Just as Ian hesitated, his sister inexplicably ran back and pulled him aside to whisper:
"Auntie~"
"Fake mage~"
"That auntie is a fake mage~"
She kept chirping childish phrases like "lab rat" and "gonna kidnap you."
Eledis's face flushed crimson as she shouted:
"I am not! Not an auntie! And not a fake mage either!"
The moment she said it, she regretted it.
Ian was now stepping back warily.
Though she considered apologizing, she felt it was time to assert her authority as a mage.
"Fine! Come with me. We'll discuss this properly at your home."
Eledis grabbed both impudent children and marched straight toward their house.
But upon entering, she found it empty.
"Where are your parents?"
"Working in the fields."
Logically, she should have waited, but Eledis was a mage of explosive action. She immediately sprang to her feet.
"Ian! What's your father's name?"
"Ian."
"Tch, such a careless name. Are you sure you're not adopted?"
Ian just shrugged. Her tone made it obvious she was seeking revenge for earlier.
What a childish sister.
Slightly embarrassed, Eledis decided to seriously track down Ian's father.
"Mr. Ian! Let's talk!"
The result: Ian's parents were summoned from the fields, followed by a swarm of family members, turning the scene into a full-blown family conference.
"Mr. Ian, I wish to take your son as my apprentice."
"Which son?"
Huh? So there were three sons.
Eledis immediately pointed at Ian Raven.
"This one!"
"Ah... him."
The father's reaction surprised Eledis.
Even though she was a mage, why was he so readily agreeing to let her take his child?
Then she heard him say:
"I always knew this boy was special."
"???"
"So he was destined to be a mage from birth."
Eledis nodded involuntarily as she looked at the family lined up.
All of them had yellow or red hair—only Ian had raven-black hair like a crow.
Even if someone claimed he had innate magical talent, it wouldn't be hard to believe.
(Though hair color had absolutely no relation to magical ability.)
But at least she could now understand the source of the couple's long-standing anxiety.
"Ian, I always knew you were a special child."
"Yeah, Dad."
Ian replied flatly.
But his father, hearing the boy's clear voice as always, was overwhelmed with guilt.
He realized: now was the time to reveal the secret buried for years.
"No, actually I lied to you. I'm sorry, son. Truth is, I wasn't sure—I thought you might be your mother's child from an affair."
"Dear!"
"That's why I named you Ian—to remind myself that you're not someone else's son, but my own. 'Ian's son Ian.'"
"..."
"And now you're going to be a mage. Your father is so proud."
He then bowed deeply to Eledis.
"Please take care of my son, Mage-sama."
Though something felt off, the atmosphere was touching. Eledis smiled and responded:
"Of course. Leave it to me."
With parental consent secured, Eledis immediately took Ian to the lord's manor.
Having heard that Ian's parents were debtors who couldn't leave the village without the lord's permission—and Ian, as their son, was similarly bound—Eledis decided to negotiate directly with the lord.
"Who goes there?"
"Mage. Eledis."
Just two sentences.
The gate guard bent his back like a bow.
"Ah! Mage-sama has arrived!"
Ian found the scene utterly novel.
The lord's guards, who usually terrified villagers, were now groveling like puppies meeting their master at just a word from Eledis.
"This is my mage certification."
"Oh, you needn't have bothered! Please wait inside!"
Eledis glanced at Ian with a "look at me, I'm amazing" expression.
"Why are you looking at me?"
Ian almost asked, but then belatedly understood.
Ah, she's showing off…
Her expression practically screamed, "You said I was a fake mage? Actually, I'm incredible~"
Ian played along appropriately:
"Wow, so amazing! Big sister is a real mage after all."
(Though he hadn't actually seen any magic yet.)
"Hehe~ Of course!"
Watching Eledis's back, Ian thought silently:
"She might be more naive than I imagined."
The Kohlbrent region did not belong to the Feldenberg family.
The Feldenbergs only ruled this small village called Hyshire.
The current head, Baron Felix Feldenberg, was a knight who had risen through military merits in his youth.
He had fought valiantly under Count Edward and earned a manor with an attached village.
Later, he repeatedly answered the count's summons. Though he could have retired comfortably after obtaining his territory, he believed maintaining good relations with Count Edward was more important.
Thus, Hyshire Village ultimately fell entirely under Felix's control.
He had once been a brave knight, but now he was a "successful middle-aged man" idling away days in his manor, eating and waiting to die.
Some criticized him for indulging in women and banquets, but what did he himself think?
What was the point of working hard in youth if not to enjoy life in old age?
Can't I enjoy myself after a lifetime of fighting?!
Felix felt he was merely reaping the "spoils" of his blood and sweat.
Anyway, as master of Hyshire, even if he lived a little recklessly, nothing would happen.
"Milord."
Felix, who had just spent the night with a courtesan and was deep asleep, was interrupted as his steward entered the lord's bedroom—a place no one should enter uninvited.
"What is it?"
Felix opened bleary eyes, clearly in a foul mood.
"An important guest has arrived suddenly."
"Guest?"
The term itself was contradictory.
Important guests never arrived "suddenly." Those worth the lord's reception would always send notice in advance.
"A mage named Eledis."
"Oho."
But at the word "mage," Felix immediately swallowed all dissatisfaction.
Mages were always honored guests. Merely befriending them boosted one's prestige; receiving their aid was VIP treatment outright.
A mage's heart was like a reed, swaying in the wind. To capture it, one could only rely on sincere friendship and generous gifts.
"I'll prepare at once."
Felix hurriedly washed up to receive the distinguished guest.
Judging by the name, Eledis was indeed a female mage.
"Not bad looking or figure-wise—better than last night's courtesan,"Felix thought randomly.
"Welcome, Mage-sama."
"Thank you for your hospitality."
Eledis sat down lightly.
Not rude, but not elegant either—clearly untrained in etiquette, indicating no prior interaction with royalty or nobility.
"A wandering mage, then."
Felix, with some aristocratic experience, quickly assessed her status.
Mages who frequently interacted with nobles never neglected posture or manners; many could socialize as equals with high nobles.
But this woman had no noble aura whatsoever.
Felix relaxed slightly.
Rumors said some great nobles displeased with weaker lords would send mages for "military demonstrations."
Though such actions required deep grudges, these days things didn't always follow logic.
As long as she isn't here to burn my lands…
"Honored Mage-sama, what brings you to this remote village?"
"How is it remote? This place is quite lovely."
Eledis's tone was stiff, her words awkward.
In truth, she was terrible at dealing with nobles. She had devoted almost her entire life to magic.
"I plan to take this boy as my apprentice. But there seems to be a slight issue."
"Oh?"
Felix turned his gaze to the boy standing beside Eledis.
He had assumed he was her attendant.
But to take him as an apprentice?
So he was a resident of Hyshire?
"Don't tell me…"
Felix knew this village's "caliber" all too well—frankly, a bunch of fools.
If there were a child here smart enough to catch a mage's eye, he should have known already.
Why come to such a remote place for an apprentice? Something feels off.
Big cities were full of clever, educated children ripe for the picking. Why not grab a few there?
Felix studied Ian carefully.
This boy looked every bit a Hyshire native.
"You're from the Ian family, right?"
Felix struggled to recall.
Once, a couple had come to him with a black-haired child, asking to verify the wife's fidelity.
"Ah??"