This is a problem, I thought, but I remained composed. Though it seemed like two individuals simply having a conversation, that was far from the truth. The young man in front of me was likely watching my every move.
So, I had to keep my composure—to avoid falling into his trap.
Yes, a trap.
I realized it the moment he fell silent and brought the drink to his lips, pretending his entire focus was on the cup.
But I wasn't a fool.
Since childhood, I'd always been able to sense when someone—or something—was watching me. Most people got that tingling sensation once in a while, but for me, it was different. Mine had always been heightened. I could tell when someone's gaze was on me without even needing to look back.
That was the very same feeling creeping up my spine as he kept his eyes on that cup.
He was watching me.
He must have realized I had tricked him into revealing who that girl was.
Wait.
Or… was he the one who played me into thinking I had played him—just to make me overconfident and slip up?
...That's a terrifying thought.
This is exactly why I despise manipulative people.
A simpleton who isn't constantly scheming, and twisting things to their advantage. That's the kind of person I need around me. If only the world were full of fools, my life would be so much easier.
I really am going to have to kill all these idiots if I want to accomplish anything at all.
Sigh.
So, what now?
There's a chance he's been playing me from the start…
But—
I still have leverage.
I know his damn future.
That aside… did I seriously punch a princess the moment I met her?
Damn it.
Of course, those lunatics just had to be important characters.
Let me guess—her smug lapdog was Andor's brother.
Tsk.
This disguise is useless. I should've gotten an enchanted mask that conceals presence. Someone like her would probably have guards lurking in every corner.
Nothing's happened to me yet, probably because I'm still inside this castle.
There's the mana restriction in place, along with noble ranking restrictions. Not all the guards would be high-ranking nobles, but that doesn't mean they couldn't be watching her every move from outside.
Hmm…
Could that be the stare I keep feeling?
I thought those were just nobles curious about my identity, but—what if it's actually the royal guards?
Those freaks.
Tsk.
Well, turns out this tower blowing up might actually work in my favor.
From those visions I saw, I do remember the protagonist being told that his sister was about to explore a mystic world—when everything was suddenly obliterated by the absurd level of mana expelled during its full emergence.
She didn't die, though. She ended up joining the academy a few months later.
Which means—this castle will blow up.
But we won't die.
There's a high chance we'll be pulled into the mystic world before that happens.
Of course, that's just my theory. I can't be certain what really went down.
Sigh.
At this point, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.
If the royal guards are watching, they're probably waiting for me just outside. Which means stepping out of here isn't even an option.
So, invariably, I can't run away—even knowing full well that this place could explode at any moment.
"You seem to be waiting for something," he said suddenly. "Are you perhaps expecting something to happen? Could it be related to the mystic world?"
"…"
How the hell did he piece that together?
Sigh.
I expected this, but to think he'd be able to read me so well even when I was trying my best to give nothing away…
Wait.
I'm going about this the wrong way.
"Heh. A smart one," I smirked. "Fine, I'll tell you."
His expression sharpened.
"I have a special bloodline ability," I said.
His eyes widened—but only for a second.
I left it at that.
Didn't add a single detail.
I wanted him to read into it. To come to his own conclusions.
This is the best way to handle him for now.
Gruuu!
Fuck.
It's happening.
I glanced to the side. The guards around Nora had already moved into formation to protect her.
Tsk.
You know what?
Fuck it.
BOOOOM!
It wasn't the castle.
It was me.
A mana distortion potion.
One of the many things I'd had Anna buy. It had the ability to not only disrupt mana detection—but also distort physical senses.
A thick smoke engulfed the entire space.
And the moment it did—I bolted toward the last place I'd seen Nora.
I have to grab her hand.
That's the only way to reach the Seed of Life.
But then—
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
This time—
It wasn't me.