Ethan Orwin—a name that stood as a decree of absolute talent within the Empire.
He was the fifth son of the powerful Duke Orwin. Yet, what distinguished him above any of his siblings was his 'Mana Affinity'—the source of magic—which soared to the absolute zenith. It was said that this young man was the 'Son of Mana,' a prodigy born only once in a century.
With his status as a peerless entity, he was cherished and nurtured like the apple of the clan's eye. This was especially true for the great Duke Orwin, who placed his utmost importance and all his expectations solely upon him.
The path of a mage is divided into ten tiers. Yet, at the tender age of fifteen, Ethan had already ascended to the 3rd Circle. It was a progression speed so shocking that no one of his generation could hope to compare.
"He is the beacon of hope for our clan." "The Young Master possesses true talent!" "My brother is simply too incredible for words!"
Praise poured in from all directions—from relatives, servants, and even well-wishers of the family. These voices of adulation molded him into arrogance, instilling a firm belief that he was the strongest.
"No one my age can defeat me!" Ethan murmured to himself, his voice brimming with boundless confidence.
That evening, the atmosphere within the Orwin Manor seemed more solemn than usual. Servants worked with their heads bowed in silence, until the Head Butler approached to inform Ethan that the Duke, his father, had summoned him urgently.
Ethan pushed open the large oak door and entered his father's study with a relaxed demeanor, in stark contrast to Duke Orwin, who sat behind a massive desk with a grave expression, his thick brows knitted tightly together.
"Sit down, Ethan," the Duke said in a flat voice.
"Is there an urgent matter, Father? I was just practicing my mana control," Ethan asked, throwing himself onto the cushioned chair nonchalantly.
The Duke sighed deeply before placing a missive on the table. The golden wax seal stamped with an eagle was a symbol Ethan recognized instantly.
"The Kingdom of Veria... our neighbor is sending a delegation to visit in three days."
"And what does that have to do with me?"
"It has everything to do with you. Because the head of this delegation is Princess Alicia, the Second Princess of Veria." The Duke stared at his son with sharp eyes. "And she has explicitly stated her wish in this letter... she desires a magic duel with you."
The moment he heard it, Ethan let out a laugh. His laughter echoed through the silent study.
"A duel? With me?" Ethan smirked, the corner of his lips curling up as his eyes barely concealed his disdain. "A foreign princess who probably only has her looks, with some half-baked magic practiced just for show... Does she truly think she can defeat me? This is the funniest joke of the year, Father."
"Ethan!"
The Duke's thunderous shout made Ethan freeze. The smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by surprise, for it was rare for his father to raise his voice at him.
"Put away your arrogance this instant!" The Duke stood up, an aura of pressure radiating from his body. "Princess Alicia is not a flower in a greenhouse as you believe. Intelligence reports confirm she awakened her mana at the age of three and was personally trained by an Archmage of the White Tower."
The Duke walked around the desk to stand before his son, his large hand gripping Ethan's shoulder firmly.
"Talent is a good thing, Ethan... but carelessness is the path to defeat. Do not underestimate her simply because she is a woman or a foreigner. If you lose this duel, it will not be just you who loses face, but it will mean the dignity of the entire House of Orwin!"
Ethan lowered his head slightly to avoid his father's gaze, accepting the words softly. "Yes, Father... I will not be careless."
However, deep inside, the fire in his eyes still blazed with conceit.
Talented enough to come from the White Tower? Good... this is getting a little interesting. Let's see who the real deal is.