Strongest Novel Extra: The Irregular Mage is an Exorcist

Another year had passed of consistent training and studying. Progress had been made in his strategic mind. In past lessons and simulations, Vonn showed a new dimension to his talent, pleasing his personal tutor, George—and, in turn, the matriarch.

"Young master, I have great news. The mana pills have arrived." Sharing the news, Vonn jumped up from his seat and rushed to the tutor, who had just arrived at his residence.

Though Vonn still had the appearance of a toddler, there was a difference: his expression had grown stronger. In fact, the confidence in his eyes was not that of a child isolated from the main family.

Moreover, he had grown taller than before, now reaching his tutor's waist.

"That's good, teacher! But…" Vonn's expression shifted to one of slight concern. "I was hoping for a new reward. Maybe… just maybe, I could visit the city?"

The city of Silverfein, also known as the Northern Border of Cold Sword—or, in short, North Sword City—was the Silverfein's territory. In the complex structure of governance, where a monarchy ruled the kingdom, the nation Silverfein belonged to granted individual powers to families, though it had grown confusing over time.

To understand Silverfein's influence in simple terms, they functioned like nobility, owning a territory, yet in truth, were far from traditional nobility. The family's influence was so powerful that no one could challenge them—only befriend them. This was the level of authority the Mitish Kingdom had granted the Silverfeins.

"The city…? Why do you want to visit? Do you just want to look around?"

"Ah… I want to see if others have this." Vonn then pointed to a strand of his hair at the side, which had begun turning grey.

Seeing this, George's eyes widened. "That's…"

Frightened by what he had seen, George couldn't fully hide his reaction. 'White hair is the hair color of the traitor, the second consort… No way he has that in him… No way…'

So much had happened in the past months since last year that Vonn wasn't sure exactly where the current events fit in the novel's timeline. He only knew he was six years old, but as for Linn—his brother and the protagonist—he still didn't know his status, which was why he wanted to get out and search for him.

The tutor's horrified expression wasn't hidden well enough from Vonn. 'What kind of reaction is that? I was simply acting like a clueless kid. People's hair is usually brown or black, but since mine is turning grey, it's useful to use this as an excuse.'

Reflecting on George's unusual reaction, Vonn started to piece things together. 'Wait… there must be a reason he looked so startled. Why would that be?'

Revisiting the plot of the novel, Vonn searched for a crucial piece of information tied to the story's progression, and he found it.

'Light-colored hair isn't normal for kids in this novel. It could be a genetic trait, but there must be a reason I have it… could it be… I'm a descendant of the traitors? The white-haired family from the neighboring territory next to Silverfein?'

"Young master… Perhaps in time. I'll try to find a way to request this from the matriarch, but not too soon. Don't expect it right away." The tutor forced himself to regain his composure.

Vonn smiled, still playing the part of the child he was supposed to be. "Thank you!"

***

A discovery! Vonn sat cross-legged under the cover of night, inside his room shrouded in darkness. He rested his hands under his chin, pondering like an old sage.

'I am the second young master... The one who died as well because of the second consort's betrayal of the kingdom and the Silverfein family.'

The expression on George's face earlier made sense now—he must have realized Vonn's life was at risk. There had been a massacre in the neighboring territory, where all those with white hair were sentenced to death. It was a curse laid upon them, a fate ensuring any trace of their existence would be erased.

Vonn had been born with natural black hair. So, when the second consort's betrayal—selling the kingdom's and the family's secrets to an enemy—was discovered, the matriarch showed leniency by sparing her child from the same cursed fate, since he showed no distinct similarities to the traitor's family.

But everything changed with his hair. Diana viewed white-haired people as condemned, so he couldn't hope for the same leniency again.

Clicking his tongue, Vonn realized how dire his situation had become.

'Diana Silverfein is ruthless. Even though I'm her son, she wouldn't hesitate to kill me if it boosts her influence. She'd use my death to show others her strength—an example of her merciless power.'

'Unfortunate… yet fortunate, because now I know exactly when I am in the timeline. The second young master died at the age of seven, and afterward, the third young master, the protagonist Linn, was cast out of the family for his lack of talent with a sword or magic.'

'Damn… I have only a year to prepare my escape, and, hopefully, before that, I can meet Linn.'

Vonn already had a plan for his encounter with the protagonist. Now that he knew he was an extra in the prelude to the novel's main events, he couldn't think of an easy way to alter his fate.

Fate is a formidable enemy. To break from his predetermined path, Vonn would need to bask in the protagonist's luck—that was his only chance at survival.

'Sharing a fate with the protagonist will increase my odds of survival. That much is certain. And if I can secure a role as a supporting character, all the better.' Biting his lower lip, Vonn carefully crafted a plan to leave the estate.

He was certain George's perception of him had changed. Silverfein despised traitors, and even a slight resemblance to one was enough to strain his relationships and unsettle those around him.

'Escape is my only option… I must find Linn soon.'