IWMHWD 91

Chapter 91 – A Contract with the Demon

2024.01.30

“Lydia…”

“I tried. I really tried! You’re asking what I did for the past month? I studied every single day, every waking hour—just as he taught me—my mana!”

“He…?”

Lydia, who had been shouting at the top of her lungs, suddenly shut her mouth. In an instant, she smoothed her expression and smiled as if nothing had happened. The abrupt change was chilling.

“Sorry, Blay. I’m just a little tired today. Do you mind if I head in first?”

“…Alright.”

Rosenbloom wanted more than anything to grab his sister right then and demand who “he” was—but he held back.

Truth be told, he was terrified of getting into another argument with the sister he had only just gotten back after a month. He didn’t know why she had left home or why she had returned, so all he could do was tread carefully.

For the past month, he had prayed every day. If only Lydia returned safely, he would ask for nothing else.

So Rosenbloom hid his turmoil, pretending all was well, and escorted Lydia to the room she was temporarily staying in. With all his heart, he told her:

“I’m glad you’re back safe, Lydia.”

She gave him a pure, delicate smile in return.

He thought he knew his own sister better than anyone—yet now he couldn’t read her at all.

The moment her door closed, Rosenbloom immediately went to find Matilda. As head of the Trisca faction, known for their studies on demons, she might be able to advise him about Lydia’s situation.

On his way down the stairs, he ran into two familiar faces.

“Oh, Rosenbloom. You’re hard to catch these days. Must be busy?”

“I’ve had some business with Elfenbaum, Master. Cordelia, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

Canon laughed heartily, giving Rosenbloom a light pat on the shoulder. Rosenbloom forced a smile on his stiff lips. Cordelia greeted him brightly.

“I’ve been well. Oh, did you just see Lydia?”

“Yes, I just came from her.”

“You two must know each other well. Well, you are both Atilley’s disciples—it would be strange if you didn’t.”

“I think it’s stranger seeing you and Master Canon together.”

Rosenbloom glanced between Cordelia and Canon as he spoke.

“Ah, so you haven’t heard yet. Our Cordelia here—”

Canon’s eyes practically gleamed when he said “our Cordelia.” Rosenbloom was startled by the overly familiar phrasing.

“She got a perfect score on the first part of the Intermediate Mage Exam and passed the second with flying colors. Amazing, isn’t it? And to think, she’s only been learning magic for a single year!”

“Master Canon…”

Unaccustomed to such praise, Cordelia ducked her head, embarrassed. Canon, however, continued on proudly, like a grandfather boasting about a grandchild.

“I was a second-round examiner myself, and she dismantled a seven-fold magic circle in under a minute! I could hardly believe my own eyes. And that’s not all—she can stack up to five-fold overlaps.”

“Cordelia already passed the Intermediate Mage Exam?”

Rosenbloom turned his gaze to her. Cordelia gave a shy smile.

“I was just lucky. The second round happened to be a magic circle test.”

“Hah! Only you would call that luck. Magic circles are one of the hardest things to master.”

“My teacher scolds me all the time, saying that’s still all I can do.”

“Scolds you? That damned Atilley—doesn’t he know how precious you are?”

Canon fumed, then turned to Cordelia with a look of heartfelt regret.

“Ah, why did such talent have to end up in Acheron of all places… Why?”

He practically wailed at the heavens.

Despite the unrest in his heart because of Lydia, Rosenbloom couldn’t help but smile at his master’s antics.

“Two months ago you could only manage four-fold overlaps, and now you’ve already improved again.”

“What? So in just two months she went from four to five? That’s insane! Cordelia! How could you not tell me something so important?”

Canon looked as if his eyes might pop out of his head. Rosenbloom understood his excitement—he himself had been equally astonished when he first discovered her talent.

But Cordelia seemed to think little of it.

“Hm? Did I not mention it?”

“You didn’t! Do you know how many years it usually takes people to make that leap? Now I’ve got even more to brag about… Ugh, such a waste! If only you weren’t Atilley’s student, I’d erase your seal and bring you straight to Diduasel.”

Canon continued to gaze at her with heavy regret. Rosenbloom found it both funny and understandable.

“By the way, is Lady Matilda in her research lab?”

“Matilda’s in a meeting, a meeting!”

Canon suddenly turned around as if remembering something.

“Good heavens, I almost forgot. The Seirius Council was convened, and I was on my way there. Talking to you made me lose track. I’ll tell Matilda you were looking for her.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“Take care, Master Canon.”

Leaving their farewells behind, Canon hurried into the meeting room. Four others were already seated inside.

“Took you long enough. You think we’ve got time to waste?”

The scolding came before he’d even sat down. Canon shot a glare at Hayden and muttered:

“As if you’re always on time.”

“What was that?”

“Going deaf already, old man? I’m late once and you’re making a fuss?”

“Making a fuss? Remember what you said when I was five minutes late? ‘Might as well get in your coffin if you’re going to be that slow.’ Why don’t you climb into one yourself?”

Hayden roared. Leonard yawned—this was far too familiar a sight.

They were old and held high positions in the Mage Council, yet bickered like novice apprentices.

“That’s enough. This meeting wasn’t called to watch you two squabble.”

Seated at the center, Matilda’s calm words finally ended the childish spat. The two glowered at each other but fell silent.

“As you all know, a massive Collapse has erupted in the southern region of Ershe—the largest in nearly twenty years. I called you to report what I found with my disciples.”

“Have you identified the contractor?”

Canon asked. Matilda shook her head.

“Not the contractor. But we have identified who performed the demon summoning.”

“What? How could the summoner and the contractor be different people?”

“In theory, it isn’t impossible. I was surprised too, but if the summoner was Maximilian Atilley, it makes sense. As you know, he lost all of his mana.”

“What?”

Menufio, who had been silent until now, stiffened and glared.

Maximilian had been his most treasured disciple.

Many had openly claimed that Maximilian would succeed him as head of the Rhiannon faction. But after it was revealed he had murdered his elder brother, Menufio had been forced to watch in anguish as Maximilian lost his mana and stood trial.

“Are you certain?”

“Positive. His unique formula was discovered in the summoning ritual. But without mana, he can’t form a contract. Unless the laws have changed, the contractor isn’t him.”

“Then the key is finding who the contractor is.”

Hayden stroked his thick beard. Matilda gave a slight nod.

“Judging by the scale of the Collapse, at least a demon ranked within the top fifty was summoned. That’s far beyond what a low mage could handle—only a mid-rank or higher mage could have made the contract.”

“We’ve already found traces of him in Ansen and are pursuing.”

Leonard spoke for the first time. All eyes turned to him.

“What will you do, Atilley?”

“Find him and kill him. Demon summoning or not, without mana he’s nothing but a commoner.”

“See? This is what happens when you keep him alive for a trial. Should’ve just executed him.”

Canon clicked his tongue. At that moment, Menufio locked eyes with Leonard and spoke.

“I’ll join the pursuit.”

“There’s no need for you to dirty your hands, is there?”

“I raised him. It’s only right that I end it myself.”

Menufio’s eyes were clouded with pain and responsibility. Leonard hesitated, then nodded.

“Understood. I’ll send word separately.”

“Will the contractor be with Maximilian too?”