Chloé Blight's POV
"Miss, the representative from the magus's association has arrived," Susan's voice pulled me out of my thoughts about the awakening ceremony that should take place at the manor and in the town of Blackwater.
"I'll go greet him personally. And where is Merlin?"
I stood up to prepare to meet the person who is supposed to finally allow my son to begin his path towards the magic he so cherishes.
"The young master Merlin finished his breakfast after your meeting and has locked himself in the library."
As expected of my pride, he is very diligent in his work and, according to Adrianne the head guard, my son also possesses excellent talent with weapons in general.
"Excellent, don't disturb him unless I call him after my interview with the magus."
I really hope it is an honorable magus who has had to make the trip, it would be useful if Merlin obtains the favor of a magus.
Of course, I don't hope the magus is a man. It's an unrealistic wish that a man magus would arrive in this humble town.
Once I had donned my formal attire, I went to meet my guest, it only took me a few minutes to reach the guest hall.
Before me, there was a young girl with black eyes and black hair. She wore a simple but beautiful black dress on her and I could also feel an inaccessible atmosphere surrounding her.
(Image)
This young girl, around 15 or 14 years old, was accompanied by two women in knight's attire. I can feel that they have practiced "aura" like me.
I estimate that they are weaker than me or Adrianne, but together they could give me a good fight.
"My greetings, honorable seeker of truth, I am Baroness Chloé Blight."
I slightly bowed towards the young girl seated, unlike the two guards at her sides. She just nodded at my greeting.
I can tell at a glance that she is not a true magus , but an apprentice.
Despite her status as a mere apprentice magus, the young woman before me was overflowing with pride. This can be explained by the future possibility that she may become a magus.
I will have to endure her insolence, it is for the good of my little Merlin.
"Baroness Blight, you are already aware of the reason for my presence here, are you not?"
The silence that had settled after my greetings was broken by the words of the apprentice magus before me.
She had a cold voice, abnormal for her young age, and her black eyes stared at me as if she wanted to pierce through me, but I was able to resist easily under her magical pressure.
On the other hand, Susan and the maids were having trouble breathing properly.
Personally, I have already dealt with magus in the past due to expeditions in the Dark Forest next to the town of Blackwater, but also to try and buy their seed.
So the passively exerted pressure of an apprentice mage is not really a problem for me.
I just slightly covered my body with my "aura" to resist it.
"I am aware of the reasons for your presence. I will organize the awakening ceremony for the town of Blackwater tomorrow morning."
As I spoke, I gestured to a maid to bring more tea and pastries.
"Excellent, I don't want to spend much time in this place," she gave a small, barely perceptible smile of satisfaction.
It seems she really doesn't want to stay in the vicinity, which doesn't really surprise me given the busy schedules of beings like her.
"Oh! I almost forgot, Miss Blight, I heard from my elder sister the Countess of the Black family that you have a son."
For the first time since I had met this young girl, there was something other than boredom in her black eyes.
...
Merlin's POV
"Young master Merlin," a maid rushed to my current location.
"I... madam..." she was having trouble expressing herself properly, she must have something really urgent to announce to me for her to not follow etiquette.
"Calm down, breathe first and then speak," I gave her a chair next to mine.
She followed my instructions and quickly relaxed.
" the representative from the magus's association has come to the manor and she wishes to meet you, young master."
Normally this would not be bad news, but it seems there is more than just a simple meeting.
"I see," I just nodded before standing up to head towards the exit of the library.
"Aren't you going to show me the way?" at my words, she immediately stood up and started guiding me to the location of the person sent by the magus's association.
I wasn't really worried for my safety, the laws regarding men are extremely severe. I risk nothing in the Empire unless I actively seek trouble of my own free will.
"Good evening, ladies," once arrived, I greeted everyone while following etiquette.
"Heun," I couldn't help but gasp at the pressure emanating from the young woman in black dress before me.
[Alert!!!]
[Alert!!!]
[Radiation detected, it is recommended to move away from the source.]
This only lasted a few seconds before the radiation detected by the AI disappeared as if it was my imagination.
"Apologies, I practice magic related to darkness and it tends to passively affect people with a low amount of mana."
The black-haired young woman sitting amidst the two guards apologized in a sincere tone, but the expression on her face did not really convey her sincerity.
"I am Olivia Black, I am from the same house as the Countess Black. Of course, I am a level 3 apprentice magus."
She performed the etiquette during her introduction, showing that she respects me despite my young age.
There is also the fact that her name is that of a secondary character who appears in the novel.
Olivia Black, she will be a magus at the beginning of the plot and she is a professor at the Empire's magic academy.
It must be understood that mages in general are affiliated with the magus's association, which is a neutral organization in itself, but the magic academy is different.
The magic academy is affiliated with the Empress and the Empire. It provides information and resources to mages and aspiring mages in exchange for their cooperation.
So yes, if I want to evolve in this world, I should be affiliated with an organization, and the mage's association is the largest and most influential.
It also grants the most freedom, as it is a meritocracy within the association, and its members can be affiliated with nations like the Empire, but there are certain rules that, once broken, the individual is hunted down across the continent.
The rules or taboos in the magus's association are often related to the betrayal of the world of Gaia.
"You probably already know me, miss, but I'll introduce myself anyway. I am Merlin Blight, of the Blight house, of baronial rank."
She nodded before taking some tea. I can see that she is truly a refined young woman, it was a bit fascinating to watch her drink it.
"I wanted to meet you to proceed with your awakening ceremony, and I have also made a proposal to your mother."
I glanced more attentively at my mother. She simply looked back at me and gave me a weak smile.
It seems she must have had to make a certain decision that she is not pleased with, and I already have a small idea of what it might be.
"May I know the terms of your proposal?" I just asked for confirmation.
"Merlin, it is not necessary for you to know that for now. You should first go through the ceremony," Chloé responded to Olivia instead of me.
I remained silent for a moment before nodding. I saw Olivia sigh in satisfaction.
I remember that the Black family in the novel is a family currently in decline, the reason being simply due to the lack of men.
Normally, a high-ranking noble family has a magus within it. The current Black family does not have one, and Olivia is supposed to become a magus who will save her family in the future.
Fortunately for me, this future has changed because of my presence.
My mother is in the same faction as the Countess Black, and she manages a territory under her influence. It is logical that she might want to use this influence to force her to save her family.
That's why I think the agreement between Olivia and Chloé concerns my future children or fiancée.
"I won't take up more of your time. I will begin your awakening ceremony," Olivia extended a shadow on the table and it brought out a crystal ball.