Kris cringed. Though it was true that he was honest to a fault when he discussed with Robert and Marian, he couldn’t help but cringe when he recalled the mushy conversation they had.

Why the fuck did I have to cry?! This is Reese's fault.

Kris felt his stomach turning just from the thought, but deep down he was thankful for her even more.

He was truly glad. He never expected the Ravens to at least hear him out. Though he knows that it’ll take a while before they could run as an actual family, his honesty had at least opened up that path.

He didn’t plan on telling anyone about his real circumstances, but he felt that him being an orphan and her mother being a former Royal Battle Mage was an opportunity to take. At least, he now had allies that understood him to the very depths of his heart, and he could start to count on them as they counted on him.

Of course, he mentioned that he wasn’t planning on telling anybody else about his past as Rizale, not even Claire, at least not yet for her. Robert and Marian agreed, and suggested that he make a new name for himself as a Raven, through being a merchant and a powerful mage. That’s what he planned to do anyway. "Should I do music again?" he thought, but without electronics it'd be impossible for him to create rock music. Or maybe not, with magic being everpresent. Still, he was sure he was over being in the spotlight in that sort of way, but that doesn't mean he'd leave music behind.

What he was surprised about was his father’s cunning. After his embarrassing display of emotion, they talked a bit more about his previous life. His parents didn’t focus too much on him being Rizale, but his father was especially interested in him being a musician.

Robert told Kris that if he ever wanted, he could always become a musician in this world, too. Kris found himself warming up to the idea, but remembering that he was a rock musician, and that there were no electrically powered instruments or distortion pedals available, he was hesitant. Needless to say, he told Robert that he’d think about it a bit more.

Kane Ordin’s POV

“I don’t get it big brother, why did the General decide that an unknown adopted kid from the Ravens is suddenly a better pick to recommend than me? He even wants for you to be his other recommendation. Aren’t you insulted, brother?” A teen with the same slick red hair snickered as he spoke.

Even though Kane’s brother was younger than him, he was already as tall and looked as proud as Kane is. In fact, they looked much the same apart from his brother’s younger looking face and his lavishly decorated nobleman’s attire. Kane nodded approvingly before smirking.

“Don’t worry about that, Charles. I’ll teach that kid a lesson, and the General will by then realize his mistake,” Kane said then chuckled as his brother smirked in return.

For now, at least, Charles enrollment into the Riz Academy of Magic was secured. Kane’s other connections made it so.

The Ordin was an influential house of Dragnir. They were fire mages who were deeply involved with the military, and most of its sons and daughters have went on to become prominent members of its ranks.

Kane mockingly smirked as he thought of the kid named Kris. Sure, he was able to expel Kane’s mana, but that isn’t something so special.

In fact, his haughty attitude towards Kane when they first met made Kane imagine making the young man dance in a fiery show of flames and charred flesh. It was certain that the boy’s career as a mage was saved only by the mercy of General Jack.

Kane trembled as he started to laugh, the feeling of his power and talent as an Ordin mage intoxicating him. Charles was visibly frightened, but in his eyes were an excitement and bloodlust so eerily familiar to Kane’s.

“The Ordin House will not tolerate this kind of insult. Remember that, Charles, and never hesitate to step on the ashes of our enemies’ remains,” Kane declared. It sparked admiration in Charles as he nodded with a berserked smile.

Kane is an unprecedented talent of the Ordin, even with their innate talent with fire put into equation. He’s bathed many foes in his fire magic, and turned the eyes of his peers and superiors alike.

The heat of the room flared up a notch while Kane checked on his fists.

A living, breathing flame of wrath and pride, the pinnacle of the Ordin. Soon, the young boy of the Ravens will meet the end of his dreams.

A little accident is all it will take.

Kane decided.

Jack’s POV

“Here, as promised,” Jack handed Kris a small, emerald gem. It emitted a faint green light and Jack felt traces of a rune inscribed in it as Kris inspected it. Currently, they were in the middle of the Einsworth manor’s training hall. It was a spacious hall with high ceilings and reinforced walls and floors.

Along the walls were white painted longitudinal seats lined up in rows of three. There was a single large entrance on the southern side of the building, giving the impression of a crude arena.

“So how do I use this?” Kris asked as he put the gem in his right pocket.

“As long as you have it with you, it should work. The shrouding gem acts on the mana of the closest mage. Do you want me to check?” Jack explained then suggested.

Kris nodded and he immediately squinted his eyes as Jack willed his mana in and around Kris’ body.

Jack smiled in satisfaction as he raised a thumb.

“Great,” Kris sighed in relief.

“General," Jack heard footsteps resounding from the entrance and looked over. Kane Ordin walked slowly as he looked at Jack before saluting while ignoring Kris. He was still wearing his officer’s uniform, even though he knew he was walking into a bout.

“Kane. You took your time,” Jack greeted as he saluted back.

“There were some inconveniences at headquarters, sir. Rest assured I have them taken care of, and will promptly return. This shouldn’t take long,” Kane said as he smirked.

Jack shook his head. Kane was a young upstart who quickly rose through the ranks because of his ability as a fire mage and him being a nobleman of the Ordin House. It wasn’t a surprise that he had too much confidence in himself.

“Then, let’s begin this quickly. As promised Kane, if he defeats you then you’d sign a recommendation for his enrollment at the academy,” Jack said.

“I don’t think you have to worry about me signing anything, General. This greenhorn wouldn’t pose enough of a challenge, anyway,” Kane said as he promptly walked over and waited at the opposite side of the arena.

Jack approached Kane and put his hand on the young officer’s shoulder.

“I advise you to be careful, Colonel. You know I wouldn’t recommend just anyone. Remember that,” Jack said, eliciting a snicker from Kane.

Kane was talented, but he was disrespectful even to his superiors at times. Jack thought about personally teaching him a lesson, but he always stopped himself short.

Jack was feared as a general because of his sheer tenacity and how he is able to shape any terrain to his advantage. He protected his units with reckless abandon, and the very ground that his enemies stood on shook to his will. In large scale battles, he was an immense and literally ground-breaking figure.

But in terms of attack power and singular strength as a battle-mage, Kane could triumph over Jack’s defense-oriented earth magic. At the very least, it would be Jack winning by a hair's breadth.

Jack didn’t doubt that Kane could take care even of ten cerberii simultaneously and with ease, something his Earth magic didn’t allow him to do. It’s not that Jack couldn’t handle him with his experience, it’s just that he knew that Kane’s power was no joke, even when compared to Jack’s.

Needless to say…

Jack grinned as he left the sights of the prideful Colonel. He shuddered as Jack recalled his thorough read of Kris’ mana.