IWMHWD 17

<Chapter 17> Master and Disciple
2023.11.17

“Then can I learn other types of magic now?”

“Sure.”

He gave a half-hearted nod. Cordelia’s eyes sparkled like stars, her excitement obvious.

“I, I’ve always wanted to learn that one! The one where you throw a fireball and stir up wind—you showed me before! Oh, and that one from the tree—”

“Enough. You’re learning detection magic first.”

“Huh? Detection of what?”

Without warning, he brought over a plate with all sorts of finely chopped ingredients and shoved it in front of her.

“Let’s start with finding the carrot.”

“Uhh? Why carrots all of a sudden?”

So began her training in detection magic under Leonard’s firm instruction. In truth, detection magic was extremely precise and complicated.

It was such an advanced skill that even mid-tier mages struggled with it, making it nearly impossible for someone like Cordelia, who had only just become a low-tier mage.

After days of wrestling with a plate of mixed carrots and onions, she put down her fork with a sigh.

“Can’t I just learn something else?”

“Nope. What if you eat something random and die? You should at least know what’s on your own plate, right?”

“But asking me to identify the ingredients in soup stock is way too much.”

“What are you going to do if someone uses peanuts in the stock?”

“Who on earth makes stock out of peanuts? And even if it’s that subtle, it’s not like I’d—ugh… I just want to learn something else…”

“Stop whining and focus. What’s the third ingredient?”

Leonard’s tone was cold and unforgiving. Cordelia mumbled under her breath in protest, but it was useless.

She couldn’t bring herself to argue harshly, because deep down she understood he was just concerned for her.

“Egg?”

“Try again.”

This training continued even during meals, and she ended up spending more time identifying ingredients than eating them.

“Pepper!”

“Even with one working eyeball, you could tell there’s pepper in that. Next.”

“Uhh…”

“You confused it with carrot again, didn’t you?”

“Then go.”

“How many times do I have to tell you it’s not potato?”

“Tch.”

The two even shared meals.

A single plate with two spoons sat between them, and the attendants watched with curious eyes—but neither of them noticed.

As they spent more days together training magic, Cordelia’s skill improved rapidly.

At first, she struggled to distinguish even three or four ingredients, but eventually, she could identify more than ten.

“Salt, sugar, radish, carrot, onion, beef, tomato, basil… Oh, and rosemary!”

“What else?”

“There’s more? Ugh, what is it?”

“Oats.”

“Oh. So that’s what it was.”

“Sigh… I’m tired of hearing about your brain.”

“Honestly, my brain is about average. Comparing me to you is just unfair, isn’t it?”

“Average? Who said your brain was average? What evidence do you have?”

“You’re so mean…”

Just then, there was a knock at the door. At Leonard’s word to come in, a maid stepped in cautiously.

“Master, Young Madam. A guest has arrived.”

The two had different reactions to the news. Leonard’s expression relaxed slightly, while Cordelia’s face filled with concern. She straightened up and asked,

“A guest? Who?”

“Lord Jared Abrams has arrived at the north gate.”

“Welcome, Lord Abrams.”

She couldn’t bring herself to say she was glad to see him. Jared Abrams stepped down from his carriage, glancing around.

“Haha, just call me Jared, Lady Abrams. This is the second time we’ve met since the wedding. But where is everyone? A guest has arrived and no one bothers to show their face?”

“Ah…”

Cordelia gave an awkward smile. Only a few attendants and she had come to greet him in the empty courtyard.

“The Countess left early this morning to pray at the temple, and Craig hasn’t fully recovered yet.”

“Oh, really? My dear cousin still hasn’t regained his health? That’s unfortunate. I must see him in person, at least.”

“Now? You just arrived—you should rest first—”

“Did I stutter? Lead the way.”

He jerked his chin arrogantly, pointing ahead.

His attitude was far too rude for someone addressing the Countess, but Cordelia had grown used to such treatment. She didn’t even register that it was strange.

As Jared followed her into the manor, a subtle tension spread through the castle.

The servants murmured as they watched, clearly speculating on who would become the next Count.

Cordelia knocked gently at the door to Craig’s chambers.

“Craig. Lord Jared Abrams is here.”

“Tch, he’s probably awake anyway—why bother asking permission?”

Before Leonard could even reply, Jared barged in without waiting.

Leonard was sitting on the couch in the receiving room. Their eyes met.

“Oh, Craig. It’s been a while. Do you recognize me?”

“Hmm. Doesn’t seem like anyone important. What was your name again? Jade, was it?”

“How tragic. So it’s true—your brain really is gone. You can’t even remember my name.”

Of course, despite his words, Jared’s face wore a wide smile. He had always hoped Craig would end up like this.

“You look like your face is the one that’s gone. Did the carriage run over your head on the way here?”

“Hah. Still the same nasty tone. Since you don’t remember me, let me reintroduce myself. I’m Jared Abrams. The one who’ll take over this family in your place.”

“Hahahaha.”

Leonard burst into loud laughter before Jared even finished. Jared’s brows twitched.

“What’s so funny?”

“I’m just amazed at this family’s consistency. Stupid and brainless must really run in the bloodline.”

“What?!”

“Must’ve lost your hearing when your face got flattened. Tragic. I can see now why you’re so obsessed with a dusty little countship in the sticks.”

Cordelia, standing at the back, was impressed. Barely five minutes into the conversation and Jared’s face was already flushed red.

‘He really has a talent for pissing people off.’

“Hah, let’s see how long that smart mouth of yours lasts!”

Unable to come up with a better retort, Jared stormed out of the room. Cordelia waited until the door closed before walking up to Leonard.

“Why did you even tell me to bring him here? Just to provoke him? Drive me crazy?”

“What are you talking about? I needed to see what kind of guy he was. He could be one of Maximilian’s lackeys, you know.”

“A lackey?”

“Sadly, not with that brain. Doesn’t seem possible.”

Leonard’s sneer was so blatant it made Cordelia feel awkward.

“So you’re just going to let him be?”

“Why should I waste time on small fry like that?”

“The Countess—no, never mind. You’re right.”

His indifferent tone made it feel like he was swatting away a bug. Cordelia was left frustrated, thinking of how much effort she had put into preparing for Jared’s visit just a month ago.

“So I should just treat him politely and move on?”

“Treat him? Why meet with him at all? Every second is precious for your studies—why waste time on that fool?”

“But he’s a guest of the manor. As such, I have a duty to entertain him. Starting with dinner tonight—”

“Oh, right. Another guest is arriving.”

“Another guest?”

“Forget him. Prepare for the other guest.”

“Huh? Who is it?”

Leonard didn’t answer. He simply said she’d find out tomorrow. And right on time, the next day at noon, a servant came running.

“Ingrion? Did you say Ingrion?”

“Y-yes. All the knights rushed to the gates.”

The young servant’s cheeks were flushed with excitement. He looked like he wanted to bolt there himself.

Cordelia almost blurted out, What’s someone like him doing here?—but held back and waved her hand.

“Alright. I’ll head there now.”

“Yes, Young Madam.”

Though Abrams was a rural territory in the northeast, even they had heard of Ingrion’s reputation.

Unlike the hollow honor of Vasquez—”the purest sword” in name only—Ingrion was a prestigious and respected knight family, currently one of the most famous in Ersche.

In other words, a family that would never associate with the Abrams.

‘Is this the guest Master mentioned yesterday?’

Cordelia told the maids to prepare food and a bath, then made her way slowly to the gates.

She could tell who it was from a distance. A man on a massive black steed stood surrounded by a swarm of Abrams knights.

Even Helena and Lily, who had been nowhere in sight for days, had come out.

“Oh my, what brings such a distinguished guest to such a humble place?”

“Ah, I have someone to meet.”

Ingrion replied casually. Lily quickly stepped forward.

“Is there someone you’re looking for?”

“And you, my lady? Who might you be?”

“Oh my, I forgot to introduce myself. Lily Dahlia. My maiden name is Abrams.”

“She’s my daughter,” Helena added.