SPMG Chapter 13

Melize’s laboratory was located on one of the middle floors of the Magic Tower. In her past life, executives had typically preferred the top floors, but Melize had chosen the middle, saying it was convenient to go either up or down.

The Archmage’s lab, which Edel had only seen in her memories, was filled with strange books and magical tools. It looked like a set from a sci-fi or fantasy movie.

It would have been exciting to explore this place, but unfortunately, she didn’t have the luxury to enjoy it right now.

“…”

“This is the first time I’ve seen someone’s magic trait change so suddenly. It’s hard to guess the reason,” said Melize, turning around after pacing near the bookshelves.

Even someone as knowledgeable as Melize, the most experienced and wise person in the Empire—no, the entire continent—found this unprecedented.

“There’s no record of this anywhere.”

“I’ve never heard of such a thing either.”

“Additional traits do appear sometimes, but light as a trait?”

This was exactly why Edel thought it was better to keep it hidden. Who knew a simple touch of hands would make it so obvious her trait had changed?

She hadn’t realized it would be exposed so easily—that was her true mistake.

‘But even if my trait is special, with magic this weak, does it really matter?’

It was true. While traits provided certain strengths, a mage’s true power lay in the amount of magic they possessed. Sheer quantity. The reason Licht’s fire attribute could so easily destroy an Apostle was because his magic power was overwhelmingly vast.

She recalled the devastating flames that had incinerated the Apostle in an instant. The memory sent chills down her spine.

Licht, who had been listening to Melize, glanced at Edel. Again, he seemed… off.

‘He was described in the novel as cold and distant.’

But the Licht standing before her felt… different. Warm, even. His gaze was gentle—kind?

‘Maybe it’s because Melize praised me for taking care of him?’

That might be it. Melize had really gone on about how well Edel had looked after him.

While it had only been two months in Edel’s case, the original Edel had cared for Licht every single day.

‘Right. Going up and down those stairs three times a day was no joke.’

Yes, that must be it. There couldn’t be any other meaning behind those eyes.

While Edel’s mind was spinning, Licht was still practically glowing. Though his neat clothes were torn and his hair disheveled from the recent intense battle with the dark mage, he looked even more charismatic—like a living, breathing male lead.

“I do know one thing for certain: the curse weakened the moment I sensed Mage Edel’s magic,” Licht suddenly said, snapping her back to the moment.

“It’s the most plausible theory we have right now,” Melize added. “Especially judging by the traces of the broken curse.”

Melize turned to Edel, who had been sitting quietly.

“Edel, when did you first notice your trait had changed?”

Everyone already knew, so there was no use pretending. Edel answered honestly.

“Um… just before the Apostle appeared, I was practicing magic and noticed it by accident.”

“You don’t have any idea why?”

“No…”

She really wished she knew. The only possible reason she could think of was the benefit of transmigrating.

‘But if that’s the case, then shouldn’t I have more magic too? Isn’t that what makes a real transmigration perk?’

“You know, light as a trait hasn’t appeared in hundreds of years.”

Melize’s concerned gaze turned toward Edel.

“That means… all eyes will be on you.”

A cold sweat trickled down Edel’s back.

“Light is the direct opposite of the dark magic used by Apostles.”

“There’s no way to hide this from them forever.”

I mean, come on! If I was going to be transmigrated into a world, and you were going to change the story so drastically, couldn’t you at least give me a way to survive?

Edel was among the lowest-ranking mages, with no money, no connections—just a commoner.

Even if she was now called a light mage, a title that hadn’t existed in centuries, it was obvious that power-hungry people would try to exploit her, while the Apostles would come for her just for having an opposing trait!

She felt a fresh wave of resentment toward whatever divine or unknown entity had brought her here.

“…I have a suggestion,” Licht said quietly, having listened silently until now.

“What if we took the mage to the imperial palace?”

“What?”

Edel blinked in surprise, unable to hide her confusion.

Now that the prince—no, Licht—was awake, and the curse was lifted, there was no longer any need for a mage to monitor him daily.

Even if one was needed, surely it didn’t have to be her.

‘Then why take me?’

While Edel was dumbfounded, Melize remained pensive.

“I confirmed with my own body that her magic has resistance to curses.”

“You mean…”

“The weak barrier spell she cast during the Apostle’s attack may not have had the strength to block the blow, but it easily shattered the curse.”

“The Duke must have seen the traces of the shattered curse as well.”

That was true. Edel had cast a barrier spell to block the attack—though apparently, it had been so weak it wouldn’t have done much. Still, she hadn’t realized it had dispersed the curse.

‘So he wants to bring me along in case another curse comes?’

And to take her to that terrifying imperial palace?

‘This male lead is way scarier than I thought!’

In any romance fantasy, the palace was the most dangerous place of all! Power struggles, political intrigue, and hidden conspiracies ran rampant!

Edel had planned to watch the prince wake up and then live a peaceful, independent life. This was the opposite of that.

Thankfully, Melize immediately countered the prince’s proposal.

“Her magic may be ideal against dark curses, but I can’t allow Edel to leave the Tower.”

Right! I don’t want to go either!

“As you can see, this child lacks even the minimum amount of magic needed to protect herself.”

…Okay, I’m grateful you won’t send me, but did you have to be so brutally honest?

Edel had always known her magic was weak, but being told she couldn’t even defend herself stung.

“It may be safer to keep her protected within the Tower and keep your awakening a secret.”

“I’ll protect her myself.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll keep her by my side and guard her. Personally.”

Edel froze. Was Licht still suffering from post-curse brain fog? Did he really think a prince of the empire should protect a low-ranking mage?

“Besides, she can protect me from the Apostles.”

His next words made her pupils tremble. They carried unexpected weight—enough to convince even Melize.

“I don’t believe the Apostles’ attacks will end here. If they know I’m awake, they’ll come again.”

He was right. In the novel, Licht faced numerous trials after the curse was lifted. This was just the beginning.

“It’s also true that there aren’t many mages or swordsmen of your caliber, Your Highness.”

“And Duke Melize, you’re away from the Tower often, aren’t you?”

“I can’t remain here permanently, that’s true.”

Their conversation raced ahead without so much as acknowledging Edel’s presence.

Hello? There’s a person being drafted over here!

“I need magic to protect me. Magic that will prevent me from being cursed again.”

That’s what the saintess is for! If she shows up, all your problems will be solved! Edel opened her mouth to protest.

“Um…”

Both turned to look at her. Under their intense gazes, she barely managed to speak.

“Even if my trait is light, my magic is weak and I can’t really do much. Are you sure about this?”

Please say no!

“Other traits need high levels of magic to block dark magic. Yours does not.”

…Nope. That didn’t work.

“I’ve barely left the Tower, and without your wards, Duke Melize—!”

“The palace has layered protections built over centuries. Its guards far outnumber anything the Tower can offer.”

‘Then why did they put the prince in the Tower in the first place?!’

And then she remembered: the enemy inside the palace—the Empress.

Just as Melize kept a close eye on the Empress, the Emperor must have thought it was too dangerous to leave a cursed, defenseless prince near her. No one believed the Empress wasn’t involved in the curse.

In the end, Edel’s weak protests were completely ignored.

And so, not long after, her journey to the imperial palace was decided.

Against her will.