A Desperate Plea

Kurt, his mind buzzing with this new information, wasted no time. He sought out the noble from the library, the one who had questioned his identity and witnessed his raw summoning ability. He found the man in a quiet corner of the grand hall, seemingly lost in thought.

Kurt approached him, his small frame radiating a newfound confidence, his voice firm and direct. "Hey, old man," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Do you happen to know of some masters who can unlock cores?"

The noble, startled by the boy's abruptness, looked up, his eyes widening in surprise. "Young lord?" he asked, a hint of confusion in his voice. "You are already an Astra user. Why would you need a master?"

Kurt met his gaze steadily. "I have a little brother," he said, the lie rolling off his tongue with surprising ease. "He needs a strong master, someone who can unlock his core to its fullest potential."

The noble's expression softened slightly, but his suspicion remained. "I still don't understand your reluctance to reveal your family name," he said, his voice laced with caution. "But if you cannot, or will not, reveal your lineage, no reputable master will ever agree to unlock your brother's core. It's a matter of trust, of reputation."

Kurt's shoulders slumped slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "Is there… is there any other way?" he asked, his voice tinged with desperation.

The noble hesitated, his gaze thoughtful. "There is one," he said finally. "A retired teacher, a former master, lives not far from here. He is… unconventional. He may be willing to listen to your request, even without knowing your family name. But I warn you, he is a recluse. Finding him will not be easy."

Kurt's eyes lit up with a spark of hope. "Tell me where he is," he said, his voice urgent. "Please. I will do anything."

The noble, seeing the genuine desperation in the boy's eyes, relented. He gave Kurt directions to the retired teacher's secluded dwelling, a place hidden deep within the city's less affluent district.

"Thank you," Kurt said, his voice filled with gratitude. He turned and rushed out of the hall, his small legs carrying him with surprising speed.

The noble watched him go, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. He shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips.

("Thank god I didn't cause a ruckus," the noble muttered, breaking the established tone of the narrative. "Fans always want some ruckus to make the story interesting. Focus on the story, dear fans.")

He sighed, returning to his thoughts, unaware of the dramatic turn Kurt's journey had just taken.