“Who are you?”

“Let’s see. Hmm. You don’t look very promising. Well, when did you form a contract with that guy?”

“It’s a secret.”

“……”

Cordelia’s answer brought an instant silence to the room. As the atmosphere grew tense, Cordelia glanced around nervously and then relayed Leonard’s words in a more tactful manner.

“My master told me that if an elderly… ahem, a senior person came, I should just pass by…”

Rosenblur stepped forward in front of her and defended her.

“Master Menuphio. Miss Abrams is not yet accustomed to the etiquette of magicians.”

“Mrs.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s Mrs. Abrams. Abrams is my husband’s surname.”

“Oh, are you married?”

“Yes. But if you’re not busy, could I go ahead first? I need to go to my master’s laboratory.”

“Stop right there.”

Menuphio cleared his throat loudly and called out to Cordelia, who was about to leave.

“I am Seirius Menuphio Alphan of Riannon.”

This would mean he’s the head of the Riannon school, Menuphio Alphan. By now, Cordelia could understand to some extent through context.

“I see. I’m Cordelia Abrams. I’m a disciple of Leonard Atilei.”

“You’re going to Atilei’s lab? Do you have the key?”

“Yes. I received it from my master.”

Cordelia rummaged through her pocket and showed him the old key. Menuphio glanced at it on her palm and muttered.

“It’s real.”

“I’m really in a hurry, so could I visit my master’s lab first?”

She could now understand why Leonard had told her to ignore people and just go. With each step she took, someone appeared to block her way.

As time passed, her heart grew more urgent. A reasonable fear arose that Maximilian might pop up next.

“I’ll let you go. But in exchange, you’ll have to deal with us old folks for a bit.”

“Pardon?”

He made a mischievous expression and lightly tapped the staff he was holding on the floor.

Suddenly, Cordelia’s body floated up into the air. As she flailed in surprise, Menuphio told her to stay still and quickly propelled her body through the air.

“Kyaa!”

She passed by so quickly that she couldn’t distinguish the scenery. All she did was blink a few times, and when she opened her eyes again, Cordelia realized she was in a completely different space from before.

Instead of the bustling crowd, there was a huge round table in front of her.

Around it sat five elderly men and women, including Menuphio, looking at Cordelia as if she were a strange animal.

“Is that child Atilei’s disciple?”

“Ah, if he had such a grown disciple, he should have brought her to greet us long ago!”

“That guy never listened when we nagged him about fostering the next generation. Tsk, but it seems he prepared for after his death.”

“Child. When did you form a contract with Atilei?”

“How much has your master passed on to you?”

With five people speaking at once, it was overwhelming. Cordelia looked around frantically. No door in sight. No windows either.

‘This is driving me crazy. I need to get to master’s lab quickly. How on earth do I get out of here?’

She didn’t even know how she got in. Cordelia bit her lip and shuffled her feet.

At that moment, her eyes met Menuphio’s. He gestured with his chin, pointing to the other Seirius of different schools.

Seeing that gesture, she instinctively realized that if she didn’t properly deal with these people, she wouldn’t be able to reach Leonard’s laboratory.

“Hello. I’m Cordelia Abrams. I studied under Leonard Atilei.”

“Abrams?”

“Dolly. Where is the Abrams family from?”

“I’ve lived in Willas for over seventy years, how would I know that?”

“Her accent sounds like Ershe, did she come from western Ershe?”

“That one doesn’t know anything except magic, I tell you.”

It was still hard to adapt to at least five sentences popping out for every word she said, but Cordelia replied as calmly as possible.

“The Abrams estate is in the northeast of Ershe, between Vasquez and Hillerst.”

“I see. When did you take Atilei as your master?”

“A year ago.”

“What? Only that long?”

Surprisingly, the reaction was the same as Rosenblur’s. It felt even more intense. They didn’t hide their disappointment and murmured among themselves.

“Only a year? Sigh, this is a big problem. A big problem indeed.”

“If she just formed a contract, isn’t she barely more than an apprentice at this point?”

“Aish! Why did that guy leave so quickly?”

“Well, it’s better than the lineage being completely cut off, isn’t it?”

“Your name is Cordelia Abrams, right?”

“Yes.”

“Come closer, Abrams.”

The only magician whose name she knew, Menuphio, gestured to Cordelia. She obediently walked to where he pointed.

“You are now the Seirius of Acheron.”

“Pardon?”

“We’ll have to hold a formal ceremony, of course, but from this moment on, you’re a Seirius. Keep that in mind.”

“What?”

What nonsense is this now?

Hearing something she never expected, Cordelia was so dumbfounded that she couldn’t even respond properly.

Menuphio continued in a very serious tone.

“Think of it as the fate of countless magicians resting on your shoulders, always be humble and train yourself…”

“W-wait a minute!”

“What’s the matter?”

“Why am I a Seirius? Our master is the Seirius, isn’t he?”

“Ah, that guy left you behind and died, that’s why!”

A man with reddish hair interrupted, shouting.

“What does that have to do with anything? I’m just master’s disciple…”

“Child. Shouldn’t you carry on the lineage of the Acheron school? As the one and only successor of Acheron, it’s only logical that you become the Seirius following Atilei.”

The only female magician among the five calmly explained to Cordelia. The other magicians each added a word.

“That’s right. It’s late, but from now on, join the Magic Association and foster the next generation.”

“It’ll probably take a lifetime and still not be enough.”

“Instead of this, shall we hold the Seirius ceremony tomorrow?”

“The sooner the better.”

“Where should we set up Abrams’ quarters? Should we give her the room Atilei used?”

Now she understood why Rosenblur and the other magicians were disappointed when she said she became a magician a year ago. Of course, they expected her to succeed Leonard, so hearing she only trained for a year must have been a big disappointment.

Cordelia barely held back the urge to scream.

She had to escape from here somehow. At this rate, she might end up being forced to wear the hat of Seirius or whatever and be trapped here.

“I’m sorry, but I need to stop by master’s lab and then go outside right away.”

“Outside? Why outside? If you need anything, tell the kids. They’ll bring everything for you.”

“No. My husband is waiting outside.”

The impact of those words was considerable. The five magicians clicked their tongues in unison.

“Husband? You have a husband?”

“You’re married? Already?”

“Tsk tsk tsk. She’s gone mad. Absolutely mad.”

“Oh my, why did you do that? A child with such a bright future ahead.”

“Didn’t your master stop you?”

She didn’t understand why marriage was such a condemnable act, but it seemed to be a decent excuse to get outside. They all looked displeased, but at least they didn’t threaten to keep her from leaving.

“So, I’ll just meet my husband to explain, and I’ll come back later, later.”

“What do you mean later? We’ll send some people with you when you leave, so don’t even think about sneaking off somewhere else.”

If she could just get out of here and meet up with Leonard, he would surely figure something out.

Cordelia just nodded unconditionally.

“I’ll be back soon. Ah, before that, I’d like to stop by master’s lab first.”

“The lab? Ah, yes. Good timing.”

“Child. You almost got into big trouble. We were planning to permanently close it tomorrow.”

“Haha. I’ve already called Maximilian.”

“What did you say!”

She was about to jump out of the frying pan into the fire.

Hearing the name she absolutely didn’t want to hear, Cordelia jumped up and shouted. Her voice was so loud that Menuphio, who was right in front of her, leaned back and frowned.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“I, uh, I don’t need to meet him. Just let me go to the lab. Please.”

“That won’t do. He’s your master’s only blood relative. Surely you don’t believe those rumors too?”

“Those rumors?”

“The absurd rumors that Maximilian harmed Leonard.”

Menuphio’s eyes were filled with strong faith in Maximilian. As someone who knew the truth, Cordelia wanted to tell him, “You’re being deceived right now,” but she kept her mouth shut.

“Those are all stories spread by gossipmongers. When you actually meet Maximilian, you’ll realize how foolish those stories are. That child was so kind and followed his brother like a father.”

‘No, rumors or not, he really did kill his brother! Oh no, this is really bad. What should I do? Should I run away? But where to?’

She stamped her feet, trying to find a way to escape, but in a space with no proper doors or windows, all she could do was tremble.

“Here he comes.”

Following Menuphio’s gaze, there was a faint rectangular light in the shape of a door. Seeing that, Cordelia’s heart pounded so hard it felt like it might break her ribs.