Episode 21

“What…?”

Even Ian, who rarely got flustered, stumbled over his words. Beric whistled as he strode inside, his movements smooth and natural, as if he belonged there.

“I’m pretty sure I told you to wait, didn’t I?”

“I was waiting just fine. You called me, so I came.”

“Who called you?”

“The butler, apparently.”

“What?”

“He said I could come into the mansion anytime if I was at the tavern. The moment I heard that, I took off. Got a problem with that?”

Ian’s expression grew a bit complicated. It didn’t seem like Beric was lying. Knowing his temper, there was no way he snuck in. The fact that he passed through the front gate without trouble was proof enough.

Beric stood still, looking down at Ian.

“…”

His gaze shifted subtly to the left. Beric glanced at the fruit and bread on the table. Ian sighed and nodded.

“Help yourself.”

“Sweet. I won’t say no.”

Beric greedily shoved food into his mouth with both hands. Watching him like that, Ian finally pieced together what was going on.

“Why didn’t you just say that?”

“I was told to stay with you and report back.”

“You’re not planning to do that properly, are you?”

Crunch, crunch.

Beric chewed while staring intently at Ian. What did he think he was? A swordsman spoke with one mouthful and pointed his blade in only one direction.

“Enough. Just tell me. What was that thing that day?”

“Oh, right.”

Ian was dying to know if it was magic or something else. But what could he do? He’d been told to keep quiet, so he’d been living like a ghost. Of course, it helped that no one around knew anything.

“Alright. Listen carefully.”

Facing Beric, Ian explained the incredible power he possessed.

An unknown energy, the source of the world itself, hinting at the existence of gods. Beric’s red eyes sparkled brightly like sunlight.

“That’s impossible.”

“Since the magic was suppressing your body’s energy, it was inevitable you’d fall behind others. No matter how much you trained, you’d have stayed in the same place.”

“You’re saying you can break through that?”

“…Don’t you know how to show respect?”

“Wow, this is seriously amazing…”

Beric clenched and unclenched his fists, pacing back and forth. His face was a mix of joy and excitement. The strange power he’d felt at the training ground was truly his own. He laughed, banging his head against the wall.

“You don’t understand a word I’m saying.”

“Shall we start right away? Tell me what I need to do.”

Ian stared at him silently. He wanted to infuse the magic immediately, but if Beric caused a scene here, it would be a problem.

Whether he sensed Ian’s concern or not, Beric’s legs trembled uncontrollably, as if he couldn’t hold back.

“Hand.”

“Hand!”

Beric placed his hand in Ian’s palm. Ian gripped it firmly and warned him.

“Learn to control yourself. If you don’t, I’ll have you do nothing but grueling physical training for days.”

“Don’t worry, hurry up!”

Zzzzzing.

As soon as Beric responded, Ian activated his magic. His green eyes turned golden, and his hair fluttered softly. The magic flowed through the point where their hands touched.

A moment later—

Boom! Thud!

“Oh my.”

“What was that noise?”

The servants downstairs, busy with their chores, froze at the unfamiliar crash. It sounded like it came from Ian’s room…

Knock, knock.

“Ian? Is something wrong?”

There was a slight delay before Ian’s irritated voice came through.

“It’s fine. The table broke.”

“Pardon? How did that happen?”

How did a perfectly fine table get destroyed?

Bang!

The servant, startled, opened the door. What he saw was a spectacle: shattered furniture, an exasperated Ian, and a red-haired man lying face down in a push-up position. Though upside down, Beric was clearly smiling.

“Uh…”

“Enough. Clean it up later.”

Ian gestured for him to leave, and the servant backed away like a creaky machine.

---

“Ian.”

The next morning at breakfast.

Ian paused his cutting and looked at Derga. At the same time, the countess and Chel also watched the two of them.

“So, you’ve made a new friend, it seems.”

They all knew already, so what was the point of asking again? Ian smiled, setting the knife aside.

“Yes, Father. His name is Beric. I met him at the training ground, and we got along well. Chel will probably recognize him when he sees him.”

Derga raised his eyebrows, encouraging Ian to continue.

“I thought I wouldn’t see him again after he got kicked out of the training ground. Thanks to you, I had a good time.”

“Kicked out? Why?”

The countess Mary, who had been quietly listening, asked. Unlike Derga, she seemed unaware that Beric had even entered the mansion yesterday.

“He assaulted a fellow trainee.”

“My goodness. How dreadful. And you keep such a person close? You really are something. Do you get along well?”

Despite the sarcastic tone, Ian just smiled. After all, he’d succeeded in keeping Beric nearby. If trouble ever came, it would be that boy who’d cut down these two.

“If you can’t learn to read within a month, I’ll consider you playing with that guy and twist your neck.”

“…Yes, Father.”

Clearly, he planned to use this to his advantage. Not just a shackle, but a whip as well. Ian lowered his gaze in submission, seeing only Derga’s thick fingers.

‘Good thing they don’t know about the furniture I smashed.’

Apparently, the servants had kept it a secret. Sharing food and being close to Hana had earned Ian a decent standing among the lower ranks.

‘Hmm?’

Suddenly, his eyes caught the diamond ring shining on Derga’s finger. A thick band with an ornate gold design. Derga had never seemed interested in jewelry before, but he wore this ring every day.

‘Is that a wedding ring?’

Ian checked the countess’s hand. But she had no diamond rings—only opals, pearls, and rubies.

‘The cut looks too crude.’

Watching more closely, Ian noticed the diamond’s cut was unusual. Gems are usually cut to maximize light reflection and brilliance, but Derga’s was rounded, dull.

Almost as if it was designed not to show off, but to fit somewhere comfortably…

Clink.

“Tsk, tsk.”

“Still making that mistake?”

“Ah, sorry.”

Ian accidentally dropped his fork. He quickly apologized, then turned his head away under the sharp gaze of the count and countess.

The icy meal ended soon after, and everyone left the dining room, but Ian stayed put. The servants hesitated, then approached.

“Ian, was the meal not enough?”

“The tutor will be here soon. I want to have a good snack ready.”

They needed to clear the dishes, but Ian’s stubbornness kept them from moving. He stared out the window, muttering.

“Father’s ring… it’s not a wedding ring, is it?”

Suddenly, an odd question. The servants answered as best they could.

“As far as we know, no. The lady’s ruby is said to be the wedding ring.”

That explained the red magic brooch. Ian tapped the table with his chin resting on his hand. The more he thought, the more convinced he became.

‘The way he only reached under the desk, the mysterious key the butler carries, and that diamond ring that looks very similar to his head.’

It seemed less like a twist-and-turn mechanism and more like something you just press somewhere. Does the safe respond only to diamonds? No, then the butler’s key should also have a gem.

The difference between the two is…

‘Material.’

Derga would never entrust the master key to anyone else. The butler’s key was less a token of trust and more a test.

When thinking about security, only one possibility came to mind: electricity running inside.

“Sigh.”

What a nasty yet clever lock.

The servants exchanged glances, watching Ian, but he didn’t budge. After a while, the tutor arrived just on time.

Creak.

Ian opened the door and ordered Beric.

“Get out.”

“Huh? Why?”

Thud!

Beric, doing push-ups on his hands, collapsed forward. Ian ignored him and tidied the desk.

“The tutor’s coming.”

“So what? Can’t I stay a bit longer? The room’s huge.”

“I have something important to discuss. When the servant brings snacks, you take them and send them back.”

“Alright, that sounds better. Fine!”

Beric, who was hungry, grabbed his shirt and left.

Soon after, the tutor arrived on schedule. He glanced toward the door and asked Ian.

“Master Ian, who is that outside?”

“Please, have a seat. I have something urgent to discuss.”

Ian’s unusually serious tone felt strange. The tutor sat on the sofa without even taking off his coat.

‘Now that I’ve figured out the safe’s key, the only thing left is the plan.’

He needed someone to connect Hana and Beric, someone who could help him. Someone who could be close to Derga for a long time.

“What is it?”

“Tutor, do you know the person who’s been gathering around?”

The sudden question stiffened the tutor’s body.

“Ah, no? Not really?”

“You’d think just having graduated from Bariel University would be enough of a connection, but it turns out you’re from the same hometown.”

The usually indifferent man actually knew how to make that expression. Ian leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing inside his mind.

“Th-that can’t be! What a coincidence!”

“Then I suppose I can report this to my father?”

“W-wait! That’s not—!”

Strong denials often mean the opposite. The teacher bit his lip nervously, frowning. If Derga found out about this, it would be a real problem. He wouldn’t be executed, but he’d definitely lose his job—and soon enough, be driven out of the Bratz territory. It was the perfect place for his desert research, too.

“…I think you’re misunderstanding something, young master.”

“No, it’s almost certain my father is watching me through you, and that you’re in contact with Lord Morin behind my back.”

Was this really the same slow-moving, disinterested Ian? The teacher was so stunned he was at a loss for words.

“Besides, you tried to break into the steward’s room on Lord Morin’s orders.”

“Wait! That’s not true! I’ll explain everything, just please calm down.”

“Teacher, you’re the one who needs to calm down.”

Ian smiled faintly, holding up his tea. The teacher stammered, carefully choosing his words as he tried to defend himself, starting from the very beginning—when he first met Morin in Bratz.

“It’s true I spoke with Count Derga and you, young master. B-but that’s just standard procedure any parent would follow. When I was originally assigned to young master Chel, I only discussed matters concerning him.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

Better not mention the letters. No need to drag that into this.

“Then I was assigned to Ian as well, and I learned that an inspection from the capital was coming. I honestly didn’t expect Lord Morin to show up. He’s my great-uncle, but since I left the main family, it was the first time I’d seen him.”

“Must have been a long time.”

“Almost ten years.”

Ten years devoted to scholarship. The teacher ran his hands through his hair as if something was wrong.

“So we exchanged greetings, and well… it couldn’t be helped. Research costs more than you’d think. He said he’d help with living expenses if I just shared news from the estate. I had no way to refuse, and it wasn’t anything important.”

“If it’s not important, then it wouldn’t matter if your father knew.”

“Y-young master!”

His face went pale, eyes wild. He’d only been trying to gain the upper hand, but the reaction was more intense than expected. Must be because his life’s work was on the line.

Ian sighed, smiling wryly.

“If I say one more word, you might collapse.”

“Please, keep this secret from the count.”

“Teacher, do you know why I came to you instead of going straight to my father…?”

The teacher’s faded pupils flickered uncertainly. He wasn’t exactly quick on the uptake in matters like this.

“Don’t you get it yet?”