CBOM 25

chapter 25

Anyway, since the core had been formed, it was time to check the size of the vessel.

“How is it? The size?”

“…Hmm.”

Rivanu closed his eyes and stayed silent for a while, as if trying to sense his core.

Then he suddenly opened his eyes wide and tilted his head.

“What is it? Is something strange?”

“I can’t really tell what the normal size of a core is supposed to be.”

“For reference, mine was about the size of a soy sauce dish.”

“What? It can be that small?”

The look on his face seemed to say, That’s even possible? — and Grace, stung by the expression, gave an awkward laugh.

“It was possible, apparently…”

“N-no, Grace, I didn’t mean to belittle you. I was just surprised…”

When Grace replied dejectedly, he quickly added excuses, not realizing it only made her feel worse.

“Forget it. So, what size is it then?”

“I really don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“…I feel like something has formed in my lower abdomen, but I can’t put it into words how big it is…”

Normally, you wouldn’t give vague answers about core size.

If it was like Grace’s case, practically nonexistent, then there was no hope anyway — or you’d only tell someone you trusted completely.

But to say, like Rivanu, I don’t know? That was new.

And it wasn’t his personality to refuse to answer. So then… could it be he didn’t even have a size?

“Crazy.”

The thought hit her — maybe he really didn’t have a measurable size.

The legendary Infinito Danio was said to be born with so much mana that their bodies hurt from it, and anything they learned, they’d instantly become a once-in-a-lifetime genius.

In Rivanu’s past life, no one could even handle him.

What if his core had become his entire body?

“What is it? Is something wrong?”

Rivanu, clueless, grew anxious as Grace suddenly exclaimed and cursed under her breath.

“Um, Young Master.”

“Yeah?”

“May I check it myself?”

“Of course.”

“This is… well, letting someone else check your core isn’t a simple matter. You only ever allow someone you deeply trust.”

“I trust you, Grace.”

“Of course you do. I just worry you might let others check just as easily.”

“It’s only because it’s you.”

“…Then I’m relieved.”

This little master was so different from the lords Grace had served before that she often worried about him.

Wouldn’t he one day be betrayed and left in tears?

But for now, what mattered was checking the core. Grace decided she’d talk to him about this later, and carefully extended her hand.

“Please give me your hand.”

“Here.”

The moment she held Rivanu’s hand tightly, she felt a sticky sensation.

That thick feeling would improve as he learned to handle mana properly.

Thinking that, she felt oddly happy.

Moving her meager mana to probe Rivanu’s core, she found, just as she suspected—

“Oh my god.”

“What? Is something wrong?”

“…It’s incredible.”

“Huh?”

Even imagining it gave her chills, but actually confirming it made her tremble in awe.

“…Wow.”

A sigh of amazement slipped out.

As expected, Rivanu’s entire body seemed to have become his core. Even without consciously gathering mana, his whole being radiated warmth.

Others struggled with lack of mana, unable to wield sword aura or cast spells — but Rivanu would never face that.

If he lacked, his body itself would refill.

His entire body was the core, and even the blood running through his veins seemed to be made of mana.

“…So this is Infinito Danio…”

It was nothing short of miraculous.

Yet surprisingly, Rivanu didn’t seem much different.

In the previous cycle, the stench around him had disappeared, but he had still carried some skin disease. Grace had expected at least some dramatic effect, but there was no change at all this time.

She couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Perhaps just forming the core wasn’t enough…

“Young Master, do you need anything else?”

“…I’m fine for now.”

Even so, Grace served him with even more devotion. Having felt the core with her own hands, this was natural.

To anyone watching, it might have seemed shamelessly obvious.

But since no one else knew her reasons, they just wondered why she was acting that way.

“Hehe.”

Seeing Grace so cheerful, Rivanu smiled too, turning the pages of his book — though clearly not paying much attention to it.

“Young Master, may I step out?”

At that moment, Eshi, who had been watching them curiously, spoke.

“Sure.”

Unlike Grace, who was always by Rivanu’s side, Eshi had plenty of work.

Though with fewer people here than at the Duke’s mansion, she had more breathing room, it wasn’t like she was idle.

Grace was the dedicated maid. Eshi had just been brought along, so she worked diligently, though she was busy.

It wasn’t necessary for Grace to stay by his side at all times, but Rivanu wouldn’t allow her to move about freely.

“Um, Young Master.”

“Yeah?”

“May I go out as well, just for today?”

“Where are you going?”

Rivanu always insisted Grace stay with him. Even now, as she asked to leave, his eyes immediately locked on hers, demanding an answer.

He hadn’t done that with Eshi.

Grace understood why.

She had been the first to approach Rivanu without hesitation, so of course he cherished her.

But still, she was his maid.

Serving him closely was important, but there were too many wasted hours when she wasn’t doing much at all.

Meanwhile, Eshi was endlessly busy, and Grace felt guilty.

“You don’t need to worry about poison anymore. I should do my work too.”

“…But—”

“No buts. I’ll just get my work done and come back.”

Rivanu slumped, sighing softly, then muttered:

“You still have to teach me how to handle mana.”

“You can learn that after I finish my chores.”

“…”

He had no retort to that.

Grace worried he might throw a tantrum, but he seemed to understand her position and said nothing more.

“I’ll be back quickly, so please read while I’m gone.”

Her gentle coaxing finally made Rivanu nod reluctantly.

For the first time in a while, Grace and Eshi were alone.

“Eshi, it must’ve been hard on you.”

“No, I volunteered, worrying about you being sick.”

“…But now, I’m well enough to work again, right?”

“Are you asking my permission?”

Eshi laughed brightly, as if giving her blessing.

“You and the Young Master are overly cautious. Your body’s been fine for a while.”

“Alright then. I won’t hold back today.”

So, Grace joined Eshi in cleaning.

Honestly, Grace had never been impressed by any maid’s work.

After all, with her own abilities being sky-high, even the most seasoned maids seemed barely better than novices in her eyes.

“Wow, you’re really good at this.”

But she had never shown it outwardly.

To others, Grace was the novice — the child who seemed unusually skilled for her age.

She’d often heard, You’re so young but work so well!

Inside, she’d scoffed. But now, for the first time, she found herself genuinely praising someone else’s work.

“Hehe, of course. I may not have much experience, but I’ve had to take on work far beyond my share. No one could say I was incompetent. And with red hair and a freckled face, if I couldn’t even work well, bullying would’ve been the least of my problems. I had to be good at my job, no matter what.”

“…Eshi.”

“But now, I’m just so happy!”

Her hands moved swiftly with the duster, her face glowing with real joy.

Seeing that, Grace couldn’t help but smile faintly.

They worked like that for a while, until—

“Huh?”

There, crouched among the thick trees, was a small child.

Could it be the young master Sophien had mentioned?

He looked even younger than expected, and Grace was startled.

“Who are you?”

Eshi, clearly not expecting a child to be at the villa, approached with a puzzled look and extended her hand.

But the boy only shrank further into himself.