The Strongest Mage in History

Chapter 26 – The Strongest Mage in History

The next morning, something unexpected happened—not for me, but for Iris and the hero's party.

It all started after breakfast, when my mother, Seraphina Von Ainsworth, summoned Iris Emberflame to the main hall balcony. Naturally, I was there as well.

The reason?

Well, after last night's talk, I realized that Iris would eventually take guidance from my mother in the original storyline. So why not start now?

I had always liked her character. She was the only girl in the novel who didn't become part of Leon's harem. That made her interesting to me.

So, I asked my mother for a favor.

At the time, Talia was also with my mother, discussing something.

I approached them, my voice casual. "Mother, do you remember the hero's party member, Iris Emberflame? The one with red hair?"

My mother smiled knowingly. "Ah… do you love her? Or do you wish to do pleasurable things with her too?"

I nearly choked. "No, no, Mom!" I waved my hands defensively. "She's just facing some difficulties in controlling her flames. I thought… since you're the strongest mage in history, maybe you could help her."

Talia smirked. "Oh? I think something happened between you two."

I sighed. "Yeah, I talked to her, and she seemed disappointed in herself. So I thought, 'I have the best mom, and—oh, even Talia! She's also a legendary being who knows magic!'"

My mother's expression softened.

"Edric, my dear son…" she murmured. "Just ask for anything in this world, and I will give it to you. Just remember, Edric… I waited 30 years to birth you. So please, don't disappoint me again like your past self."

That hit me.

I stepped closer, cupped her beautiful face, and grinned. "Ah, my beautiful mama, my best mama… Don't worry about the past. I will become the proudest son in the world."

She said nothing—just smiled, placing a warm hand on my cheek.

"Alright, Mom, I have to go."

She nodded. "Okay."

---

A Moment of Honor

A few minutes later, we stood on the mansion's main balcony.

Iris stood alone, her expression tense.

She wasn't just nervous—she was practically frozen.

Facing my mother was no small thing. Just seeing the strongest mage in history was an honor in itself. But standing before her, alone, in a private meeting? That was something few people in the world could even dream of.

My mother reached out and gently placed a hand on Iris's shoulder.

"Calm yourself," she said.

Iris's breathing steadied, but she was still visibly nervous.

Then, my mother spoke again, her voice more commanding than usual.

"I summoned you here because of a request my stupid son made to me. And as a mother, I do not deny his requests."

Her tone sent chills down my spine.

Iris hesitated. "I… I don't know about Young Master Edric's request yet. Sorry."

My mother's gaze sharpened. "My son asked me to give you knowledge of magic, to stabilize your flames. Do you understand what this means?"

Iris stiffened. "Young Master Edric is just spouting nonsense. I will work on my own."

I was surprised by my mother's tone.

She was serious.

No… more than serious.

She was deadly serious.

And when my mother was serious, the world listened.

Her voice turned colder, a hint of anger laced within it.

"You have quite the confidence, replying to my question like that."

She released a small fraction of her mana.

The sheer pressure in the air shifted.

Iris trembled.

Her legs shook, and she lowered her head, struggling to breathe.

I… felt nothing.

Not even the slightest discomfort.

My mother's pressure was directed only at her.

She added more pressure.

Iris lost her balance and collapsed onto her knees.

"Do you think you are qualified to learn from me, child?"

Iris said nothing.

The pressure increased.

"Speak!" My mother's voice boomed.

Iris clenched her fists. She knew she couldn't just sit there.

With all her remaining strength, she finally activated her magic.

Her flames surged, wrapping around her body.

Then, with everything she had, she launched a desperate, all-in-one attack at my mother.

But…

The attack never even reached her.

My mother simply exhaled, and with a single breath of air, she dispelled the flames completely.

Iris stared, her eyes wide.

She had given it her all… and it amounted to nothing.

I stepped forward. "That's enough, Mom."

She turned to me, glaring.

"Shut up."

I froze.

That was the first time since my transmigration that she had spoken to me angrily.

Iris, meanwhile, was still on the ground, kneeling, unable to move under the sheer weight of my mother's power.

"Child," my mother spoke again, her voice softer but no less commanding, "show me something. Impress me."

Iris gritted her teeth.

And then—she stood.

She was shaking, but she stood.

Her flames roared, brighter and stronger than before.

She unleashed a massive surge of mana, enough to shake the entire balcony.

And then, she launched one final, all-powerful attack.

And just like before…

My mother erased it with a single breath.

The next second, Iris's body collapsed.

She had fainted from sheer exhaustion.

---

A Mother's Words

My mother returned to her usual state, her aura no longer suffocating.

She walked over to Iris's unconscious body, effortlessly lifting her in her arms.

Then, she turned back to me.

I hadn't moved.

I had been standing there in silence, watching.

She tilted her head, a soft smile on her lips.

"Oh, my dear son… Did I scare you?"

I blinked. "No. I just… don't understand."

She stepped forward and placed a kiss on my cheek.

"Listen, child," she said gently, "not everyone is lucky like you."

She caressed my face, her eyes filled with something deeper than affection.

"For you, I am just a mother. But to the world…"

Her voice turned soft, almost a whisper.

"I am someone the entire world fears."

And with that, she walked past me, carrying Iris away.

I stood there, staring after her, feeling a strange mix of emotions.

I knew she was powerful. But today…

I had truly witnessed it.