Barunen’s explanation scratched an itch I hadn’t been able to understand. Everything I’d been wondering about alone suddenly clicked into place like puzzle pieces.

It was while I was intently listening to him speak.

Perhaps Barunen felt words alone weren’t enough—he pointed to the paper lying on the desk and asked,

“Can I use this?”

“Of course.”

I readily gave permission.

Barunen immediately picked up a pen and continued his explanation while drawing complex diagrams.

But then.

Flutter—

As I lifted the full sheet to turn to the next page, beneath it appeared the weapon design I’d sketched idly, like a doodle.

‘Oops!’

It wasn’t something I’d drawn meticulously enough to show anyone—it was merely my own private imagination, so I’d kept it hidden.

Now, unintentionally exposed to Barunen’s eyes, I was utterly mortified.

“That’s…!”

“You drew this?”

“Yes. I just sketched it for fun, to pass the time.”

Barunen stared fixedly at the weapon design I’d drawn. His mouth, which until moments ago had been chattering nonstop, now closed—leaving the room strangely quiet.

Matela, who’d been watching from the side, must have sensed something was off about his demeanor, because she interjected.

“What’s wrong?”

Even to Matela’s question, Barunen gave no reply. He simply stared intensely at the weapon design I’d drawn.

Just as Matela and I exchanged glances, confused by the situation,

Barunen, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

“You want to make a weapon like this?”

“Yes, well… I just imagined what it’d be like if something like this existed.”

Barunen immediately handed me back the weapon design I’d drawn and said in a commanding tone,

“Explain it. What kind of imagination went into this.”

His expression was so serious that it felt like if I didn’t explain now, something disastrous might happen.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a difficult request. After a brief hesitation, I picked up the weapon design I’d drawn.

What was drawn on the paper was a gun.

But it wasn’t shaped like any gun from the modern era—it was constructed differently.

The safety mechanism featured an embedded magic stone, and what loaded into it wasn’t ordinary bullets.

Since this was another world, I’d adapted it to fit the era’s flow.

“When you pull the trigger here, a magic projectile fires.”

“What kind of magic projectile? How? It’s a small weapon—won’t its power be weak?”

“It doesn’t matter what elemental attribute it has. I imagined rotating small magic projectiles to amplify their power—whether fire or wind, enough to cause a massive explosion.”

Barunen stroked his chin, lost in thought. Then he snatched the weapon design I’d drawn and began adding something to it.

Where I’d imagined abstractly, Barunen calculated practical details and completed the design.

“Like this? But with this method, it won’t produce that much power.”

I gaped unconsciously as I looked at the formula Barunen had just sketched on the spot.

It was perfect. A design that calculated even parts I hadn’t considered had been born in an instant.

“You’re truly a genius…”

The compliment slipped out naturally. Hearing my involuntary praise, Barunen laughed as if utterly flabbergasted.

“You’re calling me a genius after imagining a design like this? Even a stray dog passing by would laugh.”

“But I didn’t think through these practical aspects…”

“That’s something you learn. I guarantee you’ll naturally grasp it as you go along. You’ve barely taken your first step—don’t try to leap over my decades of experience.”

Though I didn’t dislike Barunen’s praise, it was true that the road ahead still felt long.

Just as I was staring blankly at the additional design he’d drawn,

Barunen spoke with a resolute voice, as if he’d made a decision.

“Become my disciple.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Originally, I came here out of obligation, but honestly—I’ve become interested.”

They say geniuses recognize geniuses.

I felt pleased that Barunen seemed to recognize my intelligence.

“I didn’t expect you’d find me interesting…”

“No, not you—your design.”

Huh? What did that mean?

“Let’s try completing this once. If done well, it might become a terrifyingly lethal weapon. Though many problems still need solving.”

I realized Barunen’s interest wasn’t in me, but in the weapon design I’d drawn.

It was slightly absurd, but if I could learn from him, I didn’t care what the契机 was.

“Yes. Master.”

At my answer, spoken without hesitation, Barunen smiled satisfactorily for the first time.

Matela, who’d been watching us, sighed in relief and said,

“I was so nervous watching—I’m really glad. I should hurry and tell Lady Reiana this good news. Knowing Sir’s personality, she must be worried…”

“Before that.”

Barunen suddenly extended his hand toward Matela. Seeing her bewildered expression, he shook his offered hand impatiently.

“The magic engineering bracelet I made—you bought it, right?”

“How did you know?”

“How could I not know you bought that expensive thing? Hand it over.”

“Oh, I was going to give this to Lady…”

“I know. I’ll assign homework to my disciple.”

At those words, Matela reluctantly handed over the magic engineering bracelet she’d shown me earlier.

Barunen then passed the bracelet to me and said solemnly,

“Can you figure out what ability is imbued in this?”

“No.”

I’d only studied magic engineering weapons theoretically—I’d never actually seen a weapon crafted using magic stones.

Barunen, perhaps sensing this gap, frowned and said,

“How can my disciple not even distinguish something like this? I’m worried you’ll tarnish my name out there.”

Just moments ago he’d called me a genius, yet the moment he saw my inexperience, his attitude shifted—leaving me speechless.

“Figure out on your own what special ability this bracelet has and how to use it.”

“Sir! How could Lady possibly know that!”

Matela protested from the side as if it were unthinkable. But I quietly observed the bracelet Barunen had handed me, then accepted it without complaint.

“Understood.”

This was the first homework Barunen had ever given me—I couldn’t start by whining. If he was testing me, I’d succeed spectacularly.

Thus, I snapped the bracelet onto my wrist.

At that sight, Barunen smiled, while Matela looked horrified.

“Kukuk, what an amusing child.”

“Ah, Lady!”

Matela fretted, her face pale, but to figure out the bracelet, keeping it close was only natural.

“I’ll find the answer by the next lesson.”

Somehow, at my words, the smile already on Barunen’s face seemed to deepen.

After class ended, I headed toward my room, where Reiana was waiting.

But as I neared my destination, I spotted Jerin pacing anxiously back and forth, her face pale with fear.

Normally, Jerin was bright and energetic—this terrified expression was the first time I’d ever seen it.

Clearly something was wrong, so I approached Jerin and asked,

“What’s wrong? Something happen?”

Startled by my unexpected voice, Jerin’s eyes widened as she stared at me, then spoke in a trembling voice.

“Ah, Lady, it’s…!”

But before Jerin could explain, another sound reached my ears first.

Thwack—!

The dull impact of something heavy colliding.

It was a sound I’d rarely heard in my life, yet somehow familiar—because I’d heard it when recalling Tanashia’s memories.

Clack clack. Hearing that sound, I walked as if entranced toward my room.

“Lady!”

Jerin called my name urgently, but I couldn’t stop my steps.

Right now, I had to confirm where and why that sound was coming from.

I forcefully flung open my slightly ajar door.

With a bang, the door swung open—and the scene I saw was shocking.

Ascan lay collapsed on the floor, bleeding, while Reiana, sleeves rolled up, was about to strike him with a club.

For a moment, I felt my entire body go ice-cold.

I couldn’t tell if this was dream or reality—it made no sense that Reiana was beating Ascan in my room.

Reiana turned to me, frozen like ice, and cheerfully smiled as she spoke.

“Tanashia, you’re here?”

Reiana proudly showed me the large club she held and continued,

“Come take a look. I brought this as a gift for you, but somehow ended up using it first. I specially ordered it—it’s said that when you hit someone with this, the pain reaches deep into their bones.”

A high-pitched ringing filled my ears. I couldn’t comprehend Reiana’s words.

The moment my eyes met Ascan’s blank, emotionless gaze on the floor, fierce anger surged from deep within my chest.

“Isn’t that hilarious? Want to hear the sound?”

Before I could stop her, Reiana raised the club high and brought it down.

Clang—!

Instantly, a dull metallic clang rang out.

Though the situation was horrifying, I instantly understood—Ascan’s body had turned steel-like, blocking the club’s impact.

“Huh?”

Reiana looked bewildered, glancing alternately between Ascan and the club.

Fortunately, Ascan was clothed, so his steel-ified body wasn’t as visibly obvious as during past experiments.

Fearing Ascan’s ability had been exposed, I quickly rushed to Reiana and blocked the club—then pushed her away with all my strength.

Due to my sudden action, Reiana lost her balance and thudded to the floor.

“What… what are you doing?”

Fortunately, Reiana was focused on being pushed by me and seemed to have forgotten the strange change in Ascan’s body moments ago.

Right now, Reiana’s flustered voice meant nothing to me.

I immediately approached Ascan lying on the floor and checked his condition. Quite a lot of blood was flowing from where he’d been torn open.

“Ascan, are you okay?”

Strangely, at my question, confusion flickered in Ascan’s eyes—as if he couldn’t understand why I was saving him.

That look only made me angrier.

I didn’t know about others, but I knew Ascan’s hidden power. Even if he couldn’t fully control it yet, the fact that he’d passively endured Reiana’s assault infuriated me.

“Why are you just taking hits like this! You said you’re my servant, right? How could you let someone else touch what’s mine?”

Ascan blinked as if he didn’t understand what I was saying, but I wasn’t finished.

“Cherish yourself. Please.”

I didn’t know what thoughts made him endure Reiana’s violence, but I couldn’t stand by and watch this.

It would’ve been better if he’d just said he was in pain, or begged for his life if he wanted to live.

His emotionless, deadened eyes staring at me made my stomach churn.

“Jerin!”

At my loud shout, Jerin, who’d been standing outside, rushed in.

“Yes, Lady.”

“Call a doctor immediately.”

“Understood.”

Jerin dashed off as if she’d been waiting for the order.

The one most bewildered by the sudden shift in atmosphere was Reiana.

“Tanashia, what is this…”

I coldly glared at Reiana, still collapsed on the floor.

Because in the original story I’d been friends with her, I’d tried to maintain a good relationship—but this was unacceptable.

Reiana had crossed the line.

“Get out.”

At my low murmur, Reiana, Ascan, and the servants who’d just entered the room all stared at me in shock.

“What… what did you say?”

“Didn’t you hear me? Get out. Leave my room right now.”

When I repeated it slowly and clearly, Reiana’s face flushed red with shame.

Seemingly unable to endure any longer, she trembled all over and hissed venomously at me,

“Did you forget? At the Krisha mansion, you were the one who touched a servant first!”

“It wasn’t me.”

“What nonsense are you spouting now…?”

“Whatever happened in the past, I won’t do such things anymore. If you ever touch my person again, I won’t let it go.”

“Tanashia!”

“I’m warning you clearly—this is the last time I’ll overlook it. If you dare touch Ascan again, be prepared.”

“Ha, what exactly are you going to do? Are you going to bury me in high society?”

“I’m the eldest daughter of the Marquis Brellof family. Think carefully what I’m capable of. I’ll crush you with everything I have.”

Grr. Reiana gritted her teeth, her face twisted with rage.

“Even if I’m just a hostess’s daughter, how dare you treat me like this! Am I worth less than a mere slave?”

“Think whatever you like. Lady Krisha.”

I deliberately didn’t call her by name—Reiana. I no longer intended to maintain any closeness with her.

Reiana stood up, her face covered in anger and humiliation. As she left the room, she left behind a final, venomous remark.

“Tanashia, you will deeply regret what happened today.”

I didn’t even bother replying—I thoroughly ignored her. I had no desire to converse with someone so inhuman.

Without even turning my head toward where Reiana stood, I addressed the maids waiting by the door.

“Sprinkle salt in front of my room and at the mansion’s entrance. It’s bad luck.”

“Yes? Ah, yes, Lady.”

I watched as the maids, given orders, bustled into action.

Reiana’s heavy footsteps gradually faded away from my room.

After today, I would never let her set foot in my house again.

As I tried to help the collapsed Ascan up, he looked at me with eyes still full of incomprehension and softly asked,

“Why… did you do that?”

Why?

There were too many reasons.

Having lived in modern society, the idea that all people are equal was ingrained in me—I couldn’t stand by and watch even a slave be treated worse than an animal.

Moreover, having read the novel and knowing Ascan’s tragic past, there was no way I could tolerate him being bullied.

I didn’t want him to turn villainous in the future—in fact, I hoped we could both be happy together.

I couldn’t possibly explain all those countless reasons, so I quietly gazed at Ascan and softly answered,

“Because you’re mine.”

Even to my answer, Ascan still looked confused. But for the first time, a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

It was an extremely faint smile—barely noticeable unless observed closely.

“I didn’t know… it’s actually quite nice. Being Lady’s person…”

His smile, seen for the first time, captivated my gaze. But fortunately—or unfortunately—the time I could stare, entranced, was brief.

Slump. Ascan’s body lost balance and collapsed. Seeing his eyes had closed, it seemed he’d lost consciousness.