ITIMLT 05

Chapter 05

But it didn’t take long for Roana to change.

She whispered to Irina:

“Poor miss, Lord Adel dislikes you. He’s given up so much because of you.”

“You’re nothing but a burden to Lord Adel. So don’t bother him.”

“You can’t even hold a proper sword. It’s no wonder Lord Adel is ashamed of you.”

As Irina stayed with Roana, she spoke less and less. She couldn’t say she disliked something, fearing her father would hate her.

“Did you know Ezekiel was disciplined at the academy?”

“Ezekiel?”

“Yes, I heard he got into a fight because of you.”

“Because of me?”

“There’s a group that dislikes young master Ezekiel. They know you’re the family’s failure. Now Ezekiel probably hates you too.”

Irina didn’t notice how strange Roana’s words were.

She didn’t realize Roana’s gaze was chillingly cold.

But even young Irina eventually sensed something was off.

Ezekiel left for the academy completely, and Fenrir came to find Irina.

At first, Fenrir teased her lightly like the others.

“Half-breed, you’re the shame of our family.”

Irina didn’t mind much then. Many adults called her half-breed.

“They didn’t say it openly, but I knew what they said behind my back.”

But Fenrir’s bullying grew harsher.

“Roana neglected him. She never disciplined Fenrir when he harassed me.”

Though her tutor, Roana seemed to care more for Fenrir.

Even when Fenrir blatantly bullied Irina, Roana ignored it.

She even defended Fenrir.

“Young master Fenrir may be mischievous, but he’s important. You must endure it.”

Fenrir began hitting and pushing Irina more often, with frequent curses.

One day, he didn’t just push her as usual—he cut her hair.

Even used to Fenrir’s bullying, Irina was shocked.

“Ha ha ha, fitting for someone as worthless as you. Ugly suits you.”

Her long hair down to her waist was suddenly cut short to her shoulders.

But Roana only whispered:

“Say you cut it yourself. If you say Fenrir did it, Lord Adel won’t do anything.”

“But my hair…”

“What’s wrong with it? It suits you, like young master said.”

Irina only realized after being captured by evil god worshippers and regaining memories from her past life.

Roana never cared for her, not once.

---

Irina regained consciousness late at night.

The nightmare’s shadow lingered.

“Yes, those people existed.”

She still couldn’t forget those times.

She woke but kept her eyes closed, pretending to sleep.

Because of the voices nearby.

“Lord Adel, don’t worry. Talk with Lord Arte. I’ll take care of Lady Irina.”

A familiar voice.

“I can never forget it.”

A voice unforgettable for reasons different from Adel’s.

“Long time no see, Roana.”

Meeting the nightmare’s main character so soon felt strange.

Somehow, even pleasant.

“But…”

“Lord Adel, Lady Irina needs rest. You can’t delay talking with Lord Arte—it’s about her.”

“You’re always a burden.”

“No, Lady Irina is precious to me too.”

Roana answered, blushing.

Her gentle voice sounded genuinely caring.

Still, Adel hesitated.

He worried about leaving Irina alone without family when she woke.

But Roana’s words convinced him.

“You must find a way to heal Lord Arte and Lady Irina. When she wakes, I’ll send a maid immediately.”

Now unable to use divine power, healing Irina’s body required an excellent mage’s help.

“But finding a mage who can heal Irina is harder than healing her with divine power.”

To purify the turbid energy in Irina’s body, a high priest would suffice.

But driving it out with magic required a grand mage.

There were only three grand mages—eight-ring mages—in the empire, all unfriendly with the Ledders family.

Thinking of this darkened Adel’s face.

“Not sure if they’ll help…”

Being an elder of the Mage Tower, Arte might be persuaded to request help on their behalf.

“Then, I entrust Irina to you.”

Adel spoke politely and left.

---

Irina wiggled her fingers.

Mana seemed somewhat restored; she had strength to move.

“Thank goodness. I’m not in the worst shape.”

She didn’t want to be immobile alone with Roana.

She tried to use mana.

But turbid energy blocked mana flow.

“I must solve this turbid energy problem.”

If turbid energy accumulates, mana use causes bleeding and heavy strain.

“It’s not impossible. I can get help from a grand mage.”

Irina knew the future.

By now, family head Kalios would have returned.

Kalios was Irina’s only way to meet a grand mage in her current state.

He had an alliance with Duke Kania, one of the grand mages.

“Duke Kania was favored by my grandfather when young. I can use that to meet him.”

Even without turbid energy, Irina had reason to go to Duke Kania’s house.

She wouldn’t let the evil god worshippers who ruined her life go unchallenged.

Even if she couldn’t stop all their evil deeds, she’d interfere as much as possible.

To do that, she needed allies.

“Diego and Kedric are now with Count Frye, a relative of Duke Kania.”

They were very important in fighting the evil god worshippers.

So going to Duke Kania’s was not a choice but a necessity.

Irina concluded:

“First, I must attract grandfather’s attention. He might have even forgotten I exist.”

At that moment, noisy sounds came as someone opened the door.

“What? You’re fine? Who lied to me?”

“Young master Fenrir!”

“The brat said she was sick. Why does she look so fine?”

It was Fenrir, Haman’s son and the family troublemaker.

Fenrir complained to Roana.

“I came to see how sick she really was. This is boring.”

Roana answered kindly.

“Though she looks fine outside, it’s not true inside. Don’t worry.”

“Is that so? I hope so.”

“Yes, I heard she awakened mana and divine power doesn’t work anymore. She’s finished.”

“Has she turned to worship the evil god?”

“There’s talk about that. Awakening mana suddenly is strange. There’s also talk about a seven-ring mage appearing, but it’s probably a lie to cover things up.”