Ch.21Peaceful Tea Time

# Mana Depletion

It’s a condition every mage must go through.

Some people experience mana depletion as regularly as eating meals, while others proclaim it to be a virtue of being a mage—that’s how common it is.

The symptoms vary greatly. Some people faint outright, while others might be bedridden for a month.

What determines this difference is the amount of mana. The less you have, the greater the backlash; the more you have, the milder the backlash.

A person with a capacity of 10 versus a mage with a capacity of 100 will inevitably experience a significant difference in their fundamental mana recovery rate.

In other words, Ruide taking just a moment to breathe was equivalent to the total mana capacity of an average mage.

But even Ruide couldn’t completely escape the backlash of mana depletion.

‘Dizzy… queasy… sleepy… I want to go to bed soon.’

Ruide blinked his eyes as he walked.

“Are you sleepy?”

Amelia, who had been watching Ruide carefully, asked. He looked up at her with half-closed eyes.

“Ame sis.”

“Yes?”

Ruide rubbed his tired eyes and said.

“I used up my staff. Make me a new one.”

“Ah, okay. This one lasted a while.”

Hearing this, Amelia looked around and picked up a suitable branch.

Hersy watched this scene with confusion as she took out a water bottle. It contained water with mana suppressant.

“This should do.”

Amelia slightly unsheathed her sword and trimmed the branch. She held it up toward the sunlight, examined it thoughtfully, and then snapped off about 1/3 of it.

Then she began to round off the end.

Tick-.

She put away her sword and handed over the branch.

“Done.”

“Thanks.”

“Ahem.”

Hersy choked on her water in surprise.

“T-that… are you going to use it just like that?”

Ruide nodded and tucked the staff into his chest.

Hersy was so dumbfounded that she couldn’t speak properly.

For a mage, a staff is essential, indispensable.

Staffs typically include functions that drastically reduce mana consumption and help design spells meticulously—functions that are essential for mages.

Naturally, these things don’t come for free. Even with wood from Dellin’s Forest, it would be meaningless without proper processing.

But the person in question was Ruide.

“…Can you use that?”

“Sis’s sword is good, so it’s fine.”

“It seems good… but…”

‘What does that have to do with anything?’

Hersy was confused.

Amelia kindly explained.

“My sword’s name is Kalifa. It’s a sword made with the power of stars. It’s sacred in itself, and they say it leaves a special magical energy just by touching it. Because it has good compatibility, I’ve been making Ruide’s magic staffs.”

Amelia subtly boasted.

‘That’s a lie.’

In fact, he just liked Amelia’s wood-carving skills.

When Amelia carved wood, it became smooth and felt nice to touch.

Ruide only used staffs when he needed delicate mana distribution, not for mana amplification like other mages, so anything would do.

“Indeed… a holy sword is different.”

Gulp, Hersy swallowed.

She was thinking of asking for one herself when they became closer.

“Ah, right.”

Hersy remembered something she had momentarily forgotten.

“When Ruide disappeared for a moment, Lady Ryan came and plucked a Flower of Adrane. Is that okay…”

Hersy couldn’t finish her sentence.

Because Ruide, who had been nodding off while walking, collapsed.

Before he hit the ground, Amelia caught him.

“That’s strange. He usually doesn’t fall asleep while walking.”

Amelia tilted her head in confusion and picked him up. Ruide was sleeping soundly.

His brother’s body was small. Amelia, known as the Sword Princess, had strength beyond ordinary people, but even considering that, he was very light.

Hersy looked at Ruide in Amelia’s arms while internally repeating ‘He’s cute. I want to touch him’ fifty times.

“So, could you perhaps tell me?”

Amelia spoke in a cold tone, unlike when she was with Ruide.

“What would you like me to tell you?”

The quick-witted Hersy answered with a gentle smile. Amelia nodded with her eyes and brought up the subject.

“Ruide has seemed very worried lately. It’s the first time I’ve seen him worry like this. Do you know what it might be?”

‘I need to answer this well.’

Even if it wasn’t for Ruide, Amelia was someone worth befriending.

But now, more than that, she needed to be recognized as Ruide’s friend who spent the most time with him.

“I’m not certain, but I think it’s likely related to what happened during the practical training a few days ago.”

“Are you saying the excessive punishment from the Academy is the cause?”

Hersy shook her head at Amelia’s sharp words.

“No. Ruide mentioned that he didn’t really care about that. Since he’s not the type to hide his opinions, I believe that was sincere.”

“Then?”

‘What if I’m wrong? Am I overstepping?’

Hersy hesitated briefly, but since the possibility was extremely low, she spoke confidently.

“Do you remember the commoner named Justin?”

“Yes. I know him as the opponent against whom Lady Hersy demonstrated impressive magic.”

“When that person challenged you to a duel, Ruide’s expression noticeably hardened.”

When everyone’s attention was focused on Amelia and Justin, only Hersy was watching Ruide. She had been contemplating how to start a conversation with him at that time.

“Ruide’s strange behavior started from that moment. I don’t know the exact cause, but…”

That’s why Hersy had stepped in herself. Of course, another reason was that Justin had pointed at Amelia, something even she wouldn’t dare to do.

“Perhaps he didn’t like that a mere commoner requested a duel with you?”

Hersy made a guess based on her own experience.

After all, Ruide was the person she got along with better than anyone she had met so far.

“I’m not sure. My brother maintains his own decorum, but he doesn’t care about others’ formalities. Even at home, he never gets angry no matter what mistakes the maids make.”

‘…He’s never gotten angry at a maid?’

While Hersy didn’t particularly pick on her subordinates either, she showed no mercy for mistakes. She thought Ruide was extremely kind.

“However, Lady Hersy’s words seem right. The cause definitely seems to be with him. Justin. I’ll remember that name.”

“No. He’s too insignificant for you to get involved directly. Please, leave this matter to me.”

Amelia suddenly patted Hersy’s head. Hersy’s eyes widened.

“I’m just saying I’ll remember the name. You don’t need to worry about it. Hmm…”

Amelia smiled with her eyes.

“I’m glad someone as wise as Lady Hersy is by Ruide’s side. It seems we’ll be seeing each other often. May I call you Hersy?”

When a noble asks if they can call you by your name, it means they want to be on friendly terms from now on.

‘Is this a dream?’

Hersy hastily nodded her head firmly.

“Yes, yes! Of course, Amelia!”

**

Ruide was sleeping soundly, drooling.

He tossed and turned as if the bed was uncomfortable.

‘This place isn’t great.’

It might seem like he could lie down and sleep anywhere in Dellin’s Lake, but in fact, Ruide’s sleeping philosophy was strict.

First, it had to be flat. And the head should be higher than the feet.

The place where Ruide was lying now had too little slope. In such cases, rolling around to search was the best approach.

Ruide started rolling to the right. And soon—

Thud.

“……”

He fell to the floor.

Ruide grabbed his throbbing head and got up.

“This is home.”

It wasn’t the serene lake with blue light swirling around, but a room with an antique design.

“When did I get home… Ah, sis must have moved me.”

Muttering, Ruide got up and went outside. He touched the area around his heart. His mana was about half full.

They say ordinary mages take 4-5 days to recover their mana, but it seemed he didn’t need that long. At this rate, he would be fully recovered by tomorrow.

As he entered the central hall, a familiar-faced maid bowed.

“Good morning, no. Welcome home, young master.”

The maid bowed with a gentle smile. It was Sherry, Ruide’s personal maid. She was holding a broom, probably having been cleaning.

Of course, cleaning could be done with just a wave of the hand, but Sherry adamantly refused, saying she would have nothing to do on the island.

“Where’s sis?”

“She’s having a conversation with Lady Hersy, who came as a guest.”

“…Hersy? Hersy came too?”

“Yes. It turns out she’s the owner of the mansion across from us.”

‘What an amazing coincidence.’

Ruide hadn’t known she lived right in front of his house.

However, Ruide didn’t know that half of the villas on the island were owned by the Minerva family.

Ruide walked toward them.

“Um, young master?”

“Yes?”

“Are you perhaps going to see the young lady?”

“Yes.”

Sherry said with a kind smile.

“While it might be fine normally, isn’t it quite rude to be in pajamas when there’s a guest?”

“We’re close, so it’s fine.”

“Isn’t it rude?”

“……”

“It’s rude.”

Sherry was still smiling.

Ruide stared at Sherry, then gradually became transparent.

It was an invisibility spell.

Sherry’s smile gradually diminished.

“Young master.”

And moving almost like teleportation, she reached under the railing.

“Excuse me.”

Sherry grabbed the back of Ruide’s neck and lifted him up.

Then she tucked him under her arm and disappeared into the room.

**

‘No matter how many times it happens, it’s humiliating.’

Ruide, who had his clothes changed by Sherry, loosened the cuffs of his shirt because they felt tight.

Having someone else, especially a woman, change his clothes was something he couldn’t get used to no matter how many times it happened.

He entered the banquet hall with Sherry. Hersy, who had been talking with Amelia, immediately stood up.

“You’re awake?”

“How long did I sleep?”

Amelia thought for a moment and said.

“Hmm… 17 hours?”

“That’s not much. Hello, Hersy. Is the Academy over?”

Ruide jumped onto a high chair. Hersy nodded as she sat down.

“Yes. Thanks to Amelia’s invitation, I just arrived.”

Hersy smiled brightly and took something out.

“A visiting gift. These are tea leaves imported from Cayman Territory. It’s a black tea with a very deep flavor, perfect for enjoying in the morning.”

“Thank you, Hersy. I’ll enjoy it.”

Amelia accepted the tea leaves.

‘They seem to have become closer.’

He noticed that the “Lady” title was dropped.

Beside him, Amelia cleared her throat.

“Ahem, Sherry. Bring us some tea.”

Sherry, who had been guarding the door, approached and took the tea leaves. She immediately went to brew the tea.

“By the way, I’m surprised there’s only one maid in such a large mansion,” Hersy said, looking around. “It must be difficult to manage.”

“To be precise, there’s also one butler. However, he’s busy with external affairs and rarely comes to the mansion. Sherry handles all matters related to the mansion.”

“…One maid covers this entire mansion? Is that possible?”

Hersy’s eyes widened.

Amelia maintained her dignity as she spoke.

“Sherry is a capable maid.”

Hersy probably meant how could such a large mansion have only one maid.

Amelia deliberately changed the subject.

Ruide looked at Amelia with narrowed eyes.

‘She doesn’t want to be found out. Well, it would hurt her pride a lot.’

Ruide decided to keep Amelia’s secret.

Shortly after, Sherry appeared with teacups. She politely set down tea for Hersy and Ruide.

The corner of Amelia’s mouth trembled.

“Sherry.”

“Yes.”

“Where’s mine…?”

Amelia’s eyes were desperate.

But Sherry was firm.

“You should serve yourself, miss.”

Hersy, who had been enjoying the aroma of the tea, opened her eyes wide.

Ruide drank his tea nonchalantly, as if he had expected this.

“……”

Amelia bit her lip and glared at Sherry.

“On a day like this… couldn’t you accommodate a little? It’s the first time we have a guest.”

“I have no obligation to do so. I was only ordered to attend to the young master.”

It was the rule of the Windsor family.

From the moment you leave the great mansion in the North, the successor test begins.

All you’re given is 20 gold coins and an examiner who accompanies you.

They score how you navigate through these extremely harsh conditions.

Of course, none of this applies to Ruide.

“You should be grateful that you’re even allowed to stay in this mansion, miss.”

“…!”

Amelia was able to stay at the mansion as Ruide’s guardian.

It was Duke Windsor’s special directive to protect Ruide in any situation.

In other words, she was officially a “guard knight.”

But to be treated like this in front of a guest, not just at other times.

Amelia spoke through gritted teeth.

“You, what are you going to do when we return to the North?”

“That’s then, and this is now. If you really want the tea I brew, earn it with your skills.”

“…I’ve been too lenient with you because you’re Ruide’s maid.”

Amelia smiled menacingly and loosened her hands.

She rolled up her sleeves and walked toward Sherry. Sherry also took a fighting stance, as if used to this. A brawl was about to break out.

Hersy had a blank expression, unable to grasp the situation.

Bang, bang!

The sound of their fists colliding was vividly heard.

The pillars shook, and dust fell.

Ruide said quietly.

“Peaceful.”

“Is, is this normal life in the Windsor family…?”

“Perfectly normal.”

Ruide leisurely drank his tea and thought.

‘This tea really has depth of flavor. It’s good tea.’

Indeed, peace is the best.