IWMHWD 13

Chapter 13 – Master and Disciple

2023.11.13.

“Well, even if someone’s lost their memory, their basic nature doesn’t just disappear, right?”

“And you said he didn’t even recognize your face?”

“Yes.”

“But he knows how the castle funds are being managed? Can memories come back that selectively?”

Helena’s point was sharp. Only then did Arnold’s head begin to cool.

“Hmph. Either he hasn’t recovered any memories at all… or he remembers everything.”

“If he has regained all his memory, it’s suspicious that he never visited the mistress he used to cherish so much.”

“Exactly, sister.”

Helena reached the most rational conclusion.

The current Craig wasn’t the same man she had known for decades. No one could change that much—unless someone was pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

Cordelia Vasquez. That sly little girl was definitely scheming something in the background.

“She probably framed me with some ridiculous accusation, pushed me out, and now plans to use Craig to take over the Abrams estate.”

“Ah, that explains why she’s been clinging to him ever since he woke up. What a shameless wench.”

“She’s been married for a year and hasn’t even given him a son. We took in a worthless girl out of pity.”

Helena gritted her teeth and unleashed a string of curses and insults aimed at Cordelia.

She suddenly stopped mid-rant. A wicked thought flashed through her mind. The silence stretched before Arnold finally asked:

“What’s wrong?”

“She’s useless, right?”

“Well, yes. The only reason we spent so much to bring her here was because of her bloodline. Otherwise, we would’ve married him to someone with far better prospects.”

“Then we should get rid of her.”

“Pardon?”

“Why keep something useless and unnecessary around?”

She’d never liked the girl to begin with. It was the previous Earl—now dead—who insisted on bringing in someone from the Vasquez line because of her heritage.

Now that annoying girl had become an obstacle. If they got rid of her, Helena could finally bring in a wife more suited to her tastes.

Helena smiled sweetly. But that smile carried the scent of warm blood. Arnold immediately understood her true intent.

“What method should we use?”

“Dig a little. I’m sure we’ll find something to use against her soon enough.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Oh, and since she’s such a scatterbrained fool, no one would think twice if she accidentally ate something bad. Don’t you think?”

“Ah…”

Arnold let out a soft exclamation.

After all, kitchen mishaps—like accidentally using the wrong ingredient—weren’t unheard of in the castle.

“I’ll start preparing.”

“Good.”

* * *

“Hello.”

Cordelia had been walking down the corridor, murmuring magical formulas, when she was startled by an unfamiliar voice.

“Oh—Baron Lancaster.”

“It’s been a while, Countess. Have you been well?”

The dark-haired man gave her a polite bow, smiling gently.

At first glance, he looked like just another handsome noble, but Baron Lancaster ran the largest merchant guild in the territory.

Holding the purse strings gave him enormous influence—so much so that even Helena didn’t dare treat him lightly.

“Yes, I heard you were visiting the mines in the south. When did you return?”

“Not too long ago.”

Seeing his face reminded her why he was called the “Young Fox”—always smiling with sly intent.

Normally, he would’ve passed by without even acknowledging her, but today he kept striking up friendly conversation. Something was off.

“I hear you’ve been spending a lot of time with the Count lately.”

“Well, Craig’s health hasn’t fully recovered yet.”

“That must be why the Count relies on you so much. I hear he hasn’t let any outsiders into the castle.”

He clearly meant Craig’s former mistress.

Cordelia smiled as if she were oblivious. Though inside, she felt tense.

‘What’s with this fox today? Why is he acting so clingy? If I’m late, my teacher’s going to yell at me.’

“The Count has really changed, they say. He’s pushing away people he once kept close, and drawing in those he used to ignore.”

“Is that so? I wouldn’t know. Craig’s always been moody.”

“Really? How curious…”

He didn’t elaborate on what was curious. Just then, his attendant approached and whispered something in his ear.

Lancaster’s expression shifted briefly—only for an instant. Then his usual unreadable smile returned.

“Please forgive me for leaving so abruptly.”

“You’re a busy man. I wouldn’t dream of stopping you.”

Cordelia thought little of the interaction. Her only concern was not being late to see Leonard.

But that day, it seemed the world was being oddly kind to her.

She dropped some parchment while hurrying, and a nearby knight—an actual knight, not a servant—picked them up with a bright smile.

“Here you go, Countess. You look dazzling as always today.”

Cordelia reluctantly accepted the papers with a stiff smile.

It didn’t stop there.

When she arrived outside Leonard’s room, a maid greeted her unusually cheerfully.

“Milady, would you like some refreshments?”

“Huh? No, I’m fine.”

“Then please call if you need anything.”

Cordelia had been in and out of this room dozens of times, but never had the maid looked at her so kindly.

‘What the heck? What’s going on today?’

By this point, Cordelia could sense something was off. Rather than feeling happy, all the sudden kindness made her suspicious.

Leonard immediately frowned when he saw her.

“Do you know what time it is? What took you so long? I was getting impatient.”

“Master, the people today… I mean—never mind.”

She swallowed her words. It’s not like she could tell him people being nice felt strange.

He launched into a lecture as usual, but thankfully, when she handed him her homework, the lesson began.

“I won’t get mad, so just be honest with me.”

“About what?”

But Leonard already looked angry. Cordelia stayed quiet instead of pointing it out.

“Why are you so hopelessly slow? Were you born this way? Or did you fall off a tree and hit your head as a child—”

“That’s so mean! I’ll have you know, my tutor used to say I was clever! The brightest student she ever had.”

“What was she praising you for? Breathing? Or learning to walk?”

“……”

No use arguing.

Cordelia was reminded once again how impossibly high his standards were.

Even when she memorized everything from the previous lesson by heart, he treated it as expected—never praised.

But if she failed to understand something he only explained once, he’d stare at her like she was some bizarre alien creature.

With eyes that said: How could you not get this?

Luckily, Baron came in late and awkwardly tried to defend her.

“But she’s already learned how to form mana. That’s an impressive achievement.”

“So what? She can’t even calculate properly to move on to the next stage.”

“She’ll get used to that with time.”

Cordelia felt so grateful she could’ve bowed to Baron.

Her teacher might constantly call her an idiot, but rather than feeling discouraged, she burned with determination.

‘Just wait. One day, you’ll brag about having me as a student.’

She gritted her teeth and made a silent vow.

Just then, a maid brought in a silver tray with a letter.

Cordelia’s expression hardened as she saw the name on the envelope.

Leonard asked casually, “Why? Who’s it from?”

“It’s nothing…”

She forced a smile and quickly stuffed the letter into her pocket.

Leonard noticed the Vasquez seal on the envelope but didn’t press. He knew Cordelia saw her family as a shameful burden.

The lesson ended after several long hours.

Cordelia had copied formulas nonstop for five hours, memorized over a hundred magical terms, and was assigned two academic papers to analyze.

With sunken eyes, she asked:

“When am I supposed to sleep?”

“Sleep’s for the dead.”

“……”

She had no strength to argue and staggered out of Leonard’s room.

Once the door shut, Baron spoke.

“I’m amazed.”

“At what?”

“Cordelia. Did you know before you took her as your student?”

“If I knew, I would’ve checked if her head was made of rock before doing the oath ceremony.”

Leonard grumbled, but excitement sparkled in Baron’s eyes.

“Master, she’s formed mana in just ten days. Even the most gifted magicians take months or years.”

“I did it in two days.”

“…You can’t compare yourself to normal people. At this rate, she might really run a star by age twenty-five.”

“Hmph. She still struggles with basic mental math.”

“She’ll get better. If she were already fluent in everything in ten days, I’d wonder if she were even human.”

Baron gave a light shiver.

At first, he thought Leonard had taken her on impulsively, but witnessing her talent left him speechless.

“Perhaps… another great mage is rising.”

“Don’t be so dramatic. Anyway, what about the Council?”

“As expected, Elfenbaum is fiercely opposed. He says he won’t accept a funeral without a body.”

“How touching.”

His tone was sarcastic, but his gratitude was genuine.

There were over twenty noble families in the Council. They only needed half to approve the succession.

For now, led by Elfenbaum, most nobles were rejecting Maximilian’s claim—but they couldn’t leave Atillais’ leadership vacant forever.

“At most, we have three months.”

“Yes.”

Baron nodded gravely.

That meant Leonard had three months to reclaim his rightful body—and take down Maximilian.

Leonard clenched his fists.

Time was running out.