"...ugh. Master, may I ask how long I have to keep doing this?"
"Shut up and focus. If the mana flow is disrupted, all the time spent so far will be wasted."
"...yes. ...ugh."
In the dark room, Emma, standing with difficulty, was surrounded by a purple magic circle.
She was channeling mana, forcibly awakening the dormant flow inside her and moving it for a long time, which was physically and mentally taxing.
On the other hand, I was doing the same thing but without any change, as I was always controlling the flow of mana inside, so I could handle this as effortlessly as breathing.
"Even if it hurts, endure it. You haven't forgotten the promise you made to me, right?"
"I...remember..."
An hour passed, and I told her that she could finally rest. As soon as she received permission, she stopped her mana flow and collapsed weakly.
Emma, drenched in sweat, panted heavily.
A woman in a robe approached her with a white towel.
"Miss Emma, you did well."
"Oh, thank you, Teacher."
"Hohoho, no need to thank me. I'm the one who's grateful. After teaching an unruly young master all the time, it's a pleasure to teach such a beautiful young lady like you."
"...if that
"Oh, Master Julian, of course not! I'm talking about another young master I teach. Hohoho."
"..."
This annoying laugh belonged to my tutor, who excelled in magic, particularly in techniques and elemental magic.
She was also known for being the only tutor who could endure the personality of the villain Julian.
"By the way, Miss Emma, you are so beautiful. It's like looking at myself in my prime."
"Oh, no. I'm nothing like that…."
Despite her annoying personality and laughs, she was an invaluable talent. Her knowledge and talent in magic were undeniable.
"Are you using some kind of medicine? Or perhaps doing some exercise that improves your figure? Ah, yes, or maybe…."
"Enough! Emma, go wash yourself immediately. Get out of here before my ears go deaf from this chatter."
"Yes, Master."
She took the towel and managed to leave the room, her legs trembling. Even in such a state, she didn't forget to bow to me politely.
"..."
After she disappeared, my slightly eccentric tutor, Lisa, who had been chattering moments before, now spoke sharply.
Her eyes matched her tone.
"You've brought a monster, Master."
A monster.
That word referred to Emma.
"Where did you find such talent? At the late age of 16, she learned to use mana today. When you first asked me to train her, I thought you had just found another toy."
"A toy. A toy, you say…."
"But I soon realized I was wrong. A whopping six hours… goodness, even saying it sounds ridiculous. Six hours. Though she had touched mana once before, today was her first time seriously handling it… this is, this is…."
"Unbelievable, you mean. I understand your feelings. But don't deny reality… what's important is that she achieved the impossible. Isn't that right?"
Though I spoke nonchalantly, I was also hiding my emotions.
Witnessing such incredible talent firsthand, I felt a chill run down my spine and an overwhelming sense of exhilaration.
The average genius awakened to mana at five years old and could use it for an hour.
As an elite from the ducal family, even with my renowned talent, I managed two hours. My two-hour record was so impressive that it sparked debates among other nobles.
But look at her. She entered the world of mana at a late age and set an unprecedented record of six hours.
Given that I inherited the memories and thoughts of Julian, the original owner of this body, I could personally understand how remarkable that record was.
I still hadn't gotten rid of the goosebumps. Even though I saw it with my own eyes, I couldn't believe it.
Was she really human, like me?
At the same time, I was certain that my decision to bring her to my side at the beginning of the story was correct.
The thought of such a prodigy opposing me was more daunting than facing the Demon King.
"Next year, she'll enroll in the Academia too. She's the same age as you, so she can start then, right?"
"I was already planning that."
There, she would become my loyal sword and shield, dedicating her talents to me.
"Goodness. The Academia is in for a big shakeup."
In the original story, Emma and the two protagonists successfully enrolled this year.
Among the two protagonists, a commoner girl, Emma became aware of the
As time passed, Emma joined the
Though the protagonist knew their feelings, he hesitated to accept anyone, leaving them hanging.
Foolish girl.
She should have made the most beneficial choice.
But this time would be different.
Emma would be associated with the prestigious Schugenharz family name.
Her status wouldn't change, but her position would be different.
Since she was bound to me, she would not be just an ordinary commoner but someone with a proper affiliation. She would no longer be a force for the two protagonists.
"I'll turn the tables."
The predetermined conclusion. The predetermined plot.
I would twist it all. When everyone was lost in the chaos, the one who laughed at their foolishness,
It must be
Lisa continued to observe me in silence, her shrewd eyes seeming to pry into my thoughts.
For a moment, I considered that she might even see through my intentions with Emma.
This was, after all, the woman who had trained me in magic and strategy for years, who knew the depths of my ambition and the sharpness of my mind.
"Master Julian," she said, a hint of her usual mischief creeping back into her voice. "It's not often I see you take such interest in another's progress. You've always been… a solitary creature."
I merely smiled at her, knowing she would try to tease out the truth if I gave her even an inch. "Emma is useful. That is all. Talent, as you know, is a rare commodity. And with the right guidance… it can be turned into something quite formidable."
Lisa chuckled, her laughter a mix of amusement and intrigue. "Guidance, yes. But be careful, Master. Talent like hers burns brightly. Sometimes, it has a mind of its own."
Her warning hung in the air, as subtle as smoke, and I chose not to answer it. Lisa had always been one to speak in riddles when it came to matters like these.
In truth, she was one of the few people whose insight I valued, yet I would not let her insinuate that Emma's will could interfere with my plans.
"I'm aware," I finally said. "It's precisely why I've brought her under my wing. When guided with a firm hand, she'll have no choice but to follow."
Lisa sighed, bowing her head in a manner that almost seemed… disappointed.
It was uncharacteristic of her, but I brushed it aside. Her sympathy for Emma was irrelevant.
Lisa straightened, her gaze sharpening once more. "The path you've chosen, Julian, it's as treacherous as it is ambitious. Bringing Emma to your side, teaching her the ways of mana… all of it is a powerful gamble. If she were ever to suspect—"
"Suspect?" I interjected, my voice low but firm. "Lisa, she is bound by a promise. Her loyalty is ensured. Or have you forgotten?"
A flicker of doubt passed over Lisa's face, but she masked it quickly. "Perhaps I have, Master Julian. After all, I am merely your tutor, am I not?"
She was baiting me, but I didn't rise to it. I dismissed her with a wave of my hand. "That will be all, Lisa. See to it that Emma's next training regimen is prepared by tomorrow."
"Of course, Master," she replied, bowing deeply. "Though I must say, it's nice to see you so… invested in someone."
She left the room with her usual quiet grace, her last words lingering with an odd resonance.
Once the door closed, silence blanketed the room, save for the faint hum of the lingering mana circles. I turned my attention to them, dispersing the energy with a slight gesture.
Despite Lisa's words, the truth was clear. Emma would be the perfect weapon, a tool that I would forge to perfection. The idea that she might stray, or resist, was simply out of the question.
In the grand scheme of things, loyalty was as easily forged as her talent.
Still, as I prepared for the next stage, I couldn't ignore the slight thrill at the thought of what lay ahead.
Emma, with her boundless potential, was already beginning to shape the future I envisioned. The order of this world, the rules and alliances—these were things I intended to reshape, and Emma would play her part.
In this carefully orchestrated story, everyone had their role.
But the protagonist?
That would be