The Duke's Concern

From the academy’s perspective, Chloe Eldrich ranked among its truly outstanding students. She carried the exalted title of one of the three great ducal houses, yet she remained humble, caused no unnecessary friction with her peers, and mingled effortlessly with nobles and commoners alike, drawing them all into her circle. One only had to watch the occasional rampaging noble who behaved like a spoiled brat to realize how rare a character like hers truly was. On top of that, the natural charisma running through her bloodline combined with her own exceptional talent had made her a celebrated figure within the academy. It was only natural, then, that her dormitory reflected her top-tier grades and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stood apart from those of ordinary students.

With the day’s classes now over, the moment had arrived. Originally she should have begun ingesting the elixir, but because a professor had summoned Eloise, Chloe willingly postponed the treatment. No matter how urgent she felt, she could not recklessly consume the medicine alone. The experience of letting impatience ruin everything and earning herself an injury had been lesson enough. This time she intended to take it slowly, devoting herself fully to recovery.

The finished elixir had been examined by a professional alchemist from her own house, just to be safe. The woman’s astonished reaction—that it had been a long time since she had seen an elixir of this quality—suggested that the half-elf alchemist Eloise had found possessed truly remarkable skill. Chloe had once believed her impatient mistake and the resulting injury had twisted her entire life into a knot, yet the present flow of events made it seem as though the world still favored her.

Her room was the standard two-person dormitory, but she had no roommate. Thus Chloe enjoyed the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠entire spacious chamber by herself. Of course her family’s influence had played a part, yet she had not bothered to refuse. In truth, no student at the academy would have wanted to share a room with her. Even if they managed the first few days somehow, they would soon find the pressure unbearable and beg to change rooms. This was not mere delusion on her part; she had learned it after it happened several times. Once enough students began requesting transfers on the grounds that it was “too burdensome,” the academy had ultimately shown consideration and allowed her sole occupancy. That was how Chloe had come to use this large dormitory room alone.

The lights were off, leaving the interior dark and dry. A small desk lamp cast its glow across the dim walls. The wallpaper was neat and elegant, and several paintings sent from her family hung there. She did not possess much personal appreciation for art, but filling the once-bare walls had improved the atmosphere considerably. Heavy curtains on one side covered a large window, blocking outside noise and light. A wide, soft mattress sat on the bed in the corner, dressed in linens that matched the room’s décor. And atop the desk in that quiet chamber, a palm-sized crystal orb sparkled gently.

Its design felt somewhat out of place in the room’s refined atmosphere, yet the orb was unmistakably a magic tool. Moreover, it was no ordinary object one could simply acquire, and its price was enough to make anyone abandon the thought of buying one. From the glittering crystal, a heavy, solemn voice flowed forth.

The sighing man’s voice belonged to Chloe’s father, the current head of the Eldrich ducal house—Amour Eldrich. The unassuming crystal was a communication magic tool. No matter the distance, as long as power ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠flowed through it, one could converse with the intended party. That was how she could speak with her father at this hour.

With no particular incidents to report, Chloe continued in an even tone. She told him the elixir consumption would begin today and that Eloise would assist her. Her father’s reaction to the mention of the “cute child” had been a cough laced with resignation, but Chloe had simply smiled in reply. He had watched her since childhood; he had likely noticed his daughter’s rather unconventional inclinations to some degree. Even so, Amour had never forcibly dragged those tendencies into the open or treated them as a problem.

Yet consuming an elixir was no simple matter. Not every elixir carried such risks, of course, but the more potent the medicine, the more carefully one had to guard against side effects. Tales circulated of warriors who had taken elixirs to regulate their internal energy only to have their meridians twist and become crippled, or mages who had forced elixirs into their bodies to increase their mana capacity only to burst apart when their physiques could not endure the strain. Such stories were surprisingly common. And had Chloe herself not earned her injury by pushing her body too far? For that reason, this treatment held great importance for her—and for her father, Amour, as well.

She understood his concern, even if she teased him for worrying too much. To the outside world Amour Eldrich was regarded as an impenetrable wall, yet he cherished his daughter deeply. That was precisely why Chloe had trusted him enough to inform him of her injury. Damage to her mana circuits was a critical wound for any mage, so Amour had used what influence he could to provide her with helpful items. The communication orb he had given her for easier contact ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had been one of those gifts.

After the call ended, the image of Amour with his neatly trimmed beard and solemn expression, nodding gravely, floated through her mind. Chloe watched the crystal orb’s light fade with a soft shrrk, then sighed and shifted her gaze to the desk. There lay not only the elixir purchased on the black market but also the medicines her family had sent.

“Isn’t this a bit excessive…?”

Even as the thought rose, gratitude followed. There were only three ducal houses in the entire kingdom. To become the master of House Eldrich, Chloe had trained relentlessly, and she told herself the current ordeal was nothing more than a passing trial. That was what she believed.

“It should be about time…”

She glanced at the clock hanging on one wall. Evening had already arrived. When Professor Selene—who normally showed little interest in others—had suddenly called for Eloise, Chloe had wondered what the matter could be. Since nothing came to mind, she had simply sent the girl along. Professors summoned students from time to time; it was probably nothing more than another task. She would likely return soon.

“Well, it looks like everything went smoothly.”

“Yeah… for the time being, at least…”

By the time Eloise returned from Professor Selene’s office, I asked her what had happened. She recounted the events inside the office in a tone that suggested it had truly been nothing important. I had felt a vague anxiety, but judging from Selene’s reaction, the situation did not appear urgent. A sigh of relief escaped me, yet Eloise looked up with a distinctly dissatisfied expression.

“So… what’s bothering you? Why the long face?”

“No matter how I think about it, it’s strange… I mean, even if she’s an elf, accepting that act as a simple gesture of affection is completely beyond me… And no matter how different the races are, the most common race in this academy is human. An elf who has lived among humans for far longer than a day or two couldn’t possibly misunderstand something like that…”

Watching Eloise refer to the caressing as “that act,” I couldn’t help but smile. She seemed too embarrassed to utter the actual word.

“Hmm…”

If I placed Chloe under hypnosis, Eloise might witness the resulting scene. No. There’s no need to worry about that. For a moment I had considered simply telling her the truth, but it wasn’t necessary. Since my level had increased, I could now hypnotize two people per day. Unfortunately I had already used one slot on Selene that morning, so I couldn’t handle both at once… Still, I no longer needed to mind Eloise’s gaze when I used my ability.

“Hehe. Eloise, the truth is I possess the power to manipulate people’s hearts. With a single word from me, I can control anyone I wish.”

“Sigh… If you don’t want to tell me, just say so…”

When I spoke with a wicked grin, Eloise clicked her tongue and shook her head. As expected, hypnosis magic was the sort of thing whose very existence invited skepticism. Magic that could bend others to your will with mere words—it was difficult to imagine.

Well, once I reach the point where no one at the academy can touch me… maybe I’ll tell her then.

The more I used the ability, the more I marveled at Evelyn’s craftsmanship. By the time Eloise finished her preparations and rose from her seat, I had completed my own.

“All right. If you’re ready, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Imagining Chloe’s flowing golden hair and the embarrassed expression she would wear, I stood up as well.