"I beg you, my Lady. Let's go home. This place is dangerous for you," pleaded a man dressed in knightly attire. A sword was strapped to his waist, and armored plates were strategically placed to protect the most vulnerable parts of his body. He had only been allowed entry with a few others because he was a high-ranking noble himself.
"No," the girl he was speaking with replied stubbornly. Her cheeks were puffed out, stuffed with food as she chewed with little concern. "I am going nowhere," she said dismissively, completely indifferent to their predicament.
The knight pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling in exasperation. This was turning into a major problem.
"My Lady, the young master will not be pleased if he finds out you came here," he said, trying another approach.
"My brother?" she muttered, pausing mid-bite. Then she scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. "Forget my big brother. I'll see him next semester, and I think he'll understand why I came here. I have to get stronger, after all. I'm tired of being cooped up in that damn house," she pouted and said, then flung her arm in the air. "He would be so proud if he found out I was actually part of a mystic world exploration. Maybe I can even get some good stuff for him in there," she laughed and continued eating.
The captain sighed in frustration. "I don't think he would, my Lady. He would be furious. Mystic worlds are highly unstable and extremely dangerous, especially for someone who has yet to experience live combat—"
"And that's why I have you to protect me!" she interrupted, her tone carefree, adding to the knight's growing headache.
Now that's the Nora I expect—carefree and free-spirited.
It took some time, but after a few more floors I actually found her.
This place was more populated for some reason, bigger even, with nobles laughing and discussing around me. I didn't even understand these fools—there was a freaking Mystic world right outside, on the verge of manifesting at any second. Yet here they were, acting like it was just any other day.
"I advise you to forget about her. The Herion family is very protective of her. Honestly, it's strange she came to a place like this with fewer than a battalion of A-rank Hunter-grade knights surrounding her," a voice said.
I turned sharply, startled to find a guy seated right beside me, smiling.
What the hell?
"Who are you?" I placed a finger on my ring, ready to manifest a sword if the situation called for it.
"Relax... I'm just a casual fellow." He grinned, taking a slow sip of his drink.
"Who. Are. You?" I asked again, my voice sharp. I could already feel my power returning as I began the process of reverting my mana veins back to their reversed flow.
Ahh!
What's happening?
"Hm. I advise you to stop whatever you're trying to do." His tone was calm but firm. "There's a seal placed on this castle that causes mana fluctuations and abnormalities. There's a strict limit on how much mana one can articulate in here."
I halted the flow immediately.
This is a problem.
How does he know what I'm doing?
I was incredibly precise with my mana control.
"An Estellia, right?" He smirked. "But... I'm well-versed in the Estellia family tree, and as far as I know, most of the main and branch family members at your age gap, are currently outside the kingdom—either for schooling or some other matters. The others are at the Royal Academy. So, just who are you?" He clasped his hands together, his gaze piercing.
Tsk.
I think I just figured it out.
"…Leon Zenova," I said boldly.
I knew this fool.
Good thing I realized who he was quickly.
Just like Angelica, this guy is a variable I can't afford to leave unchecked.
He's meant to be a villain—a dangerous one, the kind you wouldn't even wish upon your worst enemy. Not only is he frighteningly intelligent, but he's also absurdly powerful. So much so that he sometimes feels overpowered. That level of intellect combined with such strength...
"…You know me." His grin faded, amusement slipping from his face.
Yeah, how does it feel to be outplayed in your own game?
"What do you want?" I asked, stealing a glance at Nora. I needed to make sure she didn't stray too far from my line of sight.
"…Interesting," he murmured, smirking once again.
He's probably figured out I'm not really an Estellia.
But that doesn't matter. As long as I don't give him the satisfaction of confirming his suspicion, it will remain just that—a suspicion. Besides, once Anna finishes creating my new identity, it won't matter anymore.
"Nothing, really." He leaned back. "Just wanted to ask you a question."
Hmm.
Am I missing something?
I feel like another variable has slipped through my calculations.
Damn it.
Predicting the future—even with all my knowledge—is becoming exhausting.
What is he even doing here? He should be at the academy.
"That girl you slapped on the sixth floor," he said casually. "Do you even know who she is?"
I frowned.
Fuck.