Camille (9)

Magicians have always been precious beings in any country.

Even the Holy Dominion, which holds Dragon faith, is no exception.

They are merely called by a different name, ‘priests,’ but they are ultimately no different from magicians who specialize in divine magic.

However, there were some individuals even these magicians rarely encountered…

They were mental magicians.

“Vivian, what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of mental magic?”

“Geas, of course.”

Geas, that famous absolute obedience magic.

It’s a terrifying magic that completely dominates another’s mind and manipulates them according to one’s will.

Even I, a Dragon, consider Geas dangerous just by its very existence.

“But have you ever seen a magician using Geas in the Empire?”

“No, not that I know of, at least.”

“Why do you think there aren’t any?”

“Hmm… Is it because the Empire’s magic level is low?”

“Wrong. It’s not that the level is low, but that it’s too dangerous.”

Of course, Geas isn’t the only dangerous thing.

Mental magic is fundamentally difficult and dangerous.

It’s like the destructive power of a double-edged sword.

It requires extreme caution, as one could accidentally destroy their own mind.

“Vivian, do you know what’s important for using mental magic well?”

“Well, wouldn’t it be important to understand other people’s psychology well?”

“You got it right away, so I have nothing to say…”

The more I saw Vivian, the more intelligent she seemed.

Honestly, my first impression of her was just a pitiful Princess-nim trapped in a political marriage.

But the more I got to know Vivian, the more I realized she was a true talent.

Even if it weren’t for me, other magicians would have drooled over her as a potential disciple.

“That’s right. Beyond mere magical training, a mental magician needs to be good at reading others’ minds to protect themselves.”

“Yes.”

“In that sense, starting today, you’ll be learning Confession Magic.”

“Oh…? Confession Magic? I thought you wouldn’t teach me that.”

It was natural for Vivian to be surprised.

In fact, I also tended to view Confession Magic quite negatively.

“Indeed, I actually didn’t really want to teach you this. Most places where this magic is used are for bad purposes. I worried it would lead you down a dark path.”

“I understand what you mean. You’re worried about my future, aren’t you?”

“That’s right.”

If one handles Confession Magic well, it would be very useful for extracting information from prisoners or spies.

And since the Empire is a military nation, such organizations are essential.

Vivian’s value in the Empire would undoubtedly increase, but…

Instead, she would naturally have no choice but to walk that path.

“However, interrogation magic is one of the top three most important types of mental magic. If I don’t teach you this, it’ll be impossible for you to become a great mental magician.”

“In short, don’t use it for bad things, and only use it for my own life, is that it?”

“Yes, Vivian understands my heart well.”

“Still, as your disciple, I should at least understand that much.”

Vivian’s clear answer.

Thanks to that, feeling a little better, I continued the lesson.

“Confession Magic is ultimately a process of opening the locks on someone’s mind. Naturally, you need to understand the subject’s psychology well.”

“Yes.”

“So, try it on me. Hmm… How about trying to guess what I ate this morning?”

“This morning…? That’s a bit too easy, isn’t it? Interrogation magic gets harder the stronger the subject’s resistance to telling the truth.”

“That’s right, you understood it well. You hit the nail on the head. But…”

Vivian didn’t know me well enough.

“Casting magic on a Dragon itself won’t be that easy, you know? If you succeed, I’ll grant you one wish.”

“A wish? You can’t go back on your word later!”

“Dragons don’t lie. Even a small promise is a promise.”

“Alright.”

Vivian’s eyes ignited with the flames of ambition.

Wooong!!!

As soon as the array of Confession Magic activated, geometric patterns appeared in Vivian’s eyes.

The interrogation magic was functioning normally.

But there’s a huge difference between simply activating it and actually putting it to use.

“What did you eat today?”

“Hmm? I don’t quite remember?”

To ask such a direct question right from the start, isn’t she underestimating me too much?

“Tsk, no chance. Then, who did you eat with today?”

“I ate with Camille.”

“Saint-nim…?”

“Yes.”

At that moment, Vivian pouted her lips as if she was somehow displeased.

What was that? Did Camille perhaps visit Vivian behind my back and act unpleasantly towards her before?

“Well, fine. What kind of food does Saint-nim like?”

“She likes to eat greens or cheese with things like olives on top.”

“Helix-nim, you obviously don’t like greens, so you didn’t eat them, right?”

“Of course not.”

Vivian seemed to ponder for a moment what question to ask next.

Mental magic is, in a way, like playing Twenty Questions.

Mana is limited, and there’s a limit to the load on questions.

That’s why understanding human psychology comes first if you want to wield mental magic well.

“Who makes Helix-nim’s meals? The temple where Helix-nim lives is a men-forbidden space, isn’t it?”

“The Dragon’s Priestesses are in charge. They all take turns, but Lev is mainly in charge.”

“I see. What’s the Lev Priestess-nim’s best dish?”

“Lev is good at all meat dishes.”

“Then, among those, what’s Helix-nim’s favorite dish?”

Vivian’s intention was too obvious.

“Among Lev’s dishes, I like meatballs the most.”

“I see. So you ate meatballs this morning, right?”

“Ding, wrong.”

“…”

Vivian seemed flustered, perhaps not expecting to be wrong.

“That’s strange, the magic worked fine…”

“That’s right, it worked perfectly. But your intention was too obvious.”

“My intention?”

“Yes, it wasn’t bad to subtly change the subject and approach it that way. But it was still about food, wasn’t it? So I just thought differently.”

As if she didn’t quite grasp it, Vivian tilted her head.

“How did you think differently?”

“I recalled the first dish Lev ever made for me.”

“You remember that…?”

“Well, honestly, she was terrible at first. It wasn’t meatballs, it was a lump of charcoal. So I strongly associated meatballs with Lev.”

“Aha.”

Only then did Vivian seem to understand, nodding her head.

“To use interrogation magic well, it’s most important not to let your intentions be discovered. It’s good to beat around the bush, but-“

Vivian had a somewhat downcast expression.

“Too bad, I won’t get the wish.”

“Well, I didn’t offer it with the intention of granting it from the start anyway.”

“Hmph, it was just hope torture from the beginning!”

“What kind of wish were you going to make that you’re so disappointed?”

“That’s a secret.”

“Oh really? Shall I try Confession Magic then?”

At that, Vivian shook her head vigorously, as if saying absolutely not.

“Please go easy on me. It’s a really embarrassing wish.”

Now that she said that, I was even more curious.

Of course, if she’s going that far, I won’t force it out of her.

“By the way, Helix-nim.”

“Hm?”

“You remember each Priestess’s name and you’re kind, Helix-nim.”

“Not really. Those girls dedicated their lives for me, but what I can do for them is quite limited.”

In the past, I simply hated Camille for not prioritizing me.

But a lot of time had passed now.

The boiling emotions had settled down somewhat.

And only then did I slowly begin to see my surroundings.

“I feel very sorry for the Dragon’s Priestesses.”

“Why?”

“Because I completely failed to consider their position, caught in the middle.”

The Dragon’s Priestesses, who always had to watch our arguments, caught between me and Camille.

Could they really have not known?

Where the discord between me and Camille began.

From then on, the Dragon’s Priestesses also started avoiding me, one by one.

I used to habitually tell Camille that I was miserable, but…

Perhaps the truly most miserable ones were the Dragon’s Priestesses who watched it all.

“I don’t really know. I don’t know the exact circumstances either.”

“Yes, it’s a bit complicated. And it’s not something I can openly talk about… So I’d appreciate it if you’d pretend not to know. I don’t want Vivian to see my flaws.”

“Well, I’m not that important to Helix-nim anyway.”

Vivian said something strange, looking downcast.

I wish she wouldn’t misunderstand.

“Wrong, it’s not because you’re not important to me. On the contrary, precisely because you are important, I want to show you only my good side.”

“…”

“Am I important?”

“Of course. Vivian, you’re my only disciple, aren’t you?”

“Then how important am I to Helix-nim, in terms of ranking?”

“Hmm… I don’t really rank things like that…?”

But Vivian clung to me, as if she desperately wanted an answer.

“Am I in the top five, at least!? In the top five!?”

“Hmm… Five people should be enough.”

“Then three…?”

“Three… I guess so…?”

Vivian’s lips curled up in delight…

Then she cautiously raised her index finger.

“Finally… then, one person…?”

Vivian’s voice trailed off somehow.

Isn’t she being too greedy?

That one spot is obviously already taken.

“Sorry. The one person is Camille. She’s my wife, whom I’ve promised to spend my life with, so no matter what, she has to be more important than you, Vivian.”

“Hmph.”

Vivian crossed her arms and sneered, clearly displeased about something.

“Yes, yes~ Helix-nim is a Dragon, the embodiment of honesty, who can’t tell a single lie. How truly amazing.”

“Don’t sulk.”

“I’m not sulking.”

Vivian, with her mouth sticking out a mile, wouldn’t even make eye contact.

No, anyone could see she was sulking.

Just as I was about to say something, dumbfounded…

“Hmph, really? So I was still first, huh? I worried for nothing.”

Suddenly, the atmosphere turned cold as ice.

Wait, why is that voice coming from here?

As I creaked my head around…

“How’s the lesson going, dear?”

For some reason, Camille, holding a pure white parasol, was standing behind me.

With a smile so bright it was almost vicious.