《Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard》 Chapter 1 "Status Window." [Ian Raven] [You are nothing.] The status window blatantly mocked Ian. Ian is nothing. Poor Ian, who is nothing. If one were to formally address Ian, it would be ''Ian, son of Farmer Ian.'' In this medieval fantasy world, a farmer''s son is simply nothing. The status window wasn''t wrong. It belonged to the category of ''never lying.'' Ian, the farmer''s son, was the only child in the village with black hair. Ian''s mother had bright yellow hair. His father had fiery red hair, yet Ian''s hair was as black as ink. In his childhood, Ian''s parents endlessly quarreled over this issue. "Tell me the truth! Whose child is this?" "It''s your child, who else!" "Stop your nonsense! You loose woman!" "Is that how you speak to your wife!" So on and so forth. Ian Raven''s name was significantly influenced by his black hair. The method of naming in this village is very simple. The first name. Parents just pick whatever they like. If they name a child Dog-poop, it becomes Dog-poop, and if it''s Cow-poop, it becomes Cow-poop. The simple name Ian was also arbitrarily given by his parents. Then, they add the father''s name to it. It''s a concept similar to the ''patronymic*'' often used in Russia. [A/N: patronymic, a name derived from the name of a father or ancestor, typically by the addition of a prefix or suffix] Ian''s father''s name was Ian. So, Ian, the son of Ian, with the added patronymic, would be Ian Ian. Fully expressed, it would be ''Ian, son of Ian.'' By the way, Ian''s grandfather''s name was also Ian. Some families cram the grandfather''s name into the patronymic too, so his full name could well be Ian Ian Ian Ian. But no one would call out such a mentally exhausting name. People naturally want to omit repetitive words. So, Ian''s full name is just Ian. Technically, he might be Ian the Third. The villagers call them Big Ian and Little Ian. Grandfather Ian? Let''s not seek the dead. Usually, that''s where naming ends, but unique individuals get nicknames. Ian, distinct from the villagers with his jet-black hair, earned the nickname Little Raven Ian. "Ha ha! Look there! A little crow is passing by!" "Ian washes his hair with ink every night~" Watching the village children mock him, Ian clicked his tongue in disdain. Rude brats. Had they been his peers, Ian might have been angered, but he only found their malice amusing. Ian was a reincarnated person. Moreover, he was a man from the quiet land of the morning, Korea. Discussing the afterlife is pointless. To confirm the existence of an afterlife, one must first die. And naturally, once dead, you cannot speak. Even in the modern age where mystery has become meaningless, death remains an inviolable domain. However, for Ian, a reincarnated soul, this did not apply. The afterlife does exist. While it''s uncertain if it applies to everyone, at least for Ian, it did. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ''Kwak Jae-han.'' Ian wrote his previous life''s name in the sand before erasing it. He knew that being reborn with the memories of a past life was rare. After all, the concept of reincarnation or past lives is a foreign idea, so it''s bound to feel strange. Ian stroked his jet-black hair. The same color as when he was Korean in his past life. Perhaps along with his memories, his hair reincarnated too. Then, is my true essence not my body, but my hair? If that logic holds, then what about bald people... Hmm. Let''s stop there. It would be too cruel to mock bald people as ''soulless.'' They are just humans lacking a handful of hair. Anyway, Ian the Raven was born as the son of a farmer in a region called Kolbrun. Like other farmers in the empire, Ian''s family was poor. Being poor meant that despite working hard every day, they sometimes had to skip meals. Born as the third of four children, Ian often suffered from hunger and starvation. Unlike in Korea, where parents lavish their children with love, here, it was customary for the elders to take care of their meals first. Problem: There are two adults and four children starving in the house, with only enough food for four. Who should eat? Choosing the imperial solution, the two adults, the eldest, and the second child would eat. They need calories as they have to work. Without food, they can''t work. And if they can''t work? The whole family starves. The eldest is quite old, fifteen years old, which modern people would classify as a teenager. However, like the teenagers of today, the eldest was a robust young man with strength comparable to an adult. Together with the second child, they could do the work of one adult. But the third and the fourth children were different. They were clearly young kids. They didn''t work but also ate less. So, it was okay to starve them. If they''re really hungry, they could catch grasshoppers in the fields or something. Thus, Ian''s daily life was as follows: Wake up early in the morning and have breakfast with the family. The parents ate the most, while Ian and the youngest got a small piece of bread to share. It was precious food that had to last until lunch. The parents and older brothers went to work in the fields, and Ian took his younger sister to the forest. There, they spent the whole day looking for food. Eating fruits, insects, bird eggs, and wild herbs. Then, as it got dark, they returned home. If they were lucky, they had dinner together; if not, they just went to bed. And the next day, as the sun rose, the same routine repeated. Despite his young age, Ian was acutely aware of how dreadful his situation was. Spending his entire day from dawn to dusk searching for food ¨C was he a child or a wild animal? Education? The forest was his school, and the beasts his teachers. He learned the ways of a savage. A life where he grew older without any form of education. Of course, when he came of age, he would join his parents in the wheat fields, toiling away. He didn''t mind the hard work. What in the world is gained without struggle? Even easy coin investments came with its share of pain. The problem was that despite all the hard work, there was nothing to gain. There was no income. This was a common issue for farmers of this era. In fact, Ian''s parents were not just farmers; they were serfs. While both farmers and serfs worked the fields, serfs were bound to a lord''s estate. The advantage was that they lived within sturdy walls and were protected by knights. Unlike the free people who were robbed by thieves or devoured by monsters, there was a different level of security. However, the downside was significant too, being tied to the lord and the feudal system. In exchange for protection, they were subject to the lord''s rule. They couldn''t leave the estate without permission, had to offer a portion of their produce, and provide labor and military service as needed. Since Ian''s parents were serfs, Ian was a serf too. Not all farmers were the same. Wealthy farmers meticulously saved money to buy weapons and armor for their homes. They were treated well, as they could be utilized as armored infantry in times of need. But Ian''s parents were the poorest of the poor among serfs. They were tenant farmers on the lord''s land and had significant debts due to borrowing grains during bad harvests. A debtor''s life, toiling every day but gaining nothing, inevitably leading to a premature death and a burial in the ground for the lower class. That was the life of Ian''s parents. And it was the life prepared for Ian. Ian couldn''t leave the estate because his parents were in debt. The children had to pay off their parents'' debts. He couldn''t dream of any profession other than being a serf. Without education, where could he learn anything else? "What sin did I commit in my past life..." Ian sighed deeply, as if the ground would cave in. If dying young was a sin, then that was his sin. Looking at his younger sister smudging her mouth with soot while devouring a roasted fish, his heart grew heavier. She was better off. Without any worries. "Oppa, aren''t you going to eat this?" "Don''t touch it. I''ll eat it." His sister, who devoured her share of the fish as if possessed, eyed Ian''s portion. She acted no different from a beggar starved for days. In truth, aside from having a house, their life was not much different from that of a beggar. Ian chewed the fish, bones and all (it was smaller than his palm), and racked his brain for ideas. "Status Window." [Ian Raven] [You are nothing.] A translucent window appeared before his eyes. It was the very status window he had seen in games and novels, proving that Ian had indeed reincarnated into another world as a modern person. The existence of the status window, a clear mainstream element in stories, implied that Ian possessed some special ability. A status window right before his eyes, yet no cheat abilities from another world? That would be a clear violation of the rules. Ian was confident in his latent abilities. He must have some overpowered cheat ability gained through his reincarnation into another world. It was a mental victory, but without such thoughts, he couldn''t endure the fear of his miserable future. The cheat ability exists. The problem is, he has never seen it with his own eyes. ''If only I could awaken my power...!'' Ian''s awakening! The Awakened Ian! He would become a genius, shocking the lord and making knights bow their heads...! Then, he would pile up food like a mountain and eat until he burst. "If you''re not going to eat that, oppa..." "I told you, touch it and you''re dead." Lost in his adolescent fantasies, Ian finished his meal. Two small fish caught from the stream comprised the siblings'' lunch. It was barely enough to stave off hunger, but they were grateful for even that. "Oppa, let''s go for dessert." "Sure. Let''s go." Many overlook the fact that the quality of life of modern people is actually better than that of medieval nobility. Tasty food, clean living, convenient tools, stable living environments, and so on. Even the most expensive, high-quality silver mirrors of the nobility couldn''t compare to a smartphone. Ian, steeped in the everyday luxuries of a modern person, inadvertently passed on this luxurious notion of ''meals should be courses'' to his innocent sister. She naturally absorbed Ian''s ideology. If you''ve eaten a meal, of course, you should have dessert. The siblings naturally went in search of a raspberry bush. There, they encountered a strange traveler. "Oh my." Surprisingly, the traveler was a woman. A woman traveling alone in the medieval era? It would be astonishing even in modern times. "Hello? Little one?" The woman initiated a greeting to shake off the awkwardness. Ian instinctively became wary. In this harsh medieval fantasy world, a woman traveling alone couldn''t be ordinary. Ian maintained the most respectful demeanor possible. But his younger sister was quicker. "Who are you, auntie?" "...Auntie?" Ian was terrified. Calling a woman ''auntie'' was almost like a declaration of war...! And sure enough, the woman struggled to maintain her composure. Ian felt his world go dark! Chapter 2 There''s a term, the ''dragon''s reverse scale.'' It refers to the scale that grows in the opposite direction on a dragon''s chin, and it''s said that touching it will make the dragon go berserk, devastating everything around it. Thus, the term ''dragon''s reverse scale'' is commonly used to indicate a point that must never be touched. While women are not creatures with scales, they do have their own ''reverse scale.'' For women, it''s their ''age.'' Biologically, this is explainable: once a woman passes the age of 30, the probability of giving birth to a healthy child rapidly decreases. No parent wishes for their offspring to be born sick or weak. Hence, men instinctively prefer younger women, and women wish to remain young forever. Unlike women, men''s reproductive capabilities do not diminish with age (though their erectile function might). This is why there are often tales of men over 60 impregnating women in their 20s. Therefore, men tend to accept being called ''mister.'' It''s sad to age, but it''s also an undeniable fact. However, for a woman, being called ''auntie'' is a life-ending shock. Exaggerating a bit, it sounds like saying, ''You are no longer a woman.'' "Am I... an auntie?" She trembled visibly. Even from a distance, the trembling of the woman''s shoulders was clear. Ian''s sister seemed completely unaware of the atrocity she had committed. It was a kind of pure evil unique to young children. "Hey, you there." The woman called Ian with a twisted smile. The sight was both creepy and a little pitiful. "Yes?" "Who is that... ''little runt'' next to you?" Ian was shocked. Was she taking revenge just because she was called an auntie? The woman is incredibly petty! "I''m not a little runt!" Children typically dislike being disregarded by adults. It''s the same reason why elementary students hate being called ''brats.'' "Hehe. I''m not an auntie either, okay? Why don''t you call me ''sister''?" The woman extended an olive branch first. It was a mature gesture. But there was no forgiveness for a brat. "No way! auntie! You wrinkle-face!" Ian''s sister disappeared somewhere. He wasn''t worried. They roamed around this area daily, as familiar as their own yard. She had probably gone ahead to pick raspberries. Ian focused his attention on the woman in front of him. "Excuse me, but who are you, traveler?" The woman looked at Ian with a bit of surprise. His manner of speaking was unexpectedly polite for his age, completely different from his sister. "I am Eredith, a wandering wizard." "... A wizard?" Ian was startled. This was a medieval, yet fantasy world. A land where monsters and magic existed. Here, a wizard was another name for war. Wherever there was war, there was a wizard. Although it was his first time actually seeing a wizard, Ian felt an indescribable fear. wizards were too abstract and formidable entities. Naturally, since Ian had never encountered such a being in his past life, he could only feel fear towards the existence of a wizard. ''Why would a wizard be here...?'' Ian recalled the common knowledge of this world. A wizard is another name for war. ''Could it be... war?'' But Ian soon shook his head. The ruling family of this village, the Feldenberg family, was not prestigious enough to summon wizards and wage war. At best, they were capable of fending off bandits, but wizards? In truth, bandits should not be underestimated. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Once they organize, they become an army, and the bandit leader can eventually be called a lord. Still, the Feldenberg family lacked the power to conduct a proper war. "I came here looking for a boy with black hair..." "What?" The wizard, who introduced herself as Eredith, stared intently at Ian''s hair. Unless he was a child with a wicked hobby of dyeing his hair, Ian was undoubtedly the ''boy with black hair'' the wizard was searching for. "Is there another boy with black hair besides you?" Ian shook his head. He was the only one with black hair, which was why he had been honorably nicknamed ''Ian the Raven.'' "There''s no one else but me." Eredith watched Ian for a while, then burst into a pleasant laugh. "Really, these space-time wizards." ''Space-time wizard?'' Ian couldn''t understand the term. Eredith Manskal was a wandering wizard. Wizards in the empire are broadly divided into two categories: secular wizards and truth seekers. Secular wizards are what people commonly refer to as ''wizards.'' They learn magic to exert influence over others. Many war wizards and university professors of magic fall into this category. Truth seekers, unlike secular wizards, do not settle in one place but continually wander. Their sole purpose is the pursuit of magic. They are those who spare no effort for higher achievements. The distinction between the two types of wizards is not as clear-cut as it might seem. One who was seeking truth yesterday might settle down today at the behest of a noble. Conversely, someone living comfortably could choose a journey for magical achievement. Eredith leaned more towards being a truth seeker by nature. Her goal was to reach higher realms and become a great wizard. And to pass on her achievements to future generations, advancing the world. At thirty-five, she was a fairly renowned wizard among her peers. Just as humans naturally desire offspring when they achieve a certain level of stability. Having attained respectable achievements as a wizard, Eredith slightly yearned to take on a disciple. As if reading her mind, a wizard came to her. The wizard''s name was Gerard, a man well-acquainted with Eredith. "Have you recently been thinking of taking on a disciple?" "Where did you pick up that strange story?" The very act of a wandering wizard being ''sought out'' was unusual, but Gerard was an infamous space-time wizard (though he didn''t possess the ability to control storms). These wizards, dealing with time and space magic, often played tricks with ''prophecies'' using threads of the future obtained from beyond time. It was unclear what exactly he had seen in the future. Gerard gave Eredith some peculiar information. "Seek out the boy with black hair in the Feldenberg estate of Kolbrun. If you make him your disciple, good things will happen." Eredith scoffed at Gerard''s advice. Predictions by space-time wizards were almost always like that. Do something somewhere, and good things will happen ¨C that level of vagueness. It was an open secret that space-time wizards shared futures with each other. Eredith also knew about the endless debates at the space-time wizards'' meetings over ''what constitutes a better future.'' Space-time wizards did not hesitate to puppeteer current humans to realize the ''better future'' they decided on. That''s why space-time wizards were often scorned. Pretending to be gods, deciding the future and scheming behind the scenes ¨C it was an unpleasant sight. Eredith thought Gerard had seen some strange future and was now urging her to realize it. Space-time wizards don''t talk specifically about the future. The first reason is they themselves aren''t 100% sure about it, and the second reason is the non-disclosure agreement. Eredith had no reason to heed Gerard''s advice. Gerard might be disappointed, but he would soon think, ''I should look for a different future,'' and go about his business. However, the suggestion of a space-time wizard is tempting. They enjoy changing the future by using others as chess pieces. To move others, they need a basis, typically the lure of ''good things will happen if you listen to me.'' Indeed, following a space-time wizard''s advice often leads to good outcomes. But that also means becoming a puppet of the space-time wizard, which is irritating. This is the second reason why space-time wizards are despised. ''Why not give it a try out of boredom.'' Gerard suggests, but Eredith chooses. It wasn''t a matter to be taken seriously. Just a whim. Do it if you feel like it, don''t if you don''t. However, Eredith had been feeling off recently. Her magical achievements had hit a wall, making no progress. With nothing pleasing happening lately, she thought of it as a change of pace. Traveling was something Eredith had been doing her whole life. She promptly headed to the Kolbrun region. And then. Just as the damned space-time wizard had prophesied, she met the boy with black hair. The first step of the prophecy had been stitched together. "Little one, what''s your name?" "It''s Ian." Eredith stroked the boy''s hair. His eyes held a mix of curiosity and fear, but they sparkled with a bright intelligence. Gerard, that damned space-time wizard. Is this boy supposed to be my disciple? "There''s no need to beat around the bush. I''ve come to take you as my disciple." "...Me?" Ian was at a loss for words at Eredith''s sudden proposal. A woman he had just met today wanted to make him her disciple. Could ''disciple'' be a euphemism for an experimental sacrifice? "You want to make me, your disciple?" "Yes! I want to teach you magic. What do you think?" "..." Ian was speechless, struck by the enormity of the shock. In both his past and present lives, skills were power. The saying goes that if you learn a skill, you won''t starve, and skilled people are always respected because they can do what others can''t. Therefore, learning a skill always comes at a cost. Whether it be money or connections, something must be given in exchange for learning a skill. That was why Ian could not dream of any job other than farming. He had no money, and there was no one around to teach him a skill. Why would any sane person give away their precious means of livelihood for free to a complete stranger? In this world, becoming a skilled worker is incredibly difficult. Usually, one must first be introduced by someone they know, then spend at least a few years as a servant, catering to the skilled worker''s whims. Doing menial tasks, providing meals, taking care of the skilled worker''s family, enduring insults... After 3 to 4 years of slaving away like this, they might generously teach the simplest of skills. After about a decade of learning, one might start dreaming of independence. If the skilled worker is famous, they might take in a few new disciples during this time. Then, there are first-generation disciples, second-generation, and so on. While in a personal setup, the difference between generations of disciples is not significant, in a guild-like setting where the trade continues for over a hundred years, generations keep extending, and various corrupt practices grow like cancer cells. Polishing seniors'' boots, always preparing tools in advance. Always bowing at a 90-degree angle, laughing at seniors'' lousy jokes... Anyway. Learning someone else''s skill is very difficult. The only people who teach their skills without expecting anything in return are one''s parents. Yet, now there was an exception right before him. Eredith. "I''m... not sure." As the saying goes, there''s always a catch with seemingly perfect opportunities. Con artists prey on human greed, offering deals that seem too good to be true, whispering incredible rewards that make you look foolish for not accepting, and playing with people''s desires. Had Ian been a naive medieval person, he might have been easily deceived. But Ian was a reincarnated medieval person. His Korean black hair was the proof. ''Could she be a con artist?'' The word that came to Ian''s mind was human trafficker. At first glance, Eredith seemed like a real wizard, traveling alone as a woman. If not, her accomplices might be hiding somewhere in the forest, which would definitely mean kidnappers. ''...What is this?'' Meanwhile, Eredith was baffled by the change in Ian''s eyes. Although she wouldn''t say it herself, Eredith was one of the hottest wizards of the time, a so-called successful wizard. People who loved to make a fuss were already calling her ''Great Eredith.'' Here she was, Eredith herself, asking if he wanted to be her disciple. But what was with that look in his eyes? As if he was looking at a street con artist! If she went to any city and announced that wizard Eredith was looking for a disciple, people would overflow, clamoring to be chosen. The boy''s pure malice, ignorant of this fact, left a scratch on Eredith''s pride. "What don''t you understand? Huh? Tell me." Ian pondered how to diplomatically say ''You seem like a scam artist.'' So, he said this. "You... seem like a fake wizard." "???" Eredith was staggered by the shock. Wizard Eredith. After being hit by the sister, now Ian too... Chapter 3 ''Fake wizard...'' Eredith felt dizzy. Ian and his sister''s words were scampering around in her head like mischievous children. ''Auntie~'' ''Fake wizard~'' ''Auntie, the fake wizard~'' The children''s taunts were relentless, spewing insulting remarks without pause. Eredith, her face flushed red, shouted. "I am neither an auntie nor a fake wizard!" "..." She immediately regretted it. Ian was stepping back with a frightened look. Wondering whether to comfort him, she decided it was time to show the dignity of a wizard. "Alright! Follow me. Let''s talk seriously at your house." First, Eredith took the cheeky kids to their house. But the house was empty. "Where are your parents?" "They''re at work." Though she might normally wait, Eredith, being a proactive wizard, stood up abruptly. "Ian! What''s your father''s name?" "It''s Ian." "Huh. Not much thought in that name. Are you a picked-up child or something?" Ian just shrugged his shoulders. It was obvious she was trying to get revenge, and he found it bothersome to respond to every taunt. Feeling awkward, Eredith focused on finding Ian''s father. "Ian! Let''s talk!" Ian''s parents were summoned from their fieldwork. The rest of the family followed, and suddenly it turned into a family meeting. "Ian. I would like to take your son as my disciple." "Which son...?" Hmm. He had three sons. Eredith immediately pointed to Ian the Raven. "This boy!" "Ah... I see." Father Ian''s reaction surprised Eredith. Even for a wizard, it was strange how easily he accepted the idea of his son being taken away. But there was a reason for it. "I always thought he was different from birth." "???" "He was destined to be a wizard." Observing the family, Eredith reluctantly accepted this. The entire family had either yellow or red hair, but Ian alone had hair as black as a raven. It wasn''t strange to think he was born with magical talent. Although hair color can''t determine magical ability... At least, it confirmed the source of unease that had long troubled the couple. "Ian. I always knew you were an extraordinary child." "Yes, Father." Ian responded without much thought. But Father Ian felt guilt in the pure, untainted voice of his son. He realized. Now was the time to reveal the long-hidden secret. "No. I''m sorry for lying. Son. I actually didn''t know. I thought you were a child your mother had with another man." "Dear!" "So, I named you Ian. To assert you''re not another man''s child, but mine. Ian''s son, Ian." "..." "To think you would become a wizard. I am truly proud." Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Father Ian bowed deeply to Eredith. "I entrust my unworthy son to your care." Something felt odd, but Eredith responded with a smile in the heartwarming atmosphere. "Of course." Having obtained the parents'' permission, she immediately headed to the lord''s mansion. Ian''s parents were in debt and couldn''t leave the village without the lord''s permission. Naturally, Ian couldn''t leave the village until his parents paid off the debt. So, Eredith took action. She was set for a showdown with the lord. "Who is it?" "A wizard. Eredith." She had spoken only two sentences. Yet, the gatekeeper bent like a bow. "The wizard has arrived!" Ian found this scene astonishing. Here were the lord''s soldiers, whom all the villagers feared and trembled before, but at Eredith''s single word, they flipped over like a dog meeting its master. "This is my proof of identity..." "Oh, why bring out such a heavy thing... Please wait inside for a moment!" Eredith looked at Ian triumphantly. Wondering why she was looking at him, Ian realized a bit late. Ah. She''s boasting... As if to say, ''The person you dismissed as a fake wizard is actually someone like this,'' Ian played along appropriately. "Wow. You really are a great wizard, aren''t you?" He hadn''t seen any magic yet. "Heh. Of course!" Eredith, feeling pleased, whistled merrily and walked lightly. Ian followed her, thinking she might be simpler than he thought. The Kolbrun region is not the property of the Feldenberg family. The Feldenbergs are merely the rulers of Hayhill village. The head of the Feldenberg family, Felix Feldenberg, was a knight who made his name in his youth. He had fought fiercely under the banner of Count Edward. For his bravery, he was granted a small manor with a village. Felix responded to Count Edward''s call several times thereafter. He didn''t need to struggle since he had his own land, but he thought it wise to strengthen his relationship with the Count. Thanks to his solid reputation under Count Edward, Hayhill village firmly became Felix''s. Once a valiant knight, Felix now spent his days in leisure at his mansion, a successful middle-aged man. Some criticized his indulgence in pleasures. But what''s the point of struggling in youth? It''s all for living well in old age. Felix thought he was merely enjoying the rewards of his youthful blood and sweat. After all, he was the ruler of Hayhill. A little decadence wouldn''t harm anything. "My lord." After a night of fun with courtesans, Felix was deep in sleep. The butler entered the lord''s bedroom, a place one should avoid if they had any sense. "What is it?" Felix opened his eyes groggily. He didn''t seem in the best of moods. "A sudden important guest has arrived." "A guest?" There was a contradiction in the butler''s words. Important guests don''t arrive unannounced. At least, not those who the lord himself should meet in person. "A wizard named Eredith." "Ah." However, the moment Felix heard the word ''wizard,'' he completely changed his thoughts. A wizard is always an important guest. Just being associated with one can elevate one''s reputation in noble society, and if one can secure their help, VIP treatment is assured. A wizard''s heart is like a reed, swaying this way and that with the wind. The only way to secure a wizard''s favor is through sincere friendship and generous gifts. "I''ll get ready immediately." Felix quickly finished dressing and went to greet his guest. As her name suggested, Eredith was a female wizard. Her face and figure were decent, better than the courtesans he had summoned the day before. Felix indulged in unnecessary thoughts. But let''s be understanding; such fantasies are a reflexive reaction for middle-aged men upon seeing a pretty woman. "Welcome. Wizard." "Thank you for your hospitality." Eredith sat down gracefully. Her posture was neither rude nor particularly elegant. There was no sign she had been trained in manners. This indicated she had no interactions with court nobles. ''A wandering wizard, probably.'' Felix, with his experience among nobility, successfully guessed the identity of the wizard before him. Secular wizards who mingle with nobles have a different demeanor. Many of them are trained in etiquette, rivaling even the major nobles. There was no trace of such training in the woman before him. Felix felt somewhat relieved. There are rumors that major nobles send wizards to intimidate lesser nobles they dislike. Such an act requires a significant grudge and justification. But who can guarantee that the world always operates within the bounds of reason? The mere fact that she wasn''t a wizard sent to burn down his land was reassuring. "Why has such a distinguished wizard come to this humble village?" "Humble village? It''s quite fine. Yes." Eredith awkwardly spilled clumsy words. In truth, she was not accustomed to interacting with nobility. She had devoted her life to magic. "I was planning to take this boy as my disciple... but there seems to be a problem." "Ah..." Felix shifted his gaze to the boy standing beside Eredith. He had assumed the boy was her attendant. But taking him as a disciple? That would mean he''s a resident of Hayhill? ''Impossible.'' Felix knew the caliber of this village very well. It''s a gathering of utter fools. If there were someone smart enough to be a wizard''s disciple, he would have known about it beforehand. The fact that she was looking for a disciple in a rural village seemed suspicious. In the cities, there are smart, well-educated kids lying around like stones. Why not pick one of them? Felix carefully observed Ian. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the boy was indeed a resident of Hayhill. "Isn''t that Raven?" "Raven?" Felix recollected. There had been a couple with a black-haired son who had come to him, arguing about whether the wife had been unfaithful. It was a memorable case, with black hair standing out amidst yellow and red. Yes, Ian. Ian Raven. "Ian Raven, right?" "Yes, Lord." Memories surfaced in Felix''s mind like potatoes being unearthed from a field (though Felix had never actually worked in a field). Ian''s father, also named Ian, was a farmer working on the lord''s land and had some debt. The pieces of the puzzle fit together. "To take the boy, you''ll need my permission." A son of a serf is a serf himself. Ian was destined to grow into a fine debt slave. "Yes, I heard about the debt..." Eredith placed a small pouch on the table. "How about this? Can I take him now?" Felix laughed happily. "Of course!" The butler discreetly took the pouch. Felix didn''t know the amount, but even if it were just filled with pebbles, he had already decided to hand over Ian. One must not be stingy in showing kindness to a wizard. "Thank you for your mercy." "Haha. Since you''re here, why not stay for a meal?" "Would that be alright?" They finished their meal in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Felix felt proud, as if he had done something nobly dignified for the first time in a while. It may seem trivial (and it is). But such an act... is a wonderful boast. A noble who kindly hosts a wizard and enjoys a meal together! Each of these tales contributes to one''s reputation in noble society. Especially the title ''A Noble Friendly with Wizards'' is an achievement every noble strives for. Imagine meeting Count Edward later. ''You hosted a meal for a wizard, I hear?'' ''Nothing much. It was a wizard named Eredith...'' ''The Rising Star of Drawald, Eredith! What did she say?'' ''Haha. Well...'' Just the thought was exhilarating. Who am I? The man who dined with the wizard Eredith. With his mood greatly uplifted, Felix bid farewell to Eredith and Raven with a smile. In just half a day, Ian''s status had risen from a serf to a disciple of a wizard. All because of one meal. Chapter 4 The journey was arranged at breakneck speed. Eredith, being a wanderer, was used to traveling. Ian had no belongings to pack. "Mother. Father. I''m leaving now." "Alright. Listen well to the wizard!" "Study hard! Raven!" "Brother! You must come back!" Ian left the domain amid his family''s fervent farewells. Leaving the land he had lived in all his life (10 years) for the first time, he felt a mix of emotions. "Um... should I call you Master... or something?" "Not yet. I haven''t taught you anything, have I? Just call me sister." Ian had wondered about this before, but was she really a sister? A child''s perspective is very different from an adult''s. Eredith was confident she looked quite young, but to Ian, she seemed closer to an auntie than a sister. Eredith was 35 years old, older than Ian''s mother. Ian''s younger sister calling her an auntie was a result of chilling insight. "Sister." "Yes! What''s on your mind?" The atmosphere suggested he could ask anything, but Ian wondered if his question was appropriate. Nevertheless, his curiosity was too strong to hold back. "Why did you choose me as your disciple?" Eredith smiled subtly, thinking Ian was feeling anxious. Ian knew nothing about the world of magic, about time wizards and such. Ignorance breeds fear. The unknown was causing him anxiety. Why had a serf''s son suddenly become the disciple of a wizard? It was an adult''s duty to alleviate that anxiety. "I received a prophecy." "... A prophecy?" Ian was startled by the fantastic word that popped up unexpectedly. He knew this was a medieval fantasy world, but he hadn''t expected a prophecy. A prophecy! Isn''t it an event experienced at least once by every important character in fantasy? There are generally two types of prophecy events. One foretells great success, and the other, great doom. Ian swallowed nervously. "What kind of prophecy?" "Well? What do you think?" Eredith brazenly broke the first law of question and answer. First law of question and answer: Do not answer a question with a question. But Ian was just as shameless. "A prophecy that I''ll become a great wizard in the future?" He blurted it out. Children can do that. It''s embarrassing when adults do it, but for children, it''s audacity. Children possess endless ''possibilities''. Unlike adults who have closed their growth plates and are merely waiting for death, all children have hope. "Pfft. Dream big, don''t you? Want to become a great wizard?" Like most adults, Eredith didn''t dislike children who dreamed. Especially if they were her disciples. "Yes!" Young Ian answered vigorously. His enthusiasm appeared incredibly cute to Eredith. ''I did well taking him as a disciple.'' Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. If she had taken a proper disciple, she might have chosen someone much cuter than Ian. Wizards'' disciples are chosen at a young age, typically around five years old. The younger they are, the faster they absorb information. The charm of a 10-year-old stands no chance against that of a 5-year-old. By the age of 10, one should be graduating from this phase and moving on to the next. At this age, one is simply too old to appeal with cuteness. It''s a merciless rule. However, to Eredith, Ian, her first disciple, just seemed cute. After all, he was her first disciple. For Eredith, who had never had a child of her own, the cuteness of a young child was a novel and refreshing joy. "Actually, I don''t even know if Ian can use magic." "¡­ What?" It was a shocking statement. Ian, who was chosen as a disciple right away, might just be an empty shell! Although it was just a realm of possibility, it was a terrifying notion for Ian. If he wasn''t a wizard, his prospects for survival were bleak. However, Eredith believed that this guess wasn''t the truth. It was a prophecy from a time wizard. He had said that taking Ian as a disciple would bring her good fortune. And Ian being unable to wield magic wouldn''t be a good thing for Eredith. "To begin with magic, you first need to study a lot." Ian nodded vigorously. Just like in other fantasy settings, here too, wizards were the intelligent characters. In other words, fools couldn''t become wizards. ''I am confident.'' Kwak Jae-han, a Korean, was a science student. He wanted to go to the mathematics department in university, but, dissuaded by those around him who thought him crazy, he ended up in computer science. He had been admitted to a fairly prestigious university ¨C not SKY level, but still one that drew a ''Oh, that place?'' reaction. So he believed he wasn''t completely dumb. The universal rule for fantasy wizards is formulaic calculation. Calculation? Kwak Jae-han would wake from sleep for calculations, a true enthusiast. Some might ridicule the idea of being passionate about calculations. However, calculations are surprisingly beautiful and sanctify the mind (omitted for brevity). ''I can handle any formulaic calculation.'' While Ian was lost in thought. Eredith... just had no particular thoughts. The prophecy had pointed to him, so he''d surely manage on his own. And so, the two continued their journey. Being a wanderer by nature, Eredith had no fixed base. She had never felt the need for a base in her life. As a fairly skilled wizard, she solved a few troublesome issues for others and her food and shelter were easily taken care of. Why buy a house when she was a wizard desired and adored by nobles? The entire empire was as good as her own home. However, for the first time in a long while, Eredith decided to acquire a home. In the northwest of the empire, at the foot of the Golden Mountains. Eredith purchased a house originally built as a hunting lodge for nobles and transformed it into a cozy dwelling. It would be their home until her disciple grew and was recognized as a wizard. "How do you like it? Nice, isn''t it?" Eredith had a simple nature. If she had liked luxury, she would never have roamed the empire without a home. But she had splurged on a nice house, all for her cute disciple. To Ian, who had lived his entire life in a cramped wooden house, this place seemed no less than a palace. "Yes! It''s wonderful!" "Hehe. Your sister has spent some money!" The only downside was that the house was in the mountains, making it quite tedious to manage. However, Eredith, who had lived a nomadic life, lacked the sense for settled living. In other words, she didn''t think much about it. She was simply delighted by the magic books neatly stacked on the bookshelves. "Now that we''ve settled in, shall we start the lessons?" Ian''s heart started racing. It was a historic moment, the first step towards becoming a wizard. "Ian Raven, from this moment on, you shall serve me, Eredith Manscal, as your master." "Yes, Master!" "Good. From now on, your name will be Ian Eredith Raven." Ian had gained a nickname. Ian Eredith Raven. In full, it meant Ian, the large raven, a disciple of Eredith. The first official lesson began. "Magic is an extremely dangerous skill. You can''t start anything without thorough preparation." Eredith was utterly serious, a stark contrast to her usual lax demeanor. Ian also braced himself for the lesson. "Open the magic book." Ian carefully opened the book, ensuring his hands didn''t tremble. Strange characters sprawled before him like an ocean. Ian was a raft adrift in the sea of knowledge. "This is..." "The very basics of magic. The Maronius language." He felt queasy. The Maronius language, a magical language, seemed familiar yet new. It was very similar to ancient Asian characters. That is to say. ''Chinese characters?'' They were sophisticated hieroglyphs. Ian''s vision darkened...! ''Damn it! Chinese characters!'' Ian could handle calculations even in his dreams. But Chinese characters were not his forte. Literature studies were for those dirty arts students! Arts students need to know Chinese characters to recite poems like ôæôæüSøB (though there''s no need to study it unless you''re a literature major). But for Ian, a former science student, this was utterly irrelevant. Yet, now he had to study fantasy-style hieroglyphs! "From today, you''ll study 100 characters a day." "Isn''t that too much?" "I''ll reduce it if it''s overwhelming." This was 100%. No, 200% overwhelming. Absolutely indigestible. Ian thought. "But this is just the basic thousand characters. It''s easy, so you''ll learn it all in a month?" Ian was horrified. A basic 1000 characters? He had thought it was similar to Chinese characters. But this was a true ''Thousand Character Classic''...! "Shall we start slowly?" Ian''s first magic lesson had begun. The method was simple. Eredith taught the name and pronunciation of each character, and Ian diligently followed. Afterward, Eredith explained how the characters came to have their shapes. "This character is pronounced ''Ere,'' like my name. When Maronius created these characters, many were derived from ancient languages. That''s why there are so many overlapping pronunciations." Eredith, who hadn''t spoken passionately about magic in a while, became enthusiastic and energetically conducted the lecture. She was a born magic fanatic. She loved magic so much that she hardly remembered any hardships from her initiation to independence. As a result, she became an incarnation of a too-much talker, able to discuss the same topic on magic for hours on end. However, Ian was ignorant of magic. Moreover, as a pure-blooded science student who loathed all foreign languages familiar to Koreans, including English, Japanese, and Chinese, along with Chinese characters, he found learning the otherworldly hieroglyphs of Maronius language excruciating. After a grueling six-hour marathon lesson, Eredith evaluated Ian''s progress. "Okay, Ian! How do you pronounce this character?" "..." Having genuinely taught him all 100 characters, she randomly picked one and asked Ian. To her, it was a simple and unburdening question. But Ian''s mind went blank. ''What was it...?'' He seemed to recall seeing about six characters similar to that one. ''I''m screwed.'' It was over for Ian. He regretted not paying more attention to arts studies. No! He should have chosen arts from the start! While Ian was lamenting to himself, something appeared. [Ian Raven - Magic Novice] [Skill: Magic Language] [Ability to learn and utilize magic language] [Maronius Language - In Progress] ''Huh?'' A status window. Ian was astonished to see the status window appear before his eyes. It... works?