"The flow of magic is like rain. Rain falls from the sky, flows through valleys, becomes rivers, then the sea, and finally returns to the sky. You must not stop it; you must let it circulate."

That was the lesson being taught in the training hall of the Mage Association.

The project to make Mirabel into a great witch had officially begun.

Colton, the head of the Mage Association in Libria, had personally volunteered to be Mirabel’s magic instructor. The fact that the head of an association in an entire city was willing to teach her directly... my Mirabel was truly exceptional.

By the way, the lessons were held at the same time every day, and the fees? Completely free. Colton stood to gain a lot from Mirabel’s eventual fame, so he was happy to do it.

Though our motivations differed, the goal was the same, so it was a win-win for both of us.

‘He’ll be shocked when he realizes he’s been teaching a witch all along.’

Well, that’s not my problem.

"For today, we’ll end the lesson here. Make sure to refine your magical flow by tomorrow."

The lesson ended while I had been sitting in the corner of the training hall, waiting for Mirabel. She and Colton walked toward me.

"Finished?"

"Yes."

"How’s Mirabel doing?"

"The assessment was spot on. The amount of magic in her body and her ability to control it are at a level that’s hard to believe for someone who’s only just started learning magic. However…"

"However?"

Colton trailed off, and that gave me a bad feeling.

"Something about it is different."

"I wouldn’t know what you mean."

"That’s just it. Mirabel’s magic is somehow different from ordinary magic, but I can’t pinpoint why. It may take longer for her to fully grasp her abilities."

It’s because she’s a witch.

I couldn’t sense the difference, being unfamiliar with magic, but I knew why. Witches and mages use magic in slightly different ways.

"I understand. I don’t know much about magic, so I’ll leave it entirely in your capable hands, Mr. Association Head."

"Ha, to have earned your trust like this—I don’t know what to say."

"Ha ha, no need to say much."

You’ve got to trust what’s worth trusting.

Still, I should come up with some sort of plan.

Since I didn’t own a house or run a business, there wasn’t much domestic work I could give Mirabel.

Even if I did, I wouldn’t want to burden her too much. If I did, and then freed her later, she might hold a grudge like, "This is for making me wash your underwear back then!" and come after me. Our relationship was strange—though technically I was the master and she the slave, in reality, I was the one in a weaker position.

Still, I made sure to give her small, basic tasks. I didn’t want her to become a crazy witch who only knew how to cast spells.

‘Of course, even if I die, I won’t give up the maid uniform.’

Every man has something in life that’s more precious than his own survival.

The task I had just assigned her was simple—buying supplies. I gave her some money and a list of things to get.

It didn’t take long before she returned to the inn, placing the purchased items on the table one by one.

A handkerchief, bug-repellent incense, a portable mana stone lantern—basic adventuring essentials. And lastly, a brown paper bag.

Inside it was fried slime.

"Looks like you got everything. Well done."

"Phew…"

Mirabel let out a sigh of relief, clutching her chest.

Even though it wasn’t a big deal if she’d messed up, she seemed really nervous.

"You did great."

Without thinking, I reached out to pat her on the head, but Mirabel flinched and dodged my hand.

Tch. I must’ve tried to get too close too quickly. That was a mistake.

In that case, I’d reward her in a different way. Luckily, I had just the thing.

I pulled a fried slime from the paper bag Mirabel had bought and handed it to her.

"Here, eat."

"Me…?"

"Is there anyone else here besides you? Go ahead."

With wide, surprised eyes, Mirabel cautiously took the fried slime. She hesitated, still glancing at me, waiting for my reaction.

I gave her a reassuring smile and a small shrug, and finally, she took a careful bite.

"How is it? Does it taste good?"

"…Yes."

"I’m glad to hear that."

Fried slime.

To me, a guy from Earth, it was just another weird dish, but to Mirabel, it held a lot of meaning. Her mother used to make it for her as a snack.

It’s kind of like a bowl of miso soup made by a loved one back home.

Mirabel knew that better than anyone, and her dark blue eyes quickly filled with tears.

Fried slime with a side of tears. The atmosphere wasn’t exactly ideal, but the scene had an undeniable emotional pull.

"Why are you crying? Is it really that good?"

"Yes… it’s very good."

"Is that so? I wouldn’t know, I’ve never tried it myself."

I had no idea at the time, but this would turn out to be a big mistake.

"You’ve never had it?"

"No. I have a pretty picky palate."

As soon as I said that, Mirabel fumbled with the bag and pulled out another fried slime, holding it out to me.

"Please, try it. It’s salty and delicious."

"No, really, I’m fine."

"Oh…"

Mirabel’s expression fell, her hand with the fried slime dropping limply.

"It’s… really good."

Why did she look so sad? That expression was breaking my heart. Her reaction made me feel like trash for rejecting her.

I snatched the fried slime from her hand. Slime or not, it’s all the same once it’s fried, right? With that thought in mind, I popped it into my mouth and chewed.

Mirabel’s eyes went wide with surprise.

"Well, it’s not bad. Salty, makes for a decent snack."

"Right? It’s good by itself, but even better with some cold milk."

Mirabel started talking about it enthusiastically, sharing details only she knew. If anyone else had done that, I’d have thought, ‘What a geek.’ But with Mirabel, a beautiful girl, it felt different.

Who knew she’d be so happy with just a bit of sympathy? I should buy her some more. And maybe eat with her next time… Wait.

"Did something just move?"

"Wow, you got a fresh one! That happens sometimes—lucky you."

What the hell?

Lucky my ass.

I swallowed the rest of the slime. There was no way I was spitting it out. After downing some water, it felt a bit more manageable.

Meanwhile, Mirabel kept eating, apparently really into it. She didn’t stop, pulling out slime after slime from what seemed like an endless bag.

I was planning to wait until she finished, but at this rate, we’d be here all night. Might as well talk while she’s eating.

"Today, Colton said something interesting. He said your magic feels different from other mages’. He also said it might take a long time for you to fully use your magic. Any idea why?"

"Cough!"

Mirabel choked, pounding her chest as she tried to recover.

I handed her some water, which she gratefully accepted, taking big gulps before finally catching her breath.

"I… I don’t know. I’ve only just started learning magic…"

"Is that so? Then you wouldn’t know how to solve it, either."

The fact that Mirabel might take a long time to learn magic was a problem for me.

‘The issue isn’t with Mirabel; it’s what comes after.’

Freeing Mirabel didn’t have to be rushed. As long as I succeeded at the Slave Carnival, I could take my time.

But that wasn’t the case for some of the other slaves.

There were heroines who were already slaves, and then there were some who would become slaves due to future events.

In the game, you could just click a button to free slaves on the other side of the continent, but this was reality. I had to go there myself.

If I missed my chance, it would be a disaster. Once you fall behind, you just keep falling.

‘The easiest way would be to find a witch…’

If Mirabel’s magic was different from regular mages’, she could learn directly from a witch. I even knew where to find a few witches.

But the reason I didn’t seek them out right away and instead came to Libria was because witches tend to be unpredictable.

As I mentioned, Mirabel was a once-in-a-thousand-years prodigy. That applied not just among mages, but also among witches.

A talent coveted even by witches. If I took Mirabel to them, they’d definitely try to snatch her up. Witches can’t be controlled.

So, going to a witch was out. That left me with one other option. I had somewhat anticipated this, which is why I came to Libria in the first place.

I stood up.

"If you’ve finished eating, it’s time to go."

"Hmm?"

"…Finish your meal, and then we’ll leave."

To raise a slave most efficiently, you have to use your game knowledge wisely.

Eventually, as time goes on, more variables will arise, and my methods may become useless. But for now, that wasn’t the case.

‘If things go wrong, and I can't return home, I’ll just settle down with a cute beast-girl and live a simple life.’

Anyway.

In Taosle, there are many ways to raise a slave. Not just through skills, but also through potions and gear.

Potions are good but not ideal early on. They take time to work and cost a lot. They’re for seasoned players who know what they’re doing.

What I could offer Mirabel was gear. The most efficient option at this point.

That’s why I had come to Libria.

"Hahaha!"

In the dead of night, in an empty cemetery.

Wearing a one-time-use invisibility robe I’d bought with 2,000 points, I was busy robbing graves.

"Master! You can’t do this! If you get caught, they’ll execute you! The gods will be furious!"

"Hahaha, Mirabel! You speak the truth. Yes, if I get caught, they’ll execute me. But to survive in this harsh world, you need to learn one thing. Listen closely."

"W-what is it?"

"If you don’t get caught, it’s not a crime."

Innocent until proven guilty.

As long as there’s no trial, you’re not guilty!

Mirabel screamed, but quickly covered her mouth, afraid someone might hear. Don’t worry. This invisibility robe may be expensive and single-use, but its performance is top-tier. Unless a grand mage uses detection magic, no one will find us.

Clink.

My shovel hit something. I dug around it and pulled it out.

Even in the dark, the moonlight made the silver bag glisten. At the end was an ornate crystal—it was a staff.

Three hundred years ago, a high elf had carved this staff from a branch of the World Tree to gift to his lover, the sage Arseria.

The staff was later passed down to their half-elf son, Inaxia, who lived out his days quietly in Libria. Half-elves have shorter lifespans than pureblood elves, after all.

Inaxia’s resting place was at the 7X7 spot in Libria’s cemetery. Dig there, and you’d find the Sage’s Staff.

[You have acquired the Celestial Oath.]

With this, I could greatly boost Mirabel’s magical abilities!

"Here, Mirabel. This is a gift from me!"

I handed the staff to her, and her expression… well, words couldn’t do it justice.