After sending Vivian off, Hel felt like she had forgotten something.
However, it was already late, so she decided to return to her room and sleep.
Meanwhile, Witt, who had been thrown into the castle dungeon, curled up helplessly in a corner, hugging his knees.
He sneezed violently.
"Achoo~ That brat must have forgotten about me.
Oh no… am I really going to be hung on the castle wall tomorrow?
Achoo~"
…
The next day at noon, after lunch, Hel suddenly remembered what she had forgotten.
She went to the castle dungeon and saw Witt crouched in the corner, boredly counting ants.
"Mr. Witt, what refined tastes you have. Looks like I arrived a bit early," Hel said, opening the cell door and walking over to him.
"It's truly an honor… I didn't expect the Count himself to visit. I thought today I'd be strung up on the wall," Witt said bitterly, clearly frustrated by his life in the dungeon.
When he turned his head, showing his bruised face, Hel understood his mood.
"Well, yes, but I want to know what happened here," Hel said, pointing at his battered appearance with a hint of amusement.
"It's because the Count is so beloved by the people. As soon as they heard I was an assassin sent to kill you, they wanted to tear me apart alive," Witt explained.
"Sorry, the townsfolk can be a little overenthusiastic," Hel said.
"Overenthusiastic is putting it mildly," Witt muttered, but when he saw Hel came alone, he couldn't help but smirk.
Too naive. Approaching a fourth-rank powerhouse without even a guard? Did she not fear he might attack?
Foolish little brat… today Uncle Witt is going to teach you a lesson.
"Count, you really think sealing a mage's magic makes him safe?" Witt said.
"So?" Hel smiled at him.
"So, young master, you really don't understand the dangers of this world.
Do you know about the alchemical artifact called the Philosopher's Stone?
It allows one to cast spells above their level, even if the caster's elemental power is completely sealed."
He proudly displayed a blood-red stone in his hand:
"Unfortunately for you, young master, I happen to possess a small piece of the Philosopher's Stone—and, as luck would have it, I'm a genuine mage."
"So, that's impressive?" Hel looked at the tiny, bean-sized stone with disdain.
She was sure the soul energy inside didn't exceed a hundred units; enough to maybe cast a mid-level spell, not much else.
She didn't waste time and immediately created a magic array at her feet:
[High-Grade Elemental Magic: Anti-Magic Field]
"What?" Witt was stunned. Since when was elemental power so cheap?
And this little kid could cast high-level magic?
The mental pressure Hel had released earlier—enough to make him feel uneasy—did that mean she had reached fifth rank?
A teenage kid with fifth-rank power? That's unheard of. Even with the Heim family's former wealth, she shouldn't have reached this level at her age—unless her elemental affinity was absolutely exceptional.
Guaranteed saint rank, maybe more.
Seeing this, Witt laughed maniacally, a bizarre sound that left Hel confused.
After a moment, Witt recovered and, abandoning his usual nonchalance, knelt on one knee in sheer ecstasy.
"I am Witt, paying respects to the young master, willing to serve you loyally!"
"What?!" Hel was slightly embarrassed at Witt kneeling before her. What a contrast!
Wasn't he just boasting about showing her the dangers of society? And now… this?
Worse, Hel noticed that Witt now had 60 loyalty points toward her. What was this? He hadn't even done anything yet, and he'd already self-converted?
"Forget it. With a suspicious guy like you, I might as well hang you on the city wall," Hel said.
"No, young master! I truly wish to surrender," Witt quickly tried to cling to her leg in plea, but Hel deftly dodged.
She looked at him with a hint of disdain:
"I don't understand. Why do you want to serve me? Weren't you supposed to be with the eldest son?"
"Ah… you see, all this commotion… I just wanted to test your abilities, young master," Witt explained.
"Test?" Hel smirked slightly, immediately revealing his identity.
"So the Skoll School sent you?"
"Uh-haha, I didn't expect my identity would be seen through by the young master. There's nothing left to hide.
Yes, I'm from the Skoll School. My father was an old friend of your grandfather. Back then, your grandfather invited him to join an expedition, but he had a family, so he declined. Still, they remained close friends.
When trouble arose in the Mandrake Duchy, they sent me to escort you to the Scholars' Kingdom."
"And the test before?"
"That's because your grandfather had offended many in the Scholars' Kingdom.
If you had no talent, I would have taken you to the capital of the Sacrificial Kingdom for safety.
If your talent was decent, I would bring you back to the Skoll School, under Lady Viola's protection for the best training.
But judging by your talent, my previous actions were unnecessary. You don't need any faction. The future you… is the strongest support."
Even kneeling on one knee, Hel could see in Witt's eyes his fanatical worship of her.