VDHHP 12

Chapter 12

“The Hidden Disciple Hides His Power”

According to Sierra’s memories, Eain always went to the training grounds early in the morning and devoted himself to sword practice alone.

Moreover, he was often said to be disappointed because he had no proper sparring partner capable of matching him.

‘Sierra once wondered why he wasn’t happy even though he had reached the highest level.’

But the truth was likely that Eain simply felt he was still lacking. As the youngest Sword Master, he had no one to properly exchange blows with, and that lack of challenge slowed his growth.

‘That’s why, since childhood, he always volunteered for subjugations and wars whenever possible…’

Thanks to that, if one were to name the strongest magic swordsman in the Patiell Empire, it would undoubtedly be Eain Haver.

His subordinates were said to become visibly shocked whenever nobles called their lord “an angel among ladies,” backing away in disbelief.

That alone was enough to describe Eain’s reputation.

“Hmm… before I go, should I drink that after all?”

A physical enhancement potion.

A magical medicine that temporarily grants the body of a trained elite knight for about one hour.

It was extremely expensive and distributed in very small quantities on the market, making it inaccessible to most people.

‘But I can make it myself, so it doesn’t matter.’

As a former Tower Master, she was essentially a walking encyclopedia when it came to magical tools and potions. If she had materials, she could craft them anywhere.

‘Thanks to Kanyak, my body condition is good, and my sword skills from when I was Lesha are still intact… I might actually be a decent sparring partner for Eain.’

As long as her stamina held up, it would be a perfect match.

After all, Lesha Anis didn’t become the final hidden boss for nothing.

‘But I’d need at least three bottles of enhancement potions… my body can’t handle Eain otherwise.’

However, there was one problem.

The potion had a rather fatal side effect: drowsiness.

‘Even one bottle knocks you out for at least three hours.’

Since she would be drinking three bottles, the risk was significant.

After some hesitation, she took out the crystal orb she had received from Kanyak.

“It was given as an emergency contact tool in case something went wrong in magic tool development…”

But if she suffered side effects tomorrow, she might not even be able to come to work.

And as head of the research lab, that was clearly an emergency situation.

Nodding to herself in justification, she immediately contacted Kanyak.

The crystal orb briefly shimmered brilliantly with mana—

And then suddenly went dark.

“Huh? What? Is it broken?”

It couldn’t be. It was her first time using it.

Just as she tilted her head in confusion—

Creeeeak.

Someone opened her bedroom window.

And casually sat on the windowsill.

The entire sequence was so natural that she couldn’t even scream.

“…Why?”

Startled, she froze.

Kanyak tilted his head slightly.

Under the pale moonlight, his red eyes gleamed sharply.

“What?”

“W-why are you here?!”

“You called me.”

“That’s true, but it hasn’t even been a minute!”

Kanyak smiled faintly, as if amused.

“Oh. I’m just fast.”

He looked oddly proud, as if he thought she was praising him.

That idiot.

“Anyway, this was supposed to be an emergency contact tool for research.”

His gaze dropped to the orb, then returned to her.

His eyes were sharp.

“This is your research lab, isn’t it?”

Ugh. That’s exactly why she used the orb instead of calling directly.

“Yeah, it is an emergency. I might not be able to come to work tomorrow.”

“Ah. So today you left early as you pleased, and tomorrow you’re taking the whole day off?”

Kanyak stepped down from the window and slowly approached her, who was sitting at the edge of the bed.

He smelled faintly of sweet magical herbs.

“Who allowed that?”

“I… I have a reason…”

She slowly backed away, but he followed, lowering himself to her eye level.

“It better be a reason I can accept, Your Highness.”

He reached out and grabbed her chin.

Though his smile looked gentle, it carried a completely different atmosphere from Eain’s.

“What reason would I not accept?”

“Same as today.”

In other words—if her absence was again because of Eain, he would not accept it.

…Of course.

And tomorrow’s reason was also Eain.

“W-what if it is the same reason?”

“Then I won’t let it slide. Be prepared.”

Kanyak smiled—politely.

But not at all politely.

‘If I tell the truth, he’ll definitely confiscate all my magic stones…!’

Imagining herself being robbed and dying of starvation, she quickly changed tactics.

She smiled brightly.

“I’m going for physical training tomorrow. I’ve been feeling a bit weak lately, so I can’t focus on research.”

Kanyak narrowed his eyes.

“What kind of training?”

“Sword training.”

At that, his expression turned suspicious.

“Didn’t you say you spent most of your life in bed?”

“Haha… I’m more versatile than I look.”

“That’s interesting. Prove it by finishing your backlog.”

Terrifyingly calm words.

Still, after a moment of silence, he seemed to accept it.

“Fine. But I’ll be watching you.”

After a chilling warning, he finally left.

The next morning.

She drank three bottles of enhancement potion she had prepared overnight in one go.

“Perfect!”

She added a black robe that concealed her body shape completely.

Now she was unidentifiable—gender, age, everything was hidden.

‘Eain… I still don’t know what he wants.’

She left a note saying she was going for a walk and teleported to the House of Haver.

Normally, noble residences had anti-teleportation barriers…

But—

“That barrier system… I was the one who designed and distributed it.”

That was why Lesha had remained Tower Master despite her infamous reputation.

Her achievements matched her chaos.

She quickly made her way toward the training grounds where Eain would be.

‘Safety first.’

She was technically an intruder, so if Eain took her seriously, it could be dangerous.

So she had prepared an emergency teleport stone for escape…

“Ah, here it is.”

She reached into her pocket.

“…Huh?”

The stone was—

A rock.

“…What is this?”

The teleport stone, which should have been glowing with mana, had turned completely black and lifeless.

Wait.

Without that, she couldn’t escape if something went wrong.

Just as she began to slowly back away—

From behind her, a cold blade silently pressed against her neck.

“…”

The blade had already pierced her robe.

Cold steel touched her skin.

A chill ran through her entire body.

“…Who are you?