KRIS’ POV

“Big brother! I want some skewered meat!” Claire chirped as Kris accompanied her for a stroll in the middle wards. Kris nodded with a smile while he eyed for any stalls that sold any.

Kris thought about his battle with Kane. His flames were powerful, and he had quite the delicate control. Unfortunately, Kris'... or rather Rizale's old habit of subverting his enemies expectations resurfaced. Almost like instinct. It's nice to play with enthusiastic small-fries. He chalked it up to him needing to 'find out more about the mage's of today', but he couldn't deny that he felt more like himself during that battle. It worried him.

As usual, it was brimming with life and the aroma of food and ale. Merchants and traders with glassware and curiosities in stalls or blankets on the floor, with their items neatly placed according to value.

Businesses such as inns, restaurants, and tailors busied their owners and employees alike, as streams of people got in and out of their establishments, some with wares, others with disappointment.

Shouts, laughter, and the occasional drunken mumble echoed as Claire found a target and ran towards a stall.

“There! Hurry up brother!” Kris eyes sparkled as he acknowledged his excited little sister.

This is the life!

Kris had always wanted a little sister, and he didn’t deny that Claire was a large part of the reason why he almost immediately agreed to the Ravens.

“Three, please!” Claire beamed while she ordered. Kris chuckled as he was again reminded of Claire’s large appetite. Even though she was only 7 years old, she had quite the stomach for almost any food, even vegetables.

Kris fumbled through his pockets and got two small copper coins before handing it over.

The merchant smiled as he exchanged the coins for three pieces of skewered meat and gave them to Claire. Claire quickly handed one to Kris.

“Thank you, Claire,” Kris said while Claire immediately munched on one skew, holding the other with her free hand.

Kris saw a park in the distance. He knelt down to Claire’s height as he chewed and pointed towards the park’s direction. Claire immediately bolted towards it.

“Hey, don’t run while eating!” Kris shouted, worried about his little sister’s need to release all her youthful energy.

Eventually, they reached the park. It was quite a spacious, grassy open field with a few benches and some large trees acting as shades above. In the middle was a small fountain, it’s sprinkling water glinting under the sunlight. Claire headed towards a seat and gestured for her brother to do the same.

Before Kris could sit down though, Claire saw two kids, a boy and a girl, playing tag in the middle of the field near the fountain. Claire looked at them in wonder.

“Go ahead, just don’t stray too far,” Kris beckoned. Claire hugged her brother’s legs before running towards the two kids.

Kris finally sat down and relaxed, ready for some time to think.

He recalled his mock battle with the Colonel. Truthfully, the spell that Kane used was quite a wonder and very deadly. Its uses were diverse and the rate and range that you could conjure a spell was amazing.

Kris, at that time, quickly got used to the mana’s influence exerting its pressure on his body, but he took his time because he wanted to experiment. He wanted to see if he could still fight the way a mage of old fought, even without the chaotic ambient mana.

It seemed that he is a bit more effective during this era, since his naturally chaotic mana reserves could topple any foundation of a spell. He, however, also noticed that he needed to actually understand a spell’s mechanics now to exhibit an influence, rather than just outright trying to overpower other’s mana.

The reason why mages of old fought through influence was because mana was erratic. Without properly giving it weight, there was no way any spell would’ve been effective and with that in mind, a mage of his time actively tried to create dissonance between his enemy’s magic and mana, even without understanding the principles behind their enemy’s magic.

During Kris’ time, no one had the time to think about developing such a spell but Kris was able to note that the way it was used was an idea that stemmed from the way the mages of old fought.

In hindsight, the characteristics of that ability was the reason why Kris was able to reverse it and turn it around on its head, however, now Kris wasn’t so sure that the people in this era were as weak as he thought.

He wasn’t sure if it was a special case of Kane and Sophie, but the changes in the environment would always mean a change in the way they used magic, and he doubted that Dragnir’s dream of progress meant stagnating when it comes to a battle.

He, at least, needed to experience more battles in this era’s context before he could properly gauge where he was in the food chain and he also needed to study magic formally as a student of this era. He knew that he could acquire both of those at the academy.

Kris was delighted to learn through a letter from Jack that his recommendations were all set, and all he needed to do was to pass the exams being held in two weeks. Jack didn’t tell him about the actual specifics, but that might be because it’s something that Kris didn’t need to worry about.

“Hey, this seat taken?” Kris jerked as he heard a voice beside him.

Kris looked over and saw a boy his age. The boy’s green, ruffled hair fluttered with the wind while his tall figure seemed to blend with the surrounding trees. His square-shaped face housed a smile that wrinkled his cheeks.

“No, go ahead,” Kris said nonchalantly, eager to get back to his thoughts.

“Is the girl playing with my siblings your sister?” The green-haired boy asked as he sat down. Kris, acknowledging that his leisure time turned somewhat social, internally shrugged.

“She is. I didn’t think they were your siblings though,” Kris said as he eyed the boy, now sitting beside him.

“Oh, is it because of my hair?” The boy asked before he chuckled.

Kris nodded. “Weird how nature works, huh?” Kris commented.

“They’re my half-siblings. Adorable, too,” The boy said as he turned his head towards the kids who’re playing.

“Half? Funny you should say that,” Kris said in surprise and with a tinge of familiarity.

“I noticed,” the boy turned his body half-way towards Kris before looking at Kris’ head. “Also a half sister?”

Kris shook his head. “No, more like we’re not even related by blood. I was adopted,” The green-haired boy raised his eye for a bit, before nodding in acknowledgment.

“I see. Weird how families work, huh?” The boy teased as he smiled. Kris chortled in response.

The boy held his hand out as he straightened his sitting posture.

“I’m Diethhart Adeite. Sorry for disturbing your peaceful introspection,” Kris shook the boy’s hand firmly before they removed both of their grips.

“Kris Raven. I didn’t think I’d run into someone from the Adeite house so soon,” Kris said, smiling back.

“As for me, someone from the Ravens, no less. Your family name gets thrown around quite a bit at home and at noble functions. If anyone didn’t know any better, they’d think you were nobles.”

Kris chuckled. “My parents aren’t really interested in territories. They’re much too busy with the business as it is. Though as you say, they’re quite the couple,” Kris remarked.

Kris noticed that the boy had a knack for words. Though, when Kris thought about his circumstances, he didn’t think it to be too weird.

“Ah, a shame really. Father says that the kingdom could use noblemen like them,” Diethhart shrugged.

“Really? Why does he think so?” Kris asked.

Diethhart scrunched his brows in thought.

“I think that was just him being sardonic lately. He thinks that the nobles are into some sort of power struggle,” Diethhart sighed. “I wouldn’t know really, he doesn’t say much anyway. I just wish that the school break ends soon.”

Kris picked up on what Diethart said.

“You’re in the academy?” Kris asked.

“Second year this coming term. It’s been a fun year, so I’m pretty excited to go back,” Kris nodded, impressed.

“You’re a mage yourself, aren’t you? Are you going to enroll this year?” Diethhart asked. Kris was confused because Diethhart shouldn’t have known. It’s not like his parents were going around telling people about him and Kris didn’t feel any prodding in his core.

Diethhart, noticing Kris’ confusion, chuckled.

“You don’t have to worry. I just thought that it’d be obvious since, you know, you’re mother has quite the fiery reputation,” Kris relaxed after hearing Diethhart’s explanation. Though it didn't fully explain things, Diethhart's father might have let slip a few things about the Ravens.

“I guess so. Yeah, I plan to enroll this year. I guess you’ll be my senior then?”

“Sure, but it doesn’t matter really,” Diethhart thought for a bit. “The number of years a student has been in the academy doesn’t really affect what type of classes and how many they could take.”

The vague excitement that Kris felt about the academy rose up a notch as Diethhart revealed that fact to him. If that was the case then at least Kris could skip classes that he wasn’t interested in.

It was a pretty personalized system, really. It might be that way to account for the noble’s upbringing and how they are usually introduced to magic at an early age. There was really no point in rehashing anything they’ve learned, so this type of curriculum would work best.

What’s great about it was, even if a person didn’t have that kind of upbringing, such as a commoner who’s awakened, they’d still be able to take the most basic of classes at their own pace.

Way to go, Dragnir.

“How do you become eligible for graduation then?” Kris asked.

Diethhart shifted his posture before answering. “A thesis on discoveries, new knowledge or novel applications of previous knowledge. You can embark on a thesis after you’ve been with the academy for three years at a minimum. Then, you’ll present this thesis to the Director, and two other senior instructors in a panel. If you pass, then you can graduate. If you don’t, you have to do another,” Diethhart revealed.

Kris was by now truly amazed. It seems that the academy was the foundation of progress that Dragnir meant on their final battle. By having students develop a thesis before they’re allowed to graduate, instead of the usual exams, it’d allow for a steady development of knowledge as more and more students enroll.

Quite frankly, Kris was sold to the idea.

“Interesting…” Kris quipped.

“It is,” Diethhart then looked up towards the sky. It was getting darker.

Diethhart stood up, and Kris, realizing the time, also did.

“I guess that’s the time. Well, it was nice meeting you Kris. I’m excited to talk to you at the academy. I’ll be seeing you.” Diethhart smiled as he waved.

“See you, Diethhart. Who knows, maybe we’ll become classmates?”

“I’ll look forward to that then,” as Diethhart turned around to leave and fetch his siblings, Claire bumped into Kris’ legs and hugged it.

“Brother, let’s go!!!” She said in panic. “Mom will get angry if we’re late again!” Kris smiled as he looked at his sister and thought about his future.