Chapter 42
Noah clutched his trembling chest, gasping for breath. Raoul, being more perceptive than a human, noticed the child’s state of extreme excitement.
“Y-Young master! Those fools don’t know anything and are just—”
Raoul tried to step forward, but Noah slowly gestured for him to stay back and took a step ahead himself. The silent motion urged them to keep talking.
An overexcited special unit member blurted out, “If they were going to leave you as a sponsored child, our lord would’ve mentioned it first! That’s just how he is. But he’s stayed quiet? That’s a hundred percent confirmation!”
“…R-really?” Noah’s voice trembled.
“Of course!”
“But… it might not be true.”
“It is! I actually asked our lord about it—what’ll happen to the kid Lady Ophensa’s sponsoring.”
The special unit didn’t know the engagement was fake, so they missed the subtle distance in Rynen’s reply.
“Lady Ophensa said adopting the sponsored child after marriage would be better. That it’s the proper way to take responsibility for a young one.”
“What’s that mean? It means they’ll adopt you right after marrying!”
Adoption!
The word crashed into Noah’s mind like the discovery of a new continent.
“S-so adoption makes us family? What if they cancel it?”
“Pfft, once you’re adopted, you can’t just cancel it!”
“……!!”
Thud!
Noah’s legs gave out, and he collapsed under the weight of the shocking news.
“Such a method…”
The special unit members grinned at the sight of the moved child, but Raoul rubbed his temples in frustration.
“All of you—twenty laps around the training grounds!”
“Huh? The grounds aren’t even finished! The boundaries are unclear!”
“Then twenty laps around the annex construction site!”
Raoul chased off the groaning unit members and turned to Noah. The boy’s eyes already glazed over dreamily.
Clicking his tongue, Raoul steeled himself. Knowing the relationship was fake, he wanted to spare the child future hurt.
“Young master, don’t take their words to heart. Noble marriages… er, relationships can collapse anytime.”
“Collapse…?”
Noah snapped out of his daze, suddenly anxious. Though it pained him, Raoul pressed on.
“You know our lord and Lady Ophensa didn’t get along before, right?”
“…Yeah.”
“Couples who start suddenly can end suddenly too. It’s likely for them.”
“…….”
“Others think they’ve been dating awhile, but you know it’s just a act for the council.”
Raoul whispered gently and patted Noah’s shoulder.
“You’ll stay a sponsored child. If Lady Ophensa causes trouble, our lord will help.”
“…….”
It was strange. Moments ago, he’d wanted to remain sponsored forever. Now…
‘…I don’t want to.’
Knowing a surer path, he no longer wished to stay just a sponsored child.
Noah bit his lip and slowly stood.
“…Then they shouldn’t break up.”
“Huh?”
“They could stay together and marry.”
“W-well… they could, but would they?”
Raoul laughed awkwardly, masking discomfort.
“They got swept up in the monster incident—they don’t actually suit each other. Right? Hahaha.”
“…You’re mean!”
“Huh?!”
Noah pointed accusingly.
“You bad dog! I hate you!”
“…! Young master!”
Noah fled without a backward glance at Raoul’s stunned face.
‘I can’t let Lady Calyphe and the Duke break up. But how?’
He had no clue.
‘Adults might know.’
For the first time, Noah genuinely wanted an adult’s help.
Just then, Head Maid Lina arrived.
“Young master, there you are! Lady Calyphe is looking for you. A guest has arrived.”
“Who?”
“Well… officially, your new Imperial language tutor.”
A tutor?
Noah tilted his head at Lina’s unenthusiastic expression.
“Benefactor—!”
Dobien wept dramatic tears before me. I’d summoned him to hand over the funds extorted during Dietrich’s contract as sponsorship.
This arrangement would hold—Dietrich’s poverty didn’t ruin his business or estate.
“I never thought you’d dismantle that illegal group! Thanks to you, I’m free!”
“Stop sniffling. It’s gross.”
“Now I can research in peace! When I create a masterpiece, you’ll see it first! Oh, can I visit often?”
I shoved away Dobien, who’d grown clingy after the organization’s purge.
“More importantly, I have a question.”
“Yes?”
“…Can original magic mix with another type? Like… black magic?”
I recalled the magic verification at the council.
“Ah, dark magic?”
“No! Not necessarily that!”
Dobien crossed his arms, puzzled.
“Black magic usually means corrupted energy—either using dark magic or being afflicted by it. Why?”
Damn.
If caught, I’d be branded a dark mage. The silence suggested neither subordinates nor Deputy Tower Lord Marcel had witnessed it.
Marcel, excited by my golden magic, had returned to the Magic Tower to research fixes for my “magic incompatibility”—but not before sharing his observations.
‘Based on the potion reaction and activating the verification tool by hitting it… Your magic might flow out when physically shocked. Like water spilling when a cup is tapped.’
That explained why punching triggered my abilities.
‘But why didn’t the original Calyphe show this? Same body…’
The mystery lingered, but Marcel wouldn’t solve it. Even if he favored me, he’d choose the Tower over me if suspicions arose.
“Leave now, Dobien. I have a guest.”
“A guest?”
“Noah’s new Imperial tutor.”
Yesterday, Marquis Kaiman had presumptuously arranged a tutor. Though clearly ill-intentioned, I’d meet them—then find an excuse to dismiss them.
“Also, investigate corrupted magic. Dig deeper than common knowledge.”
“Of course, Benefactor! But here—”
Dobien handed me a black stone before leaving.
“Is this yours? It was under your foot.”
The stone Noah had given me—Marquis Kaiman’s item.
‘I locked it deep in my bedroom drawer. How…?’
A chill crept down my spine.
