BVWG 11

chapter 11

Morr’s crimson eyes, teasing me relentlessly, sparkled like spring sunlight. They were filled with excitement and curiosity, as if he had encountered some mysterious enigma.

No wonder he’s such a scholarly wizard.

I inwardly clicked my tongue at his intense attention and waited for his next reaction.

Originally, I had planned to sharply retort to his teasing, but his gaze, seemingly probing into me, had left me momentarily speechless.

Finally, Morr lowered his head—a clear gesture of apology.

“I’m sorry for teasing you so much upon our first meeting, Miss Asha. I suppose I got excited after meeting someone who piqued my interest. I crossed a line, and I apologize.”

He spoke with utmost seriousness. I was puzzled by this sudden shift in attitude.

So he could be formal and courteous to the point of stiffness. It was hard to believe he was the same person as just moments ago.

Seeing my silence, Morr hurriedly added:

“If I had believed the rumors about you, I would never have behaved so familiarly. I truly like you, and that’s why I acted this way. Please forgive me.”

His crimson eyes, like a little drenched puppy’s, were an extra touch. It was almost exhausting to reiterate that, according to my reputation, I was a villainous woman.

Well, having the male lead of the game view me favorably isn’t exactly a bad thing.

Still, accepting his apology completely wouldn’t be tactful, so I showed a slightly sulky expression.

“Thank you for looking on me so favorably, Wizard Morr. I accept your apology. Now, I must be going; I have matters to attend to.”

I thought this was the right moment for us to part ways.

At present, there were people in front of me I had to care for responsibly as the heir to the Esperanza Duchy.

I couldn’t devote much attention to Morr right now, and it wouldn’t be advantageous to try to gain his favor in this situation.

It would be best, for the sake of advancing the game, to arrange a proper meeting with him later when I returned to the capital.

As I turned my back to him, Morr grabbed my wrist. His large hand wrapped around my slender wrist with room to spare.

Looking up at him in surprise, he began to speak as if reading my thoughts:

“I… am actually an exceptionally skilled wizard. That’s why I’m also quite proficient in medicine. Magic and medicine have overlapping aspects.”

“Excuse me? And…?”

“I could be of great help to the injured you are caring for, Miss Asha. All you have to do is ask me.”

Apparently, he had keenly noticed me turning back to attend the injured.

His crimson eyes sparkled beautifully, silently asking me to make use of him. A clear expression of affection.

A man openly showing such favor toward a woman with a villainous reputation—his taste was a little questionable.

By the way… he says I just need to ask? But the way he looks so eager makes me suspicious.

In any case, Morr’s offer could only benefit me, so why did it feel somewhat unsettling?

I stared at Morr’s mischievous, handsome face, but I couldn’t read his thoughts. Hesitantly, I replied:

“Then… Wizard Morr, I’ll make a request. Please help heal the injured on our side.”

“With just words?”

As soon as I spoke, Morr’s eyes gleamed intensely. The man who earlier begged me to ask for help now seemed to have gained the upper hand. My face probably showed a flicker of bewilderment.

“So… what would you like in return for my help?”

“Once the injured are fully healed and the situation is under control, I’d like you to give me some of your time. Time spent alone with me.”

Morr winked playfully as he spoke.

A man whose true intentions were unknowable. Yet, his consistent smile erased all my complicated thoughts.

Few women could resist such a naturally confident smile.

“Very well. Then please take care of the injured.”

Morr immediately moved with me to the shelter for the injured.

Once we arrived, I was astonished at his skill.

I had known he was far superior to the wizards of our duchy, but I hadn’t realized just how vast the gap in ability was.

He sensed the injured were uncomfortable with the heat and immediately adjusted the airflow to create a pleasant, gentle breeze.

It was the very magic our duchy’s wizard had failed to perform when I asked him to cool the air.

Then he checked all the medicines in the first-aid kit and, holding the bottles in his hands, cast a spell that ensured none of the medicines would run out.

As he examined the wounded one by one, chanting his spells, a sacred white light emanated from where his hands touched.

Those under his care appeared noticeably more at ease.

When Morr reached our duchy’s wizard, still unconscious, he tilted his head slightly and looked down at him.

“The protective spell you cast earlier using the lake water was quite remarkable. The Esperanza Duchy has skilled individuals indeed.”

If a genius wizard says it, it must be true.

I was certain our duchy’s wizard would see his unconscious state as a deep humiliation.

How often does a duke’s wizard get direct praise from the empire’s genius wizard? Impulsively, I acted on a thought.

“Would you consider teaching him directly? As your disciple?”

I planned to always take our duchy’s wizard along for any future matters.

His dedication during the Incubus encounter had impressed me, and his synergy with me was excellent.

I wanted him to have a proper teacher to strengthen his inadequate magical skills.

If that teacher was the royal wizard and youngest genius, it would exceed my expectations.

At this moment, our wizard had no clue about the plan I was orchestrating for him and was sound asleep.

“Is that your request, Miss Asha? Or is it what he desires?”

“Let’s say it’s my request for now.”

“Then I will specially agree, but there are conditions. First, he must willingly want to become my disciple.”

“That’s reasonable. And the second?”

“Second, whenever I teach him, Miss Asha must always accompany him.”

Morr smiled beautifully again.

I was prepared to accept his request fully, feeling like a mother giving her child the best teacher possible.

Still, I needed clarification on one point.

“I understand the first condition, but why do you request my presence as the second condition?”

“I intend to teach magic to Miss Asha as well. Didn’t you know? You have the potential to be a wizard.”

My expression must have shown confusion, and he began explaining as if in a magic theory class.

“Magic is based on divine power. This power is divided into the White Dragon’s power and the Demon’s power. A body with a lot of White Dragon power indicates great potential as a wizard.”

Morr paused to check if I was following, and I nodded. He continued:

“Thus, you, Miss Asha, also possess exceptional magical talent—enough to make me want to take you as a disciple.”

I momentarily doubted my ears, likely my eyes were filled with hundreds of question marks.

“You’ve heard that the Demon’s power and White Dragon’s power are opposed, right? Didn’t you notice that when encountering Incubi, they tended to avoid you?”

Ah, so that’s why the Incubi avoided me earlier. According to Morr, it meant my body had a lot of White Dragon power.

Was it because the White Dragon brought me to this world?

Then Dalia must be similar; the Incubi avoided her as well.

Lost in thought, my expression disappeared, and Morr teased again.

“Ah, Miss Asha, surely you don’t think I was trying to create an excuse to meet you? Well… that’s partly true. I like you, after all.”

He clearly wanted to ease my expression. I ignored his jest and looked at him seriously.

“I will accept all your requests, Wizard Morr. Once our wizard agrees, we’ll schedule the lesson.”

I bowed to him.

“Then next time, I shall call you ‘Master.’”

Becoming Morr’s disciple was beneficial, especially since I needed to manipulate him for a marriage proposal. It would give me frequent opportunities to meet him.

“Then today, I must ensure you laugh properly, Miss Asha. Once I become your teacher, there will be less time for such moments.”

Morr smiled, approaching me to whisper near my ear:

“You may not know, Miss Asha, but even when you don’t intend to, you emit a certain chill. If you smiled more, the world might seem more relaxed. Happiness would be a bonus.”

Did I seem too stiff in his eyes? I thought I had shown a gentle attitude to win his favor…

Before I could respond to this unexpected comment, Morr summoned his magic staff.

“A beautiful lady deserves beautiful flowers. Miss Asha, what is your favorite flower?”

Another smooth, “butterfly descent” line. If not for his mischievous, handsome appearance, I might have left immediately.

I’d never really thought about my favorite flower.

“Roses.”

I said the first flower that came to mind. Morr playfully scrunched his nose.

“Wrong.”

“Huh?”

“When you said ‘roses,’ your expression wasn’t that of someone who truly likes them. Think again.”

He still looked mischievous. I had no other answer, so I remained silent.

Sighing as if exasperated, he struck the floor with his staff.

Suddenly, a bright pattern appeared on the ground, and before I knew it, we were surrounded by a wide field of colorful flowers.

The scorching heat disappeared, replaced by a gentle breeze carrying the rich fragrance of flowers.

I could also hear birds chirping melodiously nearby.

“This is illusion magic. It’s not real. But isn’t it quite splendid?”

I was too awed to reply. Morr smiled as he watched my reaction.

“I made this for you, Miss Asha. Choose the flowers you like here.”

For a moment, Morr’s smile, blending perfectly with the flowers, was excessively beautiful.