Chapter 79
After I Die, the Little Groom
Nadia quickly composed her surprised expression and greeted Gwen warmly.
“Welcome, Sir Gwen. Are you going to be my teacher?”
“That depends on whether you like me, my lady.”
Nadia already liked Gwen, but she couldn’t decide on a magic teacher so hastily.
She gestured lightly and offered Gwen a chair.
Gwen bowed politely and sat opposite Nadia.
“I heard that you’ve been self-taught in magic until now.”
“There’s hardly anything to call it self-taught. I just read a few books and tried to follow along.”
“And what exactly did you practice following?”
Gwen’s voice was high and gentle, like that of a teacher instructing a child.
Nadia had only encountered strict tutors in Rivenia, and at the academy, she had only met highly authoritative professors. This type of teacher was entirely new to her.
Suppressing a smile, Nadia replied, feeling a little childlike.
“I made light or moved objects.”
“Would you like to show me?”
“Um, is that alright? I actually collapsed once right after my core opened from using magic.”
“My goodness! Right after your core opened?”
Gwen exclaimed dramatically, feigning shock.
“If it’s alright, may I hold your hand for a moment?”
Nadia nodded and extended her hand.
Gwen held her hand and closed his eyes. His untainted mana pooled into Nadia’s palm, and she felt it slowly brushing over her body.
It felt both ticklish and slightly embarrassing.
Just as Nadia swallowed nervously, Gwen opened his eyes. His smile was gentler and warmer than when they first met.
“You have exceptionally pure mana.”
“Do I?”
“Yes. People who do not easily harbor hostility toward others have very clear, bright mana. I can feel what a good person you are, my lady. Ah, though that wasn’t the point—I wasn’t trying to check that. Your core has already healed enough, so you may use magic freely now.”
Clapping his hands, Gwen encouraged Nadia once more to try magic.
Nadia raised her palm toward the ceiling and slowly moved her mana.
A faint light appeared in her palm, and soon a small orb formed out of light. When Nadia levitated the orb in the air, Gwen smiled softly.
“Light magic. It suits someone as warm as you. It’s the best talent for protecting others.”
“Protecting others?”
“Yes. You haven’t used it on anyone else yet, have you?”
Nadia thought back over her memories.
The first time she had used magic was when Vivian swallowed a magical artifact.
More recently, during the carriage accident, Nadia remembered the explosive magical energy within her. Perhaps she had used magic to protect others even then.
A smile spread across Nadia’s face, and Gwen smiled in return, as if delighted.
“You seem to have an idea.”
Nadia cupped her hands like a bowl, and a fountain of light sprang up from her palms.
Perhaps because she cherished it, her mana moved more freely than before.
“Magic is truly amazing,” Nadia said with genuine admiration.
Gwen, as if he had been complimented himself, beamed excitedly.
“Isn’t it? Magic is such a fascinating study! Look, the magic I can summon most easily is fire.”
He raised his index finger and produced a small flame at its tip. Blowing on it carefully, Gwen continued with lively enthusiasm.
“People aren’t limited to a single element. Everyone has an image in mind when they think of magic. The more concrete the image, the easier it is to manifest. So the idea of ‘I can only use light magic because I am a light element’ is wrong. It’s more accurate to say, ‘I am familiar with light magic.’”
Gwen truly loved magic. He went on at length about basic magical theory. Nadia already knew some of it, but hearing it from an expert brought new insights, so she listened attentively.
After several cups of tea, time had flown by.
Nadia practiced converting mana into fire as Gwen instructed, but Vivian’s whisper brought her back to reality.
“Time already…?”
Learning and practicing new things was Nadia’s favorite time, especially when she had a skilled teacher.
Seeing Nadia’s sincere regret, Gwen felt embarrassed yet pleased.
“I’ll wait for good news, my lady.”
That reminded Nadia that Gwen was not yet officially her teacher.
Heinrich had brought several magicians for Nadia to choose from, giving her the right to decide for herself. Nadia wanted to say it was too much, but Heinrich had already conveyed his intentions with just a look.
“Do not say it is too much. It is only natural between lovers.”
Nadia wondered whether ordinary couples also received magic teachers, but she had no way of knowing.
She almost regretted never having experienced love in her two lifetimes.
In any case, Nadia met two more magicians that day and three more the next day.
After three trial lessons, Vivian was utterly exhausted.
Meanwhile, Nadia’s face was radiant, as if she had been rejuvenated for several days.
Vivian couldn’t help but stare in shock at her lady.
“Why are you so passionate about magic?”
Nadia answered matter-of-factly.
“Because I don’t need to use it anywhere, which makes it fun.”
Of course, Nadia had sometimes studied things reluctantly for estate management, which wasn’t always enjoyable. Still, compared to others, it was tolerable.
Nadia chattered cheerfully.
“Magic is such an interesting study. I didn’t know it required imagination, but creating anything needs imagination, right? Art, architecture, cooking—it all requires imagination. Maybe it’s obvious, but realizing that is wonderful.”
“Then all studies are similar, aren’t they? They all need imagination,” Vivian said, sounding tired.
Nadia laughed heartily, pleased.
As she was about to continue talking about magic, a pleasant, mid-low voice came from behind.
“Looks like you enjoyed your lesson.”
Surprised and pleased, Nadia turned around. Vivian had stepped back, replaced by Heinrich.
Nadia smiled, her eyes gentle.
“Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity. It was truly meaningful.”
It was rare for Nadia to express such straightforward gratitude. Heinrich offered a hand with a faint smile.
“You seemed to enjoy it. Shall we take a walk? I would like to hear which teacher you will choose.”
“Gladly.”
Nadia took Heinrich’s hand and nodded.
They walked slowly toward the garden.
“All six magicians you brought were excellent. They had both knowledge and practical experience.”
“Then the lessons must have been helpful.”
“Yes. It was good to see what each magician valued most. Some prioritized the traditional form of magic passed down from ancient times, while others believed that anyone with talent should be able to learn magic.”
“Which one do you plan to hire?”
“I like Sir Gwen the most.”
Feeling she had been too chatty, Nadia said only the conclusion. Heinrich, however, waited, still looking at her.
She remembered he had asked her to explain her reasoning.
Nadia reflected on her own inexperience and continued.
“Because he seems to love magic the most. Ambition, wealth, self-improvement—they’re all admirable, but I wanted someone who enjoys magic as much as I do.”
“That’s very like you,” Heinrich said, nodding in understanding.
Nadia couldn’t tell exactly why he felt that way. She still didn’t know much about Heinrich.
She also didn’t know why Heinrich had chosen her as his partner.
‘He would say it’s because he likes me… but…’
It didn’t feel real.
“Thank you for finding me a magic teacher.”
“Didn’t I promise?”
Nadia stared at Heinrich silently.
Could she ask? Should she not?
Before she could decide, Heinrich seemed to know her thoughts and asked first.
“What are you curious about?”
