The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 748 Farewell and Gifts

The following morning…

"What!? You wish to depart at this very moment?" Orrun voiced his disbelief, his gaze fixed upon Nolan with bewilderment.

Nolan offered a subtle inclination of his head. "Precisely. My departure is now. My purpose here has been fulfilled."

Having already secured the inter-world teleportation spell, no compelling reason remained for his continued presence.

A return to Evalyn's encampment was necessary, to assist her in concluding her tasks before they could journey back to the era that rightfully belonged to them.

"This…" Orrun began, intending to protest, yet found himself at a loss for words.

He had come to consider Nolan a comrade. Despite an inauspicious initial encounter, Orrun had never perceived him as a bothersome individual.

After all, the genesis of camaraderie did not always spring from tranquil or amicable circumstances.

Furthermore, Nolan exhibited prodigious magical talent. Throughout Orrun's extensive lifespan, he had never encountered a Celestial Mage of such tender years.

"Pray tell, are you apprehensive about my departure? I had not anticipated such sentimentality from you, old man. It appears my prior judgment was mistaken. My apologies." Nolan's lips curved into a semblance of a mocking smile.

Orrun: "…"

The corner of Orrun's mouth gave an involuntary twitch, and an impulse to strike the audacious youth before him surged.

Nevertheless, a moment later, he regained his composure, exhaling a soft sigh.

"Why the haste to leave? With your inherent capabilities, your future trajectory is boundless. Might I propose joining the Tower of Silence as a professorial faculty member? Rest assured, I shall personally manage all the requisite administrative procedures. No examinations or mundane trials will be imposed upon you," Orrun proposed, his expression earnest.

Brilliance such as Nolan's was exceedingly scarce—a phenomenon one might rarely, if ever, encounter a second time.

This scarcity was precisely why Orrun sought to integrate him into the Tower of Silence. Beyond bolstering the institution's strength, it would serve to anchor Nolan's allegiance.

Consequently, Nolan would remain, lending his expertise to the accomplishment of numerous other seemingly insurmountable endeavors in the times to come.

Yet, Nolan countered with a shake of his head, resolute in his refusal.

"My apologies, esteemed elder. I am a free spirit, and I shall not pledge myself to any singular authority. That principle guides my existence," he articulated without a hint of hesitation.

He acknowledged Orrun's benevolent gesture and fully grasped the immense advantages conferred by a professorial appointment at the Tower of Silence.

Such a position was the ultimate aspiration for the vast majority of mages within this realm.

However, was Nolan lacking in any such commodities?

Assuredly not.

Prestige, affluence, and acclaim held no allure for him. These were transient possessions, destined only to become encumbrances in due course.

Most crucially, his origins lay not within this epoch. He was but a transient visitor, displaced a millennium into the past—an individual destined to return once all matters were satisfactorily resolved.

Orrun expressed surprise at his steadfast refusal. Had the offer been extended to any other individual, temptation would surely have ensued. Even in refusal, a flicker of contemplation would likely have manifested.

Nolan, however, rejected it without delay, displaying an exceptional degree of fortitude.

Orrun found himself compelled to silence, finally emitting a prolonged sigh.

His recent interactions with Nolan over the preceding days had illuminated the fact that this individual possessed a degree of obstinacy rivaling his own.

Given Nolan's explicit disinclination to remain, coercion was out of the question. Orrun could do naught but passively observe as such extraordinary talent departed, vanishing without a trace.

Suddenly, however, a recollection surfaced, prompting him to hasten toward his desk.

He retrieved a dark token from a drawer and returned to Nolan's side.

"Accept this," he stated, extending the token.

Nolan hesitated before accepting, inquiring, "What precisely is this token?"

Noticing Nolan's continued caution, Orrun felt a surge of mild irritation, though he lacked any substantive grounds for displeasure.

He proceeded to explain, with a touch of exasperation, "This signifies an honorary distinction. So long as you possess it, you shall be recognized as an honorary professor of the Tower of Silence. This grants you the standing and privileges afforded to a senior professor, without the obligation of remaining physically at the Tower."

Not a single duplicate of this unique token existed within the entirety of the Tower of Silence. Fortuitously, Orrun had made a significant contribution by conceptualizing three thousand distinct magical formulations over the course of his existence, thereby catalyzing the Tower's accelerated development.

As recompense, he had been bestowed this token, alongside the prerogative to bestow it upon an individual of his choosing at a future juncture.

In essence, it represented a lifelong privilege, devoid of any work-related commitment.

Nolan registered surprise. He had not anticipated the elder's profound regard for him.

Concurrently, he experienced a convergence of relief and subtle emotional resonance. Beneath Orrun's outwardly stern and unyielding demeanor, a fundamentally benevolent nature resided.

Ultimately, Nolan did not decline and simply offered a reluctant nod.

"Since you insist, I am left with no alternative but to accept."

Adopting a facade of helplessness, he pocketed the token.

Orrun: "…"

He considered himself quite shameless, but this brat proved even more so!

"Scram! Looking at you makes me sick," Orrun grumbled, dismissing him with a wave of his hand.

Nolan let out a soft chuckle, clearly finding Orrun's annoyance amusing.

"Ah, yes, old man. About that spell for teleporting between two worlds," Nolan said, as if suddenly recalling something, "Could you perhaps refrain from adding it to the official catalog?"

Orrun's irritation vanished, replaced by a flicker of surprise and curiosity.

"Why not?" he inquired instinctively.

"To avert future calamities," Nolan stated with a newfound seriousness. Crossing his arms, he elaborated, "Should mages discover a means to journey to the realm from which heroes emerge, utter pandemonium would ensue. That tranquil world would inevitably be ravaged by individuals harboring malicious intent. You grasp my meaning, do you not?"

Nolan harbored no desire for Earth—his place of origin—to descend into chaos due to the ambitions of a mere handful of mages.

Despite his estrangement from that world, it remained his birthplace and the home of those he held dear.

Orrun pondered Nolan's words, finding them quite sensible.

"Rest assured, I shall safeguard this magical formula until my dying day," Orrun vowed with sincere conviction.

His initial motivation for developing the two-world teleportation spell had been merely to demonstrate his capability in creating a more potent summoning spell.

With his objective accomplished, he intended to keep the magic a secret, known only to himself and Nolan.

"I have faith in you, and thank you," Nolan replied softly.

Orrun responded with a smile. After a brief exchange of further pleasantries, Nolan made his departure.

Just as he was about to leave, Nolan seemed to remember something. He opened his palm, and a small vial filled with a pale blue liquid materialized in his hand.

He tossed the vial over, and Orrun caught it with practiced ease.

"What is this?" Orrun questioned, his curiosity piqued.

"It's a potion designed to enhance mana capacity. Consume it, and your deficiency will be rectified," Nolan explained concisely.

Orrun's eyes widened with astonishment. It was true that his mana pool was somewhat limited, especially considering his prowess.

He had never anticipated Nolan would bestow such a valuable treasure upon him.

As Orrun opened his mouth to express his gratitude, Nolan had already vanished without a trace.