That night, we all gathered in the dining hall.
"Ah, Claire and Mr. Kaiser, you've finally arrived. Please, take a seat. Let's all have dinner together," Duke Louis greeted us warmly.
All of Duke Louis's subordinates were already seated at the same dining table.
"You must be wondering why even the servants are eating together with my family, right? That's because the Ravenshire servant family and the Noir family have been comrades-in-arms since the very first generation. We're practically one family now," Duke Louis explained.
"I see. Honestly, this is the first time I've seen a noble treat their subordinates so well. Most nobles I've met are… well, quite arrogant and prideful. I don't really enjoy associating with their kind," I said while sipping a cup of wine that had been prepared.
"Yeah, I can't deny that. Arrogant nobles are a pain. Even as one myself, I despise that kind of attitude," Duke Louis replied.
"Seems like we share a similar social life. For me, living a simple life with our loved ones is more than enough. Though, that may just be a dream for me…" I said wistfully.
"Hm..? What do you mean, Mr. Kaiser?"
"Well, to be honest… I'm an orphan. My father died before I was born, and my mother fell in battle during the Greater Demon invasion fourteen years ago…" I replied, my expression somber.
"I'm sorry… I didn't know you had such a tragic past."
"It's alright. The past is the past. I can't wallow in sorrow forever just because I lost my parents. I must keep living, for the sake of the sacrifices they made for me. I can't give up," I said, now with renewed determination.
"You truly are a strong and responsible man. The woman who marries you someday will be a lucky one, hahaha!"
"You flatter me. I'm just an ordinary academy instructor. Besides, I'm not ready for marriage yet. Living alone isn't all that bad," I replied.
"I see. Well, enjoy your youth while you can, Lord Kaiser. Once you're married, you'll be burdened with far more responsibility."
"Of course. I'll make the most of it," I responded with a smile.
Everyone enjoyed their dinner heartily. Afterward, I returned to my room and began reading the many books I had brought with me—still trying to determine why Claire couldn't use her magic.
"This is such a strange case. I've found no clues at all. Maybe tomorrow, I'll have Miss Claire try again," I muttered.
I closed the book and went to sleep.
---
The next day, I brought a device that might help activate magic.
"Miss, try using this magic wand. Perhaps it will help channel your magic," I said, handing her a wooden wand.
"Alright, I'll give it a try!"
Claire began chanting with the wand. As before, the magic formula—the foundation of a spell—formed neatly and beautifully. But once her chant finished, the formula collapsed again and failed. However, this time she wasn't thrown back; only the wand shattered.
Crash!
"Kyah?!"
"Miss Claire?!"
Startled by the wand breaking, Claire fell to the floor.
"Are you alright?!" I rushed over.
"Y-Yes… I'm okay, Master…" Claire replied, still a bit shaken.
"Thank goodness…"
I let out a sigh of relief. But Claire's face turned gloomy once again.
"Miss Claire… I'm sorry. I thought using a magic tool might help you. But it didn't work. This makes me even more curious. It seems… there's some kind of barrier within your body preventing you from using magic," I concluded.
"Huh? A barrier? But… how could there be a barrier inside me?"
"I'm not sure. This is just a hypothesis. I don't even know what kind of barrier it might be—it could be a curse, a magical seal, or perhaps a blockage in your mana flow."
Claire's expression darkened.
"Sensei… may I end today's lesson early? I want to be alone…"
"A-Ah… Alright, then. Please get some rest. I'll keep looking for answers," I said.
She only nodded and left the greenhouse with a frustrated look.
"She must be truly overwhelmed… I've been in her shoes before—failing to achieve something you desperately want…" I murmured, alone in the greenhouse.
Later that day, I asked Duke Louis for permission to access the Noir family's private library to look for any helpful information. He agreed and asked Sherry, Theodore's wife, to accompany me.
"This is the library, Mr. Kaiser."
"Wow… The books are so neatly arranged," I murmured.
"Yes. My lady loved reading. She organized and read every book in here during her free time."
"I see… So she was quite the bookworm, huh?"
"You could say that. She loved books so much that she collected all kinds—novels, archaeology, astronomy, cosmology, biology, magic, even fairy tales and legends."
"She wasn't just a bookworm—she was a true book lover," I said, genuinely impressed.
"Well then, if you'll excuse me, I have work to attend to," Sherry said before leaving.
I began searching through books about magic and legendary tales, looking for more clues.
Then, one book caught my eye—"Legend of the White Tiger Temple."
"The White Tiger Temple legend? This sounds interesting."
I began reading. The book told the origin of the White Tiger Temple, believed to be the dwelling of the Oracle—a holy maiden who serves as the vessel for the Divine Beast, the White Tiger.
It said that five hundred years ago, the White Tiger went on a rampage and devastated the entire Valkhein Kingdom. The cause was a reckless group disturbing the beast's resting place atop Mount Whitefang.
A girl then offered herself as a vessel to the White Tiger, promising it peace in a comfortable and undisturbed place. The White Tiger accepted and, in return, granted her immense power by placing a portion of its strength and consciousness into a bracelet.
That bracelet was passed down through the Oracle's descendants, while the original Oracle remained immortal in the White Tiger's realm—accessible only through the White Tiger Temple.
Legends say that those who meet the Oracle at the temple will find what they seek—but only the chosen ones can ever enter it.
"Hm… interesting. This isn't just a myth—there are historical records to support it," I thought.
As I flipped the pages, I found a bookmark.
"Huh? A bookmark? Someone else must've read this… Maybe the lady Duchess did, since she had read every book here."
I continued reading, losing track of time until I realized evening was near.
---
Meanwhile, in Claire's room…
"Why… Why can't I…? Why… Why… WHY?! WHY?!" Claire screamed, hitting her pillow and bed.
She was overwhelmed with frustration from still being unable to use magic.
"WHY CAN'T I USE MAGIC LIKE OTHER KIDS AT MY AGE?! WHY?!" she shouted before breaking into tears.
Outside her room, Sherry—who had been standing by the door—was quietly sobbing.
"Young lady…" she whispered before walking away.
Then Claire remembered the story about the White Tiger Temple.
"That's it… Why don't I just go there? Maybe I'll find the answer I need!"
Claire quickly changed into warm clothing, tied a rope made from blankets, and escaped through her window.
After climbing down, she carefully snuck past the mansion's grounds and the patrolling guards.
Shortly after, Sherry came to deliver Claire's dinner. But when she opened the room and found it empty and messy, she gasped.
"Oh no! Lady Claire!!" she screamed, alerting everyone in the mansion—except me.
"What's wrong, Sherry?! Why did you scream?!" Theodore rushed to her.
"L-Lady Claire… She's gone!"
"What?!" he exclaimed. "Quick, alert the Duke and the guards to start searching! Go!"
"Alright!"
"And you, Sherry—find Mr. Kaiser! I'm sure he'll be of great help! Hurry!"
"Yes! He should still be in the library!" she said and ran off.
---
Meanwhile, Claire had already left the city and was heading toward Mount Whitefang.
"I'm sorry, Dad… Theodore, Sherry… I truly believe I'll find my answer at the White Tiger Temple. And to Master—thank you for becoming my teacher, even if only for two days. I was really happy," she whispered to herself as she walked through the falling snow.