"How interesting. Truly interesting.
A Magister hiding his strength just to serve as a mere pawn under the Duke's eldest son."
On the road back to Heim Castle, Hel was still chatting with Sebas about what had happened earlier.
"A Magister-level mage?
Young master, could he be plotting against you? For someone to reach that level at such a young age, he must have had not only extraordinary talent but also immense cultivation resources."
"You're suggesting he has someone backing him? Doesn't matter — at least he's not one of the Duke's people.
Oh right, Sebas, have you ever heard of the School of Skull?"
"The School of Skoll?" Sebas paused at the mention of the long-forgotten name. His eyes softened with nostalgia as he replied,
"That's an ancient organization in the Scholarly Nation of Savant. They've long been dedicated to researching ways for mortals to transcend their limitations.
However, because their theories on bloodline modification conflicted with the Savant government's ethics, they were suppressed for a time.
Even so, their influence remains vast. They're still recognized as one of the Seven Great Schools of Savant."
"So, does this School of Skoll have any connection with our Heim family?"
Sebas looked startled. After hesitating for a while, he finally sighed and said,
"The former head of our house once studied at the Skoll Academy, which was founded by that very school."
Hel waited for more, but Sebas fell silent.
"That's it?" Hel asked doubtfully.
Sebas thought for a moment, then nodded. "That's it."
"So, the School of Skoll sent a Magister just to test me, simply because of that?"
"You mean that person earlier — he was from the School of Skoll?"
"Why else would I bring it up?"
Sebas fell into troubled silence before replying quietly,
"To tell you the truth, I wasn't supposed to share this. It's… not exactly a glorious story for the old master.
Before the former lord wandered into the Mandrake Principality, he once traveled through the Scholarly Nation and joined the School of Skoll as a student.
Back then, he was still a young man, and I… I was merely a lowly attendant by his side.
I remember that within the school, there was a young lady who was very close to him. They shared similar ideals and temperaments, and their relationship grew naturally from academic exchange… to something more.
Until one day, an accident drew them even closer — and they fell deeply in love."
"Don't tell me my grandmother was that young lady?"
"Of course not." Sebas shook his head with a faint, wistful smile.
"Their relationship was discovered by her father — the Chief of the School at the time, a peak-tier Grand Magister.
The old master, however, was just a fallen noble. Even with the power of a High Mage, he was nothing before that man.
Her father forbade the relationship and banished the old master from Skoll City.
Later, the old master endured countless hardships and managed to see the lady one last time.
He even begged her to elope with him… but she refused."
"If that's the case, my grandfather shouldn't have had any lingering ties with the School.
So why would they send someone here? And of all times, why now, when the Mandrake Principality is being invaded on all fronts?"
Hel stroked his chin, his expression clouded in thought.
"They must be looking for something… or someone.
Unless I'm that young lady's descendant, there's no reason for them to show up in a barren backwater like Heim — especially now."
"You can rest assured of that, young master. Your mother was born here, in Heim."
"Then it makes even less sense.
Unless my grandfather took something precious from that lady…
But that doesn't add up either. If he had, they'd have come for it long ago — no need to wait until now.
And that man they sent today — he didn't come to negotiate. He came to probe me.
I can't make sense of it. The more I think, the less it makes sense.
Ugh, forget it. If I keep this up, my brain's going to fry."
Hel sighed in frustration, pushing open the grand doors of Heim Castle and heading toward his room.
Behind him, Sebas gazed fondly at Hel's retreating figure and shook his head helplessly.
The young master really is still just a child.
But that's only natural — he is a child.
It's we, his retainers, who are incompetent, forcing Hel to pretend to be an adult before his time.
Looks like I'll have to work even harder…
Handle administration by day, train by night — as long as I don't die, I'll keep going.
And well, being undead does have its advantages. I don't get tired anyway.
Meanwhile, when Hel returned to her room, she was greeted by a baffling sight — Niv rolling around on her bed, hugging her pillow tightly.
"…And what exactly are you doing?"
Hel's expression darkened as she stared at Niv, at a complete loss for words.
Hearing Hel's voice, Niv's face flushed a light pink, but she quickly composed herself and replied with robotic seriousness:
"Niv is recording the master's remaining pheromone signature to determine whether the master's body exhibits any abnormalities."
"Are you sure about that?"
Hel's face turned several shades darker. "I could've sworn you weren't programmed with pervert mode."
"Yes, but earlier this morning, I observed a female human engaging in a similar behavior.
Based on her microexpressions, she appeared to greatly enjoy the act.
According to data analysis, the item likely belonged to someone she loved. Therefore, Niv concluded that this must be a form of romantic expression between couples."
"No. Just— no. Delete that memory immediately. That is not a form of romantic expression."
Hel sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead.
There were too many degenerates in Heim these days.
If Niv stayed around them any longer, she'd definitely get corrupted.
"Alright, enough about that. Since you're back, I assume you've finished the task I assigned?"
"Yes, master."
Niv stood up, stepping close to Hel with a hopeful look in her eyes, clearly asking for a head pat.
"Niv has successfully completed excavation of the tunnel connecting Heim Castle's underground to the goblin ruins.
The subterranean rail system is now fully constructed and ready for operation at any time."
"Mhm, mhm. Excellent work, Niv."