At the same time, in the room next to the principal's office of Elinia Academy.
Sonya, wearing her round glasses, was busy with her invention.
She had thought that the principal, who used to monitor her every move 24/7, had lost interest in her.
Then, suddenly.
Crash, bang, thud!
"Ah, it's starting again."
Sonya pouted her lips at the loud noise coming from downstairs.
It must be the principal teaching Siena, the elf student, spirit magic.
It was obvious.
Ever since returning to the academy, the principal had been like this constantly.
"But can you really handle spirits like that?"
She had peeked a few times out of curiosity and witnessed some bizarre scenes.
Climbing high trees to stare at the air for an hour, digging the earth with hands for three hours, circling a small bonfire for two hours, or drenching herself with water to the point of catching a cold...
The principal, being the continent's greatest spirit mage, was given a pass, but anyone else would be considered insane for doing such things.
"Well, it's good for me."
Elinia Academy, being the continent's finest educational institution, was littered with documents and materials useful for inventions.
With the title of principal, nothing was unattainable.
For Sonya, who only wished to continue her research, it was the perfect environment.
The invention she was currently working on was an [External Mana Engine].
The primary goal was to create something weighing less than 3 kg, capable of using high-output magic of 5th circle level at least three times.
Sonya tugged at her hair in frustration.
"Ugh, it keeps getting stuck here."
Although 90% of the production process went smoothly, the remaining 10% was problematic.
Using the engine to cast spells continually consumed some of her internal mana.
Of course, even this was an exceptional invention, but Sonya was strict with her creations.
By her standards, the [External Mana Engine] in front of her was a failure.
"This won't do. Sorry about this."
She picked up a large hammer standing nearby and, with a bang, smash, crash, repeatedly struck down on the invention she had been tinkering with.
"Huff, huff, huff..."
With sad eyes, Sonya looked down at the now shattered invention and murmured,
"I need Theo after all."
Theo Lyn Waldeurk.
The only student at Elinia Academy with a mana level of zero and the perfect candidate for her current research.
She pulled out a communication crystal from her pocket.
It was the same model that Rok, Piel, and Theo had.
"Theo's serial number was [SH-0004]."
Sonya was about to input the serial number into the communication crystal when she stopped.
"Let's keep trying until dinner."
It hadn't been many days, but her pride as an inventor didn't allow her to reach out to the perfect candidate just yet.
Sonya resumed her focus on inventing.
Inside the luxurious carriage carrying Theo's group and the Chalon father and daughter.
Clunk, clunk──
The carriage was heading towards 'Rubus,' the city where the direct lineage of the Chalon family resided.
Maximin was usually a talkative person who disliked silence.
But now, he kept his mouth shut, being mindful of his youngest daughter's feelings.
Naturally, with him, a retired hero once ranked second in the continent's hero rankings and a bigwig, keeping quiet, no one else dared to speak up either.
'Ah, I've made a slip of the tongue.'
He knew (how could he not) that his daughter liked Theo.
He also found Theo quite likable.
But instead of helping his daughter, he ended up inviting all the girls that Theo had brought to the Chalon household.
Maximin's heart ached as he watched his daughter, who was willing to endure her long-standing trauma to retrieve 'that thing' sealed in the deepest part of the Chalon household.
'Hmm.'
But Maximin was a former top hero and the head of the great Chalon family, with a nature that prioritized logic over emotions.
Upon rethinking, he didn't feel that sorry.
'My daughter. Such incidents are routine for a boy like Theo.'
Living for 51 years had led him to realize that men like Theo, whether they wanted it or not, were fated to attract women.
Moreover, polygamy was common in this world.
Even Piel wasn't the child of his first wife.
'Overcome and move on, my daughter!'
Overcome and move on.
This was a time-honored saying passed down in the Hero Department, even written all over the training grounds.
Maximin de Chalon.
51 years old.
Head of the Chalon family and a retired hero.
Though retired for several years, his heart was still that of a hero...
Eventually, Maximin spoke.
"Theo, the visit to our family that you desired is about to happen. Can you tell me why you wanted to visit?"
Theo answered immediately.
"To speak frankly, I would like to see the Chalon family's treasure vault, Demon Hunter Maximin."
The treasure vault was, as the name implies, a place where the family stored valuable items collected over a long period.
It was rarely open to outsiders.
However, Maximin, seemingly pleased with Theo's honesty, laughed happily.
"Hahaha! Truly, Theo's spirit is that of a hero. Yes, let's visit together. I personally permit it. And do tell me how it compares to the Waldeurk family's vault."
"Thank you, Demon Hunter Maximin."
Theo bowed respectfully.
"Yes, yes."
Maximin smiled broadly at Theo's unexpectedly polite behavior.
...But at that moment, Maximin was unaware.
Unaware that the treasure vault Theo spoke of was different from what he had in mind.
Each powerful family on the continent boasted their own proud cities.
If the Waldeurk family had 'Polaris,' the Chalon family had 'Rubus.'
In the late afternoon, Theo's group and the Chalon father and daughter arrived at Chalon Castle, located in 'Rubus.'
Everyone in Theo's group, except for Theo himself, marveled at the grandeur of Chalon Castle.
It took over five minutes by carriage from the main gate to the building, a testament to the castle's vast size.
Seria, stepping out of the carriage, looked up at the castle and exclaimed in awe.
"Wow... as expected of the renowned Chalon family, such a magnificent castle."
"Yeah, with a size like this, there must be a large training ground inside,"
Irene chimed in.
"Actually, there is one. About the size of the Knight Department's training ground,"
Piel said, her voice tinged with pride.
Irene narrowed her eyes at Piel.
"Would you mind showing me around later?"
"Sure. We can go right now if you want."
Piel answered immediately.
Irene quickly responded.
"And maybe you can spar with me. I feel a bit stiff since I haven't trained for over 12 hours."
"Anytime."
Piel replied with a confident attitude.
Seria watched the two women with interest, her arms crossed, while Alice and Alphs glanced around cautiously before hiding behind Theo.
...The sudden standoff between the two women was interrupted by Maximin's words.
"You all must be tired from the journey. Go and rest in your rooms for now. I'll let you know once dinner is ready. Ah, the butlers will guide each of you to your rooms."
As soon as he finished speaking, a group of butlers emerged from within the castle.
A middle-aged female butler slightly bowed to Theo.
"It's an honor to serve you, Mr. Theo Lyn Waldeurk. I am Kula, the head butler of Chalon Castle. I will guide you to your room."
"Thank you."
Theo bowed in return.
Kula smiled faintly and said,
"The pleasure is mine. Please, follow me this way."
Theo followed Kula.
'The Chalon family really lives up to its name with such a vast castle.'
It took about five minutes of walking inside the castle to reach the room assigned to him.
The interior was splendid.
The spacious room was filled with antique furniture that would satisfy even [Twisted Noble's Dignity].
'There should be about 30 minutes until dinner.'
With nothing particular to do, Theo changed into comfortable clothes and began training.
In the midst of his training.
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound of knocking came.
Unlike Amy's, it was a quick series of knocks.
'Hmm, perhaps dinner is ready already.'
He checked his watch; it had been only about 15 minutes.
Theo wiped his sweat and went to the door.
"Who is it?"
─It's me.
"Who are you?"
─Ahh!
The door swung open abruptly.
There stood Piel, in a different look than usual.
She wore an elegant yet restrained white dress, her face lightly made up.
She frowned and looked up at Theo.
"Ah! Can't you recognize me by my voice?! Huh?"
But as soon as Theo saw Piel, he was rendered speechless.
“......”
Suddenly, he realized how beautiful Piel was.
It was as if her inner beauty was overpowering the present moment.
Theo stood frozen on the spot.
