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Chapter 9
Mikael, as if he hadn’t expected a reply, slung Jaina over his side.
Unlike earlier, he successfully lifted her this time—it seemed he had cast an enhancement spell.
Still, Jaina could clearly feel him trembling. She even heard faint creaking sounds from his waist.
“If it’s heavy, put me down.”
“If it’s heavy, put me down~”
“Don’t mimic me.”
“Don’t mimic me~”
Even as a kidnapper, Mikael cheekily mimicked Jaina’s words. Truly, he was a shameless villain.
‘Using that soft midrange voice just to tease a child…’
Feeling that she would become just as childish if she continued to engage, Jaina gave up resisting.
‘But this is strange. The original Mikael would have kept his distance from a sick person like me, claiming I’d catch a cold unnecessarily.’
Was it fascinating for him that a dragon was sick? Jaina tilted her head, puzzled.
“Where are we going?”
Once Jaina fell silent, Mikael moved forward smoothly—but the direction was odd.
“You foolish little dragon. You’ve been tricked. I’m going to kidnap you and sell you for a high price.”
“Hooh.”
As usual, Jaina barely reacted. Mikael let out a hollow laugh, clearly bemused.
“We’re going outside the Mage Tower, and you’re thinking what? We could be walking straight into death right now.”
Jaina tugged her small chin and nodded.
“I was wondering whether I’d become a reagent or a holy sword.”
“You’re crazy…”
“I personally prefer a holy sword. It’s cooler.”
“They say blood won’t lie… a crazy daughter comes from a crazy father, huh.”
Mikael shook his head in disbelief.
Jaina was slightly surprised to hear him imply that she was Diamid’s daughter.
“Don’t mention this anywhere.”
However, Mikael seemed more bothered by the part where he described the Mage Tower’s master as crazy.
‘He looks like the craziest one himself…’
Under a mad uncle, there’s a mad niece. Even if the bloodline is stronger on her side, Mikael had spent longer with Diamid.
“Unfortunately, today isn’t the day you become a holy sword. There’s something I need to check.”
Indeed, the place Mikael was taking Jaina wasn’t the Mage Tower for research, but somewhere outside.
“Please lead the way.”
With the gatekeeper’s greeting, Mikael boldly walked the path Jaina had sneaked out along at night. It felt strange.
“Open the teleportation circle.”
“I’ll prepare the instant teleportation magic immediately.”
Wooosh—
As he channeled his magic, geometric runes unfolded one by one. Jaina recalled what she had read in the novel: teleportation circles were highly specialized, used only in emergencies, and their procedures were extremely complicated.
But…
“The young lady you are carrying is—”
“She’s my granddaughter’s niece.”
Mikael answered casually, as usual. No matter how you looked at it, the teenage Mikael couldn’t possibly have a granddaughter—or even a daughter—Jaina’s age, yet the staff quietly nodded.
“I’ll note that you’re accompanied by someone Mikael Belafanian trusts. Due to your busy schedule, we’ll skip ID verification.”
“You work well, huh?”
“Ha, not usually. But since it’s you, Mikael, tirelessly working for the Mage Tower, of course…”
“Just do your job.”
“Apologies.”
Wooosh—
Mikael stepped onto the prepared teleportation circle with Jaina still at his side. Soon, an intense light poured out, bright enough to feel through closed eyes.
Wooosh—
Then another teleportation. Though there wasn’t a long-range gate, Mikael muttered something and teleported with ease. He was truly one of the few geniuses in history.
‘Monsters everywhere, here and there.’
Mikael walked efficiently and abruptly opened the door of a mansion.
The people inside were momentarily startled, then quickly assumed polite postures.
“Welcome, Mikael Belafanian!”
After several teleportations, they arrived at a clothing atelier in the capital. Though unannounced, the staff greeted him warmly.
Jaina, now on the floor beside him, reflected silently.
‘Even at the Mage Tower, sure… but they’re welcoming him here in the capital too. Being a Mage Tower wizard is impressive…’
Then she noticed the staff holding their hands together, eyes sparkling. Curious, she followed their gaze.
‘Huh?’
At the end of their gaze was Mikael, smiling satisfactorily. His blue eyes shimmered like the cosmos, his lips curved gently, cheeks smooth. Even his faint smile had an exquisite elegance.
He stood with arms crossed, surveying the atelier filled with prepared sample clothes: flashy stylish outfits, neat yet elegant garments, and more.
Jaina soon understood why the staff were so captivated by him.
“Oh, I want to make clothes for Mikael immediately. Remove that dull hood, a blue uniform for those blue eyes…”
“No, to highlight those striking features, it must be red. And we’ll add shining epaulettes visible from any angle.”
“The classic is white. Like a prince on a white horse. Ah, wasting that face and figure at the Mage Tower. I’ll finally show my skills.”
…Their admiration wasn’t for him as a Mage Tower wizard—it was their desire to dress him in their creations.
However, their hopes were dashed.
“Not me, she’s the one who’ll wear it.”
Today’s protagonist wasn’t Mikael, but Jaina.
Jaina widened her eyes in surprise. A nearby madam approached.
“Today, Mikael is having an outfit made for the royal ball. We don’t have time to make anything for this young lady.”
“Just cancel the multiple outfits I requested and make only this kid’s clothes.”
“I don’t mind, but will Princess Elia approve? She instructed that all designers make clothes for Mikael, so none accepted other work.”
Mikael flinched, grinding his teeth.
“My aunt wouldn’t listen about me skipping the ball. She only said I’d die if I didn’t attend…”
“Because you rarely show your face to Princess Elia.”
“What’s the point of showing my face? Our Ice Princess constantly scolds and exudes malice.”
Mikael was both Diamid’s nephew and the nephew of the outstanding swordswoman, Princess Elia.
“My parents died early… truly unlucky in bloodline.”
After grumbling, Mikael firmly decided:
“Then just one outfit… only one. If you hide behind my aunt and make dozens of outfits again, I’ll destroy the atelier.”
Clearly, he hated wearing clothes. His dark glare made the madam retreat reluctantly.
“So what shall we tell Princess Elia?”
“Tell her I had no choice but to make clothes for my adorable cousin.”
Gritting his teeth, Mikael hugged Jaina closer.
“She’s poor, wearing wet clothes, catching a cold. By the way, where’s the healing potion? That old lady—no, Hilbenzia—should have left it as payment for the clothes. I’ll pay her back with interest, so hand it over.”
Jaina widened her eyes again, but Mikael didn’t notice.
“Here you go, Mikael.”
“Ugh, why did she go on a business trip and make this troublesome?”
Mikael set Jaina down and opened the potion.
“Drink up, you little one who caught a cold from a water splash.”
Jaina stared at the healing potion, glowing a transparent pale pink.
She remembered from the novel: healing potions were rare and expensive, requiring holy water, high-ranking clerics’ blessings, and the skill of a master alchemist.
Hilbenzia, a groundbreaking alchemist, ignored potions because procuring holy water was difficult, and the effort often didn’t match the quantity or effect.
“I can’t take it.”
Jaina flailed her hands behind her and firmly refused, even in a muffled voice.
“Custom clothes from the atelier and the healing potion are too much for me.”
Mikael chuckled, sat down, and lightly tugged at Jaina’s hair. His whisper tickled her ear.
“Kiddo, do you think I’m giving you clothes and healing potions because I like you?”
“Of course not, but…”
“No, I’m hiding behind my ‘beloved little sister’ to escape the atelier designers’ clutches.”
Jaina recalled the designers’ sparkling eyes when they looked at Mikael.
“These monsters, when clothes are done, want to keep trying them on and tweaking them. It’s exhausting, and they practically want to devour you.”
Mikael furrowed his brow. Even frowning, his beauty gave him a unique aura.
“And the healing potion? You have to fit the clothes and pass a health check first. Holy power heals the biggest ailments first. Do you think this busy body would want to lug you around for all this?”
He drew back his face and pressed the potion into Jaina’s mouth.
