IWMHWD 14

Chapter 14 – Master and Disciple
November 14, 2023

“First, I need to reclaim my body. I can’t stay trapped in this worthless shell forever.”

“Is soul transference magic even possible with your current body?”

“Well… we won’t know until we try.”

For the first time, Leonard—always brimming with confidence—trailed off at the end of his sentence.

In truth, it was nothing short of a miracle that the soul transfer spell he cast before dying had worked at all. The real issue was whether such a miraculous feat could occur twice.

Fully aware of this, Baron spoke with a worried expression.

“Master, performing high-level magic in your current state would require every magic stone in Ersche—and even then, it might not be enough.”

“There’s still the Last Flower of Ransell in the lab. And the Saint’s Tear, and the Red Dragon’s Breath. If we use those properly…”

Everything Leonard listed was a priceless artifact spoken of in legends. Each item was too valuable to even estimate a price.

But Baron shook his head firmly.

“No relic could ever compare to your original magical power. And even if we had them all, your current body wouldn’t be able to contain such immense power.”

“So what are you saying? That I should give up and rot away in this rural backwater? Just stand by and watch that bastard Maximilian inherit Atilay?”

Leonard’s eyes flashed as he glared at Baron. The old man blinked slowly before speaking.

“…What about using Lady Cordelia?”

“What?”

“If we pour all three relics and my magic into her, it might just be enough to perform the soul transfer spell.”

“So you’re suggesting using her as a medium.”

There are two ways to cast a spell. One is for the mage to cast it directly. The other is to channel it through a medium.

Leonard pressed his lips tightly together and gazed out the window.

The sun was setting. In the corridor stained red by the dusk light, Cordelia was slowly walking.

“As you know, I’m too old to withstand those relics. And your body is unsuitable for holding mana. But Lady Cordelia is different. She’s young, talented, and physically optimal for containing mana.”

“…”

“Of course, she won’t be able to hold any more magic afterward. But if we compensate her with gold for the rest of her life, I believe she’ll agree.”

“You were just marveling at the birth of a great mage earlier. And now you want to rob her of her magic?”

Baron bowed deeply, wearing a surprisingly benevolent smile.

“Nothing is more precious to me than your safety, Master. Even the birth of a future Archmage.”

Cordelia returned to her bedroom after the sun had long since set.

She pushed the door open, utterly exhausted, and three maids hurried over to greet her.

“Welcome back, young lady.”

“Huh? Who are you?”

“I’m Rachel.”

“I’m Mary.”

Two maids she’d never seen before knelt in greeting. Emily, who had been standing behind them, added with a bright smile:

“Well, the head maid called me over today and said it must be tough taking care of you alone—so she assigned me two assistants!”

It was strange. The head maid had always tiptoed around Helena and barely paid Cordelia any attention.

Until now, Emily had been the only one assigned to her. And now they were suddenly giving her two more?

Before she could make sense of it, the new maids cheerfully began helping her undress. As they did, something fell to the floor with a light thump.

“Oh my! A letter fell out, young lady.”

Rachel picked up the crumpled envelope and handed it to her.

Cordelia sighed instinctively. She hesitated for a moment, as if handling something filthy, before tearing it open.

“Dennis’s academy tuition is short. Send 100,000 Linkits as soon as possible. This is urgent—don’t delay. I married you off to such a good family; it’s only right that you fulfill your duty as a daughter.”

The content was the same as always. They wanted money again.

Disgusting.

She used to reply, saying she had neither the means nor the position to send money.

Every time, her father flew into a rage and claimed she was ignoring him.

Eventually, Cordelia started ignoring the letters entirely. It was easier on her mind that way.

“Burn this for me.”

“Yes, young lady.”

Rachel took the letter without complaint. Then she asked with a bright smile:

“What would you like for dinner? Shall we bring it here? Something light, since it’s late?”

“Would you like a bath first? We’ve already prepared hot water.”

“Uh… um.”

Their kindness was almost suspicious. Cordelia waved them off and entered the bath with Emily.

“Are they always that nice?”

“Well, rumors are spreading that the young lady now spends her days in the Count’s bedroom.”

“Huh?”

“And that he hasn’t called back those vulgar courtesans.”

Emily giggled as she poured warm water over Cordelia.

Now it made sense why everyone in the estate had been excessively kind to her lately.

“They say the Count finally realized your sincere devotion. After all, you’ve been by his side every day since he collapsed, praying for his recovery.”

“Hm. I guess.”

In truth, she had been praying for his death, but she couldn’t say that out loud. So she just smiled.

“Especially that day—the one when you and the Madam had that argument.”

Even though they were alone in the bathroom, Emily whispered conspiratorially.

“There were too many witnesses, so the rumor spread fast. People in the kitchen are even saying maybe it’s time the Madam stepped down.”

Apparently thrilled by Helena’s declining status, Emily spoke excitedly.

Cordelia had been too busy with magic lessons to notice, but now that she thought about it, she hadn’t seen Helena since that day.

‘Well, after such humiliation, it’d be hard to show your face like nothing happened.’

If Craig had truly taken Cordelia’s side and pushed Helena out, her life might have gotten easier. But Leonard was inside Craig’s body, and he could leave at any time.

Her thoughts were all over the place.

Cordelia dunked herself fully under the bathwater. The temperature had cooled enough to be bearable.

“Shall I wash your hair?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, by the way. About that thing you asked me to look into—I found both of them.”

“Really? Who are they?”

“One’s a redhead with a slightly crooked nose, the other’s a woman with black hair, black eyes, and a mole on her neck. I forget the names…”

Cordelia mentally noted the info while trying to settle her mind.

After the bath, she sat at her desk working through piles of magical formulas. Eventually, her mind cleared.

She always complained to Leonard that it was too hard—but truthfully, she enjoyed learning magic.

The more she learned, the more she felt like a person with some worth.

“Young lady, it’s already midnight.”

“Huh? Already?”

“You haven’t even eaten. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine. I’ll just finish this and go to sleep.”

She waved Emily off with a smile. She didn’t fall asleep until well into the early morning.

When dawn came, it was a struggle just to open her eyes. Even after washing her face, her eyelids drooped.

As she sleepily changed clothes, one of the new maids approached.

“Um, young lady.”

“Hmm? Yawn…”

“The Madam has invited you to breakfast.”

“Breakfast?”

They normally didn’t even share tea, let alone meals. This was out of the blue.

She could already guess what nonsense Helena was about to spout, but ignoring her wasn’t an option.

“Tell Craig I’ll be a little late.”

“Yes, young lady.”

To avoid any criticism, Cordelia changed into her most proper outfit and headed out.

When she arrived at the dining hall, she found not just Helena but Arnold, Lily, and even Baron Lancaster at the table.

It was an unusual gathering.

“Sorry I’m late, Madam.”

“Oh, not at all. Come, sit.”

Helena smiled warmly and gestured to a seat. The sight of that smile filled Cordelia with an eerie unease.

“Good morning, Countess.”

Lily and Arnold didn’t even look her way. Only Baron Lancaster stood to greet her.

“You’ve taken care of Craig all this time—I never properly thanked you.”

“Ah—no, it was nothing. Just something I ought to do.”

“Nothing in this world is truly owed.”

Helena saying something so normal only made Cordelia more suspicious.

Was she acting like this because of Baron Lancaster’s presence?

Flustered, Cordelia gave only a strained smile in response.

“Oh dear, the food’s getting cold. Let’s eat.”

“Yes.”

A servant brought out tomato soup. Cordelia quietly took a spoonful.

With a smile still lingering on her lips, Helena asked,

“Everything going well lately? Nothing troubling you?”

“With all your constant concern, there’s really nothing I lack.”

“Hoho. Compared to that flea-bitten house you come from, this must feel like heaven.”

Cordelia’s expression froze slightly, but she forced herself to keep smiling.

“By the way, have you been exchanging letters with your father lately?”

“No. I haven’t reached out.”

“My, such a bold liar.”

“Must be in her blood, Mother.”

Lily scoffed openly, mocking Cordelia. Her sudden change in tone caught Cordelia off guard.

“W-What do you mean by that?”

“Don’t know? Or pretending not to? Did you already forget your father, the Margrave of Vasquez, told you to steal from us?”

Cordelia couldn’t make sense of what Helena was saying.

Then Helena pulled something from her robe and began reading aloud.

“Dennis’s academy tuition is short. Send 100,000 Linkits quickly. This is urgent—don’t delay.” Honestly, how shameless.

“I knew we never should’ve brought that beggar girl into our home. 100,000 Linkits? That’s just outright theft!”

Lily pointed at Cordelia, unable to hide her contempt.

“Madam!”

Cordelia shouted, unable to bear the insults any longer.

The letter Helena had just read aloud was the one Cordelia had received from her father yesterday.

She had told the maid to burn it, but for Helena to have it now—she must have bribed the maid.