Close your eyes.

You can hear the chirping of insects.

It’s the message the microscopic world sends to nature.

Ancient and unending, yet almost no one listens.

Simply because it’s too small.

Are insects weak creatures?

My answer is “yes.”

And yet—

——————————————————————————————————

“Why… why did this happen…?”

Three brown‑haired men stood there, dumbstruck. Three women with the same hair color covered their faces and sobbed. A red‑haired girl had collapsed on the floor, while a blue‑haired young man clenched his teeth hard. Nierlis’s mouth was hanging open as well.

Morning sunlight poured into the hall through the floor‑to‑ceiling windows. The window frames and the trees outside sliced it into scattered pieces, like shattered gold leaf. In the center of the hall, on the floor, a small half‑congealed pool of blood gleamed with a lurid sheen under that fragmented light.

At the center of the blood lay a burly man with short dark‑brown hair. His sheer build radiated authority, that towering frame enough to make anyone feel his presence. Yet this imposing man—the birth father of Nierlis and her siblings—was now lying flat on his back, face twisted, eyes shut, body soaked in blood. He was nothing more than a corpse.

The most horrifying part was the gaping bloody hole in his chest. It was empty inside. His heart had been dug out by someone.

The chill of it all crept through the hall. Everyone showed their shock and fear in their own way.

“Who… who the hell did this—aaAAAAAAAHHHH!!”

——————————————————————————————————

The day before the incident—

“So, this is the detailed breakdown of this week’s magic‑crystal output.”

“Thank you for your work, Third Young Lady.”

“Please check once more and see if there are any mistakes in my numbers.”

“Oh, come now, we have complete faith in your abilities. In all this time, big job or small, when have you ever been wrong?”

“Then let’s leave it at that. That’ll save us some trouble. Starting today, you all have three days off. I hope you enjoy them.”

“““““Thank you, Third Young Lady!”””””

In the dim mine shaft, the miners gave Nierlis a simple bow, with the captain taking the lead. She knew it was just a formality, but watching these rough, broad‑shouldered men lower their heads to her still felt a bit strange.

“Then, Third Young Lady, let me escort you out.”

“Then I’ll gladly impose on you. Sorry for the trouble.”

Guided by the lantern in the captain’s hand, Nierlis walked with him through the dark tunnel toward the exit.

Once the two of them were far enough away, the miners who’d been on their best behavior just moments ago all went “whoooaaah” and plopped down on the ground. They stripped off their vests to fan themselves, and the cramped, shadowy space instantly filled with the stench of sweat.

“Man, finally, vacation time.”

“My wife and kids are probably going crazy waiting.”

“Why the hell did this work period drag on so long this time?”

“Who knows?”

With the captain and the so‑called “Third Young Lady” gone, everyone loosened up.

“You gotta admit, the Third Young Lady’s pretty dedicated… Out here in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of rough guys like us, and she’s never once complained.”

“Maybe she just doesn’t show it in front of us. Maybe she’s sick of it deep down. She is a noble, after all.”

“Who knows? Even if that’s true, the fact that a noble girl doesn’t lord it over us is already rare enough.”

“But seriously, how’d a young girl in her prime end up assigned to this dump as a statistician? She is a noble lady, you know!”

“’Cause the family head doesn’t like her.”

“I really don’t get what’s going on in that old man’s head… She’s well‑educated, reasonable, mature, never makes mistakes—such a good girl, and he still doesn’t like her?”

“Hell if I know. But if the family head wanted his kids to suffer a little on purpose… heh, why not send the Fourth Young Lady here instead?”

One miner suddenly put on a gross, lecherous grin, clearly lost in his fantasies.

“The Fourth Young Lady? She’s the apple of the family head’s eye! No way she’s coming to this hellhole.”

“But if I could just see her up close, just once… guh‑heh‑heh‑heh‑heh, I wouldn’t mind working an extra month.”

“You perv.”

“Guys lining up to drool over the Fourth Young Lady could stretch all the way outside the city. You think it’d ever be your turn?”

“Listen to you, talking like she’s some slutty little tease. I saw her from a distance once—her aura was unreal, like she wasn’t even from this world. Totally different from the Third Young Lady…”

“The Third Young Lady’s not bad either. She’s gentle and pretty.”

“Yeah, but… she just doesn’t get you fired up, you know?”

“Yeah. No spark.”

“Can’t get it up.”

“What the hell are you idiots saying? Keep it down! If someone hears you, you’re dead!”

——————————————————————————————————

“This is far enough. I’ll walk the rest of the way.”

“But, my lady…”

“It’s fine. There are no wild beasts or bandits on this stretch, and the other servants are probably getting impatient.”

“Then I’ll take my leave, Third Young Lady.”

“Mhm. Goodbye.”

Relief at not having to escort me further, anticipation for his time off, and a trace of worry that if something happened to me he’d be blamed—I caught all of that in his eyes. He bowed quickly, then hurried back.

On the mountain path, I was the only one left.

“Haa…”

I took off the thick‑soled boots I’d worn into the mine and held them in one hand, standing barefoot on the ground. Slightly damp earth, soft wild grass, tiny stones mixed into the soil—all those textures came through the nerves in my soles and into my mind. I loved this feeling.

“Hm?”

A new sensation brushed my skin—something had crawled up from the ground onto my foot. Tiny, soft, a little sticky, and a little ticklish. I knew what it was right away. I knew it better than anyone.

I glanced down. On my smooth, slightly pale instep, something foreign had appeared: gray‑white, soft‑bodied, with little feet, quietly squirming on my skin.

Just a common worm.

A weak but stubborn little creature. If it stayed on my foot like this, I’d probably accidentally step on it and kill it.

Come higher—

The moment I thought that, the worm shivered slightly, as if picking up some signal. It wobbled its way across my foot, circled around my ankle, and finally climbed up to my calf. It didn’t dare go any higher—probably too wary of me.

After standing there for a while, I put my thick‑soled boots back on. The path ahead wasn’t easy. It’d be bad if I tore my feet up.

There were two routes from the mining area to the outside. One was a broad road for hauling ore. The other was the mountain path I was walking now. Crossing a mountain stream and pushing through the underbrush, the air here was a little cold, but to me it felt just right. Walking through uncultivated mountains and forests, breathing in nature’s presence, was one of the few hobbies I had. As long as I focused a bit, I could sense the tiny lives hiding beneath grass and leaves.

“Come out…”

At my soft call, insects emerged from their hiding places in quick, orderly fashion. There were common ones—caterpillars, worms, moths, butterflies, flies, ants—as well as a few that barely counted as the lowest‑ranked magical beasts, like fire needle bees and pseudo‑moths. Normally these insects were timid, vicious, or simply indifferent to people, but now they moved around me in perfect order. Flying bugs circled within a two‑meter radius, while crawling ones scuttled back and forth in the same range, like a squad of bodyguards.

Of course, this wasn’t because I’d trained them, though it wouldn’t be hard if I wanted to.

Innate magic: Insect Magic.

Communicating with insects and controlling low‑level insect‑type creatures was the most basic of basics.

Naturally, if you imagine a woman screaming because there’s a caterpillar on her favorite dress, you can guess Insect Magic isn’t exactly popular.

In fact, just a few decades ago, Insect Magic and all its branches were lumped in with “black magic.” It wasn’t just unpopular—you weren’t even allowed to study it in secret. Later, the old magicians of Heavenward Tower went through every magic that had been labeled black magic back then and redefined them one by one. Only then were many spells, including Insect Magic, finally legalized.

If I’d been born a hundred years earlier, I probably wouldn’t have been able to use my talents freely at all. Even now, it’s best not to cast it in public if I can help it. A lot of the so‑called black magics that were cleared of their crimes are still despised. People’s impressions have been fixed for too long. To set them apart from spells that were “white” from the very beginning, they were even stuck with the weird label of “gray magic.”

It really isn’t fair. Some people’s innate magic is black or gray magic. All kinds of bans and prejudice keep them from using their talent properly. In the end, many of them just wither away.

This world is too vast, and the types of magic are far too many. Over the long ages, countless systems of magic have merged and crossed, roots tangling together like an ancient tree, impossible to fully separate. Because of that, it’s extremely hard to classify magic or build a precise structure for it. Even now, no one has come up with a truly convincing system.

The simplest way people split it is into “white magic” and “black magic.” To outsiders who don’t understand any of the theory, anything that feels “normal” is white magic, and anything that makes them uncomfortable is black magic. It sounds ridiculous, but that’s exactly why the division exists.

Elemental magic except darkness, some beast‑taming arts, harmless barrier spells, fortune‑telling and divination and such are all considered white magic. Dark‑element magic, living sacrifices, necromancy, soul manipulation and other messy things are all considered black magic.

It’s so crude and heavy‑handed that you’re left with nothing to say.

But in practice, the overall danger of black magic really is much higher than white. If abused, it could topple the current social order or devastate nature itself. And on top of that, true black mages have always been a minority. A long time ago, people launched a massive campaign: black mages were killed or captured, any book related to black magic was sealed and controlled, and every society led by black mages was destroyed. Later generations called that centuries‑long campaign the “Great Purge.” Thanks to it, almost all modern magicians practice white magic. Society can function stably, and order is maintained.

Magic is the crystallization of human wisdom. The earliest spells were born from ancient magicians’ insights into nature, the motion of the stars, the growth of living things, and the depths of the heart.

By now, even though it’s still hard to classify magic systems neatly, education and advancement in magic have long been systematized. When children reach a certain age, they’re tested for magical aptitude. If they pass, they become magic apprentices and learn the basics. After passing an exam, they become Intermediate Magicians, then High Magicians, Great Magicians, Sorcerers, Great Sorcerers, Sages, Great Sages… and then the legendary titles like Archmage Emperor or Magic God and so on…

And me?

Sorry to disappoint, but I’m just a magic apprentice. I haven’t even taken the exam to become an Intermediate Magician.

A seventeen‑year‑old magic apprentice. If I’d come from a poor family, that’d be fairly normal. But as a member of a noble house with its own lands, manpower, and plenty of resources… it’s a little embarrassing.

“Ah… we’re almost there. You all can go back now.”

The insects obediently dispersed from around me. A long downward slope opened up before my eyes. From the top of it, I could see the scenery of Fallen Moon Valley. I was only at the edge, but even this patch of green‑covered valley was spectacular.

Given the distances involved, the great Zerah Family would never make its younger members walk through the whole valley on foot. Hence, the existence of the cable car.

The thing hanging from the steel cables looked like a carriage box, just smaller. The cabin and the cables were both covered in complex runes and magic circles, and there was a small slot set into the frame. I took out a high‑purity magic crystal and pushed it into the slot. The runes and sigils lit up at once, and with a low rumble the cable car carried me across the valley. I’d long since gotten used to it, but every time I rode it I couldn’t help marveling at how convenient it was. No wonder the kingdom had been actively training magic craftsmen in recent years.

A region in the northeast of the Arlen Kingdom—including the Alpha Mountains, Fallen Moon Valley, broad farmland and pastures, and the ten thousand families living in Alpha City on the Fallen Moon Plain—all of it was under the control of the Zerah Family.

The Zerah ancestors were great heroes who served under the founding king. After the kingdom was established, they were naturally made high nobles and granted this land.

Although this territory sits a bit off the beaten path, it spans a vast area, rich in resources. Agriculture and mining thrive here, bringing the Zerah Family more wealth than we could ever count. In fact, a considerable portion of the grain and military ore in the royal treasury comes from our family’s tributes. That alone shows our standing in the Arlen Kingdom.

And I, Nierlis Zerakh, am fortunate enough to be a member of this family.

Among the four girls of my generation, I’m the third daughter. The servants usually call me “Third Young Lady.”

——————————————————————————————————

Zerah Family Manor—

This luxurious estate, backed by the Alpha Mountain Range and facing the Falling Moon Plain, is home to us direct descendants. There are no other residences nearby. Standing at the front gate, you see nothing but lush pasture and a straight, well-paved road leading to the door. The simple, pleasant scenery fits perfectly with the Zerah Family motto: “noble but never extravagant.”

I entered through a side gate in the courtyard wall instead of the main entrance—partly because it’s closer, partly because I don’t like attention. Directly opposite the side gate, inside the wall, are several small nurseries where rare medicinal herbs are grown. They say this side entrance was originally built so herbalists could come and go conveniently.

Now, though, there are no herbalists here. Even gardeners and florists are few; just a handful, heads down, quietly putting away their tools as they chat.

“Ah, Third Young Lady, you’re back.”

One of the gardeners noticed me passing by and looked up to greet me. Since someone had already said hello, the others didn’t bother raising their heads.

“Mm. Things at the mine are taken care of.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

“You’re the ones who worked hard. Take the next three days and rest well.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

The brief small talk ended there. I went on my way; he lowered his head and stopped paying attention to me.

“In this house, you don’t need to stand on ceremony when you see Third Young Lady. It’s fine to be casual.” That’s long been common sense among the servants and guards. Put nicely, it means the relationship between master and servants is harmonious. Put bluntly, it means the servants don’t really treat their master like a master.

I don’t mind.

I’m a quiet person overall.

“Ah, right, Third Young Lady.”

“What is it?”

He actually called out to me again. That’s rare.

“Well… the Fourth Young Lady is just up ahead, playing with her… guards.”

“…Oh. Thanks for the warning.”

——————————————————————————————————

Behind the manor, the garden is a riot of blossoms and soft green grass, kept in perfect order by countless gardeners and flower-tenders.

Eight well-built men stood gathered in a loose ring. Every one of them was strikingly handsome, their clothes rather revealing, showing off defined muscle lines. Their leather pants were so tight it was impossible not to notice the outline of their fifth limb.

In the middle of this circle sat a girl one year younger than me, at the height of her teenage bloom. She had long light-brown hair, a cute and charming face, and bright, lively eyes brimming with youth. Compared to other girls her age, her figure was noticeably more curved and shapely. Out of ten men, eight would probably fall in love with her at first sight.

Right now she’s showered with titles like “Pearl of Alpha,” “Star of Zerah,” “Peerless Beauty,” “Heaven’s Beloved Daughter,” and at least a dozen more. Her charm as a woman utterly crushes every lady and miss in the Alpha region and the other noble fiefs. Even the proudest young elites turn into lost souls the moment they see her, rushing over to fawn on her. The men who see her as their dream girl could line up from here all the way beyond Alpha City.

She is the current head’s beloved treasure of the Zerah Family, my younger sister, the sixteen-year-old Fourth Young Lady, Liliana Zerakh.

Right now, she was lounging lazily on a wicker chair, enjoying the evening breeze and the attentions of her handsome attendants.

“Number One, snacks.”

Male Attendant No. 1 immediately presented a delicate dessert as if performing a magic trick.

“Number Two, wine.”

Male Attendant No. 2 hurried forward with a glass of fine wine, his eyes brimming with infatuation.

“Number Three, massage my feet.”

Male Attendant No. 3 shuddered all over. He almost couldn’t believe he’d been granted such an honor. The other men looked at him like he’d just murdered their fathers.

“What are you spacing out for? Hurry up!”

“Y-Yes, ma’am!”

No. 3 dropped obediently to his knees, carefully slipped off her ornate sandal inlaid with gold and silver, and gently took her pale, jade-like foot into his hands, massaging it with soft, reverent motions.

Liliana glanced at him, savoring the thrill of being served. Then a hint of mischief crossed her eyes.

“Hey, Number Three…”

“Mm? What are your orders?”

“How about warming my bed tonight?”

Pff—everyone almost spat their drinks. No. 3’s face flushed hot all over. He’d never imagined he’d be this lucky. He was already thinking that when he got home, he’d really have to go to the temple and give thanks.

“Hey, um, Sis!”

Only then did the skinny boy who’d been blocked by the handsome men finally speak up, unable to watch any longer.

“Ahh, sorryyy, my cute Nia~ I totally forgot how jealous you get~”

As she spoke, Liliana’s seductive gaze flicked down toward Nia’s crotch. The youngest son of the Zerah Family went bright red and shut his mouth at once.

Nia Zerakh, the youngest boy in the Zerah Family, has no particular skills and no strong will. He always obeys his Fourth Sister Liliana, whom he relies on most. His face is quite delicate, and his body is on the thin, small side. But even he has one advantage.

Judging from the size that even those loose pants couldn’t hide, this boy, though unremarkable in looks, is… exceptionally endowed.

Which is why he was honored to be chosen as his dear big sister Liliana’s exclusive bedmate.

The relationship between the two of them is hardly a secret. When they were first found out by accident, the head of the family punished them severely. But in the end, the head—our father—joined in the effort to keep it covered up. If this kind of scandal ever spread outside, it’d be more than just a bit of embarrassment. So once the uproar died down, Liliana still sneaked around with goody-two-shoes Nia behind Father’s back. Her servants and guards kept their mouths firmly shut.

After teasing her boy toys and her little brother, Liliana’s lazy, beautiful eyes wandered over the flowers around her—then landed on a certain passerby.

“Oh… ho?”

A fox-like smile appeared on her face.

“Well, well? Isn’t this Third Sister? What a rare guest~”

So I’d been noticed after all.

“…Ah. Hello, Liliana. I’m just passing through. Please don’t mind me.”

“Oooh~~ just passing through, huh?”

She sat up from the lounge chair and circled around me, her uncomfortable gaze roaming over my body.

“Look at your clothes… Just came out of the mine shaft, did you? That’s rough on the eyes~”

“That’s true enough…”

She wasn’t wrong. As a statistician, I have to go down into the mine to inspect. And if I’m going down, I have to wear work clothes. The dust-gray coveralls and thick-soled shoes can’t be called attractive by any stretch.

“You’ve really been working hard~ Look, there’s still dirt clinging to you. Don’t tell me you came back without taking a bath?”

“I did, yes.”

That, too, was true. There’s a makeshift bathhouse outside the mine, built around a mountain spring for the miners to wash up. The men there have no interest in me, but a young woman bathing with a bunch of burly men would still be… problematic. So on the way back, I only washed my face in the stream. The rest of me was still dusty.

“Tsk tsk. You already reek of bugs from head to toe, and now you’ve added dirt to the mix. I don’t even dare get close to you.”

“My apologies.”

On that point, I disagreed. I did smell like dirt, but “bug stink” wasn’t really possible. A human nose can’t even pick up the scent of most insects.

She looked my body up and down again and openly wrinkled her nose.

“Oh my, Third Sister, have you been overeating lately? Your body’s starting to plump up~”

“I have had trouble controlling my appetite. Sorry for the sight.”

That was pure nonsense. Compared to other girls my age—including Liliana—my figure was slimmer, especially my waist, which was quite narrow. My bust and hips were a bit larger than hers, just barely on the “full” side.

This was nothing more than petty female jealousy and competitiveness. It didn’t matter. I’d just go along with it.

She narrowed her eyes slightly as she studied my face. Not seeing the reaction she wanted, she frowned more deeply and played her next card.

“Speaking of which, when I went to the capital with Father last time, guess what happened? Fourth Prince Carlos actually confessed to me in public! I was so shocked that by the time I came to my senses, I’d already turned him down. His expression back then was sooo dejected! When we got back, Father even scolded me for not giving him face…”

That incident was real. All the servants had gossiped about it, and my eldest brother who’d been there confirmed it.

But to me, it didn’t matter either way. I have little interest in men and women.

Even so, I’d go along with her, if only to extract myself.

From the looks of it, just verbal agreement wouldn’t cut it. It was time for my face—usually either blank or wearing a faint smile—to move a little.

“Eh, eh!? Really? That Fourth Prince, the one they call the White Moon Knight?”

Raise my voice a bit, open my eyes a little wider, part my lips more. But I can’t overdo it, or it’ll look fake.

“Hehe, that’s right. That very same dreamboat of countless noble ladies. Honestly, I didn’t think my reputation had spread all the way to the capital. Father must’ve been talking me up at banquets over there. It just can’t be helped~”

“Amazing…”

My eyes relaxed slightly compared to just now, my mouth rounding into an O. My tone needed 60% admiration and 40% jealousy.

“Hehe, exactly. Though I am a little jealous of certain people… Those who can’t attract men at all and get to enjoy all that peace and quiet~”

“I suppose so…”

Good. Done. She looked very satisfied.

Next, I’d say I was going back to my room to wash off the dust. She’d snort something like, “Hmph~ Then hurry up and go. Don’t dirty my garden,” and let me leave. Then all would be over.

But—

“Third Sister, Fourth Sister, Third Brother—so you’re all here.”

A variable appeared.

We all turned our heads together, and Liliana’s boy toys immediately dropped what they were holding and fled in a panic.

“Ah, hello, Brother York~ You must be exhausted after a whole day’s work~” ← Liliana

“Hi, Big Brother…” ← Nia

“Good day, Brother York.” ← me

The newcomer was a young man with long brown hair, around twenty-five. He had refined, intellectual features and could be called a handsome youth. This was our eldest brother, the current heir and future head of the Zerah Family—York Zerakh.

“What are you all doing here?”

“Oh, don’t be like that, Brother York. We’re just relaxing a little and bonding as sisters~”

York looked at us quietly for a few seconds, then shook his head as if he had a headache.

“You three… you’re sisters. Getting along is what matters most. As your big brother, I don’t want to see anyone targeting anyone else. Especially you, Liliana. If I hear again that you’ve been fooling around with someone somewhere, don’t blame me for punishing you according to house law.”

As he spoke, his sharp gaze swept over Third Brother Nia. The boy flinched and shrank behind Liliana.

York Zerakh may lack talent as a magician, but he excels in nearly every other area. The head has been grooming him as successor from the start. And one more thing—he seems to be the only normal man alive who can resist Liliana’s overwhelming charm. That alone is worth praising.

When he finished speaking, he stepped aside, revealing the man standing behind him.

Nia and I straightened our backs at once, while Liliana flashed her brightest smile.

He was a broad-shouldered middle-aged man with a very square face. His short dark-brown hair was like a lion’s mane. He had an aura of natural authority that made anyone in front of him grow more respectful—us included.

“Good day, Father.”

“F-Father! Ah… um… hello…”

The family head, Klafa Zerakh, glanced over us. His eyes merely swept past me, but when they hit Third Young Master, they sharpened, making the boy shake uncontrollably.

Only when he looked at Liliana did a faint smile appear on his face.

“I’m home, Liliana.”

“Welcome back!!”

Like a swallow returning to the nest, Liliana threw herself into Klafa’s arms. The arrogant, wanton girl from moments ago, greedy only for pleasure, vanished without a trace.

“My good daughter, how have things been at home? Did you miss your father?”

“Of course! I love you most, Daddy!”

“But… why are you tangled up with Nia again?”

Seeing Krafar’s eyes turn serious, Liliana hurried to expl—er, explain, tripping over her words a little. “Daddy, seriously, why do you always think the worst? I just happened to run into Nia in the garden, that’s all! I wasn’t doing anything shameless!”

“Is that so…”

“Forget that, Daddy, look at this!”

Giggling sweetly, Liliana slipped out of his arms. She narrowed her eyes slightly, opened her palm, and began to chant in her clear, ringing voice. No matter how difficult or obscure the spell, once it passed her lips it turned pleasant and melodious.

A large amount of extremely pure fire element condensed into a blinding fireball in her hand, like a tiny sun.

“Go!”

She flicked her hand. The fireball shot into the sky and burst apart, scattering into countless raindrop-like little fireballs that poured down, covering the entire garden. Just as the fire rain was about to fall on everyone’s heads, she swept her hand again, and the flames filling the sky vanished without a trace.

“How was that, Daddy~?”

“Flame Rain. Your control over both power and area is excellent… Liliana, did you advance to Intermediate Magician?” Krafar’s face lit up with surprise.

“No way, I’m not that amazing yet, Daddy~ But at this pace, I’ll definitely pass the Intermediate Magician exam within half a year!”

“That’s my good girl!”

Krafar vigorously ruffled his daughter’s silky hair, full of pride. Among nobles, young beginner mages were a common sight, but most Intermediate Magicians were already past thirty. Liliana was still a girl; even half a year from now she wouldn’t be seventeen yet. A sixteen-year-old Intermediate Magician—just saying it out loud would be a huge boost to his reputation.

“Very good! But don’t get cocky. Look at your big sister and second sister, they’re only in their twenties and already Advanced Magicians.”

“Do~n’t wo~rry~~~ Liliana will keep working hard! My sisters have always been the goals I’m chasing! Ah, well, except for a certain someone…”

As she spoke, she shot me a sideways glance. Krafar followed her gaze and looked at me as well, his eyes a lot more indifferent. I immediately bent at the waist and bowed again.

“Nerlis… how have you been lately? Still a magic apprentice?”

“It’s your foolish daughter who’s disappointed you, Father.”

“How’s the survey work over at the magic crystal mine?”

“I’ve already compiled it into a report for you to review.” I pulled a file envelope from inside my outer coat and handed it to Krafar. He opened it, skimmed a few lines, and gave a slight nod.

“Mm. The yield is acceptable.”

Then his gaze moved away. He didn’t look at me again.

Rather than saying he hated me, it was more accurate to say he simply didn’t see me at all.

This was how things normally were. Father and my brothers and sisters all treated me like this—of course, a certain Liliana was the exception.

“All right, go get yourselves ready. It’s almost dinner time. Zane and the Flion family’s sons and daughters will be here soon.”

““““Yes.””””

——————————————

“Thanks. Just put them over there.”

At Nerlis’s command, the flying insect carried a tall stack of thick books to the corner of the room. This type of flying bug was fairly large, looking like a little snake with insect wings. Along its underside were many tiny hooked claws, perfect for grabbing things; using it to move objects was ideal.

She stretched lazily and looked around the room—books, books, books, books everywhere. The big bookshelves against the walls were crammed full, and piles of loose volumes were stacked up into little hills in the corners. Reading was one of her few pleasures. Most of the books here were academic texts, covering all sorts of topics. She spent most of her free time on them.

The furniture was much simpler. A single bed, a desk, a chair, a nightstand, a small wardrobe, a basic full-length mirror, and a breeding tank. That was all. The designs were plain, and everything was in shades of black, white, or gray—Nerlis’s favorite colors.

After washing the dirt from her body and changing into a dark gray turtleneck sweater and a plain long skirt, she finally felt presentable enough to see other people.

“Mm…”

She studied herself in the mirror.

Her shoulder-length hair was a silver-gray completely different from that of her siblings, with one long lock hanging down in back. Her eyes were a pale blue, the outer corners tilting up a little; her lashes were long; her skin was on the paler side; her lips were a bit light in color. Her features were exquisitely delicate, matching her face shape seamlessly. Nerlis wasn’t the narcissistic type, but objectively speaking, her looks had a kind of dreamlike, crystalline beauty. Calling her a once-in-ten-thousand beauty wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

Looking further down, her body was slender compared to other girls her age. The lines of her shoulders, arms, and waist were all quite thin, and her legs were long. Her chest and hips barely qualified as “well-shaped.” This figure wasn’t the level of a legendary temptress, but even among high nobility it should count as rather good.

Yet she still had almost no presence. She held no real appeal to others. The miners had quietly gossiped that “the Third Young Lady’s feminine charm is totally unqualified” and such, a complete world apart from Liliana.

The gap wasn’t just in charm or popularity; it was in talent too. Liliana was one step away from becoming an Intermediate Magician, while she was still only a magic apprentice who’d never even sat an exam.

Of course, that didn’t really matter. If anything, she preferred it that way.

Advancing in magic lay in accumulating knowledge, in your understanding of the world and of your own heart, in communing with nature. Compared with those three, the amount of mana you had or how fluent you were with incantations only came second.

Every basic magic textbook mentioned this, but these days, hardly anyone cared. After all, with a mature rank system, accessible meditation methods, and a formulaic promotion process, who would still spend too much time exploring the world and their inner self?

Today as well, Nierlis Zerakh spent the spare time before dinner reading.

——————————————

Liliana was in her room, carefully dressing herself.

Even if it was just some ancient, boring festival and everyone coming was an old acquaintance, Liliana would never allow the slightest flaw in her appearance.

(Today I’m just as perfect as ever~♪)

Thinking about the way men—and even some women—would go wild over her, Liliana couldn’t help snickering to herself.

But—though she loved being admired by countless people, the more popular she was, the more a certain spot in her heart stayed faintly irritated.

Even publicly humiliating a certain silver-gray–haired person never fully soothed that inexplicable restlessness.

(Should I increase the dose…? No, that probably has nothing to do with it.)

After finishing her makeup, Liliana absentmindedly touched her clothes while her thoughts wandered.

Today as well, that book was tucked safely in the lining of her outfit.

Nowhere else felt safe enough. Keeping it on her at all times was best.