Chapter Ninety-Four: Professor Healy's Decision

After Andy left the Disciplinary Office, although things had turned out without real danger, he was left with a deep sense of unease. Especially after his experiences in Dallas City, Andy had become far more sensitive. The behavior of the fat man from the Disciplinary Office had made his intentions clear—he was there to cause trouble for Andy. But why had he targeted Andy, and was there some hidden hand behind him? These were questions Andy could not yet answer.

However, Andy was no longer the naïve newcomer to this world he had been in Dallas City. He had long since developed his own ways of dealing with problems.

After returning to his quarters, Andy took out the Hestery Magic Mirror, turning it slowly in his hands as he murmured to himself, “Just wait. In three days, no matter what specter or monster you are, I’ll force you all to reveal yourselves!”

…

Shortly after Andy left the Disciplinary Office, Peter Clark received word and understood all that had transpired. Looking at his son, who now stood before him cautiously, hardly daring to breathe, Peter sighed inwardly.

He had occasionally heard rumors that each generation of the Clark family was weaker than the last. Such malicious gossip had always earned Peter’s disdain; he had never thought himself inferior to his own father. Though his talent in spellcraft might not match his father’s, he believed his own cunning and political skill more than made up the difference. But now, seeing his son’s disappointing behavior, Peter could not help but feel there might be some truth in the rumors after all.

Since his promotion to Bronze Wizard, Peter had been locked in a long and bitter struggle for power with a woman who had suddenly risen in the family. Now he realized he had paid too little attention to nurturing the next generation.

Yet, even so, he had not secured final victory. His father, Healy Clark, continually wavered between him and the woman, and so the struggle persisted.

At times, Peter could not help but wonder darkly if it was his father’s deliberate intention, keeping them balanced to play them against each other. But remembering his father’s personality, Peter would always dismiss the thought.

Now, however, the moment of truth was at hand. The family patriarch was elderly and had announced his intention to retire next year. Peter’s father, Healy Clark, cared little for power, being devoted to his magical research, so the choice of the next patriarch was wide open.

Peter was a strong candidate, but his rival was no easy opponent. She had propped up one of Peter’s cousins as her puppet, drawing the support of many of the family elders and setting up a contest between the two men.

He was embroiled in a fierce contest with that woman when he learned of his son’s blunder, adding to his troubles. Peter was furious. He could not fathom how he had fathered such a foolish child. Knowing full well that every move of a candidate for First Prince would be scrutinized by the council, his son had still tried to act behind the scenes.

Despite his disappointment in his son, Peter’s resentment was even stronger toward Andy, the instigator of the affair—especially since Andy was Stein’s apprentice. Peter had already decided to pay special attention to this “old acquaintance’s descendant” in the future, and make sure that Andy would find it impossible to take another step in Grimm Academy.

As Peter was plotting how best to deal with Andy, a gray crow suddenly brushed against the magical wards outside. Sensing the touch, Peter hurriedly relaxed the wards, allowing the bird to fly in through the window. He recognized it at once as his father’s messenger.

Healy Clark was summoning him. Peter quickly changed and tidied himself, then set out for his father’s residence. Behind him, Blair watched his departing figure and let out a long sigh of relief.

At that moment, Professor Healy was in his quarters, unleashing his magical field with abandon. Golden radiance flooded the room, making it as bright as day.

Flora was not present; Healy knew she was out on some errand again. But he no longer cared. In his mind, all had already been settled.

Indeed, he had just advanced to Gold Wizard—some fifty years earlier than he had anticipated. But this was not the way he had wanted to achieve advancement!

If he were to drop his magical disguise now, there would be nothing left of a man’s appearance on him. If he did not know clearly that his essence as a man remained unchanged, Healy might have believed he had been born as such a captivating beauty.

For someone as notorious for his amorous exploits as Professor Healy, this was simply unacceptable. Yet, the feeling of his enhanced power was intoxicating. Since advancing to Gold Wizard, Healy often found himself wondering: what would happen if he drank the entire vial? How far would his talent rise? Could he perhaps reach a realm beyond Gold?

Such thoughts tempted him like the whispers of a devil.

With willpower greater than that required to withstand all temptation, Healy forced himself to lock the vial away in his laboratory safe, adding three more mechanical locks atop the magical wards.

And he had not opened the safe since. He feared that even another glance might change his resolve.

Unfortunately, after scouring the entire library, he could find no information about the liquid. He spent a fortune to contact the interdimensional merchant who had sold it to him, and learned only that the liquid was called “Water of the Mother River.”

But the merchant knew nothing of its true purpose. Healy tried several times but could not bring himself to discuss his predicament; it was simply too embarrassing. Still, with the name “Water of the Mother River,” he had a clue to pursue.

He planned to leave the Azure Plane for a realm where information flowed more freely, in the hope of finding clues about the Water of the Mother River and a solution to his physical predicament. With his status as a Gold Wizard, he would have no trouble protecting himself, even on another plane.

The merchant had told him that, in the Astral Realm, not far from the Azure Plane, there was a famous and bustling world—a trading and information hub for several surrounding planes, known among dozens of planes as a place of extravagant excess.

That world bore the rustic name Clyde No. 3, a sign that it was the third plane discovered by an astral explorer named Clyde. Yet most travelers simply called it the “Brilliant City That Never Sleeps.”

It was said that the plane produced no resources, and was perpetually shrouded in polar night, never seeing sunlight. Yet, thanks to its advantageous location, many astral travelers passed through there, and in time, a city a hundred times larger than Plondra had risen to serve as a trading and resting place—a true never-sleeping metropolis.

According to the merchant, the Water of the Mother River had come from that world, so Healy intended to begin his search there.

He had already discovered that an astral ship was currently docked at the Azure Plane, and had managed to secure a ticket. He only needed to give his son some final instructions before departing.