Chapter 10: A New Approach to the Duchess’s Teaching

“I heard you were looking for me.”

Entering the room guided by a maid, I saw a striking woman with fiery red hair and serpent-like green eyes.

“You’re here,” said Natia Bertaine, the duchess of the central pillar.

By her side was Gerald, fuming as expected. One glance told me everything: he tattled.

Casting a cold stare at Gerald, I thought, The same person who tormented Elin now runs crying to his mother over a small setback? Pathetic.

“Take a seat. This might take a while,” Natia gestured.

Feigning ignorance, I sat across from her. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“You insolent brat…” Gerald growled, but Luke, ever sharp, intercepted.

“My name is not ‘insolent brat,’ Lord Gerald,” Luke retorted.

“Silence,” Natia commanded, her voice brooking no argument. Gerald immediately quieted, revealing more of his mama’s boy tendencies than he probably intended.

The conversation unfolded with sharp wit and biting exchanges.

Luke didn’t hold back, exposing Gerald’s misdeeds and even slyly exaggerating his ailments to ensure the duchess took action.

Gerald was carted off for a medical examination, a turn of events that left the spoiled heir stunned and floundering.

Alone with Natia, Luke delved into the real issue: Elin’s mistreatment.

Her scars were no accident. Despite Natia’s insistence that this was the “Bertaine way,” Luke refused to accept it.

“Whipping a child until they can’t walk? That’s not discipline—it’s abuse,” Luke declared.

The tension in the air was palpable as their ideologies clashed.

Natia justified her methods as necessary for forging strong heirs. Luke countered with logic, humanity, and a promise:

“Give Elin the care she needs, and I’ll show you what she’s truly capable of. If I fail, I’ll give you my personal grimoire of unique spatial magic.”

The rare offer silenced Natia. After weighing her options, she conceded, agreeing to assign a maid to assist Elin.

As Luke left, he vowed with a confident smile, “Elin will become a greater magician than I ever could be.”

A bright morning.

Luke visited Elin as usual.

“May I come in, Lady Elin?”

“Wait a moment.”

“Understood.”

Luke responded reflexively, tilting his head in confusion.

Why did his response come from inside?

Elin shouldn’t be up yet, should she?

Creak.

The door opened.

“…Hello.”

Elin had already finished her bath.

Though the remnants of soap were still visible,

that wasn’t important now.

“What brings you here, my lady? Waking up so early.”

“Today is a study day.”

“…Study?”

What kind of studying?

She hadn’t been assigned any homework.

“…I thought you were dismissed.”

“Yes?”

“I thought you were fired because you were called by mother yesterday and didn’t return.”

Ah, so she was trying to continue studying as usual.

“I’m sorry. After our conversation, I realized it was too late and thought you were asleep.”

“…You said you would definitely return.”

“I’m sorry.”

She bowed her waist without a word.

The dampness in Elin’s voice was palpable.

Elin wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and glared at Luke.

“I promise I won’t do that again.”

“…Really?”

“It’s true.”

• “Promise.”

Elin extended her pinky finger.

If this would calm her, I’d gladly comply.

“Come in.”

Elin, having secured her promise, quickly entered the room.

As I followed, I glanced at her tiny feet.

“You seem much better.”

“Huh? Ah….”

Elin wriggled her fair toes.

“Almost fully recovered. Thanks to you.”

Elin’s lips twitched slightly.

It was a pity her smile wasn’t fully formed, but for now, it was enough.

“I’m proud of you.”

Since disciplining Gerald, Elin occasionally shows her emotions like this.

Just a little.

A mere hint, but noticeable.

“Have you been studying this?”

“Yes.”

Her once rising smile stiffened abruptly.

She had noticed the familiar cover.

[Basics of Mana]

A title that seemed very simple.

Of course, the only thing easy was the title.

“This is a specialized textbook used at the academy.”

Elin was only 12 years old.

The average age for academy entry was 16.

Moreover, Elin couldn’t even properly use magic yet.

There was no reason for her to be reading such a book.

“Do you understand it?”

“No.”

Elin immediately shook her head.

“I don’t understand a single thing.”

“But why are you reading it?”

“My father told me to.”

Looking closely, Elin’s body was trembling slightly.

“…If you don’t do it properly, you’ll be punished.”

“Who punishes you, my lady? I’m now in charge of your education.”

“……”

Elin looked at Luke silently.

…Ah, she thought she was dismissed.

“I’m sorry.”

After apologizing once more, Elin shook her head.

“It’s okay.”

“Do you have a set amount to study?”

“Rather than the amount… the time is set.”

“How much do you have to do?”

“12 hours.”

• “What?”

I thought I heard wrong.

“On study days, you must sit at your desk for at least 12 hours.”

Measuring study time by hours is the worst.

Increasing time arbitrarily is also terrible.

“…There are about 11 hours left, so just wait a little… Teacher?”

As Elin turned her head,

Luke was removing her watch.

“For now, your watch is confiscated.”

Swoosh.