...or more precisely, this Official Wizard.
The family estate looked completely new, with festive ribbons hanging at the entrance, and every window polished spotless, reflecting the afternoon sunlight.
Those once familiar details now seemed so unfamiliar to Ron, as if veiled by an invisible curtain.
In the inner courtyard of the castle, a group of people was already lined up neatly, awaiting his arrival.
Leading them were Ron’s father, Count Ralph, and his elder brother Edmund.
His father remained as tall and upright as in Ron’s memory, with just a few extra strands of white hair at his temples;
Edmund appeared even more dignified and composed, with a mature and wise gleam in his eyes after witnessing the vicissitudes.
The carriage came to a halt, and Ailan nimbly jumped out to open the door respectfully.
The Count’s knuckles whitened around his staff, his eyes shifting, evidently tense to the extreme.
Ron stepped down from the carriage with composure, his black robe flowing gently in the wind, exuding an indescribable aura of authority.
In an instant, the entire inner courtyard seemed to fall silent, even the wind didn’t dare rage too much.
"Father, brother." He nodded slightly.
Count Ralph and his eldest son exchanged a glance, then bowed to Ron.
That respectful posture was less of filial piety than awe towards a significant figure.
"Welcome home, Ron...my lord." His father’s voice trembled slightly, a complex emotion flashing across his eyes:
"The entire family has been anticipating your return."
The wholly unfamiliar sense of reverence made Ron sigh inwardly.
He could understand his father’s formality.
After all, he had been away from the family for several years.
Now upon his return, he had already become an extraordinary being, and their life levels had completely diverged.
This change in address made him sigh slightly again.
Before, he was just "Little Ron," even affectionately called "our little troublemaker."
Yet now, even his own father could no longer interact with him as intimately as in the past.
At the moment he became an Official Wizard, the world’s definition of him changed.
The fear and reverence ordinary people felt towards Wizards was a deep-seated instinct of the soul, unable to be altered by mere surface intentions.
Just as a cat would never draw close to a tiger, even if that tiger was once raised by it.
Ron stepped forward and, after retracting his radiation field, gently embraced his father.
The old Count’s body visibly stiffened, holding his breath almost instantly.
Then he cautiously raised his hand to gently pat his son’s back.
As if touching some fragile treasure, fearing that any rough movement would cause offense.
"I know everything is different now."
Ron said softly, with a rarely heard gentleness in his tone:
"But no matter what I become, here, I am first a member of the Ralph Clan."
The old Count nodded, moved, yet fully aware that even if his son said so, the chasm between Wizards and mortals couldn’t be easily crossed.
Edmund stepped forward, a hint of caution in his voice:
"Brother... no, I should address you as Lord Ron. The Kingdom is filled with pride in your achievements, and father and I are exceedingly proud of you."
Ron looked at this elder brother, who had covered for his mischievous deeds numerous times, now cautiously behaving as if in front of a stranger.
He shook his head slightly, and said:
"In front of family, these formalities can be omitted. If you really can’t interact with me as before, then at least privately, I hope you can call me by my name, and not ’Lord’."
His father and elder brother’s expressions slightly relaxed, but that deeply rooted reverence remained difficult to wholly eradicate.
Ron understood this would take time, perhaps a long time.
"The family banquet is ready, just waiting for your arrival."
The Count respectfully led the way:
"Your favorite roast lamb, the kitchen specially prepared with the freshest ingredients."
Ron nodded and followed his father to the castle hall.
Ailan followed closely behind, the unique scent of plants around her drawing curious glances, but no one dared to scrutinize the unusual attendant beside Ron.
At the banquet, the atmosphere was initially a bit restrained.
But as the wine flowed and discussions gradually unfolded, the old Count and Edmund slowly relaxed, starting to discuss the family’s development and changes over the years.
Over these years, due to the critical funds he sent back to the family when he became an Elementary Apprentice,
along with the joint efforts of his father and elder brother Edmund, the influence of the Ralph Clan had expanded.
With those two shops in the Royal Capital, the family’s business had become more diversified, and their overall strength was steadily increasing.
"The most significant change is Prince Andre’s attitude towards our family."
Edmund said excitedly:
"Since you established a connection with the Prince, our family’s status has undergone a qualitative leap. Many resources and channels previously difficult to access are now open to us."
Ron nodded slightly, satisfaction flickering in his eyes.
The seeds he had planted before leaving had begun to bear fruit.
"Speaking of Andre."
Ron set down his glass, his tone turning formal:
"Besides visiting you, there is an important matter to discuss with the family on this visit home."
His father and elder brother immediately sat up straight, filled with anticipation.