"Where's mother?" Jonas had changed from his school uniform into his newly bought silk indoor wear. He approached the dinner table in their new residence. Jonas and his parents still need time to get used to the amenities it offers.
"She is at the marketplace. Your mother believes that if she stays still, even for one second, she will grow mad and dull. I told her we should get used to this kind of lifestyle, lounging and doing nothing, like how the citizens in the top tier do. But, I guess she will never get used to having her own servants."
His father was seated on a long sofa. Its cushion looked delicately fine and luxurious; he had been sitting on it for the rest of the day.
Jonas scoffed, "We have our own servants?"
"Paid ones. I insisted on it. I don't want our family to be reminded of our days with Lord Geisler, may he rest in peace," his father replied, his attention split between his son and the book he was reading.
There were a dozen more books placed on top of a small table in front of the sofa. There were also papers and pens lying around.
"Paid, huh? Does working in Lord Stein's winery pay that much?" Jonas joined his father and sat at the other end of the furniture.
"Yes, ten thousand dragonmouths every two weeks. I heard it's above the average pay for a freeborn worker. But we also have the treasury that Lord Stein's left for us."
"What?" Jonas perked up, "Really?"
"Yes, really. Your mother and I will take care of it, along with an expert banker we hired. The citizenship orientation sessions we've been attending have been very useful so far. Our lives changed dramatically, thanks to you, of course, but all these comforts had been paid for by Lord Stein's wealth. I plan to have our own wealth as soon as possible so that we don't rely too much on the Lord."
When a slave became a newly ascended mage, they usually still had to find work to pay for all the expenses. Usually, they only earn and attain a steady income when they graduate from the Academy and enlist in the Empire.
Jonas knew that from the citizenship orientation. That is why he finds Lord Stein's generosity suspicious.
"But, why?" Jonas suspected the worst of Lord Stein. He is torn between doubting the charities his family had received and feeling grateful for their benefactor.
"Why what?"
"Why is Lord Stein helping us?"
His father only chuckled and said, "I suspect he's just a very generous man, Jonas. I think he knows you're going to be a really strong Mage someday. That's why he is investing in our family so that one day you will join him in his Legion!"
Jonas gulped. He didn't believe that at all. Instead, he thinks the Lord was just buttering them up so that when the time comes, he can make Jonas confess. From now on, he must remind himself to put his guard up always.
"Legion, huh. That sounds nice." Jonas feigned a smile.
"Did you learn something in school today?"
Jonas nodded, "Lots. But one class got cancelled."
"Cancelled?" his father huffed in disbelief, "We pay twenty thousand dragonmouths a month for your tuition! The most prestigious magic school in the capital, and they're cancelling classes? Unbelievable."
Jonas chuckled slyly, "Good thing we have the money, heh."
His father rolled his eyes and shook his head, "So, did you make any friends?"
Jonas paused. His sly smirk disappeared, but he quickly tried to answer, "Of course,"
His father looked at Jonas and turned the page of his book. "I know life has been very… Different lately, Jonas. I don't expect you to adjust to the ways of the people already living here soon. To them, this is what normal looks like. To us, it's a blessing. A gift from the Gods. All we can do is make the most of our time in this new life and forget the life we had in the past. That's why it's called the ascension ceremony, and it doesn't just affect the mage."
"Is that what the books say? You've been reading quite a lot."
"Oh yes. I may be old, but I am not too old. I still have my own dreams. Ambitions. Your mother and I still have them," his father closed the book, but marked the page he was reading with his finger. He reached for Jonas to caress his cheek, "And you are the blessing that made it all seem possible."
Jonas smiled and playfully brushed off his father's hand. His father soon resumed his reading and lay back down on the sofa. Jonas, however, had sombered, and his smile soon faded.
"I was looking for Mom because I wanted to ask her about her and Lord Geisler," Jonas said, "But now I think it doesn't matter. I am here. We're here now. That's what matters to me."
"Your mother is a great mystery," his father said, "I am sure she will open up to you in the future, but for now, you must give her some time."
"So… It matters?" Jonas asked.
"Of course. Everything that ever happened matters."
"How so?"
Jonas' father showed him the title of the book he was reading. Then, he points to the pile of books he has read. All of them were about the history of not only the Empire but the whole continent of Europa.
"History matters," his father said, "The great tales and the legendary figures of old, the kingdoms from the past, and everything that came before. We wouldn't be here if not for the greatness they gave. Do you agree? But they're gone now. Forgotten and buried beneath. If you want to see and continue their legacy, you start by going to the market on your own, investing for the future, getting educated, making friends, and reading books."
Jonas was confused by the vagueness of it all. He never thought his father would be like this, sounding pretentious. "I don't get it."
"Someday you will."