The study fell silent.
Ivan sat in his chair, completely stunned.
Just moments ago, his father had said something that shattered everything he had believed since childhood.
Your mother did not die from childbirth.
She died because she possessed wizard aptitude.
For a long moment, Ivan did not speak.
His face showed only shock.
Inside his mind, however, countless questions erupted like a storm.
Wizard aptitude?
Can wizard aptitude actually kill someone?
If that's true… then what exactly are wizards?
His thoughts spiraled endlessly.
Baron Joseph Thornheart watched his son quietly.
He did not interrupt.
He allowed Ivan time to process the truth.
After a moment, the Baron spoke again.
"Ivan."
"Do you know why the Thornheart Barony is stronger than many other baronies?"
Ivan slowly raised his head.
He still did not speak.
But the question had clearly caught his attention.
Baron Joseph continued calmly.
"This secret began with the founder of our family."
"When the first Thornheart established this barony, he was not particularly powerful. At that time, our family was just another minor noble house struggling to survive."
"But during his early years, he discovered something most minor nobles never learn."
The Baron leaned back slightly in his chair.
"He learned about wizards."
Ivan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Baron Joseph continued.
"After exchanging certain favors with several influential nobles, the founder discovered the existence of wizard aptitude tests and the true meaning of a wizard."
"That knowledge changed the destiny of our family."
The Baron stood up slowly.
He walked toward a tall bookshelf that stood against the wall.
Rows of thick books filled it from top to bottom.
Without hesitation, he reached out and pulled a particular book.
Click.
Click.
A faint mechanical sound echoed.
Hidden gears rotated somewhere behind the wall.
A small panel slowly opened on the side of the bookshelf.
Inside the hidden compartment rested a strange object.
Baron Joseph reached in and removed it.
It was a compass.
But unlike ordinary compasses, this one was made from a combination of dark wood and a dull silver metal that Ivan could not identify.
The surface of the device was engraved with intricate symbols.
The Baron returned to the desk and placed the compass in front of Ivan.
Then he continued speaking.
"After learning about wizards, the founder of the Thornheart family made a decision."
"In every generation, any descendant who possessed wizard aptitude would be sent away to pursue the path of wizard cultivation."
"They traveled across the sea… to the Wizard Continent."
Ivan's pupils shrank slightly.
Wizard Continent.
This was the first time he had heard that name.
Baron Joseph continued.
"After reaching the Wizard Continent, those descendants occasionally sent resources back to the family."
"Many of the medicines circulating among noble families today are actually simplified versions of wizard potions."
"They were originally created by wizards."
Ivan was slightly surprised.
So the potions used by knights had wizard origins.
The Baron's voice became heavier.
"Thanks to that connection, the Thornheart family grew stronger with each generation."
"But…"
His expression darkened slightly.
"In your grandfather's generation, no one possessed wizard aptitude."
"In my generation… the same thing happened."
Ivan frowned slightly.
Baron Joseph sighed.
"For two generations, we had no wizard descendants."
"And over time, our contact with those who had been sent to the Wizard Continent was completely lost."
"We do not even know if they are still alive."
Without the support of wizard descendants, the Thornheart family slowly began to decline.
Ivan finally understood.
The secret behind the strength of many noble families…
Was the support of wizards.
Baron Joseph tapped the compass lightly.
"This device is called a Mental Compass."
"It cannot directly determine whether someone has wizard aptitude."
"But it can detect mental energy."
"If a person possesses sufficient mental energy… they may have the potential to become a wizard."
Ivan looked at the compass carefully.
Then the Baron's expression suddenly softened.
His gaze drifted slightly, as if remembering something from long ago.
"Nearly eighteen years ago," he said slowly, "I traveled to Greyhorn City near the eastern coast for business."
"That was where I met your mother."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"She was beautiful."
"Graceful."
"And very gentle."
"For the first time in my life… I fell in love at first sight."
Ivan remained silent.
He had very few memories of his mother.
But hearing his father speak like this made the image in his mind clearer.
Baron Joseph continued quietly.
"I brought her back to Thornheart Castle."
"But her health was always poor."
"She was weak… sickly."
"At the time, I did not understand why."
His eyes moved toward the compass.
"One day, I happened to bring this device out."
"And something unexpected happened."
"The compass reacted."
Ivan's gaze sharpened.
Baron Joseph nodded slowly.
"It pointed directly toward your mother."
"That was when I realized the truth."
"Your mother possessed wizard aptitude."
"But she had never learned the methods of a wizard."
Ivan immediately understood the implication.
Baron Joseph continued.
"People with wizard aptitude subconsciously absorb the free-floating particles that exist throughout the world."
"These particles are the foundation of wizard power."
"But without a wizard's method to guide them…"
"They become poison for ordinary people."
"They slowly damage the body from the inside."
Ivan's expression darkened.
"So… Mother was being poisoned by magic?"
The Baron nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"By the time I realized the truth… it was already too late."
"Without a wizard… there was no way to save her."
The room fell silent again.
After a moment, Baron Joseph continued.
"After you were born, her condition worsened."
"And eventually…"
He paused briefly.
"…she passed away."
A trace of sadness appeared on his face.
But it quickly faded.
The Baron looked directly at Ivan.
"When you were born, I tested you with this compass."
Ivan's eyes flickered slightly.
"You had mental energy."
"But it was very weak."
"At that time, it was far below the level required for wizard cultivation."
"So I made a decision."
"I would let you live as an ordinary noble heir."
"A peaceful life."
"But when you were six years old… something changed."
"You showed exceptional talent for knight training."
"So I began preparing you for the knight path."
The Baron placed his hand on the compass.
He slowly turned it toward Ivan.
At that moment—
Nova's voice suddenly sounded inside Ivan's mind.
"Detection alert."
"A scanning ray has been detected. It is currently scanning Master's body."
Ivan's expression remained calm, but his mind focused instantly.
"Analysis complete," Nova continued.
"The scanning ray originates from the object in front of you — the Mental Compass."
"Approximate detection range: five meters."
"No harmful effects detected. The scan is purely observational."
Ivan's eyes flickered slightly.
So this was how the device measured mental energy.
A moment later—
A soft glow appeared on the surface of the compass.
Then the glow became brighter.
A clear white light slowly spread from the device.
The Baron looked at the compass calmly.
Then he smiled faintly.
"It seems that after breaking through to Lower Knight…"
"Your mental energy has increased."
Ivan stared at the glowing compass.
Baron Joseph continued.
"Your mental energy has now reached the threshold."
"You have the potential to become a wizard."
Ivan's heart began beating faster.
The room became quiet.
After a moment, the Baron asked the most important question.
"Ivan."
"Do you truly wish to walk the path of a wizard?"
Ivan did not hesitate.
He met his father's gaze firmly.
"Yes."
"I want to become a wizard."
Baron Joseph studied him carefully.
"The wizard path is extremely difficult."
"According to the letters our ancestors once sent back, wizard cultivation consumes enormous resources."
"Many fail before reaching even the first step."
"You will face hardship."
Ivan answered calmly.
"I am not afraid."
"I want to see the wider world."
A faint smile appeared on the Baron's face.
"Very well."
He leaned back slightly.
"The ships from the Wizard Continent arrive at Valen Continent once every five years."
"It has been four years and ten months since the last arrival."
"There are only two months left before the next one."
Ivan's eyes brightened slightly.
Baron Joseph continued.
"We must travel to Blackwater Harbor."
"That is where the wizard envoys conduct their aptitude tests."
"The journey will take nearly a month and a half."
"So we must depart early."
Ivan nodded slowly.
Then the Baron spoke again.
"Ivan."
"Families like ours cannot provide much support on the wizard path."
"But I will help you as much as I can."
"The rest… will depend on you."
Ivan stood up.
He bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Father."
Baron Joseph waved his hand slightly.
"You may go."
"Settle your affairs in the castle."
"We will leave for Blackwater Harbor within the next few days."
Ivan nodded again.
Then he turned and left the study.
The door closed softly behind him.
Baron Joseph remained seated for a long moment.
His gaze drifted toward the window.
Outside, the evening sky had already begun to darken.
He sighed quietly.
"Rosalind…"
"Our son… may finally have the chance to walk the path you were never able to."
A faint, bittersweet smile appeared on his face.
"Watch over him."
The study slowly fell silent once more.