As she expected, the letter contained words of apology and a brief explanation of how the matter was handled.

Kana sighed in relief at how smoothly things had gone according to the plot of ‘Fake Saint,’ then noticed a tiny postscript at the bottom. It suggested they meet alone soon for a conversation.

‘The purpose is unclear. Is it about the healing water, or does she want to continue the conversation we left off last time?’

Kana folded the letter and, after some thought, contacted Letie through the communication sphere. She needed to be certain about the purpose since it was a work-related matter, even if it wasn’t with another character. The female protagonist answered her call immediately.

— Is this Miss Kana?

“Yes. Lady Letie, can you talk now?”

— Of course. I was just taking a break. Please, speak freely.

Because she finished her complicated tasks, Letie’s voice was quite cheerful. Kana smiled lightly before speaking softly.

“First, I received your letter and the brooch well. I saw the postscript at the end of the letter, but the content was a bit ambiguous.”

— Ah, I must have written it in a hurry. I’ve finished handling the incident and will soon extract a sample of the healing water. I planned to bring it to you personally and have a chat then.

With that answer, Kana understood Letie’s intention behind the postscript. Kana neatly organized the situation in her mind.

“Ah, I see. Then let’s arrange a suitable day to meet. Please let me know when it’s convenient for you, Lady Letie.”

— Yes!

With Letie’s affirmative answer, the communication ended. Kana packed away the communication sphere and her fan-shaped auxiliary magic tool, then summoned a spirit. The wind spirit alternated its gaze between its contractor and the fan.

[Kana, are you going to the training ground to practice spirit summoning?]

‘Yes. I need to do it before my next schedule. I also need to try out the adjusted magic tool and give Kiriel feedback.’

Kana moved the hand holding the fan back and forth as she headed to the training ground. The environment was pleasant since hardly anyone used it except for the few knights of the Round family.

Most of those knights were dispatched to the western villa with the mines. Essentially, she monopolized the use of the training ground.

She stretched while looking at the sparsely placed training wooden dummies, then glanced at her floating partner.

‘Celia, can you hold onto the communication sphere?’

[Sure! I’ll let you know if any messages come through.]

Celia took the communication sphere and placed it on her body. Others might worry about it falling, but Kana knew it wouldn’t happen despite the precarious appearance, so she remained calm.

‘Thanks.’

[Then train comfortably.]

The spirit distanced itself slightly from its contractor, who was unfolding the fan. Kana wielded the fan, channeling the wind spirit magic. Fierce winds slashed at the wooden dummies.

‘…Kiriel really is talented.’

Even before the adjustment, the tool wasn’t uncomfortable to use, but the fine-tuning made the spirit magic flow more smoothly. Kana admired the abilities of the Tower Master sub male lead once again.

Celia, who could perceive the flow of energy in detail, also acknowledged it.

[Wow, it feels much smoother after the adjustment, even though it doesn’t seem like much was changed.]

‘That’s his skill, I suppose.’

Although he was a character who reduced her star rating, she was grateful for the good equipment he provided when she had nothing decent. Kana smacked her lips at the conflicting feelings and continued her training.

Just as she was enjoying the training with the tool that felt perfect in her hand, Celia called out urgently.

[Kana, Kiriel is contacting you.]

‘Does he want feedback that badly? Hand it over.’

Kana stopped her training and took the blinking communication sphere from her partner. Just like Celia said, it was Kiriel’s code.

She brushed her wind-tousled hair aside and answered the call.

“Lord Kiriel, what brings you to contact me?”

— Ah, I have something to ask. What are you doing now?

Kiriel’s voice was slightly higher than usual. Kana, guessing the purpose of the main character’s contact, responded calmly.

“I’m taking a break from practicing spirit summoning at the family training ground. By any chance, are you asking about the feedback on the adjusted magic tool?”

— Yes. Somehow, I thought you would try it out right away. Were you using it during your training?

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Kana confirmed immediately. The timing of his contact was quite perfect, though perhaps not intentional. Kiriel asked with a voice filled with anticipation.

— How is it after using it?

“It’s excellent. It was good before the adjustment, but the fine-tuning made it even better. If you want, I can write a detailed report comparing the before and after and send it to you.”

— Ah, that would be helpful.

His clear laughter came through the communication sphere.

Indeed, it would be easier for him to review a formal report than listen to a long explanation. She decided to repay him for adjusting the magic tool, even if it meant a bit of extra effort.

“Then I’ll do that…”

— Wait a moment.

Kiriel interrupted Kana’s concluding words. Her neat eyebrows raised.

“Do you have more to say?”

— Yes. Have you ever experienced love, Miss Kana?

Kiriel’s voice slightly trembled as he uttered the word ‘love.’ Kana blinked slowly. It was a somewhat familiar scenario.

‘Oh, is this a relationship consultation?’

She had previously given relationship advice to sub male leads while working within the novel. Initially, she had the illusion that counseling could lead to something, but that had long since faded.

‘Even if the sub male lead doesn’t end up with the female lead, they don’t usually end up with a supporting character. Most often, they have a celibate ending, right?’

Coincidentally, Kiriel Curtis from ‘Fake Saint’ was also in the celibate ending category. Kana briefly imagined his future before slowly opening her mouth.

“…That’s quite a sudden question.”

— As expected, it doesn’t suit me to ask, right?

Kiriel, uncharacteristically, sounded embarrassed. Kana laughed silently. Despite being a sub male lead in a romance novel, it wasn’t awkward. They all fell deeply for the female lead eventually.

‘I was worried because my star rating dropped during the boating scene, but he has finally returned to his role as a sub male lead. Has he developed some interest in Letie? Mentioning love itself is a good sign.’

For Kana, who had been troubled in many ways, this was welcome news. After a brief pause, she answered softly.

“No, the word love doesn’t discriminate against people.”

— Hmm.

“And to answer your question, Lord Kiriel, I’m closer to having no experience.”

At one point, a ticklish emotion had filled her heart, but it was a distant memory.

After shedding her novice status, she had no emotions left to waste on love, instead, she focused entirely on gathering star ratings.

— Ah, I see.

Kiriel’s voice carried a complex emotion. It was a response born from his troubled mind after hearing Kanto’s words, but Kana interpreted it differently.

‘Did he find it unbelievable because I said I haven’t experienced love? Still, it doesn’t mean I can’t give relationship advice.’

In fact, she had become proficient in relationship counseling regardless of her own experience. Simply agreeing and boosting confidence while preventing actions the female protagonist wouldn’t like was half the battle.

Kana spoke awkwardly.

“Um, I’m sorry I couldn’t be of help.”

— It’s okay. Aren’t you curious why I’m asking?

“No. It’s a rather personal topic.”

— …I see.

Kiriel couldn’t say more in response to her polite refusal. Her consistent attitude of not crossing the line was admirable. While he gave a bitter laugh, Kana checked the time and spoke up.

“Lord Kiriel, I’m sorry, but I have a schedule to keep, so I’ll have to end this call.”

— …Alright.

His reply was somewhat weak. Kana found it a bit strange but turned off the communication sphere.

Just as she finished her task and was about to leave, Lena came to the training ground. The maid caught her breath and spoke slowly.

“Miss, the tea time preparations in the garden are complete.”

“Alright. I should get ready.”

“Have you finished your training?”

“Yes. It was just a check and warm-up exercise anyway.”

Kana returned to her room, washed up, and changed into a bright dress. With the spirit on her shoulder, she waited for the people she had arranged to meet in the garden pavilion.

While waiting, Celia sensed a faint spirit aura in the garden. The wind spirit murmured absentmindedly.

[Oh, look at that?]

‘What’s wrong?’

[Look over there, Kana.]

Kana’s gaze followed her partner’s direction. Near the stones surrounding the flowers in the garden, a translucent light brown round spirit was moving sluggishly. Her eyes narrowed.

‘Hmm, a low-level earth spirit?’

[That’s right. It seems to be curious about our contractor.]

Celia, intrigued, let out a clear laugh. The low-level earth spirit, startled by Kana’s gaze, hid among the flowers. Kana’s lips curved into a smile at the cute spirit.

‘It’s adorable. It seems to be a shy spirit.’

[It’s friendly, but can you form a contract with it?]

Celia’s round eyes sparkled. She was deeply interested because it meant gaining a new friend and benefiting her contractor. Kana chuckled and replied.

‘Well, I’ll have to spend time building rapport to find out.’

[It’s probably because of the lack of talent of that supporting character. Lady Round originally had no talent. I’m an exception because I’m an extension of a previous contract.]

‘You’re right. But I’ll give it a try, so don’t worry.’

[Okay.]

Celia’s reply was filled with determination. Feeling the spirit’s hopeful wish, Kana smiled gently.

The wind spirit, watching the earth spirit peeking from among the flowers, spoke nostalgically.

[Seeing that earth spirit watching us reminds me of the past. Kana, do you remember when we formed our contract?]

‘Ah, back then?’