Chapter 21. Diamond

"Huh..."

Ian, who rarely stumbled over his words, was at a loss. Beric whistled as he confidently strode in, his actions as natural as water flowing.

"You, I clearly told you to wait, didn't I?"

"I was waiting well. I came because I was called."

"Who called you?"

"The butler, apparently."

"What?"

"They said I could enter the mansion whenever I came to the tavern. I rushed over as soon as I heard that. Is there a problem?"

Ian's expression became a bit complicated. It didn't seem like Beric was lying. Given his nature, he wouldn't have sneaked in. The fact that he passed through the main gate safely was proof enough.

Beric stood still, looking down at Ian.

"..."

His gaze shifted slightly to the left, glancing at the fruits and bread on the table. Ian sighed and nodded.

"Eat."

"Alright, I won't refuse."

Beric greedily stuffed the food into his mouth with both hands. Watching him, Ian realized what was happening.

"Was that all you wanted to say?"

"You're supposed to teach me how to control it."

"Are you going to be diligent about it?"

Chomp chomp.

Beric, chewing on the fruit, stared intently at Ian. What are you looking at me like... The one who wields a sword speaks with one mouth, and the sword points in one direction.

"Alright, let's get started. What should I do?"

Ian stared at him silently. He wanted to infuse him with mana right away, but if Beric caused a ruckus, it would be troublesome.

As if sensing Ian's concern, Beric fidgeted, his legs trembling with impatience.

"Hand."

"Hand!"

Beric placed his hand in Ian's palm. Ian firmly gripped it and warned him.

"Learn to control yourself. If you don't, I'll make you do nothing but physical training for days."

"Don't worry, just do it!"

Hiss.

As soon as Beric answered, Ian activated his mana. His green eyes turned golden, and his hair gently fluttered. The mana flowed through the point of contact.

And a moment later.

Boom! Bang!

"Oh my."

"What's that noise?"

The servants, who were doing their chores downstairs, paused at the unfamiliar sound. It seemed to come from Ian's room...

Knock knock.

"Lord Ian? Is everything alright?"

The response was a bit delayed. Just as the servant was about to turn the doorknob, Ian's irritated voice came through.

"I'm fine. The table broke."

"Sir? How did that happen?"

How did a perfectly fine table break?

Bam!

The servant, startled, opened the door. The scene inside was spectacular. Furniture was shattered, Ian was flustered, and a red-haired man was sprawled out, clearly laughing despite his upside-down face.

"..."

"It's done. Clean it up later."

What exactly is going on here?

Ian gestured for the servant to leave, and the servant, moving like a broken machine, took a few steps back.

* * *

"Ian."

The next morning at breakfast.

Ian stopped cutting his food and looked at Derga. At the same time, the countess and Chel also watched the two.

"It seems you've made a new friend."

What's the point of asking again when everyone already knows? Ian put his knife aside and smiled.

"Yes, Father. His name is Beric. We met at the training ground, and we got along well. I'm sure Chel will recognize him when he sees him."

While observing, Derga continued to raise his eyebrows, as if urging Ian to continue.

"He was expelled from the training ground, so I thought I wouldn't see him again. Thanks to Father, I had a good time."

"Expelled? Why?"

The countess, Mary, who had been listening quietly, asked. Unlike Derga, she didn't seem to know that Beric had entered the mansion yesterday.

"He assaulted a comrade."

"Good grief. How terrible. To keep such a person close. You really are something. Do you get along well with him?"

Despite the sarcastic tone, Ian just smiled. After all, he had successfully brought Beric close. In the future, this boy would be the one to cut their throats when the time came.

"I'll twist his neck if he can't read within a month."

"...Yes, Father."

They have plans to use him in various ways. Not only as a chain but also as a whip. Ian lowered his gaze in submission. All he could see were Derga's thick fingers.

'Fortunately, they don't know about the broken furniture.'

The servant must have kept it a secret. While sharing food was one thing, his position among the servants had improved due to his closeness with Hayna.

'Hmm?'

Suddenly, he noticed the diamond ring on Derga's finger. A large stone with an ornate gold design. Derga had never seemed interested in jewelry, yet he wore this one every day.

'Is it a wedding ring?'

Ian checked the countess's hand. Her left hand had no diamond. Only opals, pearls, and rubies.

'The cutting is too crude, isn't it?'

Continuing his observation, Ian noticed something odd about the diamond's cut. The purpose of a gemstone is to maximize light reflection and appear dazzling, but Derga's was cut in a rounded shape, as if designed to fit somewhere rather than to be displayed.

Clatter.

"Tsk tsk."

"Still making such mistakes?"

"Ah, I'm sorry."

Ian inadvertently dropped his fork. Under the sharp gazes of the count and countess, he quickly apologized and turned his head.

Soon, the icy breakfast ended, and everyone left the dining room, but Ian didn't move. The servants, hesitating, approached and asked.

"Lord Ian, is your meal insufficient?"

"Bring a hearty snack soon. The teacher will be here."

They needed to clear the table, but with Ian standing there, they couldn't move. He stared outside for a while, then muttered.

"Father's ring isn't a wedding ring, is it?"

It was an unexpected question. But the servants answered to the best of their knowledge.

"No, it's not. The countess wears a ruby as her wedding ring."

That explained why the magic brooch was red. Ian rested his chin on his hand and tapped the table. The more he thought about it, the more certain he became.

'While pretending to reach under the desk, the butler's mysterious key, and the diamond ring that looks very similar to it.'

It seemed to be a simple push mechanism rather than a turn. Does the safe only react to the diamond? No, if that were the case, the butler's key would also have a gemstone.

The difference between the two was...

'Material.'

Derga would never entrust the master key to anyone else. The butler's key was more likely a piece of the test.

Considering security, there was only one possibility. The safe might react to electricity.

"Hmm."

What a nasty and clever locking mechanism.

The servants exchanged glances, glancing at Ian, but he didn't budge. It wasn't until the teacher was about to arrive that he moved.

Creak.

Ian opened the door and saw Beric, who was doing push-ups upside down, and instructed him.

"Get out."

"Eh? Why?"

Thud!

Beric, who was doing push-ups, tumbled forward. Ian, indifferent, tidied up his desk.

"The tutor will be here soon."

"So what? Can't it wait a bit? The room is so spacious."

"I have something important to discuss. When the servant brings the snack, you take it and send him away."

"Alright, if that's the case. Sure!"

Beric, who was hungry, grabbed his shirt and left.

The teacher arrived on time. He glanced at the door and asked Ian.

"Master, who is that person outside?"

"Please sit down. I have something urgent to tell you."

Ian, unusually serious, was unfamiliar. The teacher, still in his coat, sat on the sofa.

'It seems I've figured out the safe's key. Now, all that's left is the plan.'

He needed more help, connecting Hayna and Beric to assist him. Someone who could be close to Derga for a long time.

"What is it?"

"Teacher, are you acquainted with Sir Molin?"

The sudden question made the teacher stiffen.

"N-no, no, not at all?"

"Considering you both graduated from Barial University and are from the same hometown, there must have been some connection."

I didn't know this usually indifferent person could make such an expression. Ian smiled slightly, leaning back.

"N-no! Such a coincidence!"

"Then I can report this to Father, right?"

"Wait! No, it's not like that!"

Strong denial is often a form of admission. The teacher, frowning, bit his lip. If Derga found out, it would be very troublesome. He wouldn't lose his head, but he would certainly lose his job and be expelled from the Brats estate. This place was perfect for his desert research.

"Master, it seems there's a misunderstanding."

"No, I'm not. I'm almost certain Father is using you to monitor me and that you're in cahoots with Sir Molin."

Is this really the same Ian who was usually slow and uninterested in everything? The teacher, shocked, felt his words fail him.

"Moreover, you tried to break into the butler's room at Sir Molin's behest."

"Wait! That's not true! I'll explain everything, just calm down."

"Teacher, you need to calm down."

Ian smiled, holding out a cup of tea. The teacher, stammering, carefully chose his words to defend himself, starting from when he first met Molin in Brats.

"It's true that I talked about Lord Derga and you. But that's something any parent would do. When I was tutoring Master Chel, I talked about him too."

"Hmm. Is that so?"

Let's not mention the letter. There's no need to reveal that.

"Then, I started tutoring you as well and learned about the central inspection. I didn't know Sir Molin would come. It was the first time I saw him since I left the main house."

"It's been a long time."

"Almost ten years."

Ten years of dedication to his studies. He seemed to be tearing his hair out, realizing something was wrong.

"So, while exchanging greetings, it was inevitable. Research is more expensive than you think... He said he would add to my living expenses if I just relayed what was happening inside the mansion. I had no choice, and I didn't share anything important."

"It wouldn't matter if Father found out, since it wasn't important."

"Master! Master!"

The teacher's face turned pale, his eyes wide. Ian was just trying to take control, but the reaction was more intense than expected. Probably because his life's work was at stake.

Ian sighed and smiled.

"If I say one more word, you might faint."

"Please. Keep it a secret from the count."

"Teacher, why didn't I just tell Father directly and bring this up to you?"

The teacher's faded pupils trembled. He wasn't quick to catch on in such matters.

"Still don't get it?"