Chapter 2
Just before the sand in the hourglass ran out—
The blue dots on the flower bud began blinking rapidly. It was the countdown to the explosion.
From playing the game many times, I already knew that Lowell would accept me as his disciple no matter the test result.
‘I just need to pretend I’m trying.’
“Could you give me just a little more ti—”
“I don’t think that will be necessary.”
Lowell snapped his fingers, and the blinking blue lights immediately died down.
He let out a small sigh.
“Your mana is unbelievably low. I’m curious what you learned under Brion.”
I awkwardly avoided his gaze.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
Lowell placed his hand on my forehead. His touch was gentle and warm.
To think those hands preserved people like specimens. What a two-faced man.
Soon, he pulled his hand away.
“You do have mana pathways in your body. That means you have the constitution of a mage…”
He fell into thought, then continued.
“In the past, there were rare cases like this. Some had their mana sealed. Some naturally stored mana. Some suppressed it unconsciously. Others could only use it under specific conditions.”
I stared at him blankly.
I had heard this explanation every time I played the game, but I never really understood what it meant.
“I’m not sure which case you fall into, but you are certainly interesting.”
Lowell looked me over with intrigued eyes.
“Very well. I’ll make you into a usable mage.”
“Thank you. I’ll work hard!”
I answered politely. Basic social skills of a modern adult. Or maybe just the survival instincts of someone raised in harsh society.
“Follow me. I’ll show you your room.”
As Lowell walked gracefully, he spoke again.
“Did you know there are two magic towers in the Imperial Palace?”
“One is the Sun Tower. The other is the Moon Tower.”
Lowell smiled.
“That’s right. This is the Moon Tower.”
“His Majesty gifted it to you, didn’t he?”
“You seem well informed.”
He looked slightly surprised.
This wasn’t common knowledge unless you were involved. I only knew because I had played the game endlessly.
I answered casually.
“I heard about Master Lowell’s reputation from Master Brion. His Majesty recognized your exceptional skills and granted you the Moon Tower to bring you into the imperial family.”
“That kind of praise is a bit embarrassing.”
Lowell gave a shy smile.
For a second, I almost stared at him in awe.
Wow. Seeing him in real life is on a whole different level than through a screen.
“….”
I mentally slapped myself again.
Focus. He’s a psychopath who preserves people.
I couldn’t afford to be distracted when I already needed to focus on one target.
My goal was Grand Duke Jerome Winston of the North.
Anyway, being favored by the Emperor proved Lowell was extremely capable.
My room was comfortable, just like any imperial facility. It was bigger than my old studio apartment, filled with sunlight, and fully furnished.
I wish this were my real house.
“Starting tomorrow, we’ll begin mana training. I hope you keep up.”
“I look forward to learning from you, Master.”
I gave him a polite smile meant for social survival. He stared at me for a moment, then smiled gently back.
“I look forward to it as well.”
Right then—
[Lowell Cyprian’s affection has increased by 5.]
[Lowell Cyprian’s Affection: 20]
I stared at the system window in disbelief.
I didn’t even use a skill. Why did his affection go up?
Just because I smiled?
That had to be it.
Determined to avoid the specimen ending at all costs, I decided never to smile at Lowell again.
After he left, I immediately sat at the desk and made a to-do list.
- Don’t smile at Lowell.
- Meet Jerome.
- Spam Charm skill on Jerome!
***
The next morning, I followed Lowell to a special training room.
It was a round room with no corners. The ceiling and walls were made entirely of white marble.
“Mana is always flowing around us. Today, you will try to feel the mana in the air.”
Lowell stood in the center.
“Close your eyes.”
I followed him and focused my senses.
I only felt cool air.
“Can you feel the mana?”
“…No.”
“I’ll increase the mana density.”
I heard him snap his fingers.
“How about now?”
“It feels the same…”
As I stood there with my eyes closed, I heard him mutter.
“…How can she not feel even this level of mana?”
When I opened my eyes, Lowell looked troubled.
“Master…?”
“Yes?”
Our eyes met.
He looked at me silently, then gave a soft smile.
“Don’t be too upset. The world also needs people without talent.”
“…What?”
“Lacking talent can mean living a comfortable life.”
“….”
Don’t comfort me!
I know my mana level is only 1!
People without magical talent really suffer, you know.
I should have at least raised my mana stat by one point.
Just then, there was a knock. Lowell’s attendant entered.
“Lord Cyprian, you have a guest.”
“Already? He arrived earlier than expected.”
Lowell put on his robe.
“That’s enough training for today.”
We went to the reception room together. Inside, a man sat on the sofa.
Neatly styled black hair. A black uniform. Long legs and broad shoulders. A sharply defined face and high nose bridge. A cold, indifferent expression with slightly furrowed brows. Eyes as blue as ice.
Grand Duke Jerome Winston of the North.
The man I needed to capture.
“It’s been a while, Duke Winston,” Lowell greeted.
Jerome nodded.
“It has been a while, Lord Cyprian.”
“You arrived sooner than expected.”
I sat across from Jerome.
His posture was flawless, his face like a perfectly carved statue.
An incredibly handsome statue.
But he looked stiff and tired.
“You have many skilled physicians by your side,” Lowell said after sipping tea.
“I summoned the best in the Empire, but none could find the cause. So I came to the Moon Tower. I suspect a curse.”
“I see. Then you’ve come to the right place.”
Lowell asked seriously, “When did the symptoms begin? When is the pain worst?”
“Six months ago. It worsens the longer I stay at the duke’s estate.”
“Then the cursed object is likely there.”
Lowell nodded.
“I will visit your estate. When would be convenient?”
“As soon as possible.”
Seeing two handsome men together made me smile unconsciously.
This is good for the eyes. Very good.
I carefully raised my hand.
“Um, can I come along too?”
Only then did Jerome acknowledge my presence.
“I don’t recognize this face.”
“She is my new disciple, Aisha,” Lowell explained.
Even so, Jerome responded coldly.
“No matter if she is Lowell Cyprian’s disciple, I cannot allow a stranger into the duke’s estate—”
Before he could finish, I activated my once-a-day Charm skill.
[Activating “Charm.”]
My lips moved on their own.
“Uuuh~ Aisha wants to go to the duke’s house toooo~ Can’t Aisha come alooong?”
What was that?
“……”
“……”
The room fell silent.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
I couldn’t believe that line came out of my mouth.
“That line wasn’t in the original game!”
What made it worse was Jerome’s stiff expression.
Just yell at me.
Throw a stone at someone who refers to herself in third person.
I wanted to crawl into a hole from embarrassment.
Then—
[Jerome Winston’s affection has increased by 10.]
[Jerome Winston’s Affection: 10]
I stared blankly at the system window.
That line actually worked?
