CHAPTER 83…………………………………………………..
Attribute-less.
I never expected to hear that term here.
‘…Does that mean Blake is an attribute-less?’
I always thought attribute-less people were just a device for the heroine.
But now Blake—who didn’t even appear in the original story—is an attribute-less?
…Isn’t this way too extreme a plot twist?
“By the way, why are you asking that?”
“I-I’m just curious.”
“Really? You don’t look particularly curious. Have you ever seen such a person?”
Kallak’s crimson eyes fixed on me as if analyzing me.
Within them, the rippling blue waves seemed deep and unfathomable, as if he could read all my thoughts.
Still, I had no intention of revealing anything easily. I shook my head, pretending ignorance.
“Of course not. I’ve heard that attribute-less people are almost impossible to identify…”
“But I thought you might know.”
…What’s this? Is he asking because he knows?
Or is he just testing me?
I deliberately forced a smile.
“Hahaha. Your Highness has a great sense of humor. How could I know something that exists only in legends?”
Right. Attribute-less people are, for now, nothing more than legends.
Even if Kallak investigated me, there was no way he could know about the original story.
‘So he probably just asked out of curiosity.’
I glanced at his expression.
Sure enough, he seemed to be asking without high expectations.
“Indeed. Your words are correct. If you ever happen to see such a person, be sure to tell me. I am deeply interested.”
“I will.”
“Our conversation has strayed a bit. Shall we begin the training?”
Finally!
But…
“Here?”
In this office? Sitting on the sofa…?
“Is that a problem?”
“N-No…”
‘Right. There shouldn’t be any problem.’
Training with a mana stone could be done anywhere, in any posture.
I’d even practiced lying down.
“Since this will be difficult at first, I’ll demonstrate. Watch closely.”
Kallak took a mana stone from his robe and placed it at eye level.
Then, blue thread-like mana extended from his eyes, wrapping around the stone.
‘So far, same as before.’
But what came next was slightly different.
The thread tapping the stone’s surface burrowed deeply into it.
It wriggled for a while, as if searching for something, and then began drawing out white mana.
This method was entirely new to me, and I found it fascinating.
Yet I couldn’t help but wonder:
‘Why does he do it that way?’
It looked harder than before…
Kallak wound the stone’s mana around the thread and drew it into his eyes.
“Doing it this way changes the eye color.”
He pointed to his eyes when he finished.
The ratio of blue to red had surged noticeably.
It wasn’t a complete color change like Blake had shown me before, but…
‘…Should I applaud?’
Kallak looked genuinely proud as he indicated his eyes.
After a brief hesitation, I clapped enthusiastically like a seal.
“Wow! That’s amazing! Eye color can actually change like this!”
Even seeing it multiple times was fascinating.
But as I watched the mix of red and blue, something came to mind.
‘It looks like a Taegeuk symbol.’
“Don’t just watch. Madam, why don’t you try it too?”
Lost in a moment of nostalgia, Kallak spoke.
“Oh, yes.”
I nodded promptly and prepared to try what Kallak had demonstrated…
—but before doing so.
“Your Highness, may I ask something?”
“What is it?”
“Is this method of using a mana stone widely known?”
“What do you mean?”
Hmm. How should I explain this.
“…Before I came to the Imperial Library, I searched the library within the Asitria mansion, but there was nothing similar.”
The Asitria family has a long history and tradition.
As such, their library contains many old books.
‘But none of them mentioned this.’
I even searched texts on the fire attribute, but nowhere did I find a training method using a mana stone.
‘No matter how resourceful Blake is, how did he find something the Grand Duke’s family didn’t even have?’
Perhaps it simply wasn’t in the Grand Duke’s library, but still…
Lost in thought, I heard a soft chuckle.
Looking up, I saw Kallak smiling broadly at me.
He almost looked like someone observing something very cute.
“You’re asking the most obvious thing. This training method has been passed down in the Imperial family for generations. So of course the Grand Duke’s library wouldn’t have it.”
…A training method passed down in the Imperial family?
Wait a second.
“Are you really allowed to tell me this?”
Even without thinking deeply, I felt this was dangerous.
What should I do? Pretend I didn’t hear?
Kallak shrugged casually.
“Well, I already said it. Consider it a reward to someone who saved a life.”
…Even if I saved a life, this feels like Imperial top-secret information.
There was one way to check if this was okay.
I turned my head toward the Crown Prince’s aide sitting in the distance.
He seemed like he could answer with his expression.
But he clearly decided to ignore it.
Like before, Ricador had both palms over his ears, staring out the window.
…Even like that, he can still hear everything.
Sighing at his perfect act of avoidance, I returned my head to its original position.
‘Right. If the Crown Prince permits it, who’s going to stop me?’
If the Emperor questions it… what then?
Kallak added, noticing my concern:
“Don’t worry. If you want, I can even write a formal pledge. With my seal, even His Majesty couldn’t easily intervene.”
A tempting offer.
But I am careful about my surroundings.
The Crown Prince’s aide seemed to silently signal “stop,” so how could I possibly proceed?
I answered reluctantly.
“…There’s no need for that.”
“Is that so? A shame.”
I had no idea what he meant by “a shame.”
‘Anyway, this is strange.’
What exactly is Blake’s true identity…?
“Madam, don’t just stare. Why not try it yourself?”
“Oh, yes!”
Time alone with the Crown Prince is precious. I could worry later.
Taking a short, deep breath, I cleared my mind and focused on the mana stone.
‘Wrap the mana around it… and pull it into my eyes, right?’
It was my first time, so I was nervous, but thanks to previous experience, I successfully absorbed the mana into my eyes.
“How… is it?”
My vision rippled like water had filled part of it.
Yet I was getting used to it, so it felt only slightly awkward.
But Kallak’s reaction seemed strange.
“…Unbelievable.”
More than strange, perhaps “incredible” is a better word.
“Excuse me?”
He muttered gloomily.
“It took me two years to master that…”
Two years…?
“Y-Your Highness…?”
Should I say something encouraging?
He muttered to himself for a while, then shook his head and forced a smile.
“You must have talent.”
But the corner of his mouth twitched.
I felt like I had done something terribly wrong.
“Ah… s-sorry.”
“No need. The emergence of talent is always a blessing.”
“Th-Thank you?”
Talent… something I’d never been called before. My heart started to race.
“By the way, how did the mana from the stone appear to you?”
A slightly odd question.
“…White.”
He nodded.
“I see. That’s good.”
Good? Could we be more precise?
“Your Highness, may I ask one more thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“Does your previous question mean… that mana stones appear differently to each person?”
“Yes. Those with high mana affinity see the mana as pure white. You appear to have very high mana affinity.”
Me? High mana affinity?
A minor character like me?
This wasn’t something I could just brush off happily. It felt… unsettling.
“…And what about someone with low affinity?”
“They see it as black. For reference, mine appears yellow.”
“I see…”
So that explains why Mary saw the mana as purple.
I stared at the mana stone, fascinated.
“Yes. That clears up some of your doubts, I hope.”
“To some extent.”
“Oh, time has flown. The longer we stay together, the more suspicious people will be, right?”
“Ah…”
Has it really been that long?
“Of course, if you want to appear as such, I can accommodate.”
…No need.
Every time he said something suggestive, it made my chest uncomfortable.
“I appreciate your words.”
“This mana stone is my gift to you. You may keep it.”
An unexpected reward.
“Thank you.”
I had been planning to get one anyway.
As I stood up smiling, Kallak wobbled slightly while getting up first.
“Yo—”
“Your Highness!”
Before I could help him, Ricador arrived faster.
Kallak held his head as if in pain and muttered.
“Don’t make a fuss. It’s nothing.”
“Then why waste mana unnecessarily?”
Ricador said irritably, though there was clearly affection in his voice.
“Your Highness always does this. Acting recklessly without thinking.”
Affection… or nagging?
“Ricador… even now you must scold? Let me have my pride.”
Kallak glanced at me as he spoke, and I awkwardly smiled.
“That’s fine. I’ll be going now.”
As I attempted to rise, Ricador handed Kallak a small vial.
“First, take this.”
The vial contained a potion that looked strangely familiar.
Wait, that potion…?
