Chapter 42
The next morning.
In the wide dining hall of the Helderioz family, Dabien—who usually appeared near the end of breakfast time, yawning widely and arriving late—was already sitting at her seat for once.
“Oh? Dabien! You’re up early today?”
Normally, she would show up in her pajamas, her hair a mess, still half asleep while tearing bread apart and eating it.
When I first saw her like that, I was extremely shocked. The empire’s greatest young lady acting like noble etiquette meant nothing. But after seeing how the people of Helderioz accepted her behavior as normal, I also started to think, Well… that’s just Dabien.
But today was different.
Her hair was neatly tied back, she was wearing formal clothes, and she was carefully reading several sheets of documents through her glasses.
“Ah, Kae, you’re here.”
Her eyes were still fixed on the papers.
Soon the Duke and Duchess and Lloyd arrived, and breakfast began. Even then, Dabien barely ate.
After forcing down a few sips of coffee and a few pieces of bread, she organized the documents, stood up, and spoke to the Duke and Duchess.
“The schedule for the Magic Society Summer Academic Conference has been released. I’ll be busy in the library for a while preparing for the presentation. I’ll be going now!”
The Duke, Duchess, and Lloyd simply nodded as if this happened all the time.
What is she so busy with?
Curious, I quickly finished my meal to head to the library as well.
After changing clothes in my room, I opened the mansion door to leave—
“Oh? Hello. We’ve met before, right?”
Yutias was standing in front of the door, smiling brightly.
Damn it…
I slowly closed the door again. Ever since that strange dream, facing Yutias felt uncomfortable.
Should I just go back to my room?
At that moment, the doorbell rang. Instantly, the old butler appeared beside me as if he had teleported and opened the door. Yutias was still standing there.
“Ah! Lord Yutias, it has been a while. Have you been well?”
The butler began chatting with him. Listening to their conversation, it sounded like it would take quite a while.
Then… should I quickly go to the library now?
I quietly slipped past them and ran down the white stone path toward the library.
After running for some time, the mansion was no longer in sight.
“Huff… huff…”
Only then did I stop to catch my breath. I really need stamina training. I always thought healers only needed healing ability, so I neglected exercise. As a result, my stamina was terrible.
As I stood there catching my breath—
“Lady Kae.”
A voice called from behind me.
I turned around. Yutias was standing there. I had no idea when he arrived.
“We meet again.”
He smiled brightly, his hair shining in the sunlight like a halo surrounded him. No matter how much of a face-lover I am, I refuse to fall for that appearance. We only talked briefly before, but I could sense something suspicious about him.
I asked cautiously,
“Why are you following me?”
“Oh, I’m not following you. I’m going to see Lady Dabien.”
He smiled again.
“The butler told me she’s in the library. Well then!”
After giving a small bow, he walked ahead of me.
Was it just my imagination?
Watching him walk away, my guard slowly lowered.
It was just a dream… right?
I kept some distance and headed toward the library.
But if he’s the head of the Magic Tower, couldn’t he just teleport? Why is he walking? He’s a strange person.
When we reached the library entrance—
“Ah, by the way.”
He suddenly stopped. Turning around to face me, he said,
“The healer’s textbook really hurt.”
He lifted his bangs slightly. There was a serious wound on his forehead, as if something had struck him hard.
“You’re the first person who injured me this badly and survived, Lady Kae.”
Goosebumps ran all over my body.
What? That really wasn’t a dream…?
“Hahaha, that expression again. So cute.”
He’s seriously a crazy pervert.
I tightened my grip on the healer’s textbook in my hand.
“Dabien is waiting for me. I’ll be going now.”
Chuckling, Yutias turned and entered the library. I was truly thankful that Dabien did not marry that man.
Any tiny bit of support I had left in my heart for the Dabien–Magic Tower stock completely crashed to zero.
Dabien, you’re too good for him!
Absolutely not!
Clenching my fist, I went into the library.
When I opened the door, I was shocked by the sight inside.
Until yesterday, the library had been clean and well organized. Now it was a complete mess.
Librarians were busily carrying thick books, stacking them around the reading tables.
At the center of the piles stood Dabien with a huge blackboard. She was holding a massive stack of documents and writing something down.
Looking closely, she was listing complicated formulas that only experts could understand.
Then I remembered—
In the novel, Dabien was described as a genius magician rivaling the Tower Master. After the regression, it turned out she had always been a genius.
It was said she often overturned academic circles with innovative theories. Seeing her now, I finally understood.
Unnie is so cool!
I was amazed at this unexpected side of Dabien, who usually lazed around.
“Lady Kae, are you attending this academic conference too?”
Someone whispered near my ear.
Ah! That startled me!
I turned quickly. Yutias was standing there. Didn’t he enter first? Why does he always appear behind me like this?
I stepped as far away from him as possible.
“No. I’m not attending.”
“Hmm, that’s a shame.”
Sorry, Yutias. I’m a healer. I don’t write research papers.
Still smiling, he greeted me lightly and approached Dabien, who was glaring at the blackboard.
He pulled out another stack of documents from subspace magic. Dabien reviewed them carefully and frowned.
The two began a heated debate about formulas, theories, and laws that I couldn’t understand at all.
Just then, one of the librarians carrying books approached me awkwardly.
“Um, excuse me. The young lady is very busy preparing for the conference. It may be difficult to use the library for a while.”
So… are you telling me to leave?
Well, I guess I have no choice. I’ll go back to the mansion.
“Ah… I see…”
Seeing my disappointed expression, the librarian hesitated before continuing,
“I’m sorry. During conference season, many books are moved around, which can cause safety issues. And since this is a joint project with the Magic Tower, it may not be a good study environment if magicians keep coming.”
Before she could even finish—
“Yutias! You need to establish the Kelon Theory properly! Does this even make sense?!”
Dabien shouted.
Her voice was so loud it pierced my ears.
Even though it startled me, the librarians continued working as if this was normal. Yutias laughed and wrote more formulas on the board, arguing back point by point.
I couldn’t tell whether they were collaborating or fighting.
The librarian looked at them as if to say,
‘Do you really think anyone can study in that situation?’
“I understand. It can’t be helped. Thank you for telling me.”
“Please be careful on your way!”
After saying goodbye, I left the library.
At least while Yutias was busy with Dabien’s paper, he probably wouldn’t appear around me.
Even as I closed the large door, their debate— or fight— echoed loudly inside.
Should I head back to the mansion?
I started walking. A cool breeze, warm sunlight, and the beautiful garden stretched before me. My gloomy mood because of Yutias eased a little.
“Healer!”
I turned at the call. Several men in knight uniforms were waving at me. They were members of the Fifth Knight Order.
“Hello, Healer!”
They ran over and bowed.
“Have you been well?”
“Yes! All thanks to you, Healer!”
They smiled warmly. But judging by their condition, their training must have been harsh. Their faces and bodies were full of injuries.
“But why are you so injured?”
Does your knight order not have a healer?
They scratched their heads awkwardly.
“Well… the healer assigned to the Fifth Knight Order resigned recently…”
“Resigned? Did something happen?”
“Ah… well.”
Listening to them, this was what had happened.
