After her visit to the knights, Irene went about her day as usual, with Snow following close behind. As she prepared for her morning classes with Sir River, the bird eyed all of the butlers and maids, trying to familiarise himself with his new surroundings.

Why do all these people look the same? He had wondered, lifting his wings slightly as his gaze followed a passing servant as Irene entered her bedroom. It was rather difficult to discern the faces of humans, especially when they were all uniformed in black and white — the attire of ducal servants.

There weren't many notably important-looking people, other than those Irene pointed out to him. Snow ensured he was aware of the people his new mistress wanted him to remember - wondering why such a small child felt the need to have all of these people protected.

Once Irene was in her lesson with River again, Snow had perched on the little white head of his companion, eyeing the dark-haired teacher in front of them. Strands of long black hair, resembling the midnight sky - were tied up into a ponytail as usual. His long bangs curled around his face, spectacles glinting in the light. River's demeanour was one that, albeit beautiful, also appeared mysterious.

"Little Sprout," Snow then called out to Irene, who was taking down notes on her teacher's words. "Who is this guy? He looks small but I'm sensing a great amount of power from him."

Irene paused, glancing up at the bird who's beady eyes were glued to River in curiosity. "This is River Alvenicht, my teacher and also a wizard in training." Irene told him. "I think he's a very strong mage, but I've never actually seen him use magic before."

Snow continued to gaze at her teacher as he listened to her words. But he looked more confused than entranced. "Are you sure this person is a man? He's so beautiful it makes me jealous."

Irene smiled, holding back a laugh. "Right? Sir River is so pretty. Though his lessons are a bit boring since I know everything - I don't mind because he's nice to look at."

Just then, River stopped, and loudly cleared his throat as though to get her attention. "Miss Irene, are you listening?" He asked, and the white-haired girl snapped out of her thoughts.

"A-Ah, sorry," she smiled sheepishly, her golden eyes noticing the slight crease in River's forehead. "My mind was elsewhere for a moment..."

He sighed, closing the book between his fingers. As the man adjusted his glasses, he placed a hand on his waist, leaning over the desk slightly. Irene blinked, as his gaze seemed to be hovering above her head.

"By the way, I've been wondering for a while now—" River started to ask. "But why is there a talking white bird on your head?"

... What?!

He can see Snow??

In that moment - both Irene and her phoenix snapped their heads to face each other in total astonishment, as if their secret had been exposed.

"He can see me?!" Snow squawked, turning to the mage and flapping his wings, before flying toward the dark-haired man and landing on the desk in front of him. "You can see me?! But how??"

River's brows were narrowed, and he was looking at the bird with the same look one would make when realising they stepped into something unpleasant.

The mage then closed his eyes and sighed, glancing back at Irene who was still in a state of shock. "I take it this isn't any animal, but a summoned spirit, My Lady?"

She gulped, averting her gaze. This outcome was definitely one she hadn't foreseen. Irene was sure that no one could see Snow, so why was River able to? Was it because he was a mage?

"No one can see me unless they have an affinity for magic that's greater than mine, which is rare even for strong wizards," Snow raised his wings and lowered his head, glaring profusely at the mage in attempt to threaten him. But instead the phoenix posed in a ridiculous position. "Just who are you, fiend??"

River narrowed his dark eyes, his gaze unwavering as he looked at the creature on his desk. "I'm the fiend? Weren't you discussing my attractiveness just now?" he asked in a deep, masculine tone. Irene could feel her little cheeks flush, especially when she noticed the slightly sly yet curt smile that crossed her teacher's face when he looked at the bird.

No way?! He didn't hear me say anything, right?

"Ack—" Snow froze, turning his head back to Irene for help. "Are you sure this man is a mage in training?? Not even most veteran wizards can see me... Or hear me for that matter!"

"Well... I don't know..." Irene averted her gaze, now completely iced over by the fact that River was able to see and hear Snow. From the way he seemed to be targeting the bird only, it seemed the bespectacled mage was only able to hear him and not Irene when talking telepathically to her spirit. But that wasn't the issue here.

The real issue was — how she was going to explain this to her teacher. Would he start suspecting her? Or interrogating her on how she came to being a five year old with a spirit animal at her side? I need to make up some sort of excuse...

"It was a bit amusing seeing you stare at me so hard. Are you perhaps attracted to humans?"

"What?! Why would I be when clearly phoenixes are far more quaint and superior?!"

"Superior? So you're not only ill-mannered, but you have an ego too?"

"Why you—!!"

As River and the phoenix were still bickering, Irene swallowed, her mind racing with anxiety.

Crap... This is bad! I'm sure to get interrogated and experimented on... They won't take apart my brain right?!

"Either way, Miss Irene-" River called out to her, sighing as he had grown quickly tired of the bird's fiery attitude. "This thing came out of the stone we bought yesterday, didn't it?"

Irene blinked, confused as to how River was aware of the summoner's stone. The artifact was one that had lost all its value, and was only described in old books or legends. Even among mages of today, its existence wasn't common knowledge.

Now that I think about it, the River in my original story never knew about it either... She thought. When Isabella unlocked her own spirit, River wasn't able to see him... So why is it possible for him to see Snow?

"T-That's right... Do you know about it too, Sir River?" She asked, trying to hide her obvious inner panic.

The mage nodded his head, rather naturally. It didn't seem like this occurrence was all that much of a surprise to him. "I studied about them before, but I'm not sure how I'm able to see this spirit," he told her. "Actually - I'm more curious as to how you knew about summoning one in the first place."

Irene gulped, watching as River's dark irises fixated onto her face. "Could it be... That you knew about the stone when we first got it?"

He's suspecting me... Irene held her breath, trying to withhold her anxiousness. But it's okay... I can play this off well...

The girl then puffed her cheeks slightly, her golden eyes downcast as she feigned the expression of a sulking child. "W-Well... I read about the stone in a children's book, and it said it was possible to summon guardians that would protect you and be your loyal friends..."

"I-I only tried it for fun, I didn't think the stone was actually real. But this annoying thing came out, and now I'm stuck with it..." She heaved a sigh, pretending to act like it was an unfortunate accident that a spirit actually came out.

"Huhhh???" Snow audibly and dramatically gasped, his beak dropping. "Annoying thing?? What?!—"

"I see, thank you for letting me know," River simply responded, cutting off Snow and surprising Irene, who thought her teacher would be far less easy to convince. He really believed me that easily? She wondered.

River surveyed the bird intently for a moment, his gaze changing from one of indifference to one of curiosity. "Actually, My Lady. Is it okay if I study him from time to time?" He asked, and both the bird and the little girl blinked at him in confusion.

"This is my first time meeting a spirit. Their mana certainly feels different than normal," he told her. "I was actually able to sense it from the stone since yesterday. If it's alright with you, I'd like to do a bit of research."

Ah- so that was why he looked off when we were buying the stone yesterday...

He was able to sense it? But I couldn't feel a thing...

"H-Hold on a second!" Snow exclaimed, clumsily frolicking over to Irene in a panic, before hiding behind her in fear. "You mages are frightening!! I bet you'll want to take my body apart, that's what you mean by research, right??"

River smiled, his expression one which concealed any rascality. But the words he spoke next were laced with venom. "Silly bird. Don't you know that spirits can't be killed? I can't take you apart if you don't have a living body, can I?"

Irene swallowed. It's amazing how he can say that with such a perfect smile...

As the bird continued to quaver and shout insults toward her teacher, Irene thought about it for a moment. This was too easy... I'm sure River has many other questions that he's not asking me, but he's being considerate.

As she glanced up at him again, the mage was smiling in a more gentle manner now. It was charming and unlike his normal, indifferent self. But something about it seemed to be soothing, in a way. As if he were saying "you don't have to worry, I won't pry into your reasons."

Irene pursed her lips gently. It was true that River was an enigmatic character who had many unsolved puzzles behind him. In fact, she as the author never really developed his life story before; there were only little fragments of ideas.

But one thing was for sure: he was a man of many secrets, just as she was right now. Perhaps him not questioning her any further was him showing consideration, while drawing a line between them as well.

It reminded her of one of the scenes she remembered writing, when Isabella noticed something was off about River. "Just who exactly are you, River Alvenicht?" She had asked, but the mage only responded with an unreadable smile - and responded with: "you have your secrets, and I have mine."

Irene then smiled to herself, sighing softly. I don't know why I was so worked up. River isn't the kind of character to interrogate someone who he doesn't see as a threat. She thought.

Instead, the mage's eyes were twinkling with interest in discovering the mechanisms and magic behind spirit animals.

"Alright," Irene then agreed, much to Snow's horror and River's delight. "As long as no harm comes to Snow, I'll be happy to let you study him."

River dipped his head, bowing to show his thanks. His long bangs fell forward as he gave the bird cowering behind her, a sly look. "I appreciate it, Miss Irene."

Snow shuddered, gazing up at his owner. "I-I really don't have a say in this?! You humans are so cruel..." He wailed, as both Irene and River chuckled.