IJWQLBIV 16

Chapter 16: Because You Are Mine

2021.12.25

The explanation Varnen gave scratched right at the parts I hadn’t understood before. All the questions I had been puzzling over finally fell into place, like pieces of a puzzle snapping together. I was fully focused on his words when he suddenly seemed to think that verbal explanation alone wasn’t enough. Pointing to the papers on the desk, he asked,

“Can I use this?”

“Of course.”

I nodded willingly. Varnen picked up a pen and continued explaining, sketching out complex diagrams as he spoke. Then—flutter—when he lifted a page to turn it, the weapon design I had doodled underneath was revealed.

“Oh no!”

It wasn’t anything drawn with the intention of showing someone else; it was just a personal sketch of my imagination, hidden away. Having it accidentally catch Varnen’s eye made me incredibly flustered.

“That’s…!”

“Did you draw this?”

“Yes. I just drew it to pass the time.”

Varnen stared intently at my weapon sketch. Until a moment ago, he had been talking nonstop, but now his mouth closed, and the room fell silent. Martela, who had been observing quietly, must have noticed something unusual because she spoke up.

“Is something wrong?”

Varnen didn’t answer. He just kept staring at my drawing as if trying to pierce through it. As Martela and I exchanged glances, confused by the situation, Varnen finally spoke.

“You want to make a weapon like this?”

“Yes… I just imagined what it might be like.”

He handed the sketch back to me, speaking with an authoritative tone.

“Explain it. What exactly are you imagining?”

His expression was so serious that if I didn’t explain, it felt like something disastrous might happen. Fortunately, it wasn’t a difficult request, so after a brief hesitation, I picked up my sketch. It was a gun—but not like the ones I knew from the modern world. Its design incorporated a magical stone into the safety mechanism, and the ammunition wasn’t ordinary bullets. Since this was another world, I had adapted it to fit the local era.

“When you pull this trigger, it fires a magic orb.”

“What kind of magic orb? How? It’s a small weapon; its power must be weak.”

“The element doesn’t matter. The orb spins to amplify its power. Whether it’s fire, wind, or another element, it can cause a large explosion.”

Varnen stroked his chin thoughtfully. Then he took my sketch and began adding his own details. What I had imagined abstractly, he calculated realistically to complete the design.

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

Looking at the formula he had drawn on the spot, I couldn’t help but gape. It was perfect. Every part I hadn’t thought of had been accounted for in an instant.

“You really are a genius…”

The words slipped out unconsciously. Varnen chuckled as if amused.

“You’re calling me a genius for a sketch you imagined? Even a passing dog would laugh.”

“But I can’t handle the realistic parts…”

“You’ll learn. I guarantee that over time you’ll naturally understand them. You’re just taking your first steps; don’t try to surpass decades of my experience yet.”

Though his praise was flattering, it made me acutely aware of how far I still had to go. As I stared blankly at the improved sketch, Varnen made a firm decision and spoke with resolve.

“You, become my disciple.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I only came here out of necessity, but honestly, I’m interested now.”

It’s said that geniuses recognize other geniuses. I felt proud that Varnen had noticed my potential.

“You’re interested… in me?”

“No, your sketch.”

Huh? That caught me off guard.

“Let’s complete this. If we do it well, it could become a weapon with terrifying power. There are still many problems to solve, though.”

I realized Varnen’s focus wasn’t on me—it was on the weapon I had drawn. It was strange, but if it meant I could learn from him, the reason didn’t matter.

“Yes, Master.”

Without hesitation, the words left my mouth, and for the first time, Varnen smiled with satisfaction. Martela, who had been watching us, breathed a sigh of relief.

“I was so worried just watching. We should tell the Lord immediately. He’ll be concerned, knowing your temperament…”

“Before that.”

Varnen suddenly held out his hand toward Martela. She looked confused, and he waved impatiently.

“You bought the magical engineering bracelet I made, right?”

“How did you know?”

“How could I not? Give it here.”

“Oh, I was going to give it to Miss…”

“I know. I’m giving my disciple an assignment.”

With no other choice, Martela handed over the bracelet she had shown me earlier. Varnen solemnly handed it to me.

“Can you figure out what ability this has?”

“No.”

Though I had studied magical engineering theoretically, I had never seen a weapon made with magical stones in practice. Varnen noticed this and furrowed his brow.

“My disciple doesn’t even know this yet? I’d hate to tarnish my name.”

Just moments ago, he called me a genius, but now he switched his tone because of my inexperience. It was absurd.

“Figure out what this bracelet does and how to use it—by yourself.”

“Sir! How is she supposed to know?”

Martela protested, but I simply took the bracelet without complaint.

“Understood.”

This was my first assignment from Varnen, and I couldn’t start off by complaining. If this was a test, I would show him I could succeed. I clasped the bracelet onto my wrist. Varnen smiled, and Martela looked shocked.

“Hehe, you’re an interesting one.”

“Miss!”

Martela, pale and nervous, watched closely. To figure out the bracelet, it had to stay near me.

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

Varnen’s smile seemed to grow even warmer at my words.

After class, I headed to my room where Leiana was waiting. As I got closer, I noticed Jerin pacing anxiously with a pale, frightened face. Jerin was usually bright and energetic, so seeing him like this was unusual. Concerned, I approached him.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

Startled by my voice, Jerin’s eyes widened, and he spoke in a trembling voice.

“Miss, it’s just that…”

Before he could continue, a dull thud sounded—bam! It was a heavy impact, unlike anything I’d heard before, yet oddly familiar from memories of Tanasia. Instinctively, I walked toward my room.

“Miss!”

Jerin called out, but I didn’t stop. I needed to see what was happening and why. I threw open my slightly ajar door. Bang! The sight before me was shocking: Askan was lying on the floor bleeding, and Leiana had rolled up her sleeves, ready to strike him with a large club. A chill ran through my body. This couldn’t be real—Leiana hitting Askan in my room?

“Tanassia, you’re here?”

Leiana smiled, proudly showing me the club.

“Come take a look. I meant this as a gift for you, but I ended up using it first. I specially ordered it. They say it delivers pain all the way to your bones.”

My ears seemed to ring. I couldn’t understand her words. Looking into Askan’s vacant eyes stirred a deep anger within me.

“The sound is satisfying too. Want to hear it?”

Before I could stop her, Leiana raised the club and slammed it down—clang! The metallic impact echoed. But I instantly realized: Askan’s body had turned to steel, absorbing the blow.

“Huh?”

Leiana looked confused, alternating her gaze between Askan and the club. Fortunately, he was clothed, so his steel transformation wasn’t obvious. I rushed to block her, pushing her away with all my strength. She fell to the floor.

“What… what are you doing?”

Leiana focused only on being pushed, forgetting about Askan’s body change. I ignored her and rushed to Askan, checking his condition. He was bleeding heavily.

“Askan, are you okay?”

His eyes showed confusion, not understanding why I was helping. That made me even angrier. I knew his hidden power and couldn’t bear to see him taking Leiana’s blows passively.

“Why are you just taking it? You’re my person! How can you let someone hurt you like this?”

Askan blinked, not understanding, but I wasn’t finished.

“Take care of yourself. Please.”

I didn’t know why he was enduring her violence, but I couldn’t let it continue. If he was hurt, he should say so; if he wanted to live, he should plead. Seeing him with dead eyes made my stomach churn.

“Jerin!”

He rushed over immediately.

“Call a doctor.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Jerin ran off to get help. Leiana, now shocked, spoke.

“Tanassia, what is—”

I glared coldly at her. I had tried to maintain a good relationship because we were supposed to be friends, but she had crossed the line.

“Get out.”

I said it low and calmly. Leiana, Askan, and the servants entering the room all froze.

“What did you say?”

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

I repeated it firmly. Leiana’s face burned with shame. She trembled and hissed at me.

“Did you forget? You were the one to touch the servants at Krisha Manor first!”

“I didn’t.”

“No, what are you talking about?”

“Whatever happened in the past, I don’t do that anymore. If you touch Askan again, I won’t forgive you.”

“Tanassia!”

“This is your final warning. Touch Askan again, and be prepared.”

“What? What could you possibly do? Ruin me in society?”

“I’m the eldest daughter of the Brellov family. Think carefully. I’ll crush you with everything I can.”

Leiana ground her teeth in anger.

“Just because I’m a hostess’s daughter doesn’t mean you can do this! Am I less than a slave?”

“Think whatever you want, Miss Krisha.”

I deliberately called her by her last name, not Leiana, no longer wanting closeness. She left, seething with rage, and warned one last time.

“Tanassia, you’ll regret this day!”

I ignored her entirely. I didn’t want to talk to an unreasonable person. I turned to the maids by the door.

“Sprinkle salt in front of my room and at the manor entrance. Make sure of it.”

“Yes, Miss.”

The maids busily followed my orders. Leiana’s footsteps faded. After today, she would never enter my house again.

I bent down to support Askan. He looked at me with confusion and asked softly:

“Why… did you do that?”

Why? Too many reasons. Having grown up in the modern world, I believed everyone was equal. Even a slave shouldn’t be treated worse than an animal. Knowing Askan’s unfortunate past, I couldn’t stand to see him tormented. I wanted him happy, not bitter.

“You… are mine.”

Even at my words, he seemed to not fully understand, but a small smile appeared on his lips—the first I’d ever seen. Subtle, but there.

“I didn’t know… it’s wonderful, being your person…”

I was captivated by his smile, but it didn’t last. Slowly, Askan lost balance and fell unconscious.