Adrian stepped into the dim light of the Arcadelt Vault, his glasses reflecting the cyan glow of the spatial artifact. His white magic robes fluttered softly as he walked with a calm, calculated stride.
"Adrian," I said, leaning on Chloe as I stood upright. "You breached the defensive wards of my family estate."
"Breached? No, Lady Rosel. I merely followed the trail of unstable mana radiating from your body," Adrian replied, a faint, unnerving smile appearing on his lips. He adjusted his glasses with a slender finger. "Ever since the greenhouse incident, your soul's resonance hasn't matched the natural physical structure of Rosel von Arcadelt."
I stiffened. *This guy... he noticed already?!*
*Ping!*
[Reading Adrian's Thoughts...]
*‘Her soul signature is completely alien... It’s beautiful. It doesn't belong to this world at all. I want to dissect her secrets. I want to be the only one who understands the true structure of her mind...’*
*ANOTHER FREAK! WHY IS EVERYONE IN THIS NOVEL ACQUIRING UNHINGED OBSESSIONS?!*
Chloe stepped in front of me instantly, her eyes glowing dangerous crimson as dark wind blades hovered around her shoulders. "Step back, magician. One more step and I will tear your mana core to pieces."
"Fascinating," Adrian murmured, not looking at Chloe's blades at all. His dark gaze remained fixed entirely on me. "A scholarship student wielding corrupted wind magic to protect a villainess whose soul belongs to another dimension. What a delicious anomaly."
"What do you want, Adrian?" I asked coldly, holding Chloe's shoulder to keep her from attacking.
"A simple exchange," Adrian said, taking a leather-bound journal from his robes. "I won't report this vault or your alien soul to the Magic Tower or the Emperor. In return, you will grant me exclusive research access to your spatial magic—and allow me to assist you in deciphering that artifact."
"And if I refuse?"
Adrian's smile widened slightly. "Then Prince Leo might discover that his beloved bride-to-be isn't the real Rosel."
* **[User_OrangeCat]:** *BRO IS BLACKMAILING ROSEL! CHLOE, SLICE HIM!*
* **[User_YuriSimp]:** *DON'T LET HIM TOUCH OUR QUEEN!*
* **[User_LocalObserver]:** *Actually, having the Magic Tower's top genius on our side makes solving the System quest much faster.*
I bit my lip, weighing my options. Fighting Adrian here would collapse the vault and alert the guards.
"Fine," I growled, glaring at him. "We have a deal. But if you try anything beyond research, Chloe won't be the only one trying to kill you."
"A fair contract," Adrian bowed elegantly. "I look forward to studying you, my lady."