Dinner lasted a little over half an hour. By the end Winnie's family sagged in their chairs, stomachs round, faces a touch green.

Luo Wei had the maids bring several cups of honey water to help digestion.

"Have some honey water—it'll cut the heaviness," she said with a smile.

Mr. and Mrs. Charlie lifted their cups awkwardly. Darm had already gulped his down.

Seeing how overstuffed they were, Luo Wei suggested, "It's stuffy indoors. Why don't we walk in the garden?"

"Good, good—walk, walk," Winnie's father agreed at once. If he didn't move, what was in his stomach would climb right back up.

As summer neared the days ran longer; the sun had just set and the garden was not yet dark.

They strolled and talked.

Winnie was unusually quiet. Her parents kept their heads lowered, timid. Luo Wei carried most of the conversation.

"Your rooms are already prepared by the housekeeper—over there," she said, pointing to the east wing.

"Tonight Winnie and I both have to return to the Magic Academy, but don't worry. If you need anything, just tell one of the maids."

At the words "Magic Academy," Winnie's parents finally lifted their eyes, round with shock. "Winnie—Winnie really studies at the Magic Academy?"

"Of course," Luo Wei replied, feigning surprise. "You didn't know? Winnie is excellent—she ranked second in last term's final exams."

"R-really?"

Excitement and doubt mixed in their faces as they turned to her. "Child, why didn't you tell us?"

Winnie said sadly, "I did. You never believe me. You never listen."

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"We didn't know, we… how would we know?" her father babbled, clapping his hands twice, then spreading them. "Then you—you can do that… that magic too?"

"I…" Winnie faltered. "I'm at the Magic Academy, but…"

"But Winnie is still only a magic apprentice," Luo Wei cut in lightly. "Once she graduates she can become a respected Mage."

"A Mage—what does a Mage do?"

"Can Mages earn a lot of money?" they pressed.

"A Mage does more than earn money," Luo Wei said patiently. "If a commoner becomes a Mage, she can join the Magic Association, shed commoner status, and be elevated to nobility."

"Mages also have the duty to protect humans from Magic Beasts and dark creatures—a profession honored across nations."

Winnie's parents were stunned. A commoner—raised to nobility?

If Winnie became a Mage, she'd be a noble?

"Is that true?" her father still doubted. "Is magic even real? Can Winnie really become a Mage?"

Luo Wei chuckled softly. "What will make you believe?"

She turned and drew a magic wand from her sleeve.

"Perhaps a little demonstration?"

Winnie's parents recoiled, retreating fast, but Winnie caught them. They stood trembling, shaking their heads. "Don't dare… don't dare…"

"No need to be afraid. Mages don't cast on innocent commoners." Meeting Winnie's bright eyes, Luo Wei's lips curved; she lowered her voice and chanted.

The wand tip bloomed with blue light. A basketball‑sized sphere of water coalesced in midair, its clear surface refracting a faint azure glow, then wind magic swept it upward, shaping it into a dancing water dragon.

The delicate‑featured girl lifted her wand and spoke another spellchant. The dragon dissolved into a myriad tiny droplets that spilled over the lawn like a nourishing spring shower.

Winnie's parents and brother gaped. A cool mist brushed their faces; they forgot to blink.

Luo Wei angled the wand toward a stone lantern by the flowerbed. A thread of flame flew straight into the oil cup, kindling it and pushing back the thickening dusk.

Next came several bursts of lightning that unfurled like fireworks—violet arcs, meteor‑like, diving into the wall lamps around the garden. The gathered glow made the droplets on every blade of grass shimmer with a dreamlike sheen.

"Winnie—your sword?" Luo Wei's clear voice rang out.

"Here!"

Winnie drew her double‑edged short sword; the white blade flashed.

"Runes inscribed?"

Winnie nodded. "It has a Wind Rune and an Acceleration Rune."

"Not enough."

Luo Wei extended a slender index finger and traced patterns through the air, re‑inscribing the weapon.

A Sharpness Rune, a Weight‑Reduction Rune, a Cleansing Rune, a Lightning Rune—each settled onto the blade like a silver frost blossom.

Winnie's eyes flew wide. Miss Luo Wei—she could inscribe so many Magic Runes at once, and from that far away!

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