The World of this Fantasy Novel is in Crisis

Roger, who was already in the library, immediately asked as soon as Satin walked in.

“Why is the teacher calling for Cain?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s not because he got caught, right?”

“I doubt it.”

It had already been several days since Cain copied the teacher’s research notes. It was hard to believe the teacher would’ve suddenly noticed something suspicious after saying nothing this whole time. Even if he had realized it belatedly, there was no clear evidence that could point to Cain as the culprit.

“The teacher’s had his eye on Cain for a while now, so maybe he just has some business with him.”

Of course, Satin wasn’t completely free of anxiety. But it was still broad daylight. At this hour, it was unlikely the teacher would be conducting any dangerous magical experiments on Cain.

Probably not.

Then what did he want with him?

For now, Satin suggested they move spots. The door to the library barely blocked any sound—maybe it was due to a shoddy expansion job. It was safer to talk further inside, tucked into one of the dim corners than to stay by the entrance.

Once they reached the shadowy area, where no sunlight reached, Satin continued speaking.

“The teacher once said Cain might be useful.”

“R-Really?”

“He didn’t say exactly how, but I’m pretty sure it’s about some experiment.”

“Experiment…”

To Rogers, who had never had a proper conversation about magic or the teacher’s work, it all sounded a bit vague and unnerving.

“The teacher is a black mage. He doesn’t shy away from experimenting on people. You’ve suspected that much already, haven’t you?”

Rogers nodded, a gloomy look clouding his face.

“So Maggie and Tim really were…”

“If we just sit and do nothing, Cain’s going to end up just like them. And the teacher will make it look like Cain ran away.”

“The letter has to reach the temple safely…”

***

While Satin and Rogers were whispering in secret, Cain was sitting in the old man’s office.

The old man took his sweet time getting to the point. Using tea as an excuse, he had been bustling around without saying a word. Cain sat quietly, suppressing a yawn.

Finally, the old man handed him a teacup. Cain pretended to sip it half-heartedly, and only then did the old man open his mouth.

“Children are full of curiosity.”

It was an opening line that gave no clue as to where the conversation was headed.

“If I said I could make you a magician, would you be willing to follow me?”

“I didn’t realize my opinion mattered.”

“I don’t just plan to make you a magician—I intend to make you a very special one.”

What did that even mean? What was the difference between an ordinary magician and a special one? Cain looked at him with a sullen expression, and the old man chuckled kindly.

“I’m old now. My only dream left is to see the fruits of my research. But if you become my student, that dream could become something more.”

“In what way?”

“With my research results, you could gain far more than I ever could. Wealth, fame… maybe even power.”

“Sure…”

It all felt far too distant to him. Cain didn’t even know what the old man was researching. And it was hard to believe that research, which hadn’t succeeded even after all this time, would suddenly yield results now.

“You’ve always wanted to leave this place, haven’t you?”

Cain remained silent. The old man didn’t push for an answer.

“But if you leave empty-handed, you’ll regret it soon enough. This place may feel stifling now, but when you were in Cloverland—did you really live the way you wanted to?”

“That’s…”

Cain started to speak, then closed his mouth. He didn’t want to admit it, but the old man wasn’t wrong.

Life in Cloverland had been harsh and relentless. Unlike here, he couldn’t even count on getting three meals a day. Sometimes, he’d have to fall asleep soaked in dew. He had seen more than once how fights between street kids ended in death.

The old man smiled gently. But despite the tenderness in his expression, his tone was sly—like a cunning fox.

“You have a natural gift. You were incredibly lucky. Do you know how many people want to become magicians but never can?”

I wonder what he’s really thinking.

Since Cain remained silent, the old man repeated what he had said earlier.

“When I die, not only will you inherit my research, but my entire estate as well—if you become my disciple.”

“Isn’t Satin your disciple?”

“Do you think you’re inferior to Satin?”

A question came in place of an answer. When Cain furrowed his brow, the old man continued.

“A child who’s lost his memories can’t be the same as before. If I have to teach someone from scratch, then obviously you are the better choice.”

Cain didn’t believe everything the old man said. He probably never taught Satin any magic to begin with. If the old Satin had known magic, there’s no way he wouldn’t have bragged about it.

“Think it over. And come to my lab at dawn. Quietly—without anyone knowing.”

“…Yes.”

Cain set down the teacup he’d only been pretending to drink. The old man’s gaze flicked to the untouched tea. Cain thought he might show some displeasure, but the old man only smiled.

The moment he stepped out of the office, Cain made his way toward the library.

Disciple?

Was the old man truly planning to make him a new disciple? It didn’t seem likely. More than anything, it felt like bait—dangling the idea of being his apprentice to lure him in.

If that’s the case, the part about coming to the lab tonight probably had a different agenda behind it.

He’s planning to do something to me at dawn.

Cain quickened his steps down the stairs.

As he passed the kitchen, Robin, who was just coming out, quickly hid what he was holding. As if Cain would ever want one of those rock-hard biscuits. Cain didn’t spare him a glance and walked straight into the library.

There was no one in sight when he opened the door. Still, he didn’t turn back. Instead, he went deeper inside. Even though the old man had taken him straight from class, he didn’t think Satin and Rogers would just go about their day as if nothing had happened.

They’re probably discussing the situation between themselves.

As expected, he found Satin and Rogers huddled together in a corner.

Satin let out a breath the moment he saw Cain—as if he’d been tense ever since hearing the door. He immediately asked,

“What did the teacher say?”

Since Cain didn’t believe for a second the old man seriously meant to teach him magic, he skipped the fluff and delivered only the key part.

“He told me to come to the lab at dawn. Said to make sure no one knows.”

“He’s just planning to talk, like last time… right?”

“Of course not.”

Things were different now compared to last time.

The children no longer spoke about Tim. It hadn’t even been that long, and yet Tim had already been forgotten. Maybe the old man figured it was safe to move on to the next experiment.

Satin must’ve guessed Cain’s train of thought, because his expression turned grim as he murmured,

“We need to find a way to stall him…”

But even if they bought time, it wouldn’t solve the root of the problem. The letter they had hidden in the trash—where was it by now?

Then, as if something clicked, Satin’s eyes lit up.

“We’ll create a witness.”

“A witness?”

Rogers responded before Cain could. Satin looked between the two and explained.

“We’ll make sure the other kids know Cain went to the teacher’s lab. If someone’s allowed to go in and out of the lab, it means the teacher favors them. No one would believe someone like that just ran away in the middle of the night.”

The old man had dragged Tim into the lab in the early hours of the morning. Same with Cain. The only person who’d ever entered the lab at a normal hour was Satin—before he lost his memory.

Back then, the other children had envied Satin just for being allowed inside the lab. They were sure he was the teacher’s chosen disciple. If Tim had gone into the lab in broad daylight, how would things have changed? Maybe he, too, would’ve been admired.

If that had been the case, no one would’ve believed he ran away when he vanished. Why would a mage’s apprentice run away?

Cain nodded, then asked,

“How exactly do you plan to create a witness?”

“Say you tried to sneak out quietly, but I woke up and saw you.”

“That won’t work. You’re cooperating with the old man, remember?”

“Ah, right. Then let’s say Rogers saw you by chance. He could say he ran into you while heading to the bathroom or something. What do you think?”

Rogers looked startled when Satin suddenly volunteered him, but after a brief pause, he nodded. Satin continued.

“But this is just a temporary fix. It won’t work more than once.”

“Then what do we do next time?” Cain asked, frowning.

Satin shrugged.

“I’ll intervene directly.”

“I told you, that’s pointless.”

“Just hear me out. I’m supposed to be keeping you in check, right? But imagine if rumors start spreading among the kids that you’re the teacher’s new disciple. What then?”

Probably because he’s anxious—he’ll try to do something, anything.

As if reading Cain’s thoughts, Satin gave a sly grin.

***

At the break of dawn, a knock came at the door. When Laigeis opened it and saw Satin standing there, he instinctively furrowed his brow.

He had called Cain to the lab at dawn the previous day. Whether the boy actually wanted to become a magician or not, he figured Cain would show up regardless—but he hadn’t. When he ran into Cain later that day and asked why, the boy had made up some excuse about running into Rogers on his way out.

So they had agreed to meet again at dawn today. But instead of Cain, Satin had shown up at his door.

“What brings you here at this hour? I never told you you could come to the lab.”

“Teacher, are you planning to make Cain your disciple instead of me?”

Whether from frustration or anger, Satin’s expression was stiff with tension. Up until now, he’d carried out his tasks without much complaint, so Laigeis had left him alone—but maybe he’d finally grown restless.

“What made you think that?”

“You called Cain to the lab, didn’t you? Is it because I lost my memories—am I useless now?”

“Did Cain say that to you?”

“Not exactly, but… this is the only place he’d go without telling me. The other kids are talking, too…”

Satin may have lost his memories, but not his instincts. Laigeis let out a faint sigh and stepped aside to let him in.

“Didn’t I say Cain might be useful?”

“…So you called him just to use him?”