Book 2: Chapter 30 (1/2)

There was a heavy silence.

The sound of rain clashing against the window echoed.

However, it cannot be dragged out any longer.

「…Does the young lady know this?」

The Earl slowly shook his head from side to side.

She doesn’t know, huh… I think that is for the better, too. Even if she were to know, it would just instill meaningless guilt.

「What is the young lady’s condition right now?」

「My relative was exposed to the magic eye when it activated. There seems to have been disagreement on the color of the dress, so I heard that she hit the chief maid who was beside her.」

「Is the chief maid alright?」

「Of course. The chief maid is well-versed in self-defense. As for Eva, due to the sudden change in behaviour of my relative and running out of mana, she has fallen into a deep sleep.」

I was relieved. Even with the worst situation occurring, we seem to have gotten out with one of the better outcomes.

「Then, how do we help the young lady?」

「The caster said that the seal would eventually break one day, and she should learn to control her mana by then. However, there are very few people who are well-versed in seals. You can’t find them in a day or two.」The Earl then placed a small leather bag on the table. I was very much familiar with the thick, spherical form.「I was going to give this at the awarding ceremony.」

What came out from inside the bag was a skill orb that shone a blue light – a light that mysteriously felt warm. The light illuminated the room brightly because the outdoors were dim due to rain.

【Mana Control ★★★★】floated in the center of the skill orb.

「Once Eva gets used to controlling her mana, she can drop to a lower star【Mana Control】, until she doesn’t need it anymore. Or, at the very least, a one star【Mana Control】is all she needs to control her mana.」

I see. The Earl had a proper countermeasure. If a skill orb can solve this problem, the Earl’s financial strength should be able to do it. Although, I think a four-star【Mana Control】is still quite rare.

「…If the awarding ceremony was held the day after the ‘Sprout and New Moon Banquet’, we wouldn’t have had to worry about the seal.」

If so, it’s… my fault.

「Reiji-san, you saved Prince Kluvshrat’s life. No one blames you. And there were no particular injuries today.」

「However…」

「If it still bothers you, then I have a request.」

The Earl smiled — Wow, what a nice smile! I’m sure it is all due to my guidance.

「I am not allowed to give the skill orb before the awarding ceremony. But since Eva cannot be left as she is, I will use a magic tool that draws out her mana to the limit.」

The Earl placed a silver bracelet studded with five green jewels on the table.

「Is this the magic tool?」

「Yes. It absorbs mana, and when mana is absorbed, the green jewels turn blue. Since it has a considerable amount of mana capacity, it will be able to absorb and store mana until the day after tomorrow… but the problem is Eva herself. If her mana is too low, it will put a strain on the body.」

「Ah, right…」

I also have the experience of fainting due to lack of mana, so I understand it well.

「It is going to take a toll on her body, especially in these times of tension. So, I want you to be with her, Reiji-san.」

「That doesn’t even have to be said.」

When I replied immediately, the Earl shook his head.

「Eva relies on you more than you think.」