Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In the midst of a bewitching hour, when everyone was already deep in slumber, faint footsteps were heard echoing between the hall that connects the Askanier Manor. Although the House of Askanier was said to be less spacious than the rest of the ruling family’s house, its size was still too big for someone who came from the 21st century. Lukas remembered the first time he opened his eyes and found himself to be here, he spent the entire day walking like it was some kind of a cardiac sport.

One thing that Lukas could conclude after spending decades in this world was the people here really adore walking. However, Lukas could let things pass mostly because the view between one hall to another was, to say the least, too wonderful not to forgive. The footsteps then stopped in front of the door coated with gold ornaments, knowing well where it would lead him, Lukas then knocked on the door twice. There’s this specific rhythm that formed naturally, between them, like some kind of a secret code that Lukas knew the person that is currently occupying the other side of the room would definitely recognize. Considering the other person’s behavior of being overly observant of things that are somehow related to Lukas, he would pick it up everytime.

No answer was heard, but of course that didn’t stop Lukas from entering the room. So then he opened the door, slowly but not too forgiving.

There he was greeted by the sight of a young man that is very much familiar to him, sitting leisurely with no care in the world. Although Lukas can’t see the other opponent’s face properly, Lukas could guess what his friend is currently doing.

“Leo, have you lost your mind?”

“What?” Leonard’s voice was heard.

The fact that he didn’t even bother to spare a glance towards Lukas himself made Lukas lose a piece of his patience. However Lukas knew the other person’s temperament and status, so he decided to not take any physical actions towards the other. But wasn’t he the master of this house? So maybe the other party could take a punch or two? Considering their status right now, won’t Leonard let him do it?

“It’s almost dawn, and you’re still here? The crown prince of Bayern must have too much time on their hands to the point they have the spare time to laze around in other people’s houses?”

“Well, rather than lazing aroundーI would gladly call this activity ‘reading’, Lukas.” A sound of a book being flipped was heard. Lukas stared at him, giving him a second of silence. Lukas then realized this guy was indeed being serious, acting as if his body was nailed down to the seat, not moving even an inch.

“Leo, you read books when you have spare time.”

“And I do have it now, yes? Time that I’m willing to spare.”

“For what?” Lukas paused, “The library in the Wittelsbach household might be burning down to ashes to the point a crown prince had to step out himself and spend their night reading in someone else’s house.” Lukas crossed his arms. Unexpectedly to Lukas, Leonard finally glanced at him, turning his head and met Lukas’s gaze.

“No, you worded it wrong.” Leonard then licked his thumb, marked the corner of the page, closed the book, and put his gaze back to Lukas. “I spared my time for you. You have my time, not the book.”

Hearing Leonard's shameless response, Lukas was at a loss at his words.

He would have hit the other’s head so hard if only he wasn’t aware of the other’s schedule that awaits him the next day, but unfortunately, Lukas didn’t hold the capability to forget, so simply remembering is all he got for now.

He sighed, “Sure, whatever. Let’s leave it at that. What is it this time? Ellie wasn’t willing to be painted again?”

Considering the Hohenzollerns' whereabouts not too long ago after the coronation of Elias Hohenzollern, Lukas witnessed the struggle and hustle that happened between the two childhood friends. One day it was Elias refusing to be painted unless Lukas would stand and wait for him there, then the next day Elias made Lukas paint him instead (Leonard didn’t approve, he said Lukas’s painting would lead to tribulation and that offended Lukas so much that they stopped talking for two days). After all that chaos, Leonard would come to Lukas’s place and talk about it to figure out what to do in order to make that soon-to-be emperor sit down and smile properly to be painted.

“No. It’s not that.” Leonard then shifted to the right a little, making a space beside him for Lukas to sit.

However, Lukas simply sat across Leonard. Leonard spared him an annoyed glance, then Lukas felt a pang in his core. Are you serious? Lukas thought that annoyed glance should’ve been on his face instead and not Leonard’s, so did the core sudden attack should’ve come from him instead. Still Lukas didn’t care and just gestured for Leonard to keep talking.

Convinced that Lukas wasn’t willing to sit beside him, Leonard scoffed. Then he rummaged through the mountain of books beside him and after confirming he grabbed the one which he intended to show, he said, “I caught a glimpse of the Askanier family tree.”

The Askanier family tree and not ‘your’ family, Lukas noticed how Leonard worded it as if Askanier was just a label that tied Lukas’s existence. But then Lukas recalled how after finding out the whole truth about his existence, Leonard seemed not to want Lukas to define himself as an Askanier if he himself won’t be willing. Lukas liked that. Leonard was indeed being very respectful of him and respected his choice.

Back to the present, after hearing Leo’s statement, Lukas glanced at the book that Leonard was currently holding; it was, indeed, a record of Askanier. There was the familiar Askanier family crest stamped on its cover. So was he spending all the night here casually rummaging through a document of importance? Treating it as if it’s another fun political read?

Lukas let out a chuckle, fixed his sitting posture and crossed his legs. “What about it? A nice read? Or too boring compared to yours?”

“You…” Leonard then looked away, “I’m just wondering, what are you planning to do?”

“What I’m planning to do?”

“With this.” Leonard brought the record on the top of the wooden table and tapped the cover. Lukas then looked at him. Perhaps the silence that Lukas gave to Leonard as an answer managed to make Leonard realize that Lukas indeed didn't have any idea what Leonard was trying to say. “The Askanier bloodline. Will it stop?” Leonard asked.

Lukas widened his eyes, his mouth formed into ‘o’. He thought for a second. “Maybe.”

“I respect your choice, but don’t you think it’s a waste?”

Lukas furrowed his eyebrows, “Waste?”

Lukas’s mind recalled that the person in front of him is too logical. Just like Lukas was known as a strategist, Leonard was an opportunist. Leonard is a walking field manual that can’t help but calculate every possible outcome that might cause a beneficial opportunity. When the dot finally connects and the puzzle fits, Lukas knows exactly where this is going.

But Leonard beat him into it, “Lukas, things that I will say starting from now won’t contain any compulsion and you are free to reject my offer.” Leonard then repeated tapping the record with a certain rhythm. “However, I am doing this—as a friend—while you are indeed my most beloved friend, I'm doing this because I am your friend before I’m your political partner, so please listen to me.”

Got it, he doesn’t want me to refuse. Lukas scoffed inwardly and noted down.

“Lukas, will you be willing to create a successor with me?”

“Pardon?”

Lukas then thought, you really either live long enough to the point you start encountering anomalies or die early and buried merely as names, in his case, a person of importance just proposed to make a heir with him as if they’re asking him to spare some minutes to put a tick on a shopping list.

“I asked whether you would be willing to participate in an experiment or not.”

“Excuse me?”

“Listen to me first.” Leonard didn’t bother to repeat himself. He opened the record, rummaging through the pages to others and stopped at one. Then he pointed at one of the pages. “You see, there was never a record of a successor made by fusing two kinds of magic, the combination is always linear, never varied. The only thing that comes close would be your existence. Isn’t that amazing?”

“I suppose I can take that as a compliment?” Lukas chuckled.

“Always.” Leonard corrected.

There was admiration reflected in Leonard’s eyes and that somehow made Lukas catch a glimpse of the Leonard he met for the first time. It was a very old memory that had been stored in the back of his mind, but the realization hit Lukas hard even before and after numerous retries, Leonard that reached out to him in desperation and faith, the Leonard that he left and the Leonard that sat across him, they’re all still indeed the same person.

Lukas then laughed to himself, he actually found it unbelievable how Leonard was able to define himself with love.

“If you understand, now it’s better to start our experiment. If my hypothesis could be proven right, then there’s a big chance we could start a change to mankind.” Leonard continued.

Okay, let me correct that. Maybe too much. Lukas thought.

“You’re being too excessive.” Lukas scoffed. “So you’re saying that you want me to search for a suitable magic partner with a different type of magic to combine it with mine and create a successor?”

“What is there to search for?” Leonard gave Lukas a questioning look. There was silence. Lukas then looked at Leonard up and down. Leonard then realized this person will always be proper, in terms of maintaining dignity, even if he wasーindeed eyeing him with a look of displeasure.

“My magic partner, who will it be?”

“Lukas.”

“Ellie’s magic would be interesting…”

“Elias is too busy with his coronation.” Leonard said, a little too fast.

“Narke should beー”

“Lukas, it’s not funny.”

“Oh, it is. Really.” Lukas tilted his head, putting a hand on his chin and grinned. “Well then, what makes this person so sure of himself?”

Realizing that he will not be getting away anytime soon from Lukas’s antics, Leonard finally gave in. “That person’s healing magic only works when it first applied to you.”

“That’s not very convincing. Try harder.”

“Lukas, are you serious?”

“Well, are you? isn’t this supposed to be the matter of our successor? You’re suspiciously being very adamant about who will be my magic partner.”

Hearing Lukas’s resolute ‘why does it matter to you’ response, Leonard then glanced at Lukas intently as if he was about to bore a hole in Lukas’s face. However Lukas only smiled calmly, still unfazed. Lukas thought maybe he should stop teasing the poor crown prince and just get to the point. But this too, is an important opportunity for him to teach his beloved friend a lesson of honesty and self awareness. Life is never too much for one to learn. Lukas had been through double the amount of hardships, so will it hurt Leonard to learn from him?

“Leonard, you’re not being too honest right now, aren’t you?” Lukas asked, fully knowing Leonard doesn’t really like it whenever Lukas called him with the entirety of his surname. But emphasis was something he needed now. So he could care less.

Because the art of making Leonard understand something should start with Lukas showing him something that he doesn’t like. Just like one time Lukas tried to push him away because of their different sense of what’s justice and what’s not, Leonard only learns through results. Leonard would only understand if he was shown the worst possible outcome right in front of his eyes and would only understand if Lukas said and spelled it right to him, let’s not see eachother in the meantime. Leonard then would conclude inwardly, Oh, I shouldn’t have done that. Lukas didn’t like it if I did that.

Lukas crossed his arms, waiting for Leonard to give him the exact reason he wanted. “Sure, let’s say that your magic and mine hold the perfect answer for your question. But you skipped the very important part, why does it have to be me and you? Why are we suddenly relevant in this experiment?” Lukas then shrugged and continued, his sight still glued to Leonard’s gaze. “You could have gone and dragged Ellie, his magic is also outstanding. Narke’s magic would even be worth considering, wouldn't it?”

Then Lukas continued again, slowly letting out word by word while reaching out to Leonard’s palm that was placed on the top of The Record of Askanier, pulling it up and guiding, “Look me in the eyes right now and tell me what is the exact reason why you brought this up in the first place.” Then the record was tightly shut, Lukas’s hand was still on top of Leonard’s.

There wasn’t any sound heard from Leonard’s mouth. It was as if his mouth was silenced for seconds. However Lukas didn’t back down, he let Leonard take all the time he needed. Lukas found it hilarious that even in silence, they really still could be fighting. As Lukas’s hand slowly loosened the hold between their hands, Leonard immediately caught it again. Then Leonard slowly opened his mouth and finally said it.

“I just want it to be you.”

“And?”

“...not with anyone else.”

Lukas then laughed out loud, “That wasn’t too difficult, was it?” Lukas smiled, his eyes gently bent into a crescent.

“Lukas…” Leonard rolled his eyes. “You always overcomplicate things.”

Lukas thought Leonard seemed to think as if he was hard to read, that he hid things well, that he was able to quickly get back on track and expected Lukas to miss it. But the way he wasn’t able to meet his gaze heads on, the way Leonard always acted as if there was a slight hesitation in his actions, and the most important of it allーthe crimson shade that was visible in both of his ears gave it away.

“You always overcomplicate things, Leo. If you already went with that answer the first seconds I asked why, then we would not be having this conversation right now. I would just nod, smile, and be so accepting of the adoration you have towards me.”

Leonard felt helpless.

“Okay, we are getting too off topic right now.” Lukas then broke free of Leonard’s grasp. Fixed his sitting posture and leaned back to the chair and closed his eyes. Though not heard, Lukas could exactly sense what Leonard was about to say and whose fault was it?

“Will there be papers for me to sign? Like some kind of a contract?”

Leonard shook his head, although feeling a little empty with nothing for his hand to hold on, “Not yet. We are still on the hypothesis part. It’s more preferable if we try to do more research regarding how combining two entirely different types of magic works when it comes to creating a successor.” Leonard then propped his chin up, thinking.

“Don’t you think it’s weird too?”

Lukas nodded, “Yes, very much so. It seems like it’s too good to be true if you were really the first new human who initiated this. But there might be reasons behind this… there might be new humans out there who also had this thought but maybeーjust maybeーsomething happened and the result is always a linear combination.”

Considering new humans had been around way longer than the two of them, there will always be a possibility for other ruling families that could have initiated the practice. The fact that there is nothing like a non-linear combination isn't weird, but why is it always linear combinations over the years? That’s the weird part.

“Yes, that part.” Leonard also nodded in return.

“Lukas, we need to work on that first.”

Then he brought another stack of paper, this one was carefully binded with a very elegant and luxurious looking cover. It was blue, the kind of blue that Leonard grew up in. There was a Wittelsbach crest stamped on top of it. Lukas didn’t need to ask what it was.

“Would be interesting if you care to explain since when you’ve been planning to do this to the point you got both of our family records lined up side by side in instant.” Lukas said.

Leonard didn’t pay any attention to it, “Some other time I would, but look.” He opened the Wittelsbach records, started rummaging through the pages again and stopped right in the last part of the book. He then tapped the part where his name was written. “If you notice, my family always excels in non-combat magic, does it? Especially in healing magic.”

Lukas nodded. “However yours only works properly when it comes to me first.”

“Yes. That means our magic at least holds the same variable.” Leonard continued. “If that would explain why I was able to be aware of your attempt to turn back the time.”

If what Leonard was trying to say could be true, then there might be similarity of the variable they have in their magic. Lukas was originally born in a prestigious wizard family. But the magic that was stored within him physically is still an anomaly, something unknown, and was greeted to be something that wasn’t common. Be it his eyes or his ability to be able to transform a living force such as blood and whatever else, and retract it as his manpower, it wasn’t something the Askanier from previous bloodline owned.

Contradictory to The Wittelsbachs, Leonard was accustomed towards the uncommon, mainly because in the end it didn’t hurt anyone unless he used it. Leonard’s magic development wasn’t ‘normal’, it was just odd. However it won’t change the fact his healing magic worked instantly when he used it on Lukas. And Leonard broke the system and noticed his retry.

If you put those two variables side by side. One unknown and one uncommon, they still had one similarity. It wasn’t the fact that their magic held that same oddity, but the fact that Leo’s magic lacked something that Lukas’s magic could easily fulfill, and Leo’s magicーor existence could break through the system that only Lukas’s magic was able to contain could still be something that still have the same value.

Lukas snapped his finger, “So our magic, even though it's a different type…”

Leonard and Lukas spoke at the same time, “...could still be a linear combination.”

So, what about it? It’s not that simple, because we are talking about creating a life. It should be more complex than figuring out how a formula works. With how far Lukas already read the novel itself, there wasn't anything detailed about how a ruling family can end up with an heir. He just remembered it was mentioned that the thing about creating a successor for new humans didn’t have anything to do with how the old humans do it, thus making them heavily rely on their magic. It seems more on equation and combination…

“Does that mean it’s still possible for a successor to be made by combining our magic?” Lukas asked, he just wanted to make sure whether they are still on the right track or not. This might be the start of something new after all, if they end up succeeding, that is. “But how?”

Noticing how Lukas wasn’t being sure, Leonard slowly propped up his chin, then he looked away. He stared at the window near the two of them. After a while, he sighed. “Maybe we should just talk about it tomorrow, it’s getting late, after all. We should get some rest.”

Getting late is a little… no. It’s like a quarter left for the sun to rise, you bastard...

Lukas scoffed inwardly. He tilted his head, his eyes still on the other. “Sure, let’s do that. Go back to your place then.” Lukas reprimanded. But the other man just stared at him nonchalantly, as if he didn’t get it. “You’re not even going to see me off?”

“Didn’t you warpーoh. Don’t tell me…”

“Yes.”

“Leonard Wittelsbach, you… you’re really out of your mind.” Lukas facepalmed, he slowly lifted his gaze. Still staring at Leonard with a look of annoyance. After going through acceptance, he approached Leonard. With all his might, Lukas harshly tugged on Leonard’s sleeve and dragged him to the gate. Sensing his annoyance, the other just let him do whatever and followed along with absolute content.

With all honesty, Lukas could definitely care less about the media masses, if the words do get out to public, exclaiming that the crown prince of Bayern rode a train and carriage all the way to Anhalt and not warping, even though the other clearly already had the exact coordinates carved on the back of his palm, the masses would definitely be happy to finally put something in the headlines of the newspaper after days of seemingly never-ending days filled with peace. But still, the fact that the Hohenzollern is currently having their spotlight and all eyes are directed towards Elias Hohenzollern right at this moment, made Lukas feel somehow so conscious of everything. If some of the conservatives start to speculate something useless about Anhalt and Bayern then it will not be favorable for Elias.

As they were walking through the hall, Lukas asked, “Leo, if we did well and succeeded in this experiment, what will happen then?”

There was no answer coming from Leonard. Seconds passed, it then turned into minutes. As they finally reached the gate, Lukas still didn’t expect Leonard to just let his questions unanswered just like that. But Lukas didn’t falter. He knew there was something else that Leonard didn’t tell him.

Much to his expectations, just before Leonard got up to the carriage, he finally turned to look at him.

Even though the two had been very close towards each other throughout the years, there were times when Lukas wasn’t able to be good at reading Leonard’s expression. Leonard was never easy to read to begin with, Leonard just happened to lower his guard whenever he was around Lukas. Rather than reading Leonard like a book, Leonard picked the exact pages and showed Lukas what he wanted him to understand. The movement of the other broke Lukas’s thoughts, Leonard bowed a little, then he slowly brought one of his hands to touch the artifact that’s placed in Lukas’s earlobe. Then he retracted his hands. Lukas didn’t miss the slight trembling. There was clearly hesitation in Leonard’s actions. Lukas wondered why.

“I will tell you later. Let’s just work on it first, okay?” He finally answered.

Lukas nodded in return.

After all, they still had days ahead of them, so why rush?

Chapter Text

As expected, they didn’t rush anything about it. Almost half a month passed and both Leonard and Lukas didn’t bring it up again, the only conversations they offered to each other was no more than brief conversations related to work. Leonard was drowning in papers and meetings, Lukas was no more or less the same. The stuff that had been busying Leonard is no more than the other sideーthe fact that Bayern already acclaimed their standing and took care of the conflicts that happened between Prussia and The Papal States, this made Leonard had to take care of some regulations that used to be tied to Prussia. Some regulations mixed with Elias’s agreement and Leonard himself, they ended up completely rewriting it.

However, this didn’t mean days went by without Lukas not meeting Leonard at all. Their meetings are mostly held in conferences and everywhere else that is clearly not a place where Lukas preferred to talk about it. Well that is, until today.

That day, both Lukas and Leonard were called to meet Elias. Elias, who already went through numerous ceremonies and finally gained a fixed seat, would call the two altogether and ask how they’re doing. Lukas finds it secretly amazing how Elias is still able to maintain the same temperament like he did since forever, it was funny. In a very endearing way, of course.

“Hey.” Elias looked back and forth between two of his friends. Then, he furrowed his eyebrows. Rather than worry, there was obvious curiosity and interest reflected in his blue eyes. He grinned.

“Leo, did you have a fight with Luka?”

“I’m always wondering why you always seem to assume I was the one who initiated the fight.” Leonard asked back. Elias eyed him up and down and shrugged. “Of course. Why would Luka initiate a fight?”

“That’s because we aren’t exactly fighting, Ellie.” Lukas added.

Exactly?

Seeing how Lukas and Leonard didn’t exchange a glance towards each other the whole day and just straight up looking at either the paper they had on the table or him and now the two were looking at Elias at the same time. Lukas’s reply didn't convince Elias enough.

Suspicious. Elias narrowed his eyes.

The real reason why Elias suspected the two were in the middle of a fight was because how rare Elias came across these two walking together from the past weeks. Elias didn’t know when it exactly started but he realized these two friends of hisーwhom he cherished and would die forーalways seem to like taking a walk together whenever they finished a meeting or conferences. Elias would look at these two from the window up here and wonder what they are talking about to the point they would smile at each other so full of endearment. That was it.

But now? Not even walking together, they don’t really seem to be bothered enough to look each other in the eyes at this moment! It seemed like they were afraid of something. Are they being chased? Elias never heard anything of it! Elias is well aware of the fact he is neither a clairvoyant or Narke, but he is very well aware that great danger is coming near if these two don't resolve their business anytime soon!

“Spit it out or I will be making this meeting last for two days!” Elias exclaimed out loud.

“We are thinking of making a successor.”

Lukas almost bursted out the tea that he was currently drinking. He then coughed, while Leonard, after dropping a bomb so nonchalantly, reached out for a napkin and handed it to Lukas. Leonard tried to wipe it for him but Lukas snatched the napkin and eyed Leonard in exchange, “Why do you have to word it like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like it’s just some other news, as if you are trying to invite someone for a walk!”

Elias looked back and forth between the two of his friends, he didn’t really get what they were talking about and how does making a successor have anything to do with the two not talking to each other throughout the month. But wait, a successor? Are they talking about having a child? Weren’t a successor usually made of two kinds of similar magic as its main ingredients? Who initiated it? Leo? Did he threaten Lukas?

Feeling warry. Elias’s mind automatically was thrown back into those old days, not very far after Lukas collapsed in the cathedral and fell into deep slumber that lasted for three days long, and once Lukas opened his eyes and far back, Elias witnessed a chase between the two and he clearly remembered how Leonard looked so sure of catching Lukas even if it will make him go down through hell. It sent shivers down to Elias’s spine. Oh, this isn’t good! “Leo, just what did you do to Luka!?”

“Nothing. Elias, we didn’t come into an official agreement for anything yet, not even a contract.”

Lukas gave Leonard a look of disbelief, “You came into Anhalt in the middle of the night and brought the whole thing about making a successor up out of nowhere. While I was hesitating whether this crazy guy was in his right mind or notーhe started yelling like it's a waste, as if he didn’t just violate someone else’s family privacy, as if he didn’t just start rummaging through a confidential document.”

“Leo!?” Almost in reflex, Elias looked at Leonard in warry.

“Certainly not. I didn’t do that. Also, you knew I was there the whole time. You seemed to be very into it too, telling me to be honest and all that.”

“Luka?!” Elias now shifted his gaze towards the other in confusion.

Okay, Lukas admitted that he did tease Leonard and got carried away with it that day but did he regret it? Of course not. Will he do it again? Maybe. But the other thing he mentioned about knowing his whereabouts, was Leonard talking about how the enslavement contract works between them? While it was true Lukas did sense Leonard’s existence or magic to be exact so sudden in the middle of the night, how would he speculate that he would actually snuck in? Lukas then firmly answered, “No, I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did.” Leonard didn’t back off.

“No, I did not.” And so did Lukas.

Seeing the two of them not stopping anytime soon, Elias tilted his head. “Was that also the reason why the two of you didn’t bother to make any small talk? You guys are very, very, very, afraid that one of you would start bringing up this whole successor thing again?”

Lukas crossed his arms and slowly leaned at the back of the chair lazily. “Yes, Ellie. I am very, very, very, afraid this guy right here would immediately tie me down and straight up perform another unlicensed surgery on me once I say yes.” He said, while pointing at Leonard. It was after three seconds Lukas realized that sounded… a bit weird.

However, the seemingly uncaring and over ambitious Leonard immediately refuted, “You did say yes. You said that you would just nod, smile, and be so accepting of the adoration I have towards you.”

Before Lukas could punch Leonard with all his might down to his core, Elias clapped, “Okay, that’s enough,”

“The two of you clearly had a very different magic, right? It should be something once in a lifetime.” Elias then snapped his fingers. “Right! He would be here soon, anyways. So might as well just ask him!”

Him? Lukas wondered who Elias was referring to. But not even a minute, someone knocked on the door. Elias showed affirmation for the other to immediately enter and they did. The other entered and looked around. Lukas noticed the familiar figure wrapped in a cloak. Then the person in cloak Elias was referring to slowly reached out for the hood and pulled it up. Revealing two yellow eyes that softly were bent into a crescent. Narke.

“It seemed like I missed quite a lot already. I apologize for the late entrance, there was a slight unexpected confession I had to take care of.” Narke smiled apologetically.

Elias laughed out loud, “Narke, you do know you can just warp, right? I gave everyone here special permission to just warp here anytime.” After hearing Elias’s statement, Narke slightly nodded. Narke found himself a seat next to Lukas. Leonard just casually glanced at Narke across the two of them.

Then he answered, “Yes, but I would like to keep things proper. Will do it next time though.”

The last time Lukas was able to properly meet Narke was like two months ago. Most of Narke’s business requires him to go back and forth between Rome and its surroundings. Thus making Narke to be rarely seen unless in specific occasions where he had to attend. Remembering his current position, Lukas wouldn’t deny how hard it seems for Narke to set aside his plans in order to exchange mundane conversations like this. It must’ve been hard for Narke to spare his time.

Narke was staring at Lukas the whole time and then he smiled, “Not really, I finished my work just yesterday. Also it’s not mundane, since being able to meet all of you is the same as breathing to me.”

Lukas chuckled, not minding it at all. The two smiled.

After hearing the explanation from the beginning to the end, Narke hummed and then smiled while tilting his head. “So, what are you two planning to do? I think it’s still worth a try.”

Lukas and Leonard exchanged glances. Then Lukas asked in return, “Will it work? I only did some research about it, it didn’t seem like it would succeed at some point. Considering I think some of the new humans might have done it but failed for some reason.” Referring back to the obvious proof of how most ruling families have a successor that came from a couple that each of them came from a family that’s still in the same area.

“Mixing two magics with different bases is another story, but the contrast between Lukas’s magic and Leo’s magic shows different concentration for each of them. In the form of liquid, it is as if you melt candle wax. Lukas’s magic might have higher concentration because its main characteristic leans towards variations of combat, however Leo’s magic is the problem.” Narke then propped himself up. Now standing, he casted a spell and then a wide and blank scroll appeared and faced towards all of the four. Narke slowly moved around his hand as if he’s writing something and visible texts and drawings are projected right into the big scroll.

“Will Leo’s magic be able to withstand Lukas’s?” Narke then underlined the exact said sentence, emphasizing the main idea of the question. Narke drew two circles in the middle.

“This circle,” Narke pointed at the circle on the left that is colored in pink. “This circle represents Lukas’s magic and its concentration.” Then Narke pointed to the other circle that is colored in blue, “This is Leo’s.” Then the circle moved towards the other and created an overlapped gap between them, its colors changed into violet. “The middle one is what you call it, the successor’s.”

“I’m sure it’s written already in a record that the formula itself contains a very simple rule, liquids with similar polarities are miscible, whereas liquids with different polarities do not mix. Let’s say that Lukas’s exact amount of magic concentration should be ten times higher than Leo’s. Let’s write it as 10x, the ‘x’ represents the amount of minimum concentration that Leo’s magic should have. Now the problem arises, how do we know the exact amount of Leo’s magic concentration?” Narke tapped the scroll. “Not only that, we also have other unknown and unspecified variables.”

“The minimum amount for the successor.” Lukas and Leonard answered in unison.

Narke nodded, “Yes, the minimum amount for it to be counted as success, to be exact.”

Narke then faced the scroll again and wrote A - B = C.

“‘A’ acts as the provider, this role is always given to the one with higher concentration. Higher concentration provides more molecules that could be tied on in order to create a new combination. ‘B’ on the other hand, acts as the subtractor and divider, however the dividing here leans more towards subtracting, its role involves tying up the molecules towards itself and combining it into new combinations. That is, what you call ‘C’. C stands as the final amount of the successor’s magic concentration that you guys will end up with.”

Elias raised his hand.

“Yes, Elias. Any questions?” Narke played along.

“What is the minimum amount for a successor to be successfully created?”

Narke smiled, “It’s… not fixed but let’s get into that.” He then grabbed his wand and wrote something again. “Let’s say that the final amount should be 100. Then just use 10x to fill the A, and x for the B. 100 should be placed in the C. The rough equations should be like this, but not quite… fixed.” Narke smiled helplessly. “This should at least give the two of you a rough idea about it. I mean as in, what to find out and what to be properly specified.” Narke then clapped, “I think that’s all I know! Any questions?”

“What happens if my magic has a higher concentration than x?” Leonard asked.

“It will most likely create an error, if it’s higher on its concentration amount, it wouldn’t be able to properly act as a subtractor and divider. B shouldn’t be able to surpass A’s amount of concentration because C will never be written in minus. That's an instant fail.” Narke firmly answered. “I did say the problem doesn’t exactly lie on its result but more on finding out which one is the A and which one is B. I assumed Lukas’s magic should be the A but I’m sure the two of you know something that I don’t. Whether Leo’s magic should be the B or not, that’s something the two of you should try to find out.”

I’m sure the two of you know something that I don’t. Was Narke referring to Leonard being able to notice how the time flows and breaks through the system? Lukas sure that was something Narke tried to refer to. So in the end the problem is unexpectedly on the amount of magic that Leonard had. However, Lukas didn’t overlook the possibility that his own magic would hold a greater amount of concentration than the other. Not something to brag about of course, but something to think about. Because in the end, the problem lies within the matter of whether Leonard’s magic will be able to tie Lukas’s magic or not. Will it be able to withstand whatever the thing that defines Lukas’s magic? If this experiment fails then will it prove that Lukas’s magic was fated to be buried forever and happened once in a lifetime?

Thinking so, Lukas realized how Leonard was being so adamant on that day.

ーbut don’t you think it’s a waste?

How would it be a waste if its entire existence seems to be a waste already? Lukas then thought, rather than blessing, maybe his magic exists solely for the sake to bear all the things this world won’t be able to. It made sense of how his own existence came to be. If it fails…

Lukas didn’t realize that Leonard was staring at him the whole time.

With downcast eyes, Lukas seemed to be deep in thought. However, that ended when Lukas felt a warm temperature of a human body on his shoulders. A hand was gently placed there.

“Lukas, will you do me a favor and not think of yourself like that?” Narke whispered.

“...” Lukas understood what it meant. Lukas didn’t exactly want to give up either. Also, the obvious stare coming from across him that seemed to be piercing his face felt obviously so vivid it made him feel itchy. Not giving up yet, because I have someone else to drag me into it forever until we succeed.

Elias thought for a moment, then as if there were a bulb appearing on the top of his head. His eyes sparkled in interest, “Would it be more favorable if you just tell us what you are seeing in the future, Narke?” Then after realizing his words might come out wrong, Elias waved his hand. “If you don’t mind, that is.”

Narke let out a chuckle and closed his eyes while smiling softly.

No answer.

“So, you don’t want to answer.” Leonard probably meant it as a question, but the tone fell flat; it came out as a statement instead.

Narke shrugged, “I’m doing this for the sake of you guys. No more no less.”

Leonard laughed in ridicule, “For the sake of your entertainment?”

Narke also laughed, though seemed to be less ridiculing but very honest, “For the sake of our friendship.”

Realizing there was a visible tension happening between the two, Lukas scoffed. “So, did we end up succeeding or not?” Lukas decided to join Leonard in this match. Narke then looked at Lukas slightly before standing up. “Whether you guys end up succeeding or not is not important is it?”

He shifted his sight to Leonard and once again smiled, “I believe Leo understood what I mean by that.”

Leonard just gave Narke a look with an indescribable expression that Lukas didn’t quite understand.

After getting into the end of the discussion, Lukas and Leonard decided to bid farewell to the two. However, before they were about to step out of the room, Elias suddenly asked. “It’s frustrating that I can’t really do anything helpful, but I think it’s more suitable if the two of you get your mind off from work first, isn’t it?”

Lukas and Leonard exchanged glances. Before the two of them can refute, Elias grinned and said, “A vacation leave! I think that way I could at least help the two of you.”

“From now on, due to an act of contributing peace in this empire, the crown prince of Bayern and the lord of Anhalt would be temporarily abstaining from their duty as the lord and as imperial wizard, so then their duty should be passed to their most trusted aide in the meantime.”

Lukas then thought for a bit, whether doing a science experiment would count as a vacation or not.

“In conclusion, the first thing that we have to figure out is your magic.”

Lukas pointed at Leonard while the two of them were walking beside each other. Their steps almost mirrored each other’s. While Lukas was still walking with his sight forward, not stealing any glances toward the other, Leonard had his eyes on him the whole time, he then let out a long sigh.

“We should also start following the listed steps in the record, it’s still written rather ambiguous but it won’t hurt to try.”

Both of them realized at this point, the more they question, the more they walk themselves back to the start line. They aren’t going anywhere soon. By the time they reached the same conclusion, there was nothing they could discuss anymore.

Once Their step stopped right in front of the gate, with both of their carriage lined up, Lukas thought the only thing they gained after all that long talk was indeed just exhaustion and questions, so he didn’t bother to look at Leonard properly and just casually nodded before stepping into the Carriage with Askanier crest carved in its surface. However what Lukas didn’t expect was the nerve the other person had, Leonard held the carriage door still and stepped in. After finding himself a comfortable seat across Lukas, he just stayed still like he just did the right thing.

Lukas then fell silent. What is this guy doing here?

“Excuse me,” Lukas knocked twice at the window glass between them. “Your Highness The Crown Prince of Bayern, I think you mistook my carriage as your carriage.”

Leonard shook his head, a soft humming was heard, “No, I don’t think so. Did Your Highness The Lord of Anhalt forget? Elias gave both of us a vacation leave. What kind of vacation will I have if I just go back straight to my workplace right now?”

This guy has really lost his mind. Maybe all that Narke’s doings resulted into this. Although now his smile cracked, Lukas played along and said. “So, your idea of spending a vacation is spending your days in my carriage?”

“Even better, your home.”

“Leonard Wittelsbach,” Lukas stepped on Leonard’s feet. “The only leave you will have right now is a sick leave after getting kicked out onto the road.”

Leonard laughed, not minding it at all.

Lukas found it funny how shameless Leonard could be once it’s only the two of them.

Lukas then took pity on Leonard’s childhood of taking what should be granted for a child resulting in late puberty, late puberty in late twenties was uncommon until he met Leonard. Although the other clearly didn’t have anything in mind other than ambitions, Leonard would say shameless things while fully aware of what it means, just like this time. What’s funnier is that no matter how Leonard tried to race against the match, once Lukas caught his step and played along, most of the time Leonard would cower. But The Lukas who are sitting across from Leonard don't have the capability to fight back and decided to let Leonard have his way right now.

Now that Lukas willingly admitted to his defeat in a match that he didn’t even participate in, the carriage finally departed to their destination.

Lukas remembered back when he was still Nikolaus Ernst, Leonard wanted to keep his eyes set on whatever Lukas was up to. Thus resulting in Lukas having a walking surveillance camera all day, this surveillance camera of his not only looked up to what he was up to, but also gave his room a share for him to work at. He was his benefactor at that time and still is.

But now that it was years after the last time they shared a room, Lukas felt a little foreign to the concept of the two of them spending their entire day like back then. He then wondered how his past self was able to pay no mind to it. Actually, Lukas was about to offer Leonard the guest room that’s located on the same floor of his room, but Lukas didn’t know why it just ... didn't feel right.

So by the time they entered the living room together, Lukas finally decided just to bring back those days again. Leonard is still his closest and dearest friend, so he didn’t find anything unfamiliar about it. Just the thought of them having to figure things out anytime soon might be the cause.

Leonard then broke the silence, while placing his outer jacket and folded it to his forearm, he then spoke, “We still have some hours until dusk, we might as well try to list the things we need to do and how are we going to handle it.”

Lukas nodded.

Realizing that Elias already gave them a way to temporarily escape their current responsibilities, Lukas pulled back the record of Askanier and Wittelsbach (Leo did leave him his family record here) and placed them side by side. “This isn’t important. The only thing we have to figure out first is how do new humans calculate the weight of their own magic?”

Then a very old memory arose, back when Lukas first entered this world and he had to prove his way out, he clearly remembered there was a book with all about magic related to Askanier stored in the shelf. After finding the exact book, he rummaged through the pages while skimming and found the thing he was searching for.

“Leo, look.” He tapped at the page where the specific sentence was written.

“It says thatーin order for a magic to be in its physical form, a wizard had to use another way to be able to turn it into something that can be weighted.”

“So, we have to use something as a vassal for our magic?” Leonard asked.

“Yes. In this book, it was explained a wizard only has two things that flowed and formed their magic. It’s our blood and soul.” Lukas repeated, while going back and forth between the pages. Leonard nodded. “That’s right. It doesn’t sound possible to let your soul out so all that’s left would be using our blood? We will cast it first to our blood, then draw the blood out, and see how much it weighs?”

To be honest, neither Lukas nor Leonard was sure about it. But considering all that’s left for them to do now is guessing and trying, they thought it wouldn't hurt to try. By the end of day, a list of things they are planning to do for the upcoming days had finally come to an agreement.

Let’s get back to the basic understanding of what lies in blood. Blood is categorized as liquid. What makes it different from the other liquids? It is the component of blood itself; red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Those previously mentioned components formed the solid part of blood, and half of the rest is the liquid part of blood; plasma. Plasma is made of water, protein, and salts. Now here comes the important question: from all of the components that formed blood, what can possibly be tying magic the most?

“Platelets.” Leonard answered.

“Thrombocytes should be the main media for a blood to be able to seal itself. If we think about it, the most logical thing we should do is keep the blood alive as we tie it down with our magic.” Leonard, now wearing a short sleeved shirt, gestured to his forearm and reached for a fountain pen. Then he drew a faint line on the surface of his skin. “By keeping alive, I mean it by taking the blood while they were in the process of hemostasis. If by definition of hemostasis itself is a process that involves the formation of multiple interlinked components to stop a bleeding, then that time would be the best chance for the magic to enter the blood vessels.”

“When will we draw the blood out? While the hemostasis is still occuring or we wait until it finishes and then we draw the blood out?” Lukas moved to see the line that is now formed on Leonard’s forearm.

“Let’s try the latter.” Leonard grabbed a scalpel, attempting to cut the skin.

“What's the exact time for a wound to heal?” Lukas propped his chin up, eyeing the other. While the small and shallow cut turned visible in Leonard’s forearm, Leonard spoke firmly, “60 seconds. Not perfectly though.”

For old humans, it takes approximately 60 seconds for the first strand of fibrin to intersperse around the wound. However, the new humans have a better regeneration abilityーso by the time it reached 60 seconds, there were already multiple strands of fibrin interspersed.

Leonard then put the scalpel back to the tray and immediately grabbed his wand. He pointed the wand right into the wound.

Silence.

“What are you doing?” Lukas noticed how Leonard looked so unsure of something.

“What spell should I cast?” Leonard looked at Lukas like a deer lost in the headlights. Deer don't suit him though, maybe a lion? Can a lion be lost in the headlights?

“Enter through the narrow gate.”

"Not funny, Lukas. Aside from I can't do that, why in the world would I brainwash my own blood?"

"Well, you could... I could try and say 'be a child' maybe it will form a right shape for new human?"

Leonard scoffed. "I don't think that's how it works." 

Letting it go, Lukas shrugged. "Don't do any spell for now." Dangling the compartments slowly, "We only need our blood for stock purpose." 

Lukas stared at his surroundings, now that Leonard is being stubborn that they have to do the experiment in Anhalt no matter what, his study suddenly turned into a laboratorium where Lukas could see the same equipment that he saw back when Leonard tried to do malpractice to his ears in the old days. Looking back, the current Leonard was already way far off the word ‘malpractice’. Lukas didn’t think it could go way worse than the one he survived back then, though Lukas would like to believe it more as a self reassurement than a fact.

By the time Leonard finished drawing his blood out, he started cleaning the wound and then dried it. Lukas then gestured to Leonard, demanding him to hand over the scalpel. But Leonard didn’t move an inch and just faced Lukas, still holding a scalpel with his hand.

Lukas had an ominous feeling about this.

“Leo, hand me the scalpel now. I will be doing it myself.” Lukas once more gestured for Leonard to hand the scalpel over.

“Lukas.”

“No!”

“Why are you so distrustful towards me when I just did it to myself unscathed?!” Leonard cautiously tugged at Lukas’s sleeve. However the other man yanked his arm away, seeming not convinced enough.

“Say that to the last time you almost blew my ear off, you bastard…”

No matter how many times Leonard heard a sudden curse fly out of Lukas’s mouth, he never really got used to it. Whereas Elias would speak of it like breathing, Leonard still thought that didn’t really suit Lukas’s usual speech, the other often spoke with formal speech at some times yet was still able to curse whenever he was feeling upset. Still, Leonard didn’t hate it because it made him feel aware of the fact that Lukas already felt comfortable enough around him to the point he could drop those formalities.

“Lukas, I swear to God that I won’t do anything unnecessary.” Leonard persuaded.

“Leo, I’m an atheist.”

“I know.”

After a short silence of staring competition, Lukas managed to lower his guard down and let Leonard handle it for him. Lukas didn’t understand why Leonard was always being so stubborn over trivial things. It’s not like Lukas didn’t know how to draw blood from a shallow cut.

However, what Lukas didn’t expect happened.

“Lukas, what’s this wound about?” Leonard tapped at the healed wound next to his forearms.

No, this guy is…

“You fell? Why didn’t you tell me that you fell?”

What is this guy even expecting? Who in their right mind would want a short letter or notice from their shared artifacts containing ‘Hey Leo today I fell off the stairs, I know you are like a river away from me but can you help me up?’

“I think I need to place a proper doctor for you.”

“Leo, it was days ago. I’m fine, so just leave it be and please do your job now.” Lukas listlessly managed to answer. But Leonard then pulled Lukas’s sleeve, completely abandoning the scalpel that is now placed back on the tray.

“No, Lukas. Are you hiding something from me? Wouldn’t it be proper for you to now undress and let me check whether there are more wounds that I don’t know aboutー”

Lukas reflexively pulled Leonard’s hair with all his might, trying to create a gap between them.

“What are you talking about you crazy bastard… why does this suddenly turn into a physical check up?!” Lukas reprimanded, almost shouting.

They stayed like that for seconds, both trying to pull each other’s lifeline.

The moment when Leonard finally gave up and put a hold on his medical check up, Leonard finally attempted to make a shallow cut through Lukas’s forearm like he did before. It was only then Lukas realized how the seemingly confident and stubborn Leonard trembled right in front of him.

Lukas then realized something laughable. Oh, so you’re scared too.

Now that the both of them had their blood drawn and kept in the spell, it’s time to wait for the right time to proceed to the next step.

That is, until an explosion halted their progress.