Chapter : 14
‘I’m not the only one who feels this sense of wrongness.’
My gaze met Master’s when I turned my head.
As I thought, his eyes were dangerously low, sinking into shadow. His deep green eyes looked like a viscous swamp.
‘Temis, stay still.’
Although I could clearly see Master’s lips move, I pretended not to hear and summoned the staff of darkness into my hand.
“Darkness.”
Darkness fell over the banquet hall.
The bright chandelier was swallowed by shadow and the hall instantly erupted into confusion.
“What—what is happening?”
“An attack!”
“Wait, isn’t that Temis’s staff?”
When someone spoke, everyone’s gaze swung to the enormous moon-shaped staff I was holding.
The next moment I returned the light to the hall, bowed my head toward the Emperor, and said,
“I apologize for the disturbance, Your Imperial Majesty, and to everyone present here.”
I tried to speak as calmly as possible. This was my first time displaying my power in front of so many people, so my lips were dry and my hands trembled.
Unlike Master’s light magic, my darkness magic inspires an instinctive fear in people. It’s an unavoidable, innate flaw, and I’d always hated it.
‘But now is not the time to worry about that.’
I was afraid to use my power in front of others, but if I was to protect people I had no choice.
I needed to earn the right to accompany Everett on his mission.
To connect Princess Aria and Master.
To prevent Master from giving his heart to her.
For that, I would do anything.
“I know this sudden use of magic must have been very startling, but please understand that there was a reason.”
“Understand? Are you telling us to understand that you suddenly used magic in the presence of the Emperor and the Princess? This is an affront to the royal family!”
Someone sharply rebuked me.
Their pointed stares made my stomach churn and my heart pound. I wanted to flee from the hall right then, but instead I gripped the staff tightly.
‘You can do it.’
I just had to be like Master.
My life’s savior—prouder and steadier than anyone I know.
Master stared at me wordlessly; he seemed angry that I hadn’t obeyed his command to stay still.
Meeting his gaze steadied the heart that felt like it would leap out of my chest.
‘I’m sorry for being a useless disciple who can’t follow Master’s orders.’
I murmured that apology in my head and then opened my mouth in a trembling voice.
“There are—”
At that moment my voice was amplified and carried through the hall.
When I looked toward Master in surprise, I saw a faint golden light shimmering in his hand.
No matter what I said, he was supporting me.
That warm faith dissolved the last of my tension.
Calmer now, I continued.
“There are suspicious people mixed among you. I used magic to protect you from them.”
“So you mean that someone here is dangerous?”
“Are they spies? Assassins?”
“Oh my, what is this…”
“This is supposed to be a celebration for the Princess’s return…”
The crowd began to chatter even louder than before.
Once I was certain there was an intruder, I thought about what to do.
I had to protect everyone here and at the same time single out and capture the intruder. My main goal was to earn the allowance to go on missions, but I would never put others at risk for that.
Fortunately, I had the ability to do this.
“Don’t worry. My darkness will protect you.”
Because darkness is feared by everyone, dark mages usually hide themselves. They are rarer than even light mages—the pinnacle of magic—like Master or Princess Aria. That meant most people knew almost nothing about the types or uses of darkness magic.
‘So I had to research and develop the spells I use myself.’
That also meant no one knew exactly what kinds of magic I could perform—except perhaps Master, who understood all magic, or senior mages who had studied for a long time. In short, ordinary people had no choice but to believe whatever I said!
“Darkness… will protect us?”
“Yes.”
I answered briefly and deliberately withheld further explanation.
“Please, don’t worry and enjoy the banquet again.”
I couldn’t easily clear the hall because I wanted to catch the culprit.
‘I’m also worried the previous terrorist still hasn’t been caught.’
If the royal family and Master had searched thoroughly and still couldn’t find a lead, then I needed to catch this perpetrator now, interrogate them, and uncover the mastermind.
‘And since the link to the rebels is only circumstantial right now, if I can find solid evidence this time, all the better.’
I hoped to gain a clue about the rebels here so they could be captured faster. If the rebels were caught quickly, Master would have more time to be with the Princess!
‘Two birds with one stone.’
That was my thinking for the moment. But reality was not so simple.
“The Grand Mage stays silent, but is it not indecent for an orphaned disciple to be so brazen?”
Some said that.
“Still, she is the Grand Mage’s only disciple…”
Others, unsure of what to do, sided with me.
“I don’t think this is for the disciple to handle. If something happens, the Grand Mage will deal with it.”
My opinion was dismissed and all eyes turned to Master.
‘…So powerless I am.’
I felt the bitter sting of harsh reality.
‘When I’m dispatched on missions, I’ll have to be more proactive about closing gates. If I perform well there, things might change a little.’
Proving my ability could wait. For now, the situation at hand was what mattered most.
‘What will Master do?’
I had ignored his command to stay still, so I couldn’t predict his response.
‘Will he be angry?’
But rather than scolding me, Master said:
“When a disciple acts without my permission, there might be a reason for their silence.”
He defended me.
My anxious heart, waiting for his reply, warmed at his words.
‘Master…’
I choked back my emotions and spoke again with a steady voice. I couldn’t waste the opportunity he had given me.
“I’m sorry for causing a disturbance at this joyous occasion, Princess. Congratulations on your return to the palace.”
I singled the Princess out and apologized again on purpose.
The Emperor’s brow, which had been furrowed in displeasure, smoothed out as if ironed. Princess Aria sat beside the Emperor and looked at me with a worried expression.
“Now, if the Grand Mage says it’s fine, let’s resume the banquet.”
When the Emperor declared the banquet resumed, soft music filled the hall again.
Some people approached to thank me; others openly disliked me and whispered among themselves.
I slipped to a corner of the hall where I could observe everything.
I noticed the royal guard’s armor appearing here and there—apparently the Emperor had ordered tighter security.
‘So, what now?’
The intruders hiding here couldn’t leave carelessly now; fleeing would invite suspicion. But they couldn’t just attack anytime either, since my comment had heightened security around the Princess.
‘If those intruders are indeed part of the rebels, it won’t be easy for them to hide in the palace again.’
The overall royal security would become stricter after this. Then it would be hard for them to get another opportunity; they would have to act today somehow.
‘And the look in their eyes…’
It was a look of someone who had resolved to die. People like that wouldn’t give up easily.
I watched the guests closely and waited for the right moment.
