“Why? The rookie said You can touch it.”

“Actually, I can’t do it. I feel like I might hurt you. You know what I mean? It’s like that thing…”

“What thing?”

“Why? The rookie said I can touch it.”

“Actually, I can’t do it. I feel like I might hurt you. You know what I mean? It’s like that thing…”

“What thing?”

“You know how baby chicks are cute, but when you actually try to hold one, it feels like it might burst? That’s exactly how I feel right now. What if I cause a wound? Besides, a real man doesn’t seek petty rewards like this. I’m satisfied with our excellent teamwork earlier with the rookie.”

He then neatly folded his handkerchief again and tucked it inside his jacket.

“What’s he talking about? Hey, he’s not much different from you. Ha. Why am I surrounded by nothing but weirdos?”

Jo was saying this loud enough for Serinea to hear.

While Jo was muttering, Rodi and Meogly exchanged satisfied glances.

“Ugh… so frustrating.”

Serinea groaned and hunched over.

She looked exactly like someone doubled over with stomach pain.

“What’s wrong with her now?”

Jo clicked his tongue.

“She’s always like this.”

“Both of you, shut up.”

“Hey, profanity is prohibited on the second floor.”

“Then close your mouth.”

“You lose. You’re the loudest one here.”

“Whatever, whatever. Anyway, I can see why Lord Ekision is so fond of our rookie. I want to be adored too… But I can’t become a rookie…”

“Quit and apply again.”

“That would work.”

Serinea gave them both a look of extreme disgust.

“You guys are impossible… That’s why I’m upset. My stomach feels like it’s going to burst.”

“Since when are you so self-aware?”

“Are you jealous of a child?”

“Is this what you call love? This is workplace harassment. Ugh.”

Serinea promptly punched Jo in the stomach.

Then she quickly turned her head to Rodi.

“Hah, what should I do? Should I eat the rookie up? Would that be good? Hmm?”

Serinea made devil-like gestures with her hands and playfully threatened Rodi.

Rodi flinched at her fiery gaze.

“No.”

When Rodi opened her mouth, all three stared at her lips.

“I… don’t taste good at all.”

After a moment of awkward silence, Serinea let out a “Pfft” and laughed.

It took only an instant for the laughter to spread to the other two.

“Right. What good would it do for me to be jealous of you? No matter what I do, Lord Ekision will never look at me.”

Serinea rested her chin on her hand and sighed, “Ahem.”

Just then, they heard quick footsteps coming down the stairs.

All four heads turned in unison.

Percy, who had quickly descended, spotted the four of them and approached.

“Here you are. Lord Eclise is looking for you.”

The person Percy was looking for was Brodi.

“Me?”

Rodi pointed at herself.

“Looks like the chief wants to give the rookie a reward.”

“Yeah. Go ahead.”

“Percy, are you feeling okay?”

When Serinea asked, Percy smiled bitterly.

He knew she was concerned about what had happened during the rookie welcome party.

“I’d like to forget about it.”

At that, Serinea burst out laughing.

“Good luck, Rookie.”

“Ask the chief for a big bonus.”

Rodi got up from her seat at Percy’s instruction to follow him.

But why is he calling for me?

***

When she followed Percy up to the third floor, Eclise and Duke were there.

“Little mouse, come over here.”

“I’m not a little mouse.”

Just earlier she had been praised for doing a great job, but now she was suddenly being belittled.

Though pouting, she scurried over and sat where Eclise pointed.

“Thank you for earlier, Ms. Brodi.”

Duke acknowledged her and then looked at Rodi as if examining her.

His eyes were such a deep and bright yellow that they were almost gold, making his pupils clearly visible as they focused on Rodi.

“I think it’s enough to take care of Lexiard and this one.”

Lexiard?

Rodi perked up her ears.

“It would be good if your side could accept that much. However, the opinion of the person involved is important. Ms. Brodi, may I ask you a few questions?”

“Yeees.”

Rodi received an explanation from Eclise and Duke.

They said that if Rodi and Lexiard wanted, they would receive regular check-ups at the Magic Tower from now on.

It was because of the special abilities they both possessed.

And they would also research where the source of this power was and why it had manifested.

Since they were completely different from ordinary people, and they didn’t have magical powers like magicians, this was to prevent any problems that might arise in their bodies due to this power.

“To put it simply, you’ll come to the hospital for check-ups. We’ll see if the power puts a strain on your body, or if it’s hindering your growth. With regular check-ups, we can at least prepare for any risks.”

No matter how different it was, the most similar power was magic, so it was appropriate for the Magic Tower to handle it.

However, the Magic Tower doesn’t usually treat or research individuals separately, and this was an exception only for special cases like this.

They said that Lexiard had once suffered something like a major outburst in the past, and at that time, he had received a check-up for a very high cost, and it would proceed similarly for Rodi.

So Duke asked if Rodi would like to join as well.

He said it was the boss’s proposal in return for today’s work.

It seemed that Lexiard was already scheduled to proceed forcibly.

“Is it scary?”

“It’s expensive.”

Eclise bluntly replied instead of Duke.

Eclise, who was naturally cutting the end of a cigar, met Rodi’s eyes.

Eventually, he made a face as if he’d seen something unpleasant and tossed the cigar aside without smoking it.

She was just looking at it out of curiosity.

Duke laughed.

“No. It’s like getting treatment from a doctor when you’re sick. And it’s about preventing you from getting sick in the first place. It’s beyond what ordinary doctors know.”

“How expensive is it?”

“It costs more than selling you would bring.”

At that, Duke laughed even more loudly this time.

“Hahaha, I’m sorry. I laughed too openly. But that’s not wrong. Aren’t you curious about the power you possess, Ms. Brodi?”

Rodi thought carefully.

As Duke said, it would be good to find out about her power.

And why this power had appeared.

And if she was lucky, maybe she could learn about her mom and dad too?

She hadn’t thought deeply about it until now, but she was curious.

“I’m curious.”

“That’s what we’ll find out together.”

Duke extended his hand to Brodi just like before.

Hesitating, Rodi looked at Eclise.

Gone was his playful demeanor; this time he was looking at Rodi with serious eyes.

Eclise nodded slightly.

Only then did Rodi feel reassured and took the Duke’s hand.

Especially since Lexiard would be doing it too.

“Okay.”

Duke shook hands cheerfully.

“Good. Come to think of it, this is the second time Eclise has asked for something directly.”

“As if it’s a favor.”

“I just find it interesting. Well, let’s wrap this up then. I’ll send someone when we’re ready.”

Duke smoothed his robe and stood up.

“Then I’ll see you next time, Ms. Brodi.”

And as soon as he snapped his fingers, he disappeared with a brief flash of light.

“Wow!”

“What’s so ‘wow’ about it?”

“Boss, we came like that earlier too. It went swoosh and then swoosh!”

“If you say that one more time, it’ll be the fifth time.”

Ah, right. She had bragged about it as soon as they arrived earlier.

The boss seemed to have an unnecessarily good memory.

“Boss, so we don’t get any money?”

“What money?”

“Padrid said earlier that we’d get a hefty reward.”

Eclise clicked his tongue.

“Such a tiny thing getting cheeky, already after money.”

“Well, money is the best!”

“Be quiet. Don’t be lazy and get your check-ups diligently.”

“Okay. But boss.”

Rodi walked over and stuck close to Eclise’s side.

“What.”

Eclise, who was casually resting his elbow on the sofa armrest with his chin in his hand, turned his head.

Their eyes met almost directly.

‘The boss is sitting, and I’m standing, so why are our eyes meeting?’

Rodi raised her heels a little more.

“But that man from earlier didn’t seem to care at all that someone had died.”

Rodi leaned her face closer to Eclise and whispered.

“What? Duke?”

“Yeah. Are all magicians like that? Jin said magicians are rational.”

“How is that rational? It’s just being emotionally broken.”

He didn’t seem like a bad person though.

And if anyone was emotionally broken, the boss was more…

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No reason!”

Rodi quickly shook her head.

“But why are you talking so secretively?”