Master had chosen Withill as a stopover.
It was the village governed by Neville Baron.
'A noble!'
My heart raced at the thought of meeting one. I'd lived in this world for fifteen years, but I'd never laid eyes on a noble even once!
The highest-status person I'd ever seen up to now?
That would have to be the tax collector who'd come to levy taxes.
He was a commoner like everyone else, but backed by the lord's authority, he stood tall even before the village chief, the top authority in our hamlet. The chief groveled before the tax collector.
How satisfying it had been to watch!
Until the chief took out his frustration on me, anyway. My mood had soared to the heavens back then. Yes, that was my place in the village. The lowest of the low, who had to take whatever bullying came my way.
And yet, just a few days after becoming a mage, here I was, about to meet a noble. I could really feel my social standing rising.
'Becoming a mage was the right call.'
I was basking in that satisfaction when a question popped into my head.
"Master, are you already acquainted with Neville Baron?"
"No, first time."
Master answered flatly.
Wait, seriously?
I'd assumed he was, since he was asking the baron for support. Maybe not close friends, but at least on familiar terms?
But they were total strangers? I was flustered.
'If we just show up out of nowhere asking for guards, I bet the baron hands us swords instead of coin...'
That's how it seemed to me. Life wasn't worth much in this world.
Even a small village chief could deal with anyone he didn't like. No way a noble would be less capable than that.
"Do you think we can actually get that support?"
I voiced my concerns.
"Can't say for sure. But we'll at least get a meal. We're mages, after all."
He replied without missing a beat.
'If Master is saying that much, mages must have a higher social status than I imagined.'
A meal from a stranger? That meant we'd be treated as noble guests.
At the very least, our safety was assured. But my relief didn't last.
Master's next words shattered my peace.
"Of course, that's assuming they don't find out I'm a necromancer. If they do, we'll be attacked on the spot."
"Oh..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Before heading to Withill, Master said we needed to prepare a bit and washed his face with water from his canteen.
I followed suit. There had to be a reason for it.
Once we finished freshening up, Master pulled something from his backpack. It was a long object wrapped in cloth.
Its true nature was a staff topped with a rounded crystal.
"Whoa!"
It was a fancy staff straight out of a mage's arsenal.
Probably packed with powerful magic, right? As I admired it with that assumption, Master spoke up.
"It's just a staff. No effects whatsoever."
Yeah, my mistake.
"Then why bring it out?"
"It looks cool."
He was surprisingly concerned about appearances.
As I thought that, Master added,
"If I look like an accomplished mage, Neville Baron will treat us lavishly."
Master wasn't just steeped in magical knowledge. He had a keen grasp of human psychology too.
But before my admiration could linger, I seized the chance to flatter him.
"Do we really need to put on an act, though? You are already an accomplished mage."
The corner of Master's mouth twitched. A sign he was pleased.
But that was it for his reaction. He soon reverted to his expressionless face and spoke.
"People make snap judgments about a man's worth based on appearances. That's why I'm aiming to give Neville Baron a good first impression."
Appearances matter. Got it.
But Master must have thought I didn't fully grasp it, because he elaborated.
"It's more effective to make the baron convince himself I'm an accomplished mage than to prove it outright."
"Yes, sir!"
"Good."
I answered crisply, and he nodded, dropping the subject.
Anyway, with our primping done, Master hid his loyal zombie soldiers in the woods.
Taking them along would be as good as confessing he was a necromancer, so it was the obvious choice.
"Let's go."
Preparations complete.
The golem, Master, and I strolled leisurely along the path. Soon enough, a wooden palisade came into view.
It stretched long to either side, encircling the entire village. Being out in the open plains, they must have fortified against raids.
"I've never seen such a big village before."
"This one's not even that big."
Master replied nonchalantly. Even now, and from everyday talk, it was clear he'd traveled all over the empire.
A seasoned mage with vast experience! I'd made the right choice becoming his apprentice.
With such an outstanding mage as my master, there was so much I could learn from him.
"Heros."
"Yes, Master."
As we neared the village entrance, Master called me.
"Even if you're a novice mage, no one else knows that. So don't cower. You mustn't shatter people's illusions about mages. That's how we profit from them."
"How do I avoid cowering?"
"Just as mind shapes posture, posture shapes mind. Straighten your shoulders, brace your core. Walk with confidence."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Same when you meet Neville Baron. Act with dignity. Respect him, but don't demean yourself."
That sparked a question. The gap between commoners and nobles was vast.
"He's a noble, though."
"Just a rural village lord at best. No different from a village chief. No need to be intimidated preemptively."
"What about a king or grand duke? Do I act confident then too?"
"Depends on your standing. If you've earned their respect, yes. Otherwise, show restraint."
"Ooh!"
I could stand tall even before a king or grand duke!
Mage was an even greater profession than I'd thought. Of course, it hinged on me becoming worthy of it, but hope was hope.
That was the moment it hit me.
"Mages!"
"What do we do?"
Voices from the guards at the gate. Young men in iron helmets and padded armor.
They stared at us with obvious panic, but thankfully didn't level their spears.
"Greetings, mages! What brings you to Withill?"
One guard stepped forward with the question. Master advanced and answered.
"Just looking for a place to stay the night. We won't cause any trouble, so no need to tense up."
Casual speech, naturally superior.
Yet the guards said nothing. A scene that let me feel a mage's authority.
Satisfying, to wield power akin to a noble's without being one.
"We can enter, then?"
Master asked.
"Of course, mages."
The guard who'd asked our purpose replied vigorously.
The two then stepped aside, clearing the way for us to enter comfortably.
It felt like proper treatment.
A first since coming to this world. I gladly stepped into the village.
'Fun to sightsee.'
The village teemed with people. And buildings.
But what caught my eye was the wooden fortress atop the hill. A rectangular structure ringed by palisades. That had to be the lord's manor.
"Mages?"
"He commands a golem made of dirt!"
"Whoa, amazing..."
As I took in the village, the villagers eyed us.
More precisely, Master and the golem. Much like the reactions from my old village when Master had visited.
'Ah, so that's how he's drawing the baron's attention.'
Now I vaguely understood Master's plan. Wielding a cool staff, commanding a golem.
Anyone could see he was a skilled mage. Impossible not to draw eyes!
Naturally, word would reach Neville Baron, and he'd want to meet us.
'Is it beneficial to flaunt being a mage?'
Flaunting versus hiding. Master's actions suggested the former paid off.
But I couldn't imitate him. A novice like me strutting around would just attract bandits eyeing my coin or gear, and I'd end up dead.
Besides, I lacked flashy props like Master's staff or golem. Best I had was Ignition?
Who'd mistake such a puny spell for proof of skill? And I couldn't even sustain it mana-wise.
Still a long way to go.
"Master, what now?"
Idle thoughts aside, I asked about our next move.
"Let's stroll around leisurely. They'll come to us soon enough."
Master replied calmly. Seeing his composure eased my mind too.
Clomp, clomp.
We wandered the village per Master's suggestion. Eyes glued to us, naturally.
Some even trailed us. After about ten minutes, a middle-aged man approached.
"Neville Baron invites you both."
The baron had sent a servant.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Master and I followed the servant into the wooden fortress.
We were promptly shown to a guest room. A bit cramped, but clean.
Master, however, didn't seem pleased.
"This is my apprentice."
"Ah, apologies."
The servant bowed politely to us both upon hearing Master, then assigned me a separate room next door.
He'd mistaken me for a servant, sticking me in the same room. Master hadn't liked that. His shoulders shrugged.
"Please rest comfortably until dinner is served."
With the servant gone, I headed straight to Master's room.
To ask about etiquette for dealing with nobles. Surely they had their own customs?
The upper crust always needed ways to distinguish themselves from the rabble, flaunting their superiority.
"What manners can a rural lord nitpick? Don't worry. And Heros, you're my apprentice. That means a talented mage acknowledged by me, an exceptional one. Have confidence."
Master dismissed my concerns. He lounged on a straw mattress, looking utterly relaxed.
Must come from experience. I envied that ease.
'I need to get used to situations like this.'
Fifteen years of enduring the village chief's abuse, plus ostracism from the villagers.
I was used to watching others' reactions. Not a bad trait, but showing it made a poor impression.
Especially for someone like me aiming for power. I'd learned the hard way that the servile earn no respect.
'Act with confidence.'
Back in my room, I resolved as much.
I ran through scenarios in my head, preparing for dinner with Neville Baron.
Finally, the servant came for me.
"Dinner is served."
My first face-to-face with a noble.
Hoping Neville Baron was a decent sort, I joined Master for the meal.
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