NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19
019.
The world of imagination.
The world of mages.
Every mage prays to obtain a more beautiful and more ecstatic imagination.
Though, as the word “pray” suggests,
imagination is not something you can acquire simply by wishing.
Some call it the choice of the gods,
while others say it happens when unknown conditions are met.
Amidst all these various theories, those who do acquire imagination are treated with great reverence.
If a young noble, who has not yet reached adulthood through a coming-of-age ceremony, were to gain an imagination, it would cause a stir throughout the empire.
And Kalen had unmistakably been granted an imagination.
A scene akin to a painting.
A surging flood of mana.
Most of all, his own profile depicted within this breathtaking landscape.
“…When did you become able to do this?”
It didn’t seem as though Eliana had knowingly revealed her imagination.
Only a short while ago, she was fighting for her life on the brink of death.
Not only was she far from possessing an imagination, she hadn’t even grasped the basics of magic.
That was why Duke Everchant had hastily arranged for her magical lessons.
“At night, when I was alone… I just thought about wanting to see it again, and it happened…”
Kalen swirled the vision of his own profile within the imagination.
If what Eliana said was true, the fact that it appeared was secondary.
What was more significant was that he had instinctively uncovered the means to access it without being taught.
Had his near-death struggle unlocked a once-in-a-lifetime talent?
Still, the landscape of this vision was too familiar to fit the usual tale.
Blamia’s teachings had naturally included lessons about imaginations.
The scenery of an imagination follows the ideal world that the individual envisions.
Though it was a hypothesis with no causal evidence, every possessor of an imagination had universally said this when gazing into their own vision.
“This is the paradise I have dreamed of.”
Though, no one’s imagination possessed people like Eliana’s.
In extremely rare cases, the subject might be the individual themselves, but never someone else.
Even accounting for those who choose not to reveal their inner worlds, given the advantages of possessing an imagination, it was safe to assume such cases were nonexistent.
Who would turn down the chance to ascend from a commoner to a noble, or from a noble to a high-ranking one?
Furthermore, the scenery being a reflection of personal experience was hard to confirm.
An ideal world is something dreamed of, not something you’ve visited.
This was why Kalen found Eliana’s imagination incomprehensible.
A deeply personal place called Winter Isle.
And within it, an image of her depicting someone else—himself.
It was so unconventional that it made no sense.
But one fact was certain:
It was exquisitely beautiful.
Though it was said that everyone prayed to obtain a more beautiful and ecstatic imagination, if that were true, then Eliana must have been chosen by some of the most wondrous forces in the world after nearly losing her life.
“Hmph.”
He couldn’t help but let out an awkward laugh.
The expression on Eliana’s face, as reflected in Kalen’s eyes, was simple.
She wasn’t interested in the significance of the imagination. She was only curious about what Kalen thought of it.
Was she mad? Pure-hearted?
The youngest lady of the Lacatus family hadn’t even realized what she had done.
*
“Indeed, it is an imagination, just as you said.”
“I learned it from you, sir.”
“Ah, yes, certainly.”
The head of the household’s study room.
Duke Everchant freely revealed his astonishment as he continued speaking.
“At first, I thought she was something strange, a one-of-a-kind entity. When I found out she could stay by my daughter’s side, it filled me with joy. When I heard she had even dispelled that dreaded disease, I could scarcely believe it. But then… ”
Everchant carefully chose his words.
No longer a mere student or a servant. The boy standing in front of him had surpassed such simple classifications.
“Now she’s even been given this imagination.”
“It wasn’t something I created.”
“Everything changed when you arrived. Even Eliana obtaining an imagination is connected to you. In particular, the level of trust she places in you is almost scary.”
“Over time…”
“Time? Ha ha, stop talking about dreams. Are you suggesting betrayal is a product of waiting in my presence?”
“It was a slip of the tongue.”
“A slip indeed. When everything, from the scenery to the person engraved in it, traces back to you, it’s hard to believe you weren’t involved. Do you know how Eliana responds to any questions?”
“…”
Everchant wasn’t angry; his curiosity was genuine.
“Kalen, because of Kalen, Kalen made it possible… Every word she speaks starts and ends with your name. I assure you, right now, there’s no one but you in the mind of Eliana.”
Kalen had nothing to say.
It wasn’t remorse—he simply couldn’t think of an appropriate response.
Nor was Everchant searching for an apology.
“What are you? What did you manage to accomplish effortlessly that we, or I, were ready to die for? Is this wish for the power to help you really your only goal?”
“Yes. I remember it was always our agreement.”
“…Hah. Heh heh.”
Everchant leaned back, appearing defeated.
“It was originally.”
Kalen continued.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
Everchant welcomed the plea, eager to return the favor for all that had been received.
“I’d like to study your research papers and related records.”
“For what?”
“In connection with curing the young mistress’s illness.”
“…”
As much gold as would fill the mansion?
Or even the most beautiful women the empire had to offer?
None of that mattered.
An exhausted Everchant accepted, responding with a simple “understood.” Another anomaly.
When it seemed the conversation was about to end—
“I’m planning to debut Eliana in the social world.”
“Yes.”
“I suspect without you around, she won’t even leave her room.”
“My task as her bodyguard has ended.”
“A reply that would make your daughter cry.”
Kalen had been with the Lacatus household for almost three months now. Though a third of that time was spent on the journey to the northern regions, staying for much longer wasn’t feasible.
“…Though it may sound peculiar for me to say, there’s someone who treasured me as much as Miss Eliana.”
“Is there a way?”
There was. A memory of a stroll in the garden came to mind. It seemed Everchant had already guessed as much.
“Yes.”
“Good then. Perhaps it’s better if I don’t send her to the social world alone. With you not there, she wouldn’t even leave her room.”
“…”
“If her condition relapses, there’s nothing that can be done. She’d have no choice but to die along with those around her.”
It was an obvious ploy.
Though Kalen had already endured enough manipulation, he couldn’t help but feel pressured when Eliana’s well-being was involved.
He had grown quite fond of her, too.
“There’s something… different about you.”
“Me? I’m not sure what that means.”
Kalen nodded silently, understanding, and left the study.
As the sound of the closing door echoed, a faint smile slipped from Everchant’s face.
The brash boy’s words lingered in his mind.
Nonetheless, the results were good.
With Eliana’s imagination unlocked, the Lacatus family’s position would only be further secured.
The fragile balance among the four powers that kept Claire Empire stable was beginning to crack.
Now that he’d recognized his love for his daughter, it was also time to shoulder the responsibilities of the head of the house.
Fortunately, as long as Kalen remained by her side, it seemed even her strange attachment might find resolution.
Still, intuition was a tricky thing.
Based on this intuition, the boy was no one to be tied down to one place.
For Eliana’s sake, Everchant had resorted to various reasons and pleas, but for how long could he keep someone like him tied to this household?
“…You’re about to endure quite a bit of heartbreak, aren’t you, daughter?”
He muttered to himself again.
*
The structure of Claire Empire’s power dynamics was somewhat peculiar, mainly because all four Great Families, who ranked just below the royal family, were based away from the capital.
And that arrangement had historical significance.
The Dranunus Family.
Once an entity more powerful than the royal family, an intimidating powerhouse.
The ruins of that Dranunus House now form the central core of Claire Empire and its capital, Miland.
Those who have passed their coming-of-age ceremonies gather in Miland to enter the social circle.
That is a practically established rule.
And heading toward Miland now was a dazzling golden-edged carriage.
On the right corner of the window was a large emblem of the Lacatus family.
“Isn’t it too soon?”
“Normally, people enter the social circle after their coming-of-age ceremonies.”
“Hmm…”
“Still, you’ve mastered first-tier magic quickly, and you have an imagination, so there should be no issues, Miss.”
It wasn’t a matter of issues.
The mere fact that she possessed an imagination meant everyone, regardless of age or family status, would defer to her in the social circle.
Especially since Eliana’s imagination was breathtakingly beautiful beyond words.
Kalen was concerned about her introverted nature.
Even if she would try to keep herself apart, staying isolated might not be as easy given her talents.
If false rumors arose, it would significantly impact her future marital prospects, an issue which complicated things further.
Given this, Kalen wasn’t unfamiliar with Everchant’s intentions, but this still felt premature.
She needed more time to overcome her introverted tendencies.
Yet, what could be done?
She wouldn’t go without him.
Kalen could only feel a growing fear of the impending farewell.
So it was that the carriage arrived at Miland.