IWMHWD 39

Chapter 39 – Maximilian
2023.12.09.

“My master told me to stay by his side for the rest of my life. He said the bond between a mage and their disciple is more important than that of a married couple.”

“Hah. You keep harping on about that damn mage. You didn’t even know what a mage was at first.”

“Well, compared to someone like you, I think I’m more important to Master. You’re just another run-of-the-mill knight, but I’m his only disciple.”

She had said it on purpose—to provoke him. And as expected, a crack formed on Belluce’s face. He glared at her, baring his jealousy and resentment.

“Disciple? I don’t understand why Master took someone like you as his student. Do you know how many people desperately wanted to be his disciple? And he picked a girl like you?”

“That’s because I have talent—”

“Talent? So what? Even with whatever talent you’ve got, you’re nothing compared to Master.”

Suddenly, Maximilian’s words came back to her:

“No matter what talent you have, it’s nothing compared to my brother.”

Cordelia had agreed then—and she still did now. Maximilian hadn’t been wrong.

As she failed to reply immediately, Belluce’s sneer deepened.

“Do you know what needs to happen for Master to get his body back?”

“Use magic, right?”

“Correct. He needs to use a soul transfer spell, but that kind of spell requires an enormous amount of mana. And right now, Master’s body is nowhere near capable of handling it.”

“That’s why he told us to retrieve the holy relics, isn’t it?”

“A few relics won’t be enough to substitute for his mana.”

Then how could they possibly perform the spell?

Cordelia was puzzled. But as if reading her thoughts, Belluce answered with deliberate kindness.

“That’s why he took you in as his disciple.”

“Me?”

“Baron said if he pours all his mana into you and squeezes out the power from the relics, the spell could just barely be done.”

“He’s going to pour mana… into me?”

Even after hearing the explanation, she couldn’t wrap her head around it. Cordelia just stared at Belluce with a blank expression. He clicked his tongue.

“You really are slow. He plans to use you as a medium for the soul transfer spell. A conduit for his mana.”

“…A medium?”

“Do you get it now? You’re nothing more than a vessel to help Master get his body back. So cut it out with the whole ‘I’m his only precious disciple’ act. Once a person’s been used as a conduit like that, they can never use magic again.”

“That’s a lie. You hate me, so you’re just making this up.”

“Hah. Why would I? If you hated ants, would you bother lying to them? No, you’d just crush them.”

“You’re just a pawn being used in this game of chess. For my brother’s gain.”

Another one of Maximilian’s remarks surfaced.

Pawn. Used. Gain.

Words she hadn’t thought much of before now pierced through her mind with startling clarity. They matched this moment far too well.

Cordelia clenched and unclenched her fists. Her head was in chaos. It was hard to tell whether Belluce was lying or not.

She wanted to believe it wasn’t true, but a part of her couldn’t shake the doubt: had Master taken her on for that reason?

“Enjoy this moment while you can. Your end isn’t far off now.”

With that final jeer, Belluce left Cordelia standing alone on the deck.

She stared blankly out at the sea before returning to her small cabin.

“I’ll just ask Master. Why am I worrying over this? I’ll ask, and if it’s true…”

But what if it is true? What if he really took her in for that reason?

Would she just laugh and say, I figured as much?

Cordelia sat on the bed and took a deep breath.

“Maybe this is for the best. If I lose my magic, I’ll just ask Master for a load of money and open a shop or something. I can live comfortably for the rest of my life. Yeah… I’ll finally buy all those books I always wanted…”

The wooden floor beneath her was damp. She looked up, thinking maybe the ceiling was leaking, but a droplet had fallen from her chin.

Only then did Cordelia realize she was crying.

Roti, who had been curled up in a corner, came over and rested her head on Cordelia’s lap.

“I was gonna buy a whole bunch of magic books…”

Still seated, she gently stroked Roti’s head and muttered.

The truth was—she didn’t want to leave. Learning magic from Leonard had been fun. Discovering things she never knew, staying up late doing homework, even getting scolded for not knowing something—it had all made her happy.

Unlike her lifeless past, she finally felt alive.

“I can do better. I really can… I’ll study even harder…”

Her simple dream of learning a few support spells and becoming a magic appraiser had quietly changed.

After meeting so many mages at the Tower, her ambitions grew. She wanted to learn more. Just a little more.

To avoid disappointment, one shouldn’t have expectations—but Leonard had filled her with too much hope.

Suddenly, the cabin door slammed open. Leonard stood leaning against the doorway, scowling.

“Didn’t I tell you to come to the dining room? Why are you dragging your feet?”

“Ah…”

Cordelia quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks and stood up. But the redness in her eyes couldn’t be hidden. Leonard strode inside.

“Why the hell are you crying by yourself like some tragic heroine?”

“It’s nothing. Just some dust got in my eyes.”

“Crying? Don’t tell me that bastard Belluce laid a hand on you again.”

He grabbed her chin and checked her face carefully.

“Raise your arms. No—spin around in front of me.”

“Master, it’s really not that. I just suddenly missed home, that’s all.”

“Home? The home you always said you hated?”

“Aw, come on, when did I say I always hated it? It was just mildly unbearable.”

She forced a smile and waved her hands.

Leonard still looked unconvinced, watching her with narrowed eyes.

“Seriously? You sure no one hit you?”

“Of course not. You act like I get beaten every day.”

“Well, considering your mother-in-law used wine on you… Never mind. Once we’re back from the Diloana estate, I’ll teach you some self-defense spells or something. At least enough to protect yourself.”

“…”

“Why are you crying again?”

Next time.

She knew that phrase didn’t promise anything.

Like someone had poked her in the eye, tears began pouring uncontrollably. She raised her uninjured arm to wipe them, but it wasn’t enough.

“M-Master.”

“What? Don’t cry—just say it. You’re making me anxious.”

“Master… Once we get through the barrier and go inside… how are you going to transfer your soul into your body?”

“Seriously? That’s what you’re crying about?”

Despite his incredulous tone, he answered her honestly.

“Normally, I’d use my own mana to perform the spell. But with this wreck of a body, that’s not possible. So I’ll need to use another method.”

“What method?”

“Using a conduit. Conveniently, we’ve got a suitable one nearby. Young and healthy.”

“…I see. Who’s the conduit?”

“You’re awfully curious today. But you’ll find out soon enough—once we arrive.”

He gave her a cryptic smile.

And in that moment, Cordelia’s tears stopped.

Just like when her father had sent her off in a carriage to Abrams and said, “Don’t even think about coming back. If you die, just die there.”

* * *

“About Miss Cordelia…”

“Yeah?”

“She’s acting… a little strange lately, isn’t she?”

Baron whispered quietly. Leonard glanced over at Cordelia, who sat by the fire staring blankly into the flames.

It had been five days since they’d left for the south after arriving in Ansen by ship. The southern continent’s heat was overwhelming—it was hard to believe it was still early spring.

As soon as they disembarked, the group had bought and changed into local clothing.

That’s when Leonard first sensed something odd about her.

“Good thing I didn’t throw out my winter coat. I’ll need it when I go back anyway.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

She muttered to herself more often now. And often stared off into the void.

It had even started affecting lessons—Leonard had scolded her several times for spacing out. In the past, she would grumble but still finish all her assignments. Now, her laziness was obvious.

“What is this? You didn’t even do half your homework.”

“Yeah.”

“That’s all you’ve got to say? This is like the third time you brought me a blank sheet!”

“I’m sorry.”

No excuses. She just bowed her head slightly and avoided him.

Even when he nagged her, she didn’t react with her usual grimace—just acted like she didn’t care.

“She’s always been like that, hasn’t she? Selfish. Doesn’t even respect you properly.”

“No. You wouldn’t know since you haven’t known her long, Belluce—but she used to be much brighter, polite, and hardworking.”

“Hmph. Polite, sure.”

“Master… Did something happen on the ship? She’s been different ever since we got off.”

“Something? Nah, just the usual—oh.”

Leonard suddenly remembered Cordelia crying alone in her cabin.