The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Siabel Sianella (1)

Thanks to rolling on the ground while embracing my cursed master, every part of my body ached.

Even now my arms and back burned with pain, but I heard the knight's muttering as she looked down at me.

Her whisper cooled my mind that had nearly heated up like my physical condition.

'She definitely said magic.'

It seemed Siabel had seen me using spirit magic.

...I'd tried my best to hide it without showing any signs.

As expected of spirit magic that stirred up winds whenever used.

From the mana movement to the wind, it seemed I couldn't escape an Expert knight's insight.

'She seems half certain.'

That small but definite emotion I felt in Siabel's gaze.

I could tell her interest in my existence had deepened further.

It was obvious just from how she quietly looked down at me instead of immediately tending to her sister.

Though she maintained such a calm expression, she must internally find it hard to believe that I, a man, had used magic.

While men in this world might manage magic at the level of creating tiny sparks.

It was practically impossible for them to cast magic like mine that created winds and enhanced movement.

'This is troublesome.'

Troublesome. Very much so.

At most, the world wouldn't end just because a man could use magic.

But for the world surrounding me, that was a different story.

Right after gaining spirit magic.

The situation now was different from when I'd recklessly used magic in front of Sione, who had been discussing the limits of bows.

Unlike then, now there were numerous others around me.

And I'd realized just how pathetically limited men's talent for mana was in this world.

With only Sione as reliable backing, and her support only barely patched up at that.

I couldn't imagine how troublesome things would get if Siabel pressed the issue about magic.

"Ugh..."

Sione, still in my arms, stirred.

Since there was no need to keep holding her anymore, I relaxed my arms that had been embracing her.

As the strange tension and quiet situation broke, Siabel came to her senses and began checking on her sister.

"Sione, are you hurt anywhere?"

"Hmm... thanks to Ray protecting me, I'm not badly hurt anywhere."

"Stay still for a moment."

Only after thoroughly examining Sione's condition could Siabel breathe a sigh of relief.

Looking at them like this, they seemed more like caring sisters than the awkward siblings they were supposed to be.

With Siabel showing such concern for Sione, I thought the quest for reconciliation with Siabel might be cleared by now, but.

Apparently something was still lacking, as no status window appeared announcing the quest's completion.

Wondering why, I observed Sione and found the answer in her face.

Unlike her thoughtful sister worried about her sibling, Sione was obviously uncomfortable with the concern, showing clear signs of awkwardness.

No wonder the quest wouldn't clear.

Sione, is it you again?

Regardless, Siabel continued with her worried attitude.

"Hah, fortunately you don't seem badly hurt. I was so worried."

Whisk.

Siabel suddenly turned her head to look at me.

"If your attendant had been even slightly later, it could have been dangerous."

Siabel examined me once more.

When I calmly met her gaze, she adjusted her grip on her sword and said:

"Sione, stay back with your attendant. We'll discuss this after we've finished off all the orcs."

"...Understood."

Since the battle was still ongoing.

Having confirmed her sister's safety, Siabel headed toward the orcs without hesitation.

Sione and I watched her back for a moment before getting up.

"Are you alright?"

"Thanks to you, I'm fine. But are you alright, Ray?"

"What else could I say?"

At my words, Sione's expression mixed with guilt and concern.

...Who was worrying about whom, when she had nearly been crushed by an orc's fist?

"...Next time, at least scream. That was really close."

"I'm sorry for always being a burden. I'm ashamed."

Saying this, Sione walked with her head down, looking dejected.

I silently walked beside her until we reached what seemed a safe distance from the orcs.

Just then.

Sione's small hand firmly gripped my collar.

"...Once again you saved someone as burdensome as me. So."

Sione, who had been hanging her head, looked up to meet my eyes.

"Next time, I'll protect you."

She looked so much like a knight affirming her resolve that.

I could only quietly nod.

***

The sun set and the moon rose.

The end of our second day hunting monsters in the Beltrin Mountains was approaching.

We would return on the morning of the fourth day, so this task would end tomorrow.

Perhaps because I'd used so much mental energy on various things today, I felt extremely tired.

It was about time to sleep.

Thinking I could return to my tent, I bid Sione goodnight.

"I'll be heading back to my tent now."

"Yes, good work. Get some rest and I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yes, I'll see you tomorrow."

After finishing our brief farewells, I left Sione's tent.

Whoosh—

A somewhat cool breeze blew past.

The weather seemed nice and cool, perfect for sleeping.

Just as I was feeling excited about finally getting proper rest.

An unexpected voice came from behind me.

"Wait."

I turned around at that voice.

"Don't we have something to discuss?"

My ears hadn't deceived me.

Just as I thought, Siabel Sianella stood with her arms crossed, staring at me.

It seemed to be about my spirit magic from earlier.

To think I'd get caught up in the most troublesome thing when I most desperately needed rest.

"Discussion?"

"Don't play dumb. Follow me."

Saying this, Siabel began walking ahead.

I matched her pace, following her dignified yet relaxed gait.

When a superior says follow, you follow. There was no choice.

A forest somewhat removed from the camp.

When we reached a place where no human presence could be felt, Siabel stopped walking.

"I'll ask directly. That magic from earlier. How could you, a man, possibly use it?"

"Magic? You mean when I threw myself to save Lady Sione?"

"Yes. You know exactly what I mean."

"...Don't they say people can display superhuman strength in desperate situations?"

It was a flimsy excuse.

As expected, Siabel scoffed as if she'd anticipated such an excuse.

"It seems you have no intention of telling the truth willingly."

"Me, a man, handling magic? That's impossible."

"In that case."

Siabel pressured me with that uniquely cold gaze of hers.

"Are you saying the mana movement I felt was false, and everything I saw with my own eyes was my hallucination?"

"..."

"Don't try to drag this out. It won't work on me."

It seemed Siabel had completely figured out that I could use magic.

I was afraid of the consequences if I kept brazenly denying it.

Since there was no point in hiding it further from someone who already knew completely.

I gave up on concealing my magic any longer.

"...Please keep this secret from others."

At my words, Siabel's cold gaze softened.

Deep curiosity and interest seeped into her colorless expression.

Siabel nodded with sparkling eyes.

"I swear on the name of Sianella. I will keep your ability to use magic as a secret."

Even from her well-known reputation alone, I could tell Siabel wasn't someone who would break promises.

If she was swearing on her family name on top of that.

This much should be fine to trust.

Besides, even if Siabel told someone I could use magic.

The claim that a man could use magic would be hard to believe anyway.

I could only nod at Siabel's words with a small sigh.

"Could you show me your magic?"

Since everything was already exposed, there was nothing left to hide.

"Of course."

I began gathering mana in response to Siabel's words.

Since I'd unpacked my belongings, I had neither sword nor bow to show anything special.

Whoosh!

I created a flame in my palm.

Then I began creating wind paths to guide the flame.

The flame burned brightly with mana as it bloomed magnificently along the wind paths I created.

"Wow."

Siabel's gaze fixed on my magic, its beautiful appearance matching well with the soft moonlight.

Though it was enjoyable to show off given her positive reaction, using two types of mana simultaneously meant.

If this continued, I might experience mana exhaustion from being unable to handle the rate of mana consumption.

I slowly withdrew the magic.

As the magic that began in my hand ended there once more.

Siabel lifted the corner of her mouth in a smirk.

When I looked at such a Siabel Sianella after withdrawing my magic.

A status window had appeared before my eyes.

[Siabel Sianella has begun to find you 'interesting'.]

[Your mana efficiency has slightly improved due to her interest.]

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