This felt more like a command than a prayer. Would something this simple really work? I cast a skeptical glance at the water bowl. Just then, following Asrein’s gesture, the clump of fur floated in the air as water formed a perfect circle around it. Then, multiple streams of water connected to the fur tips like nerve cells, creating one complete form.

What emerged was a strange magical creature with four legs. While boasting a round, large body similar to a bear’s, its thin, long tail dragged along the ground. Just as I was about to reach for the magical creature encyclopedia to look it up, Asrein spoke.

“It’s a Level 2 dangerous magical creature, ‘Sainur.'”

“Sainur?”

“It’s quite rare due to its extremely long gestation period and tendency to abandon reproduction at the slightest environmental change. They usually live in groups, so it’s very unusual to find one alone…”

Then perhaps the magical creature I encountered—the baby Sainur—might have lost its group for some special reason. Though the knights said they couldn’t find any magical creatures in the forest, we can’t rule out the possibility of creature hunting. While I anxiously chewed my lip, Asrein erased the water-formed creature from the air and dusted off his hands.

“Once you’ve calmed down, we’ll head straight to the forest.”

“I’m fine right now.”

“Your magical power says otherwise.”

“Then… let’s depart tomorrow!”

The frustration about my injured hand and the anger toward that bastard had all disappeared. My mind was filled only with thoughts of meeting that creature again. When I nodded eagerly, Asrein’s expression softened considerably.

“And about the hunter affected by the hallucinogen… I’ll report that myself.”

I nodded slightly, and in response, Asrein firmly pressed my forehead down onto the bed. After Jin and Sezan left and he cleaned up the water bowl, he spoke quietly.

“Come downstairs when you wake up from your nap. I’ll ask the innkeeper to prepare a meal.”

“Yes, Professor. For this incident, I’m truly… sorry and thankful.”

“I can’t take my eyes off you for even a moment.”

“Haha…ha…”

I pulled the blanket up to my nose with an awkward laugh. Seeing me with just my eyes peeking out, Asrein let out a small laugh before turning to leave. While staring at his somehow tired-looking back, the scene from my dream suddenly flashed through my mind.

“Um… Professor.”

“Do you have something else to say?”

The strange creature that overlapped with him when I inhaled the hallucinogen. And the golden creature I met in my dream. The two were oddly similar. Usually, hallucinations are limited to one’s imagination. But the creature cast over his face was unusually clear for something I’d never encountered before.

Could it be mere coincidence? Without any concrete evidence, I brushed it off with a laugh.

“Please get some rest too, Professor.”

I dismissed it as just a fantasy lingering in my subconscious.

***

This time, dreams didn’t interrupt my sleep. When I woke up from a deep slumber, it was already dark outside. How long had I slept? I got down from the creaking bed and moved my stiffened body around. Crack, crack. Strange sounds reminiscent of poorly oiled hinges echoed from every joint. Is this really the sound coming from a body in its mid-twenties? I suddenly felt bitter.

Following Asrein’s advice to come downstairs after waking up, I stumbled to open the door. The red paulownia wood interior walls and clumsily carved nameplates created a warm atmosphere. While holding onto the railing and descending the stairs, I gradually heard voices of conversation.

“One more here!”

Unlike the second floor used as an inn, the first floor seemed to be used as a tavern. The bustling atmosphere felt just like being in a college bar. Passing through groups of people chattering loudly at narrow tables lit by candles, I looked for a suitable seat. That’s when I spotted a man sitting quietly in a corner, staring out the window.

“Sir Sezan!”

“Ah, you’re awake.”

“Have you been here the whole time?”

“The professor had business to attend to with Jin, so I waited in their place.”

His expression brightened like an excited puppy greeting its owner after a long absence. He immediately ordered some dishes he thought I’d like and offered me the seat across from him. Screech. I pulled the chair across the old carpet and gave an awkward smile.

“I could have come down to eat by myself.”

“Not at all. More importantly, how are you feeling? Tae-oh… no, hyung.”

Wow. Though I’ve heard that form of address countless times in my life, why does it feel so awkward when Sezan says it, making my shoulders flinch? Of course, I was the one who suggested we use informal speech ‘only when we’re alone.’ Moreover, those navy blue eyes glancing at me seem to be waiting for a reaction.

Right. Sezan. Did you wait to eat with hyung? How admirable. Oh my, our Sezan has grown up so much… I can’t say that, can I? Not knowing how to respond, I just twitched my lips, and his rough hand reached out. Sezan carefully took my hand resting on the table and meticulously tightened the bandage that had come loose while I slept. Despite his calloused hands, his touch was infinitely gentle.

“So this bandaging was indeed Sir Sez… I mean, Sezan’s handiwork?”

I dropped the formal title. With just that small change, his gaze, which had been fixed on the flickering candlelight, suddenly turned to me. The flame’s reflection danced in his navy blue eyes that had been lifeless until then.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Where did you learn it?”

“When I was young, I often got hurt running around in the forest, and I treated myself to avoid getting scolded by my father.”

“Wow, so you were quite an active child?”

Sezan subtly averted his gaze.

“…I’d rather not answer that.”

“Haha! Sezan really can’t lie.”

While I laughed heartily, steaming mushroom soup arrived. Despite being ambidextrous, it was troublesome having injured my right hand that I usually use for eating. As I slowly ate the soup, Sezan, who was eating alongside me, let out a small sigh.

“I wish I could use healing magic for you, but all I can do is wrap bandages.”

“Come on, that’s plenty. It’ll heal soon.”

I waved my hand dismissively, saying it was no big deal. He’s too soft-hearted for his own good. While enjoying the rich flavor of the roughly chopped shiitake mushrooms filling my mouth, I asked about a curiosity that had suddenly occurred to me.

“By the way, is healing through magic possible?”

“Of course. However, there are very few people who can effectively use healing magic.”

“Ooh… Could a magic professor do it?”

“Yes. But someone like me would run out of magical power even after reciting prayer words that would fill an entire book.”

“Then I guess it would be the same for me…”

I tapped the bottom of the bowl with my spoon, lamenting my dismal magical power levels. Then what about Asrein? He created the form of the magical creature ‘Sainur’ with just a single word. He might be able to use healing magic. Leaning close to the table with anticipation, I asked.

“Then could Professor Asrein do it?”

“I can’t say for certain, but I think he could. Actually, this was the first time I’ve seen the professor use magic.”

“Really? How did it look to you?”

“I had expected the professor would exceed the standard magical power threshold, but to think it would be to that extent…”

Sezan trailed off, slowly shaking his head. If even I, a magic novice, was amazed, it must have been an even more impressive sight for him as a magic major. Acknowledging his genius magical ability naturally led to questions.

“Why did he become a magical creatures professor? His ancestor was a great mage too, right? Surely the magic department would have been clamoring for him.”

“Ah, about that…”

“Is there a specific reason?”

“From what I know, the Imperial family actively recommended him for the professor position at the Angelus Department of Magical Creatures.”

This was content I’d never seen in the novel.

Asrein’s ancestor had used magic to calm an enraged magical creature and earned the favor of Evgenia I. Thanks to that, he received a rank equivalent to that of a count, and the scholarly bloodline continued for generations.

That was all I knew. But this news about the current Asrein being recommended for the professor position by the Imperial family was completely new to me.

“By the Imperial family, you mean His Majesty the Emperor, right?”

“In one sense yes, but in another sense no.”

“Huh? What does that…”

When I slightly furrowed my brow, Sezan hesitated to explain. Knowing it was a serious matter, he put his fist to his mouth, indicating his intention to keep quiet. Then his tightly closed lips slowly opened.

“His Majesty has been unwell recently and hasn’t appeared in public for quite some time.”

“Really?”

“I heard this from my father.”

Hearing Sezan’s words suddenly reminded me of the last part I read before dying. The Karsa Empire would soon receive an ominous divine prophecy. The one who entered the temple then wasn’t the Emperor but the Crown Prince.

Now I understood the part I had found puzzling while reading the novel. If the Emperor was ill as Sezan said, this vast Karsa Empire would soon pass into the Crown Prince’s hands.

“The professor probably came to Angelus University on the Crown Prince’s recommendation.”

“…The Crown Prince?”

“I’ve heard that the professor is particularly close to the Crown Prince.”

Moreover, the fact that Asrein has close ties with the future emperor is quite interesting. However, there’s one question that remains unresolved. In front of the Count, Asrein had said he would ‘personally meet with His Majesty after the research is complete.’ Was the ‘His Majesty’ he mentioned referring to the ill Emperor? Or was it an allusion to the one who would soon become Emperor?

While stirring the crumpled soup with my spoon, my mind as jumbled as its surface, I carefully posed a question.

“Do you know anything else about the professor? I thought it might be useful while I’m assisting him.”

“Unfortunately, I only accompanied him on occasional field research, so I don’t know much about Professor Asrein.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“To begin with, there are very few people who know much about the ‘Asrein’ family. Their mansion is on an island, and except for the head of the family, no one ever appears at official events. It’s only thanks to the current head taking the position of ‘professor’ that we get to see him frequently.”

“That’s certainly true.”

350 years ago, even when their ancestor Asrein helped Duke Evgenia overthrow the Sio dynasty, no one knew his origins. Everyone just had to nod along because the powerful Duke Evgenia said they were ‘acquaintances.’ Even the current Asrein is particularly reticent about his own story, so the chances of learning anything were close to zero. Deeply agreeing, Sezan stroked his chin for a moment before speaking.

“One thing is certain… the Imperial family alone knows all these secrets.”