Once inside the mansion, I started searching again for Beatrice's library. My goal was to find information on Yin and Yang magic.
On the way, I ran into Ram. She was carrying a pile of freshly washed laundry, and her expression was, as always, one of polite and distant coldness.
Ram: (Her gaze, as sharp as a blade's edge, measured me from head to toe.) "I saw you outside with Lady Emilia and Barusu. Have you taken up magic?"
Me: (I put on a confident look, ready to boast a little.) "Yes. Look at my two new companions."
I made my two lesser spirits, Nini and Tyler, appear, and they lit up timidly in the face of Ram's mana emanation.
Her eyes widened slightly for an instant-the surprise was genuine-but she regained her cold gaze almost instantly. The closest compliment I would get from Ram would be an absence of direct insult.
Me: "Meet Nini and Tyler."
Ram: (She scoffed, her tone imbued with controlled contempt.) "A beginner with Lesser Spirits. You really are Barusu's copy, but with a tiny bit more talent. Ram congratulates you... barely. Now, stop walking your furballs around the mansion. They might disturb the mansion's atmosphere."
Me: (I made a small, sarcastic bow, knowing that flattery was my best weapon against her.) "Of course, Great Ram. Your decision is my command. I have no intention of disturbing the divine order of your routine."
She seemed satisfied with my answer and my forced submission. I made my Lesser Spirits disappear, and she continued on her way.
Ram: "Make sure you are present for the inspection of your rooms at nightfall. And don't try to get lost in the corridors. Some places here are... older than others."
She walked past me, leaving me with that thinly veiled warning.
"She knows I'm looking for Beatrice, or at least she's aware of the strange nature of the mansion. It's one of my main goals now: to understand what makes Ram and Rem so hostile and show them I'm not a threat."
I resumed my walk, heading toward the only thing that could compete with the twins' hostility,the Forbidden Library.
(Time Skip...)
I expected it. After wandering through the mansion's corridors, opening random doors, I finally found the one that opened onto a wall of books: the Forbidden Library.
I ventured in, my eyes scanning the endless shelves. Beatrice was nowhere to be seen.
Beatrice: (Her voice echoed in the silence of the room, cold and imperious.) "What are you doing in Betty's library, human?"
A chill ran down my spine, and I jumped back. She had appeared behind me, with a severe look.
Me: (My face contorted with fear and surprise.) "Why do you do that, Beatrice? Can't you just arrive normally?"
Beatrice smiled, a condescending smile, and approached me. Immediately, my two Lesser Spirits, Nini and Tyler, appeared, positioning themselves between her and me to protect me.
Beatrice: (She squinted, confused, observing the tiny spirits.) "Now you have spirits, human? I underestimated you, I suppose. No matter. Give me your mana right now."
I was even more confused. Subaru had already fallen victim to this request.
Me: "Wh... why do you want my mana?"
Beatrice looked me straight in the eye, her expression growing more and more exasperated.
Beatrice: "Idiot! That's the price you pay for entering Betty's library without permission. And your cakes were stale. Now, hurry up, or I'll take it by force."
Me: "Okay, okay. But in exchange, you must answer one question. Can you tell me more about Yin and Yang magic?"
Beatrice: (She crossed her arms, her expression becoming even colder.) "Why would I help a human like you, I suppose? And you owe me a sweet treat."
"I forgot my promise! I'll have to make her pancakes with honey or caramel to make up for it, but first, let's negotiate."
Me: (I took a step forward, hands open in a sign of proposal.) "I'll make you one sweet treat per day, and in exchange, you teach me magic."
Beatrice tilted her head, a small, interested smile stretching her lips.
Beatrice: "Agreed. But I'll add a few conditions, in fact."
Me: "What?"
Beatrice: (She gave a smug smile, her little girl look transforming into that of a ruthless negotiator.) "I'll take your mana when Betty needs it, and you will clean Betty's library twice a day!"
I was furious. It was slavery disguised as apprenticeship, and cleaning this endless library was a life sentence. But if I wanted to uncover the secrets of Yin and access knowledge, I had to accept this rigged deal.
Me: (I forced a smile, bowing slightly.) "I accept. You teach me magic, and..."
Beatrice: (She cut off my sentence in a triumphant tone.) "You make me sweets, you clean Betty's library twice a day, and you give me your mana when I ask for it. Deal sealed... Apprentice..."
She waved her hand in front of me. I felt a powerful, cold suction in my body. My mana was torn away, not violently, but with fearsome efficiency. I staggered slightly, my body suffering the backlash of the drain. My two spirits, Nini and Tyler, flinched, trying in vain to repel the artificial Spirit's force.
Beatrice: (She nodded, satisfied with her "tax" and my title.) "Apprentice Trizz. Be happy Betty is nice to you. Now go to the kitchen, hum... I mean Trizz."
I had a contract, a teacher-and a heap of chores.
"My priorities are clear; survival, secrets of the past, and learning magic. But for now, I'm the personal slave of a loli librarian... I'll catch up later."
Me: (I caught my breath, my body feeling suddenly light and empty.) "Understood, Mistress Beatrice. The first sweet treat is coming."
I left the library, leaving behind the weight of the books and the shadow of a cursed contract.
(Time Skip...)
I moved away from the library and headed for the stairs. I needed to go down to the kitchen to prepare Beatrice's first "pancakes."
Something was wrong. My body reacted abruptly to avoid contact, as if I had anticipated imminent danger. I stepped aside and saw who was standing right in front of me,Rem.
I blushed with embarrassment, realizing my excessive reaction.
Me: "Hi, Rem, and sorry for my reaction..."
"Why is Rem so frightening? In my anime memories, Rem killed Subaru... but I don't remember why. Is it amnesia or the curse blocking the information?"
Rem: (She gave a warm, gentle smile, but her blue eyes remained icy, making the expression strangely unsettling.) "Good day, Trizz-sama. Please excuse me for frightening you. But what were you doing with Beatrice-sama? I thought I heard negotiation noises."
Me: (A bead of sweat trickled down my face. She was far too kind and far too curious.) "I made an agreement with her to learn magic, nothing more. And in exchange, I have to prepare her sweet treats."
I quickly changed the subject.
Me: "Hmm... Rem, could you show me the kitchen, please?"
"Why am I so uncomfortable around her? Do I smell the miasma like Subaru? Or is she the one sending me a danger signal?"
Rem: (Her smile did not waver.) "Go straight and turn left. You cannot miss it, Trizz-sama."
Me: "Thank you... Rem."
I walked faster and faster. I just wanted to be away from her. I was afraid of dying, I was afraid of death, I was afraid of Rem. With every step, my heart beat faster, cold sweat trickled down my forehead. My instinct was screaming at me to run.
I rushed in the direction Rem indicated, relieved to take to my heels. Survival instinct outweighed any magical negotiations or pleasantries.
I arrived in the kitchen, a vast, clean, and perfectly organized room.
The calm was, however, broken by a scene of ordered chaos ,Ram stood, arms crossed, with a look of deep contempt on her face. Across from her, Subaru was seated at a table, armed with a peeler, trying with visible frustration to peel a pile of potatoes. The scrap pile contained more potato flesh than the potatoes themselves.
Ram: (Her voice was icy and sarcastic.) "Barusu, half a potato should be enough for a week's mash. Did Ram explain how to use this simple tool, yes?"
Subaru: (He groaned, his forehead beaded with sweat.) "It's harder than it looks! These things are full of knots! And stop calling me Barusu!"
Me: (I couldn't help but laugh. The fear of Rem faded slightly before this scene of domestic humiliation.) "Oh my God! Subaru, you look like you fought an army of tubers."
Subaru: (He turned to me, looking relieved.) "Trizz! Thank God you're here. This is slavery! And you're walking around with flying spirits and courting Emilia-tan!"
Me: (I sighed, approaching Subaru and sitting on a stool.) "Don't talk to me about slavery. I also have a contract with the loli of the manor. I am now her slave disguised as an apprentice. Here's what I owe her, by the way"
I paused dramatically to look at Ram, making sure she was listening.
Me: "I have to provide one sweet treat a day, let her siphon my mana whenever she feels like it, and clean her infinite library twice a day... Twice, bloody times, a day!"
Subaru: (He dropped the peeler.) "Oh, you got ripped off! That's horrible!"
Ram: (She squinted, looking slightly less cold.) "Beatrice-sama's ability to detect the weakness of newcomers is remarkable. Ram is pleased that the library will finally be properly maintained."
Me: "That's kind, Ram. I appreciate your encouragement! Anyway. I need to start the first sweet treat so I don't suffer a Yin spell. What is quick to prepare and full of sugar?"
Subaru: (He shook his head, picking up the peeler.) "Start with pancakes, there's flour and eggs everywhere. But before that..."
Me: (I cut him off, a mischievous smile on my lips.) "Listen, Subaru, you're called Barusu here by Ram, so I'm going to call you by that nickname starting today. It's shorter."
Subaru: (He let out a cry of protest.) "No! Don't do that! Besides, it's not fair that I'm a victim plus a slave! I'm suffering enough with these potatoes!"
Me: "Hmm... you're right. Let's wait for Ram to find a nickname for me, then we'll call each other that. It will be fairer, Barusu."
Ram, who was listening to our exchange with polite indifference, frowned at the mention of finding a nickname for me.
Ram: (She looked at both of us, her tone full of disdain.) "Ram does not need to think of a nickname. Trizz is already ridiculous in itself. Furthermore, reversing it would result in a phonetic abomination. Don't worry, Trizz. Ram promises to find a nickname worthy of your stupidity."
Me: (I nodded, accepting the challenge.) "I look forward to it, Great Ram! Now, Subaru, put those potatoes aside, I need this table for the Mana Queen's pancakes."
Subaru sighed loudly and obeyed, moving the pile of peeled and mutilated potatoes.
I accepted the nickname challenge and ignored Ram's mockery.
I got to work, gathering the flour, eggs, and milk. I quickly prepared a thick pancake batter, adding a good amount of sugar and vanilla. I wanted the first offering to be irresistibly sweet.
Ram watched me out of the corner of her eye, visibly surprised by the efficiency and cleanliness of my work, a skill that contrasted sharply with Subaru's incompetence.
(A few minutes later...)
The first pancakes, golden and fluffy, came out of the oven. I generously spread butter and maple syrup that I had found. I arranged them on a tray with a small teapot.
Me: "There you go, the first tax is ready. Beatrice won't be able to resist this."
Subaru: (He inhaled the air.) "Wow, that smells great. You're really good at cooking, Trizz. I hope she appreciates it."
Ram: (She gave an imperceptible nod.) "It is... acceptable. Ram could not have done better with the available ingredients."
Me: "That's the highest compliment you'll ever give me, Ram. Thank you."
I took the tray. Now that the pancakes were ready, it was time to return to the source of knowledge. I couldn't put off examining my personal belongings any longer, but I had a contract to honor.
I headed for the kitchen exit.
Me: "I'll be back after I deliver this. Barusu, try not to amputate yourself with the peeler in my absence."
Subaru: "Go to hell, Trizz!"
(Time Skip...)
I made my way through the mansion corridors, tray in hand, looking for the random door that would lead to the Forbidden Library.
I had the tray, I just had to find the right door.
Strangely enough, the first door I opened was the correct one. I found myself instantly in the Forbidden Library. Beatrice was sitting on her stool, her black book on her lap. She was waiting for me. She quickly approached me to take the dish.
Beatrice: "Finally! You're really slow as a cook. Give me that dish, hum... I mean, Trizz."
"Why the hell did I accept that offer? The cleaning of the library..."
She started eating the pancake. Her eyes shone with joy. She chewed slowly, savoring the sweet taste.
Beatrice: "That's pretty good, apprentice. Betty accepts this first tax. Now, Betty will teach you the basics of Yin magic."
She took another bite before walking over to me.
Beatrice: "Take a deep breath. Yin magic comes from your Gate, not from outside. Use your focus to form a simple blinding spell "Shamak!"
I took a deep breath and shouted the spell's name.
Me: "Shamak!"
The entire library was instantly filled with thick black smoke. It wasn't Subaru's weak, unstable mist; it was a dense cloud that covered everything, reducing visibility to zero.
Me: (Worried, coughing in the smoke.) "Beatrice, are you okay?"
With a wave of her hand, Beatrice cleared the smoke, revealing the room.
Beatrice: (She stared at me, her expression a mix of disdain and a hint of surprise.) "Your pathetic magic can't do anything to Betty, in fact. However... your spell is stable and powerful for a beginner. You succeeded, apprentice."
I felt a surge of hope. My Gate was healthy, my Pure Mana was effective. I had an advantage over Subaru.
Me: "Thank you, Mistress Beatrice. Since I succeeded in my first spell... you agreed to answer my question. Why is my mana so pure? And do you know anything about the cause of my memory loss?"
Beatrice stopped eating the pancake, her expression becoming serious. She squinted, gauging me intently.
Beatrice: "Hmm. Your mana is unusual. Extremely rare in this country. Betty has never seen a Gate so... impeccable. That might explain why the Lesser Spirits chose you so quickly, I suppose."
She took a deep breath, her little nose twitching, and stepped back.
Beatrice: "As for your memory loss, I know nothing about it. But..."
She tilted her head, her gaze suddenly more penetrating, and an expression of disgust contorted her face.
Beatrice: "... There is something else. You give off a nauseating and intimidating odor. It is a very dangerous and frightening emanation, even though you yourself seem harmless."
"A nauseating and intimidating odor? That's what Rem smells, that's why she's scared! But why do I have this?"
Beatrice: (She continued, crossing her arms protectively.) "It is for this reason that Puck is so alert in your presence next to Emilia. He senses the threat this emanation represents, and he wants to protect his Lia. You had better not get too close to her or sensitive people if you don't want trouble, in fact."
I took note of the warning, my heart tightening. This "odor" was my greatest threat.
Me: "I understand, Mistress Beatrice. I will be careful."
Beatrice: "Good. Now, get out! And don't forget your contract!"
I left the library, the weight of the new information and future chores on my shoulders. It was time to process it all.
(Time Skip...)
The rest of the afternoon was a blur. I returned to my room, avoiding Rem as much as possible, my thoughts swirling around the Pure Mana and the Dangerous Odor. I couldn't put off my personal investigation any longer.
I arrived in my room, locked the door, and sat on the bed. I took out the wallet and phone from my pocket. The twilight filtered through the window.
I decided to take the time to examine my belongings. I picked up the phone. It was charged, but there was no signal. The clock displayed a recent date,today.
Searching the wallet, I found the photo intact. But where I should have found an ID card, there was a strange object; a small, polished white stone, which seemed to absorb the light.
I put down the wallet, my attention turning to the phone screen. I unlocked it and opened the "Notes" app.
Only one document was there, titled: "Instructions."
I didn't have time to open the document. The fatigue of the day, the shock of Beatrice's mana drain, and the stress of the Dangerous Odor took their toll. My eyelids became heavy.
I lay down, the phone in my hand, and fell into a deep sleep, exhausted by my adventures.
(Time Skip: Several Days Later)
The following days, my existence was punctuated by exhausting but productive servitude. I trained with Beatrice in the library, learning Yin and Yang magic. She was a ruthless teacher, demanding perfection in exchange for my pancakes. My pure Gate absorbed and released energy with disconcerting ease, and I progressed by leaps and bounds.
I had learned to invoke basic Yin effects (Shamak, for illusion and fog) and to use Yang for enhancement (Akra, for strength).
On the fifth day, my two Lesser Spirits transformed, becoming Quasi-Spirits. Nini, my Yin spirit, took on an increasingly darker shade of white, symbolizing shadow and manipulation. Tyler, my Yang spirit, shone with a bright glow, promising light and strength. They were now capable of slightly enhancing my spells.
(Time Skip: That Night)
That night, I left the library, utterly exhausted.
Me: "I'm so tired my body could give out on me at any moment."
I walked down the dimly lit corridors, each step requiring a monumental effort. That's when I heard it.
A metallic sound, heavy and sinister. The sound of chains dragging on the stone floor.
My body shivered. My heart started beating three times faster than usual. My survival instinct, the very one that screamed at me to run away from Rem, activated. I tried to dodge, to dive to the side, but my body was no longer obeying me. I was too slow, too tired, too drained from training.
I took the full force of the blow.
An agonizing pain, dull then exploding into a thousand icy shards. I heard a horrifying crunch. My ribs shattered into a myriad of sharp pieces. The impact spun me around.
I collapsed to the floor.
For a moment, I felt my limbs, then nothing. I sat up, the shock making me ignore the pain for a split second, and I realized the horror.
My left arm was ripped off. My right foot was gone, leaving only a bloody stump.
Me: "It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts! I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die!"
The salty, metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth. I couldn't breathe. Panic overwhelmed me, a wave of adrenaline mixing with the unimaginable pain. The horror of seeing myself mutilated, of feeling life drain away, was stronger than anything.
In this state of shock and absolute terror, I felt an immense bloodlust and pure anger behind me. It was a demonic presence, devoid of any humanity, whose sole purpose was to end my existence.
Before I could even let out a final scream of pain, a dull, massive crash. A morning star smashed down on my head.
The light disappeared.
I was dead.
End of Chapter IV: Beatrice's Apprentice