Chapter 3
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Shall We Try a Skill?
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‘They seem awfully on guard.’
Something felt ominous.
And right then, a heavy pressure bore down on Tail’s body.
It was killing intent.
Probably from the knight who’d been wary just moments ago.
It felt like gravity had intensified, his whole body trembling like an aspen leaf.
“Ugh.”
Under the crushing force, Tail halted for a moment.
Cold sweat broke out all over him; he felt like he’d drop dead any second.
His stomach churned, on the verge of vomiting.
At the same time, irritation surged through him.
What had he done wrong to deserve this barrage of killing intent and suspicion...?
‘Even if I puke and pass out, I’ll remember your face, you bastard.’
With that thought, Tail endured the overwhelming pressure and snapped his head up.
He glared at the knight emanating killing intent, pouring all his strength into eyes ready to rain down tears.
That was when it happened.
Something deep inside him welled up like a surge.
It was as if energy coursed through his entire body.
And that energy shot forward, blasting straight at the knight.
The knight’s eyes widened slightly at the sudden onslaught.
A child living in a monastery couldn’t possibly have learned proper mana manipulation.
Unlike temples where priests trained in mana use to wield holy power directly, monasteries only healed with holy water.
In other words, it was common knowledge that most monks couldn’t manipulate mana at all.
Yet this kid had wielded it cleanly, directing the killing intent solely at him.
And that unyielding spirit, determined to land at least one hit on his attacker.
Talent was one thing, but this was a rare mental fortitude.
A faint smile tugged at the knight’s lips.
‘He’s got some real potential.’
He’d only unleashed a brief burst of killing intent as a warning out of caution, but the kid exceeded expectations.
‘Must’ve had some incredible grit and a trigger event.’
Otherwise, that kind of venom couldn’t have formed.
It was probably tied to this war.
As Knight Allen grossly misunderstood the situation...
“Sir Allen. That’s enough.”
Chloe’s clear voice rang out.
‘Oops.’
He’d let the killing intent linger too long.
Allen snapped out of it and withdrew his aura.
‘Hoo. I can breathe now.’
Tail finally caught his breath.
His stomach still roiled, but it was much better than before.
Right then, a window popped up in front of him.
You have successfully manipulated mana.
You have acquired the ‘Use Mana!’ skill.
‘What’s this?’
Tail rubbed his eyes.
Was he seeing things?
‘A second skill just like that?’
And if he could manipulate mana now, that meant he could use Brother’s Healing Hand too.
Chloe bowed her head slightly toward the dazed Tail.
“I’m sorry. Please accept my apologies on his behalf for what just happened.”
Tail finally came to his senses.
Most nobles wouldn’t bat an eye if a lowly commoner dropped dead.
‘Guess that’s the heroine for you—kind even to commoners.’
Tail smiled gently.
“No need. I’m Tail, a monk of this monastery. Allow me to guide you all to your quarters.”
Besides, thanks to this, he’d snagged a new skill. He could let it slide.
Chloe beamed at Tail’s polite words.
“Thank you. Looking forward to it, Tail.”
Tail froze for a moment.
It felt like blissful ecstasy, lying in a field of flowers.
The already beautiful girl’s smile seemed to transform the entire atmosphere.
True to her heroine status, she was a stunning beauty even as a child.
Her smile was radiant yet pure, warm like sunlight.
‘She’s freaking gorgeous.’
Feeling his churning stomach settle, Tail smiled faintly.
“Likewise.”
And so, that was Tail’s first meeting with the original heroine, Chloe.
Chloe adapted to monastery life more easily than expected.
Even in the harsh conditions without hot water, she never lost her bright smile.
When the girl, radiant as sunlight, spoke politely to everyone, even those wary of her nobility melted away.
Just like now.
Tail, who’d come out stretching after a long nap, locked eyes with Chloe amid the group.
“Tail!”
Spotting him, Chloe called out with a blooming smile.
Her hair tied back simply, she looked stunning despite the plain attire.
“Come here! We’ve got tons of snacks left.”
Drawn by her cheerful voice, Tail walked over.
Chloe was friendly and warm to everyone, but Tail sensed she drew a subtle line with people.
She never mentioned personal tastes or private matters.
If asked her favorite color, she’d smile and say, “I like all colors.”
‘Well, she’s a bit easier on me.’
Maybe because they were close in age, Chloe doted on Tail a little more.
Still, a line always existed between them.
‘Makes sense. She’s the imperial princess.’
The heroine and princess of this novel.
She couldn’t open up completely to strangers.
It was only natural.
‘We’re getting closer little by little.’
Rome wasn’t built in a day, after all.
Tail gazed at the beaming Chloe.
‘But she looks kinda tired.’
Her smile seemed a touch more gaunt than usual.
Taking a snack, he pondered.
‘Maybe trouble sleeping in a new place.’
Recalling how her youthful glow had been fading lately, Tail resolved.
‘Gotta check on her tonight.’
He needed to confirm if it was real insomnia or something else.
‘Can’t risk dropping coins.’
Truth be told, Tail had decided the moment he first saw Chloe.
‘This life, it’s all-in on Chloe coins.’
Invest in Chloe, reap the sweet rewards.
That was the plan.
He knew from the novel: this empire wouldn’t fall.
So Chloe would eventually claim the throne.
Leverage that friendship then, and he’d score plenty of benefits.
‘Like these snacks now.’
Tail bit into one.
Crunch.
Sweetness filled his mouth.
‘Gotta keep her healthy, then.’
Nothing hurt more than a coin crashing.
‘Bonus if I implant some memories of me along the way.’
Of course, there was another noble of similar age, less prime than Chloe but still viable.
‘Marquis Duvier’s daughter.’
Tail glanced at the tent where she stayed.
But she hadn’t emerged once since arriving.
No one had seen her leave—not that she wanted to mingle anyway.
‘Whatever. None of my business.’
He quickly dismissed the thought, unaware he’d tangle deeply with Marquis Duvier’s daughter in the future.
That night, Tail was finishing up the final cleanup at the monastery.
“Damn. Winter’s over, but why’s it still so cold?”
But to check Chloe’s tent at dawn, this was the only way.
Shivering in the biting chill, Tail rubbed his arms and continued the evening chores.
Monks usually rotated these, but Tail had never once joined since arriving.
‘They never bugged me to do it anyway.’
They probably pitied making the youngest handle it, and besides, the others were eager types who enjoyed work.
Win-win.
‘Abbot’s face was priceless when I volunteered for tonight’s shift.’
Chuckling softly, Tail swept the grounds haphazardly, checked the time, and glanced up.
“Whoa. Already 4 a.m.?”
Any later, and he’d be pulling an all-nighter.
“Time to head out.”
He folded the mat sloppily, dusted his hands, and turned to leave.
The path to Chloe’s tent was eerily quiet and dark.
‘Eek... Creepy...’
Walking through the shadows lit only by a small lantern, he spotted a flickering light in the distance.
‘No way the light’s still on?’
At 4 a.m.?
Tail quickened his pace toward it.
Stopping before the glowing tent, he furrowed his brow.
It was made of luxurious fabric—clearly expensive at a glance.
‘Chloe’s tent.’
Meaning she was still awake.
And it didn’t look like a one-off.
Tail clicked his tongue.
‘Tsk tsk. No wonder her face keeps paling.’
He could’ve walked away, but didn’t.
‘Leave it like this, and the coin crashes.’
What else is a sick investment but a plummeting coin?
‘Actually, perfect timing.’
If it was insomnia or stress, he could handle it easily.
With his ‘Brother’s Healing Hand’ skill, no less.
At least make an impression.
‘Alright. Let’s go, my coin.’
Tail knocked lightly on the tent.
“Lady Chloe. It’s Tail. Mind if I come in for a moment?”
With that, the tent flap slowly opened.