I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 157

“Will you join the magic storm-related project this time? Even if you’re not a Concium student or researcher, I can assign one person as my assistant.”

“How long do I have to decide? I need to think about it.”

“Why? Because of His Majesty?”

I needed to talk to Tess as well, but I hadn’t fully returned to my daily routine. However, I hesitated to respond to the unexpected question. Weathering frowned, perhaps taking it as an affirmative answer.

“I knew His Majesty was coercive, but isn’t he interfering too much? You’re not going to give up what His Majesty told you not to do, are you?”

“Just a moment, Weathering.”

I showed my palm to silence the scholar.

“I’m still grappling with the aftermath of my journey to another world. Even though it’s said that three years have passed here, it still doesn’t feel real to me.”

“Ah, was it something like that?”

Weathering scratched his chin, looking somewhat awkward.

“Yes. And during these three years, new theories might have emerged that I’m unaware of because I’ve been enjoying myself.”

“Hmm…”

As I smiled at Weathering, who seemed thoughtful, I continued.

“I think it’s better for me not to participate in this project.”

“Suddenly?”

“As I said, things are becoming clearer. It’s not good for someone who isn’t well-prepared to participate in the project. It might not be good for anyone involved, including the person in question.”

“You can study while participating in the project. Wasn’t making it work your motto?”

Weathering seemed determined to involve me somehow.

“Still, three years is too long. Besides, your research has progressed faster than before I left. There’s a lot to do. Please leave me out of it.”

The scholar tilted his head askew for a while before finally nodding.

The three-year gap wasn’t purely the reason.

While the rumors surrounding Tess, Louis Hitty, and me had subsided, they still lingered like an indelible mark. Especially recently, there have been some interesting stories circulating.

Am I a legendary seductress?

Just three days ago, in front of fellow students, Gael accidentally broke a desk because she couldn’t control her strength.

I was a bit exhausted.

While the Concium was relatively quiet, it seemed challenging if unnecessary attention were drawn to me.

“If possible, I’d like to continue learning magic.”

“Go ahead.”

Weathering nodded as if nothing had happened, and I felt a sense of relief. It brought a mixture of relief knowing I didn’t have to lose Weathering and the comfort of maintaining a peaceful daily life.

“What if I decided to skip magic class?”

“I was planning to use the Emperor’s name to request an audience with the Archwizard.”

“I can’t beat that.”

Weathering shrugged, pointing to a specific paragraph with his finger.

“Read this part.”

Weathering’s pupils still couldn’t properly look at me, and it seemed he would need considerable effort to erase his emotions. I pretended not to notice.

It might seem selfish, but it couldn’t be helped. My emotional investment in him was only a small position.

* * *

BANG!

“Sissteeeeerrr!”

“Miiiiissss!”

Despite Gael and Laura’s cries from outside the barrier, I couldn’t easily move my steps. The inside of the barrier, prepared for such situations, was filled with thick smoke.

I was practicing fire magic in the secluded corner of the house after casting a barrier. I wanted to improve my weak points that existed since my time in Varen.

However, a failed magic control resulted in burning several nearby trees.

“I’m glad I set up the barrier broadly…”

Otherwise, I might have exploded within the barrier.

“Sister, sister!”

I released the barrier at Gael’s shout and dispelled the smoke.

“Yes, Gael.”

“I thought you were in trouble!”

Gael rushed over, hugged me while crying.

“Don’t do this and practice swordsmanship with me. Okay?”

“Gael.”

“I’ve been working hard on my strength lately! So I won’t fall behind you!”

Gael, although a fellow mixed race, was much weaker than me. She was stronger than Ruby, though.

According to Mother, Gael was more typical, while my features highlighted the characteristics of both humans and elves. The clash of the two races’ traits seemed to accentuate each characteristic.

Mother’s expression was not particularly bright when she mentioned this.

I don’t know why. Perhaps because the clash of extreme traits from the different races could lead to a shorter lifespan.

But, even so, the average lifespan of an elf mixed race is much longer than that of a human.

To Mother, who has lived for centuries, even that seems short.

“It’s nothing. Except for those fallen trees over there.”

“I see.”

Gael looked through my body, then nodded as if relieved.

“But still, after your practice, let’s train together.”

“That was your goal, huh?”

My sister, who had unintentionally revealed her thoughts, looked embarrassed, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“It’s been a while since I won against Sister Ruby and Count Daidi.”

“Gael, your skills are still lacking. There will come an opponent you can’t defeat with strength alone, and for that time, you need to gain experience.”

“But if I give my strength, it will end too quickly, and there won’t be time to gain experience, right?”

“That’s why you need to adjust your strength according to them.”

It seemed like Gael heard this for the first time, and her eyes widened. I affectionately ruffled the hair of my cute sister.

“You always use all your strength, but you need to practice using only half or even less of that strength. If you can’t do that, it means you haven’t mastered yourself yet.”

“Hmm.”

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