Chapter 943

Ian anxiously glanced up at the portal. Meanwhile, Beric and Barsabe, who had stopped throwing punches, approached Ian’s side and looked up as well.

“Why isn’t it coming out?”

“What is that thing, anyway?”

“Ah, fools don’t understand, huh?”

Since it was Beric’s first time seeing a portal, he seemed completely clueless about what it was. Barsabe, loaded with a mocking smirk, started teasing Beric again. Just as the two were about to bicker into round two—

“It’s here.”

Ian muttered softly. Through the portal, he caught a faint glimpse of a horse’s muzzle. Then, the driver’s seat connected to the reins appeared, followed by a line of carriages trailing behind.

Ian raised his hand and continued casting magic.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

The carriages sliced through the air, spinning in circles as they descended steadily. The horses seemed startled, foaming at the mouth halfway, but the magic held them firmly in place, unable to move.

Philia, Nersarn, and the baby alone must have been carrying a heavy load, and with the Enrow family’s second son along, the carriages seemed endless.

“Sausages lined up one after another.”

“Looks more like food than anything else.”

Barsabe realized the mood wasn’t right for more bickering, dusted herself off, and wiped her face with a towel. Beric, still gawking like a fool, was utterly fascinated by the spectacle.

Thud!

Screech!

As the first carriage landed, the excited horse raised its front hoof. Ian moved to calm it down, but—

“Whoa, whoa.”

A familiar voice called out. It was Nersarn. He seemed darker-skinned and bigger than before. After soothing the horse, Nersarn greeted Ian.

“Sir Ian.”

“Long time no see.”

“Demosha.”

“Demosha.”

They shook hands firmly and shared a brief hug. Surprisingly, Ian thought he caught a faint scent of milk from Nersarn. Ian turned toward the carriage and soon locked eyes with Philia, who was holding a newborn.

“Philia!”

“Ian!”

It had been so long since they last met. As Ian ran forward, Philia wrapped one arm tightly around him. Their eyes and voices, heavy with longing, spoke volumes about the time that had passed.

“My goodness… Ian, you’ve grown so tall.”

“Philia, you’ve become even more beautiful.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Really. I feel like I grew up all alone.”

“You look so mature. You’ve grown into a fine man. Very impressive.”

Ian and Philia pressed their foreheads together and smiled. At that moment, the baby, unable to hold back any longer, fussed and snuggled closer to his mother. Ian’s eyes widened slightly, and without realizing it, he smiled and asked,

“That’s your sibling, right?”

A natural question, since even though they weren’t related by blood, Ian considered Philia and Nersarn family.

Philia smiled and nodded.

“Yes, my little sister. Her name was just decided recently—Roel.”

“Roel…”

Ian gently poked the baby’s tiny wiggling finger. In response, the baby grabbed Ian’s finger with surprising strength—delicate yet impossible to pull away from.

“Nope.”

Ian shook his head slightly, correcting himself. It wasn’t that he couldn’t pull away—it was that the baby didn’t want to.

“Oh my, Roel, you’re being too forward.”

Philia tried to soothe the baby, but Roel stared straight at Ian, refusing to let go.

Her eyes were green like Philia’s, but unlike Philia’s warm garden-like gaze, the baby’s eyes radiated the freshness and vitality of nature—like a lush, cool jungle.

“May I hold her?”

“Oh, if you don’t mind.”

Philia welcomed the offer and handed Roel over to Ian. The baby seemed to want it too. As Ian cradled her, Roel relaxed her grip and began smiling brightly.

Ian couldn’t help but smile back, raising his eyebrows. It was his first time holding such a young child, and now that she was his sister, his affection deepened.

“Oh my, I’m melting. I’m really melting.”

If Beric hadn’t interrupted with his usual cold remarks, Ian could have stood there for hours, gazing into Roel’s eyes.

“Ian, why don’t you be that kind to me? You’re so unfair, treating people differently. How am I supposed to live with this kind of discrimination?”

“Ian, who’s this?”

A new friend? Philia asked with interest, but Ian just turned his head, telling her to ignore it.

“Just a fool I met recently.”

“Hey! First impressions are so important!”

“Ah, yeah.”

A friend, then. Philia smiled like sunshine and greeted Beric.

“I’m Philia. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, I’m Beric.”

“Philia, you don’t have to be so formal with a fool.”

“Oh my, Miss Barsabe? You’ve become so beautiful.”

Barsabe refused to shake hands, claiming her hands were covered in dirt, but Philia didn’t care and gave her a light hug. Barsabe chuckled softly, accepting the embrace. She was still the same person.

“Beautiful, huh? Is she Ian’s mother? She must be from far away. Do they have different standards of beauty there?”

“Shut up. Just shut up.”

Barsabe bared her teeth and growled at Philia to be quiet while still holding her.

At that moment, footsteps came from the carriage behind. Several attendants and a silver-haired boy dressed in fine clothes appeared. His heterochromatic eyes immediately told Ian that this was Xiaoshi.

“Greetings, Lord Xiaoshi. I am Ian Hadel. Please forgive me if I have been rude in my first greeting.”

Ian’s rudeness was holding Roel in one arm while extending his other hand in greeting. Xiaoshi smiled faintly and returned the greeting.

“Nice to meet you. It’s my first time seeing magic—it’s truly amazing. I never imagined I could get from Enrow to the capital in the blink of an eye.”

“That’s what magic is for.”

“Ah, but this place…”

It didn’t seem like the imperial palace. Was this Ian Hadel’s estate?

Ian tightened his hold on Roel and introduced.

“This is Count Zack’s estate. I’m staying here for now.”

“I see. I should pay my respects to Count Zack as well. But before that, there’s quite a bit of luggage on the carriage. I’d like to send it ahead to the hotel where I’ll be staying.”

The exam was a month away. Even if he passed, he’d have to live in the capital for a while. Xiaoshi had already found a suitable hotel for his long stay.

But Ian smiled and shook his head.

“You can stay at Count Zack’s estate until the exam.”

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly impose.”

Thanks to the connection through Philia and Nersarn, the Enrow family had asked Ian Hadel for this favor. But Count Zack? Though famous as a family of imperial palace guards and sword mages, there was no direct connection.

Ian smiled at the hesitant Xiaoshi.

“It’s fine. The Count has already given his permission and welcomes you. No matter how nice the hotels in the capital are, none will be as perfect as the Count’s estate.”

If Xiaoshi stayed at a hotel, he’d have to live in a single room and commute daily to the training grounds. Plus, he’d need rooms for his attendants. Even for the Enrow family, the cost would be a burden—especially for a hotel that met his standards.

“This place has training grounds you can use freely. There are plenty of guest rooms as well.”

“But…”

Xiaoshi hesitated, still unsure. Ian smiled reassuringly, sensing his pure heart.

Nothing in this world is free. Count Zack’s offer to host Xiaoshi wasn’t mere kindness.

“Refusing would disappoint the Count.”

Not at all. Just as they had accepted and sponsored Beric, this was about building ties with Xiaoshi and strengthening bonds with the Enrow family.

Though a small border territory, the Enrow lands were geographically crucial—a key trade route connecting Hwan and the Great Desert.

And above all, if Xiaoshi passed the selection exam and joined the Imperial Defense Department?

“That means one more ally in the Imperial Defense Department.”

Ian didn’t know how Xiaoshi would treat them once inside, but from Count Zack’s perspective, it was a win-win. Building a close relationship with the second son of a border family would inevitably bring benefits.

“Oh.”

Xiaoshi finally realized and gasped.

“A clever one.”

He wasn’t just pure innocence—he understood without much explanation.

Ian smiled and gave him the choice. Now that Xiaoshi knew Count Zack’s intentions, would he feel burdened and decline?

“I see. It would be rude to refuse your kindness. Then, I’ll be in your care for a while.”

Xiaoshi gladly accepted Ian’s offer. While Count Zack was important, his curiosity about Ian Hadel was even greater.

How often would he get a chance to see the genius noble mage, famous throughout the empire, up close? Probably never again, Xiaoshi thought.

And that was not far from Count Zack’s own intentions.

“Count Zack wants me, and I want Ian Hadel. We’re both trying to get closer… Interesting.”

“Well thought out. Please move the luggage carriages over there.”

Ian wore an expression as if he could read Xiaoshi’s thoughts. Xiaoshi was the second son of the Enlow family—forced to step back from managing their estate and carve out his own path. He knew that if he wasn’t just going to charge into battle swinging a sword, then securing a solid position within the imperial palace required more than just swordsmanship.

“Come this way. Please follow me.”

“Drive the carriage slowly! The training grounds are uneven!”

Before long, the servants of Count Jacques’ estate arrived to escort the Enlow household staff inside. Ian gently patted Roel’s back, who had buried his face deep into Ian’s shoulder, then turned to the guests.

“Well then, shall we all go inside? Since you’ve traveled so far, it would be nice to have some refreshments before mealtime. Count Jacques is currently out, but he’ll be back for dinner.”

“Yes, understood, Lord Hadel.”

As Ian turned away, he caught Xiaoshi’s gaze fixed intently on him.

“Please, feel free to speak casually.”

“Eh? But how—”

Xiaoshi was the second son, with no claim to inheritance or any noble title expected. Meanwhile, Ian Hadel was a distant relative of the royal family and a mage. Ian smiled in response.

“I live the life of a mage.”

In truth, the life of a noble had long since faded for him. He was just a mage who went to the battlefield, slept in the blood-soaked dirt alongside his comrades, and got scolded by commanders when he made mistakes.

“Still, that’s not something you should say.”

“You will understand once you enter the palace.”

As both an officer and a mage.

Ian had another motive, too. He figured that if he wanted to ask about the thousand gold coins owed by the Enlow family, it was best to break down the walls first. He wasn’t sure how much Xiaoshi knew about the matter, but Ian had already secretly taken on that debt without their knowledge.

“I’ll take it slow…”

“Good.”

Philia tapped Roel’s nose, who clung tightly to Ian and wouldn’t let go.

“Ian, isn’t he heavy?”

“Not at all. Like a feather.”

Hmm. That was a lie.

But Philia pretended not to notice and linked arms with Nersarn, walking happily.

“Well then, I guess we’ll have to leave Roel with Ian. Barsabe, let’s go inside together! It’s been a while—we have a lot to catch up on.”

When Barsabe happily shed her combat gear, Beric, flustered, spun his head around and shouted,

“Ian! You’re all going in? What about me?”

“You keep training.”

“Huh? Everyone’s going in? I’m coming too!”

Beric stubbornly followed despite Ian’s orders.

Xiaoshi stepped into Count Jacques’ estate, still wondering who exactly this Ian really was.