THJDM 61

Late at night, in Omar’s laboratory.

A cry of joy and exhilaration burst out like lightning, filling the quiet room.

“We did it! This is it!”
“It’s finally complete!”
“We really are…”
“…amazing!”

Omar and Haley threw their arms around each other, jumping up and down with excitement.

They had just succeeded in developing a new mana stabilizer.

Until now, existing stabilizers had been weak in effect and carried a risk of addiction, making them unsuitable for long-term use by the Swordmaster, Elyon.

The one created by Saint Florencia using holy water was powerful, yes—but also dangerously addictive.

However, the new stabilizer that Omar and Haley created together amplified the effects tenfold while reducing the risk of addiction to one-tenth.

A new medicine had just been born—one that could cause a sensation in the medical world.

“Ah, um…”
“…Sorry.”

The two of them quickly pulled apart, realizing how ridiculous they must have looked, and awkwardly stepped back.

Haley smiled sheepishly.

“That’s incredible, Omar! I knew you were a genius, but this project was truly something else!”
“Nothing incredible about it. Just luck. And it wouldn’t have been possible without your help.”

Though he puffed up a little at the compliment, Omar shook his head humbly.

Haley’s eyes widened in mock disbelief.

“The great Omar showing humility? If I told our old classmates that, no one would believe me.”
“…Really?”

Omar scratched his cheek, embarrassed.

But it really was luck this time…

He kept his mouth shut, smiling awkwardly.

The beginning of this breakthrough had been the yellow pill brought by Saint Florencia.

That pill, which destabilized mana, was quite effective at fulfilling its dubious purpose.

It showed no obvious side effects.

While analyzing it for the Saint’s request, Omar had noticed the pill’s unique composition.

He gathered substances with opposite properties, kept the ones worth keeping, discarded the rest, and repeated hundreds of experiments.

Eventually, he found the perfect combination—leading to today’s success.

“Haley, this experiment started with your request. If it weren’t for you, I’d never have thought to develop a new stabilizer.”

Omar remembered the day, weeks ago, when Haley had come to him with her urgent plea.

“His Lordship said their relationship lasts only until the young lady’s health is fully restored. But what happens after that? She’s healthy now—so will His Highness go back to suffering from those migraines and fevers forever?”
“…”
“You can’t let that happen, Omar. Please, save him.”
“I’m trying to find a way, but…”
“Then let’s make a mana stabilizer together. I’ll help. Maybe not as talented as you, but I’ve been called a genius a few times myself.”
“That, I know.”
“Then it’ll work. And don’t worry about payment—I’ve got plenty saved up.”

As he recalled Haley’s desperate but playful insistence, her teasing voice cut in again.

“Wow… getting a thank-you from the mighty Omar! I can die happy now.”

Omar frowned.

“Just what kind of person did you think I was? An arrogant jerk who can’t say thank you?”
“Yup. That’s about right. Didn’t you know?”
“…”
“See? Time really does make people mature.”
“…”

Omar groaned quietly, clearly uncomfortable, while Haley grinned ear to ear.

Crash!

The teacup Miranda, the Empress, had thrown shattered across the floor.

“Useless! Absolutely useless! You’ve never done a single thing right!”

She had just received Duke Miren’s report that the assassination attempt on Rubiana had failed.

Her rage was impossible to contain; her clenched fists trembled violently.

“We’ve already taken care of the assassins to prevent any loose ends.”
“That’s not the point! Don’t you see how every single attempt ends in failure? Aren’t you at all concerned, Duke?”
“…”
“Or have you grown used to failure? At this rate, even if everything collapses, I bet you’ll just laugh it off!”
“Your Majesty…”

Though she usually avoided treating the prestigious Duke of Miren disrespectfully, her long-suppressed fury finally erupted, and titles no longer mattered.

No matter how influential he was, he was still beneath the Empress.

“Within the Imperial Knights, Grand Duke Klitzman’s influence is absolute. The same goes for the people’s support.”
“…”
“If that man wins the backing of the nobles as well, it will be catastrophic! The Crown Prince’s position will shrink even further. I will not stand by and watch that happen!”

Miranda’s chest heaved as she finished, breathing hard.

The Duke waited for her anger to settle, then spoke carefully.

“Our men in the south have begun their operation. Within a week, the region will be in chaos.”
“…”
“This time, we will prepare the perfect stage for His Highness to shine. I swear it. I will stake my name and my house on it. Please, trust me just once more, Your Majesty.”

But suspicion still clouded Miranda’s gaze.

This will be the last time. I’ll trust him just once more.

Their eyes met sharply in the air.

After a moment, Miranda slowly released her clenched fist and spoke.

“Very well. I’ll give you this one last chance. I’ll be waiting for good news from the south.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Duke bowed deeply and left the audience chamber.

Miranda’s eyes narrowed as she watched the broad back of the still-robust man in his sixties.

If he fails again, I’ll have to find another way… or perhaps contact Uncle first.

Her thoughts grew heavy.

Compared to Elyon, who excelled in every field, the Crown Prince was painfully ordinary.

Though the Emperor was still young and healthy, life was unpredictable.

If something happened to him, it would be too late.

She needed to secure the Crown Prince’s position now, while the Emperor still reigned.

Only then could they weather any future storm.

Miranda took a deep breath to calm her racing thoughts.

A week had passed since their return from the journey.

Rubiana, now officially a Spirit Master, received heartfelt congratulations from her family.

Her father even shed tears of pride.

And naturally, she was accepted into the Royal Knights’ Spirit Division.

Ordinary knights took entrance exams twice a year—in spring and autumn—but special divisions like the Spirit Unit could recruit anytime.

Becoming a Spirit Master meant joining the Royal Knights and using one’s divinely gifted powers for the Empire’s sake.

Everything surrounding Rubiana progressed at lightning speed.

Everything—except her bond with her new spirit.

“Kar…sea?”

In the forest behind her estate, Rubiana quietly spoke the spirit’s name.

At her call, the orca spirit appeared.

Its massive body floated serenely in midair, leaving her mouth agape.

She still wasn’t used to the sight—so awe-inspiring that it was almost intimidating.

Spirits could only be seen by their contracted masters; to others, they appeared as shimmering waves of light.

Even though Stephanie was also a Spirit Master, this was Rubiana’s first time truly seeing a spirit.

「Why do you still call my name like it’s a question? I’d prefer an exclamation point.」
“Maybe because… it still doesn’t feel real.”
「You doubt too much, my contractor.」

Only the contractor could hear the spirit’s voice.

“I’m just… still overwhelmed.”
「If you say so.」

Rubiana reached out to touch Carsea.

Her hand passed straight through its translucent body.

Their bond wasn’t complete yet—the spirit hadn’t gained full material form.

Without solidity, a spirit couldn’t be touched, ridden, or fight alongside its master.

Achieving that required complete harmony—a true connection of trust and spirit. But progress was slow.

A full week had passed without improvement.

「Still a long way to go.」
“Yeah.”

Both spirit and master sighed at once.

They walked together down the forest path, Rubiana keeping her hand within Carsea’s semi-transparent body, focusing all her senses on feeling its presence.

She wanted to wholly believe and accept the being beside her.

「You are my only contractor. I am your only spirit. That truth must be believed—without a shred of doubt. That’s where it begins.」
“…Okay. Next time, I’ll call you with an exclamation mark, not a question.”
「I’ll hold you to that.」

They continued chatting softly as they strolled through the forest.

An hour later, Carsea was still translucent.

Once again, their efforts had produced no results that day.