~Chapter 91~
“…Huh?”
I opened my eyes wide and looked around.
Just a moment ago, I had been practicing moving mana, but when I came to my senses, I was lying in bed inside my room.
Clearly, I must have collapsed and just woken up.
“Oh, Milady, you’re awake?”
As I looked around in confusion, Sophie came in through the door.
“As expected, you fainted during mana practice. Sir Fabian carried you back.”
“Ah… I see. Where is Fabian now?”
“He left after bringing you here! He said since it’s your first day, you shouldn’t push yourself, and to take good care of your health. He also said, since touching the tangled mana might cause an outburst, you should call for him anytime if needed.”
“…I see.”
After hearing the explanation, I slightly pouted.
“…Tch.”
So cold. He could at least stay by my side a little longer. Hmph.
It was clear Fabian was avoiding me—probably because of my sudden confession last time.
‘…Well, it’s understandable.’
For him, it must have been too sudden and unexpected.
Sigh. I let out a small breath.
Maybe confessing had been a mistake… but I decided once more not to regret it.
‘Still…’
I looked down at my hand.
The moment of practicing mana under Fabian’s guidance replayed in my mind.
That clump of tangled black threads inside my body.
‘It felt… like a slightly different kind of power than usual.’
The end of that tangled thread seemed faintly connected to my fingertips.
Whatever my relationship with Fabian was, I was satisfied that even a very small change had begun inside me.
If I kept practicing hard like this… would the day come when I truly changed?
Could I really survive instead of dying?
“…Sophie.”
I looked at her after a long moment, smiling faintly.
“Tomorrow, I’ll go to the Tower again. From now on, every single day.”
Mana practice—no, the real treatment—had finally begun.
For some time, I went to the Magic Tower every day to train in using mana.
Although I had promised myself not to pour everything into treatment, once I began, it wasn’t so easy.
I became stubborn.
I wanted at least to escape this state of collapsing the instant I tried to use mana.
And besides, I was curious.
If, by some chance, I really could become a mage… what magic would I use? What kind of life would I live?
In my previous world, this was something I could never experience.
Even just borrowing Fabian’s power for teleportation had been amazing. To control mana myself? It made me wonder what other wonders awaited.
But…
“Hah. Did I faint again?”
Holding my forehead, I looked around. Once again, I had woken up in bed.
As Fabian had said, when it came to mana, I was fragile like glass.
One moment I was at the Tower, and the next, I was back in my bedroom.
“I thought I’d succeed today…”
It seemed practice every day wasn’t really making me stronger.
Sometimes I managed to hold out a little longer, even drawing out some mana. Other times, I fainted just from thinking about the black clump.
Today I thought I was fine… but once again, I had collapsed.
Sigh.
At that moment, something dripped onto the blanket. I looked down—blood.
“…Ack.”
As I quickly tilted my head back to block the nosebleed—
“Milady, you’re awake at las—Oh my goodness!”
Sophie, who had just entered, gasped and rushed over.
“A nosebleed! You must have overdone it. What should we do? Are you alright?”
“Yes… I’m fine, Sophie.”
I took the tissue she hurriedly handed me and forced a laugh.
Sophie’s face showed pure worry.
“This won’t do. Tomorrow is the weekend, so please rest. I’ll tell Sir Fabian myself. If you keep pushing like this, you’ll die even sooner instead of getting cured!”
“Haha… alright, I understand. Thank you…”
She was right. Irene’s body really didn’t have the strength.
All I had done was faint repeatedly, yet my body was showing clear signs of strain.
I’d even lost weight in just a few days. It seemed tampering with mana was taking a toll.
“I really do need to exercise harder, just like Fabian said…”
As I muttered to myself, folding up the bloodied tissue—
Knock, knock.
Someone tapped on the door.
Who could it be? I turned my head. A man peeked in through the slightly opened door.
“Milady, it’s me.”
“…Ah. Harry?”
My eyes widened, and I looked at his hand.
“If you’re feeling well enough… would you like to have tea?”
He was holding a tray with tea on it, just like the day I had visited his studio.
“So, Harry, how is your painting going?”
I asked after taking a sip of tea and setting the cup down.
Since Sophie had excused herself, only Harry and I remained in the room.
Being alone with him reminded me of our last conversation, making things feel awkward.
Unable to stand the silence, I spoke first, pretending it was casual.
Harry seemed to understand. He smiled gently, took a sip of tea, and replied.
“Yes. I recently finished a painting of Lisman Harbor, and now I’m starting a new one.”
“Really? I’m looking forward to it. Is it another place we traveled to?”
“Yes. This time, I’m painting the view of the Colosseum.”
“Ohh…”
I nodded, then teased lightly.
“Harry, you must really treasure the memories of traveling with me.”
“…Yes. After Lisman Harbor, that memory was one of the strongest for me.”
Muttering, Harry seemed to recall something.
“And when I was sketching, I remembered… that day, you suddenly disappeared during the trip.”
“…Ah.”
“Was it because you were unwell? The maid said you had gone ahead because you weren’t feeling well, but the explanation wasn’t very clear.”
“…Yes.”
I remembered.
During the trip with Harry and Pin, at the Colosseum, I had almost suffered a mana outburst.
That was also the day I first met Fabian.
Even now, I felt as though I could smell the deep, empty fragrance from his embrace.
“That day… I’m sorry I couldn’t finish the trip with you. I wanted to explain, but as you know, I didn’t want to show weakness.”
“It’s alright. I only asked because I was curious, remembering it just now.”
After a pause, Harry took another sip of tea and then spoke again.
“In fact… I just borrowed the Duke’s stationery to send a letter.”
“Hm? A letter?”
“Yes. To His Highness the Crown Prince. I told him that if there’s any way I can help save you, I want to.”
“…Ah.”
My mouth fell open.
I recalled his words before—that he would even give up his life if it meant saving me.
I had known his resolve, but I didn’t expect him to act on it.
“I heard you’ve been working hard on treatment lately. I truly believe it’s the right choice. Pin is also praying desperately for your full recovery.”
“…”
“I don’t have much, so I can’t offer a lot of help… but if you ever need anything, please tell me. I want to help, however I can.”
Finishing, Harry gave me a gentle smile.
His voice was more sincere than ever. I could feel his genuine heart, and I couldn’t help but smile back.
“Thank you, Harry. That really means a lot. But…”
As I continued, Harry tilted his head, looking at me curiously.
