Chapter 59

The memories before the possession surfaced. It was not a pleasant one; I had accidentally pressed a text message I had been deliberately avoiding, and the "1" next to the message disappeared, making me feel that I had to respond somehow. Each time, I would rack my brains trying to find a way to restore the "1," a pathetic memory.

'If I break it, will it be as if nothing happened?'

I fought the impulse to throw the communication device against the wall and indulged in futile thoughts. Should I say that I tried to contact but the communication device was broken and it became impossible? But it would likely turn into a more troublesome situation.

'Information Minister, you bastard.'

No matter how I thought about it, the Information Minister was in the wrong. How could he do this to me? I had turned a blind eye to the favors his family had done so many times.

With a heavy heart, I closed my eyes tightly and then cautiously manipulated the communication device. If I kept stalling and Master Majong contacted me first, I would be charged with contempt. It was a terrifying thought.

I sent a signal to Master Majong's communication device and looked at the blinking device with a bitter smile. I would rather receive the message and leave a text. Please don't receive it, please don't receive it, please don't receive it...

- Agani? It's been a while.

He received it.

"Clarus, the successor of the Clarus family, the Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Finance, to His Excellency Master Majong—"

- That's enough. There's no need for such formalities.

"I understand."

I bowed slightly to Master Majong, who nodded lightly and cut off the connection. Master Majong dislikes cumbersome procedures and ceremonies, so he would cut off greetings if they seemed to be dragging on. Of course, anyone who shortens the greeting without the Duke's permission would have their tongue shortened, so one must be careful.

- Our Agani, you've become quite mischievous since we last met.

"I apologize, but I don't understand what you mean..."

- I heard. You were curious about a lady's private life?

Information Minister, you bastard. You really told him everything... Thanks, I don't have to go through the trouble of saying it myself.

While the thought of stabbing the Information Minister's family again flickered in my mind, Master Majong looked at me with his white eyes. I really can't get used to those eyes. The distinction between the iris and the sclera is hard to see, which makes me flinch a bit.

Still, because the owner of the eyes is a beauty, the feeling is more mysterious than scary. The iris is closer to silver than pure white, and the pupil is also white. Master Majong, who seemed to be thinking about something, spoke again.

- I'll come to the Inspection Department, so wait for me.

"Excuse me?"

Did I hear it wrong?

I made the mistake of questioning the noble Duke's words, but Master Majong's words were perplexing. To the Inspection Department? Master Majong himself? But I'm on assignment at the Academy?

"Unfortunately, I am on assignment at the Academy and cannot welcome you, Your Excellency."

- Is that so?

At my pathetic struggle, Master Majong tilted his head and perked his long ears, as if he had been caught in an unexpected problem.

- Then, shall I come to the Academy?

"But if Your Excellency comes personally, shouldn't I go to the Inspection Department to welcome you?"

- How thoughtful. You really do think about me, Agani.

"Your praise is too kind."

And my struggle ended there. The indirect statement that I should not cause trouble and come quickly was quite sharp. Master Majong's gaze, which seemed to say, "If you're going to give in anyway, why struggle?" was quite piercing. It was a sad situation.

- I'll send someone to the main office, so come comfortably.

"I appreciate your consideration."

A teleportation mage would be sent to bring me directly to prevent me from escaping to some strange place. I was so moved by the heavy consideration that I felt like crying.

There's no way to resist the call of the noble Duke, whose presence is hard to even look up to. Especially since he even sent a teleportation mage to minimize the impact on my work, what could I do? I quickly sent messages to the principal, vice-principal, and Villar, informing them that I had to leave. At least those three needed to know about my absence to handle any emergencies.

Then, I waited for the mage at the main office, and a mage appeared and fell in front of me from the air. He came faster than I expected. Well, from your perspective, it must have been a sudden order from the Duke, so it must have felt like a fire under your feet. We exchanged a brief look, understanding each other's situation.

"Minister, I'm here to escort you."

"Thank you."

But we didn't exchange unnecessary words. It's best to solve the business and part ways when meeting for work.

Look, that mage, as soon as he arrived at the Ministry of Finance building, only bowed and disappeared. A good civil servant disappears without any lingering thoughts after completing their task.

'I'm back here again.'

Alone, I silently looked up at the Ministry of Finance building. When I left for the Academy, I wanted to come back quickly, but I didn't mean it like this. Did someone give me a monkey's paw? Wishes come true, but the process is a bit crazy.

Sighing, I was about to enter the Ministry of Finance building when the communication device suddenly glowed brightly. Damn, what is it this time?

- Minister! It's a disaster!

As soon as I received the call, Section Chief 2 burst out with a loud voice. A disaster? A disaster from Section Chief 2?

"You little brat! What did you do this time!"

I instinctively started cursing. With a major event, Master Majong's visit, already planned, and now a disaster recognized by Section Chief 2, it was a double whammy. The fact that it wasn't reported through the deputy chief indicated that it was a truly urgent matter.

- No, I didn't do anything! Master Majong is suddenly visiting! We really didn't know about it!

Section Chief 2, looking aggrieved, innocent, and on the verge of madness, left me speechless. Ah, it wasn't a double whammy. It was my own doing.

- We are preparing for the reception in a hurry. Should we handle it ourselves? Shouldn't you come, Minister?

"I'm already here."

- Excuse me?

"I'm already here."

After a moment of silence, Section Chief 2, perhaps realizing the truth on his own, shouted again.

- What did you do outside!

I couldn't refute Section Chief 2's words for the first time this year. I'm sorry, really sorry... Damn, I didn't know that Information Minister would do that.

Master Majong, Beatrix Katovan of Serbet. One of the five Dukes of the Empire.

The title of Master Majong, the current Duke of Serbet, signifies that he has reached the pinnacle of magic. It's a name that no other mage can mention, but Master Majong has the qualifications to do so. Even the mages of the magic-strong Yuben United Kingdom can't even approach him.

In fact, it would be unfair for other mages to be compared to Master Majong. He is not human. Not metaphorically, but literally not human.

"Our Agani, it's not polite to keep a lady waiting."

"I apologize, Your Excellency."

Two long ears protruding from the long white hair that could drag on the ground. The Katovan family has elven blood, and Master Majong is a half-elf. Among the five Dukes, who are not human in various senses, Master Majong is not human in terms of race. Of course, he is not human in terms of abilities and personality as well.

However, calling him a lady is a bit off, as he is a half-elf and much older, almost an elder. The Iron Blood Duke, the oldest of the five Dukes, is only considered the oldest when Master Majong, a non-human, is excluded—

"Sit down."

"Yes."

At Master Majong's words, which interrupted my thoughts, I quietly sat down. Although Master Majong is the guest and I am the host, the title of Duke is enough to reverse this meaningless relationship.

Master Majong, drinking the tea that the deputy chief had left and fled with, looked so relaxed. At least, he should have understood how the poor civil servant in front of him felt. Or maybe he just found it comfortable to drink tea in silence?

"Agani."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Master Majong, who had been savoring the aroma with his eyes closed, opened his white eyes and stared at me. He put down the teacup he was holding and crossed his fingers, indicating that he was about to start, not just pet, but talk.

"When did the Inspection Department start taking an interest in the Duke's private life?"

'Damn.'

I was prepared, but the opening attack was a fatal one. Unable to find words in response to the direct punch to the chest, Master Majong, with his ears drooping, said in a disappointed tone.

"I thought I had a special relationship with our Agani, but it seems to have been one-sided, which hurts my heart."

"How could I not know the attention Your Excellency gives me? I couldn't control my curiosity and committed a breach of etiquette."

"Come closer."

I cautiously approached Master Majong, who beckoned with his fingers, and he pointed down. Understanding, I bowed, and Master Majong's hand rested on my head. What is this? Is this a hint that he will use a lightning spell to fry me?

"It hurt me the most to hear about Agani from the Information Minister. Do you understand?"

"Yes, yes. Of course."

"Good. Be more careful in the future."

The words were gentle, as if he was just disappointed, but each statement was a gem. Despite all the embellishments, it ultimately meant that he was annoyed by my attempt to gather personal information through the Information Department.

Still, it ended with a light pat on the head instead of a lightning spell. I felt like a dog for a moment, but I was lucky. It seems he doesn't plan to turn me into an experiment subject yet. I've never felt more fortunate about cooperating with Master Majong's experiments than today.

"You saw a child using my unique magic?"

"Yes."

And Master Majong, in his great mercy, not only forgave but also seemed willing to answer my questions. Today is... a lucky day...

"Was it a girl with pink hair and blue eyes?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Perhaps because it was a student he had taught his unique magic, he clearly remembered her appearance. So, was she a student he had intentionally raised? How many more like Louise are there?

"Actually, she is a daughter I sent away for adoption with tears in my eyes. She grew up so beautifully."

"...Excuse me?"

Excuse me?

My body stiffened at the unexpected secret of her birth. Even if she were just a student, it would be concerning, but a daughter...?

Seeing my reaction, Master Majong nodded slightly and continued.

"I saw you were tense, so I made a joke. Was it funny?"

Ah.

"Your sense of humor is always impressive, Your Excellency."

"Hehe, is it?"

Satisfied, he smiled, and I awkwardly smiled back.

I had momentarily forgotten that this elder, who is much older, enjoys strange jokes.