TSYMVF 26

Chapter 26

The moment I saw the message, memories from a year ago resurfaced.

When I had wandered out alone and gotten lost, I was transported to a place called the “Special Zone.”

And in that place, there had been a book like a diary titled The Head of House Taylors.

If I could get back into that room, would that book still be there?

Just one torn-out page wasn’t enough to gather sufficient information. And since there was no telling when the Special Zone would open again, I couldn’t afford to miss this chance.

The ball was in full swing, and I needed to find a way to shake Maya off.

What should I do? Othello kept hovering nearby.

On top of that, though he was far away, Leccardo was still close enough to notice if I did anything odd.

Just my previous skill activation had probably left a strange impression on him—I didn’t want to do anything else suspicious if I could help it.

Was there a way to divert everyone’s attention?

‘Right. I still have that!’

In that moment, I remembered an item I had forgotten.

When I opened my inventory, two items appeared:

• [Pop-Pop Shoes]

• [National Surprise Ball]

The Pop-Pop Shoes transmitted my location to people thinking about me, and the National Surprise Ball supposedly drew everyone’s attention for about a minute.

I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I chose the National Surprise Ball.

And in that instant, a loud, high-pitched laugh echoed out.

“A squirmy little monster is crawling all around~♬”

A hexagonal orb suddenly popped out from under my skirt hem. It began rolling forward as if it had wheels on its underside.

The design was garishly colorful and tacky, but the surprise ball spun rapidly and rolled forward with impressive speed.

“I’m gonna be a butterfly, such a stylish little caterpillar~♪”

A cheerful, bouncy children’s song continued to play.

“Oh my, what’s that?”

“Is it a toy for one of the young ladies or lords? Or did someone bring it in?”

The addictive lyrics and melody felt familiar—perhaps I’d heard them before somewhere.

The surface of the ball kept blinking in countless colors, making it impossible to look away.

“Wherever it’s from, it’s impressive.”

“The music doesn’t stop. Did they embed a high-quality mana stone in it?”

Naturally, everyone’s attention turned to the surprise ball.

For reference, this was a world where simple modern technology could be replicated through mana stones or alchemy. Machines made from special stones could record sound and images and even generate light like a lightbulb.

So the crowd’s fascination wasn’t just due to the novelty.

“Surely not. Mana stones are too valuable to be used in toys.”

“Well, they did seize the Jestia mine, so the family must be rolling in money.”

“It’s actually pretty cute. If you added a poisoned dart to it, it’d make a great stealth weapon…”

Everyone seemed hypnotized by the item, their eyes fixated as if momentarily under a spell.

I glanced at Othello and saw that even he had absentmindedly turned toward the ball.

“Having fun is the best! Little friends, gather round~♪”

Oh, it’s a medley of children’s songs now.

When my reflection appeared in the small mirror on one side of the surprise ball, I suddenly remembered—there was a time limit!

‘Oh crap, what am I doing just standing here? I need to get moving!’

The ball was so entertaining that even I had nearly lost myself watching it.

Leaving Maya—who was still glued to the sight—I quickly moved my feet.

Once I turned the corner, the same long corridor from before unfolded before me.

Looking back, I could no longer see the main hall.

‘Whoa. That’s fascinating.’

After a short walk, I saw a large door ahead.

When it opened, I was instantly transported inside.

It was the same room as a year ago.

Not a single piece of furniture had been rearranged, and the lighting looked exactly the same.

Still, just in case, I carefully toddled forward and, with more strength than I had before, pushed a chair and climbed onto it, grunting as I did.

For a baby, each day’s growth made a noticeable difference.

Back then, I’d barely managed to squeak my way up to the desk. But now, with how much I’d grown…

“Hnngya yaaah!”

I was still squeaking and struggling. I couldn’t reach—it was too high!

Another book was sitting on the desk.

This time, I had to take it—no matter what.

“Ugh-kyah!”

My arms were too short, but I managed to grab it.

I hugged the book to my chest, but the moment my feet hit the chair again, I wobbled from the book’s weight and landed squarely on my butt.

“Owwww…”

It hurt. I felt tears welling up.

But I barely held back my sobs and turned my eyes toward the book.

Nice to see you again, Head of House Taylors…? Huh?

But the book on the desk wasn’t the one I knew.

It had no title, and it was thinner than the one I’d seen. It was more like a notebook than a book.

What made it feel thicker was likely the quill pen tucked inside.

As I opened to the page where the quill rested, I flinched.

‘Who are you?’

The clearly written phrase pierced through my mind.

The handwriting was eerily similar to the one in Head of House Taylors.

Did the owner of this room write it?

If so, then maybe Head of House Taylors was written by the same person?

I couldn’t say for sure—it was just speculation.

Glaring at the notebook, I picked up the quill.

It was heavy and bulky in my small hand, so much so that my fingers trembled like I had the shakes, but I carefully wrote one letter at a time in Yanutean.

‘And who are you, then?’

To be honest, I was a little irritated that I didn’t find the book I wanted.

I had used an item to get into this room, all to see that book, and all I got was this little memo?

After barely finishing my wobbly writing, I returned the quill to the book and left it on the chair.

I didn’t have the strength to put the notebook back on the desk.

Sigh. Fine. I’ll just come back and check again next time.

According to the message that had appeared before, this place was unaffected by the flow of time. That meant when I returned, almost no time would have passed.

I just hoped Leccardo and the others hadn’t noticed.

I turned toward the door.

Evan Taylors furrowed his brow as he entered the Square.

Someone had been here.

To even step foot into this space—created with rare abilities and complex formulas—they had to be a genius or an alchemist.

But who could do such a thing?

“…It’s not time for Kashilion to show up.”

Evan walked over to the chair with steady steps.

On it was the notebook disguised as a book that he had placed there on purpose.

Just like the last time when a page had been torn out—it seemed the target had once again been the book.

He flipped open to the page with the quill.

And upon seeing a reply written beneath his question, his eyebrows rose.

“…Did they write this with their foot?”

His normally stoic lips twitched slightly at the ridiculous handwriting.

Anyone capable of entering the Square had to be incredibly skilled.

And based on the reply—‘And who are you, then?’—they clearly didn’t know who he was. Or perhaps they were pretending not to know.

This Square nullified abilities and mana stones, allowing only physical strength. If the intruder had intended to harm him, they would’ve set traps.

But aside from the scribbled reply, there was no trace of anything else in the space.

What’s their intention?

The clumsy handwriting was clearly not written under normal circumstances.

The intruder must have been trying to hide their handwriting.

Even so, it’s terribly done.

Evan frowned at the slightly bent tip of the quill.

He picked it up and wrote on the next page.

‘To break into someone else’s space and ask who they are—how shameless.
This is a warning. Do not enter my domain again.
If you ignore this warning…’

Once the ink dried, he closed the book and placed it back on the desk.

Still troubled by the intruder’s presence, Evan’s brow remained furrowed.

Even a breeze of change was unwelcome to him.

Though… this one felt a little new.

Just then, something shiny on the floor caught his eye as he turned.

He bent down and picked it up.

A silvery thread, about the length of a palm, rested in his hand.