Although he was currently acting in a friendly, human-like manner, Hiser’s true nature was that of a dragon. If he wanted to, he could take both our lives with a single snap of his fingers.
Especially right now—Izell had no abilities whatsoever. Maybe years later it would be different, but at this moment, there was no way he could stand against him.
I carefully reached my hand under the table and tugged at Izell’s sleeve.
Izell turned his gaze toward me. His cold eyes pierced through me like a chill crawling up my spine.
Meeting his eyes, I slowly shook my head. Though he couldn’t hear it, I desperately pleaded with him inwardly.
Izell, please! Just this once. Let it go. Please.
A clear chime rang out.
<<WARNING! Inconsistent behavior detected.>>
<<Cumulative warnings: 2>>
The warning appeared, but I wasn’t surprised. I had already expected it when I acted.
I swallowed dryly. While holding Izell’s gaze, his murderous look gradually softened and changed.
He looked at me with complicated eyes. I wondered what he was thinking.
Fortunately, Izell let out a faint breath. His expression was quickly composed as he turned to Hiser and replied.
“It’s nothing.”
His polite tone carried no trace of hostility. After a brief silence, Hiser spoke in a low voice.
“If you have questions, feel free to ask anytime.”
His gaze shifted between me and Izell as he added meaningfully,
“It’s important to understand exactly what is happening to oneself…”
The tense atmosphere slowly settled.
Relieved that we had gotten through the moment, I exhaled and finally let go of Izell’s sleeve.
Izell glanced down at the part of his clothing I had been holding, then looked away.
“Oh, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask.”
Hiser smiled faintly as he continued.
“You both seem to have talent for magic… would you consider learning it?”
I widened my eyes.
Magic? I looked at Izell.
Izell had inherited his father’s talent, the Lord of the Magic Tower. In the latter part of the novel, a sage once said of his magic:
“A magician who can surpass him will never appear.”
That alone showed how extraordinary Izell’s magical talent was. Even though in the original story, he used that power for evil…
But that wasn’t the issue.
Hiser had said both.
As far as I knew, Suen—just a noble lady—had absolutely no magical talent. The only thing she was good at was tormenting people.
Could it be that because I’m contracted with Akarteian, they think I have magic talent?
I thought of the baby dragon hiding in the wardrobe. Before leaving the bedroom, I had told him repeatedly to behave.
I had even promised him double bread if he stayed quiet.
I had no idea how I was supposed to bake bread if I had to stand guard at the door all night, but for now, I just had to avoid being discovered.
I even gave him toys. He should be fine playing with those.
Tap, tap.
At the small sound, I turned my head unconsciously.
And froze.
Outside the window, Akarteian was flapping his wings.
He was clinging beneath the window frame, peeking his face inside. His eyes were full of curiosity.
I swallowed my scream.
My eyes met the baby dragon’s pink ones.
I quickly lifted a book and covered my face, mouthing urgently:
Ak! Go away! Or hide!
The baby dragon tilted his head and blinked innocently. It seemed he couldn’t read my lips.
Then—
Ding.
<<The great dragon Akarteian ignores your words.>>
As I glared at him, a gentle voice came from beside me.
“What are you looking at so intently, Suen?”
I flinched.
Hiser turned toward the window.
Luckily, Akarteian had ducked down at the perfect moment.
But the danger wasn’t over.
“Something seems to be outside.”
Hiser stood up as if to check.
No!
I kicked my chair back and rushed to the window, pulling the curtain shut.
My sudden movement made Izell and Hiser look at me in surprise.
“Suen?”
I quickly improvised.
“The sunlight is too strong…”
I lifted my chin and frowned.
“If it damages my delicate skin, that would be a disaster.”
Not bad. I praised myself internally.
Hiser looked at me with amused eyes.
“I see. I’ll make sure to draw the curtains before class from now on.”
I couldn’t even thank him properly.
He then returned to his previous topic.
“So, what do you think? Would you both consider learning magic from me?”
“No.”
It was Izell who answered firmly.
“I want to learn swordsmanship instead.”
Swordsmanship? Not magic?
I was so shocked that a stupid sound escaped my mouth.
“…Huh?”
Ding!
<<WARNING! Inconsistent behavior detected.>>
<<Cumulative warnings: 3>>
<<Automatic mode will activate for 5 minutes.>>
I’m doomed…
I am truly the dumbest Suen… no, Suen. I should just rename myself Sueng Felicita.
“What do you mean ‘huh’!”
There was no time to regret it.
My body began moving on its own as automatic mode activated.
My posture, previously upright and composed, collapsed instantly. I leaned crookedly in my chair, one arm slung lazily over the armrest.
A bored expression spread across my face.
Ignoring my uncontrollable body, I focused on Izell.
Swordsmanship instead of magic.
I was still shocked.
Izell had always known his talent early. He pushed beyond his limits again and again to become the greatest magician.
In the original story, he had never shown even the slightest interest in swords. In fact, he looked down on swordsmen.
“Those who can do nothing without a sword are pathetic fools.”
One of his most famous lines was when he turned the hero’s sword into dust.
—As expected of Izell. Always right. Even if he gets beaten up.
—He’s not wrong though? The hero is weak without his sword.
—Stop fighting. You’re just readers who can’t do anything without This Life Usage Guide.
And yet that Izell now wanted to learn swordsmanship…
Does he not realize he has magical talent?
Hiser seemed to think the same.
“I think the path of a mage suits you better, Izell.”
I nodded internally in agreement.
But Izell shook his head firmly.
“I do not want to become a mage.”
I stared at him in shock.
Is this really Izell?
Hiser continued calmly.
“If you insist, I could teach you swordsmanship instead.”
My eyes drifted to the remaining time.
<<Remaining time: 2 minutes 14 seconds>>
Half was already gone, and nothing strange had happened yet.
This automatic mode is surprisingly peaceful.
The moment I thought that—
A small laugh slipped out of my lips.
As if I had heard something amusing, I—no, Suen—tilted my shoulders while laughing.
“You really are mischievous, teacher.”
Hiser asked,
“Mischievous?”
Resting my chin on my hand, I glanced at Izell and said,
“How could someone like this scrawny, bone-thin thing ever pick up a sword?”
