“First, I need to regain my body. I can’t stay trapped in this trash body forever.”

“Is it possible to perform soul transfer magic with the current body?”

“Well, we’ll have to try as much as we can.”

Leonard, who was always full of confidence, trailed off for the first time.

In fact, it was nothing short of a miracle that the soul transfer magic he performed before dying was successful. The question was whether such an amazing miracle could occur twice in a row.

Knowing this well, Baron said with a worried look:

“Master. Even if we brought all the magic stones in Ershe, it wouldn’t be enough to perform high-dimensional magic in this state.”

“There’s Ransel’s last flower in the lab. And the Saint’s tears and the Red Dragon’s breath. If we use those well…”

Everything coming out of Leonard’s mouth were all precious sacred objects passed down like legends. It’s hard to even estimate the value of each one.

But Baron shook his head.

“No sacred object can compare to your original magic power, Master. Besides, the current body won’t be able to contain such powerful magic.”

“So? Are you saying I should give up everything and live buried in this countryside? Watch that bastard Maximilian inherit the Atilei name?”

Leonard glared at Baron with wide eyes. The old man blinked quietly and then opened his mouth.

“How about using Cordelia?”

“…What?”

“If we pour all three sacred objects and my magic power into Cordelia, it should be just enough to perform soul transfer magic.”

“You mean to use her as a medium.”

There are two ways to perform magic. One is for the magician to directly perform the magic, and the second is to realize the magic through a medium.

Leonard looked out the window with his lips tightly closed.

The sun is setting. Cordelia can be seen slowly walking through the reddened corridor.

“As you know, I’m too old to accept sacred objects. And your body is unsuitable for containing magic. But Cordelia is different. Isn’t she young, talented, and has the optimal body for accepting magic?”

“…”

“Of course, the medium won’t be able to contain any magic afterwards, but if we take responsibility for her future with gold, I’m sure Cordelia will understand.”

“You were amazed earlier, calling it the birth of a great magician, and now you want to take away her magic?”

Then Baron bowed his head with a surprisingly benevolent smile.

“Nothing is as precious to me as your well-being, Master. Even if it’s the birth of a future great magician.”

* * *

When Cordelia returned to her bedroom, the sun had already completely set.

As she opened the door with her exhausted body, three maids rushed over to greet her.

“Welcome back, Young Mistress.”

“Huh? Who?”

“I’m Rachel.”

“I’m Mary.”

Two unfamiliar maids curtsied. Emily, standing behind them, added with a bright smile:

“Would you believe it, the head maid called me today and said it must be hard for me to serve you alone, so she assigned two more maids.”

It’s strange. The head maid always paid minimal attention to Cordelia, always watching Helena’s mood.

That’s why there was only Emily to serve her, but now she suddenly assigns two more maids?

Before she could solve that question, one of the new maids fawned over her and helped her change clothes. As she was undressing, something fell with a thud.

“Oh my, a letter fell, Young Mistress.”

Rachel picked up the crumpled letter and handed it to her mistress.

Cordelia reflexively sighed. She hesitated for a while as if she had been handed something very unclean, then opened the envelope.

[We’re short on funds for Dennis’s academy entrance. Send 100,000 linkit as soon as possible. It’s urgent, so don’t delay. I married you off to such a good place, so as a daughter you should naturally do at least this much.]

The content is always the same. This time too, it’s asking for money.

It’s so tiresome.

At first, she sent replies. Saying that she wasn’t in a position or situation to send money from here.

Every time, her father would become furiously angry and consider it as her disrespecting him.

So at some point, she just started ignoring letters from the Vasquez. That was rather more comfortable.

“Just burn this.”

“Yes, Young Mistress.”

Rachel took the letter without a word. Then she asked with a bright smile:

“What about dinner? Shall I have it brought to the bedroom? Or shall I prepare something light since it’s late?”

“Would you like to take a bath first? I had them heat up the water.”

“Uh… um.”

It was bewildering how kind they were. Cordelia barely managed to send the two away and entered the bathroom with Emily.

“Are those two always like that?”

“Hehe, well, it’s spread all over the castle that the Young Mistress has been spending all day in the Count’s bedroom lately.”

“Huh?”

“Moreover, he hasn’t called those lowly whores back either.”

Emily laughed softly as she poured warm water over Cordelia’s body.

That’s when she realized why the people in the castle had been unusually kind to her, treating her like the tongue in their mouth.

“The Count must have finally realized the Young Mistress’s devotion. After all, you’ve been by the Count’s side every day since he collapsed, praying for him to wake up.”

“Hmm. Is that so.”

In truth, it was a prayer for him to please die, but since she couldn’t say that honestly, Cordelia just smiled.

“Moreover, that day, the day the Countess and the Count had an argument.”

Even though it was just the two of them in the bathroom, Emily lowered her voice to a whisper.

“The rumor spread quickly, probably because there were so many eyes watching. They were openly talking in the kitchen about whether it’s time for the Countess to retire to the back room.”

Emily spoke excitedly, seemingly pleased with Helena’s fallen status.

She hadn’t noticed because she was so busy with magic lessons, but come to think of it, she hadn’t seen Helena since that day.

‘Well, it would be hard to show her face nonchalantly after such an embarrassment.’

If Craig had really taken Cordelia’s side and pushed Helena out, her life might have become a bit easier. But the one inside the body is Leonard, and he might leave at any time.

Her mind became complicated.

Cordelia submerged her head completely in the bathtub. The water had cooled enough to be bearable.

“Shall I wash your hair?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, right. About what you asked me to find out before. I found both of them.”

“Really? Who are they?”

“One has red hair with a slightly crooked nose tip, and the other has black hair, black eyes, and a mole on her neck. What were their names again?”

Cordelia absorbed the information Emily had gathered while sorting out her troubled thoughts.

After bathing, she sat at her desk and solved the mountain of mathematical problems, gradually clearing her mind of distracting thoughts.

Although she grumbled to Leonard that it was difficult, she actually enjoyed learning magic.

The more she learned magic, the more she felt like she was becoming somewhat useful, which made her happy.

“Young Mistress. It’s already midnight.”

“Oh, is it? Already?”

“You haven’t eaten anything. Are you alright?”

“It’s fine. It’s fine. I’ll sleep after I finish this.”

Cordelia waved her hand with a smile. In the end, she fell asleep in the deep hours of the morning.

Morning came, but it was so difficult to open her eyelids. Even after washing her face with cold water, her eyes were still half-closed.

As she was changing clothes while nodding off, one of the new maids from yesterday quietly approached.

“Um, Young Mistress.”

“What? *yawn*”

“The Countess sent word asking to have breakfast together.”

“Breakfast?”

It was an unexpected invitation, considering they usually didn’t even have tea together, let alone meals.

She could guess what kind of things Helena would say if she went, but she couldn’t ignore the Countess’s summons either.

“Can you tell Craig I’ll be a little late?”

“Yes, Young Mistress.”

After changing into proper clothes to avoid any criticism, she left the room.

When she arrived at the dining room, not only Helena but also Arnold, Lily, and Baron Lancaster were all seated at the table.

It was an unusual combination.

“I’m sorry I’m late, Countess.”

“No, you’re not late at all. Please, sit down.”

Cordelia reflexively apologized, but Helena smiled brightly and offered her the seat across. Seeing that smile, Cordelia felt an uneasy premonition.

“Good morning, Countess.”

Lily and Arnold didn’t even glance at Cordelia, and only Baron Lancaster stood up to greet her.

“I haven’t thanked you for taking care of Craig all this time.”

“What? Oh. It’s nothing. It’s what I should do.”

“Is there anything in this world that’s a given?”

It was rather suspicious to hear Helena speak so normally.

Was it because Baron Lancaster was present?

Cordelia, a bit flustered, just smiled awkwardly instead of answering.

“Oh my. The food will get cold. Please eat.”

“Yes.”

The servant brought out tomato soup. Cordelia silently scooped it up with a spoon and ate.

Helena asked, still smiling:

“So. Is there anything difficult for you these days?”

“How could there be anything lacking when you always take such good care of me, Countess?”

“Hoho. Well, compared to your poor family, this must be like heaven.”

Cordelia’s lips tightened slightly. But she tried to maintain her expression as if nothing was wrong.

“By the way, have you been exchanging letters with your father lately?”

“No. I haven’t contacted him separately.”

“How can she lie so naturally?”

“She must be born with it, Mother.”

Lily openly mocked Cordelia. Cordelia was bewildered by the sudden change in tone.

“…What? What do you mean?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know what I mean? Or are you pretending not to know? Have you already forgotten that the Grand Duke of Vasquez ordered you to steal?”

Cordelia couldn’t understand at all what Helena was talking about.

Then Helena took something out from her bosom and began to read:

“Send 100,000 linkit as soon as possible for Dennis’s entrance funds. It’s urgent, so don’t delay, she says. I’m speechless.”

“We shouldn’t have brought such a beggar into the house. 100,000 linkit? She’s openly stealing!”

Lily pointed at Cordelia with her finger. There was undisguised contempt in her voice.

“Countess!”

Cordelia couldn’t hold back and shouted at the continued insulting remarks.

What Helena had recited in front of everyone was the letter Cordelia had received from her father yesterday.

She had definitely told the maid to burn it, but seeing that Helena had it in her possession, it seems she must have bribed the maid.