‘How interesting.’

Claire’s mother was observing the young man guiding her with a look that was both bewildered and entranced, as if she found something particularly fascinating in his back view.

‘I had a feeling there was something special about the boy that her daughter paid so much attention to… but this exceeds my expectations.’

Even though Jin couldn’t see it, Claire’s mother was eyeing him like a wolf that had spotted a flock of sheep in the middle of a pasture.

It had been a long time since she felt anything remotely like this. From a very young age, she had learned magic and had become somewhat detached from the world around her, but she never imagined that there would still be something akin to ‘desire’ left within her.

And of all things to stir her desire, it was a man that Claire cherished—the most precious and valuable treasure among what the Mascarena house had to offer?

In fact, Claire’s mother had never anticipated such a situation when her daughter was enrolled in Nineveh.

The reason her husband, the head of the Mascarena family, had arranged for Claire to attend Nineveh was quite simple.

It was because there was a command from their ancestors that any descendant of the Mascarena house must be enrolled in Nineveh if one existed.

Well, to be honest, that outdated and moldy decree from her ancestors was never really a consideration for her at all.

Like all members of the Mascarena family, she was also a magician.

And for a magician, the past is not something to be revered and respected; it is something to scoff at and ultimately overcome.

However, even if it weren’t for that ancestral decree, she would have undoubtedly used any means necessary to ensure her daughter entered Nineveh.

Not because she was biased as a mother, but because her daughter was truly a genius among geniuses.

From before she could even walk, she was able to sense the magical energy around her, and from before she could speak, she had learned to rearrange and regulate that energy; she truly had a monstrous talent.

And because she was so intelligent and clever, instead of learning magic directly, the unfortunate child learned how to blend in with others to avoid being viewed as an outsider.

That is precisely why Claire’s mother decided to send her daughter to Nineveh.

She hoped that in Nineveh, where many of the empire’s finest talents gathered, her daughter might become just another ordinary student.

Sadly, her expectations were only half fulfilled.

As she had anticipated, there were indeed other children in Nineveh with talents comparable to Claire’s, making Claire appear relatively ordinary.

However, it was simultaneously proven that when it came to the field of ‘magic,’ none in the world could rival Claire.

From the perspective of the head of the Mascarena family, Claire’s existence was indeed a blessing, but as a mother, it was a source of genuine concern.

Her daughter lived in the same world as them but viewed it from an entirely different perspective.

Although Claire had learned, much like a chameleon, to mix effortlessly with others and received fairly good evaluations from those around her, that was ultimately not her true self; it was merely an act.

And an act can mimic the real thing but can never ultimately become the real thing itself.

In the end, her daughter may very well perish without ever finding a true companion who genuinely understands her throughout her life—

It was in that moment of discomfort that gripped Claire’s mother’s heart that her daughter finally had someone close to her.

And it wasn’t just anyone to be a mere ‘friend’ by Claire’s side, nor was it based on fleeting sympathy or trivial understanding, but rather, a man truly deserving to stand by her daughter’s side.

Outwardly gentle and appearing to embrace others unconditionally, this was a man whom Claire, afraid of getting hurt in relationships and overly reliant on her family, was genuinely interested in.

As a mother, how could she not be intrigued by such a man?

That was precisely why, the moment the Nineveh Academy’s festival opened to the public, she rushed here without hesitation.

But upon finally facing her future son-in-law in person… he turned out to be far more interesting than she had anticipated.
‘To think he contains two souls within one body?’

At first, the presence was so subtle and almost undetectable that she didn’t notice it. However, as she conversed face to face with him, she could certainly feel it.

Inside his mental space, there was undoubtedly another soul, fundamentally different in essence.

Had she not specialized in magic related to the mind and souls, she might have easily overlooked it, for the presence was exceedingly discreet.

‘How on earth?’

To contain more than one soul within a single body is akin to a forbidden curse. Regardless of its possibility or impossibility, the human body was fundamentally structured in a way that made accommodating more than one soul impossible.

Of course, there are spiritists in the world who specialize in summoning spirits, and possessing someone else’s soul within one’s own body is a common occurrence. However, the state of her future son-in-law was on an entirely different level compared to such lowly practices.

Summoning is merely a type of ability that minimizes the side effects of having two souls in one body while maximizing the spiritual capabilities.

Yet, as far as she knew, no spiritist in the world could so naturally harbor a soul, making this an impossibility.

‘That said, reading information through mental waves is also out of the question…’

In the realm of the ‘mind,’ she was an unprecedented magician with no equal.

She was confident that she could read even the faintest mental waves leaking out from an ordinary person or someone at a considerable level, but regrettably, her future son-in-law’s mental barriers were of a type she had never encountered before.

The mental barriers were so solid that she couldn’t even find a minuscule gap to penetrate secretly.

That was precisely why it piqued her interest. A suitable secret is often the seasoning that makes reasoning more alluring and captivating, isn’t it?

The only man whom her daughter, who seemed so detached from the world that she could vanish at any moment, found interesting was a man who housed two souls in one body, possessing mental barriers that she had never experienced before.

Moreover, from their conversation, he seemed to have a temperament without any sharp edges, appearing overly courteous to his future mother-in-law…

It was indeed a pass. Claire’s mother found her future son-in-law incredibly appealing.

Now, there remained only one obstacle.

That was to eliminate the other women lingering around him and make her daughter the ultimate winner.

She suddenly recalled a few days ago when she had a conversation with Claire.

[…Mom. I’m really saying this out of concern, but if you meet Jin, please don’t say anything strange to him.]

[Huh? What do you mean? My daughter?]

[No, it’s just that knowing your personality, I feel like you’d end up asking him some weird questions if you meet him. For example, questions like who his type of girl is, if he has a girlfriend, or whether he sees me as a woman, you know, those aunt-like questions.]

[…….]

Her only daughter understood her character far too well.

[I didn’t initially plan to stop you, but asking him such questions would be counterproductive. Given that there are so many competitors around him, asking those questions might deduct points.]

Watching the rare sight of her usually relaxed daughter sulking and pouting, she tilted her head in confusion.

[Competitors? Wait, have you been eyeing a man who already has someone?]

[…No, that’s not it. It’s just that I’m worried because he might have a partner soon.]

[Are you talking about the Little Princess of Pendragon and Lady Seryas?]

[…Yes.]

She had already heard from Claire several times about those two.

Her future son-in-law possessed exceptional talent in getting close to women and had established connections with several of them, becoming particularly intimate with a few.

And it seemed especially that he had an unusual relationship with the Little Princess of Pendragon and Lady Seryas.

[I’ve never once thought I was lacking compared to others, but in front of those two, I feel inadequate. Because they’re both more noble and special than any other girl.]
The Little Princess of Pendragon was a woman unmatched throughout the entire Empire in finding a partner, and while Lady Seryas might lag slightly behind, she was still a noble daughter from a prestigious family.

Moreover, both of them had reached the level of a master at such a young age, possessing talents that could, in some respects, overshadow Claire.

Most importantly, both of them were warriors.

Like Jin, they wielded swords and were warriors honing their martial skills throughout their lives.

In contrast, Claire was a magician. She was a woman belonging to the category of scholars who learned and perfected the discipline of magic rather than honing combat skills.

This meant that, unlike Ereka and Altina, the areas Claire could share with Jin were exceedingly limited.

No matter how hard Claire tried to get closer to him or understand him, it couldn’t compare to Ereka and Altina once they crossed swords with him.

For, fundamentally, warriors and magicians were different beings, and understanding one another was indeed a long and arduous task.

[…I’m anxious. Kaya is building memories alongside Jin in student council activities, and Altina always monopolizes him after school to spend time together.]

[But what about me? I have nothing. I can only share a moment with Jin during meal times, as if they’re merely casting kindness.]

[…It’s the first time. For the very first time, I’ve found something I want. I feel like I want to share my existence with someone. I’ve come to desire sharing everything that makes me who I am.]

[So, please don’t interfere, Mom. This is my battle. It’s a fight that I must bear alone. I have my thoughts too, so don’t meddle unnecessarily. Absolutely not.]

Claire urged her as if she were lashing out, but Claire’s mother could only think that her daughter was being overly foolish.

She understood the gap that existed between her and her competitors and knew well that there was no ordinary means to reverse this situation.

Yet, amidst such circumstances, could she afford to be choosy about means and methods? Did her daughter truly view this situation as a fair duel among knights?

It was not. This was a fight, not a duel. There were no fair rules to begin with; only the winner could savor the sweet fruit of victory in a desperate, muddy battle between wolves and hyenas.

However, since her daughter had made her request, it could be a bit awkward to blatantly interfere right now. Also, engaging in a verbal spat with young girls around her daughter’s age wouldn’t be particularly graceful.

‘But, I can’t just sit here idle.’

No matter the cost, she couldn’t bear to see Claire wallowing in sadness.

She couldn’t bring herself to witness the sight of another woman clinging to Jin, looking utterly vacant as if she were the loser.

To prevent such a scene, it would be better for her to fulfill her duties now, even if it meant later hearing a few words of resentment from Claire.

After much deliberation, her judgment was made in an instant.

Resolute, she turned gracefully toward Count Seryas and Altina, who were approaching from the other side.

“…Madam Mascarena.”

“Count Seryas! It has truly been a while since we last met. If I’m not mistaken, isn’t this nearly the first time since that competition at the imperial palace a few years ago?”

“Yes, indeed. To be frank, I’m surprised to see a lady who doesn’t go out much attending the academy’s festival in Nineveh.”

“Of course, I am a mother with one daughter, so I’m merely fulfilling my duties.”

With that pleasant tone, Lady Mascarena replied as Count Seryas casually glanced at Altina standing by his side.

“Speaking of which, I’ve delayed the introduction. We may have seen each other a few times, but let me formally introduce. This is my daughter, and Claire’s close friend—”

“Oh, I know her well. Lady Altina von Rudel Seryas. A dear friend of our Claire and at the same time…”

As she spoke, she gently smiled while pointing to Jin, who still didn’t seem to grasp the situation unfolding by her side.

“A lady who stands between our Jin and a close ‘friend,’ wouldn’t you agree?”