Chapter 71
Iris.
Over the past month, her attitude toward those around her had changed drastically.
The magic contract.
That contract strongly suppressed her traits of arrogance, contempt for the weak, and indulgence in luxury.
After signing the contract—
For about a week, she suffered from stomach pain almost all day long.
But as they say, humans are creatures of adaptation.
Gradually, the frequency of her stomach pains began to decrease, and lately, she found herself naturally displaying a gentle demeanor without even being conscious of it.
A significant change had begun to appear in her.
And it wasn’t just the attendants below her who started feeling satisfied with this change.
The Count and Countess.
Even her two brothers, Myers and Lieman, occasionally showed expressions of surprise.
Iris.
She, too, noticed the change in those around her.
Starting from the attendants, who now greeted her with a little more ease, to the relationships that gradually improved as they naturally conversed.
‘This isn’t so bad.’
At first, she had absolutely hated it, but as time passed, she began to enjoy this change more and more.
Kyle Seltarion.
Did he say he wrote the magic contract for her?
He was completely different from the other noble heirs she had met before—so much so that it was fair to say he was an entirely different breed of human.
When they first met—
Though she had shown an ever so slightly difficult attitude first.
For just that, he had insulted a young girl like her, then immediately tattled to the Count the moment he arrived, all while smirking slyly.
That day, she learned for the first time that when anger reached its peak, rational thinking ceased to function properly.
‘He was utterly unbearable.’
How dare he.
A mere 1st-circle magician.
Arrogant.
Sly and despicable.
Could someone like that even be considered a man?
Right before their duel, all she could picture was the infuriating noble brat Kyle collapsing disgracefully with his face buried in the dirt.
But that perception was shattered entirely during their magic duel.
She had thought he was all talk.
But after their duel, that belief was utterly crushed.
His magic power, casting speed, and control—everything.
She wasn’t even his match.
The result was indisputably clear.
On the outside, she had said she could win if they dueled again.
But deep down, she knew—he was a monster she could never defeat.
And that made her furious.
She had thought she would never cry in her life, but that day was different. The frustration, unfairness, and resentment overwhelmed her, and tears streamed down her face.
So many negative emotions.
They were all washed away in an instant because—
‘…He’s just too good-looking.’
It was because of his appearance.
The sight of him at the dinner banquet.
What she had felt the first time she saw him was nothing compared to this. Dressed to the nines, Kyle’s refined appearance was completely different.
Too handsome.
Far too handsome.
At that moment, all of her negative emotions completely flipped.
“You resemble my younger self quite a lot, young lady.”
“I couldn’t help but relate.”
“If you put in the effort, your nature will change.”
‘Did I say… I wanted to change?’
Surely, he wouldn’t have passed down such an incredible magic formula to her just because of that.
As Iris pictured Kyle’s face, she blushed and smiled.
‘There’s no doubt he likes me.’
No matter how she looked at it, the real reason he taught her magic had to be that. Her clever mind was running wild with imagination.
‘Well, if it’s him, I suppose he’s a decent enough man.’
At least, she could now accept her father’s proposal with a pleasant feeling.
That happiness lasted only until this morning.
Because this morning, when her father, Count Neiron, called her, his expression was unusually grim.
“Helena. I heard Kyle Seltarion won the official magic tournament held there.”
“The… official magic tournament?”
“…Yes. He unveiled five different spells. Revolutionary magic formulas that had never been seen before. Those wouldn’t happen to be the same magic formulas he’s been teaching you, would they?”
At those words, Iris clenched her fists tightly.
On the surface, it was because she had thought those magic formulas were exclusively for her.
But deep down, it was something else.
The one and only connection that had tied them together—
Felt like it had been broken.
Biting her lip, she looked at Count Neiron.
“…I’m going.”
“Going where?”
“To the Marquess’ estate.”
“Right now…? But there’s still time before—”
“I have to go immediately. Can I use the Gate?”
“…The Gate?”
“I need to ask about the magic formulas right away. That was the reason I signed the contract, wasn’t it?”
At her words, Count Neiron’s expression darkened.
Kyle Seltarion.
To think that brat would publicly reveal his magic formulas.
He had assumed that such exceptional formulas would be kept secret, so he hadn’t included any clauses against it in the contract.
That was a mistake.
Looking at Iris, whose expression was firm, Count Neiron let out a heavy sigh and nodded.
“…Fine.”
Since the contract had already bound his daughter and Kyle hadn’t violated any of its clauses, there wasn’t much he could argue about.
Even so.
He couldn’t just stay still.
“I will contact the Marquess. Also, I will assign Cullin as your escort knight. He will be able to protect you.”
Cullin.
He was one of the top-tier Expert-ranked knights in the Count’s household.
Thus, her departure for Trastan was decided a little earlier than expected.
***
Iris.
The little girl stormed into my room with a rather angry expression and started glaring at me.
“…The hybrid activation method. You revealed it, didn’t you?”
So it was about that.
I immediately understood why she was upset.
Exclusivity.
That was the problem.
But that was unavoidable.
The mages of the continent.
I needed to strengthen their power as well.
“Yes. I revealed it.”
“You say that so confidently…! Ugh!”
She clenched her lips tightly at my calm response, then soon after, clutched her stomach.
“Calm down first. Before you get angry, think three times. I’ll explain everything.”
After a while.
Her furrowed brows eased as the pain subsided, and she looked at me.
“…What are you thinking?”
“It’s simple. I intend to release this hybrid activation method to the world… ‘slowly.’ “
“…Haa. But you made a contract with me.”
“Just hear me out first. I also made a contract with the ducal family.”
At my words, Iris’ eyes widened.
“Are you talking about the Hamilton Ducal Estate?”
“That’s correct. I’m planning to leave the Marquess’ household and establish a Magic Tower.”
“…A Magic Tower…?”
“Yes. The heir to the Marquess is already practically decided, and my dreams are far too grand. Simply living as a vassal of the Marquess’ household doesn’t suit me.”
“…Independence?”
She stared at me blankly as I continued speaking.
“Of course, I intend to maintain close contact with my family, but my fundamental goal is just that. The contract is also a part of that plan.”
“I assume that contract involves the activation method?”
“You’re quick to catch on. In exchange for their support, I agreed to provide the Duke’s household with one spell each month. Those spells will then be made public to all mages within six months.”
“…Isn’t that too much? If you’re giving out one spell per month, then that means you’re supplying magic to others besides just me—”
Since this conversation was dragging on, it seemed like a good time to cut in.
I looked straight into Iris’ eyes.
“Lady Iris.”
“…What? Why did you suddenly cut me off?”
Her face was turning quite red.
It seemed like my serious expression was having quite the effect on her.
Which was good for me.
Thanks to that, I could continue speaking more comfortably.
“I did not make this contract with the intention of deceiving you. The reason you’re angry right now is because you thought you would have an exclusive hold over my magic, isn’t it?”
“….”
Her face puffed up in a pout, which meant I was right.
“Let me get straight to the point. The exclusivity remains.”
“How is that possible? If you’re creating one spell per month, that means—”
“Why would that be everything?”
At those words, Iris’ eyes filled with confusion.
“…What?”
“Did I ever tell you that I only create one spell per month?”
“No… but no matter how fast you are… developing a new activation method takes time…”
“Of course it does. But doesn’t the speed vary depending on the person?”
As if something had clicked, her eyes slowly began to widen in shock.
“No way…”
“That ‘no way’ is exactly right. And the spells I provide to the Ducal Estate and the ones I teach you will be completely different. For example, if I give the Ducal Estate a 1st-circle spell—”
Fwoosh!
The moment a massive fire arrow materialized above my hand, her eyes went blank.
“…Fire… Arrow?”
“The spell I teach you could be a 2nd-circle spell instead. Or, even if it’s the same circle, the type of magic will be different.”
The contract I made with her.
There was no specific clause about exclusivity in it.
So technically, I hadn’t violated the contract, nor had I done anything wrong to Count Neiron’s household.
But human emotions don’t work so simply.
If I didn’t clarify things properly now, there would surely be a rift between me and Count Neiron’s household.
After all, I had bound their daughter to a contract, and if they started believing that I wasn’t upholding my part properly—
‘I’ll be making enemies before I even establish my Magic Tower.’
And not just any enemy, but Count Neiron’s household, which was considered a prestigious noble family in the Eastern Region.
That would be a disaster.
It would be like planting landmines on the road to my destination before I even started running.
That’s why I had to make her fully understand right now.
She needed to realize just how much she was gaining from this contract.
That was precisely why I revealed the 2nd-circle magic.
If I had just said that the spells were different but remained at the same level, she might have resisted.
Since broken relationships always start with small cracks.
‘I need to make sure she understands from the very beginning.’
Just how great of a benefit she was getting from this contract.
“…It really became a 2nd-circle spell?”
Her eyes were wide open.
She was very shocked.
“Yes.”
“…When did you even…?”
“Not long ago.”
“This Fire Arrow… it’s completely different from a regular spell… Don’t tell me… this is also a hybrid—”
“That’s right. And this is the magic I will be teaching you today. Isn’t this a great contract for you?”
“…So, you’re only revealing 1st-circle spells to the Ducal Estate?”
“For now, yes. And from now on, for you—”
I looked straight at Iris and spoke with certainty.
“I will teach you far more spells, ones completely different from those revealed to the Ducal Estate.”
“So? Do you still have complaints?”
The moment I flashed a grin at the violet-haired ponytailed little girl—
Her face turned bright red.
Looks like—
I had successfully passed this test.
—
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