"Defeated..."
At the dinner table, she kept muttering those words under her breath, looking utterly dejected. Her personal maid, Miel, kept comforting her: "It’s fine! She’s an Angel after all," and "You’re already incredibly strong for a human."
Not that it concerned me. My focus remained on this world’s magic. After I’d used that spell called "Frost Arrow," Miel had sent the two maids scurrying off. They returned with dozens of magic tomes stacked so high they towered over me.
I’d been sitting at the table for over ten minutes, but my head still throbbed. Even with my eyes closed, spells I’d just memorized swam before me—like cramming vocabulary before a last-minute exam.
Yet the effort paid off. While skimming through the books, I’d found one entirely about Contract Beasts. I devoured every page. Sadly, it only covered what Contract Beasts were, how to bond with them, and general descriptions. Information on breaking Contracts? Nearly nonexistent.
Strangely, the section on Angels was barely a footnote. It bluntly stated: "No recorded Angel Contracts exist," and "Contracting an Angel remains theoretical." A cold splash of water on my hopes.
Flipping further, I found an entry on the "Milo Beast." It resembled me superficially but was labeled: "Only enhances master via buff spells," "Zero combat capability," and "Detachable wings." Given I’d just cast "Frost Arrow," it clearly wasn’t me.
*If only my sensitive wings were detachable...* I thought wistfully, *I’d escape their constant petting.* But the book noted Milo Beast wings were hypersensitive too.
*There are plenty more books,* I consoled myself. *I’ll find answers about my situation eventually.*
I bit into a dragon-marked fruit. They’d piled six onto my plate as "pre-dinner mana snacks"—claiming it boosted magic recovery. Each was apple-sized. After being force-fed so many fruits earlier, my stomach was already full. But to grow stronger faster, I swallowed my discomfort and finished all six.
Just as I was chewing quietly, a sudden *SLAM* of hands on the table made me jump. Half the fruit nearly slipped from my grasp.
"Yiyi’s *my* Contract Beast anyway! If she’s this amazing, it reflects well on *me*," the young lady declared, her mood inexplicably brightening. "Honestly, sulking over this is pointless."
I glanced up at my master—*that girl*—then tightened my grip on the remaining fruit and took another bite. Her mood swings meant little to me. Replenishing my magic mattered more.
"Come here, Yiyi."
Her voice triggered the Contract. Before I could react, my hand placed the half-eaten fruit on the table. My body moved on its own, hopping step by step toward her.
*...I was almost done with it.*
"Starting tomorrow," she announced, "I’ll personally teach you magic."
Pouting slightly, I stared at the fragrant half-fruit left on the table, then at her flushed, excited face.
*Teach me magic?*
"For the Throne Struggle next month, I’ll *graciously* instruct you in practical spells," she declared, suddenly avoiding my gaze. A faint blush colored her cheeks. "D-don’t stare so gratefully! If you’re *that* thankful... I’ll start with a simple but useful spell that also aids me. It’s called ‘Mind’s Eye’—sees through obstacles and invisibility. Watch me demonstrate."
Her voice grew flustered as she closed her eyes and chanted like a song:
*"With my heart, pierce illusion’s veil—"*
She froze. "*Wait.* There’s someone hiding behind the window! Who’s there?!"
