Marian’s POV

Marian walked towards the dimly-lit hall of the Raven Manor with a subtle spring in her step. A maid had just informed her that Kris had just arrived and was waiting at Robert’s office. The day had been filled with a constant hurried pace since this morning.

Still, even though she was tired, she was still excited and looking forward to wrapping up the day by Kris’ telling her of great news. To Marian, there was no doubt that Kris would pass the exams even though they only discussed of crude ideas for his thesis; she was sure that he’d think of something anyway.

She stopped in front of the doors of Robert’s office then opened it briskly with a smile. As she entered, she immediately creased her brows. Robert was slouched on his chair as he slumped his face on his palms, and Kris wore an awkward smile.

“What’s the matter?” Marian asked as she walked towards a chair close to the desk.

Kris turned towards her direction. He then bit his lips.

“I didn’t pass, mom,” Kris revealed.

“What?!” Marian gasped.

“Well,” Kris scratched his head. “It was more like I didn’t even get a chance to take the exam.”

“Why was that?” Marian sat down with a thud and a scowl.

Kris sighed.

“I was late. I didn’t know that they didn’t accept any more applications once the Princess started her exams.”

Marian stared at Kris for a few moments then groaned.

“So it was that,” Marian clicked her tongue. “Not only were you late, you were unlucky.”

Kris shrugged then raised a finger.

“There is one thing, though.”

Marian narrowed her eyes.

“That is?” She beckoned.

“I talked to Jack earlier about this. He said that he’ll try to give me an opportunity to get the Royal Family’s attention through some sort of achievement.”

Marian’s jaw slacked as she thought about Jack’s offer.

“He’d do that? I mean, how does he plan to?” Marian asked.

She looked at Robert. Robert was looking at her and gesturing with his eyes.

Granted, Kris’ supposed failure disappointed Marian. However, she was a mage who was once involved with the Royal Battle Mages and a businesswoman. She’s had her fair share of experience with dealing with the King personally and she understands the implications behind just getting acquainted and noticed by the King.

“I don’t know. He said he’ll contact me in a few days,” Kris said.

Marian closed her eyes and crossed her arms. "I'm not so sure about this."

She also knew how impressive one must be to become a Royal Battle Mage directly sponsored by the King, not to mention getting the acknowledgment necessary to get special enrollment. Especially since no one at Kris’ age apart from a select few even had the skills to acquire such achievements. Though, what worried Marian the most wasn't about Kris' ability to be noticed.

She didn’t doubt that Jack had enough of an influence to be granted an audience at the King’s whim, but what comes after is a toss up.

Though, if Jack could do it, then it’d mean more than Kris just passing the exams.

Marian opened her eyes then raised a questioning brow. “He didn’t even tell you the context of this achievement he spoke about, did he?”

“No,” Kris shook his head. “I’d take any though.”

Marian rubbed her cheeks with the back of her hand.

“If that’s the case then make sure to do this properly this time," Marian said.

“Of course, mom,” Kris looked at Robert. “I've learned my lesson. It’s going to be especially helpful for dad,” Kris said.

Robert chuckled.

“Definitely. I’m just looking at this as an opportunity rather than a setback,” Robert said.

“It’s settled then,” Marian said as Kris shifted his attention back to her. “Depending on what Jack comes up with, I’ll try to give you any resources that you need. Just, don’t mess up this time.”

“Yeah, thanks mom,” Marian nodded. Kris’ expression stiffened.

“Mom,” Kris looked Marian straight in the eye. “Who is really behind these monster attacks?”

Marian didn’t react. Kris didn’t divert his eyes or the question. Marian inhaled slowly.

“Kris…”

“Just tell me.”

Robert cleared his throat.

“They call themselves the Cult of Rizale,” Robert answered. Marian glared at him but Robert ignored her.

Marian’s heart raced.

Kris kept quiet, but his gaze visibly turned sharped as it beckoned Marian to expound on the details.

“They’re a group who’s… hellbent on reviving Rizale,” Marian finally answered.

“Reviving… Rizale?” Kris snorted.

“...Yes,” Marian tightened her fist. “However, that’s not the real issue, I suppose,” Marian then turned to look at Robert. Robert gesticulated for her to continue.

“They’re also a radical group who believes in Rizale’s previous ideals,” Marian turned her head towards Kris. She determined herself and firmed her gaze. “That is, they live with the philosophy of gaining power and just making things hard for people at their own pace.”

Kris closed his eyes.

“Then I guess the first problem isn’t something you should worry about,” Kris smirked. Marian relaxed with a sigh.

“The second aspect of their… cult though, that is a problem. What has Dragnir been doing to act against them?” Kris asked in his familiar, steady but gentle tone.

“A lot, though, just the monster subjugations is taking its toll on not just Dragnir, but the rest of Ensfell, too,” Marian then shifted her eyes towards Robert.

“In truth, even our most powerful clients have no idea where to begin seizing the initiative against such a secretive group. We don’t even know the scale and scope of their operation,” Robert continued for Marian. “In fact, we have no clue of their whereabouts and how many people we’re exactly up against. I don’t think we’ve really had any direct encounters with them, at least, not to our knowledge.”

Marian was going to expand on Robert’s points, but found Kris’ smirk get more sinister.

It was times like these when Marian really felt the previous traits of Kris’ past make its way to the surface. Still, Marian knew that Kris was on their side and oddly, Kris’ menace was comforting.

“Actually, I’ve had a run in with one of their members earlier today,” Kris chuckled. Marian didn’t say anything but she was worried. She got over the worry quickly as it turned into hope and expectation.

At the back of her head, she knew that she was talking to someone who lived as Rizale. He might not be the same person as before, but there was something that told her to become more cautious of him than for him.

“I let him escape, since I think I’ve got three more cahoots of his. I got my spirit to handle them. We could probably get some initial information after… Maya is finished,” a toothy satisfaction lined Kris’ mouth as he slumped back and relaxed on the back of his chair.

“I see. I’m glad that you didn’t think of just barging in and doing things rashly,” Robert said.

“I wanted to, dad… but you know how they use void magic, right? I think that the ones who attacked were at the bottom of their ranks, judging from their capabilities. Still, I don’t want to risk getting caught up in the cross-fire by my own accord until I’m sure of the extent of their prowess. It’s been a long time and if progress has developed for simpler elemental magic, I doubt that there’s been no developments in terms of the void,” Kris explained as Robert nodded to his points.

“You're right, you can't be too cautious. Wait… Maya?” Marian asked.

“Oh,” Kris perked up. “I haven’t introduced you yet to… her I guess? But I’ll let you meet him at least,” Marian frowned in confusion. She just felt that there were a lot of things that she has had to think about today.

“Rizale…” Kris whispered. Marian was able to hear his faint voice as she felt the temperature of the room become hotter. She could feel the air vibrate as a rhythmic humming in her ears. She slowly stood up and watched Kris’ intently.

Robert also slowly stood up in anticipation.

The ring on Kris’ left hand shone and then melted. Before the liquid remnants of the ring dropped to the ground, it expanded into a thick cloud of smoke and shaped itself into a humanoid form.

Marian widened her eyes in disbelief. Her breathing grew rapid as she watched the humanoid acknowledge Kris.

“My master, summons,” Kris smiled and then pointed towards Marian.

“My master, commands. My pleasure, mistress,” the being then turned towards Robert. “My pleasure, master. My name, Rizale,” the being’s name made the core of her fire-loving mana pulse, as if it celebrated being in the presence of this being.

Marian was intrigued that he called Robert his master, but she knew that any explanation that was needed could be provided by Kris. Kris stuck out his thumb in an approving gesture.

“He’s a being who’s made from and under my will, and shaped according to my past as Rizale. He’s made of the elements of wind and fire. Maya is a similar being who was based on my past as Kris from Earth. She’s of water and magic. Quite charming for a spirit,” Kris explained, eagerly.

Marian blinked, unbelieving. She wasn’t sure if she’s heard correctly, and if she’s making the right conclusions.

The humanoid being then solidified before disintegrating. It then became a ring that returned to Kris’ finger.

“It was only supposed to be an experiment,” Kris looked to his left hand as he raised it at eye-level. Marian and Robert both inspected it as Kris’ did.

“I wanted to channel my two pasts into beings that embodied them, instead of me having to do so,” Kris said softly. “This is what I want to do for my thesis. I want to discover a way for other mages to utilize such spirits, as I would like to call them. Please help me in this regard, mom, dad,” Kris bowed.

Marian’s body was shaking. Though just the being’s presence made her aware of an entirely different level of anger and absolute desire than emanated from its very body, what she was shaken about was just the sheer applications of such magic.

But Marian felt that the actual magic itself isn’t what was most important to her.

Marian then put her hand on Kris’ shoulder. Kris looked up. Marian simply smiled before hugging him.

“Great job, Kris,” She whispered as a parent, proud of her child.

To Marian, what was most important was that this being was born from Kris’ conscious decision to leave his colorful past behind. It was a sign and a conviction to start anew.

Marian tightened her hug one last time before letting go. She then felt a tear escape from her eyes. She turned around and wiped it off.

“Of course we’ll help, Kris. You’re our son. Our resources are ours as it is yours,” Robert exclaimed with a big smile.

Marian closed her eyes as she once again thought of the events from this day. It seems that everything that happened, even this discussion, was derailed by a lot of tangents.

From anxiousness, to excitement, to disappointment, to worry then to a lasting memory.

It was the day when she and Robert was convinced.

They truly have a son.