Chapter 906

Ian, Romandro, and Hana looked up at the massive mansion before them. The child held a bouquet of flowers, while the two adults carried baskets of fruit and the like.

The butler, who had been waiting to greet them after receiving prior notice, approached with a warm smile.

“Welcome, Mr. Ian.”

“Good to see you, Ian Hadel.”

“Yes, I’m the butler in charge of this estate. I’ve heard a great deal about you.”

With a subtle nod from the butler, the servants gathered up the fruit baskets. However, the bouquet remained untouched. The butler smiled gently and made a polite request.

“I would appreciate it if you, Mr. Ian, would personally deliver the flowers to the master of the house.”

“Of course.”

“Please, come inside. It’s just about time for his medication, so he’s awake. But he’ll need to change clothes to receive guests. Kindly wait in the parlor for a moment.”

The three of them settled onto the parlor sofa, eyeing the endless array of refreshments without touching a thing.

After the butler closed the door and left, Romandro leaned in and whispered softly.

“Hey, Ian—”

“Shh.”

Ian put a finger to his lips, signaling for silence, then quietly released his magic.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

A soft golden aura gently enveloped the room. Though he had only recently become a certified mage, his control over his magic was exquisite. Romandro and Hana’s eyes widened as they followed the shimmering energy with fascination.

“There don’t seem to be any special devices,” Ian murmured.

Like recording devices or anything of that sort.

Despite Ian’s assurance, Romandro continued whispering cautiously.

“So, what’s the plan now? You said you want to find proof that Crony ordered the assassination, but honestly, it feels impossible. We don’t even know the layout of this mansion…”

More than anything, he doubted whether a young boy like Ian—or even themselves—could pull this off, no matter how brilliant a mage Ian was.

Hana jabbed Romandro’s arm and added firmly.

“Why make it so complicated? We don’t need to know the mansion’s layout. Any evidence will be in the study, right?”

“Exactly! But how are we supposed to get in there as guests?”

“Why worry before even trying? Seriously.”

“My heart’s pounding so hard I can barely walk.”

“Ian, just trust me. I’ll help you every step of the way.”

Just as Ian had brought along Akorella’s ‘Potion Kit,’ Hana had packed her own ‘All-Purpose Lockpick’ tool. She grinned mischievously, ready to put her skills to the test, while Romandro nervously clicked his teeth.

“Hana, be careful. Crony has called me to this mansion twice already. Do you really think it was just for his ailing father’s sake?”

No. There had to be another reason he was luring them here.

Ian didn’t touch his teacup, his face tense. Romandro and Hana sat upright, their eyes darting around, hoping to catch any clue.

“Wait a moment.”

Ian quickly scanned the notes and books on the table. Just as Romandro and Hana were about to help, the door creaked open.

“Excuse me.”

The butler entered, supporting an elderly man. They looked at Ian standing there with puzzled expressions, and Romandro let out a nervous chuckle.

“Ian, you should sit down. You’re so full of energy you can’t stay still for a moment.”

“Ah, right.”

Ian scratched his cheek like a mischievous child and sat back down, then looked up at the old man.

The man, clearly in the twilight of his life, looked quite unwell. He slowly settled into the sofa and adjusted his clothes.

“So, you must be Ian Hadel?”

“Good day, sir.”

“I’m Lato Alpat. Is this the first time we’ve met?”

“I’m not sure myself.”

Though he was a blood relative, he was just like any other man. The old man gestured as if offering tea, and Ian pretended to sip.

“Yes, a mage. You must be busy, yet you’ve taken time for an old man. I appreciate it.”

“Not at all. It’s my pleasure.”

“I hear you’re staying with the Count of Jacque’s estate. Is that comfortable for you?”

Ian carefully gauged the old man’s intentions before answering.

“No, they treat me like their own child. I have no complaints. I’m truly grateful.”

“I see. That’s good to hear. But still, family and strangers are different.”

Romandro and Hana exchanged glances, already guessing what was coming.

“Leaving your family to rely on a stranger doesn’t suit the dignity of the Hadel family. Ian Hadel, there are plenty of spare rooms here, and the distance to Enerjes and the royal palace is close. Why not come live here for good?”

Before Ian could respond, the old man added,

“A long time ago, I was asked to look after you as if you were my own child, to care for you so you’d never want for anything if you were left alone.”

“To whom are you referring?”

“To whom else?”

Your parents, Ian Hadel, who are no longer with us.

Ian immediately recognized the lie. If his parents had said such a thing, he would have been told by now.

But he couldn’t openly refute it—not only would that be rude, but he also had no way to prove the old man was lying.

“My days are numbered, but thinking of you pains my heart.”

“Thank you for your concern, but—”

Ian was about to reply when Romandro and Hana shot him sharp looks.

Ian’s eyes suddenly sparkled, as if struck by a brilliant idea.

“Then, may I take a look around the mansion?”

“The mansion?”

“Yes. Since you want me to move in, I’d like to see it first.”

Lato hesitated briefly, clearly caught off guard. But then he smiled broadly and nodded.

“By all means. Feel free to explore. I hope you’ll live here with me. There’s not much time left in my life, so please keep me company.”

Hana pouted, muttering, “Who’s pretending to be close? Ian didn’t even know this place existed!”

Ian stood up.

“Shall the butler show us around?”

“Of course. Is everyone outside?”

A servant waiting outside came in to support Lato, who was heading back to his bedroom to take his medicine.

“After your tour, please return to the bedroom. Alone. I have something important to discuss.”

“…Understood.”

Like dry leaves rustling in the wind, the old man weakly turned the corner and disappeared. The butler gave Ian a polite smile and led the way.

“This way, please. That door leads to the dining room, and the corridor beside it opens to the courtyard. Notice the large windows? Every morning, sunlight pours in, keeping the house warm even in the dead of winter.”

The butler introduced various parts of the mansion. The paintings were by a famous artist, worth a fortune; the arched roof was designed by the era’s top architect… His pride and affection for the estate shone through every word.

‘Honestly,’ Hana grumbled, frowning. ‘If this place is so amazing, why don’t they just sell it? The rich always want more, but why hassle Ian like this?’

Meanwhile, Ian listened calmly, lost in thought. After a moment, he said,

“Ah, that way is the study.”

Finally, they arrived at the room at the end of the fourth floor’s main corridor. Ian, Hana, and Romandro all paused.

“Is this Lord Crony’s private study?”

“Yes.”

“May we look inside?”

“Oh, I’m afraid not. No one is allowed in when the young master is away.”

No one allowed in? So it was locked. The three exchanged glances and quietly followed the butler.

After the tour ended, the butler asked Ian,

“Shall we go to the master’s bedroom now?”

“Ah, may I wash my hands first?”

“Of course. This way.”

Romandro followed Ian into the washroom—a clean, well-maintained space with golden fixtures gleaming.

Ian stepped onto the stool and turned on the faucet, glancing at Romandro.

Swishhh—

“Romandro, ready?”

“Yes!”

Ian released his magic and lightly twisted the faucet. Water sprayed everywhere, and Romandro let out a loud scream.

“Ahhh! It’s burning!”

As if to make sure everyone heard.

The butler and Hana rushed in, startled.

“What’s going on?”

“Oh my! Ian!”

Both were soaked in seconds. Water sprayed wildly from the faucet. The butler scrambled to grab towels, while Hana panicked.

“What on earth happened?”

“The faucet suddenly burst.”

“That can’t be. We maintain it daily…”

The butler muttered, but Hana’s eyes flashed as she snapped,

“So, are you saying Ian broke it? How can a faucet break just because a kid turned it?”

“That’s not what I meant. I apologize.”

“Oh dear, what now? Ian has no spare clothes. He’s going to catch a cold.”

“Hana, hey, I’m soaked too.”

“Ah, yes. Romandro as well.”

“Ugh.”

Isn’t this a bit too soulless…? Leaving behind Romandro’s slightly upset expression, Hana added to the butler.

“Do you have any clothes to change into?”

“Ah, children’s clothes…”

There was no way there would be any. After all, there were no children in Crony’s mansion.

“No, we can’t go see the master soaking wet like this. If you stay like this, you’ll catch a cold.”

“Yes, yes, please lend us some clothes.”

With Romandro joining in, the butler nodded awkwardly.

“I’ll look for clothes that fit Ian. There should be some that Master Crony wore as a child. Please wait inside for a moment. I’ll also bring some warm tea.”

“No need for tea. Please just light the fireplace.”

“Yes, right away…”

“And please be sure to close the door when you leave. We don’t want you catching a cold.”

The butler lit the fire in the hearth, then closed the door behind him, asking them to wait a moment.

The three of them quickly rummaged through their pockets and pulled out their kits.

“It’ll take some time to find children’s clothes. Ian, I’ll pick the lock, so go inside and look for any evidence. If I could read, I’d come with you…”

“It’s okay. I can do it.”

“What about the potion?”

“Here.”

Ian pulled out the invisibility potion, and Romandro asked,

“Wait. You’re going to drink it at the same time?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Why? If you split it, the effect won’t last as long. It’s better if Hana drinks it first to get in and open the door, then you drink it and go in.”

“But Romandro—”

Ian glanced down at her feet, already soaked through, water dripping off.

“Even if my body becomes invisible, my footprints will remain. I need to go with Hana, who’s dry, so she can erase the footprints as we go.”

“Oh.”

That made sense! Ian could erase any traces inside the study, or since no one else was coming, they could just let the marks dry naturally. They only needed to erase the footprints in the hallway.

Pop.

Ian drank the invisibility potion first, then handed the rest to Hana. Slowly, their fingertips and toes began to fade away until they were completely invisible.

“Be careful, okay?”

Romandro’s voice was full of concern, but there was no answer. He muttered softly into the empty air.

“Have they gone? Did they leave?”

The silence was thick. Just as Romandro was about to breathe a sigh of relief—

“They haven’t gone.”

“Ah! You scared me…!”

Creak.

The door slowly opened, and a towel floated up. Faint footprints began to appear on the floor.