『Neizan: Damn, this pain is much worse than getting shot in the legs or being bitten. 』
Neizan placed a hand on his groin, frowning as he tried to find a comfortable position.
『Girl: What? 』
The confusion on her face was evident, her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at Neizan attentively.
Lina approached, concerned about his condition. She crouched next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down.
『Lina: Come on, Neizan, sit down. Don't strain yourself too much. 』
『Girl: So who are you two, and what am I doing here? 』
The girl crossed her arms, looking from side to side, feeling trapped between them.
『Lina: I didn't even know what you were doing here, so he'll have to explain that to you. 』
Lina shrugged, glancing at Neizan with a mix of concern and curiosity.
『Neizan: Let's clarify something. First, neither I nor anyone in this house has kidnapped you. 』
He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing.
『Neizan: Second, the next time you try to hit me, don't even think about it. And third, I was the one who got you out from where you were tied up and kidnapped. 』
『Girl: And how do you expect me to believe that? 』
Lina raised an eyebrow, skeptical, crossing her arms with distrust.
『Neizan: Yeah, alright, fine. You know what, the next time you're wandering around lost, I'll let those guys kidnap you and just look the other way. 』
Neizan shrugged, a gesture of evident frustration on his face.
『Lina: Neizan, don't say that; it doesn't help at all. 』
She gave him a light tap on the arm, trying to scold him.
『Girl: You were there; where did you see me? 』
The girl stared at him intently, searching for answers in his eyes.
『Neizan: Actually, i was watching you on the street because you were attracting people's attention. So I followed you and then I saw how they kidnapped you. 』
His tone was almost accusatory, but there was a hint of resignation.
『Girl: Right, and what was I supposed to do now, trust a stranger? 』
She threw her hands up in frustration, as if that was something impossible.
『Neizan: No, but at least listen and think about what people tell you, damn it. 』
『Girl: Mph! 』
She pursed her lips, clearly annoyed with the situation.
『Neizan: Now, tell us, who the hell are you...? 』
Neizan's expression turned serious, waiting for an answer that could clarify the confusion.
『Girl: I don't have to tell you anything. 』
『Neizan: You may have a noble title or appear to be a lady, but that means nothing to me. So, get out of my house. 』
『Girl: Wait! Alright, I'll talk. I was lost in that place because I ran away from home. 』
Neizan and Lina exchanged surprised glances, wondering what could have motivated such a decision.
『Girl: My name is Meilia. I'm a noble who lives in the city of Abedul. 』
『Neizan: It was obvious you were a noble from there. Why did you decide to leave? 』
『Meilia: Because my parents wanted to force me to marry some grotesque nobleman to establish economic ties that would benefit our family. 』
『Neizan: Marry? You can't even be 18 yet. 』
『Meilia: That's no excuse. In this region, young people can marry from the age of 14. Although I'm 15 now. 』
『Neizan: Just what I needed to hear. If you're a noble who has run away from home, they must be looking for you by now, and if they find out I was the one who gave you shelter, they'll at least have me executed if. 』
『Meilia: It seems you're starting to understand the situation you're in, so you'd better not try my patience. 』
『Neizan: Patience? Hahaha, listen, girl. The last thing I'm going to have with you is patience, so don't push my buttons again unless you want me to throw you back into the dump you came from. 』
『Lina: Stop arguing for a moment and agree on what we're going to do now. 』
『Neizan: Well, what do you want me to say, Lina? If I'd known this, I would have left her behind. 』
『Meilia: Such a gentleman... 』
『Neizan: Look who's talking, a spoiled girl who doesn't even know how to say thank you when someone helps her. 』
『Lina: Alright then. So, Meilia, what do you plan to do about this now? 』
『Meilia: I don't know. For now, I think I'll stay here until they forget about my wedding. 』
『Neizan: Ha. And who told you that you could stay here? 』
『Meilia: I'll offer you whatever you want. I have access to all kinds of privileges and luxuries. 』
『Lina: Fine, then we'll think of something you owe us in return. 』
『Meilia: Ask for whatever you want, but don't cause me any trouble. 』
『Neizan: Look, I know nobles have access to history books and private libraries. How much can you offer us in that regard?』
『Meilia: Books are what you want?』
『Neizan: That's what I said.』
『Meilia: Then it'll be easy. You just have to go with me to a place where they're kept, and you can take whatever you want.』
『Neizan: Whatever. But that'll be for another time. Right now, I want to know if you can do something useful to work in this house while you owe us the reward. Don't think you'll convince me with something you can't give us right now.』
『Meilia: Mph. How unpleasant.』
『Neizan: Do you know how to use magic? Nobles usually attend prestigious schools where they learn all kinds of things.』
『Meilia: That's right. I'm an apprentice mage.』
『Neizan: Then you'll teach me everything you know in detail about magic, for now.』
『Meilia: You seem like a greedy man. Fine, I'll teach you the principles I know about magic.』
『Lina: «Thank goodness they reached an agreement...» 』
Lina thought, as she sighed in relief. From that day, Neizan began to put into practice his knowledge of magic thanks to Meilia.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
The next day, the group began talking about magic.
『Meilia: Before we start, you need to know the types of magic and the consequences of using it. What do you already know? 』
Meilia spoke to Neizan from the comfort of a sofa in the living room, while he listened and responded. Near them, Lina watched silently, sitting in a chair while having lunch.
『Neizan: I've only heard that there are people who can use magic, but I've never met anyone who could teach it to me. 』
Arthur had once told Neizan about the existence of magic, though the knowledge he had shared was very limited.
『Meilia: Mph. So I'll have to explain everything... what a bother. 』