Cordelia was confused by the sudden change in attitude, but soon realized. This person already knew Leonard was real. He had simply pointed his sword at Leonard out of jealousy for not being called first.

Thinking about it, it was infuriating. Leonard surely felt the same way.

“Are you more concerned that Baron knew I was alive before you did, rather than the fact that I’m alive?”

“My lord would never perish. Certainly not to such a person.”

Beluce spoke with confidence. There was an unbreakable faith in Leonard visible there.

“More than a few turned their backs on me when news of my death spread, believing it was ‘just such a person’. What makes you any different?”

“My lord! How can you compare me to those traitors? If you ordered me to die here and now, I would gladly slit my own throat with a smile.”

Beluce abruptly drew a dagger, seemingly aggrieved at having his loyalty doubted. He then pressed the blade to his neck as if about to stab himself.

Leonard seemed accustomed to such situations and wasn’t surprised. Rather, he languidly waved his arm.

Then an astonishing thing happened.

The partially destroyed window became whole again, and the furniture that had been unrecognizable returned to perfect condition without a scratch.

“I didn’t call you here to stab yourself, so stop being dramatic and put the knife down.”

“Just give the order, my lord. I will cut off the limbs of those pig-dogs who betrayed you and feed them to the dogs in the fields…”

Beluce fidgeted as if about to dash out at any moment. Leonard sighed.

“Please just do what I tell you to do. Don’t act on your own unnecessarily.”

“But my lord! Lamue and Demirusel are already frequenting Maximilian’s room. Those bastards must be torn apart!”

“I’ll handle that myself.”

Beluce, with his tail thoroughly tucked, transformed so drastically that it was hard to believe he was the same person from just minutes ago. Cordelia witnessed the entire change from the side and still couldn’t believe it.

“What about Gasil? Surely that fellow isn’t here too?”

“Lord Gasil is not here, Beluce.”

The Baron, having somewhat recovered, spoke while regaining his balance. At this, Beluce’s expression noticeably brightened.

“Is that so? So that bastard doesn’t know you’re here yet, my lord?”

“Ha, is Gasil’s absence really that important to you?”

“Of course it’s important. It means I’m your official right-hand man.”

“That’s correct. My lord was the one who suggested calling Beluce first.”

When the Baron indulged Beluce, his expression brightened like the spring sunshine. What a transparently expressive person.

Their deadly fight from earlier now felt like ancient history. The Baron, whose body had been split in half, and Beluce, who had been bleeding from his ears and nose, simply wiped away the blood as if nothing had happened and continued their conversation.

Cordelia felt she both understood and didn’t understand the relationship between these three.

As she stood awkwardly at a distance, not joining the conversation, Leonard beckoned her with his hand.

“What are you doing over there? Come here.”

“Ah, well…”

“Who is this woman? She sent me an impertinent letter.”

“I sent that letter, Beluce. Using Lady Cordelia’s name.”

“But why did you use my name…?”

Cordelia glanced slightly at the Baron. However, the answer came from Leonard’s mouth.

“Because you’re my disciple. It’s common for a master to send a letter using their disciple’s name.”

“Moreover, it was important to catch Beluce’s attention appropriately. If we had sent it under the Abrams name, he would have certainly thrown the letter into the fire without even opening it.”

“Ah, I see.”

Cordelia awkwardly nodded.

“Wait, just a moment. Disciple? What do you mean?”

This time, Beluce couldn’t keep up with the conversation. He looked back and forth between Cordelia and Leonard with a confused expression.

“What word is difficult to understand here? My disciple. Cordelia Vasquez here.”

“But why?”

“What do you mean, why?”

“But you didn’t accept even when that Leviche archduke begged to be your disciple. Even for those with exceptional talent, it’s difficult to become a magician’s disciple after the age of ten. So why did you accept this woman… Why did you take such an unremarkable woman as your disciple?”

Cordelia, hearing this right beside her, was about to snap back but held herself back.

“Beluce.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Your insolence reaches the heavens.”

Leonard’s voice was filled with coldness. The atmosphere froze in an instant. Beluce noticed this too and bowed deeply.

“I merely thought it might tarnish your lofty reputation, my lord.”

“Is that so? If I truly cared about reputation, I wouldn’t have kept you, the bastard of Ingrion, by my side.”

“…”

“Are you insulting her existence, or are you insulting my judgment?”

“…I apologize, my lord. I overstepped my bounds.”

Beluce crouched down again like a dog with its tail between its legs.

Although he hadn’t exactly stood up for her, Cordelia was secretly pleased that he had at least acknowledged her as his disciple.

Leonard, seemingly displeased with Cordelia silently blinking behind him, said to her:

“You say something too.”

“Pardon?”

“You usually chatter away in front of me, so why are you keeping your mouth shut now?”

“Well, I’m comfortable with you, Master… but this person…”

“What do you mean ‘this person’? Call him ‘this bastard’.”

“This person tried to strangle me just for mentioning your name. How dare I say anything?”

“He did what?”

Beluce’s head, which had been facing the floor, shot up so quickly it made a whooshing sound. He glared fiercely at Cordelia while frowning, and though he didn’t speak, his thoughts were clear.

Of course, it wasn’t her concern.

Cordelia stretched out her neck so Leonard could clearly see the recent injury.

“Oh my, goodness. Now that I look closely, the handprint is quite red. Are you alright, Lady Cordelia?”

“He choked me so hard I could barely breathe… I really thought I was going to die.”

Acting kind without any benefit didn’t suit her nature. As the Baron made a fuss beside her, Cordelia unnecessarily coughed and cleared her throat.

Leonard’s gaze grew cold again. He silently stared at Beluce, then placed a single finger on Cordelia’s neck.

With a faint light, a warm sensation spread around her neck. Though the injury wasn’t visible, she could immediately tell it had been healed. Leonard spoke without taking his eyes off Beluce.

“Baron.”

“Yes.”

“Take Cordelia to her room and come back.”

“Huh? I can go by myself, you know?”

What need was there for an escort in her own home? As Cordelia objected, the Baron hurriedly moved in front of her and opened the door.

“Come now, it seems the master has some urgent words for Beluce.”

“Ah.”

Finally understanding his intention, Cordelia obediently followed the Baron out of the room. The Baron turned semi-transparent to avoid being seen by others and perched on the back of Cordelia’s hand.

“Don’t take Beluce’s words to heart. He’s always been one to speak without thinking.”

“Why would I take to heart the words of someone I just met today?”

Cordelia said with a sharp smile. The Baron blinked slowly.

“That’s good then. His swordsmanship may be excellent, but his learning and character don’t even come close to the master’s. That’s why I suggested calling Lord Gasil instead…”

“What?”

“It’s nothing.”

At that moment, several servants passed through the corridor, briefly halting their conversation. Once they were alone again, the Baron changed the subject.

“How are you finding the study of magic?”

“It’s fun. Surprisingly so. Though I’m still just barely learning to distinguish between carrots and potatoes.”

“Haha. I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Magic is a discipline built on endless learning. Only the joy of learning can sustain one through those years of hardship.”

“That’s right. Is that why the master keeps inflicting pain on me? To teach me endurance, perhaps.”

The Baron smiled very faintly at Cordelia’s words. They had already arrived at her room door.

“It seems the master’s body has recovered significantly thanks to your attentive care, Lady Cordelia.”

“Me? I just went and bothered him every day, that’s all.”

“He didn’t say it outright, but he was deeply hurt after being betrayed by Maximilian and losing his physical body. But after taking you on as a disciple, he stopped dwelling solely on that anger every day, and his expression improved considerably compared to before.”

“Instead, he took on a stupid disciple and became quite frustrated.”

“How can one only take the good things in life?”

Cordelia felt a little sad that he didn’t deny the “stupid disciple” part.

Unaware of her feelings, the Baron lightly shrugged his shoulders and bowed in greeting. In the blink of an eye, the Baron’s form completely disappeared.

* * *

“Your mouth is far too loose.”

“Ah! You startled me.”

The next morning, Cordelia was shocked to see Beluce’s face as soon as she opened the door. She reflexively tried to close it, but Beluce was faster.

“You went and tattled to the master about me just lightly touching your neck? Aren’t you being a bit overdramatic?”

“Good morning to you too, Beluce.”

“Who said you could call me by name?”

“Well, I can’t very well call you ‘the bastard of Ingrion’, can I? Beluce. Not when you have such a nice name.”

“Ha.”

The veins on the back of Beluce’s hand, which was holding the door, visibly bulged. I’ve been thinking this since yesterday, but he’s really quite honest with his emotions.

“Let me warn you, don’t expect to be treated like the master’s disciple. Not a chance.”

“It seems I’m already getting special treatment. Just look at how Beluce rushed here to greet me first thing in the morning.”

“Does this look like I’m greeting you? You’re not only stupid but also lack any sense.”

He sneered openly as he looked down at Cordelia. Despite his murderous gaze, she maintained her smile and looked straight at Beluce’s face.

“You look even worse than yesterday. I guess the master scolded you quite harshly for lightly touching my neck, huh?”

“Scolded? Me?”

Beluce laughed loudly enough to echo through the corridor. Then he suddenly stopped laughing and lowered his voice. It was a strange way of speaking that was unclear whether it was informal or polite.

“I already heard from the Baron. The master took you in out of pity. So don’t go thinking you’re something special.”

“Then did you also hear that I can see magical power?”

“What?”

“The master said it’s a talent that might appear once in a thousand years.”