Chapter 86

Chapter 86

It’s My Master!

[Error, unable to measure]

[Detailed error contents]

[Error 0291]

[Error 98821]

[Error 0031]

[Error 7876]

.

.

.

The paper Lily was holding was filled with messages indicating that the measurement couldn’t be taken and endless error codes. Lily couldn’t hide her trembling gaze as she thought.

‘The highest-grade magical tool used by other organization leaders can’t measure him?’

There were only two possible scenarios in this case.

First, the magical tool was broken and couldn’t provide accurate readings.

Second, for some reason, even the highest-grade magical tool couldn’t measure Lian’s physical condition.

Of the two, the former was the more plausible explanation. Lily immediately removed the bands from Lian’s body.

Nero, who had been checking the results with her, quickly lifted his shirt to reveal his solar plexus and said,

“I was the last one to be measured, so let me try.”

If the tool was completely broken, the results would be drastically different from the last measurement.

Lily placed the band on Nero’s body, and after a short while, the results came out.

“…It’s not broken.”

“Oh.”

That meant there was nothing wrong with the magical tool. Noah, who had been holding her breath, spoke in a low voice.

“We need to find a better magical tool. Or a capable healer.”

“Yes, that’s the only way to get an accurate measurement.”

A better magical tool than the highest-grade ones would likely be found in the kingdom’s treasure vault. It was almost impossible to find one, or at best, it would take a long time.

Noah bit her lip as she thought.

‘If it can’t be measured by the highest-grade magical tool… just how bad is his condition? No, maybe it’s not about being in bad condition, but a side effect. A side effect of the experiments.’

Recalling the cruel experiments Lian had been subjected to, Noah clenched her fists tightly, her body trembling.

“Uh, I’m really hungry. Can we eat now?”

Lian’s words broke the tense atmosphere in the room. Since there was nothing else they could do at the moment, they prepared the meal they had brought for Lian.

Lian had suddenly collapsed and hadn’t woken up for a week. But they had no idea why. This uncertainty weighed heavily on those who cherished Lian.

Though Lian was smiling and talking right in front of them, it felt like he might crumble and disappear at any moment. Amidst this precarious atmosphere, Lian thought,

‘Phew, finally feeling alive again.’

Feeling vitality return to his body, Lian considered the situation to be no big deal.

…At least until the next day when he was half-confined.

***

“Noah, is there anything I can help with?”

“Don’t worry about me and just rest.”

Since the day I had that gag dream, I could no longer have time to myself. It might sound strange, but…

To put it simply, whether I was in my room or wandering outside, someone had to be by my side at all times.

And if no one was there?

…I couldn’t leave the room.

‘This isn’t confinement… right? No, it can’t be. Hahaha!’

I laughed inwardly at the ridiculous thought.

‘Once they see that I’m healthy, everyone will go back to their tasks!’

A week passed like that.

…I was still unable to go anywhere alone. At this point, I realized something was off.

“Isn’t there anyone with some free time?”

“Uh… Nero said he’d be back as soon as possible. We can switch when he gets here.”

“I’m healthy now, I can be alone.”

As a newly established organization, Nest was extremely busy. So, it was difficult for an executive to stay by my side.

In such cases, the least busy person would quickly finish their tasks and return, or they would postpone their work and rush over.

Every time, I declared, “I’m healthy,” but no one listened. Sigh…

“Master! Master! I made this!”

While I was feeling down, Jess came running in with something in her hands. It was a craft made of colored paper stuck onto regular paper.

“Oh, well done.”

“Hehe..”

When I praised her, she lowered her head and wagged her ears. When I raised my hand, her ears drooped even more, and her tail wagged furiously.

Feeling playful, I considered not petting her and withdrawing my hand, but she was just too cute, so I ended up patting her.

Swish, swish!

Her tail wagged so vigorously it seemed like it might lift her off the ground.

“By the way… who teaches Jess?”

Lily, who had been keeping me company until Nero returned, answered my question.

“Kids Jess’s age attend classes in the annex a bit away from the main residence.”

“Really? Then why have I never seen the kids?”

“There’s a recognition-blocking magic circle between the main building and the annex where the kids live, so they can’t come to the main building. Jess and Iris have passes that allow them to cross over.”

“Oh…”

As I admired this, Jess tilted her head up and looked at me with sparkling eyes. When I patted her chin, she purred.

Though Jess didn’t seem to be a feline based on her tail, she would purr like a cat when her chin or head was patted. It was adorable.

“Can I go visit?”

“Um…”

Lily pondered for a moment before nodding.

“There’s nothing dangerous, so if you want to, go ahead.”

While we were talking, Nero arrived.

“Sorry I’m late!”

“It’s fine, you’re not late.”

Once Nero arrived, Lily quickly said her goodbyes and left. She was very busy.

“Phew… So, Brother, what do you want to do today? Want to play chess with me?”

“Actually, I’d like to visit the annex where the kids stay.”

“The annex?”

“Yes, Lily said it was okay.”

Emphasizing that I had permission, Nero nodded.

“If Lily said it’s okay, then it should be fine!”

Nero smiled and looked over at Jess.

“Plus, we need to take this runaway student back.”

“Huh? Runaway?”

“Yes, it’s class time right now.”

When I looked at Jess, she glanced at me with the guilty look of a puppy that had caused trouble. Despite feeling a bit ridiculous, I couldn’t help but ruffle her hair affectionately.

“You little rascal, what were you thinking skipping class?”

“Hehe, I wanted to show this to Master!”

“Next time, wait until class is over before you come running. Got it?”

“Yes!”

Holding Jess’s hand, I headed towards the annex with Nero.

‘Now that I think about it, this is my first time outside the main building.’

Just like I had seen from the terrace, the main building was surrounded by a forest. Nero led us along a path through the forest that showed traces of human activity.

After walking for a while, a thick fog surrounded us, making it hard to see more than a few steps ahead.

“Oh, right. Brother, here.”

Nero handed me a round, flat object he seemed to have just remembered. It was a wooden token engraved with a magic circle.

“You need this to pass through freely. I have a spare, so you can use this one.”

“Ah, thanks.”

I put the token in my pocket and continued walking. After about 20 minutes, the fog cleared, revealing a vast clearing.

In the spacious clearing stood a single-story building. It was larger than I had expected.

“The kids are so young that we built it as a single story to prevent injuries.”

“That’s a good idea, they could fall from a second floor.”

Entering the building, we heard children’s voices repeating after a teacher.

“So, what do we say in this situation?”

Feeling nostalgic at the sound of the gentle question, I smiled inwardly.

“If you don’t want your fingers broken, you’d better speak properly! That’s what you should say!”

“That’s right!”

“…?”

“Then, in this situation?”

“Stare for 30 seconds, grip your sword handle! If there’s no reaction, walk away! Always be prepared for an attack when showing your back!”

“…??”

The content of the lively voices didn’t match their cheerful tone.

“Cardishian is so dangerous that this kind of education is necessary.”

Nero’s wry smile made me nod.

‘The education I received was only possible in a safe world.’

For a brief moment, I wondered, ‘Is it really safe…?’ but compared to the dark fantasy world, it was indeed safer, so I dismissed the thought.

“There’s only one class. Iris and Jess both attend it. Since Jess needs to join the class, I’ll knock.”

Knock, knock.

Nero knocked, and the teacher’s voice abruptly stopped.

“One moment!”

Someone quickly ran over and opened the door.

“Oh! Jess!”

A middle-aged woman with long hair tied high smiled, her eyes forming crescents, then her expression turned stern.

“Is it okay to run out without permission?”

“No…”

“You won’t do it again, right?”

“No…”

Jess looked up at the teacher with a sorrowful face, and her stern expression melted instantly. Jess was that cute.

Jess, who had been hanging her head, suddenly looked up with shining eyes. Her fingertip pointed at me.

“Teacher, this is my Master!”

“….!?”

End of Chapter.