“It’s better than before.”

“That’s at least a relief.”

“Originally, people don’t care whether the rumors are false or true. They’re looking for something they can chew and taste. In that respect, our master is really good bait, I suppose?”

“Why?”

“He’s a person tightly bound with controversy. Is there anyone in this empire who doesn’t know our master’s name? They might not know what he looks like, but everyone knows his name. Since he was young, he has been so famous.”

“Since he was young? Why?”

“That’s because he was born a magician as the heir of the Lianster family. Children born as magicians receive magic power measurement tests from infancy, right? But our master had so much innate magic power that he couldn’t handle it, and the measuring test tube exploded. There were even jokes that he wasn’t living forever.”

Magic power is the life energy of magicians, so those with tremendous magic power are said to live over 200 years. They also age later than ordinary people and have strong immunity. Unless someone intentionally kills them, the more innate magic power, the longer the lifespan.

“But that’s all old talk. Nowadays, it’s an age where the small number of grand magicians are exploited. The magic power taken instead of taxes…… it’s beyond imagination. There are even jokes that it powers the magic tower.”

“I see.”

“But that much magic power is a bomb. The body itself is a moving bomb. Magicians have a separate blood flow where magic flows, and the moment it gets tangled, they die. Especially if the power is too strong, the body can’t handle it and explodes. It shatters…….”

The body shatters?

At the unthinkable horror, Riley shook her head.

“That’s scary.”

“That’s why magicians are registered and managed from birth. It would be a waste to blow away such a precious talent, right? Also, if the magic gets tangled and the body explodes, not only they die, but there are also civilian casualties…… Birth registration and magician registration are mandatory.”

“……Mandatory.”

Riley paused.

‘Then I……?’
The doubt that was momentarily forgotten began to smolder again.

‘Why didn’t Father report that I was born a wizard? It’s so dangerous? It’s a matter of life and death?’

“What happens if wizards are not managed?”

“Then they can explode at any time. It’s said that the flow of magical power is not something I can control at will. It’s only possible through long training and mental discipline.”

‘…What about me?’

Riley was truly shocked, far more than when an unknown acquaintance suddenly came to visit.

A matter directly related to life, and Father omitted it? If it had been an ordinary person, maybe, but a wizard who had worked in Horizon? A person who was an elite and wellversed in magic and wizardry? Could such a person make this mistake? No, this is not a problem that can be mistaken.

Is it then not a mistake?

It’s a problem even if it’s not a mistake.

Riley’s whole body broke out in goosebumps.

It was fortunate to be alive so far, and furthermore, does it not mean that she might die suddenly anywhere, anytime?

“Miss, what’s wrong? You look pale.”

“……Oh, it’s nothing.”

Riley was terrified as soon as she realized that her body was like a bomb that could explode at any moment.

Riley held her tongue for the time being. Rachel didn’t seem to solve her curiosity. It was right to discuss this matter with Gibnen. He said he didn’t know much about Father, but… there’s a high probability that he knows well about magical measurement tests and wizard registration procedures.

‘Yes. It might have been omitted for some reason during the reporting process. Unless Father was insane…….’

Riley calmed her anxiety by taking deep breaths to soothe her pounding heart.

Sometimes it was a blessing not to know. The anxiety of not knowing when and how she could die.

As soon as she learned of her body’s state as a time bomb, an extreme fear and anxiety of death engulfed her. She didn’t want to die blown into pieces.

A twisted feeling in her stomach, her chest feeling stifled, and her breath choked.

The more she thought about what was going on, the more complicated her head became.

Riley sent Rachel away, lay down on the bed, and curled up her body.

‘……What were you hiding, Father?’

She was scared.

The fear of what her body might become at any moment was less terrifying than how much more she might have to face Father’s unfamiliar face in the future.

(This is a time separator.)

Dinner time passed, and Gibnen had not yet returned home.

If he hadn’t returned for the last few days, there was a high chance he wouldn’t come in today either.

When will they meet again? She thought she could see him every day if they lived together, but nothing has changed from before.

‘Is it too late…….’

There are so many things to ask.

“Miss, why are you out here in the cold night wind?”

“……Just feeling stuffy.”

“Are you waiting for the master?”

Riley nodded slightly.

Rachel then smiled and handed her something. It was a quill to contact.

“How about sending a letter? He might come home early if he sees your letter, don’t you think?”

Really, would he?

Riley awkwardly took the quill and paper that Rachel handed her.

A letter… What should she write?

She began to cautiously scribble on the paper.

·

·

·

Tap, tap, tap.

Gibnen, who was moving his hand, suddenly stopped. Annoying noise, the sound that was very unpleasant to him, who was already sensitive due to piled up work.

Turning his head to the sound, he saw a quill bird pecking at the window.

Sending a message at this time of night, although he didn’t know who it was, but this annoying guy lacked even basic courtesy.

Gibnen opened the window, clearly showing his displeasure. The quill bird fluttered and dropped a small note into Gibnen’s palm.

Having checked the contents of the note, Gibnen immediately grabbed his coat.

“I’m going home, and I’ll be absent tomorrow.”

Leaving only one word to Salk, who was waiting outside, he hurriedly headed home.

“I miss you.”