The news of Riley’s marriage, which was supposed to be confidential until the official announcement, spread quickly among the servants of the Eadalin barony.

“Did you hear? The eldest young lady is marrying Count Ermeints?”

“That mentally ill old man?”

“Yeah, that senile old fool obsessed with young women!”

“How did someone once hailed as a hero end up like this? But no matter how senile Count Ermeints is, his family still has great influence. Why would he marry the adopted daughter of a minor lord from the frontier?”

“Fool, it’s precisely because she’s the adopted daughter of a minor frontier lord that this marriage is possible. No matter how great Count Ermeints may be, what noble family would want to marry off their daughter to someone with so many issues and flaws?”

“Is it that bad?”

“If the rumors are this awful even in the frontier, imagine how it must be in the capital. Maybe if it was for his son, but who would want to marry off their young daughter to Count Ermeints?”

“True, the fact that he’s only after young girls at his age shows he’s not right in the head. Ugh! It’s really disgusting.”

The servants seemed to be deliberately speaking loudly. Even with the door closed, their conversation could be heard clearly. It was obvious they were doing this on purpose.

Riley tried to act nonchalant and not pay attention to their words.

However, since it wasn’t entirely someone else’s business, it was impossible to divert her attention elsewhere.

“I heard rumors. It’s not just that he’s looking for young women, but he specifically seeks out inexperienced young girls.”

“Ugh, really?”

“That’s what they say. Apparently, he’s a sexual deviant. It’s not just simple senility. They say he’s been known for such sexual preferences since he was young.”

“Then all those abandoned ex-wives…”

“Anyway, the rumors are terrible. Even those who managed to escape alive are all mentally ill. The fate of the other two is unknown.”

“Then the second young lady…”

“Probably won’t be much different from the ex-wives. But everyone expected this, didn’t they? That the young lady, not being the lord’s real family, would be kept around and then sold off to a suitable family! Probably only the second young lady herself didn’t know?”

“Poor thing.”

“What’s so pitiful? She was taken in as an orphan with no parents and lived comfortably enough. It’s only natural that she should do this for the family.”

Not once, not for a single moment, had she lived comfortably.

Do it for the family?

She had lived her entire life walking on eggshells. Always eating alone. Sharing a meal was unthinkable, and even the menu was different.

While they enjoyed lavish and abundant meals three times a day, Riley was given whatever was left over after the maids had been served.

These were the people who locked up their adopted daughter, too ashamed to present her to others, while spreading ridiculous lies about her being too frail to be let outside.

She hadn’t even received a basic education. Even when her younger sister Claire was attending the academy and receiving higher education, Riley was confined to the house.

Moreover, they constantly verbally abused her. Not just Uncle, Aunt, and Claire, but even the servants here. They looked at her with contempt, as if she were an insect, and mocked her as if it were natural. For them, badmouthing and ridiculing Riley was a kind of sport.

‘Come to think of it, perhaps Uncle always thought I might run away at any moment.’

That’s why they confined her, oppressed her, and controlled her.

They might have been constantly brainwashing and subjugating her, planning to sell her off when the time was right.

By the way, was it true that he was only obsessed with inexperienced women? If so, just how horrible and disgusting a man was Count Ermeints?

As she was shuddering with disgust, it happened.

Thump, thump, thump, loud footsteps approached, and the door burst open.

“Riley!”

It was Claire, her cousin who was legally her sister.

“Is it true that you’re also attending the reception?”

Instead of answering, Riley nodded. Claire then pointed at Riley, looking at her as if she couldn’t believe it.

“What right do you have to go to the reception? Who do you think you are, when you’re not even really part of our family?”

“…Uncle made the decision. It has nothing to do with my wishes.”

“You should have said you wouldn’t go to the reception. Who are you to attend with our family? Do you know what kind of event it is?”

“…”

“You haven’t properly learned anything, you’ll only bring shame to our family if you go. How am I supposed to introduce you to others? It’s horrifying just to think about it. Don’t you feel sorry for putting me in the awkward situation of having to introduce my dim-witted sister? Go tell Father right now that you won’t attend the reception.”

“The Archmage of Horizon sent an invitation addressed to me as well. Uncle can’t do anything about it.”

“Ah! Who doesn’t know that? Don’t act so obedient unnecessarily, this is when you should rebel a little. Don’t you have any self-will? Do you just do everything you’re told? It’s because you act so stupidly that even the servants look down on you. Go tell Father right now that you won’t attend the reception. Throw a tantrum or whatever, show some stubbornness for once! Are you trying to ruin my glorious social debut?”

Claire had already had her debutante. However, she seemed to think that this reception, where the main nobles of the capital would gather, was her true debutante.

As expected of Uncle’s daughter, her ambition and desire for honor were just like her father’s.

“Riley, please? You know very well that this isn’t an event you should attend. You should know your place.”

“…Then you tell Uncle.”

“Are you crazy? Why should I risk getting scolded by Father for such a thing?”

“If he won’t listen to your request, do you think he’ll listen to mine?”

“Are you comparing yourself to me? When was the last time you weren’t scolded by Father? You’re used to being scolded.”

Riley said nothing.

More accurately, she didn’t feel the need to respond. Responding to such unreasonable accusations and venting would only invite more unreasonable accusations and venting.

“This is why you’re in this state. Acting stupidly kind and doing everything you’re told without question, that’s why you’re not progressing. Tsk. Do you think you’ll be loved that way? Do you think you can become part of our family? No matter how hard you try, that’s as far as you’ll get. It’s all futile.”

At Claire’s words, Riley raised her head. She stared at Claire.

Claire, taken aback, snapped back.

“W-what are you looking at? Did I say something wrong?”

“…No, everything you said is right.”

“…What? Ha, have you finally realized how stupid you’ve been?”

“Yes, listening to you, I now understand how stupidly I’ve been living.”

Faced with Riley’s calm gaze, Claire stepped back in confusion. It was the first time Riley had looked her directly in the eye instead of lowering her head and avoiding eye contact as usual.

Unwavering, straight eyes. Eyes that seemed to hold some kind of resolve.

Not the lifeless, dim, and dull fish eyes she always had, but bright and burning eyes.

Surprised by this sudden change, Claire quickly hid her confusion and pressed Riley even harder.

“If you’ve realized how stupid you’ve been, go to Father yourself and tell him you won’t attend the reception. Make your position clear.”

“No.”

“…What?”

“As you said, I’m going to live how I want from now on. I won’t be pushed around by others anymore.”

“…”

“I want to go to the reception. As you know, I’ve never had any external activities. I’m tired of being confined to the house, I want to see the outside world now.”

“Oh my, listen to her talk? Did our family imprison you? The way you speak makes it sound like we’re the villains for taking in a poor orphan with nowhere to go.”

“You didn’t exactly lock me up in prison, but it’s true that there were many restrictions. I couldn’t go out without permission, and even when I got permission, I was under surveillance. I had to report everywhere I went, and outings couldn’t exceed an hour. I was confined to my room all day.”

“How ridiculous, that was all to prevent you from tarnishing the family name with your lack of education!”

“…If you were so worried about my lack of education, wouldn’t it have been more efficient to focus on educating me rather than controlling me?”

“Where do you keep getting this attitude? Where would we get the money to educate someone like you? Educating you would be like pouring water into a bottomless pit. Education for the daughter of a mountain keeper who only lived in the mountains? It would just be a waste of money.”

Riley lowered her head.

She couldn’t confidently refute Claire’s words. The daughter of a mountain keeper who grew up without proper education. Until her father died, she had lived in the mountains. She had never received even the basic education that others had.

On the other hand, Claire excelled at everything. With her ambition for success, she was also very eager to learn and had a strong academic drive.

In front of her, Riley could only feel intimidated and small.

“…Get out, I have nothing more to say.”

“Hey, I told you to say you won’t go to the reception!”

“I’m going no matter what.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Yes, I’m crazy.”

“Hey!”

As Claire was fuming, the door opened and one of the servants entered.

“Um, Miss Claire. They say your custom-made dress is ready.”

“Really? Alright.”

Claire calmed her anger and then sneered at Riley.

“You know, the reception at Horizon is an event where all the famous figures in politics and business gather in one place. Do you have anything to wear? Know your limits. What good would it do for you to go to such a place? You’ll just look like a country bumpkin. Anyway, think about it carefully. I’m saying this because I’m worried about you, sister!”

Claire left, giggling. Exhausted, Riley sat down on the floor and laughed hollowly.

“…You and I won’t be much different in looking like country bumpkins to them, Claire.”

No matter how prettily they dress up, would they really shine in a place filled with people of a different social status and authority?

She seemed to be under the delusion that she was a high-ranking noble. In reality, she was just the daughter of a minor lord managing a small territory in the frontier.

‘…I’m going to escape then.’

For Riley, the reception at Horizon was the only chance to escape from the name of Eadalin.

The moment when Uncle’s control and restrictions would be loosened, when there would be no surveillance. The only moment when free movement would be allowed.

If not then, there would be no other opportunity.

‘No matter how hard I try, I’ll only ever be a member of this household, never a real family. So there’s no reason to desperately try to please these people anymore. I won’t live trying to gain their approval or love anymore.’

She would start anew.

From the beginning, again.

Just like when she was left alone with nothing.

***

The magic tower ‘Horizon’ was one of the four major towers protecting the kingdom. Although it had the shortest history among the four, it had shown steady and rapid growth since its establishment, becoming one of the major towers competing for the top position in the industry.

Horizon, which was every magician’s top choice for employment due to its bright prospects and solid foundation, was ranked as the most promising magic tower. However, its rapid rise was halted by the sudden death of the former Archmage ‘Yung’.

Moreover, the kingdom was thrown into turmoil when a will was discovered naming his disciple ‘Givnen Rianster’ as the next Archmage. This was because Givnen’s age was considered too young to perform the duties of an Archmage.

Givnen Rianster, known as Yung’s top disciple and direct successor, was originally the legitimate heir of the Rianster family, a pure magical lineage.

Born into a pure mage bloodline family, he showed skills far superior to his peers from a young age and gained fame early on with his outstanding appearance as well.

However, people were still concerned about someone so young taking on the heavy responsibility of being an Archmage.

He was only twenty-four years old. It was the moment when the ‘youngest Archmage’ in the history of the magic tower would be born.

Givnen, who became the new Archmage of Horizon, immediately began his official activities by holding a reception to celebrate his inauguration.

The public focused their attention on this reception, or more precisely, on the key figures invited to this reception.

A party inviting only a select few key figures. Being invited was an honor no less than being invited to a royal event.

It was clearly exceptional for the family of a minor lord from a frontier territory to be invited to such an occasion.

“Master, Lord Ryan Eadalin has confirmed his intention to attend.”

“I see, good work.”

Sack Bendom, who was performing the role of assistant to the newly appointed young Archmage, had a question while reviewing the guest list for the reception.

An unfamiliar and very obscure name was prominently listed.

Ryan Eadalin. What was this unfamiliar name, this unfamiliar family?

“By the way, Master. What’s the reason for inviting the Eadalin baron’s family? As far as I know, you don’t have any personal acquaintance with them… Moreover, is there a need to invite their children as well?”

“Although we’re not personally acquainted, they are the most important guests at this reception.”

“I’m sure you have your reasons, but… I’m a bit concerned. Although it’s an event celebrating your inauguration as Archmage, an event hosted by Horizon on this scale is comparable to a royal event in both size and significance. It’s customary for only the kingdom’s key figures to attend. Inviting a humble baron’s family doesn’t seem to present a good image on the surface.”

There were already quite a few voices expressing concern about someone so young ascending to the position of Archmage.

Especially outsiders.

While there was little opposition within the magic tower, as everyone knew of his practical abilities and genius talent, investors from the business world and conservative nobles with hostile feelings towards magicians were particularly vocal.

Given this situation, it was crucial to avoid creating any situations that could be criticized.

“By that logic, is a green youngster sitting in the Archmage’s seat a good image?”

At Givnen’s calm words, Sack broke out in a cold sweat, aghast.

“That’s not what I meant!”

“I know.”

“…”

“There’s no need to worry about external perceptions. There will hardly be anyone interested in an obscure baron of unknown origin anyway.”

“Is there a reason you can’t tell even me?”

Givnen stopped moving his quill pen.

“Givnen, if by any chance something happens to me, I want you to immediately find Ryston’s daughter and bring her to Horizon. Proceed with this matter in utmost secrecy, without anyone knowing. This is a fact known only to you and me, so move carefully.”

“…Let’s just say it’s a troublesome task left behind by the master.”

Was this the former Archmage’s last will?

Sack still had questions, but decided to hold his tongue for now.

“By the way, what about Count Ermeints?”

“Ah, Count Ermeints has also confirmed his intention to attend.”

“As expected. That old man is desperate to upset me, so he must be excited. I wish he could distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate occasions to show up.”

Givnen, who had been expressionless throughout, clicked his tongue briefly as if the very existence of Count Ermeints displeased him.

Then, as if something had occurred to him, he ordered Sack:

“I forgot to mention. After the reception, I plan to bring in a guardian immediately. Prepare the relevant documents properly so that we can proceed with the process right away.”

“A guardian? Suddenly, what guardian…?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Not exactly a problem, but… Are you perhaps planning to take on a disciple already?”

It’s quite common for magicians to bring in guardians.

The master-disciple relationship was often designated as a guardian-ward relationship. For a magician to bring in a guardian was essentially the same as officially taking on a successor.

“To take on a disciple… Master, you’re still too young.”

“Is there a law that says only disciples can be wards?”

“…Then?”

“You’re quite curious, aren’t you?”

Seeing that Givnen had no intention of answering, Sack scratched his head and stepped back.

‘What’s with Baron Eadalin, and now a guardian…’

He had heard that geniuses were peculiar, but the actions of this young genius Archmage, who had caused such a stir in society, were difficult to grasp.