Evelyn probably had no idea about the complex interests of adults and innocently believed her father had arranged a friend for her.

She might not even realize what situation she was about to face.

However.

‘Well, it’s not a bad thing for me either.’

It’s not like I was going to cut all ties with noble families, and having such a young spy around wouldn’t be much of a problem.

Besides, who knows? There might come a time when I could “use” her in return.

The noble playmates all had set visiting hours anyway, so I just needed to be careful with my conversations during those times.

With that in mind, I smiled at Evelyn, whose face was flushed with excessive delight. It wasn’t particularly unpleasant.

* * *

After that, Evelyn visited the palace regularly.

Hasis, who had questioned her sudden appearance, frowned when he heard how she had become my playmate.

“Do you really think that child can defy her father’s orders?”

“No. If her father actually asks, she’ll obviously spill everything, princess’s promise or not. What secret could she possibly keep?”

“Then why accept her as a playmate?”

“Because she’s as useful to me as she is to them.”

“Is that really all?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m asking if you just like her, as a friend.”

“Are you crazy?”

I grimaced at Hasis’s words while practicing controlling my magic weapons in the garden after a long time.

I withdrew my whip and walked toward Hasis.

Hasis raised one corner of his lips crookedly and asked me, “Why, isn’t it true?”

“She’s seven years old.”

“So? Is age difference really a problem for friendship? Besides, you’re not much different.”

“Ha, why are you so insolent today? Since Lord Lerrhagen isn’t here, want to have a match?”

“What, did you ever hold back when the master was around?”

“Enough talk. Draw your sword. Let me see your skills.”

Saying this, I took out my whip again.

Hasis placed his hand on his sword.

Soon, a transparent blade emerged in the air. Looking at the mesmerizingly beautiful blade, I narrowed my brows.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been wanting to ask—where did this sword come from?”

“The master gave it to me.”

“No wonder. It didn’t seem like something made by human hands. It seems Lord Lerrhagen makes quite a lot of weapons.”

“No. The master isn’t particularly interested in weapons. He’s too strong to need weapons in the first place.”

“Then my whip…”

“That’s why it’s so strange. I can understand giving me one since I’m his disciple, but to give you a whip concentrated with his own magic power—I was surprised too. Even my weapon doesn’t contain his magic.”

“Is it really that surprising? Lord Lerrhagen has plenty of magic power.”

“But it’s not infinite. It’s just close to infinite.”

“…”

“The master gave you a piece of his own magic power.”

At Hasis’s words, I pressed my lips together.

Yes, I actually knew that.

Though it wasn’t explicitly stated, the fact that he placed this whip in my hand meant he had given me that much of his magic power.

Of course, losing this much magic wouldn’t significantly affect his abilities, but it still felt strange.

“Do you know why Lord Lerrhagen responded to my summoning?”

After some contemplation, I lowered my voice. Hasis let out a long “hmm” and shook his head.

“I don’t know. I asked him too, but he didn’t tell me. He’s not one to talk much in the first place.”

“Is that so?”

“But I do know there was a similar situation a very long time ago.”

“A similar situation?”

I frowned.

Surely not another case where someone turned into a child and summoned Lerrhagen?

Could another human have experienced such an absurd scenario?

While all sorts of thoughts ran through my head, Hasis said:

“The master isn’t someone who would grant just anyone’s request or favor. In other words, all decisions about taking someone as a disciple lie with the master. It was the same for me.”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“But I heard there was exactly one person who wasn’t chosen by the master first. To be precise, I heard it was through a contract.”

“Who was that?”

“The master’s first disciple.”

“…”

“I only heard about it roughly when I was in the dragon lair, so I’m not entirely sure.”

I looked somewhat intrigued. The Dragon Lord’s first disciple.

It must have been at least thousands or tens of thousands of years ago. I wonder what the story behind it was.

“But what does that have to do with me?”

“Nothing.”

“…”

“When did I say it had anything to do with you? I just said it was similar.”

I smiled brightly at Hasis’s words. Then I immediately summoned my whip and lightly swung it.

Crack!

Perhaps because I was now better at merging with the magic, controlling it had become quite easy.

Hasis, who barely dodged the suddenly flying whip tip, shouted in alarm:

“Hey!”

“Catch this well. I’m going to settle things with you today.”

As soon as I finished speaking, I channeled my magic into the whip. Just as I was about to engage in an intense battle with Hasis—

“Your Highness!”

At Sela’s voice suddenly calling from a distance, I stopped in my tracks.

Hasis, who had been swinging his sword to block my attack, quickly withdrew it.

“You could at least give some warning…”

“What is it?”

I casually ignored Hasis’s outcry and asked Sela.

But before Sela could open her mouth, the garden suddenly echoed with hurried footsteps and a booming voice of an old man.

“Esht! My child!”

At the same time, I took a deep breath. I knew this familiar and chaotic entrance. Not only did I know it, I was even accustomed to it.

I made an awkward face as I watched the dignified—or at least outwardly dignified—old man crossing the garden.

The person who appeared was none other than—

“You truly look exactly like my granddaughter! Exactly the same!”

Roben Elvierts, my maternal grandfather and the head of the Elvierts ducal family.

Ah, this is going to be exhausting.