“Master told me to stay by his side for life. He said that for a magician, the master-disciple relationship is more important than marriage.”

“Ha. All that talk about magicians. As if you even knew what a magician was.”

“I think I’m more important to Master than you, a nobody. Beluce is just a common knight, but I’m Master’s one and only disciple.”

It was said deliberately to provoke him. As expected, cracks appeared on Beluce’s face. He retorted, revealing his jealousy and hatred without restraint.

“Disciple? I don’t understand why he accepted someone like you as his important disciple. How many people wanted to become Master’s disciple, yet he chose a woman like you?”

“Well, it’s because I have talent…”

“What talent do you have? Whatever it is, it’s nothing compared to Master.”

Suddenly, Cordelia recalled what Maximilian had said.

‘Whatever talent you have, it’s nothing compared to my brother.’

Both then and now, Cordelia easily agreed with those words. Maximilian’s statement wasn’t incorrect.

As Cordelia struggled to continue speaking, Beluce’s sneer deepened.

“Do you know what needs to be done for Master to regain his body?”

“I suppose we need to use magic?”

“That’s right. We need to use soul transfer magic to move the soul, but that magic requires an enormous amount of magical power. And with Master’s current body, it’s not even close to possible.”

“Isn’t that why he asked to bring the sacred artifacts?”

“A few sacred artifacts can’t substitute for Master’s magical power.”

Then how can that magic be used?

The question swirled in her mind. Beluce, as if reading her thoughts, kindly provided the answer.

“That’s why he took you as a disciple.”

“Me?”

“The Baron said that if he pours his magical power into you and squeezes out all the sacred artifacts, he could just about use that magic.”

“Pour magical power into me?”

Even after hearing the explanation, his words weren’t easily understood. Cordelia could only stare at Beluce with a still puzzled expression. Beluce clicked his tongue.

“How can you be so stupid? In other words, he plans to use you as a medium for the soul transfer magic. A medium for transferring magical power.”

“…A medium.”

“Do you understand now? You’re just a medium for Master to regain his body. So stop acting so proud about being the one and only disciple or whatever. A human used as a medium can never use magic again.”

“That’s a lie. You’re lying. Beluce, you just hate me, so you’re making this up.”

“Haha. Why would I? When you dislike an ant, do you lie to it? Is there any need for that? You can just step on it and kill it.”

‘It means you’re just being used as a chess piece. For my brother’s benefit.’

Cordelia recalled another thing Maximilian had said.

Chess piece. Used. Benefit.

Words that hadn’t evoked any thoughts at the time suddenly pierced through her head. They fit this situation precisely, as if predicting it.

Cordelia repeatedly clenched and unclenched her fists. Her mind was in chaos. It was difficult to discern whether Beluce’s words were true or not.

She wanted to believe they weren’t, but in one corner of her mind, suspicion bloomed that he might have really taken her as a disciple for such a reason.

“Enjoy this moment to your heart’s content. Your end is not far off now.”

Beluce left her on the deck alone, mocking her until the end.

Cordelia stared blankly at the sea before returning to her small cabin.

“I should ask Master. Why am I worrying like this? If I ask and it’s true…”

What if it’s true? If he says that’s the reason he took me as a disciple, what should I do?

Should I just smile and brush it off, saying I knew it all along?

Cordelia sat down on the bed. And took a deep breath.

‘Well, it’s good in a way. If I can’t use magic anymore, I’ll just ask Master for a lot of money instead and open my own shop. I can live comfortably for the rest of my life. Right. I’ll buy all the books I’ve wanted to buy…’

The wooden floor became wet in a circle. Thinking the ceiling might be leaking, she raised her head, only to feel tears glistening on the tip of her chin.

Only then did Cordelia realize she was crying. Lottie, who had been lying in a corner of the cabin, approached. Lottie rested its head on her lap.

“I was going to buy lots of magic books…”

Sitting in the chair, she murmured while stroking Lottie’s head.

In truth, she didn’t want to go back. She enjoyed learning magic from Leonard. Everything was joyful – learning new things, staying up all night to do homework, even being scolded by her master for not knowing something.

Unlike her past when she lived like a walking corpse, she felt truly alive.

“I can work harder. I’ll really study hard and…”

The dream of learning just a few auxiliary magic spells to become a magic appraiser had disappeared at some point.

After seeing numerous magicians at the Magic Association, she wanted to learn more. Her ambition grew bit by bit.

To avoid disappointment, one shouldn’t expect, but Leonard had planted too many expectations in her.

Just then, without any warning, the cabin door flung open. Leonard stood askew in the doorway, irritably shouting.

“Didn’t you hear me tell you to come to the dining room? What are you dawdling for?”

“Ah.”

Cordelia hurriedly wiped the tears on her cheeks and stood up. However, she couldn’t hide her reddened eyes from crying. Leonard strode into the room.

“Why are you crying alone so pitifully?”

“Just got some dust in my eye.”

“I asked why you’re crying? Don’t tell me that bastard Beluce laid hands on you again?”

He narrowed his eyes and lifted Cordelia’s chin, examining her closely for any injuries.

“Raise your arms. No, turn around once in front of me.”

“Master. It’s not like that. I just suddenly thought of my hometown and teared up a bit.”

“Hometown? The one you always said was insufferable?”

“Come on, when did I always say it was insufferable? It was just moderately insufferable.”

She barely managed to raise the corners of her mouth and waved her hands dismissively. Leonard still didn’t seem to believe Cordelia’s words, not hiding his suspicious gaze.

“Really? You’re not crying after getting hit somewhere?”

“I told you, no. Do you think I’m always getting hit?”

“Well, you did. From your mother-in-law with wine, and… Anyway, I should teach you some self-defense magic after we return from Diloa’s territory. At least so you can protect yourself.”

“…”

“Why are you crying again?”

After.

She knows better than anyone that this word promises nothing.

Tears suddenly flowed without warning, as if someone had poked her eyes. She tried to wipe away the flowing tears with her right arm, which was still somewhat functional, but it was far from enough.

“M-Master.”

“What? Stop crying and speak. Don’t make people frustrated.”

“Master. When we break the barrier and go inside… How will you transfer your soul into your body?”

“Good grief. Is that a question to ask while crying?”

Although he found it absurd, he answered her question sincerely.

“Originally, I would use my magical power for the soul transfer magic, but it’s impossible with this current body, so I’ll have to use another method.”

“Another method?”

“Yes. I plan to execute the magic using a medium. Fortunately, there’s a suitable medium nearby to hold magical power. Young and healthy.”

“…I see. What is that medium?”

“You’re full of questions today. You’ll find out who it is when we arrive anyway.”

He said with a meaningful smile. At that moment, Cordelia’s tears dried up.

Just like when she heard her father say, ‘Don’t even think about coming back, die there if you must,’ in the carriage leaving for the Abrams.

* * *

“It’s about Lady Cordelia.”

“Hm.”

“Doesn’t she seem a bit strange lately?”

Baron whispered in a low voice. Leonard looked at Cordelia, who was sitting near the campfire, staring blankly at the flames.

Five days had passed since they arrived in Ancene after four days on the ship and set out again to the south. The heat of the southern continent was beyond imagination, making it hard to believe it was just early spring.

As soon as they disembarked, everyone bought and changed into clothes suitable for the southern continent.

It was then that Leonard first felt something was a bit off with Cordelia.

‘Good thing I didn’t throw away the winter coat. I’ll have to go back anyway.’

‘What did you say?’

‘Nothing.’

Her soliloquies increased. And she kept staring into space absentmindedly more often.

When this continued during lesson time, Leonard repeatedly urged her to concentrate. In the past, she would grumble verbally but soon focus well and complete all her homework, but now she was visibly slacking off.

‘What’s this? You haven’t even done half of the homework I assigned.’

‘Yes.’

‘Is that all you have to say? How many times have you brought just blank paper?’

‘I’m sorry.’

There was no excuse for why she did it. Cordelia just slightly bowed her head curtly and avoided the place altogether. Even when Leonard nagged, she just frowned and barely listened.

“Strange? She was always like that, that woman. Willful and not knowing how to respect the master.”

“No, she wasn’t. Beluce, you might not know since you’ve only recently met her, but she was originally brighter, more polite, and hardworking.”

“Hmph. What politeness?”

“Master. Did something happen on the ship? She seems to have changed after we disembarked.”

“What could have happened? Just the usual. Ah.”

At Baron’s question, Leonard suddenly remembered Cordelia crying alone in her cabin.