As always, the winter celebration at the royal palace was about to begin.

Ipoli’s palace, heavily damaged by fire during the "Fiend attack" seven or eight years ago, had finally been fully restored after all this time.

Shel had contributed significantly to the repairs.

Using magic, he conjured cheap timber, reinforced the palace’s outer walls, expanded the first-floor hall, and redesigned its layout.

Now, the banquet and main halls could accommodate more guests for feasts, drinking, and dancing.

The winter celebration no longer needed to be held outdoors in the howling cold.

It was a blessing in disguise.

Guests began arriving in the afternoon, filling the palace banquet hall. By evening, the spacious hall was packed.

There were priests and village officials from across the region, lords and nobles with their lawful wives. Most attendees, however, were the astonishingly numerous offspring of Ipoli’s aging king.

The crowd filled every inch of space, making it impossible for servers to weave through with trays of drinks.

They rubbed their hands together excitedly, discussing this year’s harvest, next year’s plans, land deals, and rising rents, while anticipating the evening’s feast.

The old king, now around 110, frail with age despite longevity elixirs, took his throne after the banquet began. Supported by several wives, he shifted his heavy, aged body with difficulty, raised a trembling hand, and delivered perfunctory New Year greetings.

The crowd fell silent, then cheered and applauded when he finished.

Hired flutists and violinists struck up lively Ipoli folk tunes, officially opening the feast.

A massive pie, studded with dried fruits, was wheeled in on a cart and placed at the hall’s center.

The king’s eldest sons drew long knives, sliced the pie amid cheers, and portioned it onto silver-rimmed plates. They served it first to the highest-ranking guests.

This honey-and-fruit-filled pie, stuffed with fresh beef and mutton, was a banquet specialty of the Great Darksend Region.

Ipoli was not wealthy—barely the size of one or two counties. Its soil was poor, and meat and honey were scarce. Only grand feasts warranted such extravagance.

Naturally, only honored guests received the first slices.

As Ipoli’s most helpful and well-regarded Mage, Shel received the very first piece.

He accepted the plate from the princes with a brief thanks, then took only a token bite.

He disliked crowded, noisy gatherings. He attended this winter celebration solely for Hilna—he planned to publicly reveal her Mage identity before the nobles today, building her reputation.

He could transfer some of his hard-earned goodwill to this girl.

In the future, he would travel with her across Ipoli, letting her use her magical talent to aid locals, gathering grassroots experience and respect.

If she truly became empress someday, this would serve her well.

Even if she didn’t, becoming a renowned, respected female Mage would be no small achievement.

Leaving his fork stuck in the pie, Shel handed the plate to Lofna beside him. He scanned the crowd. "Where’s your sister?"

"She’s with Father." Lofna took the plate and pointed. "Over there."

Lofna had accompanied Shel to the banquet.

Without formal wear of her own, she wore a blue-and-gold gown once belonging to Hilna, her hair styled by Teacher Charles.

She looked dignified—almost princely.

"Good. Wait here. I’ll handle Hilna’s matter and return."

"Mm."

She nodded, holding the silver plate with the pie, silent.

Hilna stood beside her father, Prince Noren, exchanging stiff pleasantries with a blank expression.

Her coldness stemmed from her mother’s presence nearby.

The awkward woman, showing her age, wore a simple black gown. She stood to the side, trying to chat about daily life, but received only monosyllabic replies: "I’m fine." "Don’t worry."

Years had passed. Hilna’s childhood fear of her mother had faded, replaced by distance and resentment.

Though her mother sought reconciliation, Hilna had been raised by Shel. She rarely stayed at the palace, and their bond had thinned.

Now, seeing her mother still stubbornly pushing to mold her into a "proper noblewoman," Hilna had her own resolve.

She still believed this controlling woman had nearly broken her spirit during childhood.

Her silence spoke volumes.

Only Prince Noren’s efforts kept mother and daughter from complete estrangement.

Hilna frowned slightly, brushing off her mother’s questions and her father’s reminders, her mind fixed on Teacher Charles’s instructions.

Only when Shel squeezed through the crowd to her side did she finally relax, a look of relief brightening her face.

"Excuse me, Mother, Father. Teacher Charles needs me. I must go."

Without waiting for a reply, she turned to Shel.

Prince Noren could only shake his head helplessly, urging his disappointed wife to stay quiet.

Just as the last slice of pie left the cart and the old king prepared to speak again, Shel took Hilna’s hand and stepped to the hall’s center. He signaled his request to address the gathering.

Granted permission, he snapped his fingers sharply.

The crisp sound cut through the chatter. Everyone fell silent, stepping back to form a wide circle around him.

Even the musicians stopped playing, turning their full attention to him.

They knew Shel had something important to say.

He bowed twice to the guests, cleared his throat lightly, and began:

"As a wanderer guided by the supreme Eternal Father, I’ve lived in Ipoli for six or seven years. Your kindness has given me peace and purpose."

"Nonsense, Master Shel!" a priest called out. "We’re the ones indebted to you! Who here hasn’t sought your help?"

Murmurs of agreement rose—Shel’s goodwill was legendary in Ipoli.

"Yes, I’ve done what I could," Shel replied with a polite smile, nodding to the priest. "But I’ve carried one regret since arriving: the magic I learned while wandering had no worthy student to pass it to. Though merely a humble Mage myself, I often wished to find a child blessed with talent..."

"Mercifully, the Heavenly Father heard my prayer—and answered beyond my hopes."

He turned to Hilna, lifting her hand high. "Hilna—this diligent girl who’s managed my affairs for years—I only recently discovered she is that gift! Chosen by the Father! She possesses the greatest magical talent I’ve ever seen!"

Amid the expected gasps, Hilna stepped forward as rehearsed. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and began chanting.

Her whisper carried like a midnight breeze through the hall.

A palpable aura of power radiated from her. Then, before everyone’s astonished eyes, she raised her hand and summoned a thousand golden threads shimmering with light. They wove, tangled, and coalesced in midair—

Instantly forming the Ipoli family crest and the sacred emblem of the Eternal Church.

The two colossal, glowing sigils hung high above the hall, blazing brilliantly.

Unlike crests on silk, cloth, or scrolls, these magic-woven symbols blazed with celestial artistry. Their patterns flowed like rivers of stardust, dazzling all who gazed upon them.

The clergy of Ipoli’s church were especially awestruck. Even the priest recalled miracles witnessed during his Divine Academy days. Unbidden, they clasped their hands, murmuring prayers praising the Heavenly Father.

Hilna’s display was perfect.

It was Shel’s idea: have her manipulate light to craft elaborate family crests and holy emblems—complexity amplified impact.

Commoners couldn’t judge raw magical talent, but everyone recognized ruling family crests and instinctively revered religious symbols. Perfect for showmanship.

Hilna excelled at precise elemental control. She could command particles with surgical stability—ideal for light shows and fireworks displays.

Hearing the continuous gasps, Shel sensed the moment was ripe.

He raised his voice: "Behold, people of Ipoli! Hilna is the gift the Heavenly Father bestowed upon our kingdom! Her piety, purity, and wisdom let her master such profound magic in mere days—it fills me with joy..."

"I will be honored to serve as her mentor, teaching her all I know..."

"When Ipoli’s people call for aid, we will answer together, offering every help we can..."

"This is my pledge to you all..."

"Now—raise your glasses to the future Master Mage: Hilna!"

The speech was slightly awkward but effective.

Every eye now held admiration for Hilna.

Glasses lifted unanimously. Toasts rang out for "Hilna von Ipoli," showering her with praise.

Prince Noren watched his daughter, the center of attention, basking in the cheers. Pride warmed him.

Though Shel had briefed him, witnessing Hilna’s magic firsthand still stunned him.

If he felt this, what of others?

Even the half-paralyzed old king, swaying happily at his granddaughter’s dazzling display, decided she truly was the Father’s blessing to their bloodline.

Thanks to Shel’s surprise, this winter feast became the liveliest in memory.

...

Revelers drank and sang deep into the night. As the evening’s star, Hilna received the most attention.

Local lords, priests, and noblewomen of standing queued to greet her, seeking connections.

Shel saw this as a chance for Hilna to learn social graces. He faded discreetly to the hall’s edge, watching silently as she navigated the complex interactions with poise.

Finally free, he wiped the sweat from his brow and leaned against the wall, sighing in relief.

He’d worried endlessly to make tonight shine for his student.

But Hilna proved brilliant—handling every guest with perfect grace.

For a girl barely in her teens, she was flawless.

He could rest easy now.

"Teacher Charles..."

Just as he let out a sigh of relief, Lofna timidly approached his side.

From the banquet’s start, she’d kept an eye on her teacher’s location.

Only after Shel left Hilna did she seize a chance to come closer.

"Oh, Lofna, what is it?"

"Teacher, your pie." The girl handed over the pie she’d held for hours. "It went cold, so I had the chef reheat it. Eat it now."

Shel paused briefly, then turned to the girl beside him.

Lofna stared intently at him, her beautiful red eyes wide open.

Shel: "I gave you that pie to eat. I remember you love baked goods with meat and dried fruits most."

"Thank you, Teacher, but I’ve grown up. I’m not hungry." Lofna shook her head. "I can’t cling to you for treats like a child anymore."

"You’ve grown too... Thanks."

After a whole night of hustling, he was genuinely hungry. He took the plate, ignored etiquette, and squatted by the wall to eat.

Lofna stood beside Shel, thought for a moment, then squatted down with him.

After much hesitation, she asked:

"Teacher Charles, why did you lie?"

"Me, lie?" Shel swallowed his food. "When did I lie?"

"Just now." Lofna pointed gloomily toward Hilna’s spot. The dazzling girl stood in the crowd, basking in compliments and attention.

"Teacher, Hilna’s magic talent didn’t awaken recently. It was when she was six or seven... We all know that. You made us promise secrecy back then. Why lie to everyone today? Calling her a gift from the Heavenly Father to Ipoli? That’s wrong, isn’t it?"

"Uh..."

Faced with such blunt honesty, Shel didn’t know how to reply.

After all, he’d always taught Hilna and Lofna that "honesty and keeping promises make a good child."

Today’s self-contradiction was truly improper.

He set down his plate, deciding truth was better.

"Sorry, Lofna. The real world isn’t ideal... Sometimes, for personal gain, people can’t help lying. I’m no different."

"I’m not selfless. If I told everyone the truth—that seven years ago, the Fiend who killed hundreds in the city was Hilna—how would they see her?"

"But if Hilna lived as an ordinary person forever, using her magic only to make my drinks or do chores, never learning real spells... her talent would be wasted. I won’t betray her like that."

"I want her to use her gift well, build a career with magic, and earn everyone’s acceptance and love... I saw no other way but to lie."

"Sorry, Lofna. I failed to live by my own teachings."

Lofna pondered: "...I think I understand, Teacher. You did it for Hilna’s future. I believe it was right."

They fell silent for a while.

Lofna had wanted to ask if Teacher Charles would ever lie for her sake too, like today.

But she never voiced it.