Chapter 16 – When you take the first step, it will ease the way for the next person.

I woke up late in the afternoon and left the mansion in light attire. I headed straight to my mother’s townhouse and knocked on the door of the room where Benjamin was staying. I had come without an appointment, but fortunately, he was home.

“Liv?”

“May I come in?”

Through the open door, I saw papers strewn all over the floor, leaving no place to step.

“…What’s all this?”

I picked up the paper right at my feet. It was a legal precedent regarding disputes over the inheritance of titles. Lowering my head to look at another paper, I saw it was about the inheritance of territories.

“Uncle doesn’t want to step down?”

“…We haven’t been in contact since then. I’m just preparing in case. I hope it doesn’t come to a legal battle, but…”

Uncle won’t step down easily. An inheritance dispute between family members is no ordinary scandal. Just becoming gossip would plunge the Hershey family’s honor into disgrace. From Benjamin’s perspective, there’s no reason to cause a fuss for a title he will inherit once his uncle dies anyway. I didn’t want that either. Mother seems to want Benjamin to fight and take the title, but…

“More importantly, what brought you here suddenly?”

“May I sit down?”

To avoid stepping on the papers, I lifted my skirt and walked to the bed, then sat down. Benjamin leaned against the desk and looked at me.

“You don’t look good.”

I forced a smile.

“It’s nothing much, just something I want to ask.”

‘Actually, it is something. Depending on your answer, I might ask you to do something dangerous. But I hid my true feelings and asked nonchalantly.’

“When did you start learning magic?”

“Well, I officially started about ten years ago, but…”

Ten years ago? You started learning at fifteen? I was surprised because Benjamin had gone abroad to study at that age.

“So you went abroad to learn magic from the beginning?”

After hesitating for a moment, Benjamin nodded.

“Yes.”

“Did my father know about it too?”

“…Yes.”

“Oh my.”

I was extremely surprised. If Father had considered Benjamin as his successor, he would never have allowed it. Wizards had been persecuted for a long time in the empire. Magic was considered an evil force, and that wasn’t a prejudice held only by the empire.

Except for the kingdom of Laran, where the royal bloodline is made up of wizards, most countries viewed wizards as fearful and unknown beings. There’s even a legend that the territory of the kingdom of Laran was originally part of the continent, but the wizards separated it to escape persecution, turning it into an island. However, I was more curious about something else than why Father sent Benjamin abroad.

“So, can you tell if someone is a wizard just by touching them?”

“That’s not quite right, but not entirely wrong either.”

“What do you mean?”

Benjamin frowned.

“Well… I’m sensitive to magical power, so I don’t necessarily have to touch someone to see it. People with magical power exude it like a heat haze. But just because someone has magical power doesn’t mean they’re a wizard.”

“…”

“For example, well-trained knights have some level of magical power. Some at the peak level almost seem like lords. And if a skilled wizard intentionally conceals their power, they can appear like an unawakened wizard. So, just by looking, you can’t definitively tell who is a wizard.”

Though I didn’t fully understand, it seemed like Benjamin could be more helpful than Isabella. Isabella talked as if physical contact was essential. After finishing his explanation, Benjamin questioned me.

“So, who told you that you have to touch someone to know? Was it a man?”

“No, it was a woman…”

“Whether it’s a man or a woman, if anyone tells you something like that, tell them to stop being foolish.”

“It wasn’t about me… Actually, it’s something I heard indirectly.”

To seek help, I felt I needed to tell him about the royal family’s attack, but I hesitated.

“Why are you asking about this suddenly?”

“…”

“Do you want to become a wizard? Liv, I don’t know what someone told you to entice you, but realistically speaking, it’s a bit late for you to become a wizard.”

I was bewildered by his sudden remark and blinked. What is this? I feel like I failed an audition I didn’t even apply for…?

“Usually, people awaken by the age of fifteen at the latest. So you… you’re way past that.”

“…Really?”

I hadn’t even thought about it, but it felt oddly disappointing.

“Still, you can use magic in your current state. That’s something remarkable.”

“I can use magic?”

“In Laran, they consider holy power a type of magical power… In their terms, what you use is called divine magic.”

It was unfamiliar, but somewhat enlightening. I chuckled.

“So, if I had awakened as a child, I might have become a great wizard by now?”

“Probably.”

Benjamin nodded seriously, making me feel even more regretful. I should have asked to go with him when he went abroad. My parents would never have allowed it, though.

“If I were a wizard, I wouldn’t have to worry about this…”

I found myself lamenting. Benjamin narrowed his eyes and spoke.

“Is there really something you’re not telling me?”

“…Huh?”

“What’s the matter?”

“Oh, that…”

Should I just tell him everything?

It wasn’t exactly a good idea to spread the news about the imperial palace being attacked, but it was bound to get out eventually. There were too many eyes and ears in the palace. Besides, Benjamin wasn’t an outsider and wouldn’t gossip about it. I had come to ask for help today, after all.

“The truth is, there’s a force threatening the royal family right now. Among them are wizards, making it difficult for Ian to handle. They say someone is cursing the Empress, but they haven’t found the culprit…”

Though he said he wasn’t hurt, I couldn’t be sure since I hadn’t seen him undressed. Maybe he was injured but had already been treated at the palace.

Anyway, having one more person helping could improve the situation. Things seemed pretty bleak right now…

“You want me to help?”

I was delighted to hear the answer I had hoped for.

“Would you? Then could you accompany me and help identify possible wizards? If we handle the wizards Ian is dealing with…”

“Do you think that’s okay?”

Benjamin gave a bitter smile. My words faltered, but I couldn’t say anything. I knew what he was hinting at without him saying it.

“There’s already a lot of talk about you lately. If we start going around together, there will be even more rumors about our family, and who knows what Father might say if he shows up again. Are you really okay with that?”

“…”

“And if they find out I’m a wizard, you’ll be suspected too. It won’t just end as gossip. The Empire thinks all wizards are evil.”

When I didn’t respond, Benjamin sighed.

“Do you like him that much to take such risks?”

I blinked stupidly. Like who?

“I heard from Aunt that you followed him around because you liked him. What’s so great about him? Is it his face?”

I blushed.

Everyone thought I was deeply in love with Ian Keppel, but that was a misunderstanding. I pretended to love him because it was expected for a wife to love her husband. It was like going to church every week and pretending to be devout. If I told them I married Ian for money, my mother would be so ashamed she’d probably have a fit.

“It’s not like that. I just… want peace. I don’t like dangerous situations. I just want a safe time to come soon.”

I didn’t desire a revolution. Maybe my soul was too old for that. But I didn’t want wizards to be persecuted forever either.

Maybe what they needed was a small possibility. If there was a wizard who could act openly, those hiding in the shadows might find hope. Violence is a last resort for those driven into a corner. If they saw another way… someone like Benjamin, a noble and a wizard, stepping forward proudly…

“Ben, you went abroad because you wanted to live as a wizard, right?”

Benjamin narrowed his eyes at my words, seemingly worried about what I would say.

“You said that day you planned to just apologize to Mother and me before leaving.”

His voice lowered, perhaps feeling guilty.

“…That’s right.”

“Ben, I want you to live openly as a wizard. But I also want you to inherit the Hershey title.”

I swallowed hard.

“So why not do both?”

“What?”

“Be the Empire’s first wizard lordt?”

Benjamin laughed out loud as if I were joking.

“I’m not joking. Of course, it’ll be hard. You’ll have to fight against prejudice. But if you take the first step, it’ll make it easier for others.”

Benjamin’s expression hardened.

“It’s not just fighting prejudice. It’s not only about the Hershey family’s honor; your reputation will be at stake too. If things go wrong, people might suspect your entire bloodline as evil…”

“Seeing you could change their minds.”

Benjamin looked at me skeptically.

“How can you guarantee that? Did you have a dream?”

His words made me think of my childhood. I used to dream of my past life often.

I remembered the original story through dreams, and I remembered songs and the Korean alphabet from my past life because of dreams.

But now that I’m older, I haven’t dreamt of my past life since my father passed away. It’s been twenty-five years since I lived in this world, so it makes sense. When I was a child, Benjamin thought I was some great prophet and did everything I asked.

“I don’t dream anymore. I just believe in you.”

Benjamin chuckled incredulously. But my words must have had some persuasion.

“If Aunt approves.”