Tatsuya's mouth fell open as if it had forgotten how to close.
The words caught in his throat, stuck somewhere between disbelief and awe, while his wide eyes drank in the vision before him.
A palatial estate stretched out beyond a wrought-iron gate, nestled like a gemstone within a forest of emerald green. Manicured hedges lined the path like royal guards, leading up to a grand mansion that practically screamed nobility. Its cream-colored walls gleamed under the sun, like ivory polished to a mirror's sheen, and its slate-gray roof held the elegance of a crown placed gently on its brow. Several chimneys pierced the sky, flanked by dormer windows that gave the whole estate the air of a sleeping dragon—dignified, quiet, and brimming with latent power.
In the foreground, a circular driveway framed a meticulously trimmed garden island, complete with ornamental shrubs shaped like rabbits and griffons, because why not flaunt a bit of artistic excess? On either side of the main house stood smaller buildings, like silent retainers, constructed in the same architectural style but far more humble—likely guesthouses, or places where the servants to the servants stayed. A pair of tranquil lakes—or were they moats?—wrapped gently around the property like silver bracelets, catching reflections of the towering estate and slicing them into ripples.
Beyond it all, past a sprawling, tiered lawn that rolled like a staircase made of grass, a small arched stone structure stood quietly at the far edge, as if it guarded a secret only the trees behind it knew.
Tatsuya blinked once. Then twice. Then turned his head, almost mechanically, to stare at the girl beside him.
"…Don't tell me," he said slowly, voice caught somewhere between admiration and accusation, "that you live here?"
Ruza, the very picture of nonchalance, held a hand to her mouth—presumably to stifle her laughter, though the way her shoulders trembled betrayed her amusement. "Mhm. This is home."
Tatsuya stumbled back a step as if her words had physically struck him. "You rich people have it so good!" he cried, throwing both arms into the air like a man denouncing the heavens. "The place where I came from had one bed. One! And we shared it!"
He clenched his fists as if calling upon the spirit of poverty to channel his indignation. "How can your parents even afford all of this?"
"Well…" Ruza scratched the back of her neck, suddenly looking a little awkward—as if the opulence surrounding them had just occurred to her for the first time. "My dad is, uh… sort of the most important magic user in the country of Aluria. Or maybe… the whole continent? Depends on who you ask."
"Oh. O-okay…" Tatsuya mumbled, the weight of that statement sitting heavily on his shoulders like a bag of enchanted bricks.
Wait.
Most important magic user?
Wasn't I supposed to find someone like that…?
No. No way. There's no way this is what I think it is… right?
"Ruza." He spoke her name with a quiet gravity, eyes narrowed like a man bracing himself for a twist he'd rather not believe.
"Hmm?" She turned toward him, tilting her head curiously. "What is it?"
"…Can I ask you a weird question?"
"Sure, ask away."
"…Do you have a family name?"
Ruza blinked, then looked slightly confused. "Didn't I tell you already?"
"No." Tatsuya's expression darkened with suspicion. "You definitely didn't. I remember because I definitely would've remembered if you did."
"Ah. My bad." She offered a sheepish smile, then let out a soft giggle that carried on the breeze. "I guess I forgot the details again. But yeah, my full name is Ruza Davida."
No. Way.
"…So your dad's name is…"
"Yatsu Davida."
The ground beneath Tatsuya's feet suddenly felt less solid.
The Yatsu Davida. The man how maybe could solve his no mana problem, he'd been tasked with finding.
He looked up at the massive estate again.
There were no words.
Part 2
Tatsuya stared, frozen on the spot, still reeling from everything he had learned about Ruza's family.
A girl stood posted at the gate, her back straight, posture impeccable. Bathed in golden sunlight that filtered through the forest canopy like blessings from a benevolent spirit, she stood there—an image too picturesque to be real.
Her hair, the color of ripened wheat in summer, was tied into a neat bun at the nape of her neck, save for a few delicate strands that framed her face. The red ribbon nestled in her hair seemed to glow with the light's touch, a small but vivid accent that added a quiet boldness to her otherwise soft appearance.
Her skin, pale like porcelain kissed with the faintest brush of pink, seemed to shimmer under the sunlight—an ethereal glow that danced gently over her collarbones and cheeks. A slight blush painted her face, as if she were caught mid-thought or trying to hide a shy smile. The expression in her eyes—a deep, crystalline blue, so clear it felt like they might reveal the very soul of the world—held something that felt both curious and vulnerable.
Her outfit struck a delicate balance between elegance and simplicity, carefully tailored yet never ostentatious. She wore a ruffled, off-shoulder blouse—pure white like morning snow—trimmed with careful frills at the collar and sleeves, the kind of garment only someone with either refined taste or a watchful maid would dare to wear without wrinkling it. A dark green corset hugged her figure, crisscrossed with golden lacing that shimmered faintly as she moved, giving her posture a noble poise that hinted at discipline or high breeding.
Below the corset flared a wide, earth-toned skirt—rust red in color and hemmed with a touch of lace. It swayed with a gentle grace, moved by the breeze and the subtle shifts in her body, as if even the wind hesitated to disturb her too much. On both sides on her skirt rested two hatchets.
She didn't speak, and yet her very presence suggested a melody was playing somewhere—soft, nostalgic, and a little sad.
There was a strength in her gaze, and a kindness in her stance. The kind of girl who might smile at you even after seeing your worst day. The kind of girl who might quietly carry a secret that could shatter your world.
Ruza was the first to wave, her cheerful voice breaking through the heavy air.
"Hey! It's been a while!"
The gatekeeper's face softened immediately. She gave a small nod in greeting, the corners of her lips lifting into a polite, reserved smile.
As Tatsuya and Stefan the goat trailed up behind Ruza, Tatsuya could feel the girl's eyes on him—steady, measuring, quietly suspicious. Though her smile never faltered, he thought he caught the faintest flicker of caution, hidden deep behind her gentle expression.
She doesn't trust me? I see, can she smell my scent?
Tatsuya swallowed nervously.
"This is Tatsuya," Ruza said, clapping a hand on his shoulder with an encouraging thud. "And that's Stefan. He's a goat. A very well-behaved one."
Stefan, as if on cue, bleated loudly and lunged forward to nibble at the girl's boot.
"Stefan!" Tatsuya hissed, yanking the goat back by his scruff.
The girl looked down at her boot, then back up at Tatsuya, her expression unchanging.
Tatsuya thought he was about to be banned from the estate on the spot.
Instead, the gatekeeper gave a soft, almost amused sigh. "It's alright," she said, her voice as smooth as the petals blooming around them. "He's… spirited."
Ruza snickered under her breath. Tatsuya pretended not to hear.
The girl stepped forward, her hand resting lightly on the gate as she swung it open with a practiced grace. "Welcome to Davida Estate," she said. "Please, follow me."
Still not giving her name, Tatsuya noticed. He almost opened his mouth to ask, but something about the way she held herself—the upright posture, the careful words—warned him that pressing too much would be a bad idea.
Instead, he nodded awkwardly and shuffled through the gate, Stefan trotting dutifully behind.
The grounds inside were just as beautiful as he'd expected, maybe even more so. Rows of colorful flowers bordered the gravel paths, and marble fountains gurgled softly under the warm afternoon sun. Somewhere nearby, the faint scent of baked bread and fresh herbs drifted on the wind, making Tatsuya's stomach growl embarrassingly loud.
He saw the gatekeeper's shoulders twitch slightly, as if she were trying very hard not to laugh.
just kill me now… Tatsuya thought, might he die of embarrassment right there.
"Please don't mind him," Ruza said brightly. "Tatsuya's stomach has a mind of its own. It's the one doing all the traveling."
"Understood," the gatekeeper said with a small, knowing smile.
She led them along a winding path toward a side building—likely the guesthouse—each of her steps perfectly measured, her vigilance never faltering.
Tatsuya wondered if she always walked like that, like someone who expected trouble to leap out from behind every hedge.
As they approached the guesthouse, Ruza leaned closer to Tatsuya and whispered conspiratorially, "She's our gatekeeper. Best one in the estate."
Tatsuya nodded. Of course she was. There was no way someone this graceful, this quietly intimidating, could be anything but the best.
At the guesthouse entrance, the gatekeeper turned to them. "I'll prepare a place for Stefan in the stables. For you, Tatsuya-san, this will be your room." She gestured politely.
Tatsuya almost sighed in relief. She was polite. She was composed. She hadn't thrown him out yet. Things were looking up.
"You're very kind, miss…?" he ventured cautiously, hoping this time she'd fill in the blank.
The girl blinked once, as if she hadn't expected the question, then answered simply, "Sora. My name is Sora."
Sora, Tatsuya thought. A pretty name for a pretty, serious girl.
"Sora the gatekeeper," Ruza chimed in helpfully, nudging him. "Remember that, or she might lock you out next time."
Tatsuya snapped into a dramatic mock-salute. "Understood! I'll memorize it!"
Sora gave a small, restrained laugh. It was quick, barely there, but it made Tatsuya feel like he'd won a tiny, precious battle.
She bowed slightly. "I'll have tea and pastries brought to your room shortly. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to call for me."
And with that, she turned on her heel and disappeared down the hall, her boots clicking softly on the polished wood.
Tatsuya watched her go, feeling a strange, inexplicable warmth blooming in his chest.
"She's nice," he muttered, earning a teasing elbow from Ruza.
"Just don't push your luck," she warned playfully. "Sora can be scary when she wants to be."
Tatsuya thought I don't doubt that for a second.
Meanwhile, Stefan chose that moment to butt his head against the guesthouse door in a show of dominance over furniture.
"Stefan! We just got here!"
As Ruza giggled and Stefan attempted to eat a doormat.
Part 3
A soft knock echoed at the door. Before Tatsuya could even rise from the overstuffed chair he had sunk into, the door opened with a gentle creak.
Entering the room was a girl who seemed almost ethereal. Her long, flowing pink hair shimmered under the afternoon light, a soft contrast to her deep violet maid uniform neatly pressed and impeccably clean. Her calm, composed steps made no sound against the polished wooden floor. A purple star pin was clipped in the right strand of her hair.
Tatsuya thought she carried herself like a painting in motion—graceful, serene, and untouchable. Even Stefan the goat, who had been halfway through eating the corner of a rug, paused mid-bite to stare in confusion.
Balancing a silver tray bearing a teapot and delicate porcelain cups, the maid offered a gentle smile toward Ruza.
"Lady Ruza," she said, her voice a soft melody of formal warmth, "I have brought the tea you requested."
"Thanks a lot, Itsuki!" Ruza beamed, hopping off the couch to help her.
Itsuki—the name slid into Tatsuya's mind like a puzzle piece he didn't realize he was missing. So this composed and delicate girl was named Itsuki.
Carefully, Itsuki set the tray down on the low table between them. Every movement she made seemed deliberate, almost ceremonial. Tatsuya had never seen anyone pour tea with such quiet dignity.
"It has been some time since we last shared tea together," Itsuki said, handing a cup to Ruza first before offering one to Tatsuya with a polite bow of her head.
Tatsuya accepted the cup with both hands, feeling unworthy under her steady, gentle gaze.
"Y-Yeah… uh, thanks…" he mumbled, nearly fumbling the saucer.
She doesn't seem suspicious? Isn't she aware of my scent or is she just better at hiding it then the other one?
Ruza, meanwhile, laughed softly as she accepted her own cup.
"It's because I've been traveling too much lately! I really missed your tea, Itsuki."
"I am honored," Itsuki said with a faint smile. "The household has been quieter without your lively presence, Lady Ruza."
Tatsuya thought he caught a glint of genuine affection between them, a warm friendship woven neatly behind all the formality. Even someone as awkward as him could see that they shared a strong bond.
As they sipped the tea—which was, without exaggeration, the best thing Tatsuya had ever tasted—Itsuki's placed her hands neatly in front of her apron and continued in that same polite tone:
"Also, I must inform you, Lady Ruza, that the master of the manor has requested to meet your guests."
Tatsuya, who had been mid-sip, nearly choked.
The master of the manor?
As in… Ruza's father?
As in… Yatsu Davida?
As in… the most powerful magic user in the country?
Of course Yatsu Davida was the one he'd been searching for but he arrived late because of his detour. And what if the letter Paul sent never arrived?
Ruza laughed again, perhaps catching the look of pure horror flashing across Tatsuya's face.
"Don't worry, he's not scary or anything!" she said brightly, waving her hand in a carefree manner that only made Tatsuya more nervous.
"Lord Yatsu wished to speak with you personally," Itsuki added, bowing slightly to Tatsuya. Her face, while composed, carried the faintest flicker of curiosity as she observed him. "It seems he has taken an interest."
Tatsuya thought he would have preferred to be trampled by Stefan than sit face-to-face with a legendary archmage.
As if sensing the mood, Stefan bleated from the corner, where he had taken up battle once again with a potted plant.
Tatsuya set down his cup carefully, trying to maintain what little dignity he had left.
"When… when are we supposed to meet him?" he asked, trying to sound braver than he felt.
Itsuki's answer was immediate, her voice as calm as a pond's surface.
"At your earliest convenience. Lord Yatsu is currently in the west garden. I can escort you whenever you are ready."
Tatsuya thought about running for the hills.
Instead, he squared his shoulders with as much false bravado as he could muster.
"O-Okay. Let's get this over with!"
Ruza punched his arm lightly.
"Don't say it like you're heading to your execution!" she said, giggling.
Itsuki merely inclined her head, serene as ever, as if she hadn't just delivered news that felt like a death sentence.
"If you would follow me, please."
Tatsuya rose, straightened his clothes, gave Stefan a stern "stay here" look—which the goat blatantly ignored—and followed Itsuki and Ruza out of the room, his heart pounding louder than the click of itsuki's dainty shoes on the polished floor.
Somewhere deep inside, Tatsuya thought, maybe—just maybe—he was in way over his head.