“Then I suppose I may dare to report this during my audience with His Majesty.”

“Y-Your Majesty? What could you possibly…”

“That Countess Ameli introduced someone who will become my apprentice.”

I thought his stubborn pride would never yield to anyone. Watching the Count being methodically cornered by the contradictions in his own words was… spectacular. Honestly, I wanted to throw open the windows and shout for everyone in the neighborhood to come watch.

With his pride not just trampled but shattered to pieces, the Count managed a smile with his face as red as well-cooked meat.

“Ha, haha… Since you’ve thought so highly of this lowly servant, Professor, use him as you wish.”

“I knew a generous Count like yourself would understand.”

Asrein smiled and offered his hand to the Count first. The composure of someone who had won the argument was palpable.

“To show my gratitude, I’ll send you some books you’re so fond of as soon as I return to my laboratory.”

But even during the handshake, the Count couldn’t control his trembling brow.

“So this time, I hope they won’t end up as mere decorations.”

Maintaining a smiling face until the end must be his last shred of pride. Between his curved eyelids, his wounded pride burned hot in his eyes.

What good would come from staying longer in a burning house? It would only catch sparks.

“Though you’ve prepared lunch with great effort, I’m afraid I won’t be able to join you due to another appointment.”

“That is quite unfortunate.”

“Thank you again for your willing cooperation with the magical creature research.”

“Haha… yes…”

Asrein picked up his cane that had been leaning against the sofa and cast a subtle glance at me before moving. Catching his intention, I followed him out of the reception room without looking back.

There was no one to block our way, nor anyone to stop us. That was the end of it.

Is this really all it takes to leave the Count’s mansion? Was it always this easy? When I was racking my brains alone, my first thought was how to evade Captain Shupen empty-handed, but Asrein had broken the Count with just a few words. He found the contradiction and immediately exploited the gap. It was truly a scholar’s method. And that made me even more curious.

What kind of person was he? Did he save me just because of our chance meeting at the bookstore? Or was it sympathy for a servant who couldn’t speak up under the Count?

Just as I was about to sink deep into thought, something white flashed before my eyes. Startled, I made a strange “Heek!” sound and pressed myself flat against the wall like a thin frame. When I belatedly turned to look with wide eyes, Asrein was standing there with one hand raised, his lips twitching.

“What were you thinking about so intently?”

“…Pardon?”

“So when will I get an answer about how you’ve been?”

His neat eyebrows rose slightly. Feeling like I had frustrated him, I answered briskly like a disciplined knight.

“O-Of course, I’ve been well!”

“Hmm.”

“And I’m truly sorry about what happened before. I failed to recognize you right in front of me, Professor…”

I bowed my head as I apologized belatedly, unable to meet his gaze. Then came the sound of his hard cane striking the marble floor. Tap. At the dull noise, I raised my head to find his curved eyes looking down at me with dignity.

“If I had wanted to be recognized, I would have removed my robe. What an odd thing to apologize for.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Again.”

“Ah, sor… I mean, no.”

With nothing to say even if I had ten mouths, I quietly followed him as he walked ahead. After a while, Asrein, who had been strolling slowly through the corridor, asked.

“Family?”

“Pardon?”

“Shouldn’t you at least inform your family about changing your workplace?”

Family, huh. I had almost forgotten about it since no one had ever asked me about family until now. I was without ties in this world to begin with. Afraid my bitter feelings might show through, I not only smiled but deliberately spoke in a cheerful tone.

“I don’t have any family.”

“I see.”

His golden eyes, their thoughts unreadable, shone transparently as they caught the sunlight. After remaining silent for a while, he lowered his gaze slowly and muttered.

“Similar to me, then.”

His calm voice carried no trace of emotion. That’s what made it stranger. Didn’t Asrein have a father who was a renowned scholar? Tilting my head in confusion, I asked.

“But Professor, don’t you have a respectable father?”

“I did.”

“…How is he?”

Though he hadn’t shown himself at the academy since passing on his house, I hadn’t heard any news of his passing. Yet his response to this casual inquiry about his well-being was oddly vague.

“Who knows.”

It was quite a strange answer. Perhaps he wasn’t on good terms with his father. Then what about his mother…

Come to think of it, there was nothing about his mother in the novel either. Curiosity suddenly struck me, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask. A clear line had been drawn between us, just one step away from where I stood. Trying to quickly change the awkwardly heavy atmosphere, I switched topics.

“Professor Asrein.”

“Hmm?”

“May I dare ask… why you helped me?”

Did I say something wrong? His eyebrows, which had maintained a straight line until now, rose slightly.

“Help you…? It’s dangerous to interpret things as you please, not just in research but always.”

“Then for what reason are you taking me with you?”

“I told you earlier, didn’t I? That I was looking for a research student.”

That reason alone was hard to accept. Was it because of what I said at the bookstore? Even so, the thought of taking someone else’s servant without hesitation isn’t normal. He must have noticed the doubt evident in my wandering gaze. Asrein spoke up again.

“I’ve had fourteen research students under me until now. Eight gave up on their own, and I dismissed six. While there were reasons like stupidity and laziness, there was one main reason.”

His eyes, lost in reminiscence, absently gazed out the window.

“They weren’t desperate. They avoided going to dangerous remote areas to observe magical creatures, and they stubbornly clung to their high status for no good reason. I dismissed them for interfering with research, but they weren’t the least bit afraid of losing their positions.”

That’s only natural. If I had been from a noble family, being expelled from the research lab wouldn’t have bothered me at all. In contrast, my life was one of mere exploitation. Without grand wealth or a guaranteed future, I drifted aimlessly like a lost sailor on vast seas.

It was the same here too. A servant in mortal danger, a fate that forced me to kneel despite feeling wronged.

“It was a terrible crop. Whether we started with rotten seeds or lacked proper fertilizer, I’m not sure… But anyway, with time running short, I can’t just sit idle.”

He smiled while shrugging his shoulders, somehow looking bitter. Just then, the sun outside was covered by clouds, casting dark shadows across his clean-cut face. Unable to dare add any words, I quietly nodded. Asrein remained silent for a moment, lost in thought, before finally speaking.

“So I want to conduct one experiment.”

His gaze, which had been fixed on the window, drifted over to me on the gentle breeze.

“As Count Ameli said, you currently lack not only land and seeds, but even the basic conditions needed to make flowers bloom.”

“But Professor, I…!”

“Yes. Even with poor conditions, there’s no law saying we must give up on seeing fruit.”

Cutting off my words, he spoke exactly what I had been thinking, as if he had read my mind. His dignified downcast eyes examined me slowly from toe to head. The bitter look from earlier had completely vanished, replaced only by an interested smile coloring his face.

“You asked then, didn’t you? Whether someone like you could become my apprentice.”

Just like when we first met, his serene golden eyes shone purely.

“I will give you sufficient land and seeds of possibility.”

The sun outside was still hidden behind clouds, and the corridor was dark with shadows. Yet I could feel warm light gently embracing my whole body.

“Let’s see what flower you can bloom with your abilities. I’m quite curious.”

It was like the moon illuminating a dark sea at night. The lost sailor, who had been drifting aimlessly, quickly grabbed the oars.

“Yes, Professor!”

Because I was certain that light would guide me in the right direction.

***

“Tio. Are you really leaving?”

“Thank you for everything, Retvan.”

“Thank you too. I hope you learn much by Professor Asrein’s side.”

Though it’s regrettable to leave such good people behind at the Count’s… what can I do? It’s hard enough to take care of myself. After sharing a light hug with Retvan, whom I had grown quite fond of, I descended the mansion steps.

The Count never came out to see me off. He made an excuse about suddenly feeling unwell, but the reason was obvious. However, the Count was no longer a superior I had to crawl and grovel before while reading his moods. From now on, the person I’ll serve is Professor Asrein, who stands in front of the carriage.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Professor.”

It was quite hot even in a thin shirt with not a breath of wind in the midday sun beating down. But Asrein showed no sign of dishevelment in his long coat reaching his calves, with a vest and shirt underneath. Under his neat fingers, his cane carved in the shape of a claw gleamed an even more luxurious color in the sunlight. Indeed, his elegance was different from that of certain nobles who reeked of sweat. Hurriedly approaching Asrein’s side with my belongings stuffed into a shabby cloth bag, I spoke.

“Have you packed everything?”

“Yes. This is enough.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll provide everything you need.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“Yes. What would I have to spare if it means you can focus on research?”

Ah, this must be heaven. Soon after, Asrein boarded the black carriage, escorted by an impeccably dressed coachman. Following him into the carriage, I immediately pressed myself against the door, worried about making him uncomfortable. While awkwardly looking around the carriage interior pretending to take in the sights, Asrein spoke.

“The book.”

“…Pardon?”

“Didn’t you have a gift to give me?”

Ah. With a short sigh, I hurriedly rummaged through my luggage bag. I pulled out something wrapped in old paper that was stuffed deep inside, hardly worthy of being called a book. Quickly tearing off the wrapping paper and stuffing it in my bag, I handed over the book with both hands. Finally, the gift returned to its rightful owner. Asrein examined the children’s book from various angles before murmuring with a faint smile.

“I like it.”

“I’m glad.”

“…But why is the cover so dented?”

Following his gaze to the cover, I noticed the strange depression in the middle. Thinking hard about the reason, I bit my lip hard as I remembered punching the book while writhing in embarrassment. Unable to tell the truth, I glossed over it with a plausible excuse.

“It must have gotten pressed in the bag. Haha…”

His transparent golden eyes were filled with doubt. Thankfully, the coachman seated at the front of the carriage gratefully drew attention away.

“Professor. Where shall I take you?”

Asrein, who had been looking at the book with calm eyes, tapped the carriage floor with his cane and said,

“To Angelus University.”