Chapter 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: The Noble Girl's Visit
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“...Thank you so much for today.”
Around the time our promised visit was nearly up,
the child sitting across from me rose from her chair.
Just then, way off in the distance, her mother was approaching at a leisurely pace.
Perfect timing.
“If anything, I'm sorry. Feeling better now?”
I stood from my chair as well, offering the child some comfort.
Her complexion was much brighter than before, which eased my mind.
“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”
“Still, you must've felt awkward today. Come play again sometime. I'd like you to feel right at home next time.”
“Really? I can do that?”
The child asked timidly.
Her eyes sparkled with a mix of fear and hope—it was endearing.
“Yeah. Come whenever you like. I'll be waiting.”
“Thank you!”
I comforted her a bit more before sending her straight into her mother's arms.
Her bouncy steps, like she might break into a run, looked so refreshingly lively.
The lady walked over with the child at her side, then bowed deeply before me.
“Thank you so much for spending time with her. I hope she wasn't rude or upsetting in any way?”
“Not at all. I enjoyed it.”
I almost said I should be the one apologizing, but changed my words at the last second.
It might come off twisted if I said that.
“Is that so? What a relief.”
The lady patted her chest with a short sigh.
With her child there, she seemed far more at ease than before.
“Yes. I'd love for her to come play again. You're welcome anytime.”
“Thank you.”
For a split second, the noblewoman's eyes flashed with intense light.
Her voice stayed calm, but I could tell she was thrilled—like she'd hit the jackpot.
An open invitation from royalty meant official recognition.
From her position, it was basically winning the lottery.
“Safe travels.”
“Yes. We wish Your Highness good health as well. You are this nation's treasure, after all.”
The lady left with some flattery, while the child offered a shy farewell before departing.
Finally, the tension in my shoulders started to melt away.
Entertaining guests who knew my intentions must've kept me on edge.
What're they getting at already...
To put it nicely, it was building connections. Bluntly? Securing a broodmare.
Their intentions were plain as day.
Noble life was all about calculations.
The original blueprint for chaebols' lives, their textbook.
That said, it wasn't pushy, so no hard feelings.
That girl would grow into quite the beauty, no doubt.
“Everyone, go rest. I'm heading back too.”
I summoned the waiting servant girls, gave the order, and returned to my room.
Even crossing the courtyard took a few minutes.
“Ugh...”
I'm beat.
The moment I got back, exhaustion washed over me, sleepiness flooding in.
Entertaining guests wasn't new, but nothing this long.
Mother or the Wet Nurse had always handled it before.
No Wet Nurse, huh.
I scanned the spacious room briefly before flopping onto the bed.
She wasn't glued to my side 24/7, so nothing odd there.
She had to use the bathroom, handle personal stuff too.
“Son. Are you in your room? Mind if I come in for a bit?”
Right as I was drifting off, Orpheus knocked.
Couldn't pretend to sleep with the Emperor calling.
“Yes, come in.”
The door creaked open. I rubbed my eyes and sat up as she entered.
“My son, you look exhausted. Mommy is sorry for disturbing you.”
Orpheus sat at the bedside with a wry smile.
She seemed genuinely apologetic, at a loss.
“No, it's fine. What brings you here?”
“Wanted to see my son's face, and ask a few things.”
“Ask away. What is it?”
“What did you think of the guest? Did you like her? Want to be friends?”
Her question was kind, her voice and expression endlessly warm.
Pure, straightforward maternal love.
Comforting and grateful from my side, but hard to call it ideal.
Too blind.
“Seemed like a good kid. But she was pretty nervous today, first visit and all.”
“I see. Want to see her again?”
“Would be nice, yeah.”
“Then we'll grant her free access. She can visit whenever she likes.”
Orpheus's hand touched my head.
Her gentle strokes brimmed with affection.
“For real?”
“Of course. If she pleases you, we can do that anytime. You're my son, after all.”
I swallowed dryly at the Emperor's words.
Sweet enough to rot not just my teeth, but my soul.
Lucky I was isekai'd in here.
If the kid had a normal or rotten personality, the empire might've crumbled.
Or could you fix overpouring love before the kid rots? No clue.
“Thank you.”
“Good. I've heard what I wanted. Time to go. Wet Nurse will be here soon—get some rest.”
“Yes, Mother. I love you.”
Love. Even after saying it a few times, the word still felt foreign on my tongue.
Made it awkward every time.
“Ah...! Mommy loves her son most of all.”
Joy filled Orpheus's eyes, a bloom of smiles on her lips.
Her over-the-top delight wasn't bad to see.
“Sleep well, son.”
She hugged me tight, planting kiss after kiss before finally leaving.
Her soft embrace woke me right up instead.
“...Hoo.”
Calm down.
Alone in the room, I settled my excitement, then lay back down.
Sleep crashed in with the deferred fatigue.
Sex Survivor had barely any story, but it wasn't totally absent.
World-building elements were in place.
Unique Magic was one—distinct from standard spells.
More like personalized superpowers, in a way.
You trained basic elements: water, fire, wind, earth.
Then, through practice and study, your Unique Magic manifested—unique to each person.
The protagonist—player character—fired arrow-shaped bullet hell patterns.
The Emperor shot sword-shaped projectiles.
“Let's start with the basics. Try conjuring fire first?”
Imperial Palace's royal-exclusive training hall.
The old man sitting across from me stroked his white beard with a hearty chuckle.
Two years studying magic under him.
I'd mastered the fundamentals and entered Unique Magic training.
His own power was modest, but his teaching was top-notch.
Reaching this stage in two years was thanks to him.
“Yes, Master.”
I sat cross-legged on the floor and closed my eyes.
No need to close them, really—just helped focus.
To cast, first move mana.
Then shape the moving mana into the desired spell.
Moving it, shaping it.
Even sensing it first.
All alien sensations, hard to put into words.
Like controlling your blood at will... but not quite.
Flames roared to life right by my ears, whoosh.
Like a gas stove igniting.
“Good. Now shift to water, wind, then earth.”
I slowly opened my eyes and nodded.
Fireball to hefty water orb.
Water orb to wind-clumped transparent mass.
Wind to brownish earth clump.
Not nose-picking level, but smooth transitions.
Especially fire to water—I was proud of that.
Switching opposing elements on the fly was tough.
“Excellent. Seamless basic shifts.”
“Thank you.”
“Keep up steady basic drills. Now for practice—release the spell and regulate your breathing.”
I dissolved the earth back to wind as instructed.
Steady breaths, then met the old man's eyes.
“Unique Magic is nebulous. Unlike fixed basics, it hinges on talent and inspiration.”
“Yes. Could be quick or take years, as you said.”
“Good memory.”
The old man stroked his beard proudly.
Affinity up again today.
“Exactly. Might learn it today, or years from now. But one thing's certain.”
“What's that?”
“Effort guarantees mastery. Like me—took over twenty years.”
His chuckling ease was both relaxed and pitiful.
I put on a serious face.
“I'll work hard.”
“In my eyes, Your Highness overflows with talent. Mana control took a year, but you breezed through the rest.”
“You're too kind. Just lucky.”
“Humility's a virtue. True humility keeps arrogance at bay.”
The old man offered life advice alongside magic.
Not just a spell teacher.
He taught proper technique and life's path.
That's a true master.
“I'll work on that too.”
“Good. Catch your breath, then begin. Close your eyes, focus inward on your microcosm.”
“Yes, Master.”
I shut my eyes again, sinking into meditation as directed.
Focus on my inner universe.
Sounded like grasping at clouds at first, but it clicked gradually.
Circulate mana inside, feel the vastness, then shape it.
Right up to spell activation.
Your body floats then.
Like drifting in space.
In that sensation, I groped for my magic.
Mulling the master's teachings amid the search.
Inspiration strikes like ambush.
Can't force it with thoughts or desires—never get it.
So lay out stimuli and wait for magic to come.
Like suddenly craving a bitch-squirting show.
Something's brewing...
A nagging itch, like a forgotten thought surfacing.
One more step to epiphany, tickling away.
Three months ago, a week ago.
Often since starting practice—limbs tangling in frustration.
Wanna scratch it raw like filial piety.
But couldn't, so stuck.
“That's enough for today.”
The old man's voice snapped my focus, broke the flow.
Hand extended to pull me from just a bit more obsession.
I halted mana flow, steadied breaths.
Regrettable, but unavoidable.
“Yes, Master.”
“No rush. You're progressing so fast, could even take a break.”
“You're right, but it's hard not to be impatient.”
I shook my head lightly with a sigh.
Summit in sight—inevitable impatience.
“Just keep doing what you've been. Composure at your age is commendable.”
“Thank you for the praise.”
“Heh. Sincere, not flattery.”
The old man grunted rising slowly.
His sluggish, wobbly movements looked oddly precarious.
“Until next time. You handle it so well alone—no nagging.”
“Thanks. Take care.”
I stood to see him off.
Unlike rising, his steps had vigor.
Escort to the training hall door.
Waiting servant girls handled support and guidance after.
I watched his back, sighing.
What would my Unique Magic be?
When would I grasp it?
Imagining choked me up.
Even a useless one, just quick...
Nah, that's no good.
Right.
If I'm learning it, better be cool and useful at least.