Chapter 02
Just before the sand in the hourglass ran out.
The blue dot on the flower bud began flashing urgently. It was a countdown, signaling that an explosion was imminent.
Based on having played the game multiple times, Lowell would take me on as his disciple regardless of the test results.
So all I have to do is pretend to put in a reasonable amount of effort.
“Could you perhaps give me just a little more ti—”
“I don’t think that’ll be necessary.”
When Lowell snapped his fingers, the blinking blue dot quickly faded away.
He let out a small sigh.
“Your mana is unbelievably depleted. I can’t help but wonder what you learned under Brion.”
Feeling awkward, I was about to avert my gaze when—
“Excuse me for a moment.”
Lowell placed his hand on my forehead. I felt a soft, warm touch against my skin.
So these were the hands he used to preserve people like specimens. Just as I was thinking what a two-faced man he was, Lowell withdrew his hand.
“You do have mana channels in your body. That means you possess the basic constitution of a mage, but…”
He fell into thought before continuing.
“There have been others with rare constitutions like yours in the past. Some had their mana sealed, some naturally accumulated mana, some unconsciously suppressed it, and others could only activate mana under specific conditions.”
I stared at Lowell blankly, my mouth hanging open.
I’d heard this explanation countless times, but I still couldn’t understand a word of it.
“I don’t know which category you fall into, my lady, but you’re certainly interesting.”
Lowell looked me over with curious eyes.
“Very well. I’ll make you into a mage worth using.”
“Thank you. I’ll do my best to learn!”
I replied in an obedient tone. This level of flattery was basic survival skill for modern people—
or maybe just the ingrained servitude of someone who’d lived in South Korea.
“Follow me. I’ll show you the room you’ll be staying in.”
Lowell spoke as he walked with elegant steps.
“Did you know there are two magic towers in the Imperial Palace?”
“One is the Tower of the Sun, and the other is the Tower of the Moon.”
Lowell smiled brightly.
“That’s right. This is the Tower of the Moon.”
“It was a gift from His Majesty the Emperor, wasn’t it?”
“You’re well informed.”
Lowell looked slightly surprised, as if asking how I could possibly know that.
Details like this weren’t common knowledge unless you were an insider.
I knew because I’d played this game to death.
I lied smoothly.
“I heard about Master Lowell’s reputation from Master Brion. They say His Majesty recognized your outstanding abilities and granted you the Tower of the Moon to bring you into the imperial court.”
“That kind of praise is a bit embarrassing.”
Lowell looked shy for a moment.
He was so beautiful that I almost found myself staring.
Wow. This is on a whole different level from seeing him on a screen.
“….”
I slapped my own cheek internally.
Get it together. He’s a psychopathic specimen-collector.
I didn’t have the luxury to get distracted by someone else when focusing on one target was already hard enough.
My goal was the Grand Duke of the North—Jerome Winston.
Still, given the Emperor’s favor, it was clear Lowell was no ordinary mage.
The room was comfortable, befitting the Imperial Palace. It was larger than the studio apartment I used to live in, well-lit with sunlight, and fully furnished.
I wish this were my house.
“Starting tomorrow, we’ll begin mana training. I hope you’ll keep up.”
“I look forward to learning from you, Master.”
When I gave the fairy of preservation a polite social smile, he looked at me for a moment, then returned a gentle smile.
“I look forward to it as well.”
That was when it happened.
[Lowell Cyprian’s favorability has increased by 5.]
[Lowell Cyprian’s favorability: 20]
I stared at the system window in disbelief.
I didn’t even use a skill—what did I do to raise his favorability?
Don’t tell me… just smiling did that?
No matter how I thought about it, that was the only explanation.
Desperate to avoid the specimen ending, I decided then and there that I would never smile at Lowell again.
After he left, I immediately sat at the desk and pulled out paper and a pen to make a to-do list.
Don’t smile at Lowell
Meet Jerome
Spam Charm on Jerome!
The Next Day
Early in the morning, I followed Lowell to a special room.
The circular room had no corners, and both the ceiling and walls were made of white marble.
“Mana is always flowing around us,” Lowell said, standing at the center of the room.
“Today, we’ll try to sense the mana dispersed in the air.”
He continued,
“Close your eyes.”
I moved to the center and closed my eyes, focusing all five senses. But all I felt was cool air.
“Do you feel the mana?”
“…No.”
“I’ll increase the mana density.”
I heard the snap of his fingers.
“How about now?”
“It feels the same as before…”
As I stood there with my eyes closed, I heard Lowell mutter,
“…How can someone fail to sense even this much mana?”
I opened my eyes and saw Lowell wearing a troubled expression.
“Um… Master?”
“Yes?”
Our eyes met.
He stared at me silently for a moment, then smiled gently.
“Don’t be too discouraged. The world needs people without talent, too.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Having no talent can also mean living a more comfortable life.”
“…….”
Don’t comfort me!
I know my mana level is only 1!
Do you think it’s easy living as someone with no magical talent?
If I’d known it’d be like this, I would’ve put at least one point into mana.
Just as I was thinking that, there was a knock at the door. Soon, Lowell’s attendant entered.
“Lord Cyprian, you have a guest.”
“Already? They arrived earlier than expected.”
Lowell said as he put on his robe.
“Let’s end today’s training here.”
We headed to the reception room together. When we entered, I saw a man sitting on the sofa.
Neatly styled black hair. A black uniform. Long legs and broad shoulders.
A sharply sculpted face with a high nose. Cold, indifferent features with a faint frown.
Eyes as blue as ice.
It was Jerome Winston, Grand Duke of the North—the man I needed to攻略.
“It’s been a while, Duke Winston.”
At Lowell’s greeting, Jerome inclined his head slightly.
“It has, Lord Cyprian.”
“You arrived earlier than I expected.”
I sat across from Jerome alongside Lowell.
His flawless posture and expressionless face made him look like a finely sculpted statue.
A devastatingly handsome one at that.
But the stiffness in his expression made him look uncomfortable.
“I didn’t expect you to visit personally—especially for a private matter.”
After taking a sip of tea, Lowell crossed his legs gracefully.
“So, what brings you here?”
“I’ve been suffering from headaches and nightmares recently.”
Only then did I notice the dark circles beneath Jerome’s eyes.
I’d almost missed the fatigue in his face, blinded by his looks.
“You must have many skilled physicians at your side.”
“I summoned the Empire’s finest, but none could find the cause. That’s why I came to the Tower of the Moon—thinking it might be a curse.”
“Hm. If that’s the case, you came to the right place.”
Setting down his teacup, Lowell asked seriously,
“When did the symptoms begin? When are the headaches at their worst?”
“About six months ago. The headaches started suddenly, and they worsen the longer I stay at the ducal residence.”
“Then it’s highly likely the medium of the curse is located there.”
As if making up his mind, Lowell continued,
“I’ll visit the ducal residence. When would be convenient?”
“As soon as possible.”
Seeing two handsome men at once made me smile without thinking.
My eyes feel cleansed. Truly cleansed.
Watching from the side, I cautiously raised my hand.
“Um… could I come along too?”
Only then did Jerome acknowledge my presence, his gaze settling on me.
“I don’t recognize you.”
“This is my new disciple, Aisha.”
Despite Lowell’s introduction, Jerome replied sharply.
“No matter whose disciple she is, I can’t allow a stranger into the ducal residence—”
Before he could finish his sentence,
I activated my once-per-day Charm skill.
[Activating skill: ‘Charm’.]
At the same time, my lips moved on their own.
“Uuung~ Aisha wanna go to da ducal mansion too~
Can Aisha come along pwease~?”
What… is this?
“…….”
“…….”
An awkward silence filled the reception room.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
I refused to believe that those words had just come out of my mouth.
It wasn’t like this in the game!
What made it worse was Jerome’s frozen expression.
Just curse at me.
Throw stones at the person speaking in third person.
I wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear—
Then—
[Jerome Winston’s favorability has increased by 10.]
[Jerome Winston’s favorability: 10]
I stared blankly at the system window.
…That worked?
