Jack’s POV

Jack was now sitting in the discussion room again, this time with only Kris present as his guest from the Ravens, but not his only guest. He had invited him over a week ago, but he allowed Kris the time to rest and didn’t really force him to hasten his visit.

Repairs have finished up around the mansion, and both the inside and outside of his estate were as good as new. It was the perfect time to have one, or maybe two guests again.

Besides Jack was one of his subordinates, Kane Ordin, a colonel among Jack’s ranks. He was a man of short stature and thin build, small for a military man, but his neatly fitted beige officer’s uniform and combed red hair gave him a dignified look.

Kane’s round eyes studied the young man across the table. He was tapping his gloved finger on the table, while his clean-shaven jaw locked as he slightly scowled, and reeled in his frustration.

He’d heard about Sophie’s story from Jack, and while Jack didn’t tell him about the boy’s chaotic mana, it seemed that Kris’ magical defense aroused suspicion when Kane tried to investigate the boy.

Jack looked at the young man, but he really didn’t seem all that different. Apart from a bandage on his cheek, there wasn’t anything of note.

“How are you, Kris?” Jack asked.

“I’m fine, sir. A bit shaken up, I guess,” Kris said as he smiled wryly.

“I see. I’m sorry that you’d have to go through something like that on your first visit to the household. Would you mind telling me what happened?” Jack beckoned.

“Has Sophie not told you yet?”

“She did, but I wanted the details from your side,” Jack said, not giving any clue as to what exactly Sophie divulged.

Kris sighed, before locking his gaze with Jack. “I’m sorry, but I will only tell you if we’re alone,” he said.

Kane shot up from his seat and banged the table. “Are you saying that I’m not welcome here, brat!?” He shouted as he glared at the young man. The young man didn’t flinch, and it seemed like he didn’t even register Kane apart from wanting him to exit.

“Calm down, Kane,” Kane’s face was like thunder as he looked down on Kris. It was obvious that he was trying his utmost to hold back his rage. Kane was never the calm operator to begin with. “Alright. Kane, please wait for me outside.”

Kane walked outside with hesitation, but he soon got out and closed the door behind him.

“What’s to say that he wouldn’t eavesdrop?” Kris asked.

“Don’t worry, Kris. The walls and floors of my mansion are my territory. Needless to say, my magic is imbued within its very structure. You may speak freely,” Jack revealed.

“I wanted to find out something…” Kris shifted his posture, and his gaze became sharp. Under that gaze, Jack felt his skin shiver, and his mana swelled as if trying to protect him.

Still, Jack leaned forward.

“I wanted to see how someone as skilled as Sophie would fare against a Cerberii. The reason is simply because I was curious,” He smiled, as Jack unconsciously shifted in his seat.

“...Curious about what?” Jack said, almost stopping because of the pressure Kris’ gaze exerted him.

“Why are the army’s mages having a hard time against beasts? I felt that Sophie could help me with that regard. She’s powerful enough,” Kris said.

Jack wanted to be angry, he truly did; but there was an instinctive tug at his subconscious that warned him of danger. That tug occupied his thoughts as Kris gaze swallowed him, not even allowing him time to register the thought that the young man decidedly put his daughter in danger.

“That and well, she was with me. She was the safest at my side, believe me,” Suddenly the pressure waned off. A sweat trickled down Jack’s forehead, allowing him some time to think.

He... What is he trying to say?

“Her life wasn’t in any danger. In fact, the only reason she fell unconscious was because she was put directly under my mana’s sphere of influence. I don’t think that even you could steady your consciousness under it,” Kris said, underlining his words with a sharp threatening tone.

Jack couldn’t reply, his mind stops his mouth before he could say anything.

Kris sighed.

“Honestly, I knew I couldn’t just let anyone find out about the difference in my mana. Even I know how sinister it feels. And back then, when I first awakened, and even as I practiced my magic, I did so in secret,” Kris shrugged.

Jack realized two things. It’s not that this boy had potential, he was already more powerful than most mages. His mana was proof of that. Even more so, was the fact that though he acts like a child, Jack knew it to be a facade.

He could feel that the true Kris Raven is more than meets the eye, and the way he observed his surroundings and sized other people up spoke tons about his maturity.

More importantly, at the face of one of Dragnir’s most feared generals, he dares to underscore a hint for Jack:

That Jack can’t win.

He knew that even now, even if he starts to completely trust Kris, Jack had to be careful not to make an enemy of him. Who knows? Maybe it was an insubstantial threat, but the way Kris looked at Jack made Jack think otherwise.

No one in their right mind would say that to someone of Jack's stature, unless they wanted to be killed, or had the skills to back it up.

Still, it still doesn't feel like I have all the puzzle pieces together. Though it's obvious he acts like a child, he's doing it unconvincingly for the most part. What's boggling is why he has childish decisions at times, like injuring himself to hide the fact he killed the Cerberii. Are those part of his 'childish acts'? It seems a bit too random to be the case.

If anything, that was the most worrisome part about Kris.

“So is that why you first said you didn’t awaken?” Jack confirmed.

“Yes. It was an afterthought, really. The moment I spat it out, was when I realized I just shot myself an arrow in the foot,” Kris then hunched on the edge of his seat.

“I knew there was no point in me hiding it. I’d eventually have to awaken in order to enroll at the academy, so it was the perfect chance. I also felt that you wouldn’t instantly reject me just because of the quality of my mana.”

Jack nodded.

"However, when you put my mom into the discussion, and at so abruptly put me on the spot. Needless to say, I didn't have time to gather my bearings." Kris chuckled before his face turned serious.

“I do feel sorry that Sophie had to get caught up in my selfish experiment, but as a mage, you should understand. If I did in fact help her without giving her a chance to test herself, then all she’d gain from this experience is a bad memory,” Kris bit his lips.

Jack realized the full intent of Kris now. He understood, strangely, that Sophie was in fact safe throughout the duration of that battle, and instead of a crushing defeat, what Kris gave her was a chance to look into herself to improve.

It was weird. Why was a kid so young so powerful, and have intelligence unfit for his age? If it wasn’t so ridiculous, maybe he’s the first to be able to transcend to the heights of the mages of old in this era.

Jack found the thought funny at first, but then, realizing the chaotic mana Kris strut around with, Jack realized he wasn’t so sure it was impossible.

“After that, well, I knew that you’d find out about the exact details of how I defeated the beast anyway. But to spare my mother, who I didn’t want to know about the truth of my mana, I had to put an act. Thus, the cuts and bruises," Kris sighed as he shook his head.

"It would have been much more suspicious had I come out unscathed. Plus, my circumstances are different. I’m an adopted son. I don’t want them to feel like they’ve made the wrong choice by adopting me,” Kris finished as he straightened his posture, like a weight off his shoulders.

“I see,” Jack thought for a bit. “Haven’t you considered that your mother already knows about it?” Jack asked.

Kris raised a brow.

“I haven’t felt her trying to prod my mana-” Kris complexion changed as he hit his face with his palm. “Before I awakened, huh?”

“That’s right, Kris. Your mom should already know. She’s not the Mistress of Fire for nothing,” Jack said as he smiled, now feeling a bit relaxed after getting a glimpse of Kris’ character.

"Well, I could either make things easier for me knowing that, or put myself in a harder position. I guess we'll both find out," Kris jokingly stated.

Kris was pragmatic in a sense, but he wasn’t totally run on pure logic. He had great emotional depth as he also thought about how other people would feel about him and his actions. That helped Jack ease up to Kris even after the circumstance with his daughter.

“Though I can’t say I fully understand, I do realize the fact that holding a power so outside the norms is a big burden on you in some ways…” Jack paused, but decided to just run with it.

“...Especially a power that feels so intrinsically evil. I just wish you’d told me sooner, when I’d given you the chance,” Jack said, a bit angry but otherwise glad at the turn of events.

“I apologize,” Kris stood up and then bowed.

Jack sighed, glad to have the weight on his own shoulders removed. It was just bad timing, in hindsight. Kris was about to tell them about his magic anyway, but Jack's daughter's visit and the sudden attack took that opportunity away from Kris.

“It’s fine, relax,” Jack said, his tone now gentler. Kris smiled as he sat down again. “I do have to ask though, why did you want for Sophie to gain experience?”

Kris sunk on his seat as his face changed to confusion. “Huh?”

“You just met Sophie, and I doubt you’d had any meaningful interaction besides that. Moreover, even though she has potential, that doesn’t mean that you had to painstakingly watch over her and not just get the fight over with,” Kris darted his eyes around the room.

“So I was wondering why you felt you needed to go out of your way to make sure she gets the experience without the tragic consequences.” Jack smiled playfully.

Kris bugged his eyes as he stuttered.

Of course, Jack was pleased. This meant that Kris did in fact find Sophie charming, and most likely wanted to be friends. The young man didn’t want to spoil her impression of him, it seemed.

As a parent, he felt proud and excited at the prospect of Sophie having an amicable relationship with Kris. Someone with such potential should be a great asset. Plus, he’s the heir of the Raven household. What more could he ask for in a son-in-law? There was the problem with his mana, but it wasn’t impossible to hide it.

“Don’t worry about it, Kris. I’m sure that she’s grateful that you saved her,” Jack beamed. Kris stared at Jack in confusion again before awkwardly smiling himself.

"...S..Sure..." Kris said weakly.

“Anyway, the first issue we have to address now is how to hide your mana. The solution is simple really, I’d talk to one of our artificers and have him create a Shrouding Gem,” Jack suggested.

“A Shrouding Gem?”

“That’s right. It’s a type of mana concealment device that allows for you to hide the characteristics of your mana. You know how you’re able to find out someone’s strongest attributes when you prod at their mana cores, correct?”

Kris nodded a matter-of-factly.

“Then, the Shrouding Gem is a device that prevents that absolutely. It’s something that’s not really in active production since for us normal mages with normal attributes, it doesn’t matter really. It’s more of a proof of concept than anything with actual utility. Though, for you, it could \prove useful,” Jack explained.

“I see. Then, if I may impose,” Kris said, his mood visibly brightening.

“Of course. Your family has helped me numerous times. It’s only natural that I do so.”

“Then… for now I’ll take my leave,” Kris stood up but Jack gestured for him to stay.

“That isn’t actually the reason I called you here,” Jack said, so Kris decided to hear him out and took a seat.

“While it’s true that you had your reasons, I doubt that you’d actually allow her to fight if you knew you couldn’t protect her,” Jack paused and stared at Kris, gauging his reaction.

Kris only nodded, imprinting in Jack that it was only natural to help. “As such, I want to thank you. Not only have you saved her life, you also helped her acquire a priceless experience that she would carry throughout her life as a mage.”

Jack bowed. It was true. He really did indeed feel gratitude, even after learning about it from Kris’ side.

Just because Kris didn’t step in immediately, it didn’t mean that the choice to not step in existed. If Kris wasn’t there, then what? Jack knew that Sophie is alive thanks to Kris, regardless of his reasons.

Jack straightened his posture and locked his gaze with Kris.

“As such, and in acknowledgment of your skills, I want to tell you that I’m recommending you for the academy.” Jack declared.

Kris smiled as his posture softened. He stood up and walked over to Jack before gesturing for a handshake.

Jack stood up and clasped his hand.

“Thank you. It means a lot to me, sir. Although, I’m only 16. I’m two years behind the normal age when students enroll at the academy,” Kris said before they released their grip.

“Call me Jack, Kris. Don’t worry about it. As long as you have enough recommendations and pass the exam, which I’m sure would pose no problems for you at all, age doesn’t matter. Now all that’s left is to find another recommendation for you.” Kris then scrunched his brows in thought.

Jack laughed a bit before standing up and placing his hand Kris’ shoulder.

“Don’t worry about the details. Though, I have to ask. You feeling up for a fight against Kane?” Jack asked.