Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Veritas didn’t insist on obtaining the Tower Master’s ring, which was unexpected since Veritas had a history of being quite demanding.

“This ring doesn’t matter to you? You caused such a fuss when we acquired the magic stone before.”

The items that belong to you also belong to me. You and I share our existence. What you have is enough.

“What if I lose it?”

How would you lose something that’s on your finger? The page is a pure chunk of magical energy. It can't be lost.

Veritas continued with a complex explanation, but Binaeril only half-listened.

“So, I don’t need to worry about it? Good.”

The Tower Master had said the ring was a token of a contract with a spirit.

“Are the other pages in similar forms? Like rings or necklaces?”

I don’t know. I just told you, the pages are pure magic. They are likely to transform to suit their environment.

“I see.”

Binaeril imagined himself adorned with various trinkets all over his body.

Would he have to carry them all once he gathered all the pages?

For now, he decided to find the spirit contracted to the ring first.

“It’s been a while.”

His lair was as desolate as ever.

The spirit of the ring was there, where everything had begun.

Binaeril stepped into the Great Library, greeted by the familiar scent of almonds.

“…Eden.”

Binaeril called out the spirit’s name.

A dusky-skinned girl peeked out from between the bookshelves.

“It’s been too long. I’m sorry.”

Eden warmly welcomed him, rubbing her face against his pant leg.

Binaeril gently petted her. To him, Eden felt like a long-time pet.

“Do you recognize this?”

Binaeril showed the jade ring on his right hand.

Eden looked up at him with clear eyes and nodded.

The library spirit smiled warmly.

“It’s a gift from the Tower Master. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Eden danced in a circle around Binaeril, seeming to express her joy in her own way.

She curtsied deeply, lifting her earth-colored dress.

Binaeril recognized it as a sign of entrusting herself to him.

“Hahaha.”

Eden dived like a swimmer into the ring on his finger.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Binaeril left the library with his only friend, the spirit.

After the scholar selection list was announced, Elfenbine was abuzz with noise.

Binaeril quietly asked the three gathered in the Dean’s study.

“It seems quite noisy outside?”

“Sigh… Indeed,” Dean Yulio replied, sounding troubled.

Rike looked down, dejected, while Sylvia seemed angry.

“Were you outside? What are the students saying?”

“They’re upset because the scholar selection was supposed to be based on tournament performance.”

“That’s right.”

“But they think the list isn’t fair.”

“Why?”

“Because an imperial princess who didn’t participate in the tournament was selected.”

“Hey!”

Sylvia stood up abruptly.

“Do they even know who they’re talking about? If you don’t understand the situation, stay quiet.”

Binaeril blinked, staring at Sylvia.

“Sylvia, it’s okay. It’s not Binaeril’s fault.”

“But, Princess…!”

“It’s not entirely incorrect, is it? Rike was recommended because she’s an imperial princess and the Dean’s student.”

Rike had a bitter expression.

Sylvia’s face turned hostile.

“You’re talking like that because you’re not from the empire. Anyone who disrespects the Princess will be forgiven, even you.”

Binaeril calmly met Sylvia’s gaze.

“You, at least, should support the Princess.”

“Sylvia, stop…”

“I’ll step outside for a moment.”

Sylvia left, unable to contain her anger.

Dean Yulio sighed deeply.

“Binaeril is right. But Binaeril, you’re not surprised, are you? Even knowing I’m an imperial princess.”

Binaeril exchanged a secret glance with Dean Yulio. The Dean had asked him to keep her identity a secret.

“Whether you’re an imperial princess or an emperor, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change our relationship.”

“But you just implied I did something wrong.”

“No? When? I just said that students without ability shouldn’t benefit from their status or background.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

Binaeril shook his head.

“You’re different. Do you think you’re unworthy of being a scholar?”

“Whether it's favoritism or corruption or whatever, it doesn’t matter. Just show them you have ability.”

“My ability?”

“Yes. They’re criticizing Frederica Albrecht, not talented mage Rike.”

“Talented mage Rike…”

She mulled over Binaeril’s evaluation.

“I believe in you. That’s why the Dean recommended you. Right?”

“Indeed.”

Dean Yulio nodded in agreement.

“But how should I prove myself? The tournament is over, and my magic isn’t as flashy as Binaeril’s to show off…”

“Well, we’ll figure that out. But first, we need to calm Sylvia.”

“Shall I go?”

“No. I’ll go. If you talk to her, she’ll just say, ‘Yes, I understand,’ without truly being convinced. It’s better if I talk to her.”

Binaeril decided to speak with Sylvia.@@novelbin@@

She was on the terrace, feeling the breeze.

Even here, the noise from outside was clearly audible.

She felt the urge to block out the sound.

She was angry at the hesitant Princess, the unhelpful Dean, and the oblivious Binaeril.

Most of all, she hated the cold, blunt boy with grey hair.

“You heartless jerk…”

“Hey, keep it down. The heartless jerk can hear you.”

The subject of her rant replied from behind her.

“I said it for you to hear. You like blunt truths, right?”

Binaeril nodded seriously, trying to ease the tension.

“True.”

“How could you react like that in front of the Princess? What if she’s hurt?”

“Rike didn’t mind. You’re the one who seems upset.”

Rike approached provocatively, growling.

“Just because the Princess is pretending to be okay doesn’t mean you can talk like that.”

“She’s not pretending. She really is okay. It’s not her fault.”

“Then whose fault is it?”

Binaeril stared at Sylvia before speaking.

“Yours, isn’t it?”

“Few could guess that ‘Rike’ is Princess Frederica of the Albrecht Empire. Someone already knew her identity.”

Binaeril pondered this as he listened to the students’ reactions.

“How did they know Rike is an imperial princess?”

“Only the Dean, Rike, and you knew her identity. No one else. She doesn’t have close friends.”

Binaeril took a breath and continued.

“But where is Gillian Bemis? Why hasn’t he been seen since?”

Sylvia realized where things had gone wrong.

“I think her loyal guard, trying to protect her, might have revealed her identity. How does that sound?”

Binaeril hadn’t come up with this perfect reasoning alone. Veritas had provided the hint.

“It was my fault the Princess got into trouble.”

Sylvia didn’t erupt in anger. She truly realized her mistake.

Binaeril saw the depth of her care for Rike.

“Why do you protect Rike so much? It’s more than just being a maid or guard.”

He could have asked Veritas but felt he shouldn’t.

Sylvia and Rike shared a bond beyond master and servant.

“Princess Frederica risked her life for my brother.”

“Your brother?”

“Yes. For my brother, who was just a page.”

Binaeril remained silent, making it easier for Sylvia to continue.

“The Emperor was strict. Even minor mistakes by servants led to beatings or scoldings. My brother was no exception, even as Frederica’s personal page.”

Sylvia continued.

“Princess Charlotte was kind, but Frederica was even more so. She cared about the servants being punished.”

The two were of similar age, so they grew close, despite the differences in status.

Then the Emperor fell ill, and central nobles didn’t leave the princesses alone. Later, it was found that Frederica’s food had been poisoned.”

“Poison?”

“Magic-processed poison that couldn’t be detected by the empire’s means. My brother unknowingly fed her poison daily.”

Binaeril remembered that Rike had a unique constitution.

She could sense magic.

“How did she know? But she knew she was being poisoned?”

“Yes. She knew her young servant was poisoning her daily.”

“But she still ate it?”

“Yes. Do you know why?”

Binaeril had no idea.

“She feared what would happen to my brother if it was discovered. To protect her servant friend, the princess consumed poison daily.”

Sylvia’s eyes looked numb.

Binaeril sensed that some memories erode a person’s emotions.

“The truth eventually came out, and my brother was hanged. But after hearing everything, could I blame the princess?”

Sylvia’s final words were heavy.

She was a few years older than Binaeril and Rike but still not an adult.

Her words were too heavy for someone not yet an adult.

“I owe her a debt. The life of my brother.”

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