I was curious about Matthias’s proactive approach, but it didn’t seem like he had any hidden agenda. He just seemed eager to help me in any way he could.

I glanced back at Machi, who seemed oblivious to our presence in the bookstore, absorbed in organizing the ledger.

He probably didn’t remember me. Or was he pretending not to? When our eyes met briefly, his puzzled expression didn’t seem to recognize me.

Still, just to be safe, I lowered my voice.

“I’m actually curious about magic used by fairies, specifically the kind that affects humans.”

“Most magic used by fairies towards humans is benevolent, intended to help those in trouble.”

Matthias, adjusting his height to mine, spoke in a lowered voice.

“What about magic that harms people? For instance, taking part of a person’s body as collateral.”

“Hmm. Fairies that use such magic probably don’t exist. Fairies are meant to use only benevolent influences. That’s their minimal control and pride in coexisting with humans. If there were fairies that actually cast such magic, they would likely have been expelled from the fairy world.”

“So, it’s possible to use it, though.”

“Yes, as far as I know. But fairies expelled from their world lose much of their power and can’t use even half of their original energy. Their lifespan also decreases significantly.”

Matthias’s words made me recall the conversation between Floria and Shanna in the garden.

Shanna’s ability to use the heart-binding magic on me without hesitation meant she was probably expelled from the fairy world. The search for an object to amplify her power was due to her halved magical strength.

“How can a weakened fairy regain their former power?”

“Well. The fairy world doesn’t take back those they’ve expelled, so there’s probably only one way.”

“What is it?”
“Another fairy’s source of power must be taken. But it won’t be easy. With halved power, it’s impossible to defeat an ordinary fairy, and fairies tend to move in groups. Unless there is a source from a dead fairy somewhere.”

Thanks to Matthias, I could grasp the clue about what Floria and Shanna were searching for. Although not certain, it was clear there was a source of a fairy within the castle.

In the latter part of the original story, everything went smoothly for Floria, making it seem implausible. Perhaps that was when she found the source.

“What does this source look like? Is it like a gemstone?”

“I’ve never seen one myself, so I’m not sure. But I read in a book that when a fairy dies, its source usually disappears too. However, if a fairy self-terminates and materializes its source, it becomes an entity closest to nature.”

…What does that even mean? I was puzzled by the incomprehensible explanation, but it seemed that was all Matthias knew. I hesitated for a moment before asking,

“Do you know how to break a spell cast by a fairy on a human?”

Matthias looked at me intently, probably finding it odd considering the flow of our conversation. It must have seemed like I was under a fairy’s spell, especially since I had been inquiring about fairies since we first met at the library.

“Is there someone around you affected by a fairy’s magic?”

“Uh? Oh, that’s…”

As I pondered how to respond, an unwelcome voice interrupted from behind.

“You two seem quite close.”

I turned reflexively. Carl was looking down at us with a slight smile.

“What are you two talking about so closely? I’m curious too.”

When did he sneak up behind us?

I looked at him in disbelief.

“Why are you here?”

“It’s my store, isn’t it natural for me to be here?”

Not that, but how does a guild master, of all people, have the time to be here?

‘Is being a servant such a leisurely job?’

Then I noticed the red-haired man smiling at us from a distance. His smug face indicated he had recognized me long ago. Damn it.