IWMHWD 37

<Chapter 37> Maximilian
2023.12.07

“What are you doing?”

“The bracelet won’t come off.”

Cordelia grunted as she struggled to remove the bracelet, but for some reason, it felt like it was getting tighter instead. Watching her, Candias burst into loud laughter.

“Kyahaha! Good, good job!”

“What do you mean, good job?”

“Once that bracelet recognizes you as its owner, you can’t take it off for the rest of your life. Atillei spent an entire year climbing mountains and crossing seas to find that thing, and you, his apprentice, snatched it up the moment you saw it. Hahaha! Like master, like disciple!”

“Gasp!”

I’m dead now.

Cordelia’s face quickly lost all color. On the verge of tears, she waved the wrist with the bracelet at Candias.

“Is there really no way to take it off? If my master finds out about this, I’m done for!”

“So what? Didn’t you say your master was dead? Why worry about a dead guy?”

“Well, um… he is dead, but, y-yeah, he is dead, but still…”

Flustered, she fumbled for words. Candias snorted at her reaction.

“Anyway, I don’t know how to get it off. So be sure to show it to your master and ask him yourself.”

“Haa…”

“But you know,” Candias leaned in closer, watching her as she sighed and agonized over the bracelet, “You’ve been bugging me since earlier.”

“Me?”

“Did you make a pact with a demon?”

“Excuse me? No! I don’t even know how to do that!”

“Really? Then why do I smell something so familiar on you?”

Candias squinted suspiciously, examining Cordelia from head to toe. But no matter how long he looked, he couldn’t come to a conclusion. Clicking his tongue, he changed the subject.

“Here, take these. The Last Flower of Ransel, the Tear of the Saint, and the Breath of the Red Dragon.”

He blinked a few times, and with a fluttering sound, several items fell onto Cordelia’s skirt. Though their forms were all different, they emitted the same mysterious glow.

Cordelia quickly gathered them up into her pouch.

“Thank you.”

“No need. I’m just sooo pleased that you’re wearing that bracelet. My only regret is that I can’t see his twisted expression right in front of me.”

“….”

Why would he leave something so precious just lying around?! If Master finds out, I’m dead meat…

Cordelia was sobbing internally while keeping a straight face on the outside.

“I’m sure my deceased master will understand. I’ll be on my way now, Mr. Candias.”

“Yeah, yeah. Be sure to show that bracelet to your master, okay?”

Even at the very end, Candias gave her an annoying farewell. Only after checking her pouch one more time did Cordelia open the door and leave. Unlike when she entered, exiting was easy.

“You’re back already?”

“Huh? Don’t tell me… you were waiting here the whole time?”

“Yes. You’re still unfamiliar with the geography inside the Magic Association, so I was worried.”

Rosenbler’s face, full of concern, greeted her the moment she stepped out.

How can a person be this kind? Cordelia was genuinely touched. The difference between him and others was night and day.

“Did you get everything you needed?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’ll need somewhere to stay in the Magic Association. I’ll guide you to the room Leo used to sleep in. You should rest today…”

“No, just tell me how to get outside. My husband’s waiting for me.”

“Your husband… I see. I’ll take you there.”

He looked like he had a lot to say, but said nothing more and silently led her out.

Passing once again through the Hall of Stars, they soon reached the entrance. Cordelia gave Rosenbler a sincere bow.

“Thank you so much for today. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have made it inside.”

“You’re welcome. And feel free to call me Rosenbler.”

“Oh, then please call me Cordelia as well!”

“Of course, Cordelia.”

It was just her name, but hearing it from him made her cheeks flush. The thought of parting with such a handsome man was unexpectedly saddening.

“Where are you staying?”

“At the Shining Constellation.”

“Oh? What a coincidence.”

“What kind of coincidence?”

“I was planning to head that way too. I need something from there. Shall we walk together?”

“I’d love that.”

Beaming, she accepted his offer without hesitation.

As they walked together, she could feel people openly glancing at Rosenbler. Cordelia completely understood. She herself had stared blankly at him the first time they met.

“How’s your magic training going?”

“It’s fun! A bit tough because there’s a lot of homework, though.”

“Homework?”

“Yeah, well… I tend to assign myself a lot.”

“Impressive. Teaching yourself magic isn’t easy.”

“But compared to the joy of learning, it’s nothing.”

She could now tell such lies quite shamelessly. In the distance, the Shining Constellation inn came into view. Cordelia was already feeling a bit sad.

Perhaps sensing this, Rosenbler spoke cautiously.

“Um, Cordelia. Please don’t take this the wrong way.”

“What do you mean?”

“What I said earlier—that since you’re Leo’s disciple, you’re as good as mine too—I meant it.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“Magic is a field that’s very hard to master alone. For now, you’re still in the basics, so books might suffice, but to advance further, you’ll definitely need a teacher.”

She wasn’t sure what he was getting at, so she quietly waited for him to continue.

“So… if you’re okay with it, I’d like to become your teacher. Of course, once you become an advanced mage, you won’t need my guidance anymore. After that, the path is yours to walk. And you don’t even need to accept the Diduacel crest—our faction’s emblem.”

Even someone like Cordelia, who wasn’t familiar with the mage society, could tell that was an incredible offer.

To be offered apprenticeship without having to formally take on the crest meant she could enjoy all the benefits with none of the obligations.

“It’s not just because of Leo. Honestly, I personally want you as my disciple. I’ve always dreamed of a student like you.”

“Who said you could?”

Suddenly, Leonard appeared with his usual cranky face. It had only been half a day, but Cordelia was thrilled to see him.

“Dear!”

“Dear? Oh… dear.”

Leonard briefly frowned at the unfamiliar word, then quickly caught on to their relationship.

“I have so much to tell you. From the moment I got to the entrance of the Magic Association, to inside where people swarmed me—I nearly died!”

“You must be Cordelia’s husband, I presume?”

“Yeah. I am. Who are you?”

Even though he already knew, Leonard stared at Rosenbler with a scowl.

“Rosenbler Elfenbaum. And you are?”

“I’m Cordelia’s husband.”

“Indeed you are.”

Rosenbler now looked at Leonard with a cold, distant expression, entirely different from the face he had shown Cordelia.

“But just now, you looked like you were trying to steal someone else’s apprentice. Don’t you know the unspoken rules among mages?”

“Never seen you before. Are you even a mage?”

“I’m not a mage… but I know that world better than anyone. I’ve heard stealing a marked apprentice is a huge offense.”

“Knowing something and belonging to it are different. Your wife is a mage—you’re not.”

“What? I’m nothing?”

“Dear, let’s go inside. Thank you again, Mr. Rosenbler, for everything today.”

The tension between the two was undeniable. Cordelia grabbed Leonard’s wrist and tugged him back.

“Rosenbler? Since when were you on a first-name basis?”

“So what if I am? Stop picking fights over nothing.”

“Picking fights? You think I’m just nitpicking?”

“Ugh, whatever. Let’s just go in. Mr. Rosenbler, see you next time.”

“Yes, Cordelia. See you then. I’ll wait for your answer.”

“Yeah, yeah. Take care.”

After finally seeing Rosenbler off, she managed to coax Leonard inside. He grumbled the whole way.

“How dare he say he’s personally interested in my apprentice? Next thing you know, he’ll erase your crest and replace it with his!”

“He was probably just being polite. Forget about it.”

“What were you going to say?”

“Say what?”

“When that guy asked to be your teacher—what were you going to answer?”

“Well, of course—”

The word yes nearly slipped out, but she bit it back. She knew if she said that, she’d have to endure a very moody master for at least a month.

“I was going to say no! I already have a heavenly master—how could I dare!”

“Hmph. Judging by your face, you were about to say yes.”

“Master! Do you think magic is about looks? Magic is about skill! How could I leave behind the youngest person to ever become a Seirios! Even if you told me to leave, I wouldn’t go!”

“All talk. That mouth of yours is the only thing that works.”

Cordelia glared at him fiercely, resolute in expressing her loyalty.