That only deepened his confusion. "I'm not from some prestigious background like those two male leads, the Duke's son and the royal prince. How could my admission already be set?"
He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "It's getting complicated… I just wanted to remain a background character. Now, it seems someone is meddling on my behalf."
Three days passed in a blink. The Voidspire cut through the skies at blistering speed, its colossal frame gliding smoothly without encountering a single threat.
High above the outer skies of the Crimson Empire, the ship slowed to a gentle hover. Kaelen stepped onto its open observation deck, his eyes widening at the sight before him.
The Empire stretched across a massive floating island, its grand spires and shimmering walls glinting in the sunlight. Below, an endless blue ocean sparkled like scattered gems.
"It's beautiful," Kaelen murmured. "From here… the main storylines of the protagonists begin. And I'll keep to the side, just a normal background character."
Kitsu floated up beside him, its azure glow pulsing in slow, deliberate beats. The single, human-like eye in its center swiveled toward Kaelen, almost as if it were sizing him up.
"With your weakest S-tier shadow element… yes, you're absolutely the picture of mediocrity," it said, the words edged with calculated sarcasm.
Inside its processing matrix, Kitsu flagged the irony. Even the greatest mages rarely reached A-tier in a single element, yet Kaelen's fire and space affinities ranked beyond the highest recorded S-tier classifications. His "lowest" talent—shadow was still S-tier, a rank considered legendary.
And elemental talent was determined at birth, almost impossible to improve. By all statistical models, his existence was an anomaly.
Kaelen Arden didn't linger on the view. "Kitsu, take us down. Park in the transport docks."
The Voidspire descended toward the sprawling transport docks on the western edge of the capital. Massive landing platforms floated in the open air, connected by glowing suspension bridges. Dozens of other ships hovered in neat formation, their hulls gleaming under the sunlight.
With a low, steady hum, the giant vessel eased into position on an empty platform, locking into place as the faint shimmer of the docking barrier sealed around it. From here, the distant towers of the Crimson Empire's heart could be seen rising against the horizon.
Inside the ship, Kaelen woke Elira Arden. Together, they stepped out onto the stone-surfaced platform, the air tinged with the faint scent of metal and ozone. They moved forward for the security check, Kaelen glancing at his watch—its interface projected a precise 3D map of the capital, courtesy of Kitsu.
Once cleared, Elira took in the surroundings and said casually, "Baby, let's head straight to the capital. I've already bought us a good house there."
Kaelen nodded. "Okay, sure. Wait for me here."
He returned to the Voidspire, retrieved his flying bike, and landed it near her. Elira climbed on behind him, her hands resting lightly on his shoulders. The bike's neon exhaust flared, and they shot off toward the capital.
An hour later, they crossed the sprawling streets and districts of the Crimson Capital, heading east per Elira's directions. Eventually, they descended at the gates of a sprawling villa—polished stone walls, ornate balconies, and gardens that stretched farther than most city blocks.
Kaelen could barely believe his eyes. "Mom… was this the 'good house' you mentioned? Are you sure we're not at the wrong address? That's a damn luxurious villa!"
Elira chuckled softly. "Of course we're at the right place. This is the house I bought."
But inwardly, her thoughts were far less calm. "Those four idiots… I told them to buy a good house, not a palace! How am I supposed to explain this to Kaelen? I can't tell him who I really am—not yet."
Before Kaelen could ask anything more, the villa's gates swung open. A beautiful young woman in a black maid uniform stepped forward, bowing her head with graceful precision.
"Madam Elira, young master Kaelen, welcome. We have been expecting your arrival. I am Vanya Sable, the head butler."
Behind her stood twenty maids dressed in crisp white uniforms, each striking in her own way, some with the delicate ears and angular grace of elves, others with soft feline ears twitching faintly in the breeze.
Kaelen's gaze shifted from the formal reception to his mother. "In the actual novel, there was never a single mention of my mom…"
He gave a dry smile. "Why does it feel like they're welcoming nobles?"
The gates closed behind them with a soft clang as they stepped into the villa's grounds. The path ahead curved through a breathtaking garden—rows of vibrant flowers swaying in the breeze, a crystal fountain spilling into a pond where koi fish glided lazily, and tall trees casting cool shade across the marble walkway.
The villa itself loomed beyond, its walls of pristine white marble gleaming under the sun. Every arch, every column spoke of craftsmanship far beyond what ordinary coin could buy.
Inside, Elira's expression remained calm, almost bored, as though such grandeur was nothing new. Kaelen mirrored her casual demeanor, but inwardly, his thoughts churned.
The wide hallways were lined with vintage paintings, their frames gilded with delicate gold leaf. Each piece was worth a fortune, he knew because he'd once seen a similar one auctioned for more than a noble's annual income.
They settled into the plush sofa in the living room, the cushions swallowing him in softness. A group of maids appeared in perfect silence, setting down porcelain cups and neatly arranged cookies.
Kaelen picked up one of the cups, letting the steam curl into his face. The scent hit him instantly—rich, floral, with a faint, honeyed warmth. "Starlit Amber Leaf." His brow twitched.
That tea was notorious for its scarcity in the capital, hoarded by nobles and served only on the most important occasions. Yet here, it was placed before him like an everyday refreshment.
"This isn't normal…" His gaze flicked to Elira, who sipped her tea with effortless grace, sipping as if the expensive tea was nothing more than plain water. Not a flicker of surprise, not the slightest hint that she found any of this unusual.
"She's too at ease…"
A quiet suspicion began to coil in his chest. "She's been hiding something. This isn't the life of an ordinary woman. So… who exactly are you, Mom?"
His lips curled in a faint bitter smile. "I only wanted to drift through life as a background character. But if my own mother is some kind of hidden powerhouse… staying out of the spotlight might be harder than I thought."
The soft clink of porcelain broke the moment. A maid approached, moving with the measured grace of someone who had trained for years. She bowed deeply, her voice respectful yet clear.
"Madam, it has arrived from Crimson Vale Institute for Young Master Kaelen."
In her hands rested a sealed letter and a sleek, grey briefcase. The case itself caught Kaelen's eye immediately—polished surface, no scratches, the metal clasps gleaming like they had just been forged.
In the center, an emblem stood out deep crimson letters C.V.I stamped beneath the black silhouette of a dragon, its wings spread wide as if daring the world to challenge it.
The maid placed them gently on the table, then retreated toward the garden, where the sound of splashing water soon mingled with the soft rustle of leaves.
Elira's gaze lingered briefly on the case before she turned to him with a small, almost casual smile. "Kaelen, why don't you open the letter?"
Kaelen's fingers brushed against the envelope, the wax seal unbroken and cold to the touch. "Kitsu mentioned this earlier… but now that it's right here in front of me… His eyes flicked to Elira. Could she be the one who made this happen?"
With a soft crack, the seal gave way. The parchment inside was thick and heavy made from the kind of special paper that nobles used for personal correspondence. The scent of faint lavender drifted up as he unfolded it, the first line written in flawless, elegant script:
[Kaelen Arden,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into our Institute as a full student.
Your academic program will span three years, during which you will receive instruction in etiquette, advanced mana control, elemental channeling, combat arts, exploration tactics, and more.
Your uniform and identity card have been provided in the enclosed case.
You are expected to report tomorrow for orientation. May your time here refine both your skill and your spirit.]
The paper smelled faintly of ink and pressed lavender, the kind of detail that told Kaelen this wasn't just a form letter, it was deliberate, maybe even personal.
He folded it neatly and looked up. "They've accepted me."
Elira's lips curved in a warm smile. "That's good news. We should celebrate tonight with something special."
Kaelen gave a small nod, but his gaze dropped back to the dragon-emblazoned case.
The next morning, Kaelen stood in front of the mirror in his bedroom, fastening the last button of his uniform. The Crimson Vale Institute had sent it perfectly tailored—black shirt, black formal trousers, a sleek black coat, a deep red tie, and polished leather shoes that reflected the morning light.
His long white hair framed his sharp features, and his deep blue eyes gave him an air of quiet mystery. He studied his reflection and frowned slightly.
"In the novel, the uniform wasn't pure black like mine… it was white coat, black shirt. Why is mine different?"
A soft hum filled the room as Kitsu appeared beside him, the azure orb glowing faintly. The single human-like eye in its center scanned him from head to toe.
"Master, you look… cool in this. Do all students wear this uniform?"
"Yeah… probably." Kaelen's voice was casual, but his thoughts stayed locked away. He still hadn't told Kitsu that this world was within inside a novel.
When he entered the living room, several maids paused in their duties to look his way. Elira sat on the sofa, enjoying her tea with the grace of a noblewoman.
Her gaze softened, but a faint flush touched her cheeks. "Kaelen, you look… quite attractive. Have a good day at the Institute."
She rose, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor, and stopped beside him. Leaning in, her breath ghosted against his ear.
"And don't forget what I told you earlier," she murmured. "Don't let any girls get close to you. If I hear something happened…" Her tone was light, almost playful, yet edged with a steel that sent a faint chill down his spine. "…let's just say it won't. Remember—"
Her voice dipped into a low, possessive whisper, "…you're only mine. You belong to me."
Then she straightened, a sweet smile blooming on her face, as though she had simply wished him a lovely day.
Kaelen's mouth twitched. "She's getting over-possessive… All I wanted was to fade quietly into the background, to avoid interfering with the major plots of this world."
Still, he put on a calm smile and replied, "Okay, Mom. I understand. I'll see you when I'm back."
Outside the villa, Kaelen squinted toward the northern skyline. "Crimson Vale Institute is in the north side of the capital. Walking would take hours…"
He swung a leg over his sleek flying bike, the engine humming to life beneath him. With a soft kick, he soared into the morning air, heading north.
The moment Kaelen disappeared from sight, the air in the villa shifted. The maids from the living room and the garden silently gathered.
In a ripple of magic, their plain dresses melted away, replaced by elegant black gowns, each marked over the heart with a half-moon eclipse emblem.
They dropped to one knee in unison, right hands pressed to their chests. Their voices rose together, solemn and reverent.
"We greet Archon Moonveil!"
On the sofa, Elira Arden lifted her teacup, her expression calm as if she had been expecting it all along.