The old man narrowed his eyes sharply.
His gaze cut through the air as if he were trying to dissect everything about me. It pinned me in place.
For a moment, it felt like a massive serpent staring down a tiny mouse—calm, certain, and ready to strike.
My toes curled instinctively.
“…Honestly, it’s not entirely wrong.”
In this world, people had their mana measured the moment they were born. That determined what kind of mage they would become.
“Amelia probably had hers measured too.”
But I wasn’t originally from here.
When I’d possessed this body, the noble house had already collapsed into chaos. It was a ruined family, and I barely knew anyone connected to it.
Which meant there was no reliable way for me to determine my own strength.
Well… there was one method.
The problem was that it required going to a temple.
Frankly, I’d rather live my whole life never knowing. As long as it didn’t interfere with survival, I didn’t particularly care whether I had magic or not.
Better that than dying because I wandered into the wrong place at the wrong time.
“The ones who came first have already been dealt with, so there’s no immediate danger.”
“But that means it won’t stay that way for long,” I said.
“Correct.”
The old man glanced up at the ceiling, then back at me.
“I owe you my life, and I have business with your brother. While I’m here, I’ll take care of those bandits right up to their leader. How does that sound?”
“….”
“It won’t take long. I’m not as incompetent as I look.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I stayed silent.
Then the old man snapped his fingers again.
Dark crimson mana flickered up like a candle flame.
“If you’re uncomfortable, we can formalize what I mentioned earlier. A vow that I won’t threaten you while I’m here.”
“That… isn’t necessary…”
“No. It’s better to be certain.”
His mana rose into the air.
The fragile flame twisted, trembling—then shaped itself into a single word.
VOW
Seeing the bold letters suspended in space, I bit my lower lip.
Is this really okay?
But refusing felt difficult, especially given what he’d said. If I walked outside, something could easily happen. I wanted to live quietly here, as quietly as possible.
While I hesitated, he added another line.
“Even after the vow ends, I’ll reinforce the entire estate with mana. Your safety will remain my responsibility.”
“May I ask something?”
“Go ahead.”
“Why are you going this far?”
He was likely staying here because of the healing potion.
There might be gratitude toward me as well, but that couldn’t possibly be the main reason.
He had pressed too hard for it.
Which meant… someone important must be in critical condition, requiring that potion.
“I can’t tell you the reason,” he said. “But I need a large amount of potions.”
As expected, he avoided the real answer.
“But I do intend to repay you. Don’t overthink it.”
“…One more question.”
“Quite inquisitive.”
He gave a small laugh. It sounded like a complaint, but there was no real irritation in it.
I slowly unclenched my fist.
“While we’re together… you won’t kill me, right?”
“I’m not the kind of bastard who betrays a favor.”
He flicked his index finger through the air.
VOW PARTIES: WIZ
A hollow laugh escaped me.
This is insane.
How did it end up like this?
My peaceful lifestyle… where did it go?
Holding back tears, I finally raised my hand. Long-term, there was only one choice.
With a sharp snap of my fingers—
Soft pink mana bloomed in the air.
VOW PARTY B: AMELIA
The old man smiled in satisfaction as he read my name into the floating contract.
It looked almost villainous.
“Let’s get along well from here on.”
“Y-yes…”
I brushed my messy hair back in a hurry.
Something feels wrong.
Probably just my imagination.
Late at night.
Felix had taken lodging in a hotel along Proud Street. With the duke’s location narrowing down, returning home was no longer an option. He intended to dig through the earth itself if he had to.
That damn old man.
If only he would just give up, things would be easier.
All of this trouble just because of one person.
Clicking his tongue, Felix pulled off his shirt.
At that moment, his loyal subordinate who had gone downstairs knocked.
“My lord, it’s Maital.”
“Come in.”
Felix threw his blood-stained shirt onto the floor and grabbed a clean one.
Maital entered with steady steps.
They had done undercover operations like this many times before, so seeing his superior half-dressed didn’t bother him anymore.
“The old man’s location?”
“Still being investigated.”
“You’re slow. Extremely slow.”
Maital cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Please understand. When His Excellency hides himself, even the Imperial Court struggles to find him.”
At that, Felix frowned.
As Maital said, Wiestanz was a high-ranking mage.
And not just that—he was also naturally gifted in swordsmanship. A born predator.
If someone like that truly intended to hide, finding him quickly was impossible. Even tracking his last known movements was already a miracle.
“Still, don’t worry. Even if he managed to disappear, he’s not someone who would be easily taken down.”
“….”
Felix sighed deeply instead of replying.
Didn’t he once say it would be better to hit first than be hit every time?
Thanks to that lesson, despite his innate condition, no one here treated him lightly.
“And Lord Gilbert sent a message.”
“He found him?”
“Yes. They’ve located the base and are currently studying infiltration routes. They believe a full entry will be possible soon.”
“Impressive.”
After fastening his shirt buttons, Felix let out a small laugh.
Typical of a guild master drowning in money. Well, they were being paid enough for it.
They’d better succeed—even if it meant putting their necks on the line.
“Report immediately when they contact us. If we succeed this time, things will finally quiet down.”
To suppress these damn seizures, he needed high-quality superior potions. Of course, they would only delay the symptoms—not cure them.
A mana curse.
Most people awakened naturally at birth, but some did not. Those people were collectively said to suffer from a mana curse: a condition where mana never properly awakened, instead causing constant seizures.
The greater the mana potential, the worse the pain. In severe cases, it could even be fatal.
The only way to suppress it was through potions.
That was why Wiestanz had been leaving the estate so often.
To buy time until Felix awakened.
And then, after going out to obtain that one potion, he had vanished for over a week.
Felix ground his teeth.
“If I catch him this time… I’ll lock him in a room and force him to recover.”
