Derol always had a sharp memory, so he helped me organize the material.
"Thanks, Derol."
"No problem, Master."
"By the way, what’s happening in the library these days?"
"Jonok and the butler are still meeting. It seems they're trying to expand their casino all the way to the capital now."
"Really?" I smiled. If they extended their reach to the capital, it would be easier to gather evidence. Maybe this time, if Jonok kept up his threats, I could use it as leverage in the near future.
Honestly, it wasn’t something I wanted to or could handle alone. Ardion was growing up, and my escape from this place was drawing nearer.
"But Master..."
"What is it?"
"How are your hands?" Derol pointed to my hands, which were trembling noticeably.
I set down the paper I was holding. "It’s nothing."
A sigh escaped me. From what I’d read, a lack of mana could affect health. I wasn't in pain yet, but it was still worrisome.
However, asking Ardion for a favor wasn’t on the list yet. I planned to wait until he was old enough to convert his mana into water before asking him for help.
Until then...
I suppose I’ll have to endure.
Or I could earn enough money to buy forest spirit mana, but who knew when that would be?
Derol seemed to understand my feelings and just nodded.
In the midst of organizing paperwork, lunchtime arrived.
I headed to the kitchen with Derol. It was still crowded as usual. I carefully took my food trays, but as I did, Rhody stopped right in front of me, her eyes fixed on my trembling hands.
I walked around her, but she followed me.
"What's the matter?"
"Your hands." She stood in front of me with a smile. "Is it because of a lack of mana?"
"Yes," I answered nonchalantly.
Her eyes widened in surprise, perhaps expecting me to be more shocked by her revelation.
I chuckled as I passed her, yet she still chased after me.
"The food isn’t for you." I gestured towards the spread of food on my trays.
"I know. But without mana, you can’t use magic, right?"
"Yes."
"So why aren’t you surprised?"
"Should I be?" I asked, puzzled.
She seemed to be genuinely confused. "Of course you should be. Do you know how many books I had to go through just to find out?"
I was surprised by how much interest Rhody took in me. She would be better off doing something more useful. I couldn’t understand what was going through her head at all.
"Why should I be surprised about something you discovered?"
"It’s your weakness."
"So what?" I truly didn’t care. It was more baffling that someone who couldn’t provide mana was so fixated on it. "And what does it matter if I can’t use magic now?"
"Well..."
"Stop bothering me with pointless matters. I’m already stressed out because of my trembling hands," I said frankly and moved past her.
Suddenly, she grabbed one of the trays from my hands.
"Rhody."
"At least you should thank me for my effort." Her response was absurd.
I looked at my empty hand. "Who asked you to do it? You did it out of your own curiosity."
Ardion was sitting at the table, his hair slightly damp, suggesting he had just washed up. I handed him the tray.
"Where’s your tray?"
"... I ate earlier." I was too tired to explain anything, so I gave a vague excuse.
Derol muttered something under his breath, but I quickly covered his mouth.
I just wanted to go to my room and rest. I was exhausted from using my mana earlier.
But Ardion frowned and asked, "Laila, are you feeling unwell? You don’t look good."
"I’m just tired from not getting enough sleep. So, could you study alone today?"
"Alone?"
"Yes. You usually study on your own anyway. You can write down what you don’t understand and ask me about it tomorrow."
Ardion didn’t respond, his expression subtly subdued.
"Will you be fine on your own?" I asked again.
Ardion finally nodded.
Despite what I was going through, I forced myself to smile. "By the way, how was your swordsmanship practice?"
"Better than I expected. Are you really okay?"
"Yes, I’ll be fine after a good rest."
Ardion looked at me with concern. It was reassuring that he cared, and I felt some satisfaction in having taken good care of him.
"Alright, I’ll be going now. See you tomorrow."
Ardion nodded, looking resigned.
I left his room and headed to mine. As soon as I entered, I collapsed onto the bed.
Derol ran over and said, "Master, I’ll get some food for you."
"No, it’s okay. Just let me sleep. I’ll eat later."
"But you must be hungry..."
"I’ll be fine after some rest." I patted Derol’s head and closed my eyes.
He released a sorrowful sound from his throat and said, "... Then please have a good rest, Master."
I nodded groggily. Soon, sleep overtook me.
I dreamed of my room drenched in blood—a very tragic dream. But when I woke up, it felt peaceful. I exhaled with difficulty.
"Master." Derol’s voice sounded right next to me.
I touched my forehead and found it damp. I wiped away the sweat and was relieved to find that the room wasn’t bloody, but my body felt feverish.
"Are you alright?"
"No, it feels like I have a high fever."
It seemed I had overused mana yesterday.
Unable to stay still, I placed a cloth on my forehead and got up with difficulty. I needed to wash my face. I barely managed to remain standing when the cold water touched my face. It looked like I wouldn’t be able to visit Ardion today.
"Derol, could you deliver a note to Benji? She should still be in her room since it's not work time yet."
"Certainly, Master. I’ll deliver it right away."
I quickly scribbled a note.
[Benji, I’m sorry to ask this of you, but could you handle Ardion’s meals today? I have a fever and have trouble moving.
-Laila]
Derol picked up the note in his mouth and disappeared through the mouse hole with surprising speed. I wrapped myself tightly in my blanket on my bed. My head felt fuzzy, and my body felt languid.
I tossed and turned, shivering with chills. As my strength slowly ebbed away and my eyes began to droop with my feverish feeling, I heard a familiar voice.
"Laila."
Rhody is so annoying~