"Only use part of it…?"

What nonsense is that? Inside the bathroom, Yulia kept replaying Aslan’s words. No matter how she thought about it, it sounded absurd and impossible.

After all, the technique to split mana is something you learn much later. I can’t even handle all my mana yet, so it’s too early for me. That much is true, but… she had studied the theory of dividing mana thoroughly.

"What does he know about me to give such advice… Fine. Just this once, I’ll try it your way."

It was nonsense advice, plain and simple. But since she had reached a dead end, she decided to give it a try. Why was she doing this in the bathroom, though?

Well, because it was embarrassing. She didn’t want to be seen failing. She always presented herself as successful. To the children at the orphanage, she was the genius who never failed.

'Showing effort? I don’t want people to see that.'

People only acknowledge you if you’re a genius. A hopeless idiot could work hard, and they’d only get a few pity claps at best. But I’ll be remembered as a genius, and I’ll be one. Yulia swallowed her pride, focusing on the mana that swirled within her chest.

"Separate the mana and use only part of it. I can do this. Let’s try."

Wiping her tears, she placed her hand over her chest. The initial steps were the same as always: gathering mana into a single point and condensing it. But now, there was an added step: separating part of it before the ignition phase.

How much should she separate? Let’s start with half. But can I even separate mana without knowing how to handle it? Feeling her confidence waver, Yulia hesitated briefly before resuming. Just divide it. Separate it!

'It worked...!'

She did it! She could feel that the once solid block of mana had indeed split in two. However, she sensed a powerful force between the two parts, threatening to merge them back at any moment.

So, this is why it’s an advanced technique? She had to prevent the two parts from merging while condensing just one of them. It was indeed complex and difficult, but…

'It’s working!'

She was making progress. Keeping one part of the mana in her chest, she guided the other down her arm and into her hand.

Then, clenching her small hand tightly, Yulia felt the mana quickly condense under the sudden pressure. This time, there were no signs of a rampage. It was proceeding more smoothly than expected.

'Huh? I’ve never gotten this far before.'

The process was progressing so quickly that Yulia was momentarily overwhelmed. At this point, her mana would usually scatter in every direction, causing chaos.

She was entering the ignition stage for the first time. Here, the type of magic would determine the method of ignition. But she was too flustered to decide which magic to use.

'Ahh! I don’t even know what magic I’m casting…!'

What should she do? What if a Fireball suddenly erupted and burned down the mansion? Should she stop? She was wrestling with her thoughts when suddenly, a voice echoed in her mind.

'You’re doing just fine. Don’t worry about disappointing anyone; just do your best.'

Whose voice was that? She couldn’t recall. Was it her parents? Or someone else entirely?

She wasn’t sure, but the warmth of that person’s voice was comforting, filling her with a newfound confidence that soared within her.

'Here I go!'

Taking a deep breath, Yulia closed her eyes and extended her arm forward. The incessant hum of mana quieted all at once, and the world fell silent.

Is it over…? She cautiously opened one eye, checking herself and her surroundings.

"Did I… rampage again?"

Nothing had happened. Nothing had changed. She thought everything was going well, but in the end, it seemed like she had failed again. She let out a bitter laugh, trudging back to the study with a defeated gait.

"You’re late."

"..."

"Sitting on the toilet too long could give you hemorrhoids…"

"Agh! It’s not like that!... sir!"

Her face flushed as she realized she didn’t notice the strange voice that usually plagued her was now gone.

"I want a sword!"

"What?"

"I want a sword!"

"...I heard you. But why are you suddenly asking for that?"

Charlotte had burst in, demanding a sword.

"I want a cool sword, like the one Sylvia Knight carries!"

"For now, why not stick to a wooden sword? A real one would be too heavy and sharp for you."

"But I want to shoot things like Sylvia does! Bam!"

"That wasn’t the sword, it was magic."

"What!?"

Thunk. Charlotte’s face fell as if her world had collapsed. Did she really believe that was all because of the sword?

"Then… I want to study magic, too!"

"I thought you hated magic and chose the sword instead."

"Well, now I like magic more!"

"..."

I was so sure Charlotte was destined to be a swordsman, but now that certainty was wavering. This kid... She has even less perseverance than I thought.

"So, are you saying you’ll study magic from now on?"

"Yes! But was Sylvia a magician before? Then why does she carry a sword?"

"Sylvia is both a knight and a magician."

Sylvia is a Magic Knight who uses both the sword and magic. Though she’s not formally registered with the Magic Association, as she learned magic on her own. She uses mana in a unique way that doesn’t fit any system, but that was before her mana core was damaged.

'If she decides to study magic, Sylvia will be pleased.'

Looks like we can take a break from sword training for a while. Sylvia will be glad for some free time.

"A knight and a magician! That’s amazing! I want to do that too!"

"What?"

"From now on, I’ll study magic and train with the sword! I want to be a Magic Knight like Sylvia!"

"..."

For a moment, I was speechless. Does she even know what a Magic Knight is?

'A Magic Knight... one of the character classes players could choose.'

When starting the game, you could choose from several classes like swordsman, magician, or martial artist (more for show). Magic Knight was a special class unlocked only for pre-registered players.

Most people think a Magic Knight is a knight who uses magic, but it’s the opposite. It’s more accurate to say it’s a magician who uses a sword. Regular magicians use their bodies as conduits for magic, while Magic Knights are fundamentally different; they use weapons as conduits for magic.

'Wait a minute. Could Charlotte have a talent for Magic Knight?'

That would explain her mediocre talent in both swordsmanship and magic. Magic Knights only manifest their abilities after finding a weapon suited to their nature.

In this world, most people never even touch a weapon before they die, so a lot of Magic Knight potential goes unnoticed. But I have the means to buy her a sword without hesitation.

"Alright. Let’s go get you a real sword."

"What? Really? You’re serious? No take-backs!"

Might as well make an investment.

"Leon got dismissed?"

Crack. The report in Irene’s hand crumpled.

Knight Leon Berkus had lost in a duel and was subsequently killed. Many household employees, including the head chef, were also dismissed.

It was an official duel, so no one could complain about the outcome. But Aslan... dared to do this without permission?

"Well, well… My little brother has grown up. I thought he was nothing but a simple-minded fool, but he noticed the spies I planted?"

I had been sure he wouldn’t notice. I hid each of them carefully, thinking he’d never find out. I expected him to remain clueless while the family fell apart, unaware of the perpetrator.

Then, suddenly, he weeded them all out. Not a single one left. I was dumbfounded.

If this were the Aslan I knew, he’d never have figured it out. Even if he had, he’d have denied Leon was involved. That’s how short-sighted he was.

"So I checked myself, and it really was Aslan..."

I thought he might’ve changed, so I even went to see that disgusting face again. He still looked away from me, trembling like a dog in front of its master. His eyes and demeanor were unmistakably Aslan’s, yet…

"Maybe he’s just… a smarter Aslan now?"

There was a sense of unease. Did he finally pull himself together? If not…

"Someone else has started interfering."

It made more sense that someone was pulling strings behind the scenes. Who could it be? Kali? No, that one isn’t exactly known for intelligence.

"Another dark god..."

What if he’s made a new pact with a different dark god? That would explain it. An active dark god advising him? Otherwise, I can’t explain what’s happening.

"Who dares to interfere with us...?"

Crack. My plan to bring down Aslan and ruin the family was crumbling before my eyes.

Who could it be? Which dark god is it? Whoever it is, if they’ve chosen to oppose us, they must be prepared to die.

A war between dark gods... I’m almost looking forward to this. Irene clutched the creeping black mist behind her and let out a chilling laugh.