Chapter 16
This feeling was not new to him.
‘Isn’t this reminiscent of the sensation I felt during my state of comatose?’
That peculiar feeling—it had been mana all along. He remembered the disorienting haze that surrounded him during those long, shadowy days, wrapping his mind in a comforting yet constricting embrace. It was as if he were submerged in a vast ocean.
Cielo closed his eyes again, focusing on his breath and allowing the mana to wash over him like gentle waves on the shore. With each exhale, he released the tension that had accumulated within him, sensing a change in the energy around him.
“Mana isn’t usually this concentrated. However, your natural magical talent causes it to gather around you.”
Newcastle said as he watched him wiping the sweat from his forehead. This suggests that he has started to awaken his consciousness upon entering this world.
He looks up at the man and says.
“That’s cool.”
He had been aware of the mana all along, even before fully awakening his senses. Despite his ability to sense mana, there appears to be something missing in this scenario.
With his head slightly tilted, he asked.
“I can sense it, but why can’t I see it?”
It is often said that consuming solid mana enhances one’s senses. Why, then, is he unable to see anything?
“You can’t?”
Newcastle looked both surprised and worried. He quickly stood up and moved closer, making a gesture with his hand that Cielo found hard to understand.
‘He cast a spell on me?’
This raised the strong possibility that Konstantinos and Alistair were telling the truth when they said they used a lie detector on him. His room was just as cold as this one. It must be from mana.
“Hmm. I don’t see anything wrong with you…”
Newcastle said after a full five minutes of silence. He took a deep breath and waved his hand, summoning a book that he began to read. He stayed perfectly still as the sound of pages flipping quickly filled the room.
Finding himself with nothing to do, he decided to offer his help but was quickly turned down.
“Do you need help—”
“Shh. Be quiet.”
Confronted with a shortage of activities, he decided to offer his help, but it was quickly turned down. Cielo bit his lip, bracing himself for another five minutes of uncomfortable silence.
The book was suddenly closed, catching him off guard. Newcastle pretended not to notice his reaction.
“This is certainly a problem, but I will look into it more thoroughly later.”
Newcastle casually tossed the book, which vanished into thin air before it could hit the ground. Cielo, who had been focused on the book, shifted his attention back to Newcastle.
“What happens next?”
The look on his instructor’s face suggested that the inability to sense mana was quite significant. After a brief pause, Newcastle snapped his fingers.
“We will move on to practical lessons."
“All of a sudden?”
“That’s right.”
Cielo looked at Newcastle with a hint of skepticism, sensing that his mentor was trying to divert him from the main issue.
“Are you really sure this isn’t a problem?”
“Yesn’t.”
“… … .”
It seemed Newcastle was not interested in continuing the conversation, leaving Cielo with no choice but to back down. In the end, practical lessons weren’t necessarily a bad thing.
By the fifth day of his training with Newcastle, several issues started to arise.
“You really can’t see it?”
“Yep.”
At that moment, they were immersed in research in the library.
Newcastle set aside the book he had been deeply absorbed in and picked up his black book along with a quill. Despite Newcastle’s persistent attempts, he still couldn’t perceive any mana.
Cielo let out a heavy sigh and leaned back against the heap of books strewn across the floor.
He took one last dose of solid mana, cast a spell to improve his vision, and even had a thorough eye examination with Doctor Happy. Yet, all the results showed that everything was functioning as it should.
Their final effort brought them to the library, where they carefully examined every magical tome at their disposal. This task was greatly accelerated by a spell cast by Newcastle, which allowed them to scan the volumes in under a minute.
The spell’s efficiency was impressive. Newcastle simply inputted the main topic he wanted to investigate—specifically, anything related to mana senses—and the magic took care of the rest, quickly sifting through the contents of each book, extracting relevant information, and presenting it in a clear and organized manner.
Despite Cielo’s appreciation for the spell’s capabilities, the truth was that they had wasted half a day without achieving any results. The library, once a beacon of hope, now felt like a frustrating labyrinth. They had perused countless texts, yet none provided the crucial insights they desperately needed.
Currently, they are tucked away in a corner of the library, surrounded by a chaotic pile of books.
The inability to perceive mana seems to be quite significant, as only the caster of the spell can see their own magic. If he cannot see it, then it stands to reason that no one else will be able to either.
“Surely, it won’t be difficult if you can write?”
Since he is unconcerned about mana—given that it naturally gathers around him and is readily available—he can freely inscribe his spells in the air without hesitation, like a madman, or on paper if it is offered.
Newcastle shook his head and asked in frustration.
“Did you not study the ancient language last night?”
Cielo let out a yawn and nodded in confirmation.
Newcastle had suggested he focus on the ancient language the night before, and he had taken that advice to heart, becoming so absorbed that he completely lost track of time. As a result, he was feeling quite sleepy today.
“You must know that the ancient characters are strikingly similar and straightforward. Take A and H, for instance. The only distinction is a slight curve in the middle.”
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“…That is indeed true…”
Moreover, there are the letters J-L, W-M, and Z-S. Only those with a trained eye can spot the differences among them.
Engaging in magic carries significant risks, particularly if the practitioner makes a mistake. Thus, it is essential for them to be able to see mana. Moreover, Cielo’s lack of familiarity with the language adds to the complexity of the situation. The current level of danger is extremely high, requiring a careful approach.
“Could you hold on for a moment? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you and Alistair use your hands like that, have I?”
Since casting involves manipulating mana using hands, this should have been obvious. He had not observed any hand movements while they were performing their magic.
Newcastle stopped writing and replied without looking up.
“That’s a technique only skilled mages can learn.”
“What technique?”
Newcastle paused his writing and flashed a smirk at Cielo.
“Instead of explaining, why not watch Tr, I mean Alistair and me for a few days to see if you can figure it out?”
“Is this meant to be a lesson as well?”
Cielo murmured softly to himself.
Newcastle placed his quill down and wiped his forehead, which was being tickled by the feather.
“What are you doing?”
He asked while protecting his attractive forehead.
“Quit being a bother.”
His teacher announced, shut the book with a flourish, and stood up abruptly. Cielo, surprised by this sudden change, felt the urge to stand as well.
The scattered books were meticulously returned to their shelves.
‘I can’t get used to this.’
Even though he had witnessed this happen several times before, he was still fascinated.
Newcastle snapped his fingers to get his attention.
“You mentioned that you can sense mana, which is fantastic news.”
“Is that really the case?”
“Absolutely. Let’s see how we can make the most of that.”
Cielo didn’t argue and they made their way to the One Exit Room, the place where he usually practiced. The training facility was off-limits due to the large number of soldiers and knights occupying the South Wing.
Two days later, Cielo sat nervously on an ornate sofa in front of Konstantinos.
His gaze dropped to the table, where the polished surface reflected the flickering candlelight. The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, creating an oppressive atmosphere. He could feel the prince’s eyes on him, searching for a glimmer of hope, a sign that the harsh reality he had just revealed was not as final as it seemed.
Konstantinos set his cup down gently, the delicate porcelain making a soft sound as it touched the table. He leaned in, his face a mix of curiosity and amusement, though that expression quickly faded.
With a completely neutral tone, he asked.
“Could you repeat that?”
“I… can’t…”
Cielo struggled to find the words he had just shared with the prince.
The prince paused, waiting for a reply, but eventually fell silent. He poured himself another cup of tea and brought it to his lips.
“You can’t perform magic?”
Konstantinos asked again, sipping his tea with grace. Cielo, sitting across from him, wore a look of profound sadness, biting his lip in thought.
“…Unfortunately, no.”
The 14th prince rested his head on his arms, staring at the man with silver-white hair. The dim light in the room cast shadows across the prince’s face, accentuating the sharp lines of his jaw and the frustration etched in his expression.
“You are even more useless than I expected.”
He said, his voice dripping with dissatisfaction.
The prince’s biting words made Cielo’s brow furrow, a familiar wave of anxiety tightening within him. Although he had grown used to the prince’s harsh remarks, today they struck deeper than usual. Still, he knew he couldn’t react as he had before, so he forced a smile, one that felt delicate and insincere.
“Your Imperial Highness, may I ask if it is my duty to ensure you were aware of my lack of magical abilities before this contract was formed?”
Cielo replied, attempting to express both defiance and reason. He then took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
If they had conducted a preliminary evaluation, they wouldn’t be caught in this agreement, burdened with expectations. The idea of being trapped in this situation, with the prince’s contempt hanging over him like a dark cloud, stirred a sense of unease in his stomach.
“You bring up a valid point.”
The prince conceded, his tone softening slightly, though a hint of irritation remained. He shifted his position, leaning on one elbow for support.
“No. I am right, and you are wrong.”
While others might be taken aback by his way of addressing the esteemed Imperial Prince, he remains completely unfazed. There are issues of greater importance than mere etiquette.
“I might be a Traveler, but I also have memory loss. I can’t say for sure if I have any special powers. The odds seem to favor me.”
“…You are correct, I made an error. I apologize.”
The prince quickly acknowledged this, surprising Cielo in the process. He is more understanding than expected? He had prepared himself for a rebuttal, perhaps a defensive response, but instead, he found himself looking into the eyes of someone willing to reconsider their stance.
Cielo anticipated that he would elaborate, but instead, silence lingered.
“… .”
‘Why does he keep acting this way?’
The prince only participates in discussions when someone else initiates them. This peculiar behavior has become increasingly apparent over the past week at the palace. There appears to be a deeper issue at play, making the prince seem more like an artificial intelligence programmed to respond rather than a real person with emotions and thoughts.
Since the prince stayed quiet, Cielo decided to speak first to move their conversation forward.
“What should I do now? Ending the contract isn’t possible, as the fault lies with you.”
The words flowed out, tinged with confusion and uncertainty. He cannot give up his advantages simply because the prince no longer sees him as valuable. It wasn’t his fault that they assumed he had magical powers just because of his appearance.
“Ah…”
The prince rested his chin on his hands, his eyes shut in contemplation.
The flickering candlelight cast whimsical shadows on the stone walls, creating an atmosphere that was both intimate and introspective.
“I will designate you as the interim assistant for Newcastle.”
Konstantinos finally declared, breaking the silence that enveloped them.
“Instructor’s assistant?”
Came the surprised response from Cielo.
Although he could no longer focus on magic, this brought him comfort. Working with Newcastle in the library enabled him to explore fascinating books, which became his only source of pleasure in a technology-free world.
Lost in his sense of relief, he failed to notice the thoughtful expression on Konstantinos’s face as he watched him.
Cielo glanced up and met the mysterious gaze of the prince.
“So, what happens next?”
“Access to the West Wing is restricted solely to my most trusted aides. Your immediate presence here would likely prompt inquiries."
Konstantinos replies, his tone serious.
The West Wing, with its ornate doors and guarded secrets, is a place reserved for those of Konstantinos’s most trusted associates. Simply showing up at its entrance could not only draw attention but also spark rumors that could jeopardize their plans.
“You’re right. Then I guess I’ll be working as a servant outside, right?”
Honestly, he isn’t bothered about being kicked out. Having never stepped outside the West Wing’s familiar confines, the thought of breaking free from those well-established boundaries fills him with excitement.
The West Wing has always felt like a gilded cage, a place of both privilege and confinement, where the outside world is merely a series of curated illusions visible through the windows—images that have never truly resonated with him.
When he finally leaves, he will see the true Imperial Grounds, not just the fake images shown in the windows. Perhaps he could come up with an escape plan when the opportunity arises. Still, he doubts his chances of success due to a binding contract that holds him back.
Moreover, he can’t shake the nagging suspicion that they have likely placed a tracker on him as well. It’s a precaution he has come to expect, a way for them to keep tabs on him even when he thinks he might be free. The thought sends a shiver down his spine. It could be hidden in his clothes or shoes, embedded in the fabric, or concealed within the soles.
The prince acknowledges him with a graceful nod.
“It is merely a superficial matter. I am uncertain about how to proceed with you since this outcome was unforeseen. Nevertheless, I can’t simply let you go.”
“… .”
‘I can’t say that I’m surprised.’
The 14th prince’s primary motivation for wanting him close is his status as a Traveler, rather than his abilities as a mage. Such individuals are quite rare, making this encounter possibly the prince’s only chance to meet one in his lifetime. The exact reason for this remains unclear to him.
“Ah, well… I have no complaints.”
Cielo does not oppose Konstantinos’s wish to keep him by his side. While he initially planned to escape and explore the world, he didn’t have the courage to undertake such a journey alone. Thus, he is currently content to remain with them, as it gives him the chance to gradually adjust to this new environment.