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I briefly glanced around.

The edge of the lakeside. A dirt road filled only with lush greenery.

Perhaps it was because the family’s estate was so vast. Not a single soul was in sight nearby.

“You were taking a walk here?”

Layla responded with a bright smile.

“Of course.”

I scoffed inwardly at her shameless reply.

I knew she had been following me since I left the banquet hall. She waited until I deliberately entered the deserted forest path before appearing.

Layla looked around and took a step closer.

“Ruin.”

Layla’s voice became subtly sweet, and her tone changed.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“You’re only acknowledging me now.”

“You’ve changed so much that I almost didn’t recognize you.”

What a cunning woman.

“Yes, it’s been a while, Layla.”

But when it comes to cunningness, the Crazy Mage, yours truly, is second to none.

I also smiled and extended my hand to Layla. You wouldn’t have known that I’m this cunning, no matter how cunning you are.

Layla took my hand and laughed.

“You’ve really changed a lot. You used to have trouble even making eye contact.”

When I didn’t answer, Layla’s smile deepened.

“I never thought you’d become so bold. Honestly, I was a bit surprised during your spar with Moose. What happened to you?”

“What happened to me?”

“Don’t play dumb. You were extraordinary in the arena earlier. You must have trained a lot?”

While speaking, Layla examined me closely from head to toe.

“It’s amazing. Did you receive training from the Red Magic Tower? Did Hector help you or something?”

“…”

I deliberately continued not to answer. For now, Layla thinks I’m the Ruin of the past. And since this is the first time I’ve seen Layla, she doesn’t know our relationship. There’s no need to utter unnecessary words.

Perhaps my expression was too serious, Layla suddenly muttered.

“You used to try so hard to get my attention, but now you don’t even answer. Yeah, you probably don’t want to talk about it. I understand.”

“…”

“Are you upset that I left Samael, Ruin?”

Her tone was somewhat strange. I made eye contact with Layla and realized the relationship between her and me.

‘Bullshit.’

I laughed inwardly.

I knew how Layla had seduced and used this body in the past.

“Why aren’t you answering? Do you not want to talk to me?”

Layla’s eyes narrowed slightly.

She’s a cunning woman with sharp instincts.

If I dragged this on any longer, she might get suspicious. I decided to play along, channeling the persona of a heartbroken Crazy Mage.

“Yes, you ungrateful bitch. I told you to wait. That I would change. Do you think I trained like crazy to see myself like this? I fed you and gave you a place to sleep, and you betrayed me and joined Urgon? Did you think you’d be safe after that? Let’s settle this here, you cunning woman.”

“…Oh.”

Suddenly, Layla widened her eyes and burst into laughter.

“That’s our Ruin.”

The tension in Layla’s eyes as she looked at me dissipated.

Layla laughed heartily for a while, as if she was pleased, then looked at me with a hint of disdain.

“I’ll give you a chance, Ruin. You can join us too.”

“Join what?”

“You can join me.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Do you think I joined Urgon for no reason? You know, nothing ever works out in Samael.”

“Are you suggesting that I join Urgon?”

“Why not, Ruin? Did you suddenly develop some affection for Samael? That’s disappointing. Have you forgotten how you used to curse them, saying we’re in the same boat?”

So, this woman was casually suggesting that the eldest son of Samael, me, leave the family.

I wasn’t sure who was the bigger fool, me or Layla, but she clearly saw me, the Crazy Mage, the leader of the Crazy Mage Squad, as a pushover.

I pretended not to know and tested Layla. I was curious to see how much she knew.

“The Red Magic Tower has decided to support Samael.”

Layla let out a chuckle.

“You believe that? I heard Hector returned to the main tower. They’re probably trying to back out. Do you think Urgon will leave Samael alone? You’re so naive.”

I responded with a seemingly urgent expression.

“Are you saying Urgon will accept me? How can I believe that?”

Layla turned around, then looked back at me with a smile.

“If you’re sincere, why wouldn’t they accept you? They’ll welcome you since you know Red Magic Tower magic. Urgon has never had any connection with the Red Magic Tower.”

“…”

“Of course, you’ll need my help. Since you’re of Samael bloodline, it’ll be a bit tricky. Urgon won’t easily trust you.”

“What do you want me to do?”

The cunning woman’s smile deepened.

“Are you saying you want my help?”

The cunning man responded.

“If it means I can be with you.”

The cunning woman revealed her true colors.

“Then I have a condition. There will be a day during the banquet when you can go outside. At that time, feed this to Arin.”

I looked at the small pill, about the size of a fingernail, that Layla handed me and asked.

“What is this?”

Layla’s eyes momentarily turned vicious.

“It’s the key to you joining me. I’ll see your sincerity.”

Layla disappeared into the bushes, speaking sweetly.

“I’ll be looking forward to it, Ruin.”

I stood still until the rustling bushes fell completely silent.

Only the sound of the waves of the Western Lake lapping in the night breeze could be heard.

* * *

Back in my room, I sat at the table and examined the pill Layla had given me.

When I applied heat with my fingertips, a small amount of powder came off. It had no smell.

I spilled some water onto the table and brushed off the powder from my hand.

The powder dissolved instantly upon contact with the water.

Colorless and odorless.

The water remained unchanged.

I lightly touched the water with the tip of my tongue, tasted it, and swallowed. The water had a subtle, unpleasant taste.

I opened my Circle and used mana to move the impurities within my body to my fingertip.

“Water Drop.”

Yellowish droplets fell from my fingertip.

I looked at the discolored water droplets, smelled them, and suddenly let out a hollow laugh.

“She is one cunning bitch.”

There was no lethal toxicity.

It wasn’t a poison that would harm the body, but rather a crude concoction that would, at most, cause discoloration, blisters, or a rash.

I had a rough idea. The use of such a concoction was limited. The most likely place for a reaction would be…

‘The face, of course.’

So this was just Layla acting out of jealousy.

Urgon or not, she clearly approached me with whatever nonsense came to mind. No wonder it felt so flimsy.

I lay down on the bedding for a moment, pondering. Was there another motive? For something Layla did, it seemed too straightforward.

Then I shook my head.

‘There’s no other intention.’

No matter how much I thought about it, there wasn’t. I was just being played for a fool.

It was a night where even the moonlight shining through the window felt cunning.

* * *

The same routine repeated for several days: duels during the day and socializing in the evenings. The outline of the duels was gradually becoming clear.

At first, everyone participated enthusiastically, but as the skill differences became apparent, fewer and fewer people joined.

Eventually, only a small number of people remained, repeatedly engaging in duels.

Moreover, most of them were Urgon magicians.

It was mainly a show of duels between the members of the Red Phoenix Division, especially the young mages who participated in the Demon Realm expedition.

There was no one particularly outstanding, but everyone had a decent grasp of the basics.

Meanwhile, Taylor and Blair diligently participated in the duels. While they were dueling, I focused solely on observing Urgon’s movements.

There was nothing particularly suspicious.

The duels were conducted fairly, and everyone was busy socializing during the banquets.

Then one evening, during the banquet…

The external affairs manager appeared in the banquet hall, drawing everyone’s attention, which was unusual.

“Distinguished guests. The banquet will be temporarily suspended for one day tomorrow. There will be an important meeting within the family, so we ask for your understanding. You may either stay in the annex under our supervision or spend the day in Shan Kris.”

Someone asked.

“Does that mean there will be no duels?”

“That’s correct. Please consider it a day of rest. Those who wish to rest in the annex may do so, and those who wish to go to Shan Kris must return by tomorrow morning.”

I originally intended to stay, curious about what tricks the Urgon people might be up to, but the next day, seeing soldiers swarming around the annex, I changed my mind.

“Let’s go get some fresh air.”

Taylor and Blair followed.

I glanced at Arin, who was squatting in a corner.

“You’re coming too.”

“…”

“We’re going to have braised carp.”

As we left the annex, Arin also trailed along, matching our pace.

I deliberately walked along the lakeside of Shan Kris’ Eastern Lake until late in the evening, heading towards a familiar tavern as the moonlight filled the sky.

The cheerful owner greeted us.

“A party of four? Ah, it’s you folks from before. Did you enjoy the banquet?”

“You were right, owner.”

“What did I say?”

“The food at Urgon couldn’t compare to your braised carp.”

The owner burst into hearty laughter.

“Hahahaha. That’s music to my ears. What did I tell you? Nothing beats our braised carp.”

“Make it spicy today too, please. And a glass of moonshine as well.”

“Of course. Just wait a moment.”

I was about to take a seat at a small table when I suddenly glanced to the right.

In the empty tavern, there was just one other customer.

‘Hmm.’

A middle-aged man with white hair was sitting alone, sipping moonshine.

His back looked somewhat familiar.

I tilted my head for a moment, surprised to see him drinking in such a place. Not wanting to get involved with the middle-aged man, I said while looking at the kitchen.

“Perhaps it’s better if we come back later.”

The owner smiled and replied.

“Just take a seat. I’ll even give you a few bottles of moonshine for free today.”

“We’ll come back another time.”

As I turned to leave, a voice came from the side.

“Stay and sit down. There’s no need to feel uncomfortable because of me.”

“…”

The middle-aged man with white hair slowly turned his gaze towards me.

His blue eyes sparkled behind his monocle.

“Ruin, was it?”

I stopped and met Elder Parin’s gaze.

I had revealed my name at the duel, but I didn’t expect him to remember.

Elder Parin poured some moonshine into a cup and offered it to me.

“Would you like a drink?”

———-