IBML 18

Chapter 18

Inside Rekalin’s study, there was a hidden room.

Pressing a certain section of the bookshelf revealed the room. A secret space?

“This is the room I use as a laboratory,” Rekalin explained.

I had wondered if such a room existed, but after hearing him, I realized it had appeared several times in the original story. The room was quite spacious.

Since I’d likely be coming here often, I turned my head to take in every detail.

“Wow.”

The room was filled with various instruments. Even someone like me, an outsider, could tell this was a proper laboratory.

“There are so many flasks and books,” I said.
“If you’re curious, feel free to touch them. I’ve already organized everything before the aide arrived.”

Isn’t it usually the other way around?

I tested a few flasks and beakers, and nothing happened, as expected.

While I was doing this, Rekalin poured a pile of papers onto the desk, which had been cleared and had two chairs placed beside it.

He loosened his wrists and said,

“After all, the beginning of research is knowledge. I have many questions.”

Looking closely, the papers were full of questions.

“You don’t expect me to answer all of these, do you?”
“Mages tend to be like that.”

Living so obsessively and passionately… wouldn’t that be exhausting?

Rekalin gestured for me to come closer, pulling out a chair for me.

As I approached, the cool scent of sandalwood wafted over.

“Please fill this out,” he said.

After a brief pause, he added,
“Are you thirsty?”
“A little.”
“I’ll bring some refreshments while you fill this out.”

I began answering the questions while occasionally snacking on the refreshments he brought.

Then, suddenly, Rekalin spoke to me.

“Aide, something is on your face.”
“Huh? Really?”

I had just picked up a checkerboard-patterned cookie and, startled, touched both cheeks—but nothing seemed to be there.

“No, not there… here,” Rekalin said, leaning closer and reaching out.

The cool sandalwood scent hit me more strongly as he approached.

He casually wiped my mouth with a handkerchief.

“Th-thank you?”
“Next time, I’ll have to prepare crumbs-free snacks.”

It sounded like a joke, but he seemed genuinely intent on doing so.

I raised my arm to shield my face and replied,

“Anything is fine for me.”
“If that’s the case for you, then fine.”

Afterward, Rekalin checked my answers and asked a few more questions.

“Can you show me the spirits now?”
“Hmm, I don’t think that’s possible.”
“I’ll look forward to it, then.”

Even the books and what Liventa told me indicated that spirits above intermediate level don’t appear to anyone but the contract holder.

When I asked why, Liventa explained that as spirits rise in rank, their will becomes stronger.

Will. Liventa said this will is extremely important.

“Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do. Aside from the wind spirit, you’ve contracted an earth spirit as well?”
“Yes.”
“Impressive, aide. Spirit masters with contracts for two elements are rare.”
“You flatter me, Duke.”

I hadn’t written down that I had also made a contract with Arhana.

Rekalin’s eyes were unusually filled with excitement.

It was probably just another side of him, but I didn’t want to encourage that excitement any further—it was already intense enough.

Rekalin meticulously asked about the abilities of the spirits as well.

His research primarily focused on spirit evolution and the study of spirits according to their elements.

He wondered how much a spirit’s power would increase as its rank rose.

“I haven’t seen the earth spirit’s abilities yet, but even the wind spirit’s powers are impressive. Especially this ‘oral transmission’ ability. I wonder how strong it will become once evolved…”

Liventa had said the strongest ability was the oral transmission skill.

At that moment, Liventa’s unfinished warning, due to Arhana’s interruption, came to mind:

“The oral transmission ability is both the strongest and requires the most caution.”

A small lightbulb went off in my head.

Stories have always deeply influenced people. People praise and love stories—creation myths, wars that ended ancient eras, the ascension of the current emperor, even popular street novels. Stories are weapons imbued with attention and affection.

“Stories, passed orally… carried by the breath of people… spread across the entire continent on the wind.”

Sometimes stories take written form, like newspapers or books, but ultimately, stories travel by word of mouth.

Stories move and change people’s hearts, which is why the oral transmission ability requires utmost caution.

It could be used for propaganda, and depending on how a spirit master wields it, its influence could shift dramatically.

But it was also extremely useful. Nothing embeds ideas in people’s minds as effectively as stories or rumors.

“Of course, I don’t believe the aide would use this ability for malicious purposes.”
“…? And if I did?”
“Our thoughts align, so that won’t happen.”

Despite his cold expression and tight lips, his voice carried subtle liveliness—confidence coming from certainty.

I gave an awkward smile and spoke.

“By the way, would it be okay to practice spirit magic in the backyard?”
“Wouldn’t a training hall be better?”
“Don’t knights train at night as well?”

The backyard and training hall were far apart. Practicing abilities unknown to others in front of people was mentally stressful.

I could practice secretly, but we had agreed to research together. Also, anything could happen during practice, so I wanted to ask in advance.

“Then do as you wish, aide.”

Rekalin nodded and suddenly asked,

“How is the wristwatch holding up?”
“Very well. It’s durable, which is good.”
“Then shall we continue the Q&A?”
“Wait a moment, Duke.”

I stopped him.

Rekalin’s demeanor was calm, like he would answer anything if I asked now.

What should I ask? Should I ask why he was so impressed with me during the interview? Or should I discuss Kalian in more detail for the next plan?

After brief consideration, I spoke.

“Duke.”

Rekalin adjusted his glasses. I decided to talk about Kalian, feeling oddly thirsty.

“Sorry to bring this up… but wasn’t Kalian uncomfortable?”
“Hm.”

He put down the pen he’d been holding. I stared at it.

Finally, he spoke.

“I was taken aback by the sudden mention of poison… but after the interview, my impression wasn’t too bad.”

So the tea party was a disaster, but the interview went fine?

I regretted pulling at my hair in frustration while reviewing documents—it might have sped up unnecessary hair loss.

His next words were almost murmured:

“You were brave…”

He could have added that bravery was part of his ideal type.

“In what way did you feel that?”

I pressed on, even if it seemed persistent.

Rekalin paused, then said,

“That decisiveness reminded me, briefly, of my close friend. I had thought them gentle… but judging someone by a brief impression is silly anyway.”

Although he interacted with many, he only had one person he could call a close friend—the emperor.

“You thought of His Majesty?”
“Just pretend you didn’t hear that, aide.”

Rekalin faintly tightened his lips, signaling the end of the conversation.

“By the way, you keep asking me about that gardener.”
“Ah.”

I avoided his gaze at the fair comment. My persistence was obvious, but anyone would notice if I kept mentioning the same person.

“You brought the gardener here, and you keep trying to involve me as well.”

I flinched at the subtle reproach.

Rekalin tilted his head slightly, then softened his tone:

“Try to do better.”

With that, he picked up the question sheet again. I blinked, stunned.

Really? I should have just talked about the interview, not Kalian.

“Where did we leave off? Ah, I can continue from here.”
“Um…”
“Even if it’s boring, bear with me. It’ll be over soon.”

The research continued for another hour.

I was uneasy but silently thankful that Rekalin let it pass.

I resolved to act appropriately and considered the most natural approach.

When reality feels hopeless, perhaps one should look to the past?

Situations differ, but the strategies we use are inherited from the past, after all.

I studied published romance novels. The library was the best source. I noted and analyzed every cliché and mishap between two lovers.

My eyes were dry, but I couldn’t give up. As they say, if the mind can’t keep up, the body suffers—and that was exactly how I felt.

I returned to the duke’s mansion with the books I borrowed from the city library. The weekend had come again.

I still had to read books on spirits and revise the regular meeting materials—when would I have time?

Alone, it felt overwhelming. It would be nice to have a romance novel enthusiast by my side to give me tips.

Looking at the dimming sky, I headed upstairs. From the annex, I heard the sounds of training from the yard.

The knights were practicing with vigorous shouts.

Suddenly intrigued, I walked toward the training yard.

Up close, I saw Leona leading the knights.

She was doing squats, holding dumbbells with just two fingers.

Her bulging veins and muscles were impressive.

“Oh, aide. Feeling like working out?”
“Not really. I just wanted to watch.”

I watched Leona exercise.

After a while, she gave the knights a break and approached me.

Her gaze briefly fell on the stack of books I was carrying.

I brought up a topic from a few days ago.

“You dropped a book back then, remember? I was fuzzy on it at the time, but now I think I understand.”
“Eh, eh?”
“One-Night Encounter,” right? I like that too.”

Leona grabbed my shoulder urgently.

Then, she glanced around to see if anyone was nearby.

Even after confirming it was safe, she hesitated, then asked,

“Aide… are you good at writing love letters?”
“Eh?”

I had not expected that question at all.