Elder Rodgir cleared his throat with a quick cough before rising from his seat.
"Attention, may I have everyone's attention!" His voice boomed, clear and commanding, cutting through the hum of chatter in the banquet hall. The villagers gradually quieted, their focus shifting from the food in front of them to the elder at the head of the room.
Magnus leaned toward Marilyn. "Wow, for someone his age, he's got a serious set of lungs."
Marilyn chuckled, glancing at him. "Oh, you don't know the half of it. Back when Mary and I were kids, he could lecture for hours. You’d think his voice was unbreakable."
Mary, sitting opposite them, rolled her eyes as she overheard. "You mean when you had one of your brilliant ideas, and I had to bail you out? He nearly went hoarse trying to get through to you."
Marilyn pouted at the teasing. "Hey, don’t make it sound like I was the only one causing trouble," she countered, leaning forward so her voice carried directly to Mary across the table.
"But you were. Tonight’s chaos just proves it." Mary’s tone was playful, but her smirk made Marilyn narrow her eyes before turning away with a huff, arms crossed as she faced the banquet again.
Magnus, caught in the crossfire, gave a helpless glance at Halen, who was sitting quietly on Seraline's lap. Their eyes met, sharing the same bemused expression.
"Siblings," Magnus whispered to Halen with a shrug. "What can you do?"
Their quiet aside faded into the background as the banquet’s attention centered back on Elder Rodgir and the other elders at the table.
"Firstly, I want to thank everyone who took time out of their day to attend this banquet—and to those who worked tirelessly to prepare it," Elder Rodgir began, his voice steady and warm.
"Many of you stepped into roles you weren’t familiar with. Some of you are bakers, restaurant owners, or even just home cooks, yet you took it upon yourselves to feed the many survivors gathered here. You had no obligation to do so, but you did. And for that, I am deeply grateful." He bowed his head in appreciation, sparking a ripple of applause from the villagers. The sound of clapping echoed softly before fading, allowing Elder Rodgir to lift his head and continue.
"These past days have been hard for all of us," he said, his tone solemn.
"Many here have lost family, friends, neighbors—people we’ve known our entire lives. The pain of that loss is not something anyone should have to bear, but for those who need time to mourn, know that you will have it. And to those who’ve stepped forward to help rebuild, I offer my deepest thanks. None of us were prepared for the attack on our village. It was devastating, and our home... our home burned because of it." The elders seated around him lowered their heads, some closing their eyes as they took in his words. A heavy silence blanketed the area, the weight of shared grief palpable. Some villagers stared at the table, lost in thought. Others exchanged glances, grounding themselves in the present despite the memories pulling them back.
Magnus, who hadn’t witnessed the attack firsthand, felt his mind drift to the aftermath. His gaze wandered, unfocused, while Seraline, seated beside him, wrapped her arm protectively around Halen. The boy looked up at her, his expression soft as he smiled at her. Seraline met his gaze and found herself smiling back faintly despite the heaviness in the room.
Elder Rodgir let the silence linger a moment longer before speaking again.
"But look at where we are now. Despite the trials the world has thrown at us, our village remains standing. We have begun to recover and rebuild. While it will take time for the shadows of what happened to fade—and while some things may never be the same—we did not crumble. Despite everything taken from us, despite all we’ve endured, we stood strong in the face of adversity. And for that, all of you should be proud. Because our village is more than just a place on a map; it is a community. And I dare say, our community is stronger than ever before!" Elder Rodgir’s voice grew in intensity, his words brimming with emotion.
It was as if his passion surged through the crowd like a tidal wave, igniting a collective spirit. The applause that erupted was deafening, accompanied by cheers that seemed to shake the very air. The sound carried far beyond the banquet, a roar of unity heard over a kilometer away. Rodgir allowed the celebration to carry on for a minute before raising his hand, signaling for silence. The crowd quieted, anticipation building as he continued.
"But beyond the contributions of our community, there are others we must also thank. First, our guards and captains. While we each fought our battles, these brave men and women risked their lives to protect as many of us as they could. Many were injured; many were lost. But their unwavering courage is the reason so many of us are here today." He gestured toward the guards positioned around the banquet's perimeter and the captains seated at the first tier of the head table.
The guards maintained their vigilant stances, while the captains nodded respectfully. A fresh wave of applause and cheers erupted, no less fervent than before.
"And finally, I would like to draw your attention to this brave young pair seated before us," Elder Rodgir announced, his hand extending toward Magnus and Seraline. All eyes turned to them, curiosity and admiration lighting up the crowd.
"Before the attack, we sought aid wherever we could—neighbors in nearby villages, the larger towns, and cities across the region. Many offered what little they could, but with the monster infestations sweeping the kingdom, even communication became impossible. We were left desperate, reaching out to a place we could only dream would answer us: Takerth Academy, one of the Ten Great Magic Academies. We hoped, however slim the chance, that someone from that legendary institution might hear us.
"And, as fate would have it, fortune favors those who put themselves in its path. Just over a week ago, fortune smiled upon our village in the form of these two: the Great Mage Magnus Wright and the Altruistic Knight Seraline Sostenza!" Once again, the crowd erupted into cheers, even more thunderous than before. Though most of the villagers hadn’t seen Magnus or Seraline before, word of their deeds had spread quickly among the survivors. As the two sat under the collective gaze of the crowd, Seraline turned to Magnus, her expression quiet but unmistakably puzzled by the lofty titles Elder Rodgir had just bestowed upon them.
Magnus caught her look and gave a small shrug.
"Don’t look at me. They came up with those titles on their own. I tried to argue, trust me," he muttered under his breath, leaning closer so only she could hear. Though, if he was being honest with himself, Seraline's title felt more fitting than his own. After all, it wasn’t every day that someone willingly risked their life for strangers—or lost an arm saving a child.
"It is thanks to these two, who risked their safety and well-being for us, that our village stands here today. And so, it is with great pleasure that I announce these two as our honored guests at this banquet! Let us dedicate this celebration not only to our village and community but to these young heroes!" Elder Rodgir’s declaration shattered the silence with a storm of applause and cheers. Even the guards at the banquet’s perimeter joined in, their whistles and shouts mingling with the crowd’s enthusiasm. Those who had witnessed Magnus and Seraline in action were the loudest of all.
Whether it was Magnus unleashing his magic to destroy the monsters charging the village walls, extinguishing the fires threatening their homes, or aiding the doctors with the injured, or Seraline’s fearless efforts in cutting down the invading horde inside the village, including the monstrous mana beast responsible for the breach—it was impossible not to cheer for the pair who had saved so many lives.
Magnus raised a hand and waved, doing his best to hide his discomfort at being the center of attention. Seraline, more composed, gave a polite bow, the similarity between her and the captains evident in the gesture.
"Now then," Elder Rodgir continued, "I’m sure you’ve all heard enough from this old man. It would be a shame to let the wonderful food prepared by our chefs go cold. So, without further ado, let the banquet begin!"
He raised his hand in announcement.
At the same time, Magnus grinned and snapped his fingers. Multicolored flames erupted into the air above the banquet, their sudden appearance causing the captains and Seraline to momentarily tense. Realizing it was Magnus’s doing, they relaxed just as the flames exploded into a vivid rainbow of colors. The dazzling display lit up the dark canopy above, drawing gasps and delighted murmurs from the crowd. As the villagers realized there was no danger, the atmosphere became even more celebratory.
Magnus nodded to himself.
Not exactly fireworks, but they get the job done.
Beside him, Seraline turned to Mary.
"Your grandfather is quite good at giving speeches. I see why he’s the head of the village elders." Mary beamed with pride.
"Yeah, Grandpa’s always been great with words. He has a way of inspiring people and bringing them together." Across the banquet tables, the celebration was in full swing. Some raised mugs of deep copper-colored ale, cheering loudly, while others eagerly filled their plates with the feast spread before them. At the head tables, where Magnus, Seraline, and the elders sat, there was no need to pile plates—they already had an impressive spread before them, with attendants ready to bring anything they desired.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
"Man, it’s been a while since I’ve been to an all-you-can-eat buffet," Magnus said, licking his lips as his eyes scanned the array of food. He was just deciding what to try first when Marilyn tapped him on the shoulder.
"Hmm?" He turned to her, confused, and saw her holding a small pitcher. She laughed at his eager expression.
"You can’t just dig in, Magnus. There’s a tradition. The honored guests have to start with a drink."
"Really?" Magnus raised an eyebrow, clearly unfamiliar with the custom. Still, he reached for the empty cup in front of him, and Seraline, overhearing the exchange, followed suit. Mary and Marilyn each began pouring a golden, honey-colored liquid into their cups.
"Hmm, what is this?" Magnus asked, swirling the liquid in his cup. The light from the lanterns made it shimmer enticingly.
"It smells like wine," Seraline observed.
"That’s right," Marilyn confirmed.
"It’s a special type of wine made from berries that only grow in this part of the Verdant Woods. It’s not exclusive to our village—other villages make it too—but it’s something we like to serve to guests."
"It’s sweeter than regular wine," Mary added.
"So you don’t need to sip it too slowly."
"Huh, is that right?" Magnus mused aloud. He’d been avoiding alcohol in this world, partly out of habit and partly because of his mother. Even though she and his father weren’t around as much as he would have liked, his mother instilled values in him whenever she could. Whether it was cleaning up his messes or avoiding what she considered reckless behavior—like drinking before he was of age—her lessons stuck with him.
But she was always a bit flexible on that last rule, wasn’t she? She never let me drink outright—not that Wendy or I ever cared to—but she’d let me have small sips of her wine when I asked when I was younger. Though I never developed a taste for it.
Needless to say, her values had helped shape him, though they’d been peculiar at times.
Well, she didn’t mind back then. And considering it’s a special occasion, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind now.
With a small shrug, Magnus raised the cup to his lips and took a sip. His eyes widened slightly as the flavor hit him. He pulled the cup away and stared at it.
"Oh wow, you weren’t kidding. This is sweeter than normal wine. Almost like juice... but not quite," he remarked, his voice tinged with surprise. Seraline nodded in agreement.
"That’s a good way to describe it."
"So, do you two like it?" Marilyn asked, her tone curious and hopeful.
"Definitely," Magnus replied with a grin.
"I like it more than the wine I’ve had at other celebrations," Seraline added.
With that, the feasting began in earnest. Magnus eagerly dug into his food, his pace a stark contrast to Seraline’s measured approach. She alternated between eating small bites herself and feeding Halen whatever he pointed to on her plate. Though there was no music, the clatter of cups, cheerful voices, and the steady hum of movement created a melody all their own. Combined with the rich aromas of the feast, it was easy to lose track of time.
It wasn’t long before Marilyn’s curiosity bubbled over. Between bites of her meal, she peppered Magnus with questions about his magic. At one point, Magnus bit into a juicy leg of meat, the pop of flavor making him let out a small, involuntary hum of approval.
Marilyn, nibbling on a kebab that balanced meat and vegetables, took the opportunity to ask, "Magnus, how long have you been a mage, exactly?"
Magnus paused, chewing thoughtfully as he considered the question.
Finally, he swallowed and said, "Hmm... I’m not sure how long I’ve had the ability to use magic, but I only really started practicing when I entered Takerth Academy. So, I guess it’s been a few months now." His answer left Marilyn and Mary blinking in surprise. Even the nearby elders and captains, who had been quietly listening, exchanged astonished glances.
"Just a few months, and he’s already that strong? The kid really is something else," Rasan said with a hearty laugh, lifting his mug in admiration before taking a drink. The other captains, including Elip, nodded in agreement, murmuring their approval as they joined Rasan in a toast. Seraline, mid-reach for another dish, froze at Magnus’s words, her gaze snapping to him. Like everyone else at the academy, she had long accepted that Magnus—or Cain, as he was known there—was a prodigy, an absolute monster of talent compared to his peers. But even then, most had assumed he came from some prestigious family or had been training in secret his entire life.
But if what he just said is true, and he’s only been learning magic for a few months... that’s not just talent. That’s something else entirely.
Noticing Seraline’s thoughtful gaze lingering on Magnus, Marilyn tilted her head curiously before extending her question.
"What about you, Seraline? How long have you been a knight?" Seraline blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. Calmly, she reached out with a spoon to feed Halen a bite of the salted, cheese-colored vegetable prepared for the banquet. Unlike most kids his age, Halen happily munched on the greens without hesitation.
"Children of the Sostenza family begin training as soon as we’re able to read. We’re taught about weapons and close-quarters combat strategies through both word and text from a young age. When a child shows the capacity to be a knight, their aura is unlocked at the age of ten, and their formal training begins." The explanation drew wide-eyed stares from Marilyn and Mary, both visibly impressed. Magnus, however, found himself even more taken aback. He had never asked Seraline directly about her age, but he guessed they were around the same, which made her training so young all the more impressive.
As the banquet carried on, Marilyn peppered both Magnus and Seraline with more questions, her curiosity seemingly endless. However, to Magnus’s surprise, Mary eventually chimed in with one of her own.
"Hey Magnus, you’re a noble, right? Does that mean you’re the heir to your family?" The question had a teasing edge, a smirk tugging at Mary’s lips as she waited for his response.
Magnus raised a brow, sensing the underlying mischief, but answered all the same.
"I suppose you could call me the heir, but the situation with my family is... complicated. It might be easier to ask Seraline. She is the heiress to her family." Mary turned to Seraline in surprise.
"Wait, what? I thought only men could be heirs to noble families." Seraline was mid-bite, so Magnus answered for her, his tone light but informative.
"The Sostenza family prioritizes ability over everything else. Seraline is the most skilled member of her family, so she was chosen as heir." Mary leaned on her hand, digesting this new information.
"Huh, is that right? So, does that mean you don’t have to go through some weird arranged marriage or anything?"
Seraline swallowed and answered smoothly.
"That’s correct. In most noble families, arranged marriages are only necessary for alliances or improving relations between houses. However, those circumstances are rare—most families worth allying with, or willing to settle old grudges, are few. Once the initial alliances are made, arranged marriages typically don’t occur for a few generations. If I do become the matriarch, I’ll eventually need to marry to produce an heir, but the decision of whom I marry will be mine." Her explanation piqued the interest of both sisters, as well as Magnus, who realized he hadn’t given much thought to marriage customs in this world.
"Interesting," Mary murmured, her expression contemplative. Then, as if struck by an idea, her eyes slid toward Magnus. She caught him as Marilyn refilled his cup. A mischievous smirk crept onto her face before she asked her next question.
"So, since you’re allowed to choose... who would you pick? Would it be Magnus?" The words left her mouth just as Magnus took a sip of wine. He immediately choked, coughing violently as he set his cup down and tried to catch his breath. Marilyn’s face turned crimson as she whipped her head toward her sister, her voice a mix of embarrassment and scolding.
"Mary! You can’t just ask something like that!" She exclaimed, quickly patting Magnus on the back to help him recover. The elders seated nearby, enjoying their quiet conversation, chuckled at the exchange.
"Ah, the boldness of youth," one remarked with a wistful smile.
"Better times, indeed," another agreed, shaking his head fondly.
Meanwhile, Mary laughed lightly, her tone utterly unapologetic as she addressed her sister.
"What? It was just a question. And why are you so worked up, huh? Unless... you're worried about her answer?" Marilyn’s face darkened further, her glare intensifying. Magnus, now composed, joined her in staring down Mary with an unamused look. Undeterred, Mary simply rolled her eyes and shrugged with a carefree smile.
"Fine, fine. No need to get all uppity. It was just a question," she said, leaning back with exaggerated nonchalance.
"Sorry about my sister, Seraline. She always asks overly sensitive questions-" Marilyn began, only to be interrupted as Seraline shook her head.
"It’s fine," Seraline replied calmly.
"It’s not a question I haven’t thought about before." Her nonchalant response was enough to make Marilyn, Mary, and Magnus all freeze, staring at her in stunned silence.
"Wait, what are you talking about?" Marilyn finally asked after a moment.
Seraline turned to Magnus, her tone as calm as ever.
"I mean, I’ve considered whether Magnus would be a suitable partner." Her words were so straightforward that it took a second for them to process. Magnus, Marilyn, and Mary blinked in unison, each trying to grasp what she had just said.
"A- Are you serious right now, Seraline?" Magnus asked, his voice hesitant.
"Of course," she said, taking a sip from her cup.
"I have no reason to lie. I’ve told you several times that I’m interested in you." Magnus leaned back slightly, his thoughts racing.
Either I’m misunderstanding something, or this is the strangest confession of my life. Not that I’ve ever had a proper confession before…
While Marilyn looked as baffled as Magnus felt, Mary seemed thoroughly entertained. A mischievous grin spread across her face as she leaned forward.
"Well, this just keeps getting better," Mary said with a grin.
"So, you’re saying you’d be willing to marry Magnus in the future? What about him caught your eye?" Seraline continued to eat calmly, pausing only to feed Halen another bite of food as she considered the question.
"I suppose my initial interest was sparked by his hair and appearance. I’d never seen anyone like him before, and after interacting with him a few times, I realized I found him appealing." Magnus could only stare as Seraline spoke, completely at a loss for words. She wasn’t wrong—she had mentioned her interest in him before, albeit casually. Whether he was Magnus or Cain, that never seemed to change. When Seraline had revealed she knew his true identity beneath the mask, she’d claimed she had figured it out long before this mission. Back then, he’d wondered why she had started paying attention to him in the first place.
Now, he guessed he finally had his answer.
"I see," Mary said, her smirk widening.
"Well, I guess I can understand that. He’s not really my type, but aside from the physical stuff, what else caught your interest?"
"Mary, stop it," Marilyn muttered, her tone low but pointed. However, Mary, clearly having too much fun, ignored her entirely. Seraline tilted her head slightly, still unfazed by the question.
"His strength and capabilities were the second thing to catch my notice. Magnus is the strongest student at our academy and the only person I can’t imagine defeating in the future. I would want someone like that by my side. And if we’re talking about his character, I admire his naivety toward the world. It’s refreshing. Not to mention, if a mage and a knight have a child, their chances of-" Magnus suddenly slammed his hand on the table, his laugh sharp and forced.
"Alright! Let’s cut things off there, shall we?" Before anyone could respond, he grabbed the nearest piece of food and shoved it into his mouth, not even bothering to see what it was.
"R- Right, I agree," Marilyn said quickly, chuckling nervously as she turned back to her plate.
"Very well," Seraline replied. As for Mary, she simply leaned back and laughed softly to herself. She had clearly gotten the entertainment she wanted out of the conversation.
The rest of the banquet passed in a bit of a blur for Magnus. He threw himself into eating and drinking, using the combination to drown out any lingering embarrassment and awkwardness. Anytime Mary tried to prod at the subject again, he immediately steered the conversation elsewhere. Unfortunately, that tactic may have backfired—he ended up drinking far more than intended, and by the end of the night, his memories of the evening had turned hazy.
The last thing he clearly remembered was the sensation of his head hitting something soft.