Cecilia's Hidden Talent

Cecilia's workshop wasn't bad at all.

Compared to the rundown tobacco shop where the demonkin sisters had lived, it was far more spacious, and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it seemed fully equipped with all the necessary tools.

On the display shelves in her workshop sat the same miniatures she'd shown at the tobacco shop.

'Smart thinking. Any merchant with a keen eye for value would recognize their worth.'

It was smaller than the grand private ateliers outside Endia Hall, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but that was to be expected.

Still, Cecilia was a brand-new cadet. In truth, even securing a rented workshop like this was something usually ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠reserved for second-years at the earliest.

That meant her skills had been acknowledged during the interview. Just as I'd predicted, Cecilia had become a scholarship student of the Endia Order. Nothing surprising there.

Her handicrafts—even the miniatures—had all appraised as high-grade items.

She'd learned weapon forging from dwarves, so it wasn't shocking.

'Her physical age might have just crossed into adulthood, but she's honed her craft for a century.'

And that wasn't all. Cecilia carried the pure blood of a dragon—and not just any dragon, but one from the Demon King's lineage. That instinctual grasp of runes came naturally to her.

In the empire since the Great War, the most highly valued weapons were those enchanted with rune characters.

Before the Holy Ramir Empire was founded, these magical runes had been passed down from ancient times.

Now, through collaboration among Pantheon's Six Orders, their decryption had advanced significantly. They were etched onto ordinary weapons to enhance performance.

'That's one reason Pantheon's leadership invests so heavily in the Endia Order.'

But truly understanding runes from their roots and achieving perfect efficiency? That was no easy feat. For modern humans, only superficial applications were possible.

Cecilia, however, could do it. She was a raw gem of immense talent. It wasn't for nothing that she'd later join my party as the Endia Order's representative.

'Once she adjusts to life at Pantheon, she should be running her own private workshop, not renting one.'

I wrapped up my thoughts on Cecilia just as she and Lucia greeted me warmly.

"Lord Yulian! What a pleasure!"

"Ah... h-hello, Lord Yulian!"

Cecilia especially—though we'd only locked eyes briefly, her golden gaze brimmed with respect.

She owed me a great debt. I'd acted as her mysterious recommender and sent Eirin to handle her enrollment formalities.

Of course, passing the interview had been all her own merit.

"I... I can't thank you enough! Thanks to you, one of my dreams came true... I'm so grateful, I don't even know how to repay you..."

Cecilia bowed deeply, her cheeks flushing with shyness. Yet her gesture carried undeniable grace.

Though petite, her platinum hair framed a stunning face.

True to an Endia Order cadet, she wore simple commoner attire—a plain dress—but it did nothing to diminish her allure. No ordinary clothes could hide that innate elegance.

Her delicate, fragile features stirred a man's protective instincts. Any guy weak to little-sister types would feel his heart race from her devastating charm.

'Wait. Me too?'

For a moment, even my pulse quickened. Cecilia looked breathtaking, like some suspension bridge effect was at play.

It felt odd. Sure, she was the cute, eye-catching type anywhere she went. But I shouldn't be this affected by mere attraction.

Arrogant as it might sound, I'd shared deep intimacies with multiple beauties. My immunity to them wasn't lacking.

I could face top-tier stunners like Eirin or Lilia with perfect composure.

'Must be the bloodline.'

Dragon blood inevitably recognized its destined mate. Perhaps some primal dragon pull drew me to Cecilia.

If so, perfect. Per Demon Lord Slayer's lore, she'd sense something from me too.

I had a crucial quest ahead with her.

In short, I needed her fluids—and mine would benefit her too.

But you couldn't just demand bodily fluids outright. If we mutually felt this attraction, it'd smooth the quest along.

I responded to Cecilia's bow with calm noble etiquette.

"No need to dwell on it. You earned this workshop through your talent. Provide me fine craftsmanship ahead, and that'll repay the favor. As a swordsman myself, I'll rely on you often."

"Yes! I'd be honored to work on your weapons, my lord."

"Music to my ears. With your skills, you'll attract fine patrons soon enough. Life in the capital will improve dramatically. Many guilds covet Endia artisans—especially those versed in runes like you."

"N-no, that's not true. I'm still so lacking..."

That's when Cecilia noticed Eirin beside me and bowed to her too.

"A pleasure. Thank you so much for... helping me last time."

"Not at all. I merely did my duty as Young Master's maid."

Their refined greetings flowed with poise. But as they finished, Lucia and Eirin's eyes met.

I tensed. These two harbored feelings beyond fondness for me. Eirin couldn't miss that striking pink hair—and Lucia was a ticking Y-rank time bomb. Eirin, always glued to my side, would surely irk her.

I watched their reactions carefully.

***

But my fears proved unfounded. Lucia's fate rank held steady at stable A+. Instead, she bowed first to Eirin.

"I... heard from Cecilia. You helped her tremendously with enrollment. She's rarely ventured out, so the process was tough. Truly, thank you!"

Lucia bowed deeply again. In her Roia Order uniform, she had a subtle soldierly air. She'd make a fine guard.

Eirin glanced briefly at Lucia's pink tresses but elegantly returned the bow.

"I only did what was required."

Her expression remained impassive as ever. That was fine—Eirin only unleashed her venom on true rivals, like with Lilia, where her demeanor flipped entirely.

'Flashing a shockingly radiant smile, no less.'

Before Lilia, Eirin turned terrifying, waging psychological warfare.

But not with Lucia. My fiancée Lilia was Eirin's top nemesis, after all.

Anyway, if future party members got along, that suited me perfectly. Cecilia spoke up.

"Um, Lord Yulian! There's a small reception table inside. Shall we sit? I'll prepare some tea!"

We all headed to the back. No premium minchoti, but Endia provided tea for rented workshops.

"Cecilia, is this how you brew it?"

"Lucia sis! I... I'm no good at tea either... What do we do?"

Both fumbled awkwardly. Eirin finally stepped in.

"Brewing tea is second nature to me. Allow me."

The pair blushed, embarrassed. Matching a perfect maid like Eirin was no small feat.

They sipped her brew in rapture.

"Lucia sis, is this tea always this delicious?"

"R-right? Ours tasted so bitter... Incredible!"

They gazed at Eirin with sparkling eyes.

"Not quite minchoti level, but with precise water temperature and steeping time, you can replicate this. It's not difficult."

Eirin explained calmly—but it was far from simple.

During last week's spirit arts practical, her tea outshone even the café's minchoti in depth and aroma.

Praise flowed for a while. Eirin seemed quietly pleased; her face held a faint blush only I could detect.

Three beauties enjoying tea time? A lovely sight. But it was time for my purpose here.

I placed an imperial sword on the table.

"Incidentally, I'll be your first client. Adjust this imperial sword's weight and balance, and enchant it with runes. Can you manage, Cecilia?"

Simple request, complex task. Modifying a finished blade was trickier than forging anew.

Yet Cecilia nodded confidently, cheeks pink. No surprise—she was Endia scholarship material.

Mana-wielding artisans forged differently from mere smiths.

'And meticulous rune enchanting separates master from amateur—and sword from legend.'

This prep was vital for Wednesday's combat evaluation. I needed first place.

I detailed my specs; Cecilia nodded, grasping all.

"L-leave it to me, Lord Yulian. One day suffices."

Demon Lord Slayer vouched for her skill—I trusted her. Then I added,

"Cecilia, if anyone from Aiterne Merchant Group approaches—especially a silver-haired, red-eyed female cadet—don't accept their patronage offer outright. Decline."

Lucia blinked curiously.

"Isn't Aiterne the empire's top guild? Oh—does Cecilia not merit them yet?"

"I-is that it?"

Cecilia's face fell. I shook my head quickly.

"No. Your skills would tempt Aiterne—I guarantee it. But you know nothing of sponsorship contracts. If she comes, just say this:"

I instructed her: No need for details with the silver-haired cadet, Chloe. Mention only that her recommender was me.

'Another step to secure first in evaluation.'

After light chatter, I left for my Hesos atelier.

***

In the Holy Ramir Empire, Aiterne Merchant Group reigned supreme. And Chloe de Aiterne, its promising heir, now entered Endia Hall's workshop district.

"Miss, care to browse the private ateliers?"

"No need. Viable talents there are already contracted. Head to the rentals."

"But those are mere second-years at best. Hard to imagine any Endia artisan worth Aiterne's interest there."

Chloe snapped open her fan, veiling her face. This mid-level exec from her father? Mediocre by her standards.

'Clueless about rentals' value. Pig-brained idiot.'

Newly rented workshops housed fresh talents—often with untapped potential.

Like artisans everywhere, they boasted skill but worldly ignorance, especially commoner cadets.

'Lock them in cheap long-term deals.'

Prime rune-enchanting skills? Priceless future assets.

Slave them via contracts, and her ledger—and succession bid—would soar.

Moments later, in a casual rental, Chloe froze. She refolded her fan to hide her shock.

'Impossible. A gem like ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠this, hidden?'

Every displayed item screamed value. Composing herself, she called out.

"Hello? Anyone here?"

"Yes! Coming..."

A plainly dressed female cadet emerged. Commoner garb, like most Endia cadets.

Stunningly pretty—startlingly so—but fragile, naive, utterly unworldly.

'Easy to mold. And that beauty? Doubles her worth.'

Chloe inwardly cheered.