A crack began to form in space, and it started to break. Light seeped through the broken gaps, and soon her breath was no longer obstructed. Cold blood began to flow rapidly.

Thump, thump, thump! The violent blood flow became colder and colder. However, strangely, it was not chilly. Even though coldness filled her body, it felt refreshing like ice water on a hot summer day.

Her body, which had been heavy as lead, felt as light as a feather.

Bang!

The space that had started to break completely expanded and then exploded, emitting a blinding light. Riley shielded her eyes from the brightness, and slowly opened them as the light faded.

Arpeggio’s figure, leaning against the wall with arms crossed, looking at her, came into view.

“Huuh, huh…….”

Arpeggio checked his watch.

“Exactly 1 minute.”

“…….”

“You’ve finally displayed the nature of a magician. Considering that your ‘mana blood’ was blocked, there was no difference between you and an ordinary person. Judging by the fact that you didn’t die even though your mana blood was blocked, I wonder what your father has done. He was the one to use all sorts of bizarre magic.”

Riley did not understand what Arpeggio was saying. No, she did not have the leisure to understand.

The experience of just 1 minute still left her confused.

“The mana has been released, and judging by how you instinctively wield that immense power, it seems useful. Of course, it’s still unstable.”

Arpeggio extended his hand to Riley, who was sitting on the ground, and asked,

“How does it feel to be reborn?”

Riley took Arpeggio’s hand. Arpeggio helped her to her feet.

“It feels good, my body feels light as if it’s about to fly, and it’s refreshing.”

“I bet, maintaining that heavy body that had trapped mana for over 20 years, just thinking about it is horrible.”

“……What exactly has happened?”

“Nothing much, I just pushed you to the brink of death to forcibly open your mana.”

“…….?”

“For some reason, your mana, which circulates the bloodstream, was completely blocked. People usually say mana circuits are tangled. An ordinary person’s body would have exploded with the stagnant mana, but seeing that you’re fine, your body is either a mutant or your father, Raistun, did something to you. Probably the latter, I understand why it was necessary to hide the mana.”

Hearing that her body could have exploded, Riley shivered and trembled.

“So what happens to me now? Can I use magic?”

“How should I know? It depends on you.”

“……Oh, then what about the proof… Am I proven?”

Arpeggio had certainly asked her to prove herself.
He said he would know the answer, but in fact, he still doesn’t know what’s going on.

“Come here every evening at 6 o’clock. Don’t come before then. It’s my nap time.”

“Are you taking me as your apprentice?”

“Apprentice? Freeze to death. How old do you think I am to already take an apprentice? I’m still young. And do you know that there’s more than one or two guys who are desperate to be my apprentice? Think a runnynosed brat like you can take that precious spot? Don’t even think about it.”

“Then…”

“I’ll help you step over the horizon threshold. This is the extent of our agreement.”

“Ah, I see. Thank you.”

At Riley’s expression of gratitude, Arpeggio turned his body and waved his hand.

“Now our business is done, so get lost. And come back starting tomorrow.”

Though his speech was harsh, he didn’t seem like a bad person.

Riley bowed and left the magical storage facility.

‘He seemed to know a lot about my father…… but I was too scared to ask him about my father.’

This was an unexpected gain.

However… It seems that I won’t be able to get anything about my father from him right now. His temperament is too sanguine, and our relationship is still awkward, so it would be better to ask later after our relationship has deepened.

Of course, whether he will answer straightforwardly is also questionable.

“You look happy.”

At the familiar voice, Riley stopped in her tracks. As soon as Riley turned around, something pounced on her. Being pushed behind a wall in an instant, Riley stared wideeyed at the person embracing her.

“Gibnen?”

“If I see you enjoying yourself with another man, it will be troublesome.”

Gibnen separated from Riley and met her eyes.

“……What are you doing here? I heard Saki say you were entertaining a guest.”

“The distinguished guest left a little while ago. I was waiting to take my sister home.”

“Ah, I can go home by myself.”

“Don’t you want to go with me?”

“No, it’s not that, but you’re busy.”

“I have time to take you home. I have something to talk about as well.”

Trapped between the wall and Gibnen’s body, Riley looked around in case someone saw.

“What if someone sees…”

“I told you before, no one can come here.”

“But you never know.”

“What does it matter, we’re to be married.”

His expression was no different from usual, but somehow he seemed a little petulant.