knight Tickets remained unused.

Twenty-two additional Knights.

Raymond selected every remaining ticket.

[Bronze Knight Summoning Ticket ×15]

[Silver Knight Summoning Ticket ×7]

[Confirm summoning?]

"Confirm," Raymond instructed with an excited grin.

The System responded immediately.

[Summoning successful!]

[15 Bronze Knights summoned.]

[7 Silver Knights summoned.]

[All selected Knight Summoning Tickets consumed.]

The spacious chamber filled with successive flashes of golden light as the twenty-two warriors appeared.

They wore varying styles of armor and carried different weapons, but each possessed the unmistakable bearing of a trained Knight.

Raymond surveyed the assembled warriors with satisfaction.

"Welcome to House Althoff," he announced. "You’ll be joining an established military organization, so I expect everyone to respect its command structure and cooperate with your fellow Knights."

The newly summoned warriors bowed respectfully.

Their arrival increased Althoff’s summoned Household Knights from fifty-six to seventy-eight.

Fifty Bronze Knights, twenty-five Silver Knights, and three Gold Knights.

It was an impressive force for a developing County.

Raymond arranged for the newcomers to be introduced to Boris and Jonathan through the appropriate military channels, maintaining the secrecy surrounding the System.

He would explain their arrival as additional personnel recruited into his personal service, just as he had handled previous reinforcements.

By the following morning, the military administration had begun preparing accommodation, equipment assignments, and organizational placements for the new Knights.

Raymond, meanwhile, turned his attention back toward the three Mages.

He invited Lucien, Evelina, and Roland to accompany him on an inspection of the County’s existing facilities.

Their first destination was the military district, where construction continued around the expanded training grounds.

Lucien examined the cultivation hall with considerable interest.

"This is where your soldiers receive foundational Mana instruction?" he asked, studying the interior arrangement.

Raymond nodded.

"Yes. Twelve soldiers are currently undergoing training. They only recently awakened their Mana sensitivity, so our instructors are concentrating on basic cultivation."

Lucien walked slowly around the hall, examining its dimensions and ventilation.

"A reasonable beginning," he observed. "However, the requirements of magical education differ considerably from those of Knight cultivation."

Raymond raised an eyebrow.

"How so?"

Lucien turned toward him.

"Knights primarily develop Mana circulation and physical reinforcement. Mages must also learn spell construction, elemental control, magical theory, and the safe manipulation of Mana outside their bodies. Those activities require dedicated training spaces."

Evelina nodded enthusiastically.

"He’s right, Your Excellency. Practicing elemental magic inside an ordinary classroom would be terribly inconvenient. One mistake with a fire spell could destroy the furniture, and water magic would make an even greater mess."

Raymond chuckled.

"Alaric would probably resign if I told him we’d burned down a newly constructed building."

Roland examined the surrounding walls before adding, "Proper magical facilities should also incorporate protective measures. Students must be able to practice without endangering themselves or nearby residents."

Raymond listened carefully.

The more they explained, the clearer the situation became.

House Althoff possessed three experienced Mages, but it lacked the infrastructure required to train additional practitioners.

If Raymond wanted magic to become a permanent part of the County’s development, he needed more than a handful of talented individuals.

He needed an institution.

Lucien appeared to reach the same conclusion.

"Your Excellency," the professor said thoughtfully, turning toward Raymond, "with your permission, I believe we could establish a proper magical training facility here in Althoff."

Raymond immediately looked at him.

"A magical training facility?"

Lucien nodded confidently.

"Yes, my Lord. We already possess the beginnings of a military training district, and with suitable land, appropriate materials, and carefully designed protective arrangements, we could establish a facility dedicated to magical instruction and research."

Evelina smiled excitedly.

"And if we organize it properly, Your Excellency, it could eventually serve more than military Mages. We could train practitioners whose abilities would benefit agriculture, engineering, and other important industries."

Raymond gazed across the expanding military district.

Only yesterday, he had been celebrating the arrival of his first Mages.

Now, an entirely new institution was beginning to take shape in his imagination.

A place where the people of Althoff might one day learn magic under the guidance of experienced instructors.

Raymond turned toward Lucien with a broad smile.

"Professor Ainsworth, I think you’ve just given me our next major development project."