“Hmm, it’s a good suggestion since our schedules align, but…”

Kana trailed off, glancing at the carriage. In the awkward standoff between the two, the perceptive coachman cautiously added his input.

“Miss, if it’s an important opportunity, you should seize it.”

“Exactly. If I take you back afterward, there won’t be any trouble.”

Kiriel chimed in eagerly. The coachman, intuitively sensing the importance, spoke with conviction.

“Miss, I’ll inform the others that you’ll be late due to some important matters.”

“Alright, please do that.”

Hearing Kana’s confirmation, the coachman bowed respectfully and left. She took out a fan-shaped auxiliary magic tool from the subspace of her ring and looked at Kiriel.

“Then, Lord Kiriel, I’ll be in your care.”

“Sure. Follow me.”

Kiriel, slightly excited, gestured for her to follow, his voice a bit higher than usual.

‘How urgent must it be for him to be this happy? He’s really passionate about anything related to magic research.’

It was a joyous occasion for her as well, since she’s gaining an additional benefit.

Kana quietly followed him. As they entered the Magic Tower, the busy mages’ gazes converged on them.

They were astonished to see the notoriously picky Master of the Magic Tower personally escorting someone. Moreover, the person he was escorting was neither a significant figure nor an important person but a seemingly gentle and ordinary young noble lady.

Kana paid no mind to their murmurs and stares, but Kiriel did. He subtly shielded her and snapped irritably.

“What? Is everyone free? Do your work instead of gawking at my guest.”

“Ah, yes!”

“Sorry!”

The mages quickly averted their gazes in surprise. Kana, instead of being surprised by the sub male lead’s relentless nature, whispered softly.

“Thank you for being considerate, Lord Kiriel.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Kiriel replied quietly and led her to his office on the top floor of the Magic Tower. Kana glanced around the office filled with documents and books and cautiously asked.

“…Are we doing it here?”

“No, we’ll do it in the workshop. This space is for paperwork and meeting visitors.”

Kiriel briefly explained and opened a door near the bookshelf. A spacious area filled with various magic tools was revealed.

Kana followed him inside, feeling a bit hesitant.

“This seems like a secretive space… Is it okay for someone unrelated to magic to enter?”

“It’s fine. This isn’t my private workshop at my mansion but the Magic Tower.”

“I see.”

Kana nodded in understanding. She didn’t know since this wasn’t detailed in ‘Fake Saint’ information, but Kiriel usually strictly controlled access even to the sub-workshops within the Magic Tower.

Kiriel placed her on a pedestal engraved with a special magic circle and sat on the floor in a corner. Kana, watching him prepare seriously by putting on a monocle, asked cautiously.

“What should I do now?”

“First, summon your spirit.”

Following his instruction, Kana summoned her spirit. Celia perched on her contractor’s shoulder and looked around.

[Hmm, I can feel mana everywhere. Is this the Master of the Magic Tower’s private space?]

‘It’s a workshop. We’re here to adjust the auxiliary magic tool. He said to summon the spirit, so I called you.’

Celia blinked at Kana’s words.

[Is it an extension of his research?]

‘Something like that. Are you uncomfortable?’

[No, it’s fine. I’ll just have to put more effort into refining my energy.]

‘Thanks.’

They quickly finished their discussion like true soul partners. Kana confirmed the spirit was comfortably gathering her energy and looked at Kiriel.

“After summoning, should I operate the spirit magic using the magic tool?”

“Yes, anything will do.”

Kiriel made a circle with his fingers. Unsure how to operate the spirit magic, Kana directly asked him.

“Then, can I try it on you, Lord Kiriel?”

“Do as you please.”

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“Sure.”

Kana opened the fan-shaped magic tool and gently fanned it. The delicately controlled wind brushed against Kiriel’s face, lightly tousling his fine golden hair.

Even as the sub male lead, the sight of him in the wind was as picturesque and refreshing as a painting.

Kiriel enjoyed the pleasant breeze while not missing the flow of energy.

It always felt oddly well-refined. It exuded an atmosphere that only someone with accumulated experience, whether a spirit summoner or a spirit, could have.

While he analyzed the subtle discordance he felt even in the perfectly refined energy, she waited patiently. After a while, Kiriel snapped his fingers.

“Miss Kana, I’ve checked everything. You can stop now.”

“Yes.”

Kana stopped operating the spirit magic and folded the fan-shaped magic tool. As he removed his monocle and stored it in the subspace, she approached him with quick steps.

“How was it? Was it difficult to adjust?”

“No, it’s fine.”

“That’s a relief.”

Kana sighed in relief. The novel vouched for the Master of the Magic Tower’s skills, making him even more trustworthy. Kiriel naturally brought up a topic.

“Miss Kana, how’s my hair?”

“It’s fine.”

“It’s tousled, isn’t it?”

“Yes. But it doesn’t look strange.”

Her answer wasn’t flattery. No matter how tousled his hair was, it didn’t affect Kiriel’s good looks. He was a distinguished sub male lead, after all.

‘Kiriel isn’t someone who cares about his appearance. He knows he’s good-looking and doesn’t care what others say, right?’

When Kana tilted her head in confusion, Kiriel blinked playfully.

“Still, it bothers me. Miss Kana, can you tidy my hair before we look at the magic tool?”

“…It’s not difficult, but is it okay for me to touch it?”

“Yes.”

Kiriel readily agreed.

‘Since my spirit magic tousled it, I should fix it.’

Kana put down the fan-shaped magic tool and took out a comb. She carefully tidied his hair with gentle hands. His fine golden hair softly brushed against her fingers.

Celia, watching the situation intently, narrowed her eyes.

[What’s this? Is he really not interested? Why does it look different to me?]

‘Celia, don’t stir things up.’

[Why? I’m a wind spirit.]

‘Ahem, let’s skip that. Anyway, he’s someone who can’t stand being disheveled before work. He probably found his tousled hair annoying before adjusting the magic tool.’

While she had a brief conversation with her spirit, Kiriel looked up at her face from below. It felt different from when he glanced at her from above or the side; it’s refreshing in its own way.

A sharp jawline. Thick lips tightly closed. Half-lidded eyes and occasionally fluttering eyelashes. Despite his round and gentle features, he exuded a languid and calm atmosphere.

His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. Unlike Kiriel, who was caught up in the strange tension, Kana, who was unaware of his situation, finished combing his hair and informed him.

“It’s done.”

“…Ah, okay.”

Kiriel snapped back to reality at her voice. He cleared his throat, looking at the puzzled Kana.

“Ahem, thank you. Now, hand me the magic tool.”

“Yes.”

Kana put away the comb and handed him the fan-shaped magic tool. Kiriel took the magic tool and seated her on a sofa in a corner.

“Wait a moment. I’ll adjust it and return it to you.”

“Ah, you’ll handle it right away?”

“Yes. It won’t take long.”

“Alright.”

Kana decided to wait, trusting Kiriel’s confident assurance. He was skilled and efficient in his work.

Kiriel levitated the fan-shaped magic tool to his eye level with magic and began adjusting it using other magic and tools. Kana occasionally watched the glowing magic tool and his delicate craftsmanship.

Eventually, the adjustment was complete. Kiriel approached Kana, who was sitting upright on the sofa, and handed her the fan-shaped auxiliary magic tool.

“It’s done. Take it.”

“Thank you. Should I use it and give you feedback when I get the chance?”

“Yes. Let me know if there are any issues.”

“Okay.”

Kana carefully stored the fan-shaped auxiliary magic tool. Even though it wasn’t part of her duties, she decided to provide feedback diligently, seeing his effort in making and adjusting it.

After fixing his clothes, Kiriel extended his hand.

“I’ll take you to your mansion now.”

“Alright.”

Kana took his hand. They used teleportation magic to arrive in front of the Round mansion. She released his hand and bowed politely.

“Thank you for everything yesterday and today. I really appreciate it.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Have a safe journey back.”

Kiriel disappeared suddenly after her farewell. Despite being the sub male lead and Master of the Magic Tower, his casual use of the complicated teleportation magic was impressive.

* * *

Back in her room, Kana was resting after washing up when the communication device lit up. She blinked at the code of her industry friend and answered the call.

“Alderaan, weren’t you busy lately?”

— I am, but I can still make a call. Round, how was the boat trip?

“…Well, it was so-so.”

Kana hedged her answer. With the star ratings deducted, she couldn’t say it was good. Unaware of this, Alderaan recalled the scene and asked.

— There were attackers, right? You didn’t get hurt?

“I’m perfectly fine.”

— That’s a relief.

“Thanks for worrying. So, what’s the reason for your call?”

Kana was curious about his purpose.