Chapter 11
“I’m here!”
Restless, I had been pacing around the basement like a dog desperate to relieve itself. The moment I sensed the presence I had been waiting for, I happily flopped down into the pile of trash.
I had been thinking maybe I should break another mana stone. It was the last one left, but I was already considering it.
Then—
With a soft click, the heavy basement door slowly opened.
I glanced at the Tower Master reflected in the mirror beside me.
Long, silky silver hair, pale skin that didn’t look like someone of middle age, and sharp, slanted eyes. Contrary to the frail image of a mage buried in a tower studying all day, he was tall with a strong build and presence.
‘If he were younger, he’d be the male-lead type of handsome guy.’
I casually thought nonsense while observing him.
Soon, the Tower Master muttered something incomprehensible and extended his hand toward Calion.
Blue light formed in his palm, expanding until it enveloped Calion completely.
Even from a distance, I could feel the warm flow of mana. I thought I had made the right choice.
Of course, his visible injuries didn’t improve dramatically. The bleeding stopped at best. But Calion seemed more at ease, his constantly furrowed brows slowly relaxing.
‘He’s not completely clueless.’
I had worried he might fully heal him—but fortunately, the Tower Master only treated the internal injuries.
That was a relief.
‘Otherwise Henry would’ve been even more furious.’
He might have used it as an excuse to beat him again—claiming something ridiculous like, “Why are you suddenly fine?”
After some time, the blue light filling the basement slowly faded, and darkness returned.
“…Is it over?”
I muttered quietly, glancing at the Tower Master.
Then suddenly, he turned sharply toward my direction.
Startled, I quickly lowered my barely raised head and pretended to be an ordinary doll again. There was no way I wanted to be taken away by someone who thought I was insane.
Step. Step.
His footsteps grew closer.
An uneasy future flickered before me, and I swallowed nervously.
“Who….”
His steps stopped.
Calion’s hoarse voice echoed through the basement.
At that moment, the Tower Master looked briefly disappointed, then turned away.
He shrugged casually.
“This is a dream.”
…As if anyone would believe that.
I felt even more strongly now that this man truly was an eccentric mage.
Calion, who had been sweating and unconscious moments ago, now looked much better. Then he asked firmly:
“Are you… Lord Leophris?”
I noticed excitement hidden in his voice.
So I cautiously lifted my head a little more.
Nothing had changed. The same dirty basement, the same heavy darkness, and faint moonlight seeping through a barred window.
But under that light, Calion looked strangely radiant.
Is it because of the moonlight?
No—it was Calion’s eyes that were shining.
They held curiosity, admiration, and youthful excitement.
“…Oh dear.”
I couldn’t finish my thought.
It felt embarrassing.
I had assumed that someone destined to be a “villain” would naturally grow up without experiencing things like normal children. That their eyes would only hold resignation and emptiness.
But that wasn’t true.
Calion can make that expression too.
That gaze filled with hope and admiration—just meeting someone he respected was enough to move him.
“…Thank you.”
While I was staring blankly, Calion’s voice brought me back.
The Tower Master casually waved his hand, opened the locked door again, and walked out.
Though he briefly paused at Calion’s voice.
“I’ve always admired you!”
“……”
“I’ve heard geniuses like Lord Leophris only appear once in the kingdom—no, the entire world.”
Calion couldn’t hide his excitement, speaking continuously.
It looked like—
‘Me fangirling over my favorite character.’
Of course, Calion’s feelings were probably far more sincere than mine.
The Tower Master stopped walking.
“…You seem mistaken.”
“……”
“You might be able to become like me.”
He tilted his head slightly.
“…Maybe even surpass me.”
I glanced at Calion.
His face was completely red.
It was the first time I had seen him express emotions so openly.
So he could make expressions like that too.
The sight made something inside me tremble softly.
The Tower Master turned away again.
“Don’t worry too much. In ten years, you’ll probably be better than me.”
Then he added casually:
“Ah, and for the record—I don’t say things I don’t mean.”
Thud.
The basement door closed again, and darkness returned.
Yet something had changed.
Not the darkness—but the atmosphere.
It was because of Calion.
And watching him, I remembered my past life.
A child who had once desperately wanted someone to say even a single hopeful word to them.
3 Days Later
“You’re beautiful as always.”
Waking up early to the chirping birds, I looked at Calion lying in bed with his eyes closed.
Is this what they mean by “just looking is enough to be full”?
As I stared at him, his ears slowly turned red.
“Ah—right.”
I kept forgetting. He could hear me.
He must have already been awake, pretending to sleep.
Stretching my doll body, I loosened the stuffing that had clumped overnight.
It had already been three days since we left the basement.
After the Tower Master left, we were still “stuck” in the mansion for two more days.
A birthday party where the birthday boy was absent.
And no one found that strange.
Still, Calion said it wasn’t necessarily bad. It was better than being seen by Henry or caught in Vivi’s mischief and getting hurt again.
During those days, I grew closer to him as we talked.
And eventually, just as in the original story, I became his doll.
At least, that was the direction things were heading. Even I wasn’t sure what would happen next.
For now, I just wanted to stay by his side.
“Did you sleep well, Calion?”
He nodded slightly in response.
So cute—it was the first time I’d seen him flustered like that.
These past few days had been strangely peaceful.
Except—
—“Good morning, Calion! Riri!”
The loud voice of the Mirror Artifact echoed like boiling a kettle.
I glanced at Calion, who couldn’t hear it, with a hint of envy.
Then I remembered what I had done before leaving the basement.
‘Take this mirror too. It might be useful.’
It was noisy, yes—but it had helped save Calion.
So I had placed it in Calion’s inner coat pocket.
Everything had been quiet since arriving at the Duke’s estate.
Calion’s injuries were healing, and the twins and Duke were unusually quiet.
It felt like the calm before a storm, but I decided to enjoy the peace.
I sat across from Calion during breakfast.
Then—
—Riri! Something is wrong with my body!
“You’ve always been wrong.”
—That’s not what I mean! I’m serious! I feel dizzy, and the mirror area is burning—
Ignoring it at first, I finally sighed in defeat.
I stood up.
“Hold on. I’ll deal with that. Just keep eating.”
Calion looked at me as I jumped off the chair.
I landed softly on the carpet and rushed toward the noisy mirror.
As I approached, I suddenly stopped.
Not just because my reflection looked unusually ugly today…
But because—
—Hello, Riri.
“……”
—Long time no see.
…Why are you here?
