"How are you feeling now?" Noomi asked, her voice full of concern.
"I'm fine now, really. No need to worry," I reassured her with a smile.
"How did you exhaust your mana?" Tindra frowned, clearly confused.
"I mastered swordsmanship with mana control—"
"You what?? Are you serious?" Noomi nearly jumped.
"Yeah…"
"People need at least a month for that! And even then, most can't master it properly. How did you do it?"
"I just followed your advice."
"That's it?? One week?? You're really something else!"
Something else… That's right. I always excelled in every exam related to mana control. But why me? I still don't know.
"That's so cool!" Tindra exclaimed, eyes wide.
"By the way, is this that guy's room?" Noomi looked around curiously.
"Yeah."
"It's spacious… but really empty."
Now that she mentioned it, she was right. Just a bed, a table, and a closet built into the wall. Nothing personal. Nothing warm.
"Well, it looks empty because it's so big," I pointed out.
"Hm, true. But what else should he have? A makeup table? Of course not. A mirror? The bathroom one's enough for men."
I chuckled. "Low-key accurate."
Tindra burst into laughter. "Your logic, oh my god—pfft!"
At that moment, Rein walked in, face twisted with irritation. He shot me a glare.
"You finally woke up…"
"Yeah, and?"
"You didn't prepare lunch."
"So did you eat those old noodles?"
He gritted his teeth. "Aren't you even a little guilty?"
"Is she your maid?" Noomi cut in sharply.
The two locked eyes, glaring like they were about to start a duel.
"Who are you?" Rein demanded.
"Since it wasn't necessary for you to know before, it means the information is useless to you, doesn't it?"
"Tsk. Says the one barging in like this is her own house."
"Says the one who isn't the owner of this house either."
I leaned toward Tindra and whispered, "Where did they even go with this argument?"
She whispered back, "I have no idea."
Eventually at some point,both of them got tired of bickering, though their eyes still clashed like sparks.
"You were shouting so much!"
The complaint came in a cute but annoyed voice.
Of course—it was Shimi. She always appeared out of nowhere, and this time, she was scolding them after they'd stopped.
"Yeah, they were just arguing," I explained.
"Arguing is useless. You should stay patient and live in peace."
"A serpent saying that feels strange," Rein muttered. "Try telling yourself that the next time you enlarge your size."
"I only do that to protect Master! Don't blame me!"
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
Mana pet size extension… I'd read about it. By consuming their master's mana, pets could expand and turn wild in combat.
"How are you feeling now, Elvira?" Master Obrone entered with a faint smile.
"I'm alright, Master Obrone."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely! I could run a marathon."
"That's good to hear." He turned his gaze toward Noomi and Tindra. "oh,hello there.
You guys came at the perfect time. Don't let her push herself. Tindra, you know that better than anyone, right?"
"Roger that! I was already planning to," Tindra replied with a salute.
"I see. Thank you." Then Obrone looked back at me. "Your training will resume tomorrow, but for now, you rest."
"Okay, Master Obrone."
"Tomorrow's training will be special. Be prepared." He gave a rare, generous smile before leaving. Shimi slithered after him.
Special… I wonder what that means.
That night, beneath the full moon's glow, Noomi and Tindra prepared to leave. They'd helped with chores all day—even though I didn't need it. Tindra even cooked dinner, sparing me from Rein's constant whining.
Before they left, I handed Noomi a letter for my mother. A joke slipped out of me: "You'll be my mailman."
In the letter, I told Mom I was fine, safe, and training hard, so she wouldn't worry. I promised I'd meet her soon—secretly. If Father or Ikon were around, they'd sense my mana immediately. I don't want that.
Mom is now the head of the kingdom's Healing and Rehabilitation Centre, busiest this time of year, July, when mana monsters appear more often. More monsters, more injuries, more patients.
I just pray for her safety, for her smile to never fade. To keep that smile alive, I'll grow stronger. I won't lag behind.
After all, I came here with a goal: even if I can't awaken my mana element, I'll carve my name into the books of history. I want to see the shocked faces of those who once saw me as nothing but a useless object.
Oh, and I won't stay in Rein's room anymore. He can have it back—I'll return to the living room.
Strangely enough… life here isn't as bad as I thought. I'm starting to get used to it.
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