I Am A Wizard Who Can Travel Between Earth And The Other World
Chapter 86 - 88 The House of Owen

Gin stepped out as the driver opened the door for him. Before him stood a structure of breathtaking beauty, a fusion of modern elegance and artistic grandeur.

It was less a mansion and more a masterpiece, every line and curve seemingly crafted to inspire awe.

At the entrance, Owen awaited him, his presence commanding yet disarmingly warm.

"Welcome, Mage Gin. It is truly an honor to have you here," Owen said, his smile free of pretense or artifice.

There was a sincerity in his voice that unsettled Gin, though not unpleasantly. What could drive a man of such status to treat him with such genuine kindness? The question lingered at the edges of his mind as he nodded politely in return.

With steady steps, he began to approach, pushing aside the unease in his heart for now. He had a feeling that answers awaited him beyond those doors.

The moment GIn crossed the threshold of the Owen estate, he found himself captivated.

"Unbelievable," he murmured under his breath, unable to suppress his awe.

The exterior had been impressive enough, but the interior defied expectation.

Every item seemed extraordinary, radiating subtle waves of magical energy.

Enchanted artifacts permeated the mansion—too many for him to count—most designed for safety and convenience.

The halls stretched endlessly, and along the way, he passed through several lavish living spaces, each more magnificent than the last.

One such room featured luxurious sofas, a glass wall, and a view of a breathtakingly serene garden.

Eventually, Owen guided him to a spacious dining hall, where a long table was meticulously set with silverware for numerous guests.

"I thought it might be best for you to dine first. Would that be acceptable?" Owen inquired with polite sincerity.

"Of course," Gin replied with a nod. His stomach had already begun to growl in anticipation.

"Also," Owen continued, "some of the elders of my family informed me that they wish to meet you. If that is uncomfortable, I'll do my best to dissuade them."

Gin blinked, caught off guard by the offer. Why would Owen go to such lengths for him? He was a capable mage, but by all accounts, a mere outsider from humble origins.

"No, it's fine," Gin said after a moment. "In fact, I'm curious to see what they're like."

Owen exhaled a relieved sigh. "Thank you. Truthfully, I wasn't looking forward to telling them no." His candor earned a small smile from Gin.

"Haha, well, I'm glad to spare you the trouble."

Owen gestured for him to take a seat. "Let's eat then. I made sure they prepared something special today."

As they settled at the table, a procession of chefs emerged from a hidden kitchen, gracefully arranging dishes along the table.

Gin observed the unfamiliar cuisine with interest before cautiously tasting the first dish. His eyes widened in delight as the complex flavors unfolded.

'This is incredible.'

He had rarely tasted anything this refined, perhaps only a handful of times in his life.

"The chef is remarkable," Gin remarked after a few more bites.

Owen chuckled warmly. "He's from our main estate—a culinary master renowned even among other noble families.

They've tried to recruit him several times, but he's been with us for years."

The meal continued pleasantly, with Gin and Owen exchanging light conversation.

The atmosphere remained comfortable, almost surprisingly so.

After finishing the meal, Owen led Gin to an elegant reception room where three figures awaited, seated with quiet authority.

Gin's gaze sharpened.

These were the elders of the Owen family, powerful individuals whose auras crackled with restrained magic.

Each of them carried enchanted items designed to block magical surveillance. Owen noted that the devices were identical to those Owen had shown earlier, rendering their abilities ineffective within his own domain of influence.

Nevertheless, their magical presence was undeniable.

The eldest among them, Wendell, rose and spoke first. "I am Wendell. When Owen mentioned a mage of interest, I halted all other matters to be here."

Gin returned a respectful bow. "My name is Gin."

The other two men introduced themselves in turn. "Karl."

"Adler ."

Gin acknowledged them with a slight nod before Wendell gestured for both him and Owen to sit.

Karl and Adler remained silent but observant, scrutinizing Gin with an intensity that suggested they were analyzing every nuance of his presence. Wendell, however, seemed content to lead the conversation alone.

A sudden pulse reverberated through the room as Wendell invoked a technique unique to him. By clashing his internal magical forces, he generated a shockwave that rippled outward, subtly probing Gin's magical defenses.

The pressure was formidable, like a steady surge from a mighty river, designed to destabilize a target's aura and expose vulnerabilities.

Gin felt the disturbance ripple through his protective layer of magic, but he made no effort to resist. He allowed the energy to pass through, knowing that his outward defenses were part of the image he projected to the world.

Wendell's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Well, what do we have here?"

This technique was one of Wendell's specialties—a method refined over decades to analyze an opponent's magical composition by inducing subtle disturbances.

It had proven effective even against mages of higher rank than himself. Yet with Gin , something was different.

Although the initial disruption succeeded, it revealed no exploitable gaps. The mage's aura remained impenetrable.

"Are you truly a mage?" Wendell asked with genuine curiosity.

Gin nodded calmly. "I am. Why? Do I not seem like one?"

Wendell leaned back slightly, deep in thought.

Despite having confirmed Gin's background through thorough investigation, he found the situation baffling.

For a mage to maintain such absolute control over even their external aura suggested an unparalleled mastery of magic.

No mage would typically waste resources on such an elaborate defense unless they had a reason.

Still, Wendell did not press further. Instead, he subtly shifted the conversation, aiming to prolong the encounter.

His goal was to grant Karl and Adler ample time to assess Gin's character. Both of them were far more skilled at reading people than he was.