Arcane Heir: History's Strongest Mage

Michael descended the front steps of the manor, his gaze falling on the luxurious horseless carriage parked in the driveway. Nearby stood three familiar figures—two women and a man. A single glance was all it took to recognize them.

"Ah, Michael, you're here," Brian Winterborne said warmly, turning to greet him with outstretched arms.

"My lord." Michael bowed calmly, then added with equal respect, "My lady."

When he rose, he met Mary's eyes as she nodded at him with a gentle smile. But his attention was soon drawn past her, to the person he'd spent the most time with over the past three years.

Melody Winterborne.

She had changed. No longer the petite, doll-like girl she once was, Melody had grown into a budding young woman. Her blue hair, once tightly braided, now flowed freely down her back like a shimmering waterfall.

Her sapphire eyes sparkled with sharp intelligence, framed by a button nose and high cheekbones that gave her a refined beauty. She wore a white dress adorned with black and orange accents—a palette that contrasted elegantly with her icy blue hair.

Melody rolled her eyes, clearly irritated by the wait.

Michael chuckled inwardly. Of course she was annoyed—he'd expected nothing less.

"Are you confident?" Brian asked, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Completely, sir."

"Excellent." The man beamed, giving him a few hearty pats. "The entrance exams are notoriously difficult. Of those whose applications are accepted by Arcadia, fewer than thirty percent manage to pass."

Michael nodded without hesitation. Worrying now would serve no purpose.

He'd come too far to doubt himself. With the academy within reach, failure wasn't even a consideration.

"Father, we should be going now," Melody interjected, her tone clipped.

"Yes, yes. You get in the carriage—I need a word with Michael first," Brian said, waving her off.

Michael caught the flash of irritation that crossed Melody's face, but it only amused him further. Seeing her worked up over something so trivial was oddly satisfying.

Still, she obeyed, climbing into the carriage and shutting the door with a little more force than necessary.

Neither the Lord nor the Lady reacted, their focus now solely on him.

Brian stepped closer, his jovial demeanor slipping into something more serious. "Listen carefully, Michael."

Michael straightened, sensing the shift in tone.

"I know we agreed that your responsibility was to keep Melody safe during her time at Arcadia," Brian began, lowering his voice, "but... things have changed."

Michael's brows drew together. "Changed how?"

Brian hesitated, glancing away as if searching for the right words. "For reasons I can't get into right now..." He exhaled slowly, clearly uneasy. "I'll need you to act as Melody's fiancé while the two of you are at the academy."

Michael blinked. For a moment, he wasn't sure he'd heard correctly.

How blatant does he want to be?

He was able to figure out the man's plans essentially the day after he was appointed as Melody's personal butler. But even if he had still been oblivious—such a request was tantamount to laying all the cards on the table.

Still, Michael suppressed the urge to sigh. Instead, he decided to play along.

"M-My lord… Has Miss Melody been informed of this arrangement?" he asked, feigning embarrassment.

"Oh, yes, of course. She was quite delighted when I told her the news, I assure you," Brian said with a hearty laugh.

Michael coughed, choking on the laugh that almost escaped his throat.

Delighted!?

I bet she was trying not to laugh at your terrible plan, Michael mused, quickly composing himself.

"I will fulfill my duties, my lord," he said, bowing with practiced grace.

"That's my boy!" Brian exclaimed, giving him another few hearty pats on the back. "I'd be lucky to have you as a son-in-law one day... gods willing."

"Thank you, my lord," Michael replied, though inwardly, he resisted the urge to facepalm. He sure has given up on being subtle...

"Michael," Mary stepped forward, still as elegant and composed as she had been years ago. "I'm trusting you with our daughter's safety. Please… do your best to protect her."

"You have my word, my lady. I will protect Melody with my life."

Before either parent could respond, the carriage door flung open.

"We're going to be late!" Melody's voice rang out, sharp with impatience.

"Alright, go!" Lord Winterborne laughed, giving Michael a gentle push. "Remember what we talked about—we're counting on you."

Michael descended the last few steps and stopped just before the carriage. He turned back and gave a deep, respectful bow.

"Thank you for your trust and hospitality," he said earnestly.

And he meant it. Despite their clumsy attempts to marry him into the family, both Lord and Lady Winterborne had been good to him these past three years. They hadn't treated him as a servant, but as someone who mattered.

Just as he turned back around—

"Get your ass in the freakin' carriage already…" Melody hissed in a harsh whisper.

A smirk crept across his lips.

He lingered a second longer, then acquiesced.

Climbing into the carriage, Michael settled into the seat opposite her, his sly grin now fully bloomed into a dazzling smile.

"My, my. Someone's impatient this morning," he teased.

Melody shot him a glare. "Says the guy who made his master wait. I've never heard of a servant who shows up late and then accuses me of being impatient."

"Servant? Master?" Michael tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Haven't you heard? We're supposed to be acting like we're betrothed now. Shouldn't you be calling me your darling fiancé?"

"You wanna die?" Melody growled, raising her left hand. Orange mana danced along her fingertips, crackling with threatening energy.

But Michael only chuckled, relishing the small victory.

A sudden jolt rocked the carriage as it lurched into motion, cutting their standoff short. Melody gave him one last annoyed look before lowering her hand and slumping back into her seat with a frustrated huff.

"Please fasten yourselves in," a voice called from the front.

Michael glanced over, lips twitching. "Would you like some assistance, my dear?" he asked, his voice mockingly sweet—so much so that even he cringed internally.

Melody ignored him completely, expertly securing the leather strap around her petite waist.

Michael coughed awkwardly and did the same.

"Please keep your arms and legs inside the carriage at all times," the coachman continued. "We will now be departing for Arcadia Academy."

A faint hum filled the air.

In the next moment, the carriage tilted upward and accelerated, lifting off the ground in a smooth, powerful motion. The manor grounds quickly disappeared beneath them as the vehicle soared into the sky, gaining altitude with breathtaking speed.