Nighttime Encounters - Chapter 40
Luperne was right. Mages capable of absorbing different types of magic were rare. It was something that could destroy their minds, or even cost them their lives. For the sake of survival, she had to reject his proposal.
The man was insistent, however, like he had read her mind. “Why hesitate? If you have no magic, there won’t be any issues. Besides, you won’t even have to enroll in Kantaea as you wish. There’s no reason to refuse.”
Rosia looked the man in the eye and pondered his intentions. It wasn’t about whether she had magic or not now. She had to prove that she didn’t believe she had magic. If she rejected his offer now, she would be admitting to his suspicions.
Sensing the decisive moment had arrived, Rosia moistened her dry lips with her tongue and opened her mouth. “Young master, I’m not sure what misunderstanding you might have…”
In a place surrounded by mages, revealing herself as Trinity meant she could no longer live as Rosiana. Perhaps she might never return to the ‘White House on the Hill’ forever. She would have to hide in the darkness as Trinity. Losing a mere hair tie was nothing compared to this.
Despondent, Rosia slowly closed and opened her eyes. “I would be grateful for your help, young master.”
Rosia raised her head, locking eyes with the man.
Like that night, the man’s green eyes flashed with a sharpness that threatened to reveal everything she hid. Seeing her reflection in his eyes, Rosia lowered her gaze.
“It was intimidating to go all the way to the strange Mage Oversight Bureau.”
An ordinary lady incapable of handling even a single thug would not refuse the Master’s proposal. After all, she wouldn’t have thought she possessed any magical abilities. Now, she needed to act like a lady ignorant of the power of magic.
“Please. Master Calskronin.”
Rosia accepted the proposal. Despite the skeptical look from Master Calskronin, he politely asked, “Miss Rosiana, may I touch your body for a moment?”
“Yes.”
With Rosia’s permission, the man skillfully removed his black gloves with practiced hands.
A long and firm hand touched Rosia’s round forehead, the size of his palm was enough to obscure her vision. The warm energy she felt on her forehead seemed to evaporate the moisture from her body. Her mouth dried up completely.
Unconsciously, Rosia licked her lips with her tongue, swallowing hard.
“If you have no magic… it will pass without any issues.”
She pressed her lips together and gritted her teeth. As the staff in the Admissions Office watched with bated breath, Luperne’s voice came through.
[Rosia, refuse now.]
Luperne, unable to just watch from the sidelines, tried to stop them.
[Rather than dying, it’s better to reveal that you’re Trinity.]
Despite Luperne’s desperate plea, Rosia didn’t push his hand away.
[Rosia, please.]
Luperne’s plea fell on Rosia’s deaf ears.
Powerful magic permeated through his hand, connecting with Rosia’s forehead. It traveled through her nerves, spreading his energy throughout her entire body, delving into every nook and cranny. Captivated and unraveled by that man, her entire being was taken over.
It was relentless and sinister, as if searching for something hidden within, even if she deeply concealed her magic, she couldn’t escape his energy. Eventually, conflicting magical forces within Rosia’s body collided. The impact rippled through her entire being.
A restrained whimper escaped Rosia’s closed lips. Her face turned deathly pale, her breathing was ragged. The ground shook, and her insides quivered. All her senses were flooded with a magic that was not her own.
Her heart resisted fiercely, and her lungs refused to function. It felt as if sharp shards of metal were flying and embedding themselves into every corner of her body. There was no escaping the collision happening within her.
Her mind turned foggy, whether due to the pain coursing through her entire body or the poignant reality of having to hide herself so desperately. Tears welled up and streamed down her cheeks.
“Haah.”
The man sighed, and the powerful magic that had been coursing through his body quickly dissipated. He quickly reclaimed the magic and stepped back. However, the aftermath of the impact lingered, shaking Rosia to her core.
As she gritted her teeth and slowly opened her eyes, a wave of vertigo washed over her. The ground shook violently, as if attempting to devour her. Descending into a deep underground abyss that seemed endless, she felt like she could never escape.
Just when she thought it was over, something solid wrapped around her. It pulled her in and held her against plummeting into the dark, cold floor.
Feeling the gentle and warm aura enveloping her, Rosia struggled to open her eyes. The surroundings appeared hazy, like it was veiled in a thick fog, but the irises that gazed back at her were sharp and distinct.
Rosia closed her eyes weakly, etching only one thought into her fading consciousness.
You! I will definitely kill you with my own hands.
As the last of her consciousness faded, Rosia’s world plunged into deep darkness.
