“I came to see Miss Kana.”

Kiriel spoke confidently. Lena took a deep breath and resolutely blocked his way.

“The lady is doing something important related to spirit summoning. I’m sorry, but I’ve been instructed not to let anyone in.”

“Do you know what she’s doing?”

“No.”

Lena shook her head. Although her mistress hadn’t given her a detailed explanation, she believed there was a reason for it. Kiriel raised an eyebrow, feeling uneasy.

“So, even the Viscount Round couple and other servants don’t approach Miss Kana while she’s doing that work?”

“Yes. The lady informed us in advance.”

Lena recalled Kana’s earnest request. Her mistress was always thorough. Whenever she had something to do, she would plan it out in her head, think it over, and inform the people around her, including the servants.

Kiriel frowned at the maid’s unwavering demeanor and then let out a hollow laugh.

“What if something happens to Miss Kana?”

“…Pardon?”

Lena’s eyes shook violently. She hadn’t even considered such a situation. Her mistress had always handled matters related to spirits well. There had never been any problems before.

“Think about it. She’s probably self-studying, and unexpected accidents could happen. From what I hear, it seems different from her usual spirit summoning training.”

Kiriel persuaded the wavering maid with plausible words. Lena bit her lip and shook her head.

“But the lady said there wouldn’t be any dangerous situations.”

“Have you thought that she might have said that to avoid worrying others?”

The Kana he knew always adjusted to the other person while rarely revealing her true feelings.

Though she could be cold and decisive at times, she was fundamentally kind-hearted, making it a plausible possibility.

“That might be true, but…”

Lena hesitated, trailing off. Her mistress was generous but did not like excessive interference or being disturbed while working.

Kiriel didn’t give the maid time to gather her thoughts and pressed on.

“Is she doing that work in the training ground? Or somewhere else?”

“…In the garden.”

“Then it seems she’s trying something new. I’ll keep my distance so as not to disturb her. Just guide me.”

Kiriel flicked his fingers. Lena, feeling troubled, politely bowed and refused.

“I’m sorry. Even if you are the Master of the Magic Tower, it would be problematic if you disturb her work.”

“It’s fine. Do you think I can’t gauge the situation? There won’t be any unfortunate incidents. I stake my ability and the title of the Master of the Magic Tower on it.”

Kiriel’s eyes shone seriously. His response carried the weight of the Master of the Magic Tower and confidence in his abilities. Lena swallowed nervously.

“But…”

“If you’re worried about being reprimanded, just say the Master of the Magic Tower insisted out of concern. I’ll take responsibility.”

“I understand.”

After much hesitation, Lena finally guided him to the garden.

Upon arriving at the garden, Kiriel keenly observed his surroundings. Fortunately, he didn’t sense any unstable or turbulent spirit energy.

As he silently searched for Kana with his eyes, a joyous shout suddenly echoed from a corner of the garden.

“Yes! I finally did it!”

Startled, Kiriel looked in the direction of the voice. He saw Kana, covered in dirt, jumping up and down while hugging something in a light dress.

Though her appearance was vastly different from her usual neat and calm demeanor, it wasn’t unsightly at all. Instead, it looked adorable, even though it should have made him frown.

“No matter how messy she looks, if she still looks cute, that must be love.”

Recalling his subordinate’s words, Kiriel let out a hollow laugh and blankly stared at the scene. He had no choice but to acknowledge his feelings. He had fallen in love with Kana.

Absorbed in his newfound realization, he failed to notice the presence of a new spirit. Lena, who had been guiding him, was flustered by his sudden silence.

Unlike the two confused individuals, Kana was elated by her successful contract with the lower earth spirit. She gently stroked the round spirit’s body and spoke softly.

‘Please take care of me from now on, Gnome.’

[…Yes.]

Gnome was a polite and reserved spirit. The earth spirit expressed its intention to return and quietly disappeared. Kana and Celia looked at each other and smiled.

[Good job, Kana. Seeing Gnome reminds me of when I was a lower spirit.]

‘Those were the days when we were both inexperienced. It feels like going back to the beginning.’

Kana’s expression turned nostalgic. Successfully forming her second contract as a background character with a hint of talent was deeply moving. Celia also felt sentimental.

[I agree. By the way, Gnome is satisfied with the basic name.]

‘Most spirits are. You’re the unique one. I still can’t forget how you asked for a new name because you didn’t like the common name Sylph.’

[Whatever. Being called Celia makes me feel like a special spirit.]

‘Well, I’m glad you like it.’

Kana smiled as she watched the wind spirit proudly boast. Celia, who had been laughing with her, suddenly spoke in a serious tone.

[Wait a minute, Kana. Someone’s watching.]

‘What?’

Kana, who had been reveling in her success, snapped back to reality at those words. She hastily used spirit summoning to brush off the dirt from her dress and tidied her disheveled hair and clothes.

As she turned around, following the spirit’s words, she saw Lena clutching her skirt with a nervous expression and Kiriel, who seemed dazed. She narrowed her eyes and approached them.

“Why are you both here…”

“Miss Kana, I’m really sorry. You told me not to let anyone in, but the Master of the Magic Tower was concerned that you might be in danger. I broke your instructions out of worry.”

Lena immediately bowed and apologized. Kana, who was genuinely concerned and in a good mood from successfully contracting a new spirit, let it slide generously.

“It’s okay, Lena. I succeeded today.”

“Wow, really? Congratulations! So, are you done with your work in the garden?”

“Yes. I’ll probably only use the training ground from now on.”

“Okay.”

Lena clapped her hands energetically, sincerely congratulating her. Kiriel, who had been staring blankly at her cheerful conversation with the maid, was lost in thought.

Kana, noticing Kiriel’s unusual state, gestured to Lena.

“Lena, you can go now. I’ll handle the Master of the Magic Tower.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Lena glanced between her mistress and the Master of the Magic Tower before quickly leaving. Kana cautiously spoke in the garden, now alone with him.

“Lord Kiriel, are you alright?”

“…Yes.”

Kiriel nodded absentmindedly. Kana stood on tiptoe and carefully examined his handsome face. He looked unusually dazed. Celia, who had moved to her shoulder, was puzzled.

[What’s wrong with him? Why is he suddenly broken?]

‘I don’t know.’

While Kana blinked and tried to figure out the cause, Kiriel swallowed nervously at her close proximity.

He couldn’t bring himself to look at her face directly and shifted his gaze to the hem of her dress. Kana followed his gaze and paused.

‘Oh, is it because my dress is dirty? I didn’t expect to meet a main character in this state. Especially since Kiriel prefers clean and neat appearances.’

As a background character, she always presented a tidy appearance in front of the main characters to gain even a tiny bit more favor and trust from them.

Kana let out an awkward laugh.

“Oh, I must look terrible, right? As you saw, I was doing something important in the garden. So, I’m not in a position to properly welcome you, Lord Kiriel.”

“…I understand.”

Kiriel surprisingly let it slide generously. In fact, he was still too flustered to care, but Kana, unaware of this, changed the subject smoothly.

“By the way, I remember informing you in advance. What brings you here?”

“Well, I couldn’t reach you… and I was worried something might have happened…”

Kiriel stammered, which was uncharacteristic for him. He felt ashamed of his past self, who scoffed at others acting foolishly in love. It seemed one truly had to experience it to understand.

Kana smiled warmly. She disliked people who invaded her privacy or acted arbitrarily despite prior notice, but for some reason, she didn’t feel uncomfortable with him, who fit both categories.

“Oh, I see. Thank you for worrying. Fortunately, I succeeded smoothly.”

“What was it about?”

“A new spirit contract. It’s a lower earth spirit named Gnome. Somehow, you’re the first to hear about it, Lord Kiriel.”

Her face beamed with pride. Only then did Kiriel notice the faint presence of the spirit. He had been too focused on ‘Kana’ to realize it earlier.

He hesitated for a moment, struck by her bright smile and the fact that he was the first to know, before finally speaking.

“Oh, I see. Congratulations.”

“Thank you! If you’d like to refer to it in your auxiliary magic tool research, feel free to let me know. I’ll gladly cooperate, considering the help I’ve received.”

Kana smiled brightly. To Kiriel, she looked incredibly pretty and cute.

His ears had turned a faint red, but Kana, focused on his unusual state, didn’t notice.

She was concerned about Kiriel, who remained silent despite the topic being related to his field of interest. She waved her hand gently in front of his eyes.

“…Lord Kiriel?”