"Don't you find it sad that there are people out there who lived without their parents?" Reese asked.

Kris was startled with the question and actively tried to suppress the lingering memories of him culling countless fathers and mothers.

"It is. Who wouldn't find it sad?" Kris said.

"Well, there are sons and daughters out there who would rather not have their parents, and some even glad that their parents are out of the way. I think it's just a twisted view, really..." Reese sighed.

Reese then turned to look at Kris as she scowled.

What is she angry about?

Kris thought in panic.

"Don't you ever... ever do anything that undermines your parents, Kris. Understood?" Kris stood up as if he was a soldier commanded by his superior.

"Yes, ma'am!"

They were seated around a circular wooden table. To his left, was Claire. Directly in front were her two parents, who Kris learned were named Marian and Robert Raven. They took a seat just moments ago, and right now the atmosphere was filled with an awkward silence, though that might be just on Kris' part.

Thankfully, he was spared the silence thanks to Claire.

"He has really cute silver hair, doesn't he mom, dad?" she said as she pointed towards Kris head of hair.

"He really does, sweetheart," replied Marian as she rests her arms on the table.

"So Kris, mind telling us a bit about yourself?" Marian beckoned.

"Well, I was separated from my parents when I was young... and..."

Fuck.

Now that Kris thought about it, he didn't really have any sort of backstory planned. It was a misstep that could cost him his chance.

"Well, Marian, let's not make him talk about things he's uncomfortable talking about. He must still be quite shaken up," Robert threw a wink at Kris.

Kris could only manage to internally sigh.

"Well, let's start with the basics then. How old are you Kris? And how long have you been in this orphanage?" Well, that's it then. Just as Kris was about to give up, he recalled a concept that could give him another chance.

"I... I'm only maybe 11 or 12 years old. 13 at most. I don't quite remember. As for how long... well, I was only here just yesterday. A group of adventurers found me in the middle of the plains outside of Riz.." He paused there, he just had to cringe.

"and well, it was because I ran away from bandits. Like I said, I was separated from my parents long ago. Luckily I found a group of mercenaries who traveled frequently and they decided to take me under their wing. Just a few days ago, we were together but... the bandits..." Kris paused again and hung his head low. This time for dramatic effect. He knew that he didn't have to continue.

Hearing no reaction, he gulped, so he decided to continue his story.

"I knew how to fight with a sword, but there was just so many... and a lot of them were skilled. It didn't take long for our group to be overwhelmed. One of the mercenaries managed to hide me and told me to run," he closed his eyes, making it seem like he was trying to reminisce when it truth, he was racking his brains trying to come up with something believable.

"I was scared. So I ran and never looked back. After a few days, I saw the walls of Riz on the horizon and decided to make my way towards it. I thought it was so close, but by nightfall, I found that I was still long ways here. That's when the adventurers found me."

When he finished, he saw that Claire was making a face that was about to cry. Marian was shaking her head, and Robert took a deep breath as he internalized the story. A few moments later, Marian addressed him.

"That must've been quite tough... and you aren't even at the age where you'd have a chance to awaken your magic yet," At the mention of magic, Kris tightened his fists.

"Awaken... my magic?" Kris asked, genuinely confused. At his behest, Robert answered for him.

"Well yes. Generally, people awaken to their potential at the age of 17 or so. That's the maximum age. Beyond that, there's no hope to awaken. However, the exact workings behind it are unknown. The mage-scholars agree that only those who have inherited the genes of their parents who are mages awaken," Robert said as he obviously tried to recall the details.

"Though it isn't rare for anyone to awaken much earlier than that, as a general rule, it shouldn't exceed 17 years old. For the general populace, commoners usually wouldn't expect their children to awaken, unlike the nobles. Well, of course, there are exceptions. I for one awakened when I was 15," Robert then showed his open palm for a bit then opened it. Suddenly, a small flame sprang to life and hovered a few inches above his palm.

Kris felt the small heat touch his skin, and he breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of magic. Surely, when he awakens, he'd be able to utilize his previous power. He felt that deep inside, he could. There was no point in Dragnir passing to him the reins of the future if Kris didn't have the power to back it up.

Although what was weird was, back in his time, people didn't awaken. It was an innate possibility that anyone could utilize magic, they just had to be shown the way. Now that he thought about it, he never really tried to be aware of his mana veins like a first-timer should. He was unsure of it, but he thought that there was something more to the present status quo.

"I... I see." Kris replied, more occupied with his thoughts than the actual conversation.

Robert closed his palms and extinguished the flame, before continuing.

"Well, none of that matters. Kris, have you ever been interested in becoming a merchant? You're young, but I know that you realize how unusual it is for someone like us to adopt even though we have a daughter. The truth is..." Before Robert could finish, Marian placed a hand on his shoulders. Robert nodded in response.

"I am unable to bear any more children," she said solemnly.

At this, Kris looked towards Marian. She had a face that speaks of loss and defeat. Kris couldn't help but be pulled in and feel the dampening atmosphere.

"That's why we opted to adopt. As for the reason why we're so interested in you, it's because Delilah told us about you," Kris was confused as to who Delilah was until he remembered the young lady he bumped into a while ago.

"You see, there are many children in this orphanage- well that much is obvious. We were planning to adopt a young child, but when we heard about you, we thought that it'd be impossible for someone your age to be adopted. Call it, sympathy, I guess. For someone at your age to only now be given a chance, we thought that we'd give that to you," she said before smiling. She leaned over and grabbed his hand.

"This might be a bit too sudden, and maybe intrusive... but we insist. Give us the chance to be your parents. As you might've learned from Delilah, we're merchants, and we have an ample reputation. We could give you a life much more comfortable than what you have now, and we could train you in the tools of the trade. Would you consider it, Kris?" She asked and made sure not to let go of Kris' hands.

As Kris pondered about the decision, he thought that it was a great chance. Moreover, in their brief interaction, he felt sincerity. More importantly, when thought about logically, it was statistically improbable to find anyone else that would be willing to adopt someone as old as him.

The best of it all was that they were merchants. They were privy to knowledge that would only exist for people such as them, and they had the resources that Kris knew he'd be able to expand with the help of his otherworldly knowledge.

He didn't plan on drastically changing the world overnight, heck, he didn't even know what needed to change yet, but that's why he couldn't miss this opportunity. He needed to be wherever he was needed, and he needed whatever tool a task required. Such a boon may never come again. He felt as his first few hours in this world were like clockwork, tugging him towards a successful start.

The problem is though... what did Dragnir expect him to be?

He hesitated. As much as the sincerity from Marian and Robert got to him, even though he's tried a life in a peaceful world, he knew that there is no such thing as blind altruism. Maybe if his circumstances were similar to the other children, but no. And even if there is such a thing as altruism for the sake of it, he would deny it. His principle was simple, deeply ingrained in the teachings of his parents.

Give and take.

"If I... If I say yes... what would you expect of me?" Marian was visibly perplexed by the question and slowly removed her grip. She looked towards Robert as if looking for assistance, only to see her husband as surprised and bug-eyed.

"Well... I honestly didn't expect that question," Robert scratched his head before pondering for a bit. After a while, he wore a toothy smile and looked straight into Kris' eyes.

"Do your best to make us proud. Of course, if you're interested in being a merchant, then we'd equip you with the skills you'd need. However, if there's anything else, any dream that you'd want, all we ask of you is that you do your utmost to achieve it. Besides, if you think about it, if you do something that'd make even stingy merchants like us proud..." He looked towards Marian as she smiled playfully as well.

"Then that'd be good for business." Robert said.

Robert's POV

As Robert sat down in the office chair, he was finally allowed the freedom to feel the fatigue from the long day. Especially the travel back from the orphanage. Riz itself was pretty large, and even in a carriage, it'd take about three hours from the outer wards where the orphanage was to travel to the middle wards where the Raven Manor was located.

This allowed him and his wife time to get acquainted with Kris, who finally acquiesced to their offer. As soon as they got home, Marian escorted their new son towards his room.

Robert thought back on his interactions with Kris. At first, he seemed like a normal kid for his age. But as they talked more and more, he couldn't help but feel that the young man hid behind his young facade an intelligence unbefitting his age. His questions felt purposeful, and his answers direct and eloquent in a way.

But more importantly was his gaze. He knew that a person's comfortability with eye contact and the way they set their gaze onto another person is a subtle sign of how mature and aware a person is. When Robert locked eyes with Kris, he felt a connection that Kris was actively trying to bridge. Apart from when he talked and made a few gestures, he never looked away.

For Robert, this trait was what convinced him from the get go. But even then, he felt that the young man still hadn't revealed all there is to him. He hoped that in due time, they would be able to bridge the gap and treat each other like family.

As he was thinking, the door to his office opened and revealed a tired, but otherwise glowing Marian. She sat on a chair in front of Robert's desk.

"That child, he was a handful in a way," Marian chuckled.

"He was, wasn't he? Are you sure he's only 13?" Robert asked.

"Well, physically he does seem to be around that age. Although I'm sure you've noticed, something about him is different. But more importantly..." Marian thought for a bit.

"His mana?" Robert finished for her. Marian sighed.

"Yes. His mana. He hasn't awakened yet, but I'm sure he will. His mana felt, oppressive and thick as if you were submerged leagues underwater. Once he awakens... he'll be a force to be reckoned with."

Robert held his chin with the cup of his hand. The real reason why they both opted to adopt was to find someone in the orphanage with great potential to be a mage. While it's true that mages awakened on their own, current mages who were adept enough could feel the dormant mana of those who would eventually awaken.

Quite frankly, they needed to adopt someone who's real close to awakening because there was trouble brewing. Notable personages from different places, whether they be mages, nobles, generals, or sometimes even royalty, were frequently on the receiving end of assassinations and other forms of brutality.

Of course, the Raven household had enough resources to have powerful guards, but on the flipside, if they do ever succumb to these attacks with unknown purpose, they had to make sure that someone could take care of Claire. Someone they could trust, and someone with the power to uphold that trust. It couldn't be just anyone.

They hoped that as much as they learn to love Kris, he learns to see them as family as well. Behind all the calculations and purpose of their adoption, they didn't want to force it on themselves or anyone, and they wanted to truly feel at home with Kris. But as a parent, Robert couldn't help but bank on Kris' potential as a mage, too.

As Robert pondered a bit more, he noticed that his wife was now slouched and breathing rhythmically. Sometime during the silence, it seemed that she fell asleep.

As he stood up to wake up his wife, he shuddered as he felt the same oppressive mana he felt from Kris creep behind his back. He looked behind only to see no one. Shrugging and shaking his head, he managed to wake up Marian and they both went to bed.