However, just an hour after leaving, Cordelia encountered her first obstacle.
‘How do I get in?’
Finding the Roepel Mage Association wasn’t difficult. Following the route Baron had given her, she soon found the massive building. The problem was what came next.
The main gate was firmly closed, and only a narrow door was open, through which everyone passing had something shiny like a ring on their arm.
When there was no one around, Cordelia tried to enter through the door, but as expected, it didn’t budge.
After loitering around for a while, she stopped someone who was entering.
“Excuse me.”
“What do you need?”
A man in a black robe looked at her with annoyance.
“I’m trying to get inside, how do I do that?”
Hearing her question, the man looked her up and down and shook his head.
“Judging by your clothes, you look like a traveler, but this place is not for just anyone.”
“I’m not here to sightsee. Um, how should I say this… I’m trying to go to my master’s lab.”
“Master? Are you a wizard?”
“Oh, yes! That’s right.”
Cordelia nodded enthusiastically, her face brightening up. The man then asked doubtfully.
“Never seen you before. Who’s your master?”
“Leonard Atillay.”
He burst into laughter as soon as she finished speaking. It was not a friendly laughter.
“Why are you laughing?”
“People should know better than to try a scam like this. Listen, he’s been gone for over two months. Even if he wasn’t dead, pretending to be his disciple is absurd.”
“I’m telling the truth. I was apprenticed to Leonard Atillay.”
“Hahaha! Hey, Catherine, come here. Atillay’s disciple is here.”
He didn’t believe her at all. Instead, he called over other mages passing by to enter the Association and ridiculed Cordelia.
“How can I make you believe me?”
“That’s easy. If you’re really Atillay’s disciple, show me the seal.”
“Seal? What’s that?”
“Hahaha! Pretending to be a wizard’s disciple and you don’t even know what a seal is.”
Soon, more than five onlookers had gathered, all of them laughing at Cordelia.
Cordelia was quite embarrassed.
She vaguely remembered Baron mentioning something about a seal, but she hadn’t received anything like that. She rummaged through her pockets again, but all she found was the old key.
‘Why didn’t they tell me I needed a seal to get in? Now I’m being humiliated at the entrance.’
Just as she was feeling dejected, wondering if she should return to the inn, a familiar yet unforgettable voice came from behind her. Clear and pure, like the dew of dawn.
“Huh? That voice from the inn, oh!”
“Ah, Lord Elpenbaum.”
Shockingly, the owner of the voice was Rosenbluer Elpenbaum.
The mages surrounding her stepped aside in confusion upon seeing Rosenbluer.
Even from afar on horseback, he seemed unreal, but up close, he was even more surreal, like a moving statue.
With his cool, settled blue eyes, he looked down at Cordelia and asked.
“Can you stand by that statement?”
“Yes? Oh. Yes, definitely.”
“Then I’ll help you. If you are indeed Leo’s disciple.”
“How are you going to help, ah!”
Without warning, Rosenbluer grabbed her arm and muttered something. Simultaneously, a light began to emanate from her body.
Cordelia distinctly remembered this moment, having experienced it just once before. It was similar to when Leonard first said he would accept her as his disciple.
Complicated geometric patterns started spreading from her fingertips, weaving across her entire body like a web. Soon the light faded, and silence enveloped the room. No one dared to speak.
Except for Cordelia.
“So, is it confirmed? Can I go inside now?”
“Good heavens, it’s true!”
“Catherine! Inform the Elders right away! Atillay’s disciple has appeared!”
“By the gods!”
People were screaming hysterically, running off in different directions. Cordelia, startled by their manic reaction, took a step back. She had expected surprise, but this was excessively intense.
“What’s going on?”
“It’s true. Leo left a disciple behind.”
“Do you believe me now?”
“It’s undeniable. You have the Acheron engraved all over you.”
“Acheron?”
“It’s the name of the star founded by Leo. Surely you know?”
“I’ve never heard of it. Oh, I know! The Master controls a star, something… Sei, Seri…”
“Sirius.”
“Right, Sirius. The highest one.”
Rosenbluer completed her stammering response, still in disbelief.
“You’re the sole heir of Leo’s faction and don’t know its name?”
“He didn’t tell me.”
“Well, there’s plenty of time for that.”
He effortlessly opened the door and entered with Cordelia.
“Why are you here in Roepel?”
“I need to visit my master’s lab.”
“Perfect timing. Maximilian has requested the permanent closure of his lab. You might be able to stop it.”
He murmured softly, and Cordelia, already aware of the situation, didn’t ask for clarification.
“Follow me. I’ll show you the way.”
“Um, could you…”
“What is it?”
“Could you let go of my hand?”
“Oh.”
Realizing late that he was still holding her wrist, Rosenbluer released his grip with a honey-sweet smile.
Seeing his smile up close, Cordelia felt her head spin. He was excessively handsome.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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