IDWP 24

Chapter: 24

After finishing his visit to Ophelia, Leonard returned to his room. The moment he shut the door, he buried his face in his hands.

For the past few days, Leonard’s emotions had been unusually turbulent, tormenting him as they swung wildly out of control.

The days he’d spent observing Ophelia—at Pelion’s request—had been irritating from the start, constantly getting on his nerves.

He couldn’t understand why she insisted on staying in the Mage Tower, a place where no one welcomed her. What exactly did she intend to do there? Why did she stubbornly endure harassment instead of leaving? He didn’t understand—and didn’t want to.

She had suddenly announced she was going to cause trouble, then, with pointless decisiveness, vanished the very next day.

In just a few short days, he’d gone through experiences that made it feel like his heart wouldn’t survive much longer. He didn’t want to care anymore.

“So when are you going to tell me your name?”
“Leonard.”
“I look forward to working with you.”

That was what he’d planned.

If only she hadn’t smiled like that while saying his name.

Ophelia’s expression had been complicated—too complex to describe with a single word.

It was as if she were wondering whether it was really okay, yet still unable to hide the gratitude she felt, openly expressing it instead.

It was a pitiful smile that kept catching his attention.

Perhaps because it reminded him of himself from years ago.

Leonard recalled the day he had come to the Mage Tower in the past.

“You have talent for magic. Would you like to come with me?”

Days of loneliness, abandoned by his parents from birth, enduring pain that consumed his body all on his own.

The expression he’d worn as he looked at Pelion—caught between wanting recognition from his family and wanting the pain and loneliness to end—was probably similar to Ophelia’s smile now.

But alongside that sense of kinship, irritation reared its head.

So she wants to be close… but not too close?

He had no intention of clinging to her, so why was she drawing a line first?

“This is pretty irritating.”

The thought that she might only want him around to help her adapt to life in the Mage Tower even wounded his pride.

I may look like this, but I’m Pelion’s first disciple—and the ace of the Spirit Division, you know?

To be treated like this by a chick who hadn’t even properly learned magic.

Even if she had her reasons, that was her problem, wasn’t it?

The more he thought about it, the more his pride took a hit.

I’ll just make her understand her place.

Once she saw the notes he’d given her, her vague confidence and misconceptions would surely shatter.

But that alone wasn’t enough.

After bothering him this whole time and harboring such impudent thoughts, she needed to be made keenly aware of the gap between them.

Then she’d feel ashamed for even thinking of using him.

That is, if she were a normal person.

“Pelion will be busy for a while anyway…”

With about a week left until the next mission, it was the perfect time. He could take care of Ophelia in the meantime, leave a good impression on Pelion, and make her understand her own standing.

Leonard thought it was a remarkably flawless plan.

“Thanks to you, I created a mana circuit.”

That is, until the next day—when it wasn’t Ophelia, but his nose that got flattened.

The night before, he’d fallen asleep worrying about how to explain the creation of the mana circuit to Pelion.

“Let’s go eat.”

Fortunately, he was given more time to think—thanks to Leonard showing up with a sulky expression to invite her to a meal.

“……I appreciate you bringing food, but could you wait a little?”

It was early morning, and she’d expected him to frown at her messy appearance. Instead, he looked flustered, nodded, and even closed the door for her himself.

“He told you to stay quietly in your room, but still sent Leonard.”

She’d already felt guilty about causing trouble and had intended to behave, but she was grateful for the consideration.

Yawning to shake off the remaining drowsiness, she finished getting ready and stepped outside.

“Good morning, Leonard.”

She smiled as she greeted him, trying to ease his wariness. He responded with a small nod.

“After the way you left yesterday, I thought I wouldn’t see you for a while. It’s nice to see you again.”

“Is it?”

Though he was smiling, his gaze felt like he was questioning whether she meant it. She flinched without realizing it.

Do I feel guilty about lying?

Even after waking up, her chest still felt tight. It seemed to be a problem of the heart.

“Is the Tower Master busy, so you came instead?”

He nodded.

“He even asked me to check on how you’re doing, so don’t forget to be grateful.”

If he hadn’t added that annoying scolding, he would’ve been a truly welcome guest.

She carefully masked her sharp thoughts.

“Is he very busy?”

“There’s the matter of Morremo’s punishment, and he was promoted to Tower Master without any prior schedule. On top of that, proving the existence of a daughter who suddenly appeared—it’s chaos.”

As he spoke, he added irritably,

“If it weren’t for that damn accusation letter, at least one annoying problem would’ve been avoided.”

“Huh?”

“Rumors spread easily, but correcting the truth is hard. In the end, it’s always the victim who suffers unfairly.”

Despite the unpleasant tone, the look he gave her held a hint of concern and sympathy.

Is he… worried about me? That mercenary king?

She knew she had to distinguish between the past and the present, but hearing those words from a face identical to the one she remembered felt strangely unsettling.

And aside from that, he looked ready to hunt down the person behind the accusation at any moment, making her swallow nervously.

It’d be bad if he found out it was me.

That contempt would surely be directed at her, and she’d be treated like an even bigger lunatic.

No—definitely treated that way.

Just look at the things he’d said the moment he arrived today.

There’s no need to ruin my image any further.

“Yeah, that’s true.”

She decided to feign ignorance cleanly.

“You too. Don’t deny your blood just because you’re afraid of rumors and stares.”

It seemed he’d decided to believe that Pelion was her biological father.

“Mm… I won’t.”

Since it was better to play along, she nodded. His irritation seemed to ease slightly.

Once they entered the dining hall, Leonard seated her and went to fetch food himself.

As she sat quietly waiting, numerous gazes landed on her. Feeling uncomfortable, she instinctively hunched her shoulders—when clack, a tray was set down on the table.

Looking up, she saw Leonard scanning the room with an unmistakably displeased expression.

Almost immediately, the piercing stares retreated.

“Curious idiots, all of them.”

Even so, he clicked his tongue at the occasional lingering glance.

The meal—her first in the dining hall in a while—was warm and delicious. She ate slowly, savoring it, when she felt a steady gaze on her.

Leonard had already finished eating and was resting his chin on his palm, watching her quietly.

“You’re really…”

“Hmm?”

He opened his mouth as if to say something, then shook his head, saying it was nothing.

Feeling awkward, she thought she should say something.

I was going to tell Pelion first, but…

Still, she was grateful, and she wanted to share the results of last night. She leaned forward, drawing closer to him.

He flinched in surprise and tried to pull back.

Before he could, she whispered softly so only he could hear.

“Thank you, Leonard.”

“This is nothing—”

As he stammered, she continued whispering.

“Thanks to you, I created a mana circuit.”

“……What?”

The flustered look vanished, replaced by a half-dazed stare. She smiled brightly at him.

“I read the notes you gave me and followed them, and it worked. It’s all thanks to you.”

That still didn’t seem like enough.

“I haven’t told anyone yet. I wanted you to be the first to know.”

She exaggerated a little for emphasis—and suddenly his expression twisted.

What?

He looked unmistakably displeased, which left her even more confused.

Why would thanking him for helping me create a mana circuit make him upset?

Unable to understand his reaction, she fell silent. He seemed to realize something and quickly composed his expression.

“I was just… surprised.”

It was a poor excuse, but she didn’t feel like pressing him, so she nodded.

She straightened up, intending to continue eating—but instead set her utensils down. Her appetite was gone.

“You mean you made it on your own, just by reading the notes?”

She nodded at his question.

“I gave those to you just to read. Who recklessly tries something so dangerous alone? Do you have no common sense as a mage—”

Words poured out like rapid fire. She blinked in surprise as he pressed a hand to his forehead.

“Of course you wouldn’t. You haven’t been taught!”