Just before the sand in the hourglass completely ran out—
The blue dot on the flower bud began blinking urgently. It was a countdown signaling that the explosion was imminent.
From playing the game multiple times, I knew that regardless of the test results, Lowell would accept me as his disciple.
‘So I just need to pretend to try moderately.’
“Could you perhaps give me a little more ti—”
“I don’t think that will be necessary.”
With a snap of Lowell’s fingers, the blinking blue dot quickly faded away.
He let out a small sigh.
“Your mana is unbelievably depleted. I’m starting to wonder what exactly you learned under Brion.”
Feeling awkward, I averted my gaze.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
Lowell placed his hand on my forehead. His touch was soft and warm.
And with hands like that, he turns people into specimens… What a two-faced man.
Just as I was thinking that, Lowell withdrew his hand.
“You do have mana pathways in your body. That means you at least have the constitution of a mage…”
He paused in thought before continuing.
“In the past, there were rare individuals like this. Some had sealed mana, some accumulated mana, some unconsciously suppressed it, and others could only use it under specific conditions.”
I stared blankly at Lowell with my mouth slightly open.
I’d heard this explanation every time, but I still couldn’t understand what he meant.
“I’m not sure which category you fall into, my lady, but you’re certainly interesting.”
Lowell examined me with curious eyes.
“Alright. I’ll turn you into a capable mage.”
“Thank you. I’ll do my best to learn!”
I greeted him politely. This level of flattery was basic survival skill for a modern person. Or maybe just the ingrained servitude mentality from struggling in Korea.
“Follow me. I’ll show you your room.”
As Lowell walked gracefully, he continued speaking.
“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.
“That’s right. This is the Tower of the Moon.”
“His Majesty the Emperor gifted it to you, didn’t he?”
“Oh? You know quite a bit.”
Lowell looked slightly surprised, as if wondering how I knew that.
It wasn’t something outsiders would normally know. But I’d played this game to death.
I answered calmly.
“I heard about Master Lowell’s reputation from Master Brion. They say His Majesty recognized your exceptional talent and granted you the Tower of the Moon to bring you into the Imperial family.”
“That kind of praise is a little embarrassing.”
Lowell looked shy for a moment.
He was so beautiful that I almost stared at him in a daze.
Wow… this is on a completely different level from seeing him on a screen.
“……”
I mentally slapped myself again.
Get a grip. He’s a psychopathic specimen collector.
I couldn’t afford to get distracted by another man when focusing on one target was already hard enough.
My goal was Duke Jerome Winston of the North.
Anyway, given the Emperor’s favor, Lowell was clearly extraordinary.
The room I was assigned was comfortable, as expected of the palace. It was larger than my old studio apartment, well-lit, and fully furnished.
I wish this were my actual home.
“Starting tomorrow, we’ll begin mana training. I hope you’ll keep up.”
“I look forward to learning from you, Master.”
I gave a polite, social smile to the “fairy of preservation,” and he returned it gently after watching me for a moment.
“I look forward to it as well.”
At that moment—
[Lowell Ciprian’s affection has increased by 5.]
[Lowell Ciprian’s affection: 20]
I stared at the system window in disbelief.
I didn’t even use a skill—what did I do to raise his affection?
Don’t tell me… it was just from smiling?
No matter how I thought about it, that was the only explanation.
Determined to avoid the “specimen ending,” I resolved never to smile at Lowell again.
After he left, I immediately sat at the desk and took out paper and a pen to make a to-do list.
Don’t smile at Lowell
Meet Jerome
Spam charm skill on Jerome!
* * *
The next day, I followed Lowell early in the morning to a special room.
It was a round chamber with no corners, its walls and ceiling made entirely of white marble.
“Mana is always flowing around us. Today, you’ll try to sense the mana dispersed in the air.”
Standing in the center, Lowell continued,
“Close your eyes.”
I followed him, stepping into the center and closing my eyes, focusing all my senses.
But all I could feel was the cool air.
“Can you feel the mana?”
“…No.”
“I’ll increase the mana density.”
I heard him snap his fingers.
“How about now?”
“It feels the same…”
As I stood there with my eyes closed, I heard Lowell mutter,
“…How can someone not feel even this level of mana?”
When I opened my eyes, I saw Lowell looking troubled.
“Um… Master?”
“Yes?”
Our eyes met.
He looked at me silently for a moment, then smiled gently.
“Don’t be too discouraged. The world needs people without talent too.”
“…What?”
“Not having talent can also mean you’ll live a more comfortable life.”
“……”
Don’t comfort me!
I already know my mana level is only 1!
How is someone supposed to live without talent for mana?
I should’ve at least raised my mana stat by one…
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Lowell’s attendant entered.
“Lord Ciprian, you have a visitor.”
“Already? They’ve arrived earlier than expected.”
Putting on his robe, Lowell said,
“Let’s end today’s training here.”
We headed to the reception room together.
As we entered, I saw a man sitting on the sofa.
Neatly styled black hair. A black uniform. Long legs and broad shoulders. A sharply defined face with a high nose. A cold, indifferent expression with a slight frown. Ice-blue eyes.
It was Duke Jerome Winston of the North—my target.
“It’s been a while, Duke Winston.”
At Lowell’s greeting, Jerome nodded slightly.
“It has been a while, Lord Ciprian.”
“You’ve arrived earlier than expected.”
I sat across from Jerome, following Lowell.
His posture was flawless, his face like a perfectly sculpted statue.
A very handsome statue.
But his rigid expression made him look uncomfortable.
“I didn’t expect the Duke to come personally, especially for a private matter.”
Taking a sip of tea, Lowell crossed his legs elegantly.
“What brings you here?”
“I’ve been suffering from headaches and nightmares lately.”
Only then did I notice the dark circles under Jerome’s eyes.
I had almost overlooked his fatigue because of his looks.
“You must have many skilled physicians at your side.”
“I summoned the best physicians in the Empire, but none could find the cause. So I came to the Tower of the Moon, thinking it might be a curse.”
“Hmm, if that’s the case, you’ve come to the right place.”
Setting down his teacup, Lowell asked seriously,
“When did the symptoms begin? When do the headaches worsen?”
“Six months ago, suddenly. They worsen the longer I stay at my estate.”
“Then it’s likely the curse’s medium is located there.”
Lowell made a decision.
“I’ll visit your estate. When would be convenient?”
“As soon as possible.”
Seeing two handsome men at once naturally made me smile.
My eyes feel purified. Completely purified.
Watching from the side, I carefully raised my hand.
“Um… can I come along too?”
Only then did Jerome acknowledge my presence.
“An unfamiliar face.”
“This is Aisha, my new disciple.”
Despite Lowell’s introduction, Jerome replied coldly,
“No matter if you’re Lord Lowell Ciprian’s disciple, I cannot allow a stranger into my estate—”
Before he could finish—
I activated the charm skill I could use once per day.
[Activating ‘Charm’ skill.]
At the same time, my lips moved on their own.
“Uuu~ Aisha also wants to go to the Duke’s estate~ Can Aisha come too~?”
…What is this?
“……”
“……”
Silence filled the room.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
I couldn’t believe those words just came out of my mouth.
That line didn’t exist in the game!
What made it even worse was Jerome’s stiff expression.
Just curse at me already.
Throw a stone at someone who refers to themselves in the third person.
As I wished I could crawl into a hole from embarrassment—
[Jerome Winston’s affection has increased by 10.]
[Jerome Winston’s affection: 10]
I stared blankly at the system window.
…That worked?!