IWMHWD 96

Chapter 96 – A Contract with the Devil

“How exactly am I supposed to do it?”

The same conversation had been looping for a while now. Both Ilias and Cordelia were equally frustrated, stuck at the same point.

Since normal people couldn’t even see the magic circle drawn in mana, Cordelia tried her best to explain kindly.

“First, find the weak point in the magic circle.”

“Okay.”

“Then push your mana into it. That’ll break it.”

“…That’s it?”

Ilias asked in disbelief. He looked as though he hadn’t understood a single thing, and Cordelia gave him a pitying glance.

“Is what I said that hard to follow?”

“You only gave me, what, two lines of explanation? And with that, I’m supposed to break a seven-layered magic circle?”

“And which part of those two lines was difficult?”

“…This is why I hate talking to geniuses.”

Ilias grumbled. He halfheartedly poked at his food while staring directly at Cordelia, who grew so uncomfortable under his gaze that she barely managed a few spoonfuls.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Do you have a lover?”

“Pfft.”

Thank goodness her mouth was empty—otherwise she might’ve spat her food at someone’s face. Cordelia was completely caught off guard by the sudden question.

“N-No. I don’t.”

“Really? Then how about going out with me?”

“…What?”

“Why are you using formal speech? I told you to talk comfortably.”

“Wait, hold on. We’ve only known each other for less than an hour. What on earth are you basing this on?”

“Your face and your brains. And you don’t look like some psycho who enjoys killing people. That’s good enough.”

Having grown up in a conservative family and married into another just like it, Cordelia was utterly shocked at every word that came out of Ilias’s mouth.

Was it because Willas, being further south, was this open-minded? Or was it that the mages of the Magic Association had a custom of casually proposing relationships to complete strangers? Either way, Cordelia found it incomprehensible.

“Uh…”

She didn’t even know what to say, her mouth simply hanging open like a fool. Ilias didn’t miss the chance.

“Oh? You just said ‘uh’? That means—”

“No!”

At this rate, she’d end up promising her future to a man she’d met today for the first time. Cordelia slammed her spoon down with a clatter and looked him squarely in the eye.

“I have no intention of getting married.”

“Me neither.”

“…Then why on earth are you asking me out?”

Cordelia was bewildered again. To her, a man and woman meeting naturally implied marriage.

But Ilias shattered her common sense without hesitation.

“To build a good relationship.”

“A good relationship? And what exactly does that mean?”

“You’ll find out if you go out with me.”

Ilias winked mischievously. By ordinary standards he was handsome, but after becoming used to the faces of Leonard and Rosenbloom, Cordelia saw him as little more than a vaguely human-shaped lifeform.

So she told that lifeform plainly:

“I’m sorry.”

She wasn’t sorry at all, but being a woman who knew courtesy, propriety, and common sense, Cordelia delivered her rejection politely.

“I don’t want to have a ‘good relationship’ with someone I met today for the first time.”

“Why not? Oh… is it because you think I’m a commoner? Don’t worry. The Nassau family has been nobility in Ansen for generations, and I’m the second son.”

“Ansen? You’re from Ansen? But you don’t have any southern accent.”

“That’s because I’ve lived in Willas since I was six. Usually, kids are chosen young to become mages. Cases like yours—learning magic as an adult—are extremely rare. Actually, this is my first time meeting someone like you.”

His eyes glittered with curiosity as he looked at her.

Cordelia, who had only been at the Association for two weeks, was still stumbling her way through its customs and order. She’d recently learned that mages usually raised talented children under ten within the Association itself.

But that required immense luck—since mages rarely left the Association, they’d need to randomly encounter a gifted child by chance. Because of this, most mages ended up accepting the children of acquaintances or relatives as apprentices.

“So, what else is holding you back?”

“…What do you mean?”

“What other reasons do you have for hesitating to date me?”

The reasons were too many to count. Cordelia found his overconfidence both ridiculous and, strangely enough, enviable.

“Cordelia.”

At that moment, a familiar hand landed gently on her shoulder. Recognizing the touch, Cordelia’s face lit up. Turning, she found Rosenbloom standing there with a kind smile.

“Lord Rosenbloom.”

“Ah… Lord Elfenbaum.”

For the first time, the ever-smug look vanished from Ilias’s face. He jumped to his feet, stiff with tension, and bowed deeply.

“G-Greetings. I’m Ilias, studying under Lady Duona of the Besset school—”

“I’m not interested. You should be on your way.”

Though his tone was gentle, the words carried sharpness. Ilias, pale with fear, grabbed his tray and scurried away.

Cordelia blinked at Rosenbloom, startled by his coldness.

“…Are you angry?”

“No, not at all. You were eating? How’s the food?”

“…It’s fine.”

Rosenbloom naturally took the seat Ilias had just vacated. His face was as soft and warm as ever, making the whole encounter feel like a dream.

“That’s good. By the way, I know a few good places near the Association. Shall we go together sometime?”

“I’d like that, but… I’m not sure my teacher would let me outside. Just coming to this cafeteria today was my first time out in a week.”

“That explains why I haven’t seen you lately. I even read the official notice.”

“Oh no… You saw that too? My teacher must think I’m really a seven-year-old child.”

Cordelia sighed heavily, embarrassed.

“Seeing you today, I can kind of understand where he’s coming from.”

“…Huh?”

“You remind me of a child left unattended near water.”

“That’s unfair! I’ve already passed the Intermediate Mage Exam, and I’ve experienced plenty of life’s hardships…”

She was about to launch into a dramatic recounting of her struggles when Rosenbloom, still smiling warmly, cut her off.

“Don’t pay any mind to what he said.”

“…He? You mean my teacher?”

“No, the man who was sitting here. It’s best to avoid guys who grin at strangers while flirting with them.”

“Y-You heard that?”

Cordelia’s cheeks burned. It was humiliating enough by itself, but the thought that Rosenbloom had overheard made it worse.

“Not everything, so don’t worry. Just keep in mind—there will be plenty of people who approach you with… those kinds of intentions.”

“…What intentions?”

“Between men and women. The night.”

“Oh…”

At his blunt words, Cordelia finally understood what Ilias had meant by a “good relationship.” She shook her head, tongue clicking in disapproval.

“The Association really is a liberal place. To suggest that to someone you just met…”

“Mages rarely marry. Casual romances became trendy, and now some think it’s normal.”

“Oh.”

It was a word she’d only ever read in books—casual romance.

“So please, be careful. You especially draw attention in many ways.”

“Because I’m my teacher’s disciple?”

“No. Because you’re beautiful.”

“…Ahaha.”

She couldn’t hold back a laugh. Rosenbloom waited patiently until she calmed down, then asked,

“Which part of my words was funny?”

“It’s just… that’s the first time anyone’s called me beautiful. Lord Rosenbloom, aren’t you being a little too generous with your compliments?”

“In my eyes, you’re the most beautiful.”

“….”

There wasn’t even a hint of joking in his tone.

Cordelia didn’t know whether to ask if he was teasing, to tell him to stop, or to ask if he truly meant it. Flustered, she ducked her head to hide her red cheeks.

“B-Beauty is a word you’d use for Lydia.”

“And if Lydia is beautiful, that means you aren’t?”

“N-No, that’s not what I meant. Um… Speaking of Lydia! How is she these days?”

Cordelia desperately changed the subject, and Rosenbloom, indulgent, followed her lead.

“She’s doing better. Like Lady Matilda said, she was overly agitated at first because of the contract. For now, Lord Kainon agreed to let her stay at the Didoiselle school.”

“Wow, then she can learn magic alongside me!”

“No. Once the contract is annulled, she’ll be sent back to Elfenbaum’s main estate.”

“…I see.”

Rosenbloom’s tone was firmer than ever. Cordelia fell silent.

“You must think I’m being harsh.”

“…Just a little. I don’t know why Lydia made a contract with a devil, but surely it wasn’t an easy decision. To ignore her will and reset everything… Of course, vanishing for a month and making such a contract was wrong, but wouldn’t it be better to at least give her a chance to learn magic? Sorry, maybe I’m speaking out of turn.”

Cordelia earnestly defended Lydia, remembering how desperately she herself had once clung to Leonard half a year ago. Then she realized she might be overstepping, and hunched her shoulders slightly.

Rosenbloom studied her before replying slowly.

“Lydia was born the daughter of Elfenbaum. She could reach out and take almost anything she wanted.”

It wasn’t quite an answer to her question, but Cordelia simply listened.

“There’s only one thing she couldn’t have.”

“…What is that?”

“Leonard Atilay. Your teacher.”

“Ah.”

“He’s arrogant, but he shines on his own. Like moths to a flame, people throw themselves at that light, not realizing it will burn them.”

Rosenbloom’s faint smile was anything but warm—it was closer to cynical.

“I don’t want Lydia to lose her wings flying into that fire.”

“But… I heard she’s loved him for a very long time. Can she really give up so easily?”

“It’s time she accepted that some things are unattainable. I’m not just her brother—I’m also her guardian. I can’t let her cling forever to hopeless dreams.”

His gentle tone only masked the steel within.

“As soon as she returns to Elfenbaum, I’ll review proposals and choose a man who can make her truly happy. Once she’s married, raising children, those foolish desires—and that poor decision—will fade.”

Those words—poor decision—made the truth clear. Cordelia lifted her head to meet his eyes.

“…So you mean Lydia made that contract with a devil because of my teacher?”

“Who knows? But otherwise, her actions are hard to explain.”

With that, Rosenbloom rose to his feet. Cordelia started to stand too, but he pressed her shoulder gently.

“No need. Between us, formalities aren’t necessary.”

“But you’re the head of House Elfenbaum…”

“I’d rather you just see me as Rosenbloom. I’d also like you to stop with the honorifics.”

“T-That’s too hard.”

She imagined addressing him casually—but it felt as impossible as speaking informally to her own teacher.

“You can break a seven-layer magic circle in a minute, but calling me by name is too difficult?”

He laughed, light as a ringing bell. Cordelia ducked her head again, embarrassed. His voice came softly above her.

“And by the way, I meant what I said earlier.”

“…What?”

“That I think you’re beautiful.”