Alexander Arian gasped in shock at his son’s words. His brows furrowed, and he took a step forward, towering over Ehan as if trying to intimidate him.

  "What?! What nonsense are you talking about?!"

  But Ehan didn’t flinch. He didn’t move an inch. His eyes remained locked onto his father’s, unwavering and resolute. Then, slowly, he lowered his head slightly and continued—

  "It’s just as I said, Dad. I don’t want to become a mage. I want to become a swordsman. I want to fight with a sword."

  For a moment, silence filled the air.

  Alexander composed himself, exhaling sharply as he studied his son. He had expected childish whims or hesitation, but what he saw instead was determination.

  The eyes Ehan looked at him with… They were different.

  Alexander sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

  "Look, son, if you really like swords, then you can become a comb—"

  Before he could finish, Ehan interrupted—

  "No. I don’t want to become a Combat Mage." His voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt.

  "What I want to become is a real swordsman."

  Alexander's expression darkened.

  "But our family has always been mages." His voice was measured but heavy. "We are the most powerful mages in the world. Just look at your cousins. They are among the strongest warriors alive—within the top ten in the Continent. And I Alexander Arian, your father, is the world's strongest mage right now."

  His piercing gaze bore into Ehan, as if trying to make him understand the weight of his words.

  But Ehan didn’t back down. He had already made his decision.

  "I still want to become a swordsman," Ehan repeated, his voice unwavering.

  Alexander let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing his temples. "Ugh… How do I explain this to you…"

  Ehan took a deep breath. "Dad, it's not like our family has always been made up of mages. There were swordsmen too. Like our ancestor—the Great Lord Devin Arian."

  Alexander exhaled sharply, thinking that Ehan must have read about their family's past in history books.

  Of course, that’s where he got this idea from.

  But what Alexander didn’t know was that his son Ehan, was Devin Arian himself—reborn a hundred years into the future.

  "Yes, son," Alexander admitted. "Our ancestors were swordsmen. But that was long ago—a century ago. That era was different from now, and—"

  Before he could finish, a voice echoed from the staircase.

  "Dear, why don’t you let him choose what he wants to do?"

  Both father and son turned to see Lydia standing there, watching them with a calm yet firm expression.

  She descended the stairs gracefully, coming to stand beside Ehan.

  "Alex," she said gently but decisively. "If our son wants to be a swordsman, then he will become one."

  Alexander sighed, rubbing his forehead in frustration. He attempted to reason with Lydia, but she didn’t let him get a word in.

  I smirked, knowing the ball was now in my court. Even after a hundred years, some things never change.

  A man can’t win a debate against a woman—especially if she’s his wife.

  In the end, Alexander let out a deep breath and shook his head. "Fine. Our son… will become a swordsman."

  Lydia smiled warmly and knelt before Ehan, placing her hands gently on his shoulders. "Ehan, are you happy now? But remember, you'll have to work hard to achieve your goal."

  Ehan nodded, a genuine smile forming on his lips. "Thanks, Mom. I'm happy… And yes, I will work hard for my goals."

  For a moment, his mind drifted to the past—to another life, another mother. Memories of his previous mother flashed through his mind—

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  the woman who had raised him, cared for him, and loved him despite his origins.

  Because in the past…

  Devin had not been a true member of the Arian family. He had been an orphan—an outsider—adopted by the Arian family's head only because they had no heir.

  Approximately 120 years ago, when the Arian family was just another noble house ruling over a small kingdom, they were surrounded by other minor kingdoms governed by rival noble families.

  It was a stormy night, rain pouring relentlessly over the land. At that time, Erik Arian was the head of the Arian family—a well-respected figure in his domain. His wife, Freya Arian, a black-haired, fair-skinned woman in her mid - 30's, had been married to him for years, yet she had been unable to bear a child.

  That night, amidst the howling winds and rumbling thunder, the distant sound of a baby crying echoed through the estate’s backyard. Beyond the garden’s fence lay a dense forest, and the wailing seemed to be coming from within its depths.

  Concerned, Freya and a few servants ventured into the jungle, following the heart-wrenching cries. As they moved closer, the sound became clearer. And then, beneath the shelter of a towering tree, they found—a small child, barely a year old, wrapped in damp cloth, shivering and crying in the relentless downpour.

  But that wasn’t all. A short distance from the child, two lifeless bodies lay sprawled against a large stone. A couple, likely travelers. Their faces were mangled beyond recognition, crushed against the rock.

  The servants assessed the scene and concluded that the couple had likely been journeying through the forest when they slipped in the rain and met their tragic end, leaving their child behind.

  Freya’s heart ached as she gazed at the helpless baby. Without hesitation, she scooped him up and cradled him close to her chest. Without caring about his origins, she brought the child back to the Arian estate.

  When she presented the child to Erik, he was momentarily taken aback but soon softened at the sight of the boy in Freya’s arms. Though the child was not of their blood, Erik saw the hope and longing in his wife's eyes.

  “I want to adopt this child,” Freya declared, holding him tightly.

  Erik, knowing how much she had longed for a child, had no objections. Stepping forward, he embraced both Freya and the baby, his warmth shielding them from the cold of the storm. He then asked, "Have you thought of a name for him?"

  Freya looked down at the boy, her eyes filled with a newfound purpose. "Yes, I've thought one... Devin... Devin Arian."

  And so, Devin Arian became a part of the Arian family.

  And now, in the present—

  Alexander said to Ehan, “Since you’re so determined, you must already know how hard swordsmen train to polish their skills and techniques. How disciplined they are…”

  'I know that better than you...Dad...'

  Ehan looked up at his father and replied, “Yes, Dad, I know. And I understand that I have to become stronger if I want to be a swordsman.”

  Alexander sighed upon hearing these words.

  But now, listening to him, Alexander realized there was something deeper. His words weren’t just those of an excited child—they were filled with determination.

  As Alexander was about to say something, Ehan added,

  "And I promise that I won’t tarnish the Arian family’s name on my path as a swordsman."

  Alexander smiled—a genuine, proud smile. At that moment, Alexander, Ehan seemed far more mature than his age.

  He had initially assumed that Ehan’s interest in swordsmanship stemmed from reading about flashy moves and techniques in books.

  Alexander said to him, "I believe you, Ehan."

  Lydia hugged him tightly and added, "I believe in you too, Ehan."

  Just as they were having a heartfelt family moment, Ehan suddenly spoke again–

  "Oh yeah, Dad, I also have another request. The thing is, my body is weak, and I need proper training. So, I was thinking… if I could train myself for a few years in Selucion."

  The warmth of the moment instantly shattered as both Lydia and Alexander widened their eyes in shock.

  "What?!" they exclaimed in unison.

  'Looks like I said it at the wrong time.' Ehan thought.

  "A-A training in Selucion? Away from all of us?" Lydia stammered, her voice filled with concern. "But why is there a need for this, Ehan? Yo—"

  "Ehan," Alexander interrupted, his tone firm yet composed. He took a deep breath before continuing, "I suppose I've been underestimating you... and your dedication. If this is truly what you want, then I have no objections."

  'Yes, Alexander. I knew only a man can truly understand another man best,' Ehan thought to himself with satisfaction.

  "But," Alexander added, his voice turning serious, "for your security and well-being, we must assign a bodyguard to accompany you during your training period. After all, you are the future King of this land. If you agree to that, then onl—"

  "I agree," Ehan interrupted without hesitation. "I have no problem with a bodyguard being with me."

  "Very well..." Alexander said, nodding in approval.

  Lydia, who had been holding Ehan in a warm embrace, slowly rose to her feet again.

  Her voice, filled with concern, carried a slight tremor as she spoke. "If this is what you believe is necessary to achieve your goal, then I won’t stop you, Ehan."

  She took a step back, standing beside Alexander.

  'Oh, don't get emotional now, Mom,' Ehan thought to himself, a small smile tugging at his lips.

  Alexander raised his hand, casting a brief glow of magic into the air. Moments later, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the hall.

  Soon, a figure appeared—a maid.

  Her glowing skin radiated under the light, and her golden bangs partially covered her forehead, with a small split in between.

  A neatly tied ponytail rested behind her head. She wore an elegant maid uniform—a black, long-sleeved top, a smooth skirt that reached just below her knees, and black stockings held up by a garter belt.

  'Wait… she's my bodyguard? But… she's pretty.'

  Alexander turned to the maid, speaking to her briefly before shifting his attention back to Ehan.

  "Ehan, this is Rose. She is one of our maids here."

  Rose smiled warmly, her eyes meeting his as she bowed slightly in greeting.

  "She will be your bodyguard. She is a highly skilled mage with immense power. She will protect you and look after you during your training."

  Ehan nodded slowly, unsure if to believe his father's words. But he finally said. "Okay, Dad."

  [Alex and Lydia, his cousins and other relatives] are not from the real Arian family.

  You're right. If you're thinking that way.