As soon as I got my own laboratory, I was able to accelerate the development of magical engineering weapons.

K01 was the first series, a weapon with many points needing improvement. Using it to prevent war with the Calua Empire was, in many ways, unrealistic.

Though I had not yet received a reply from Igtheon Trading Company, which I had sent the provisional contract to, a document arrived from the Arwen Empire stating that they would sponsor my magical engineering research.

—From now on, the Arwen Empire also intends to support the young lady’s research. Detailed terms will be delivered soon via official documents, so feel free to look forward to it.

It was exactly as Rohel had mentioned previously.

The sponsorship funds from the state were surprisingly generous.

I pondered where to best allocate this funding, and eventually made my decision.

First, I purchased additional fire-resistant materials to allow Ascan to freely unleash his power within the underground bunker.

Though Blutanium alone seemed sufficient, Ascan’s flames never extinguished, so this was precaution against unforeseen circumstances.

With the remaining funds, I bought nothing but magical engineering machinery.

Thanks to this, though my lab was already equipped with cutting-edge tools, it now became a facility that could rival any in the world.

“Wow, now I can use all this to my heart’s content!”

Even Barunen, usually stingy with emotional expression, seemed ready to dance with joy.

“Young lady, this is truly the best!”

Matela also grinned widely and gave me a thumbs-up.

Naturally, every developer felt the same. We all celebrated together, grinning ear to ear with shared delight.

With such a perfect environment now in place, a new dilemma arose.

‘What should I create?’

It was time to decide which weapon to develop next.

I could either improve upon K01’s shortcomings or design an entirely new weapon. Both were solid options, making the decision even harder.

Since choosing a path might consume a long time, I carefully reviewed existing magical engineering weapons in this world again, studying various materials to make a prudent choice.

During this time, I also didn’t neglect helping Ascan learn to control his power.

Clang!

I opened the door to the prepared underground bunker and looked at Ascan.

My heart pounded wildly since this was our first attempt, but Ascan himself showed no particular emotion on his face.

“You sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. With these precautions in place, even if I fully unleash my power, the surroundings won’t collapse or melt.”

“No, I meant—are you okay?”

At my words, Ascan’s gaze turned to me. He then softened his eyes gently and nodded.

“I’ve actually been waiting for this. If I want to receive a reward from you, I need to learn to control my power quickly, right?”

“W-well, yes, that’s true.”

Somehow, I was momentarily speechless.

Ever since he mentioned eagerly anticipating the reward, I’d begun to regret making that promise so hastily.

But it was already done. I was nervous about what kind of reward he might want, yet I couldn’t take back my words.

‘Ah, stop worrying needlessly. I’ll just offer something within my means.’

I shook my head firmly, dispelling those unnecessary thoughts.

That day, Ascan didn’t feel like just a boy—he strangely lingered in my mind—but no matter how much I fretted, it wouldn’t change anything.

I left Ascan inside the bunker and closed the door from outside.

The reason countless scholars from the Calua Empire had failed to control Ascan’s power until now was simple:

He had rarely ever fully unleashed his own power.

Because his power was too dangerously volatile, he’d only ever been trained to suppress his emotions and restrain his flames.

It was utterly impossible for him to suddenly gain perfect control over a power he’d never freely used before.

The only time Ascan had pushed his ability to its limit was when he resolved to escape the laboratory.

In the not-too-distant future, Ascan would gain enlightenment based on that experience and finally control his power—but I couldn’t just sit and wait for that moment to arrive.

Given that the original story was already shifting slightly, the only way to hasten Ascan’s enlightenment was to have him repeat that same experience.

That was the conclusion I had reached.

“Ascan, all preparations are complete. Feel free to unleash your power without restraint.”

Ascan nodded firmly, his eyes resolute.

The reinforced glass installed on the door—specially crafted in multiple layers—allowed me to observe the bunker’s interior, where Ascan stood alone.

Ascan looked down at his hands and closed his eyes.

At that moment, flames identical to those I’d seen when Reiana’s group was present began floating one by one in midair. Exactly four flames, just like before.

Having read the novel , I knew the number of flames indicated the level of Ascan’s power.

Adult Ascan could summon seven flames; currently, as a boy, he could summon only four.

Whooshhh—

The four flames circling Ascan gradually intensified.

Ascan stood calmly at the center of blazing crimson fire—an unreal, almost unbelievable sight, even as I watched it with my own eyes.

Soon, the shirt Ascan wore instantly burned away. Strangely, his bare skin remained completely unharmed by the flames.

I could only stare, mesmerized, at Ascan’s ability.

“Amazing…”

It felt surreal that such power could emanate from a human body.

The four flames Ascan created danced freely through the air, guided entirely by his will.

Inside the Blutanium bunker, the undying flames burned endlessly.

The interior was so engulfed in fire that I almost imagined heat radiating through the reinforced glass.

Even after waiting a long while, the flames Ascan created showed no sign of extinguishing.

How much time had passed?

The moment Ascan collapsed onto the floor, the flames vanished as if by magic.

Seeing no more flames inside the bunker, I entered carrying water I’d prepared earlier.

Creeeak—

As the thick iron door opened, hot air rushed outward.

I waved away the smoke obscuring my vision and hurried toward Ascan.

“Ascan, cough, are you okay?”

Ascan looked utterly exhausted, his body limp. His hazy eyes slowly focused and found me.

“You came in… too quickly. It might have been dangerous. Next time, please wait a little longer before entering.”

“Got it. I’ll do that next time—don’t worry about me, just drink some water.”

Ascan, clearly drained, nodded and drank the water I handed him.

Absentmindedly, I brushed aside his sweat-dampened bangs. Only then did I remember—he’d burned off his shirt and was now bare-chested.

Ascan was soaked in sweat. His well-defined muscles, visible under the hot air, stirred something strange inside me.

“N-next time, I should prepare at least a robe or something.”

Ascan glanced down at his own body and seemed to finally understand what I meant.

I smiled awkwardly and helped him up. It felt better to get him out of the bunker rather than let him rest inside.

It was while I was supporting one of his arms over my shoulder that I heard his voice from above.

Because we were so close, it felt like a whisper right into my ear.

“How do you like my physique?”

“Wh-what did you say?”

I could only look up at Ascan with a flustered expression.

What? Is he teasing me?

I briefly thought that—but unexpectedly, Ascan’s eyes were utterly serious, which made it even more baffling.

“I asked whether you find my physique pleasing.”

Hearing him repeat the same question—when even a joke would’ve been awkward enough—I nearly choked in sheer disbelief.

It felt like a million question marks were floating in my head.

What’s his intention with this?

Is this some trendy prank nowadays?

I stared at Ascan with a confused expression and barely managed to speak.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You said it before. That you look at men’s faces and physiques a lot.”

“Oh…”

Then I remembered.

When Ascan had asked if I had special feelings for Barunen, I’d blurted out that ridiculous answer because I was so flabbergasted.

—Ascan, listen carefully. I look at men’s faces a lot.

—…Faces?

—Ah, and physiques too! Faces and physiques are basic requirements.

Of course, it was undeniable that I did look at men’s faces and physiques—but being asked so directly in this situation was undeniably embarrassing.

Wait—do I have eyes and not look?

I almost wanted to retort, but his expression was far too serious for the situation, leaving me speechless.

“Well… I’m not sure how to answer that.”

At my reply, Ascan brushed back his damp, falling hair with an awkward gesture. His sculpted, sweat-glistened face stood out even more.

He seemed to hesitate briefly, then spoke in a low voice.

“You once told me I was handsome.”

“Huh? Who said that?”

“I’m curious whether I fit your preferences.”

“…Cough.”

I ended up choking in surprise.

When I stared wide-eyed at Ascan, he smiled slightly, his brow furrowing.

“If anything’s lacking, please tell me. Whether face or physique—I’ll adjust to match your taste.”

“Ah, no, you don’t need to…”

“Do you prefer me more muscular than this? Or would you like me leaner?”

Ascan was already a perfected human specimen.

A classic pretty boy whose looks perfectly matched the term “flower boy”—sculpted eyes, nose, lips, and muscles neither excessive nor lacking, just perfectly proportioned.

Whether face or physique, nothing needed adding or subtracting—he was already lethally attractive.

But saying that directly felt somehow inappropriate. I could only open and close my mouth, utterly speechless.

“Young lady?”

“Do you really need me to say such things out loud… Ah!”

Distracted by Ascan’s question, I failed to notice the step beneath my feet.

At that moment—

Ascan firmly caught me, preventing me from falling.

Thanks to him, I avoided an embarrassing tumble—but I also realized something was off about this situation.

‘Huh? I was clearly supporting Ascan, who was supposed to be drained of strength…?’

By all logic, I should’ve fallen, dragging him down with me.

If Ascan had recovered enough strength to catch me when I completely lost balance, then I never should’ve needed to support him in the first place.

I looked up at Ascan with a puzzled expression. He smiled sheepishly, his eyes crinkling.

“Caught me?”

“You… don’t tell me you…”

Instead of answering, Ascan suddenly swept me up into a princess carry.

Instantly cradled in his arms, I could only stare at him with wide, startled eyes.

What? What’s going on here?

“There’s no reason for me to refuse your support, is there?”

“No, so you pretended to be weak just so I’d support you?”

“Not exactly—I regained strength quickly after drinking water. I didn’t expect you to nearly fall, though.”

Wait, isn’t the important thing here not that I nearly fell?

I stared at Ascan incredulously, but he seemed perfectly confident, showing no sign of embarrassment.

“You should be more careful. Are you trying to hurt your knees this time too?”

“This happened because you asked such a weird question in the first place!”

“Was my question really that difficult?”

Of course it was. Anyone would be speechless if someone asked point-blank whether they fit their preferences.

I gave up on explaining and murmured quietly to Ascan.

“Put me down. I can walk by myself.”

“Only until we’re outside the bunker. You might nearly fall again.”

Being held so quietly in Ascan’s arms, his bare skin felt far too vivid against me.

I tried hard to clear my mind. My face was growing hotter—if this continued, he’d surely notice I was embarrassed.

‘Because of that question, I’m pointlessly overthinking it now.’

Thankfully, while I forced myself to recall the contents of a magical engineering textbook I’d read before, Ascan carried me out of the bunker.

Creeeak. After fully closing the bunker’s iron door, Ascan gently set me down.

I quickly steadied myself and headed upstairs. I couldn’t possibly appear before others with Ascan still shirtless.

“Wait, I’ll bring you clothes…”

“Just for your information.”

At Ascan’s words, I instinctively turned to look at him.

“You, young lady, are perfectly to my taste. From head to toe, there’s not a single part of you that isn’t beautiful.”

His words were so embarrassingly sweet that my mouth fell open involuntarily.

To say such extravagant praise with such a nonchalant expression—I felt all the heat I’d barely suppressed rushing straight to my face.

At that moment—

Matela’s voice called from upstairs.

“Young lady! Where are you? A letter has arrived from Igtheon Trading Company!”

Igtheon Trading Company?

Since this was their first contact after I’d sent the provisional contract, I was curious what it contained.

I glanced toward the upstairs where Matela’s voice came from, then deliberately spoke firmly to Ascan.

“Wait here. I’ll bring your clothes.”

As I turned to walk toward the stairs, I paused.

Somehow, I felt like I was being led around by Ascan. Truthfully, I already knew I was pretty—he didn’t need to tell me.

“And I already know I’m pretty. But my charms aren’t limited to just my face.”

For some reason, Ascan seemed to quietly chuckle at my words. Without turning back, I straightened my spine and walked away.