"Chief, I made a serious mistake at work yesterday and lost the completed identity verification form. That's why I came so early. I wanted to fill out a replacement..."
Rafada reacted quickly. Under the Chief Mage's oppressive presence, the boy's eyes darted before he immediately lowered his head and delivered the excuse he had prepared.
His expression was perfectly natural, too. With his shoulders slightly hunched, he looked every bit the frightened employee facing his immediate superior after making a mistake.
Renato seized the opportunity to distract the mage. He deliberately raised his voice, speaking with agitation:
"How dare you order a noble around first thing in the morning... This is blatant humiliation! Mage! Don't use your mistakes as an excuse. I demand an apology from your Royal Mage Corps right now!"
Seeing Renato apparently struggling to contain his anger, the old mage turned toward him with a disdainful expression and said mockingly:
"Ah, I saw you yesterday. You're the wandering noble from the North whom Novak brought here. You haven't been in the Royal City long. Perhaps you haven't realized that Nittel is not a nation that lets brainless fools rule on the strength of their bloodlines alone."
The Chief Mage raised his voice, which grew even raspier. He seemed quite pleased with himself for ridiculing the nobility.
"Nittel is a nation ruled by mages! I hear you wish to join the royal court? Then how dare you be so ignorant and disrespectful toward me?"
"I am Renato of Fernando. State your name, commoner." Renato lifted his chin slightly, feigning extreme outrage. "Just you wait. You'll soon learn the price of provoking a noble of Fernando."
"A fool who understands neither magic nor wisdom is unworthy of knowing my name..."
After this exchange of barbs, the tension seemed to