On a Saturday morning, Ansu was home as usual, cooped up and researching magic.
He sat cross-legged on the sofa with his eyes tightly shut, attempting to guide the faint, flickering trace of mana to project an invisible Shadow Bolt onto the punching bag opposite him.
But no matter how hard he tried, the Shadow Bolt refused to take shape...
【Shadow Bolt (1st Circle magic)】
【Unlearned (Learning Progress: 283/350)】
Although this progress was incredibly fast compared to a real magic practitioner, Ansu was still not quite satisfied.
After all, time was of the essence...
Meanwhile.
Vera, who was slumped over the table reviewing her schoolwork, watched Ansu as he gestured at the air and muttered to himself... her expression was one of pure helplessness.
My brother has been acting increasingly unhinged lately...
Although he kept saying this was all part of his work, what kind of respectable job looked like this? Why did he need to learn forbidden black magic?
Has her brother really joined an official secret organization, or is it some weird, rambling evil cult...
Feeling light-headed and mentally exhausted from his studies, Ansu stood up and walked to the table to take a sip of water.
He took the opportunity to check his sister's homework.
"Hmm, not bad."
Ansu glanced at the math exercise book and saw only one mistake on the entire page. He patted Vera's head. "As expected of my sister. You've caught up on the missed lessons in just a few days. Vera, you're so smart!"
"Brother..." Vera dodged Ansu's large hand and grumbled, "Stop treating me like a child! This curriculum is so simple, I can understand it just by looking at it!"
"Aren't you just a child?" Ansu chuckled at Vera's expression. "Fine, if you think the current lessons are too easy, I'll find some for the next level. Also, once I've arranged the enrollment procedures, you can go back to school."
Ansu had mentioned his sister's situation to Freya at school, and Freya had said it was a minor matter.
She would arrange for Vera to attend the best church school in Benalu City, with tuition completely waived. If Vera showed other talents, there would even be specialized tutors to help her.
"Brother... does that church friend of yours really have that kind of authority?" Vera couldn't help but be curious.
"That's Trinity Academy! It's a very prestigious middle school. I heard the Church's Holy Maiden studied there as well..."
"Don't worry about it," Ansu said with a smile. If the Holy Maiden herself couldn't handle such a small favor, she would be truly pathetic.
"Oh..." Vera nodded, then suddenly asked, "Brother, who exactly is this friend of yours working in the Church? Why haven't I seen them before?"
In all these years, she had never heard of her brother having any friends in the Church. How did his social circle suddenly become so well-connected?
"Well..." Ansu wasn't sure if he should tell her that it was the Holy Maiden who had found the school for her.
As he was thinking, a gentle knock came from the door.
Following it was a soft, pleasant female voice.
"Excuse me... is this the home of Ansu Morris?"
No need to hesitate anymore...
Ansu looked at Vera silently. "She's already here."
Vera froze. Why was it a woman's voice?
Ansu went forward to open the door. Standing there in a white dress with a gentle smile was Freya.
"Good morning, Ansu!"
She gave a polite greeting, then seeing Ansu's sister in the living room, she added, "I've already arranged everything for your sister's school. If there are no issues, she can start tomorrow. Also..."
Freya lowered her voice and winked at Ansu. "Regarding the three archbishops, there have been some developments..."
Ansu knew she was here to report on her task, so he nodded and politely invited her in.
As soon as Freya entered, she curiously scanned Ansu's home.
But as she looked around, her brow furrowed slightly.
She hadn't expected the home of the Chosen One... to be so impoverished.
Ansu invited Freya to sit on the worn fabric sofa. She sat down gently, looking at the old furniture and the peeling walls, feeling an indescribable emotion in her heart.
"Ansu, so you've been living in such tight conditions. Are you having some financial difficulties?"
Freya reached for her handbag. "I have some money here, if you don't mind..."
"I'd rather you didn't, I do mind..." Ansu looked at Freya helplessly, wondering why everyone who visited wanted to throw money at his house... How pathetic did his life look right now?
"Ah, you... you don't need it?"
Freya blinked, and Ansu's refusal immediately made her realize something.
Lord Ansu, as the Chosen One, shouldn't be short of money. It seemed he had deliberately chosen such a temporary residence...
The more Freya thought about it, the more convinced she became.
After all, she knew Ansu was currently undercover in an evil cult. Those despicable cultists lurked in the chaotic lower-class districts year-round, so his living here was definitely intentional...
Having reached this conclusion, Freya gave an apologetic smile and turned to look at Vera, who had quietly brewed some black tea.
"Ansu, your sister is very cute."
"Thank you for the compliment." Vera smiled as she pushed the tea toward her, while voicing the doubt in her heart, "Are you the church insider my brother mentioned? How did you and my brother meet?"
"We met at school," Freya explained. "We met because of Archbishop Paul's lecture. Ansu has very unique insights into theology, so we became friends. He recently told me about your difficulties with schooling..."
"Archbishop Paul's lecture?" Vera immediately sensed something was wrong. She looked at her brother suspiciously.
"Didn't Archbishop Paul only arrive at your school recently? That means you've only known each other for a few days?"
"Eh?" Freya blinked in surprise and looked at Ansu, wondering how his sister knew so much about the Royal Academy.
Ansu facepalmed. It was over...
He had almost forgotten that Vera paid very close attention to his academy life and social interactions...
He had been so focused on guarding against Celia that he thought Freya's visit today would be fine, but the sharp Vera had spotted the inconsistency immediately.
"Well... in any case, we haven't known each other for long," Ansu said, not wanting to lie since he couldn't hide it from this little detective anyway.
"But after Freya heard that you have a talent for the Holy Light, she was very proactive about your schooling. Vera, you should thank Ms. Freya."
"Yes." Vera nodded, looking at Freya with a sweet smile. "Thank you, Sister Freya!"
"You're welcome!" Freya looked at the seemingly well-behaved Vera, yet felt a strange sensation in her heart.
Why did it feel like Ansu's sister had a hint of hostility toward her...
How strange.
"I don't have much time. I came to see Ansu today because of an urgent matter." Freya pushed those strange thoughts aside; Vera was Ansu's sister, so the 'hostility' was probably just her imagination.
"Yeah, the soundproofing in the living room isn't great. Be careful, the walls have ears." Ansu glanced warily at the door and windows before heading straight to his room. "Let's talk in my room."
Freya stood up, followed Ansu to his room, and then gently closed the door.
Hearing the sound of Ansu's door being locked from the inside, Vera's eyes widened.
Wait, what...
What is going on??
Rate on N.U.
