Supreme Magus novel Chapter 242

Their rounds were uneventful. All of their patients were nobles suffering from minor diseases that had exploited their contacts to have healers come to their homes.

"Okay guys, we are almost done." Yurial said once they had checked all but one of the names on their list

"I have saved this patient for last because he is a friend of my family and it could take a while. Is there any problem if we get back a little later than usual, Professor?" _{fɾēewebnσveℓ.com}

Ironhelm shook his head, he had no reason to refuse. The longer he babysat them, the lesser paperwork he would find at his return. Having someone else doing it for him was the main reason he had volunteered for the task.

"I’m sure you can handle it without me. I have much to do. Have fun with your friend." Lith snorted, opening a Warp Steps right outside the local branch of the Mage Association. He was about to step through when Yurial stopped him.

"I’m really sorry, Lith. I have a favor to ask you." Yurial didn’t like being forced to ask for his help, especially since Lith had been giving him the cold shoulder for no apparent reason for days.

"What is it?" Lith glared at Yurial like the first day they met.

"The person we are going to visit is actually a friend of my father. He doesn’t have the authority or the status to get an appointment with one of the great healers of the Kingdom.

"So he did all he could to be included in our rounds. I don’t know why, but he expressly asked for you. He even pestered my father until he was promised that I would ensure your collaboration."

"Is this person influential?" Lith asked. One thing was adding another name to the list of those that owed him a favor, another was wasting his time with minor nobles.

"Actually, no. House Tanash is a young magical bloodline that didn’t produce a magician in the last two generations. They are on the verge of losing their status. There’s not much they could do for you, but if you agree to help, my household would be indebted to you."

Yurial understood the meaning behind Lith’s words, so instead of playing the friend card, he decided to make a deal.

Lith nodded. House Deirus was on the rise and he was already on good terms with them. Together with the Ernas, Archmage Deirus was someone that could help him greatly, if ever the necessity arose.

Despite being located on the outskirts of the high-end district, House Tanash turned out to be a magnificent mansion. It was a three-story building, each floor about two hundred square meters. Yet despite the pristine white walls and the enchanted fence surrounding it, Lith could clearly see that it belonged to a declining household.

It was much smaller than the Marchioness’ house, something more fitting to a rich merchant rather than a magical bloodline. The mansion had no garden at all, there was no insignia along the walls or on the front door.

It seemed like they were trying to hide their identity.

After Yurial knocked, the door was opened almost instantly. The butler wore quite an expensive dress. His white shirt was made of silk while the deep blue blazer and the pants were cashmere. He was a man around 1.65 (5’5") meters high with blue eyes, blond hair, a beard and mustaches of the same color.

The butler was deadly pale and sweating bullets, several stains could be seen on the collar of his shirt.

"Lord Deirus, thank the gods you are here! I was starting to lose all hope!"

Lith smirked at the bad manners of the man, who was dragging Yurial inside instead of making way to his master.

"You must be Master Lith." The butler said while suddenly grabbing his hand and holding it like it was a treasure. The man’s hands were slippery like an eel because of the sweat. Lith wanted to get rid of him but didn’t know how to do it without being rude.

"You are exactly as they described you. Tall, calm and with a gaze that would make even a baby stop crying. I hope that everything else about you it’s true too. My son is in desperate need of your help."

"Your son?" Lith blurted out.

’They must really be in hot waters if they don’t have a butler. Either that or the situation is so desperate that Lord Tanash came to open the door by himself. Yet it doesn’t make sense. If his son is so ill, how come they didn’t accept him at the White Griffon hospital?’ Lith thought.

"Lord Tanash, this is Lith of Lutia." Yurial was truly embarrassed by the lord of the household’s behavior, but he kept his cool and performed the proper introductions in their host’s stead before Lith changed his mind about helping.

Yurial knew that those days it was really easy for Lith to lose his temper.

"Lith, allow me to introduce you Duke Vinald Tanash." Lith shook his hand, using darkness magic to cleanse it as soon as he managed to get free from the slimy vice.

"Duke Tanash is not himself today because..."

"Yes, yes! Please, excuse my manners, Master Lith!" The Duke cut Yurial short, giving Lith a bow so deep his head almost touched the ground.

’Definitely desperate.’ Lith concluded.

It was only thanks to the efforts of Yurial and of the family butler that they managed to calm Vinald enough to let their guests accommodate in the tea room. Lith noticed that after serving the tea for everyone, the butler spiked the Duke’s with liquor.

After several cups of liquor diluted with a bit of tea, Vinald managed to calm down enough to explain himself properly.

"I’m really sorry for earlier, but I just received a piece of news that will be the final nail in the coffin of my household if even Master Lith proves to be powerless against the ruin looming over our heads." Duke Tanash turned pale again, his words on the verge of turning back into a rambling.

The butler had lost all hope to preserve the dignity of his master, so he poured liquor instead of tea into the cup.

"Let me explain. House Tanash was founded by my great-great-grandfather, Gillam Tanash. Born as the son of a humble blacksmith, he managed to become an archmage and served the Kingdom with honor.

Before his death, he received the title of Duke for his achievements.

"Alas, after him no one in our family showed the slightest talent for magic. All we have comes from Archmage Tanash’s work, but in a single generation, there is only so much one can do. Over time, our contribution to the Kingdom has become less and less.

"We didn’t have a mage nor the necessary funds to gain merits enough to increase our status. That was until my son, Zintar, was accepted in the Lightning Griffon academy. He is no genius, but he is very talented and hardworking. During the first three years of the academy, he always was in the top percentile.