“It’s strange. She’s different from other people.”

He seemed to vaguely suspect.

But someday, Deon would have to confide in him. Blake was of the older generation, and he couldn’t stay with his children forever.

“Yeah, Liche is special. So, you have to protect her later on.”

Deon nodded his head briefly in response to Blake’s earnest request. Although it appeared casual, Deon had genuinely made a promise.

So, he had the right to ask this question.

“Why did you ask Eindwayne to come with us?”

Even though he had mentioned going with Liche for the weekend, Blake’s letter had stated that Eindwayne should come along.

“Is it possible that you like him?”

Deon was cautious.
Ian Duane did not wish to deepen his relationship with Liche any further. Whether it be now or in the distant future.

For a superpower user, becoming someone precious often meant foreseeing the sacrifice of a foolish sibling.

“Professor Rumblelaw wants to ban Liche’s magic.”

Professor Rumblelaw? Surprised by the unexpected name, Deon asked Blake.

“Why?”

“Liche’s talent is too outstanding, and the future seems uncertain. They’re afraid Liche might not control that power, causing harm.”

“Would banning magic solve that?”

Superpower users were unable to use magic due to the conflict between abilities and spells, which would neutralize each other.

Deon was no exception.

So, despite not having much interest in magic, he knew a famous saying among sorcerers.

A Magic Affinity score of 1 is equivalent to ten years of effort.

Magic Affinity was talent. Liche’s talent was so immense that others couldn’t catch up even with a lifetime of effort.

Claiming to ban magic for Liche was equivalent to taking away her power.

Deon expressed his disapproval.

A violet-eyed witch. He thought she was an incomprehensible person, but making such absurd remarks was unexpected.

Meanwhile, Liche, with her eyes closed, was listening intently. She hadn’t intended to eavesdrop on their conversation from the beginning, but the situation became awkward when they mentioned her.

Liche woke up when Deon told Blake that something was strange about her.

She feigned sleep, trying not to draw attention to herself as they discussed her. However, she missed the timing to wake up.

But…

“Professor Rumblelaw is considering showing me to Duke Gerwer. Because of the Gerwer family’s abilities.”

Standing before Duke Gerwer? Revealing herself in front of him.

She had avoided it so far, but she couldn’t continue like that.

What should she do? Quit the academy? But what about Ian? And Pythonus?

‘No.’

Soon, the word ‘no’ filled Liche’s mind.

Duke Gerwer must know about her. He would catch her, confine her, and force purification upon her until she died.

“Purify her!”

“My Agnes.”

“You’ll be mine forever.”

…….

“You know, Letheon, how do you feel?”

“Will your last moments be the same?”

Gerwer Duke’s voice and Hecanca’s voice echoed confusingly in Liche’s ears.

“So, is Ian Duane trying to call him because of his ability?”

Blake did not answer Deon’s question but stared at a specific spot. Deon also shifted his gaze in that direction. Both of them stopped talking and looked at Liche.

She still seemed to be sleeping, but her breathing had changed.

‘She heard it.’

Blake made a troubled face.

He had hoped that Liche would remain unaware of the recent controversy. In fact, he only intended to resolve the matter with Ian Duane and the professors.

He planned to ask Ian to play along. To act as if he was looking at Liche from a distance and to testify to the professors that Liche was not a threat.

What Blake needed was a pretext to prevent Professor Rumblelaw Ismatic from expressing his opinion.

“Let’s talk about it next time.”

“Yes.”

Blake pretended not to know and hugged Liche, who was pretending to be asleep. He then laid her gently on her bed.

“Be careful, Liche, so that worries don’t come true.”

‘Hekanca.’

A little while after Blake left, Liche sat up on the bed.

The day when Hecanca would arrange for Pythonus to meet again was approaching.
He might appear around today.

‘I should talk to Hecanca.’

Liche went to Phillip’s room.

But it wasn’t a situation where she could be alone with Phillip for an extended period, like in the academy.

It was because there was someone else sharing the same room.

“Our Lady Liche, did you come to see me?”

Jed, who opened the door, discovered Liche and playfully asked, raising the corner of his mouth.

Even though he seemed indifferent, Jed was quick-witted. He did his job well.

So, if the three of them were together and Hecanca suddenly appeared without them noticing, Jed would sense something odd.

‘I might tell Dad.’

Liche looked up at Jed, hesitating to speak.

“Jed, I want to talk with Phillip alone…”

“Oh. Just you and Phillip in the middle of the night?”

“With me?”

As Jed heard his name, Phillip walked in from inside.

Both of his eyes were brown.

“Phillip, if you feel strange…”

“I’m fine.”

“I see.”

“What’s the matter?”

Liche shook her head.

Jed and Phillip, standing close together at the doorway, looked at Liche with puzzled expressions.

It was doomed. Whether this way or that way, only a future where one of them was suspected seemed to emerge.

“I’ll leave now. Sleep well, both of you.”

“Huh? You didn’t have something to discuss with me?”

“Phillip, as I explicitly stated. If Lady doesn’t perform her duties as a knight properly, the butler won’t leave.”

“Oh, Jed. Don’t say such things.”

Refusing Jed and Phillip’s offer to accompany her to their room, Liche walked down the corridor.

Should she wait like this until Hecanca comes to visit the chapel? Hecanca probably wouldn’t know which room she had in the Hwangdo Mansion.

As she walked, contemplating such worries, it happened.