Chapter 149
“Really? Is he here?”
Eila’s eyes brightened as she looked up eagerly.
Beside her, Piony tilted her head curiously.
“Wait, who exactly are you two talking about?”
Eila turned to her with a smile full of excitement.
“I’ll explain everything after I get back, Piony.”
Soon, she walked away with Felix, their arms linked naturally together.
“So, where is he?”
“I saw him by the entrance earlier… ah, there he is.”
They moved forward, exchanging polite greetings with passing guests as they made their way.
Before long, Felix pointed toward someone.
“That’s the magician from the Magic Tower I told you about—Sir Ravien.”
“…He looks a lot like you.”
“Well, we are distant relatives. That must be why.”
“And you said he currently works in the Magic Tower, right?”
“Yes, and I believe he holds quite a high-ranking position.”
Felix answered with a brief smile.
At last, the two stopped in front of a middle-aged man with neatly tied silver hair.
He wore thick horn-rimmed glasses, but they couldn’t hide the sharp, hawk-like gaze that was characteristic of the Argenta bloodline.
He looks just like Felix used to back when he wore glasses…
Because of that familiarity, Eila strangely felt at ease in front of him—even though it was their first meeting.
“Thank you for coming all this way.”
Felix was the first to extend his hand. Ravien clasped it without hesitation, smiling.
“Of course I had to come for the future Duke. Congratulations to you both on your engagement.”
Then his eyes turned toward Eila.
“Greetings. I’m Ravien, a distant relative of Felix.”
Eila’s gaze instinctively dropped to the insignia embroidered on his robe.
There was no mistaking it—he was someone of considerable standing within the Tower.
If not for Felix’s help, I never would have met someone like him unless I joined the Tower myself.
Eila bowed her head politely.
“An honor to meet you, Sir Ravien.”
He returned the gesture with a gentle smile.
“I heard you wished to see me?”
“Yes, there’s something very important I wanted to ask… If it’s alright, perhaps we could talk in private—”
Eila glanced around, searching for a quieter place.
But before she could suggest anything, Ravien lightly snapped his fingers.
In an instant, the chatter and bustle around them vanished, leaving behind a sudden hush as though the world itself had been muted.
Eila blinked in surprise, staring at him.
“If it’s not too long a discussion, I don’t mind speaking right here.”
Realizing his considerate gesture, Eila couldn’t help whispering in awe:
“You invoked Silas magic with just a flick of your hand… How incredible.”
“This much is basic.”
Ravien adjusted his glasses casually.
“So then—what is it you wish to ask me?”
“…I wanted to know about the Parentage Verification artifact.”
Eila’s voice wavered as she cautiously spoke, and Ravien let out a soft “Ah,” as if it all clicked.
He knew well enough about her situation.
Half a year ago, her expulsion from the Duchy after being branded a false daughter had become the talk of even the Magic Tower.
“Are you asking… whether the results of the Parentage Test artifact could have been wrong?”
“…Yes. Embarrassing as it is, that’s exactly what I wish to know.”
Ravien fell silent for a moment before lowering his voice.
“There has indeed been much speculation among the people lately. Many wonder if Lady Eila is, in truth, the genuine daughter of House Blanche.”
Ever since she had cured mana insensitivity, graduated early as top of the Academy, and even bonded with a dragon, rumors around her had only grown.
“I can understand why you feel conflicted.”
But the Tower itself had shown little interest in such gossip.
For good reason.
“However—”
Ravien’s tone sharpened.
“The chance of that artifact malfunctioning is extremely slim. It has been rigorously tested and cross-verified countless times by Tower magicians.”
At his resolute words, Eila bit her lip.
How could I possibly convince someone so certain?
To doubt the artifact was to insult the Tower’s craft itself. Magicians were notoriously proud, and most would dismiss her concerns outright.
Still, she pressed on with trembling courage.
“What if… during the test, someone interfered with it using a disturbance spell?”
Ravien’s eyes grew sharp.
“A disturbance spell? I understand your meaning. But even that is highly improbable. Those artifacts are reinforced with strong wards to prevent any external mana interference.”
He shrugged slightly.
“Only magic of the most delicate and powerful kind could bypass such wards. And even then, to do it unnoticed? Nearly impossible.”
Felix quickly cut in, his tone urgent.
“But still—wouldn’t there at least be a chance? If the caster knew the artifact’s structure or weaknesses inside and out?”
Ravien narrowed his eyes at Felix for a moment before sighing, then returned his gaze to Eila.
“Are you saying you suspect someone tampered with the artifact during your own test?”
“…Yes. That’s what I believe.”
Eila’s expression darkened.
…Of course it sounds unbelievable.
The very fact that Felix had believed her so readily still felt like a miracle. Anyone else would have reacted like Ravien.
At that moment, Felix firmly squeezed her hand and declared:
“Sir Ravien, everything Eila says is the truth. Lord Debens has already proven it.”
“…Debens?”
Ravien’s eyes narrowed.
“You mean that ill-tempered Red Dragon?”
“Yes. He declared outright that Eila is the true daughter of House Blanche. Not only I, but my father and several of Kistar’s knights also heard him clearly.”
Ravien’s expression grew grave.
Debens might be foul-tempered, but dragons did not speak lies.
He rested his chin on his hand, sinking into thought.
“…If that is true, then the disturbance spell must have been exceptionally sophisticated. As I said, to break through the wards without detection would require extraordinary precision.”
He deliberated for a long while, then let out a slow sigh.
“In short, you two already believe with certainty that the artifact’s results were false, and you want to correct the record.”
Facing his searching gaze, both Eila and Felix silently nodded.
Felix gave a meaningful glance at the woman by his side before adding:
“This is a matter of utmost importance to my fiancée. If you help us, we will never forget the favor.”
“…Haa.”
Ravien exhaled softly, running a hand through his hair.
“If the future Duke himself asks so earnestly, then I suppose I have no choice.”
“Then…?”
Felix’s voice rose with cautious hope.
“To conduct any research, I’ll need a sample artifact. I’ll see about acquiring one.”
“Y-you’d really do that for us?”
Eila looked at him, stunned.
The Tower was infamously secretive. Their tools and techniques were kept under strict lock and key.
Artifacts like the Parentage Test device—sensitive and vital instruments—were never allowed to leave the Tower.
Even magicians themselves required upper-level authorization just to access them.
Meeting her gaze squarely, Ravien spoke:
“I am only agreeing to this because I believe you have now truly become one of House Argenta. But this must remain absolutely confidential. My name cannot be tied to any leak of an artifact.”
Eila bowed deeply, her voice earnest.
“Thank you. I swear I won’t breathe a word.”
Her sincerity drew a faint smile from him.
“Good. Since even a dragon acknowledges you, I’ll trust you as well.”
With another flick of his hand, the silenced world around them gradually filled again with the sounds of laughter and chatter.
Ravien arched an eyebrow.
“Since I’m involved now, I hope the truth you seek will indeed come to light.”
Then, raising his voice so others nearby could hear, he added warmly:
“May blessings be with your future together. Truly.”
