I AM A MAGE BUT WITH MILF SYSTEM

Chapter 820: Changed followed by time

“Young Lord Kraven,” the Count said warmly. “It has been far too long. I trust you have been well?”

Julian bowed his head slightly, maintaining Kraven’s persona while his mind worked rapidly. “Well enough, Count Azmed. I apologize for my earlier surprise. The years have… blurred some memories, I’m afraid.”

The Countess offered a polite smile, though her eyes held a hint of calculation as she observed him.

“We are delighted to be here. The journey from the county was smoother than expected.”

Lady Elara remained slightly behind her parents, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. When Julian’s gaze returned to her, she lifted her eyes again for a fleeting second before looking down once more. That expression of self-doubt tugged at something in him. She looked like someone carrying a heavy burden… perhaps the weight of a long-arranged betrothal to a man with Kraven’s notorious reputation.

Vanessa, ever the social bridge, stepped forward with enthusiasm. “Elara! Come, you must greet my brother properly. He has been looking forward to seeing you again.”

Elara hesitated for the briefest moment before stepping closer. She curtsied gracefully.

“Lord Kraven,” she said softly, her voice gentle and melodic. “It is good to see you again. I… I hope you have been keeping well.”

Julian studied her closely. She was beautiful in a delicate, almost fragile way — the kind of beauty that made men want to protect her.

“I have,” he replied, offering her a small, reassuring smile. “And you look radiant, Lady Elara. The capital must have treated you kindly.”

A faint blush colored her cheeks. She murmured a quiet thank you and her gaze dropped once more to the floor. The nervousness was still there, lingering like a shadow. Julian wondered what stories she had heard about Kraven and how those tales had shaped her expectations of this reunion.

Meanwhile, the parents were already socializing among themselves. The Duke and the Count exchanged formal greetings, though their conversation carried a noticeable awkwardness, as if both men were carefully measuring their words.

In contrast, Olivia and the Countess were surprisingly more friendly. They smiled warmly at each other, exchanging compliments about each other’s appearance and inquiring about family matters with genuine interest.

After a few moments, the Duke stepped forward and gestured toward the prepared receiving hall.

“Come, let us not stand in the corridor. Refreshments have been prepared. We have much to discuss after such a long separation.”

The Count nodded graciously, and the group began to move. Julian fell into step behind them, his eyes roaming between the gathered guests with interest.

**

Soon, the grand reception hall came into view. A large dining table had been arranged with meticulous care, and the scent of delicious foods wafted from every corner: freshly baked breads, roasted meats, seasonal fruits, and fragrant herbal teas. The atmosphere was elegant yet warm, designed to put guests at ease.

They quickly took their seats: the Duke and Duchess at the head of the table, the Count’s family occupying the left side, and Kraven and Vanessa on the right. The maids began serving the dishes promptly, filling plates with generous portions. For a while, breakfast continued in surprising silence. It was as if everyone present was nervous about where to begin. The weight of old alliances, political expectations, and unspoken histories hung heavily in the air.

While all of them were navigating their own mental battles, Julian broke the silence.

“How is the Azmed County doing, Count?” he asked, his tone calm and genuinely curious.

The question took everyone by surprise. The last person they had expected to start the conversation was Kraven. His words caught the Count momentarily off-guard and the Count coughed lightly into his fist before replying.

“It is doing well, Young Lord,” he said, regaining his composure. “Trade with the southern marquisates has been prosperous. The citizens are content, and magical developments are progressing steadily. We have made several advancements in defensive formations over the past year.”

He glanced once at the Countess, who wore the same confused and slightly wary expression as everyone else, before turning back to Julian.

“And what about you, Kraven?” the Count continued, emphasizing the word changed a bit heavily. “We have heard that you have… changed.”

The atmosphere immediately darkened. The Duke and Duchess stiffened in their seats. Vanessa’s hands fidgeted nervously under the table. Even Lady Elara, who had been quietly picking at her food, lifted her gaze with visible tension. Everyone’s eyes turned toward Kraven, waiting to see how he would handle this subtle challenge.

But Julian simply smiled in response.

“It might seem that way, Count,” he said, his voice calm, almost disarmingly so. A faint smile touched his lips, but it did not quite reach his eyes. “Time has a way of forcing change upon us. Whether we welcome it or resist it… it comes all the same.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing.

“I was not blind to my own faults,” he added, more quietly now. “There are choices I made… that I would not choose again, given the chance. Age does not grant wisdom freely, but it does leave behind… consequences one cannot ignore.”

His gaze held steady on the Count.

“So yes, I have changed.” A slight tilt of his head followed. “And now, I intend to walk a different path. One I should have chosen long ago.”

His words were delivered with perfect sincerity, carrying just the right balance of humility and confidence. The table fell into a brief, stunned silence at that. The Count blinked, clearly not expecting such a measured and mature response from the once-notorious Kraven. The Countess raised an elegant eyebrow, studying Julian with renewed interest. Even Olivia, who had been avoiding his gaze, glanced at him with a flicker of surprise.

Vanessa was the first to recover, her face lighting up with relief.

“Brother has been working very hard since his return,” she added supportively. “He even pushed Commander Aldric to his limits in a duel. The entire duchy is still talking about it.”

Lady Elara’s eyes widened slightly at that revelation. She looked at Julian again, her earlier nervousness softening into curiosity.

The Count cleared his throat and nodded slowly. “That is… quite impressive. We had heard rumors, of course, but to reach Arch Mage level in such a short time is no small feat. House Azmed is glad to see such positive developments within the Astran family.”

The Count then gestured toward Elara with clear paternal pride and said, “Our daughter has broken through to the Peak Sovereign Realm as well.”

That surprised everyone at the table — even Julian.

She has reached Peak Sovereign Mage?

She appeared fairly young, likely in her early twenties. Considering that children only awakened their elemental affinity at the age of sixteen, reaching such a high level in less than a decade was more than impressive.

Moreover, if she were to reach Arch Mage in one or two years, she could break Kraven’s record for being the youngest in the kingdom to achieve that realm. But considering how Kraven had a hidden master guiding him, it would not be strange if she, too, had been taught by another powerful figure in secret.

Meanwhile, Elara flushed deeply as every eye at the table turned toward her. Her head lowered immediately, and she fidgeted with her hands nervously in her lap, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden spotlight. The innocent flush on her cheeks made her look even younger and more vulnerable.

The Duke had his eyebrows raised in genuine astonishment.

“You are kidding, right, Azmed?”

The Duke paused for a moment, realizing how rude the words might have sounded, and quickly coughed to cover it.

“Well… she was extremely talented from a young age, but to reach such a high level… that is unheard of.”

He glanced between Kraven and Elara, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

“Both of them are beyond talented. The future of our two houses looks exceptionally bright if this match proceeds as planned.”

The Countess smiled warmly and placed a gentle hand on her daughter’s shoulder.

“Elara has always been diligent. She trained relentlessly while in the capital. We are very proud of her progress.”

Vanessa leaned forward with sparkling eyes, clearly excited by the revelation. “That is wonderful news! Elara, you must tell us how you managed such rapid advancement. Brother has his own mysterious story from Ezakael, but I would love to hear yours as well.”

Elara lifted her head slightly, her cheeks still burning with embarrassment. Her voice was soft and modest when she finally spoke. “It… it is nothing so extraordinary. I simply worked hard and received guidance from a respected mentor in the capital. I was fortunate.”

Julian observed her carefully. There was humility in her words, but he sensed something deeper — a quiet strength beneath the shy exterior. Her talent was genuine, and the way she carried herself suggested she was not merely riding on family prestige. A Peak Sovereign Mage at her age was rare, even among noble houses. She could become a powerful ally… or a complicated variable in his plans.

The Duke nodded approvingly, raising his goblet. “Then let us toast to the continued prosperity of both our houses. To talent, hard work, and strong alliances.”

Everyone raised their glasses in agreement. The tension that had briefly thickened the air eased as the conversation shifted toward lighter topics — upcoming festivals in the capital, recent magical innovations, and the beauty of the Astran gardens. Olivia contributed politely, though her gaze still occasionally drifted toward Julian with that familiar mix of lingering emotion and restraint. The Countess seemed genuinely friendly toward her, and the two women fell into easy conversation about family matters and court life.

Count Azmed, now more relaxed, turned his attention back to Julian. “Young Lord Kraven, if I may be so bold… we were concerned when we heard about your exile and… certain behaviors in the past. But seeing you now, composed and clearly powerful, puts our minds at ease. I hope this reunion marks the beginning of a stronger bond between our families.”

Julian offered a measured smile. “As do I, Count. The past is behind us. I am focused on the future and the strength of House Astran.”

Lady Elara listened quietly, stealing glances at him throughout the exchange. There was still that trace of self-doubt in her expression, as if she were wondering whether the man sitting across from her was truly different from the stories she had been told. Yet there was also a flicker of cautious hope.

As the breakfast continued, the dialogue flowed more naturally. Vanessa kept the mood light, sharing amusing stories from court, while the Duke and Count discussed potential trade agreements. Olivia and the Countess bonded further over shared experiences as mothers and duchesses. Through it all, Julian remained observant, noting every subtle reaction, every unspoken word.

The arrival of House Azmed had added new layers to the game. Elara’s talent and the political weight of the betrothal could prove valuable — but they also introduced risks. Julian would need to navigate this carefully, balancing his growing connections within the Astran family with this new external alliance.

For now, however, he simply played his role — the reformed son, the talented heir, the composed young lord. Beneath the polite conversation and clinking silverware, his mind continued to turn, always calculating, always planning for the greater storm on the horizon.