Chapter 20: Consider It a Reward
2022.01.08
As the morning sun rose, the Brelov Mansion was quiet enough that no one would have guessed that a search had been conducted the night before for a suspicious person. I, too, acted as if I knew nothing—eating breakfast and going about a normal morning—but my mind was far from calm.
“The thing I used last night to save Askan was the magic stone bracelet. It’s not something you can buy just anywhere, and only the person who has engraved it can use it.”
No matter how I thought about it, there was no way the esteemed Brelov family wouldn’t notice that it was me using Light Magic last night. Especially since the one involved was none other than Zen. I kept running through in my head how I should respond if last night’s events were discovered. Although I had anticipated it, Zen arrived sooner than I expected. By mid-afternoon, he quietly appeared in my room.
“Miss Tanasia, the head of the household requests your presence.”
Hearing that, I finally felt that the moment had come. I nodded and rose without hesitation.
“Where is Father now?”
“He’s waiting in his office.”
“Understood.”
Zen led the way, seemingly expecting me to follow, guiding me to the office where Orland was waiting. He remained silent the entire way. Having read the novel, I already knew he spoke little, but it was clear he was the same type as Askan. Lost in thought, I barely noticed that we had arrived at the office. Zen knocked on the door and reported,
“Head of the household, Miss Tanasia has arrived.”
“Tell her to come in.”
With Orland’s permission, Zen opened the door politely.
“Please, come in, Miss.”
“Thank you.”
Stepping inside, I saw the office piled high with stacks of documents—a sight that alone was exhausting. Orland looked up from his paperwork, and our eyes met. His sharp gaze made a corner of my heart ache despite the brief contact.
“Sit for a moment. I’ll finish this quickly.”
“Yes, Father.”
I sat on the sofa without protest. Right now, following instructions was the safest choice. Quietly observing the office with just my eyes, I saw Orland approach after finishing his work and sit across from me. He looked tired, likely from lack of sleep.
“Zen saw someone suspicious last night, but they got away because Light Magic was used. Do you have anything to say about this?”
Orland gave me the first chance to explain. I seized it immediately.
“Yes. I was the one who used Light Magic outside the mansion last night.”
“Matela said she gave you the magic stone bracelet, but it hadn’t been engraved yet…”
“My teacher gave me an assignment, so I disassembled it and put in a new magic formula. I just wanted to test if it worked properly.”
A look of surprise flickered across Orland’s face as he listened.
“Already?”
“Yes.”
“You haven’t been studying magical engineering for very long.”
“It’s the field I chose. I enjoy it so much that I’ve thrown myself into it.”
Orland couldn’t hide a smile. No father could resist feeling proud when his daughter showed such dedication.
“That’s good to hear.”
“But did a suspicious person actually intrude into the mansion last night?”
I looked at him as if I knew nothing. Orland studied me for a moment but shook his head.
“I don’t think so. There’s no sign of a break-in or anyone leaving.”
“Then maybe they were just mistaken about someone inside the mansion.”
Orland said nothing, merely observing me. It seemed he was encouraging me to keep talking. I took the opportunity to offer the excuse I had planned in my head.
“I wanted to try using Light Magic, but if I did it inside my room, I might have woken the household staff, so I went outside. But it was so dark that I called the ignition and couldn’t find them. Maybe that’s why it looked suspicious?”
At that point, Zen had seen Askan’s silhouette. He must have already figured out that the other party was a boy, not an adult. Rather than denying everything, it was better to admit part of the truth and steer the situation in another direction. What I had really wanted to hide wasn’t Askan’s identity, but that he had tried to escape from the mansion. Fortunately, because I used Light Magic to move away, Askan’s luggage wasn’t discovered. With a good excuse, there was a way to get out unscathed.
“Hm, that makes sense.”
Relief surged in my chest as Orland acknowledged my explanation.
“Right?”
“But this place is where you and Noxia live. I must ensure your safety.”
I swallowed nervously. Orland was a skilled businessman and master at dealing with people, so I couldn’t let my guard down.
“This matter…”
Orland’s sharp eyes locked on me. I met his gaze calmly, waiting for him to continue.
“Since you explained it this way, I’ll let it slide this time.”
I wanted to dance for joy inside, but I kept my expression neutral and simply nodded.
“But it can’t happen twice. If anything like this happens again, I’ll investigate thoroughly, and anyone behaving suspiciously will be expelled from the mansion, regardless of guilt.”
Orland’s warning was serious. Though it made me wonder if he knew more than he let on, I was just grateful this was the end for now.
“Yes, understood.”
It seemed last night’s incident was finally over. But my plans in my head weren’t finished yet.
“I also have something I’d like to discuss with you, Father.”
Orland looked at me in surprise, as if he hadn’t expected me to make a suggestion.
“Go ahead.”
“To prevent an incident like last night from happening again, I think I need my own laboratory.”
“A laboratory?”
“Yes. Learning magical engineering properly inside the house is too inconvenient.”
This was something I had wanted to ask Orland once I began studying magical engineering seriously. Taking this opportunity seemed perfect. If I could use this incident as a reason to get my lab, it would be ideal. Orland paused for a moment, then smiled lightly and said, in a gentler voice than before,
“Alright. I’ll build you a laboratory.”
“Thank you!”
I couldn’t hide my joy. Orland didn’t seem displeased with my reaction either, looking at me with a satisfied expression.
“I’ll have a professional handle the lab setup. If there’s nothing else, you may go.”
Orland valued his time. Having read The Beloved Saint novel, I knew how busy he was, but seeing the stacked paperwork made me worry about his health. As I started to leave, I looked back at him.
“Father.”
His gaze returned to me. I spoke cautiously.
“I’ll ask the chef to serve tea that helps recover from fatigue. Please take care of your health while working.”
Orland looked briefly surprised, as if he hadn’t expected such concern. Then he answered with a faint smile:
“Alright.”
Later, after Tanasia left, Zen silently appeared from the ceiling, as if he had dropped down out of nowhere. No one had seen him enter, a result of his special ability. Watching the door Tanasia had exited, Zen said with a neutral expression:
“Her words are true, but she’s definitely hiding something.”
No answer came. Zen turned to see Orland smiling contentedly.
“Head of the household?”
“I don’t know what she’s hiding, but I’ve already warned her. She seems to be studying magical engineering well, so I’ll consider this a reward.”
Zen nodded in understanding. As I tried to erase last night’s doubts from my mind…
“Heh.”
Suddenly, Orland laughed, low and amused.
“But you know,” he continued, “doesn’t Tanasia seem a bit like me?”
Zen, having overheard the conversation, couldn’t help but glance at Orland.
“I never expected her to ask me for a lab while discussing last night’s incident. She has the knack of getting two things when she asks for one. I’m pleased.”
Zen had no idea, but hearing Orland’s words, it did seem that way.
“I should have taught her business instead of magical engineering,” Orland muttered, smiling while stroking his chin.
At that moment, a knock came at the door. Zen vanished like smoke the instant someone else arrived.
“What is it?” Orland asked.
The maid outside replied,
“Miss brought the tea you requested.”
“Come in.”
No one would be upset about their daughter showing concern for their health. Orland’s smile deepened at the sight of the tea Tanasia had prepared.
On my way back to my room, I was surprised to find Barnen and Matela standing by the door. It wasn’t a day for lessons, so I wondered why they had come together.
“What brings you here?”
Barnen ran over breathlessly, as if he had sprinted.
“I heard you disassembled a magic stone bracelet—is that true?”
Apparently, news of last night had reached him.
“I was going to tell you in class, but you already heard?”
“Tell me. True or not?”
“It’s true.”
“What? Impossible!”
Barnen clutched his head in disbelief. Matela tried not to laugh beside him. Not knowing how to react, I stood blankly while Barnen shouted,
“Give it here! I need to see it myself!”
I removed the bracelet from my wrist and handed it to him. His eyes red with intensity, he entered my room with the tools needed to disassemble it. I could only watch as he took apart the bracelet I had reassembled. Sensing my discomfort, Matela said softly:
“Let him be, Miss. He’s the type who doesn’t believe anything he hasn’t seen with his own eyes.”
Barnen quickly examined the bracelet and slumped into a chair, looking defeated, as if staring at limp laundry.
“Teacher, shouldn’t you praise me for finishing the assignment?”
Barnen gave me a sulky look, then said brusquely but insincerely,
“Well done.”
It wasn’t exactly a deep bow, but I took satisfaction in having perfectly completed the assignment.
“But how did you do it? Didn’t you have no practical experience? Can this really be done just by reading books?”
“Yes, it can.”
Barnen looked dumbfounded at my simple answer. I had studied from the book and applied it—nothing more.
“Ah… so this is why others found me annoying…”
Barnen muttered to himself, staring off. Taking advantage of everyone being here, I explained the conversation I had with Orland.
“I told Father I needed a laboratory because studying inside the house is too inconvenient. He agreed.”
Matela’s face lit up in surprise.
“Really?”
Building a lab was extremely costly. If not for the Brelov family, this support would have been impossible.
“Yes. Teacher and Matela, you may use it as you see fit. I plan to make it quite spacious.”
“Wow, that’s great news!”
Matela seemed delighted at having a proper workspace. Barnen didn’t show it outright, but the twitch of his mouth suggested he was pleased as well.
“…Having a wealthy student does have its perks.”
“Be more honest. You always complained the current lab was cramped and outdated.”
“Hmph, you remember trivial things well, don’t you?”
“You? Didn’t you agree to be my teacher?”
“…!”
I couldn’t help but smile watching the cat-and-mouse banter between Matela and Barnen.
