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Chapter 11
The old man narrowed his eyes sharply. His gaze pierced through me as if he were trying to dissect my very being.
It felt like the stare of a massive serpent eyeing a mouse. My toes curled involuntarily.
…Well, he’s not exactly wrong.
In this world, everyone is tested for magic the moment they’re born. That’s how they know what kind of magician they are.
Amelia must’ve been tested too.
But I wasn’t originally from this world. When I possessed this body, the family had already fallen apart. A pathetic lineage—hardly anyone even remembered us.
Which meant there was no way to know the true extent of my power.
Well… not entirely impossible.
Though it would mean going to the temple.
I’d rather live my whole life not knowing. As long as it didn’t affect my survival, I didn’t really need magic anyway.
Better that than walking into my own deathtrap.
“The ones who came before have already been dealt with. For now, you should be safe.”
“But that means we don’t have much time.”
“Correct.”
The old man glanced toward the ceiling.
“You saved my life, and I also have business with your brother. While I’m here, I’ll hunt down those bandits and their leader for you. How about that?”
“…”
“It won’t take long. I’m not exactly an incompetent old fool.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I kept my mouth shut.
Then he snapped his fingers again. A crimson aura flared like a small candle flame.
“If it makes you uncomfortable, I can swear an oath. I won’t harm you while I’m here.”
“T-That’s not really necessary…”
“No. It’s better to make things clear.”
In that instant, his magic flared in the air—like a candle about to flicker out—then solidified into a single glowing word:
Oath
I bit my lower lip.
Is this… really okay?
But the words he’d said kept echoing in my mind.
He wasn’t wrong. Who knew what might happen if I walked down the street tomorrow? I just wanted to live quietly in peace.
Seeing me hesitate, the old man added,
“Even after the oath ends, I’ll keep this house protected with my magic. That means your safety will remain guaranteed.”
“I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“Why are you doing all this?”
If he wanted to stay here, it was probably because of the healing potion.
Sure, maybe he felt grateful to me—but I was certain the potion was the real reason.
He was awfully persistent about it, after all.
Which meant… someone close to him must be in serious condition.
“I can’t tell you the reason,” he said. “But I need a great deal of potion.”
As expected, he didn’t explain further.
“But part of it is to repay my debt to you. So don’t overthink it.”
“…Then, one more question.”
“You do like asking questions.”
He gave a small chuckle. It sounded like a scolding, but there was no annoyance in his tone.
I slowly unclenched my fists.
“While we’re living together… you’ll spare me, right?”
“I’m not the kind of dog who bites the hand that saved me.”
The old man waved a finger through the air.
Oath Maker A: WIZ
“Hah…”
I let out a trembling breath.
Unbelievable.
How did things end up like this?
My peaceful, lazy life—where did that go…?
Swallowing back tears, I raised my hand. In the long run, there was only one logical choice.
I snapped my fingers.
Moments later, soft pink mana bloomed and swirled like mist.
Oath Maker B: AMELIA
Seeing my name appear, the old man smiled in satisfaction—like a proper villain.
“Let’s get along from now on.”
“Y-Yes, sir…”
I hurriedly brushed aside my loose hair.
Something feels really off about this…
No, no—it must just be my imagination.
Late that night.
Felix had taken up lodging in a hotel on the outskirts of Proud. With the duke’s whereabouts narrowing, he couldn’t afford to return yet. He’d dig him up if he had to.
Damn old man.
He could’ve just given up.
Felix clicked his tongue and stripped off his shirt, muttering under his breath about the unnecessary trouble.
Just then, his loyal subordinate knocked on the door.
“My lord, it’s Maytal.”
“Come in.”
Felix tossed his bloodstained clothes aside as he reached for a fresh shirt. Maytal stepped in briskly.
They’d gone undercover together often enough that being half-naked hardly mattered anymore.
“The old man’s location?”
“Still investigating.”
“You’re being slow.”
Maytal scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“Please understand, sir. You know as well as I do—when His Grace decides to hide, even the imperial court couldn’t find him.”
Felix frowned. That was true enough. Wistons was a high-ranking sorcerer—and a gifted swordsman to boot. A born predator.
If a man like that chose to vanish, finding him quickly was next to impossible.
Just tracking his last known trail had been a miracle in itself.
“Still, don’t worry. If anything, he’d crush his enemies, not get crushed himself.”
“…”
Felix sighed deeply. He couldn’t argue with that. The old man had always told him—‘If someone’s going to hit you, hit first.’
Thanks to that lesson, Felix had learned well. Even with his innate condition, no one in this city dared to look down on him.
“And Lord Gilbert sent word,” Maytal continued.
“Found him?”
“Yes. He’s located the target’s base and is observing the infiltration route. He should be able to enter soon.”
“See? He can be competent when money’s involved.”
Felix chuckled as he buttoned up his new shirt. Typical mercenary guildmaster—money always did the trick.
“Report to me the moment he makes contact. Once this is done, things should finally calm down.”
He needed those high-grade potions. Without them, the seizures would only get worse.
The mana curse.
Most people naturally awakened their mana at birth. But a rare few didn’t—those afflicted were said to suffer from this curse.
The stronger one’s mana, the worse the pain became. Sometimes, it even killed them during an episode.
The only way to ease the agony, even temporarily, was with potion.
That was why Wistons often left the house—
To buy Felix more time until his awakening.
And now, the old man had been missing for over a week, chasing after that very potion.
Felix ground his teeth.
“When I find him, I swear—I’ll lock him in a room and force him to rest.”
