Fake Mage No More
Her head was spinning. Ian and his little sister's words bounced around her mind like mischievous imps.
'Auntie~''Fake mage~''Auntie fake mage~'
The illusions of those brats spewed insult after insult without end. What the hell, what the hell, and so on.
Eredis's face flushed beet red as she shouted,
"I'm not an auntie! And I'm not a fake mage!"
"..."
She regretted it immediately. Ian was backing away with a frightened look on his face.
She debated soothing him, but decided now was the time to show the dignity of a mage.
"Fine! Follow me. We'll talk seriously at your house."
First things first, Eredis dragged the two cheeky brats back to their house. But it was empty.
"Where are your parents?"
"They went to work."
Normally, one might wait, but Eredis—the action-oriented mage—sprang to her feet.
"Ian! What's your dad's name!"
"Ian."
"Hah. What a half-assed name. You sure you're not a foundling?"
Ian just shrugged. It was obvious she was getting revenge for earlier, but reacting to every jab was too annoying.
Embarrassed, Eredis focused on finding Ian's father.
"Ian! Let's talk!"
His parents were called in from the fields mid-work. The rest of the family trailed behind, turning it into an impromptu family meeting.
"Ian, I want to take your son as my disciple."
"Which son...?"
Hmm. Three sons, huh. Eredis immediately pointed at Ian Raven.
"This one!"
"Ah... I see."
Eredis was a bit surprised by father Ian's reaction. Even if she was a mage, agreeing so readily to her suddenly wanting to take his son?
But there was a reason for it.
"I had a feeling. He's not like the others from birth."
"???"
"Destined to be a mage, I suppose."
Looking at the family lined up, Eredis found herself nodding along in a daze. They all had yellow or red hair—except Ian, whose locks were black as a raven's feathers. It wasn't strange to think he was born with magical talent.
Hair color didn't determine magic aptitude, of course... but at least she'd uncovered the source of the couple's long-standing anxiety.
"Ian, I always knew you were special."
"Yes, Father."
Ian replied without much thought. But father Ian felt a pang of guilt at his son's pure, innocent voice.
He realized it was time to reveal the secret he'd hidden for so long.
"No... I'm sorry for lying, son. Truth is, I had no idea. I just figured your mom cheated and you were the result."
"Dear!"
"That's why I named you Ian. To say you're my son, not some other bastard's. Ian, son of Ian."
"..."
"And now you're going to be a mage. Your old man couldn't be prouder."
Father Ian bowed politely to Eredis.
"Please take good care of my worthless boy."
Something felt off, but the warm atmosphere made her smile and reply,
"Of course."
The moment she got the parents' permission, she headed straight for the lord's manor. Apparently, Ian's family had debts, so they couldn't leave the village without the lord's approval. Naturally, Ian couldn't leave until those were paid off.
So Eredis stepped up for a showdown with the lord.
"Who are you?"
"Mage. Eredis."
Just those two words, and the guard's back bent like a bow.
"Lady Mage! You've come!"
Ian watched the scene with fresh curiosity. This was a soldier everyone in the village feared and trembled before—yet one word from Eredis had him rolling over like a dog greeting its master.
"Here's my proof token..."
"Oh come on, why bother pulling out something that heavy... Please wait inside!"
Eredis shot Ian a triumphant look. Why's she looking at me like that? Ian wondered, then realized a beat late. Ah, she's showing off... 'See? The person you called a fake mage is actually someone like this.'"
He played along appropriately.
"Whoa, impressive. Sis really is a real mage, huh?"
He hadn't seen any magic yet, but whatever.
"Heh heh. Of course!"
Her mood lifted, Eredis whistled cheerfully as she skipped ahead. Maybe she's simpler than I thought, Ian mused, following behind.
The Colbrunn region didn't belong to the Feldenberg family. They merely ruled Heyhill Village.
The family head, Felix Feldenberg, had been a knight who earned his feats in youth. He'd fought fiercely under Count Edward's banner and was granted a small manor with its village as reward.
Even after, Felix answered Count Edward's calls multiple times. No need to suffer once he had his land, but strengthening ties with the count seemed wise.
Thanks to currying solid favor under the count, Heyhill was firmly his.
Once a valiant knight, now Felix was a successful middle-aged man idling away his days in the manor. Some criticized his debauchery, but why suffer in youth? It was all to live well in old age. He was reaping the rewards of his youthful sweat and blood.
Besides, as Heyhill's lord, a little indulgence wouldn't bring ruin.
"My lord."
After a debauched romp with whores, Felix slumbered deeply. The butler entered the lord's bedchamber—a place no one with sense would dare.
"What is it."
Felix cracked his eyes groggily. He didn't look pleased.
"An important guest has arrived suddenly."
"Guest?"
The butler's words held a contradiction. Truly important guests didn't drop in unannounced—at least not ones warranting the lord's personal attention.
"A mage named Eredis."
"Oh dear."
But at "mage," Felix's attitude flipped. Mages were always VIPs. Associating with one boosted noble prestige; borrowing their aid made you royalty.
Mages' hearts were fickle as reeds in the wind. The way to win them was sincere friendship and gifts.
"I'll prepare right away."
Felix freshened up and greeted her promptly.
As her name suggested, Eredis was a female mage. Nice face, nice figure. Better than last night's whores. Felix had idle thoughts.
But forgive him—the reflexive fantasies of middle-aged men spotting a pretty woman.
"Welcome, mage."
"Thank you for the hospitality."
Eredis sat gracefully but not elegantly. No refined etiquette. Proof she didn't mingle with court nobles.
'Wandering mage, then.'
Felix, with his noble experience, pegged her identity from that alone. Worldly mages who hobnobbed with nobles had impeccable manners rivaling great lords.
No such polish here. He relaxed a bit. Rumors swirled of great nobles sending mages to intimidate lesser ones they disliked. It required grudge and pretext, but who knew how the world worked?
At least she wasn't here to burn his lands.
"What brings a noble mage to our humble backwater?"
"Backwater? It's perfectly fine. Yeah."
Eredis fumbled awkward words stiffly. She wasn't used to dealing with nobles, having devoted her life to magic.
"I wanted to take this kid as my disciple... but there's a snag."
"Uh..."
Felix glanced at the boy beside her, assuming an attendant. A disciple? From Heyhill?
'No way.'
He knew his village well—full of dimwits. If there was a prodigy worth a mage's notice, he'd know. Seeking apprentices in a rural hole was suspicious. Cities overflowed with smart, educated kids like pebbles.
Felix eyed Ian closely. Yeah, definitely a Heyhill local.
"Raven, right?"
"Raven?"
He recalled: a couple once came complaining about whether the wife cheated, given their black-haired boy amid their yellow and red heads. Memorable oddity.
Right. Ian. Ian Raven.
"Ian Raven, yeah?"
"Yes, my lord."
Memories surfaced like digging potatoes (Felix had never farmed).
Ian son of Ian, tenant farmer on the lord's land, some debts...
Pieces clicked.
"You'll need my permission to take him."
Serf's son was a serf. Ian was fated to grow into a fine debt slave.
"Yes, I heard about the debts..."
Eredis placed a small pouch on the table.
"Couldn't we... work something out?"
Felix laughed heartily.
"Of course!"
The butler discreetly pocketed it. Felix didn't check the amount. Even if it was full of gravel, he'd hand Ian over. Never skimp on favors to mages.
"Thank you for your mercy."
"Haha, since you're here, join me for a meal."
"Really?"
They dined amicably. Felix felt proud, like a proper noble for once. Seemed trivial (it was), but it was prime bragging material.
A noble kind to a mage, sharing a meal! Such tales built prestige.
Especially "mage's friend"—every noble's dream accolade.
Imagine meeting Count Edward: 'You hosted a mage?' 'Just Eredis...' 'Dravald's rising star! What'd she say?' 'Well...' Groin-tingling fantasy.
Who was he? The man who dined with mage Eredis.
Buzzing with glee, Felix smilingly saw off Eredis and Raven.
In half a day, Ian rose from serf to mage's disciple. All for one meal.