"Yes, we are," Aamon said. "You may come in."
The door opened, revealing a butler standing outside.
Ah… he's the head assassin butler, isn't he? I asked Ray.
"I think so. His name was… Mathew, I believe."
"What is it?" I asked the butler.
"Young Master Roy, Master is calling for you."
"What about me?" Aamon asked.
"Stay with Young Master Aiden," the butler replied.
We exchanged glances before nodding.
"Okay," I said.
The butler led me toward Father's office. It was my first time being summoned there.
"You're excited?" Ray asked. "You know why he called you, right?"
"I know—"
Creak.
The door opened.
"Master, I have arrived with Young Master Roy," the butler said, remaining at the doorway.
"Roy, come in," Father's cold voice called from inside.
Despite his tone, I knew he was a caring father.
"Both father and son are alike, huh?" Ray commented. "Aamon looks cold but is actually warm."
I ignored him.
"Yes, Father," I said, stepping inside as the butler closed the door behind me.
A chill ran down my spine.
Someone else is here.
Both Ray and I realized it at the same time.
…Whatever. Ignore it, I told Ray mentally.
"Why did you call me, Father?"
"It's about the incident yesterday afternoon," he said. "Tell me what happened."
It felt less like a question… and more like an order.
"Yes, Father."
I need an excuse…
"When I held the sword… I felt something strange."
"Strange?" Father asked.
"Yes. It felt like… the sword was moving on its own. My body reacted faster than I could think."
"Hmm…"
He fell into thought.
"I'm sorry, I can't desc—"
"What do you want to become?" Father interrupted. "A knight? Or a swordsman?"
I paused.
"I… don't know. I can't make proper decisions yet. But… I feel drawn toward magic."
"Magic? You are too young for—" Father began, then suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
"…Very well. I'll make arrangements for that. Do you want anything else?"
"No, Father. Not right now."
"You may leave."
"Yes, Father."
I let out a quiet sigh of relief as I stepped out of the room.
Uff… that was stressful.
"It really was," Ray said. "But I've got good news."
"Good news? What is it?"
Ting.
A system notification echoed—one I hadn't heard in a long time.
---
[Tome of the World] has been activated
Invisibility Magic Tier 1 has been identified. Further information may be recognized.
---
"Invisibility Magic Tier 1?" I murmured, intrigued.
"Yeah," Ray said. "While you were talking with Father, I searched for that invisible presence."
"It was Mother, wasn't it?"
"Yep. She was standing right behind Father."
"I figured. Since she can't use magic, Father must've cast it."
Suddenly, someone blocked my path.
"Hm?"
I looked up.
It was Aamon.
"Brother, what is it?" I asked.
"What did you talk about with Father?" he asked.
His tone… was strangely warm.
What's wrong with him? I asked Ray.
"Wasn't he supposed to stay with Aiden? Why is he here?" Ray added.
I ignored both the question and Ray, walking past him.
"Hey, why are you ignoring me?" he said, grabbing my arm.
"…It's confirmed," Ray said. "That's not Aamon."
I stopped.
Slowly, I grabbed his arm in return.
"Who are you?"
"…Eh?" the unidentified person exclaimed in surprise.