The Mage’s Resolve

"Good day, Father," Muse said as he approached the desk, greeting Atro.

"You're awake? Good," Atro replied in a calm, measured tone.

Though deeply concerned for Muse, Atro wouldn't show it in front of him. Before his son, he maintained a stern demeanor.

"But after being unconscious for so long, your body must be very weak. For the next few days, you're not to leave the house. Focus on recovering first."

"I've hired a knowledgeable scholar to serve as your tutor. In the coming days, he'll teach you about the continent's history, noble etiquette, and other such matters."

"Only when you've earned his approval will you be allowed to go out."

With the same tone, Atro issued what amounted to a "house arrest" order for Muse.

Yet, with the rich experience of his past life, Muse keenly detected the concern lurking beneath Atro's cool words.

"Has the open and covert struggle with the Alex family already grown so intense?" Muse wondered silently, though he readily agreed.

"I understand, Father. I'll stay home obediently."

But Muse had his own plans. Though he was now a formal Arcanist, he'd need some cover to display this power in front of others.

"Father, after this incident, I've come to realize how lacking my ability to protect myself is," Muse said slowly, laying out his intentions. "So, in addition to studying, I'd like to receive training in combat!"

"Oh? And what would you like to learn?" Atro asked, his tone still neutral.

"Father, I'd like to study under a Mage and learn spells," Muse replied.

"Hm? Spells?" Atro raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised.

In his view, the old Muse had never shown interest in such things. Learning spells required not just talent but also a willingness to endure the solitary, arduous path of a Mage—studying obscure, complex magical knowledge and persisting in daily meditation. The Muse of before wouldn't have tolerated it.

Atro had assumed Muse might at most request more magical items or better guards.

He had hired scholars to teach Muse before, but the younger Muse could never settle down to study what he saw as dull, dry material. Instead, he'd often sneak out to indulge in revelry.

Countless scholars had resigned, unable to handle Muse's behavior, and Atro had been powerless to stop it. He could only work harder to manage the family's affairs, hoping that when Muse inherited the estate after his death, it wouldn't fall to ruin too quickly.

Thus, Muse's request caught Atro entirely off guard.

Setting down the scroll in his hand, Atro studied Muse closely. Days of bedrest had left Muse pale and frail, his body seemingly fragile, but the determination and steadiness in his eyes were something Atro had never seen before.

Still, Atro decided to test Muse's resolve.

He fixed Muse with a deep, unprecedentedly serious gaze. "Muse, my child, the path of a Mage is far from easy. It demands not only vast sums of money but also hardships beyond what most can imagine. You abandoned it once before! Tell me, why do you now wish to tread this difficult path again?"

To this minor test, Muse responded with ease. "Father, being ambushed and nearly killed this time terrified me. I want to become strong—at least strong enough to protect myself no matter the situation."

Faced with this straightforward answer, Atro paused, then said, "That's reasonable. But I hope this time you'll stick with it."

"When you underwent your career aptitude test, you were found to have the talent for a Mage and even studied under one for a while. But your lazy attitude toward learning spells angered that Mage. If you want to study magic now, I'll need to find another Mage for you."

At that, Atro raised his left hand, revealing the family signet ring he wore. After a moment's hesitation, he pricked his right thumb with a fingernail, drawing a trickle of blood.

He brought the blood close to the signet ring. Visibly, the blood was absorbed into it, and the large ruby embedded in the ring began to flash rapidly with magical light.

A faint trace of reluctance flickered across Atro's face, but he quickly pressed the ring to his lips and spoke into it: "Lord Stephen, my friend, I now request your aid…" The spell's power swiftly transmitted his words.

Meanwhile, the ruby's glow faded just as quickly, its luster dulling.

With Muse's keen eye, he easily recognized this as a sign of a magical item burning out. Given its use, it was clearly a device imbued with a long-range messaging spell—a valuable artifact indeed.

Tucking away the ring, Atro said, "There, my child. I've sent a message to an old friend, a high-tier Mage. Over the years, I've provided him with substantial support, so I expect he'll have no issue taking you as a student and teaching you spells."

"Thank you, Father," Muse replied, bowing slightly.

Atro waved a hand, a faint smile appearing. "If you can truly become a Mage, that will be thanks enough."

"For now, go. Stay here quietly and don't leave the house."

"Yes, Father," Muse answered, then turned to leave. Behind him, Atro picked up his scroll again and resumed reading.

Creak—The heavy door slowly closed. Muse nodded to Orville and Whisk standing guard on either side, then walked away.

"Stephen?" A slight smile played on Muse's lips. The familiar name brought to mind a rather pleasant fellow—an… eccentric man. "Just a coincidence, surely. In my past life, I never heard of that guy having any ties to my family."

Muse took a brief stroll through the estate, observing its grounds. Memories forgotten from his past life resurfaced bit by bit, and he savored the small warmth they brought.