The Master of Language - T.M.L Chapter 2 (Part 2):

“…..”

He stopped moving and his expression hardened.

I quickly added.

“If I’ve offended you, you don’t have to answer.”

The Count started moving his hands again.

“No, I’m not offended. I was just surprised. It’s not something a fourteen-year-old would say.”

To think that expressionless face was a surprised expression.

His saying he was surprised surprised me more.

I spoke honestly.

“I feel like you’re being kind to me because I used magic. Is that right?”

Count Furst looked at me.

I always thought his eyes were cold, but they weren’t just that.

They were just rational.

“Yes.”

I asked my next question.

“So if I can’t use magic, will you abandon me? Or kill me?”

“……”

His silence suggested I had guessed correctly.

I would like a reward, but the atmosphere felt too tense, so I quickly added.

“I’m just worried that I might not be able to use magic.”

Count Furst looked at me, then got up as if he had lost interest.

“Don’t worry. You can use magic. I’ll go meet with the captain for a bit. Stay put and be quiet.”

He said casually and left the room.

Thud.

The only sound in the room was the creaking of the ship.

I lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

What’s going on?

And what were those dreams I had?

They were so vivid I could see them clearly even with my eyes closed.

The knowledge flooding my mind is indescribable with words.

I don’t understand anything. It feels like recalling a blurry picture.

One thing is certain, it’s related to my newfound ability to use magic.

A mage.

I’ve heard of them but never seen one.

They don’t age, live for hundreds of years, breathe fire from their hands, and fly through the sky.

Did I really use magic?

“No, I must have. I must use it to survive! First, I need to confirm for sure if I can really use magic.”

I glanced around the room.

The neatness of the room showed how clean the Count was.

On a ship with limited water for drinking, let alone washing, how could he keep his room so clean?

As I scanned the room, something caught my eye.

“A necklace.”

The green jewel in the center looked valuable at first glance.

It must be very expensive if it belongs to someone like the Count.

I decided to try magic.

I took a deep breath and reached out to the necklace.

Nothing happened, of course.

“No way. I should definitely be able to do it. The Count might have stopped the weapons, but I threw Oshalo and the captain. If I could throw that heavy Oshalo, I should be able to handle a small necklace.”

I focused intently on the necklace.

Its color, shape, and pattern.

I glared at it, burning the image into my mind.

Then I reached out my hand.

Tap.

The necklace floated slightly and then fell.

“Wow. It really works… Ugh.”

It felt like someone had stuck a straw in my temple and was sucking my brain out.

An excruciating headache beyond bearing.

“Ugh. Ugh.”

It overwhelmed the pain in my thigh instantly.

Even I, used to pain from my life as a slave, found it hard to endure.

After a while, the pain drained away, leaving my body weak, and the headache disappeared as if it had evaporated.

Naturally, I noticed my shirt was soaked with blood.

“Wha-What is this…?”

That’s why I felt warmth.

Blood from my thigh wouldn’t have reached this high, so it was a nosebleed.

When I touched under my nose, my fingers came away stained with bright red blood.

At that moment, the door opened and Count Furst entered.

“I had a good talk with the captain… Did you use magic again?”

I smiled wryly.

“I just wanted to try. To see if I really could.”

He frowned deeply.

“You’re in a state where you might not survive even if you focus entirely on recovery. And you used magic? Do you have a death wish?”

His genuine anger made me realize my mistake.

I replied calmly.

“I didn’t want to deceive the Count who has been so kind to me. It’s not in my nature to pretend I can do something I can’t.”

His expression softened.

“You can practice magic after you survive. You’ll get plenty of chances. Don’t worry.”

I carefully asked,

“Did the business you went on go well?”

The Count sat down in a chair and answered.

“You are now completely mine. But you can’t go on deck. Stay in this room until we reach our destination.”

He must have paid the captain.

I bowed my head for a moment.

If he could buy me, couldn’t he buy another slave?

Even if just to gauge how benevolent he is towards me, it’s worth asking.

I made up my mind and looked directly at him.

“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble for the Count, could you perhaps buy one more slave?”

Thump.

Thump.

Thankfully.

Seeing his smile, he seemed to like me quite a bit.

Or he had enough money that buying another slave was no big deal.

Probably both.

“Do you have a friend you’ve gotten close to in the past month?”

I nodded repeatedly.

“Oshalo. Along the coast, he rowed my share, and in the open sea, he worked my share too. He’s very strong. Tough body too. I’m sure he’ll be very useful to you as well, Count.”

Count Furst looked at me with half-closed eyes.

I didn’t know what he was thinking, but I understood the look.

Evaluating.

Assessing.

I didn’t avoid his gaze and continued to meet his eyes until he finally spoke.

“Seems you’re talking about that fellow next to you earlier. But if he’s as sturdy a slave as you say, the captain likely won’t part with him so easily. If he’s still alive when we arrive, I’ll discuss it when we disembark, and hope he’s as fit as you claim.”

“Thank you, Count.”

For the first time in a long while, I felt genuinely happy.

The Count continued to look at me with a curious gaze and then spoke softly.

“That’s a real smile. Now I understand your expressions better.”

Hearing that, my joy evaporated instantly.

A mistake.

Showing genuine emotion to someone I barely knew.

And I had been immediately seen through.

Then I too must get to know the Count.

“By the way, Count Furst. What do you do?”

The Count looked at me for a while before answering.

“Human beings pioneer in any era. My work is no different.”

Dangun

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