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Chapter 20
Irene successfully introduced herself to Sebastian.
Now, it finally felt like she was truly starting her third life, and she felt excited.
But unlike Irene, Kalid became strangely quiet after hearing her name. Sometimes, he would fall deep into thought.
“Excuse me? You can receive someone else’s mana?”
“Oh, yes! I’ve been receiving Kalid’s mana these days. Right, Kalid?”
“……”
“Kalid?”
“…Ah, yes. That’s right. I’ve been giving her my mana lately.”
“Hoho. That is quite fascinating. Receiving another person’s mana…”
“Is it usually difficult?”
“Yes. It’s almost impossible. Either Lady Irene has a special ability, or…”
“Or what?”
“…I’m not certain yet. I’ll need to investigate more.”
“I see…”
“And… Lady Irene, please speak to me more casually.”
“But you’re older than me…”
“You are His Highness’s friend. It would feel more uncomfortable for me if you spoke formally.”
Sebastian felt uneasy that Irene spoke casually with Kalid, but politely with him.
“Ah, I see! I didn’t think of that.”
“Hoho. Thank you for understanding.”
Sebastian guessed that Irene must have a high status, judging by how naturally she spoke.
“Then while Kalid is at the imperial palace, I can’t receive mana?”
“……”
“Kalid?”
“…Ah? What did you say?”
Irene felt frustrated seeing Kalid unable to focus.
“Is something wrong? Why can’t you concentrate?”
“Well…”
Kalid hesitated.
Even Sebastian looked confused seeing his lord act like this.
“It’s… your name.”
“My name? What about it?”
“…Who gave you that name?”
“Hmm…”
Irene thought carefully.
She remembered hearing about it in her past life, but the memory was blurry, like covered in fog.
“I’m not sure… Maybe my parents gave it to me?”
“I see.”
“But why?”
“It’s a beautiful name.”
“It suits you well.”
“Really?”
Irene felt shy.
But Kalid saw someone else overlapping with her.
Shining platinum hair like transparent gold, and bright green eyes.
Her clearer form now looked very similar to the girl in his memories.
Even her name was the same.
Was it coincidence… or something else?
Kalid smiled faintly at his own thoughts, but he couldn’t ignore the feeling.
“Sebastian. Any reply from Arachne?”
“No, Your Highness. Not yet.”
“I see.”
“Shall I send another letter?”
“No. If it’s taking this long, they’re struggling too. I’ll have to find another way.”
Kalid decided he would visit “that place” on his way back from the imperial palace.
Meanwhile, Irene quietly spoke again.
“Kalid, you didn’t answer my question earlier.”
“What was it?”
“While you’re gone, who will give me mana?”
“…You plan to receive mana from someone else?”
“If I don’t, I’ll turn back into a blob again.”
“That’s true, but…”
Kalid frowned slightly.
Just imagining Irene holding someone else’s hand to receive mana made him feel uncomfortable.
He looked at Sebastian.
“Then, Sebastian…”
But he couldn’t finish.
Giving mana wasn’t easy.
Sebastian could do it—but at his age, it might be dangerous.
So Kalid made a decision.
After a while
“Master, you called—”
Luke rushed in, but froze when he saw a woman in Kalid’s room.
Then he froze again seeing her unusual appearance.
He instinctively stepped back.
“Looks like you can see her too.”
“Yes… I can.”
“Oh! It’s Sir Luke! Nice to see you!”
Irene waved happily.
She already felt close to him since she saw him often.
“…You seem very happy to see him.”
“Of course! I see him a lot after Sebastian!”
“Then I look forward to how warmly you’ll welcome me when I return.”
“Hmm?”
Kalid gave a slight, not-so-friendly smile.
Irene felt like she said something wrong—but quickly forgot it.
“This is someone you must protect while I’m gone… Irene Snowell.”
His voice trembled slightly as he said her name—but no one noticed.
“Greetings. I am Luke Adler, commander of the Black Knights. It is an honor to meet you, Lady Irene.”
“Nice to meet you too, Sir Luke!”
Irene stepped closer happily.
But Luke stayed still, avoiding direct eye contact.
“Master, I thought I would accompany you to the capital?”
“That was the plan. But as you can see… Irene is special. I trust no one else but you.”
“Master…”
Luke felt even more loyal.
But when he glanced at Irene—her transparent body, and the objects visible through her—
He shut his eyes tightly.
“I will protect the Lady with my life!”
“You don’t have to go that far…”
Irene tried to stop him, but he didn’t listen.
“Since you’re ready to risk your life, let’s try something.”
“…Pardon?”
“Gather mana in your palm.”
Luke did as told.
Blue mana gathered in his hand—different from Kalid’s golden mana.
“Irene. Try receiving it like before.”
“Okay!”
“Wait, Master! You mean she will receive my mana?!”
Even trained mana users struggled with that.
And Irene didn’t even know how to use mana.
“Yes. So focus.”
“But this is dangerous—!”
“It’s fine. She has already received my mana.”
Luke was shocked.
Sweat ran down his face as Irene approached.
The moment her hand touched his mana—
“Ah!”
Blue sparks burst out violently.
“Irene!”
“Lady!”
Kalid instantly pulled Irene into his arms.
His reaction was as fast as lightning.
“Are you okay?”
He carefully checked her from head to toe.
Her already pale face now looked even more lifeless.
Her eyelashes trembled.
She looked fragile… almost too fragile.
His heart pounded loudly.
He checked her again and again.
“…I’m okay.”
Thankfully, she could still speak.
But Irene was still shocked.
The sudden pain in her fingertips—
She looked at her hand.
There was no visible injury.
But the sensation… still remained.
