Mythology Rebooted-Chapter 411 - 190: The Iceman Project, Sir Wei_3

A bastard won’t do, but a daughter and a son-in-law can.

Sophia received a report from the intelligence department, and according to the report, it was highly unlikely that Wayne was Austin’s bastard, but they couldn’t rule out a blood relationship with the Randao Family.

After all, such a resemblance was rare, and the intelligence department dared not assert the truth or falsehood, as only Austin himself knew the truth in his heart.

The knighthood ceremony was very simple, much simpler than Wayne had imagined; there was no kneeling on one knee, nor was there the Queen holding a long sword to his shoulder.

Yvette presented the medal and a certificate, which were personally handed over by Sophia, before she pinned the medal on Wayne’s chest.

It was as simple as that, and then it was over.

This was a Knight Commander Medal, carrying with it a title of nobility, ranking as second-class among the Empire’s decorations, composed of a blue enamel medallion and star-shaped badge, and there were only 845 issued globally.

Citizens of the nation who received this medal automatically assumed the title of knight, which could be added to their name with the honorific of ’Sir’.

In other words, Wayne had barely squeezed into the ranks of the nobility, from now on, he would be Sir Wayne.

Though it wasn’t much use.

To award to businesspeople who made outstanding contributions to the nation meant, in translation, that it could be bought with money.

The awarding of the Knight Commander Medal to Wayne was mainly to honor him for his help in a time of unease, saving Philomena, the High Priestess of the Moonlight Church, and rescuing the precarious reputation of the Magic Department.

"I’ve heard you are immensely talented in the way of magic; keep working hard, the nation needs talents like you," Sophia said with an official smile as she carried out the routine encouragement.

Wayne placed a hand on his chest, his voice ringing out, "In practicing magic thus far, I have only learned three things, loyalty to the Queen, loyalty to the Queen, and loyalty to the Queen."

Sophia smiled without speaking, indicating that although his expression was too blatant and needed refining, his attitude was good; he was a clever child.

She couldn’t help glancing at Austin again, lamenting the uncanny resemblance, even their declarations of loyalty were not much different.

"Also, go out less in the future and engage more in business; the nation needs you, so don’t waste your energy on trivial matters," Sophia hinted subtly.

Wayne nodded respectfully, understanding her point; next time he encountered a High Priest attacked by the Magic Department, he would try to avoid getting involved.

————

The scene shifted.

A family banquet!

Wayne attended the family banquet wearing his medal, with a constantly smiling Hefei by his side. As a member of the clergy, Hefei’s respect for the Queen could not surpass that of the Goddess, but her student’s achievement meant that she had done well in her mentorship, something to be encouraged.

Opposite them, Austin and Veronica cut their steaks into small pieces with an expressionless demeanor, staring directly at Wayne.

Wayne: (⁄⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄⁄)

Someone once said that a thousand readers have a thousand versions of Harry Potter in their minds.

To the father and daughter, Wayne’s bashful expression was particularly annoying; they almost felt like throwing their cutlery at him to end him, but in Hefei’s eyes, this was the mark of someone with a thin skin.

Just like her, after misjudging once and learning from the experience, she chose well the second time around when selecting a student.

After dinner, Austin left with a cold snort, gesturing for Wayne to find him in the study.

Veronica also snorted, louder, insisting that before the social waste met with social waste, he should come to find her first.

"You’re quite busy, aren’t you?"

Hefei covered her mouth with a giggle, patted Wayne on the shoulder, and straightened the medal on his chest. As she looked at it, her eyes reddened slightly.

The capable woman didn’t want to show weakness in front of her students, so she quickly changed the subject and frowned, "I heard you’ve taken a task from the Magic Department, and you’ve been getting quite close to the High Priest Philomena of the Moonlight Church lately?"

He was indeed close, having had physically intimate contact.

Wayne nodded, "Teacher, I don’t want to get too close to her either, but I have no choice. The Magic Department is putting pressure on Austin, and just when my relationship with him had eased, I had to accept the mission for the sake of our family."

"I understand, you’ve sacrificed too much for this family."

Hefei sighed, she could stay out of it and only believe in the Goddess, but Wayne couldn’t. The heir to the family couldn’t escape his duties, and Veronica, being not as astute as she, left Wayne to take on the dirtier and more tiring tasks.

"It’s okay, Teacher, I don’t mind the hardship."

"That bastard, now that you’ve become the heir to the family, he never mentioned a marriage proposal to me. Did he mention it to you?"

"No."

"Damn it, that bastard. He’s already agreed yet still wants to stall."

"Teacher, you can’t blame Austin, after all, he’s a father and it’s normal for him not to want to give away his daughter. If he were to arrange the marriage outright, that would be cold and heartless."

"You’re really sensible. I can’t say much about this matter, it has to be Veronica who speaks up. I’m afraid you’ll have to suffer in silence for a while longer."

"It’s okay, I’m not afraid of suffering."

The two huddled together and murmured to each other for over five minutes.

Moments later, Hefei patted the student on the shoulder and returned to the topic of Church faith: "You may not understand Philomena. That woman has issues, although her magical talent is impressive, her character is perverse and extreme, a difficult kind to deal with. She’s using the Magic Department as an excuse to keep you by her side, surely with no good intentions."

"That’s correct."

Wayne sighed, "Not to hide it from you, but she might have guessed that I’m of the Protogenos Bloodline."

"Really? How did she find out?" Hefei exclaimed in shock.

"It’s not just her, several Legendary Mages at the Magic Department might have guessed it too." Wayne spread his hands helplessly, "Gold will shine no matter where it is. It can’t be hidden."

Hefei smiled bitterly upon hearing this, understanding the principle, but not expecting the exposure to come so quickly.

She suddenly inhaled sharply, grinding her teeth, "I understand now, that bitch Philomena wants to corrupt you with Faith Magic, then take you away to the Moonlight Church, such shamelessness. It was clearly I who came first."

Teacher, is it possible that Kris came first, rounding it out, it really was her who came first?

Wayne muttered to himself, but maintained a serious expression, "It seems like she does indeed think that way, even saying she was the one who came first..."

He hesitated mid-sentence, then gritted his teeth and plucked up the courage to say, "But don’t worry, I’ve already rejected her. I’ve brought my talent to the Naturalism Church, there’s no reason for me to look back now."

"Good kid, Teacher didn’t care for you for nothing."

Hefei was thrilled, then she warned, "She won’t give up easily, be careful. You’re too kind-hearted, and she might find something to use as leverage against you!"

Wayne nodded in agreement, for it wasn’t just about catching, the display could be quite flamboyant.