Magic Tower

The emperor couldn't help but be surprised. The prince he has neglected for so long has now become such a magical genius. But this is still not enough to change his fate. He knows best just how powerful the emperor's eyes are, only someone with them can reliably run the country.

He hopes this son of his doesn't ask for anything too much.

"As the winner of the magic tournament, you can now ask for a wish. If it is within my power, I will grant it" The emperor says calmly.

The council of nobles was surrounding him, this was an important matter that could affect the empire so naturally everyone capable attended. Even Lance who was hiding in the background due to his embarrassment of not being able to use magic was watching silently by the side.

"I hope this fraud doesn't ask for the throne, I will not accept it!" Lance muttered under his breath.

He couldn't witness the fight himself due to preparations for going to the Thorkell empire border but he heard that Jason was actually very powerful.

He had a feeling that Jason was not simple after his move at the ball but none of his visions showed himself dying to Jason so Lance never considered him a major threat.

Jason thought carefully and then said,

"I would like to build a magic tower in the new southern city dedicated solely to innovating the empire's magic system," Jason said carefully.

The emperor stared at him and then thought carefully, this seems to have nothing to do with the throne, does he really not care? Well regardless, it works out for everyone if this is the case.

The military faction all breathed a sigh of relief as they heard Jason's words, it seems to not directly contend for the throne but they won't stop their vigilance. Who knows what this guy is planning?

"You said dedicated to solely innovating magic, what exactly do you mean?" The Emperor asked.

"I want the magic tower to be completely isolated from the empire despite it belonging to the empire. The magic system in our empire is great but there are still many ways for us to improve it. I have shown everyone in person in both this competition and the hunting competition that non-offensive magic created by Duchess Jobaine can tremendously increase our efficiency". Jason answered.

The empire nodded, he was well aware of how this new magic was performing and after being convinced by Monica, he agreed to let the Jobaines get a title. What bothers him is that first sentence.

"By isolated, what do you mean?" The emperor asked.

"I asked for a decree that the owner of the tower does not how to follow the rules or word of the empire if it conflicts with the goal of advancing magic"

"Absolutely not! How could a citizen of the country not follow the rules of the empire!" One noble argued fiercely.

"A prince is talking and you dare bark your mouth?" Jason said in a stern manner.

The noble quickly backed down and realized he was too impulsive.

No one in this empire is more knowledgeable than me at using this non-offensive magic. So if I need to do something to properly implement this magic and some imperial law or rule tries to hinder me, why should I listen to them? Do they know more than I do? Who should I listen to regarding how to manage non-offensive magic? I only said this because I am well aware of people trying to sabotage me and I don't want petty fights to get in the way of advancing our empire" Jason said righteously.

The emperor thought about it for a while and then said,

"So you want to be the owner of it, I'm assuming?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, As a direct descendent of both the emperor and the empress and the person of the highest status amongst my generation, I believe it would be ht most suitable for me to do my part in contributing to the empire by advancing our magic system. There will also be no hope of a rebellion under my watch. If people truly believe the son of the emperor and the empress are having treasonous thoughts instead of truly contributing to the empire, it only shows their lack of faith in the virtue of his and her majesty" Jason says calmly.

The emperor was lost in thought, he wasn't too worried about treason. He may have lost a lot of contact with this son of his but he knows better than anyone how devoted Monica is to the empire. As her son, he shouldn't be having any unnecessary thoughts.

"But as the owner, you will hardly be able to come to the capital and compete in politics, will you be satisfied?" The emperor asked.

It was then did the nobles realized what this meant. If Jason became the owner, he would naturally have to stay in the new southern city. This is almost banishment from the capital. it also gives us a great reason to push him away from getting the throne.

"Your majesty, I believe the prince's proposal is wise. Let him lead the advancement of our magic. It is true offensive magic is our foundation but the Prince used his new magic to help him win the tournament. This shows hope for the future of our empire. We need to train our next generation carefully under his guidance. It doesn't matter if they don't have to follow the imperial law anyway, they are all the way in the southern region, they won't be able to affect the capital much no matter how hard they try!" A noble responded.

Many other nobles in the council voiced words in agreement.

Jason sneered, these hypocritical idiots, are acting as if it is difficult to see right through their thoughts. But it doesn't matter because this is what I wanted anyway.

The empress who was watching everything calmly suddenly signaled with her hand and some imperial maids came up with some documents. They handed the documents over to the council of nobles.

After reading the documents, they realized that everything about the magic tower had already been developed. The only thing missing is the emperor's signature.

"Is this really your wish?" The emperor asked one last time.

"Yes, your majesty" Jason said 

The emperor sighed, he remembered back when Jason used to sweetly call him Yes father. Now it's just a cold, Yes, your majesty. 

The emperor shook his head, it was not time for having random thoughts. With this move, Lance and Jason can avoid a deadly battle for the throne. It is all he could ask for.

"I approve, you are now designated as the owner of the magic tower and the arch-duke of the southern region. Due to your royal status, you are to be exempt from following imperial law. As long as you do not attempt treason, no one is allowed to enforce any punishment on you" The emperor decreed.

Everyone was in shock, Jason now has another identity that is even more powerful than his current one. Magic tower owner, free from all laws except treason? in terms of protection, it is no different from the emperor.

Jason smiles, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will live up to your expectations", he says as he bows.

"The tournament is now over, I thank you all for attending and we hope to see more outstanding talents next year!" The Emperor says as he prepares to leave.

Everyone starts to disperse and go about their evening.

Selena approaches Jason, as she is about to speak, she hears,

"Arch-duchess, how are you feeling", Jason says with a tease.

Selena grins, "I like the sound of that, now I have a higher status than my own mother," Selena says while smiling.

"So is this the protection you meant" Selena asked carefully

"Yes, with this, I now have no obligation to obey anything the emperor says. I can always find an excuse and say it's for magic innovation. I just need to gather some more power and then we'll truly be free" Jason said while pumping his fists.

"Why are you so on guard against the emperor" Selena asked.

"Oh, despite being a terrible and neglectful parent to a 10-year-old child, he still manages the empire well. I'm not on guard against him. The emperor I'm on guard against is the one coming next" Jason says.

Selena was confused for a bit and then it hit her, "Lance!"

"So all of this was to stop Lance from being able to touch you or your loved ones?" Selena asked.

"Of course, with those eyes and the power of the emperor, he could always find some way to suppress us. He can technically still frame us for treason so we not only have to build up our own power but also find someone who can suppress him from the inside" Jason said.

Selena started thinking, "That's why you have been developing the new southern city so much?"

"Yep, if we can turn that into a prosperous city and have many other cities become interdependent, it will be difficult for the emperor to try and get rid of us, who own and control such a powerful city. What we have now is not enough, we need to turn this city into something even the capital will be jealous of" Jason said as his ambitions started flowing.

"Who would we have to suppress Lance though? He was able to see through Parson before during the campaign, and he is quite strong, not many people I can think of can suppress him" Selena asked while pondering.

"You think Lance is very strong?" Jason asked amusedly.

"Of course he is, he has a lot of combat experience and he has those eyes".

"Then is he the strongest person you know?" Jason asked

"No, You're stronger in my eyes. Way stronger actually. But you wanted someone from the inside to suppress him, you're on the outside!" Selena said.

"Then who's the second strongest person you know? Is it Lance?" Jason asked.

"Of course-" Selena was about to say until another figure flashed into her mind. The annoying and smug expression. The proud look. A figure she will never forget. "Wait..." Selena stops and starts to think about it.

"If Lance had magic then it might be a different story but even if he can beat people with magic due to his amazing talent and his eyes, Fiona can't be included in that group of people. She almost beat Jason!" Selena starts thinking to herself.

Her eyes beamed, "Wait, you don't mean..."

Jason nodded his head. "Fiona is the proud type who will probably never be subservient to anyone in her life". 

Her only weakness is her family but threatening her with them might backfire and cause her to turn against the empire. There is no reason to make her an enemy. At first, I thought there was no good way to get her on our side but seeing her talent first-hand, I realized this woman was born to stand on top. She will naturally gravitate towards the seat of empress and who else would dare call herself worthy of that seat except her?

If Lance has to choose an empress based on benefits, no one is better than Fiona. He has no magic himself and is completely backed by the military. I have small spies in the military faction who can whisper some words in favor of Fiona. Once the Duke and Marquis want to get Lance married, he will have no option but to choose Fiona.

In this way, it isn't like she is working for us. It's just how things naturally played out and we were just the catalyst to speed up the reaction. 

After Jason's explanation, Selena was left dumbfounded. She always forgets just how far this man thinks when it comes to handling problems. 

Fiona may be annoying but she is definitely not the type to send an army to suppress us once she becomes empress, if anything, I'm more worried about how many wars she might start once she enters that position.

For a war advocate like her, what she would want the most is internal stability so if Lance ever tries to use the army to arrest the owners of the magic tower and prosperous new southern city, she will be the first to object. And who would win in a fight between Lance and Fiona, clearly Fiona!

Selena started smiling, She looked at Jason while showing off her charming smile. 

"I always feel safe when I'm with you," She says as she hugs Jason sweetly.

Jason smiles and then hugs her back, "I will always protect you from now until the rest of my life". Jason leans in and the atmosphere gets very hot.

Their lips touch and Selena starts drowning in the feeling.

After a while, they break apart and Selena looks away in shyness. Jason also starts blushing too.

"L-Let's head back," he says while grabbing her hand and trying to head back home.

So much had happened in the capital and the attendants were all very tired but thinking about going back home made everyone smile.

Selena doesn't know when but she started seeing the new southern city as her home. Maybe it was because she was far more active with the city than she was in her own family territory. Or maybe it was because Jason was by her side. Regardless, she was very happy and hoped days like this would continue forever.