Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: The First Lesson
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My ears perked up. She had been explaining about the Bird Clan until now, so I naturally assumed the lesson would follow a similar theme.
But that wasn't it at all.
A way to live in harmony with the Black Mambas.
"...How? I'm a bird."
"Su-in can modify their pheromones and use them in various ways. The most basic ability is beastification, and with a bit more difficulty, you can use them for defense and offense. ...Like this."
As she explained, Kasana flicked a fallen leaf from the ground into the air.
*Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.*
The leaves pierced through the tough tree bark, embedding themselves more than halfway in.
I couldn't believe my eyes. W-what was that?
A leaf just got stuck in a tree.
"Depending on how well you can control your pheromones, the applications are endless. This is the ultimate goal of the lessons you will be receiving, Lady Aileen."
"Woah..."
I couldn't tear my eyes away. Could I learn to do something that amazing with practice?
"However, it is still too early for you, Lady Aileen. It is a necessary skill to learn for self-protection, but..."
Kasana looked at me seriously.
It seemed like she was getting to the main point. I listened intently.
"You must be cautious when using your pheromones. It is especially dangerous for young Su-in."
"Why?"
"Pheromones are like a Su-in's life force. If they are completely depleted, you will die, without exception."
"..."
"For one so young, the mere attempt at beastification can consume a significant amount of pheromones."
Did that mean I could die just from practicing beastification?
I was speechless at the unexpected warning.
The lesson I had been waiting for was this dangerous!
Seeing my worried expression, Kasana shook her head.
"You need not worry too much. It is not so dangerous with a guardian nearby."
"...Oh, okay."
"Yes. But there is one thing you must promise me."
"What is it?"
"Promise me that you will only practice beastification when you are with me."
That was a given. After her explanation, I understood completely. I nodded to show I agreed.
"Shall we begin the lesson, then?"
"Okay."
"First, to feel your pheromones, a slight external stimulus is needed."
"External stimulus?"
"Yes. The method is the same as when you gave me your hand last time, but it will sting a little."
...How much would it sting?
Kasana strode over and gently took my hand. Soon, her pheromones flowed into my fingertips.
I felt a faint, weak pain at the tips of my fingers. In that moment, a strange feeling overcame me.
It was the feeling of something secretly stirring, something that did not welcome Kasana's pheromones.
Coiled in the darkness, it was filled with a chilling energy. It felt somewhat eerie.
...What is this? It feels strange.
I reflexively pulled back. Just then.
"Huh?"
"What in the world..."
Kasana's eyes widened in shock.
Her pheromones had completely vanished.
Both Kasana and I stared at each other blankly, stunned.
I wasn't sure, but if what I felt was correct, Kasana's pheromones had been devoured in an instant.
"...Lady Aileen. Did you happen to feel... what your pheromones are?"
"No. I don't know."
It had all happened so suddenly that I didn't have time to grasp it.
Kasana slowly examined my body, then took my hand once more.
"Let's try one more time. Please tell me immediately if you feel anything strange."
"Okay, I will."
"When you feel the pheromones inside your body, you must remember that sensation."
"Okay."
Kasana's pheromones began to enter me again, cautiously this time.
The energy was weaker than before.
As Kasana's pheromones slowly spread and increased, a sweet scent suddenly began to waft through the air.
"Oh?"
"It seems we've succeeded this time."
"Wow. Are these my pheromones?!"
"They are. The pheromones you were born with, Lady Aileen."
"Woah!"
The soft, sweet-feeling pheromones wrapped around my body like a warm blanket.
I jumped up and down, proud that I had finally done it. With this, I could learn the basics of beastification.
But at the same time, I couldn't shake a slightly strange feeling.
It was a completely different kind of pheromone from the one I had felt at first.
It didn't feel like this before. It's as if I have two types of pheromones in my body. Even though that should be impossible.
Should I say it felt like something else was hiding deep down inside me?
On the way back after the lesson.
I entered the mansion with a spring in my step.
I hadn't done much, but the sense of accomplishment from finally achieving something made me feel giddy.
*Grumble.* It hadn't been long since lunch, but my stomach already felt empty.
"Hmm. Why am I already hungry?"
My internal clock was usually so accurate I didn't even need to check the time.
It must have been from using my pheromones.
Would I get hungry faster if I used my pheromones often from now on?
"Young Lady. Would you like this?"
Mesis appeared from somewhere and held out his hand.
"Candy?"
"You should have something sweet when you're low on energy."
It was a milk-flavored candy wrapped in clear plastic.
"This is my favorite!"
I popped the candy into my mouth and savored it.
It wasn't very big to begin with, so the candy dissolved and disappeared quickly.
As I entered the mansion's lobby, I saw the elders gathering one by one.
"It seems there's a meeting today."
"Really? They always used to start in the morning."
"Sometimes they're held in the afternoon."
I sneaked a peek at the meeting room's interior.
I hadn't been inside yet.
It felt like a place I needed Kaide's permission to enter, so I had put it at the bottom of my list.
He had said it was an important place. As if drawn by an invisible force, I hovered near the meeting room.
I hid behind the door and peered inside, and Mesis copied me, hiding his body as well.
"I've never seen someone hide so openly. Are you doing this on purpose?"
"I am hiding."
"...Right."
Mesis looked as if he didn't understand the meaning of 'hiding', but his reply was dutifully the opposite.
Inside the meeting room, a long glass table sat in the center.
There was a large window on the wall, and flags bearing the family crest were set up at regular intervals.
It felt similar to the study, yet different.
What was a little strange was that the floor and walls seemed to be made of a slightly different material compared to the rest of the mansion.
I already knew the mansion was sturdily built, but the meeting room looked exceptionally robust.
...As if it were designed to prevent some kind of unfortunate incident.
No way, right? It's just a meeting room.
They wouldn't fight with brute force in there, would they?
I tried to ignore the image that popped into my head.
Just as I had finished looking around through the crack in the door.
Seeing that the seats at the table were almost full, I turned to leave.
*Thud.*
"Oof?"
Someone was standing behind me. At first, I thought I had bumped into Mesis, but he was standing guard by my side.
I turned my head to see who it was and found Kaide looking down at me.
"Papa?!"
"What are you doing here?"
"I was looking around."
"Why were you hiding while looking? That makes you look even more suspicious."
"...I'm not suspicious."
I wasn't trying to eavesdrop on the meeting, so being called suspicious felt unfair.
I was just going to take a quick peek and leave!
When I shook my head vigorously, insisting I wasn't suspicious, Kaide chuckled.
Then, he turned his gaze to Mesis.
"So you're Aileen's escort for the afternoon."
"Yes, that's correct."
"I see. You received a letter I haven't even gotten yet, I hear?"
"..."
"You must have been thrilled. To receive a letter written by Aileen herself."
Mesis's face turned pale.
...Oh, right. I hadn't written a separate letter to Kaide yet.
The longer Kaide's gaze lingered on him, the more Mesis sweated, looking troubled.
Did Kaide want to receive a letter, too?
I thought he wouldn't be interested in that sort of thing.
Since his daily work involved reading correspondence from outside, I assumed he'd dislike it.
I'll have to make sure to write him one next time.
"Why haven't you gone in yet, Gaju-nim? What are you doing out here?"
Baon, who was the last to enter the meeting room, stopped and asked.
It felt like I hadn't seen Baon in a very long time. How long has it been?
"Baon! Hi!"
"Oh, if it isn't the Young Lady. ...But what is everyone gathered here for? The meeting is about to start."
Baon showed us the watch on his wrist.
It was just past four o'clock.
The meeting was really about to start. It was a shame, but I had to stop looking and go back.
I'll ask Rosaria for a snack when I get to my room.
I waved goodbye to Kaide.
"Papa, bye-bye. Aileen is going now."
But Kaide didn't return my greeting; he just stared at me intently.