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Full-Blown Family Feud – Part 05

Once again, Ivy spent the day engrossed in her research.

Collecting small elemental magic stones, also known as junk stones, she arranged them meticulously, ensuring the four types—fire, water, wind, and earth—were evenly distributed. The magic circuits etched on the steeled plate mirrored those proposed by the Four Elementals Fusion Theory. This was also the same configuration she used when she successfully proved the theory in the past.

But no matter how many attempts she made, the elemental magic stones turned black, losing their mana. Various hypotheses crossed her mind.

Maybe the size and weight of the elemental magic stones needed to be identical—over a hundred tries based on this idea ended in failure.

Perhaps the amount of magical energy in the elemental magic stones needed to be uniform—investing her precious savings in an expensive mana measuring instrument, she tried to equalize the magical energies, but this too was met with disappointment.

Her successful experiment in the past was guided by vague measurements. It was remarkably difficult to reproduce a result generated through sheer coincidence.

I can’t be more fortunate, though. Is this really okay?

Ivy desired to lead a life doing nothing but magical research.

However, her life took an unexpected turn when her father and brother passed away, her stepmother vanished, leaving behind debts, and she found herself pursued by relentless debt collectors every day. Amidst all the stress, sorcery became Ivy’s oasis, the anchor of her heart, her sole pillar of support.

“What? You want to use my name to publish a paper? Go for it. No hard feelings if I get famous, though.”

Her twin brother, Isaac, often cracked jokes, making Ivy laugh.

“Isaac will take over the family, so you can choose whatever path in life you want.”

Her father, with a gentle smile, would affectionately pat Ivy’s head.

Perhaps he felt guilty about remarrying. His second wife, Vilma, had apparently loved their father for a long time, and she had no intention of getting along with Isaac and Ivy.

Nevertheless, in noble society, having a partner was often convenient, and so, their father remarried Vilma.

Ivy and Vilma remained indifferent to each other, maintaining a distance. It shouldn’t have been an issue, but everything changed dramatically after her father and Isaac’s passing.

“Well, it doesn’t matter anymore. Someone has entered my life who understands and supports my research, and that’s enough for me.”

Shaking her head, Ivy rose from her desk and left the laboratory.

“Will Silver take a look at my report?”

---

Pond’s carriage station was crowded with people, as the town served as a hub for those heading towards the capital and those going in the opposite direction.

“Over here.”

Hikaru raised his hand, drawing the attention of a person who had just disembarked from a stagecoach.

Paula ran up to him. “Lord Hikaru!”

“Thanks for coming. That was fast.”

“Yeah. I was planning to come here anyway.”

“Hmm?”

Hikaru had summoned Paula from the capital to treat Doma Ballast. He was worried about leaving Lavia alone, but upon learning that they had commissioned the Adventurers Guild for security, he decided a short period of absence would be fine.

However, he hadn’t yet shared his activities or information gathered in Pond, so he was puzzled when Paula mentioned she had been thinking of coming to Pond.

“Here you go,” Paula said.

“Hmm?”

She handed him a bundle of paper. There were over fifty sheets.

“It’s Iv—Isaac’s research report.”

“What?” He didn’t understand.

“Isaac said he wanted you, as his backer, to understand the contents of his research.”

“R-Really?”

“He stayed up all night to write it. He said he wanted you to let him know if you noticed anything after reading it.”

“…”

Hikaru did have an interest in the research’s contents, but it didn’t feel like the right time.

“It’s fine, I guess. I’ll give it a read.”

“So, who am I treating?”

“We’re heading to their place right away.”

Hikaru perused the report as they walked. It was well-organized, with clear experimental content and objectives, showcasing the writer’s intelligence.

I think he’s focused on the wrong thing.

The key to the Four Elementals Fusion Theory was the harmonization of four attributes: fire, water, wind, and earth, generating immense energy in the process.

That’s why he was attempting to make the size of the elemental magic stones or the amount of energy contained within them to be uniform.

Isaac is not seeing it. Whatever he could come up with, the country’s research institutions would have already tried long ago.

He needed to do something different from the other researchers.

He should be trying to recreate the conditions present during that one time he succeeded. That’s where he should put all his effort in. Then again, the explosion buried the lab. Once the issues with Ballast Trading are resolved, I should think about checking the underground lab.

“It sounds like there’s a commotion,” Paula said.

“Hmm?”

She was right. Horses were galloping, armed guards were sprinting, and some people were fleeing.

“Hikaru!”

As they passed by the Adventurers Guild, Freya, emerging from inside, called out to them. Several adventurers also stepped out, curious about the ruckus.

“What’s happening?” Hikaru asked.

“I’d love to know myself,” Freya replied. “Last time you were here, Gloria came back upset after showing you to the reception area.”

“Who cares about that?”

“I do! Managing relationships with women is tough, you know.”

“Really? I get along well with Lavia.”

“Oh, Paula. Long time no see. How have you been?”

“I’m doing fine. It’s nice to be back after a while.”

While the two exchanged pleasantries, Hikaru stepped in.

“We have more pressing matters at hand,” he said firmly.

“R-Right…”

“S-Sorry, Lord Hikaru.”

“So, Freya, what’s going on here?”

“Ah, right.” Freya clapped her hands once. “Samal Ballast, the eldest brother of the Ballast family, is back, and he’s having a staredown with his younger brother Edward.”

“…”

Hikaru couldn’t believe it. What in the world was happening?

---

About a hundred people had gathered in front of the late Count Morgstadt’s residence, now the Ballast mansion. Almost fifty people were causing a ruckus in the center.

“You’re not allowed to set foot in this place, Samal.” Edward, dropping his professional demeanor, glared at the person in front of him. “Pond is my turf. Go make a living in the capital!”

In terms of numbers, Edward had way more support, some clean-cut, some a bit rough, but they all seemed like they’ve been through some tough times.

On the other hand, Samal Ballast, with about ten companions, seemed unfazed.

He sported the same long, reddish brown hair as Edward, neatly tied at the back without a strand out of place. Their strong jawlines gave them a similar visage, but a scar tracing Samal’s right temple lent him an air of ferocity.

Then there was his physique—broad shoulders and a height surpassing Edward by a head. Clad in loosely draped clothes over bulging muscles, Samal exuded the aura of a ruffian compared to Edward’s demeanor of a young, refined businessman.

“I came back ‘cause of your sorry ass,” Samal growled.

“Bullshit. You’re not part of the Ballast family anymore. You don’t have the right to criticize—”

“You fuckin’ idiot!” Samal roared.

Edward’s eyes widened.

“No matter where you go, the blood of family will always run in your veins. Your dumb antics brought the underworld folks to my place in the capital.”

“D-Dumb?”

“Knights took action because of some debt collectors harassing a noble House. Haven’t you heard of moderation? You crossed a line you shouldn’t have.”

Edward sniffed audibly. “Moderation? Give me a break. I bet you’re just some lackey running errands for some underworld big shot at the capital. They told you to take care of me and you’re here following orders like a dog. Pathetic bitch!”

“I thought you could take care of the family, but I guess I was wrong.” Samal regarded Edward with disappointment.

“I’ve always hated that condescending face of yours!” Edward pointed at his brother. “Beat him to a pulp!”

With a resounding cry, a crowd numbering more than four times Samal’s group rushed toward them.

“He can’t even tell they’re outmatched,” Samal said. “Get them!”

About ten of his companions responded, and in the next moment, it turned into a big brawl.

Angry shouts and cheers filled the air. Bodies collided, and magic spells erupted. Dozens of onlookers tried to leave, but their escape turned into a chaotic scramble as they bumped into latecomers unaware of the unfolding situation.

“Haaah!”

“Guh!”

“Die!”

“You die!”

Though Samal brought around ten people, they engaged in a surprisingly balanced skirmish, defying the numerical odds.

Various races, including humans and demi-humans like Dwarves and Beastmen, participated. They all appeared accustomed to brawls, navigating the skirmish with practiced ease even when surrounded.

“Go to hell!”

A large man charged toward Samal. While Samal boasted a significantly superior physique compared to the average person, this man surpassed him further.