“I think I did something crazy.”
“You did. Why on earth did you bring the child here?”
Inside the carriage heading toward Dekia Alley,
Bel stared at her master with a look of disbelief as Jeryl clutched her head in despair.
Right after she had used the Blue Magic last night, the child had been completely healed — bones mended, internal injuries gone, even the old scars had disappeared.
Karon had watched it happen with a strange look on his face, murmuring something under his breath.
“What did he say again? That the screaming had finally stopped?”
When she last saw his face, there had been a faint, almost hollow expression in his eyes.
‘Well, maybe he’ll run straight to the imperial palace and report that a Blue Mage has reappeared.’
“Let him. What can he even do without proof?”
Still annoyed from their argument, Jeryl snorted inwardly. There were far more pressing problems now.
Holding a signed document of parental rights renunciation, she gently stroked the child’s hair.
His name was Stefan, ten years old — and just as she’d guessed, a victim of abuse at home.
“Big sis, I really don’t have to go back there, right?”
The skinny boy blinked up at her.
Inside the rattling carriage, Jeryl gave a faint, reassuring smile.
“Of course not. Once your parents sign this paper, it’s all over.”
“Then… can I live with you, Big Sis?”
She’d been meaning to ask Marquis Rubian about that anyway.
He’d probably scold her, but that was nothing new — even after ten years of living under his roof, they’d never been close.
[“I only took you in because you’re a Blue Mage. As head of House Rubian, it’s my duty to protect you.”]
The first mage in history had been from the Rubian family.
Even without the madness, both Blue and Red Mages were rare — but Blue Mages were rarer still.
Because instead of mana, they used life force.
It wasn’t permanently consumed, but using it without rest could endanger one’s life.
In the past, many had died for that very reason — pushing past their limits until their bodies gave out.
And so, one rule had been passed down through House Rubian:
“Never turn your back on a Blue or Red Mage in need.”
‘He’s so stubborn. Nobody even remembers that rule anymore, and yet…’
Still, for Jeryl, that rule was her salvation — it meant she didn’t have to starve again.
“Young lady, we’ve arrived at Dekia Alley.”
Stepping out of the carriage, Jeryl looked up. The alley was as dark and grim as ever.
She held Stefan’s hand and walked a long way until they reached an old, shabby house.
Something burned faintly in her nose.
‘Is that… smoke? Did someone light a fire?’
Knock, knock.
“Anyone here? Open the door!”
Bel’s voice rang out, but no answer came.
When he pushed the door, it creaked open effortlessly.
Aside from the worn furniture, it looked like any ordinary home.
Except for one thing — Jeryl noticed footprints on the carpet.
‘Who walks inside with their shoes on?’
Even setting cultural habits aside, it was a strange sight.
Just as she was about to take a closer look—
“Well, we meet again.”
She turned her head — and there stood a man in a sleek black suit, stepping out of the bedroom.
A faint stream of smoke trailed from the cigar in his mouth.
“…Karl? What are you doing here?”
“For the same reason you are.”
Karon flicked the cigar to the floor and slowly approached, holding out a crumpled wad of papers.
It was the parental renunciation form, now smeared with reddish stains.
Jeryl pretended not to notice.
“And why exactly do you care about this? I recall we didn’t quite see eye-to-eye yesterday.”
“It was… bothersome.”
Bothersome?
Jeryl frowned, silently demanding an explanation, but Karon said nothing.
His red eyes gleamed faintly in the dim light.
The silence grew heavy. Stefan tugged at the hem of her dress, breaking the tense stare.
“Big sis…”
“Send the child abroad.”
The cold tone made the boy flinch, but then he raised his voice in protest —
apparently, the saying “a puppy doesn’t fear a tiger” applied here too.
“I don’t want to! I want to stay with Jeryl!”
“The Kingdom of Freka has a better system for Red Mages. He’ll be safer there.”
Karon’s gaze stayed fixed on Jeryl as he spoke.
He wasn’t wrong — but seeing Stefan cling to her, trembling, made it impossible to agree so easily.
“Big sis, please don’t send me away…”
“You’ll need to learn manners first, if you go to a kingdom.”
Jeryl shot Karon a glare before kneeling down to meet Stefan’s eyes.
“How about we think about it a little more? I want to respect your decision, so take your time, okay?”
“But…”
“For now, why don’t you head home? I need to talk to this ‘gentleman’ here.”
Karon’s sharp look immediately cut toward her.
Even as she sent Stefan off, his gaze didn’t waver —
but Jeryl stood firm, waving until the carriage disappeared down the road.
“‘Gentleman’?”
“Well, what else should I call you in front of a ten-year-old?”
“You’re the one who called me that, not the kid.”
She waved her hand as if dismissing his pettiness, and he let out an incredulous sigh.
“Anyway, thanks.”
“For what?”
“The paperwork. I appreciate you taking care of it.”
It was awkward to say after yesterday’s argument,
but Jeryl wasn’t the type to leave things unsaid.
Maybe because she was staring at the ground, she didn’t notice his brow arch in surprise.
“Think of it as a transaction.”
“What, do you want something in return?”
“Of course. Give and take.”
Ugh, how stingy. He doesn’t look like it, but he’s definitely a cheapskate.
“What do you want, then?”
“A night view.”
“…Huh?”
“You said you’d give me a tour, didn’t you? Time to fulfill your guide duties.”
“That’s it?”
His face remained unreadable as he gestured impatiently,
as if asking “What are you waiting for?”
Leaving Dekia Alley and heading east led them up a steep hill.
Few people came here because of the climb, but the view was worth it.
“Huff… still a bit before sunset… haah…”
Panting hard, Jeryl staggered up the slope.
‘Climbing this twice would kill me.’
“…Is your stamina really that pathetic?”
Karon, walking behind her without a drop of sweat, stopped to stare.
He looked half-worried she might throw up.
Her stamina was perfectly normal — he was the abnormal one.
‘How is he not even sweating?’
Jeryl plopped down onto the grass, gasping for air.
Karon looked down at her quietly.
“Hah… Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Are you a Blue Mage?”
“—Keh!”
She inhaled wrong and started coughing.
Karon sighed and lay back on the grass.
“I–I’m not.”
“Blue hair, unnatural healing ability, and…”
He stopped mid-sentence, pressing a hand to his temple.
The madness within him was still quiet… for now.
“Anyway. The evidence is there, so don’t bother denying it.”
“So what, you gonna report me to the palace?”
“Too much hassle.”
“Then promise you won’t tell anyone.”
“Don’t you trust me?”
“Why should I?”
Silence fell between them.
The faint smell of smoke mixed with the wildflower scent as Karon finally spoke.
“Do you know what the Blue Mage’s madness is?”
“No. The records don’t say.”
“Doesn’t that scare you? Every Blue Mage disappeared because of it.”
“Not really. There must be warning signs. I’ll have time to prepare.”
Heh. He already had a plan for that.
Karon chuckled under his breath. After a pause, he said quietly:
“Want to know my secret?”
“Stop changing the subject and just promise me.”
“I’m planning something. When it’s done, I’ll die before the madness kills me.”
“…What?”
“Keep that in mind. It might help you someday.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Call it collateral.”
Then it made sense —
instead of demanding her promise, he’d given her a secret, a weakness to hold over him.
It was a rough, twisted sort of kindness.
“You’re right. There’s still time before sunset, so I’ll get some sleep.”
She looked at him for a long moment.
What kind of person plans his own death and still keeps living like that?
‘…Was that why the Duke of Lefert killed himself in the original story?’
They’d said his rebellion almost succeeded, that his death was inexplicable —
but maybe it hadn’t been choice at all. Maybe it was the madness.
“Um…”
Jeryl began cautiously, then trailed off.
Karon’s breathing had grown slow and steady.
“…Are you asleep?”
“…”
“Seriously?”
How could he sleep so soundly after dropping a bomb like that?
