Cedric lazily lifted the corners of his mouth and leisurely pulled Arne by her waist.

Cedric, still looking languidly at Arne’s sullen face, asked.

“Is it not enough?”

As he sharply pulled her waist, Arne’s face was drawn close.

The sudden closeness made Arne forget her peevishness and rapidly blink her eyes.

Lazily, Cedric smiled and pressed his forehead against hers.

Was it because of the Reta from last night? A terribly sensual after-scent rushed in.

“Ah.”

Cedric caressed Arne’s cracked mana core.

Cedric, being a swordmaster, might not know, but the mana core is a very sensitive and delicate area for a mage. It was inappropriate to touch it unless they were lovers.

Of course, touching the mana core directly would increase her mana absorption rate from Cedric even faster.

Feeling somewhat feverish, Arne averted her eyes slightly.

“As expected, the mana is replenishing quickly.”

Cedric murmured contentedly as he touched the cracked part.

Every time he stroked the mana core, Arne bit her lip.

His touch stopped only after they heard the late arrival of Rein’s coughing.

“Hmm-hmm. Lord Cedric, for mages, for whom mana is fundamental, the mana core is a very precious part. It’s much more sensitive and delicate than a swordmaster’s, for whom the sword is fundamental…”

“Is that so?”

Rein seemed unable to continue explaining and just moved his mouth with a flushed face.

“That’s… quite sensitive… Yes, that’s correct.”

His cheeks seemed to turn even redder.

Under Cedric’s puzzled gaze, Rein coughed again.

“And because the atmosphere was so serious, I couldn’t bring myself to interrupt. But I felt guilty for watching any longer without saying anything.”
 
Somewhat embarrassed, Rein then spoke with a quite serious expression.

“It’s not that you’ll never be able to use magic again because of the price. The price was all the mana you had at the time of the contract; naturally, any mana you generate in the future is yours. So…”

“I can use magic again if my mana is restored?”

“Yes. I didn’t realize you would be this saddened, so I’ve been feeling uneasy.”

Rein scratched his head. The usually playful Rein was quite serious.

Arne had been nearly exhausted for quite some time.

If Cedric hadn’t been there, it might have been really dangerous.

Mana consumption is linked to vitality consumption. The same goes for recovery.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.”

Arne slowly mulled over what Rein had said.

“So I can use magic…”

“Yes, and upon examination, it turns out you are a dual-core user. Apart from the Duchess of Xenon, a mage knight in the empire, I’ve not seen anyone with a dual-core. It’s astonishing.”

Having or not having a core creates a significant disparity when casting powerful high-level magic. Initially, reaching a certain level of skill was necessary to create a core.

But now, not only could she use magic if she recovered, but she also had a dual-core capable of using the power of superior spirits?

‘This devil guy, isn’t he an excellent one? Or did he really desperately want to go home?’

As life returned to Arne’s face along with a faint blush, a smile also appeared on Cedric’s lips.

“That’s fortunate, Lady Ronia.”

Rein gazed at Cedric, smiling.

It was the first time Rein had seen him smile since he had practically kidnapped him the night before.

Following his gaze, there was Arne.

‘Silver hair and red eyes…’

Rein, who had grown up with Cedric in the north since they were young, immediately thought of someone upon seeing that appearance.

‘This guy, could it be.’

Rein scratched his head.

‘It can’t be.’

Somehow, Rein couldn’t take his eyes off Lady Ronia. Noticing Rein’s gaze, Arne turned her head.

“But I don’t know much about dual cores. Can I only use the power of spirits once the core is fully recovered?”

“The power of spirits is a bit different. Magic and aura use your own power, but the power of spirits is literally borrowing the power of spirits. If a mage’s mana core is a vessel for holding mana, then a spirit user’s core is like a gateway or a gatekeeper?”

“That means…!”

“Yes, you can use it as long as you form a contract with a spirit. Of course, properly using the power requires natural affinity and increasing both the spirit’s mana quantity and practice, but you are Lady Ronia, aren’t you?”

Rein gazed intently into Arne’s red eyes.

“The Ronia of the spirits, one of the four great founding nobles of the empire.”

The four great founding nobles referred to: the swordsmen of the Renigrad Grand Duchy, the mages of the Xenon Ducal Family, the mage knights of the Rubeta Ducal Family, and lastly, the spirit users of the Ronia Ducal Family.

In these founding noble families, children blessed with extraordinary talents due to the goddess’s love were often born.

For example, Cedric, who became a swordmaster even before reaching adulthood, or Aveline, the Duchess of Xenon, who was the only one with a dual core.

However, for some reason, no child blessed with spirits had been born in the Ronia family for generations.

That’s why there were high hopes for Bianca, but she showed no aptitude at all.

Compared to the elaborate ceremony she went through in her previous life, the spirit she contracted was a lower spirit that was quickly summoned back.

That made her dislike Arne even more since she had been called a prodigy from a young age.

“In the Ronia ducal family, it’s traditional to receive the baptism of spirits along with adulthood rites.”

The baptism of spirits meant forming a contract with a spirit.

Of course, in her previous life, the Duke and Duchess did not give Arne the baptism of spirits.

“I wasn’t interested anyway because my magical talent was innate.’

But now, she would have to borrow even a cat’s hand until her mana core recovered.

“What do I need to make a contract with a spirit?”

“You probably need a high affinity with nature to communicate with spirits. Also, the more mana a spirit has, the higher the level of the spirit you can contract with, I’ve heard.”

“Higher-level spirits…”

“The grade of the spirit and the duration of summoning depends on the amount of mana the spirit has.”

Naturally, to possess a large amount of mana from many spirits, an uncracked core that does not leak mana is necessary, so the importance of core recovery has not changed.

But it was quite attractive that she could use the power of spirits even if her core and magical mana were not fully recovered.

“I see. How can I increase my affinity with nature?”

“Cedric knows well about that. For example, Cedric tends to his garden every day and rescues wild animals. That’s how he brought Shatir.”

“Shatir was… I knew he was a wild horse but didn’t know that story.”

Rein tilted his head curiously. It was very rare for someone to recognize that Shatir was not a warhorse but a wild horse.

“In my personal opinion, the lady’s mana core injury is very serious. Perhaps it would be faster to contract with a spirit during your coming-of-age ceremony so you can use the spirit’s power.”

Rein still looked at Cedric, who was keenly examining Arne’s mana core, as he spoke.

“If you ask Cedric, who is sensitive to patients, he might also teach you how to increase your affinity with nature.”

Rein deliberately emphasized the word ‘sensitive’. He was watching for Cedric’s reaction.

Normally, Cedric would never allow personal time.

Considering he declined all invitations from ladies upon arriving in the capital.

Arne turned to Cedric, her eyes sparkling.

Those bright eyes seemed to be pleading for a favor.

Cedric somehow found himself smiling.

“If the lady wishes.”

“Thank you.”

Rein’s eyes widened as he watched this scene.

‘Cedric allowed some personal time? Just like that? Really?’

Rein stared at Cedric as if he were trying to see through him. He frowned, questions reflected in his eyes.

‘And you say you’re not sensitive towards the lady?’

Facing Rein, whose eyes were wide open, Cedric looked calm, wondering what the problem was.

Rein felt so frustrated he felt as if his clothes were about to burst.

“Ce……”

Just as Rein was about to say something, unable to hold back any longer, someone approached them.

It was Lux, the Knight Commander.

“You were here. I searched thoroughly inside the Duke’s villa but couldn’t find you and have been wandering around for a while. The situation turned urgent so I couldn’t inform you immediately, but I received an urgent message from the Grand Duke of Renigrad.”

“I heard grandfather called for the Knight Commander this morning.”

As Cedric naturally reached out his hand upon seeing the letter the Knight Commander was holding,

However, the Knight Commander passed by Cedric’s hand and knelt in front of Arne.

“I formally greet you. Lux de Scallen, it’s an honor to meet you, Lady Ronia. Here is a dinner invitation sent by the Grand Duke of Renigrad himself. I was commanded to personally deliver it to you.”

Rein’s eyes couldn’t get any wider.

‘Grand Duke Renigrad sent the invitation himself? And for a dinner?’

Cedric, meeting Rein’s seemingly about-to-burst eyes, shared the same thought.

Unable to retract the hand he had extended, Cedric looked at the commander.

But the commander continued without a hint of disarray.

“He also instructed to ensure that no effort is spared in taking care of the esteemed guest. The House of Renigrad does not ignore those in trouble.”

The commander’s posture exuded discipline.

He seemed to have no intention of standing up before Arne received the invitation.

The friendly demeanor he usually had around Logan or other knights was nowhere to be found.

‘Taking such care must mean it represents the will of Grand Duke Renigrad?’

Arne’s gaze slowly slid down to the red seal stamped on the invitation.

‘So it’s true that in the House of Renigrad, the Grand Duke’s authority is absolute.’

This might be my first time meeting Cedric’s living grandfather, but the courteous manners gave me a hint of his character.

‘Plus, since I’ve collapsed, the suspicious Second Prince must have surely ordered an investigation into my poisoning, and Kale Wayne’s family must be in trouble. But sending me an invitation means…’