Chapter 16: Fiene’s Slow Life (3)

She went to the library, borrowed a plant guide, and was informed that it was dinner time while reading.

To have a meal with Noah for the first time, she descended from the guest room on the second floor to the dining room on the first floor.

This was her first time entering the castle’s dining room, and it was very large with a high ceiling.

The windows were large, offering a view of the darkening lakeside scenery.

As Fiene sighed, Noah, wearing a robe with a deep hood, entered shortly thereafter.

As if waiting for that moment, the appetizer was brought in.

Noah skillfully manipulated the fork and knife with surprisingly elegant movements, but there was no sign of him taking a bite.

“Noah-sama, why do you keep your hood on during meals?”

“Hm? Because if you see my face, you might lose your appetite.”

He said it in a nonchalant tone.

“That’s not true. It seems difficult to eat with the hood on. Please don’t worry about it.”

“I see, got it.”

He said it briefly and took off the hood. It must have been my fault that he felt the need to be considerate, as I fainted when I first saw him.

“When I arrived here, my condition was at its worst… That’s why I fainted. It’s not Noah-sama’s fault.”

Fiene said it clearly.

He nodded at her words, cut the venison, and put it in his mouth. Strangely, Fiene’s appetite increased as she ate with him.

After the meal, Noah handed a potion to Fiene and watched over her until she finished drinking it.

One day, Fiene was taken to the research building again. She wasn’t forced to accompany him in his experiments every day; she was only called to the research building when he wanted to use her for an experiment. She truly led a comfortable and luxurious life.

Lloyd always prepared tea and sweets in the laboratory. Fiene couldn’t help but wonder why there were strange rumors about him, considering how carefully he treated the experimental subject.

“I tried improving the measuring device. Try waving your hand over it.”

Sitting at the usual tea table, Fiene waved her hand over the crystal indicated by Noah, and a faint light leaked out.

“It seems like a little magic has returned.”

“It’s strange. I never thought I had magic.”

It was truly surprising at this point.

“Oh, but unfortunately, your magical power is leaking.”

“Leaking?”

“It’s constantly overflowing, as if the hoop has come off.”

“Well, does it not harm people around me?”

“It’s weak, so it doesn’t cause harm. If there’s any harm, it would be to you. No matter how much potion you drink, magical power won’t accumulate. So, learn magical power control.”

“Magical power control?”

“Yes. First, be aware of the magical power circulating in your body.”

Even though she was told this, Fiene didn’t feel any tangible sensation.

“Extend both hands.”

As instructed, Fiene extended both hands in front of Noah. He then removed the thick gloves he always wore. There were severe burn marks even on his right hand.

“Is it okay if I touch it with this hand?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

The left hand was warm, and the right hand, twisted by burn marks, had a rough texture. Fiene wondered if he didn’t feel inconvenienced.

“Now, concentrate on your hand as I send magical power into it.”

“Yes.”

As instructed, she did as told, and warmth gradually spread from her hand to her arm, eventually warming her entire body.

“Do you feel the magical power circulating in your body?”

“Yes, my body feels warm.”

When Noah released his hand, the warmth disappeared.

“Oh.”

“This is the flow of magical power. Being able to feel this is proof that you have magical power.”

“Do you feel nothing if you don’t have magical power? Could it be my imagination?”

“No, you reacted to my magical power just now. You mentioned not being affected by the constraint magic your brother cast earlier, right?”

“Yes, for some reason, magic doesn’t seem to affect me. At that time, I thought I couldn’t escape, so I pretended to be affected.”

“That’s because you have magical resistance. and it’s quite strong. That’s why it’s difficult for simple magical power measuring devices to reflect it. Well, your brother’s magic must be weak. Now, Fiene, extend your hand again.”

As she extended her hand, a black, smooth stone about the size of an egg was placed on it.

“What’s this?”

Fiene stared at the black stone, glossy and beautiful like obsidian.

“You are my experimental subject. I want to take a sample of your magical power. Now, try infusing magical power into this stone, just like you did earlier.”

“Eh? How do I do that?”

“Imagine the magical power circulating in your body, as you did just now. Slowly pour that into the stone.”

“It seems quite difficult, but I’ll try.”

Fiene nodded earnestly.

“You don’t need to rush; take your time.”

Saying that, Noah moved away from Fiene, took out a potion and herbs, and began setting up a beaker. It seemed like he was starting a different experiment.

Fiene sat at the usual tea table, closed her eyes as Noah instructed, and slowly reproduced the image of magical power circulating through her body. She poured it into the stone, and eventually she felt the stone become warm.

“Fiene. Stop!”

Startled by Noah’s sharp voice, Fiene almost dropped the stone.

“I’m surprised. The release of magical power is dangerously fast.”

The stone had become transparent, like polished crystal.

“Oh, it was black just now.”

“Feeling okay?”

Despite saying she was fine, Noah brought a potion and had Fiene drink it. Her body immediately felt relieved.

“Um, isn’t this potion incredibly expensive?”

She asked hesitantly.

“No problem. I handle the development of potions. I have all the materials, so I can be self-sufficient.”

“Noah-sama is amazing.”

“Of course.”

He said it with a slightly proud expression, but he quickly tightened his face.

“Next, infuse the magical power from this stone back into your body.”

“Eh? How do I do that? Besides, weren’t we supposed to take a sample?”

“Never mind that. Hold the stone in your hand and feel its warmth first. Imagine that warmth flowing into your body. This time, don’t close your eyes, and don’t miss the changes in the stone.”

Under Noah’s watchful eye, Fiene did as she was told. However, the color of the stone only slightly clouded and turned white.

“Let’s stop here for today. You can go back to your room. Also, keep this stone with you. Training to infuse magical power from the stone is allowed, but never attempt it alone under any circumstances.”

Noah stared at Fiene with a serious expression.

“Yes, I will keep my promise.”

Fiene nodded and expressed her wish to Noah.

“Today, I would like to take a stroll by the lakeside. Is that okay?”

“I don’t mind, but don’t go alone. And don’t push yourself.”

Noah gave his permission.

“Yes! I was thinking of having a light lunch there as well. Noah-sama, if you have time, would you like to join me? I haven’t had a picnic before.”

Fiene and Noah had a promise to share a meal together at least once a day.

“Well, if I have time.”

Noah swiftly turned around, facing away from Fiene, and began setting up a retort stand on top of a beaker.

(Picnic, looking forward to it.)

Lunch was planned to be taken in the garden, so Fiene had asked for sandwiches to be packed. Finishing her tea, Fiene stood up with excitement.