The old witch—no, I mean, this beautiful sister here… what the hell is she doing in our abode?
It's still far from tax collection time, and this month's royal task progress was already reported two weeks ago. Just why…?
"Curious? I just came to check up on the troublemaking successor of the great Viscount," Krystal answered with a smile, as if reading my mind.
But of course, I could tell that her words were a lie.
As if finding it amusing that my face was crumpled with doubt, she let out a soft chuckle. "No, alright. I'll say it. It's fine, right, Viscount Claus?" She turned to Father as she asked.
"Of course, Lady Lenners." Father nodded with a smile. "If my son could be of help to you, then please do."
"…"
Just from hearing Father's words, I could already guess what this old hag's matter was.
"Great!" She smiled. "Actually, I'm here to ask for further explanation of the Four-Category Crop Rotation System. As usual, I'd be in your care, little successor."
I knew it…
Father's achievements, which earned him the Viscount title, were mostly thanks to this agricultural change. Thus, as repayment to the kingdom, he was tasked with sharing this knowledge with everyone.
Krystal, as the royal court mage, was in charge of gathering the details and choosing which territories could implement the said farming method.
Since Father is usually busy with other things, the job of explaining things to her often falls to me, the successor—and the "expert" in the matter.
But of course, I know that even this wasn't the "real" reason she came here for. Still, I couldn't say that out loud in the presence of others.
I smiled, nodding my little head.
"I understand, Lady Lenners. Then, shall we change locations?"
"Sure. Lead the way."
I said goodbye to my parents and Elisha before offering thanks for the food in a short prayer to the Creator God. Then, with Miranda's help, I got down from the chair and began walking down the hallway.
Krystal walked not behind, but beside me, her gait matching my short stride.
Really, no matter how many times I see it, her legs are long… Even with a knee-length skirt, I could see everything underneath if I just looked up.
Not that I plan to do that, though. I've learned my lesson already.
"So…" Krystal whispered, addressing me while her gaze pointed behind. "What's with that maid? Is she going to tag along until the annex?"
"Hm?"
I turned around and saw that she was looking at Miranda… Rather, Miranda had tagged along without a sound. That's scary!
"M-Miranda, you can return now," I said, trying to chase her away, but—
"No, Master." She refused vehemently. "It is my job to stay by your side and help you out. I won't let you be alone with such a suspicious old hag."
"Old… H-Ha…"
Dear god… did she really just say that? This girl doesn't know what fear is!
"Oh? Is this perhaps your slave, Rex?" Krystal smiled, but her eyes weren't smiling at all. "How cute… should I squish her like a bug~?"
Of course, I knew her words weren't a joke either, but dead serious.
I've seen many examples until now, so there's no mistaking it.
"Please have mercy on her, Master…" I could only beg. "She's new to this and hasn't been taught manners yet."
"Really? She seemed to be of noble descent, though?"
"Ugh…"
Right, Master also has Appraisal… There's no hiding anything from her.
"And… hooh… these skills… how interesting…"
Of course, that meant Miranda's skills were also visible to her.
It had been a while since I'd seen such a pleased smile, full of interest, on her face… I guess the last time was when she first saw me use magic? That was years ago...
Hm?
What?
Why did I call Krystal "Master"?
Well, because she's my magic teacher.
I mean, nobody else around me is as knowledgeable in magic as her… though it's really a coincidence—no, a stroke of bad luck—that I became her disciple. If I could turn back time, I would stay hidden and not practice magic if that meant avoiding becoming this damned witch's disciple…
"Ah, wait, Master!" I called out, seeing her walk closer to Miranda. "If you get any closer, your mana will get sucked out…!"
"Steal mana? From this great me?"
Of course, such a warning landed on deaf ears. Krystal laughed, as if she'd just heard an interesting joke. Then, she raised a finger, taunting Miranda as she spoke.
"Try it if you can, lass. I'd even make you my second disciple if you siphon even one point of mana from me."
"You…"
Miranda, of course, didn't hold back.
She took one step after another until she was literally an arm's length away from Krystal, and glared. "So you're that thing Master Rex calls Master… You should scram now while you still have your life."
"Oh~? A feisty one, I see. Really, my disciple picks up interesting toys all the time. I'm getting jealous~!"
The tension between the two rose, enough that I could almost hear rumbling in the distance.
"Well, sit down for now."
When Krystal said this, Miranda's body moved, sitting down on a chair. A chair that appeared out of nowhere. No, rather than a chair appearing, all three of us had moved to a different place in an instant.
"…Haha."
I couldn't even notice when Master activated such a grand spell.
She's capable of doing this much without showing any signs, so killing me or Miranda should be as easy as breathing to her. The fact that my cute maid is still alive is, as expected, thanks to her two new skills.
Master was a beast when it came to new things, after all.
To the point that her Appraisal's unique skill upgrade became something called "World Library."
Unlike my Akashic Records, which could tell me anything I want to know as long as I can see it, World Library works in reverse. It stores any and all details Krystal appraised before, or brand-new knowledge she gained, building a library of things she discovered since ancient times.
And once something is recorded in the World Library, she would never forget.
"Soo… hurry up. Time is ticking."
Master sat down. The next instant, a table appeared between the two of them, served with tea and snacks. Miranda didn't react, but Master took a cup and enjoyed the tea's scent, smiling as usual.
And just like that, a minute passed.
"…"
But nothing changed.
Master showed no signs that her mana was being absorbed…
No way! Is Miranda's Mana Drain really not working against her?
No, rather… is there actually a method to stop it?!