“Hi, Kakana. Are you done with your research?”

Was it just me, or did he sound a little pushy?

Even if he did, I couldn’t beat around the bush.

“No.”

I widened my eyes and waved my hands no.

“Definitely not. I’m just getting started. Today, I worked on trying to identify what poison was used on you guys. I found some other types of poison besides the one that corrupted your mana. I’m going to heal all of that.”

“Take a look at this.” I shoved him some papers and continued to explain.

“I’m going to make an antidote similar to how trees and earth come together to create synergy. What do you think? It’s splendid! The poisonous herbs used to corrupt mana are super rare, so I might have to take a trip into the village soon. I have to treat rare poisonous herbs with something just as rare to avoid any complications. Otherwise, the reaction could be catastrophic.”

I tapped my chin with my index finger.

“It’s a special poison. Very special. If I’m not careful, you guys could die. I have to treat it with caution. Hear me out. There’s this poisonous herb called Psychopython, and you wouldn’t believe what an arrogant herb this is...”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s great. I get it, Kakana.”

Adar cut me off with an extremely annoyed tone.

“But what about your meal?”

“Meal?”

That came out of the blue. I frowned.

“Why are you suddenly bringing that up?”

“Do you remember saying ‘Later’ and going to your research lab this morning?”

I gave it some thought.

I couldn’t remember anything.

“Did I say that?”

“Yes, you did. So, I thought you’d be back for breakfast in about 10 minutes, but was that the case? It’s 11 p.m. right now. You’ve been running on an empty stomach for at least 23 hours today.”

“Ohh, it’s okay. I’m like that sometimes. It’s just been so fascinating. Just where would I find such a rare poisonous herb like this...?”

“Kakana.”

His face beamed with a smile, and yet there was a chilling look to him. Adar bent forward and looked at me.

“While I respect your enthusiasm, I’m just a little worried that you’re not eating. Tomorrow...”

“Then don’t worry about me, Adar.”

I said with a snort.

“I’m not a kid, and I eat enough to avoid passing out. Sheesh.”

“Bet you don’t have friends, Kakana.”

Adar beamed a smile.

What’s he making a stab at? And just where it hurts, too...

I became rigid and stared at him. Then, raising my chin, I retaliated loudly.

“I do have friends! I-I’m just not able to meet them right now!”

“Sure, sure. I get it.”

Adar didn’t even pretend to listen and nodded.

“It looks like you can’t peel yourself away from your research, so I’ll try making something more convenient for you to eat.

You look like you’d kill me if I say no, Adar.

“I’m just a civilian...”

“Huh? What’s that got to do with anything?”

Well, your killing intent...

“Never mind, it’s nothing. I’ll eat.”

“Yeah, that’s kind of you. Thanks. And eat your meals, too.”

His words felt like a threat. Once the conversation was over, Adar waved his hand goodbye and went upstairs.

Not moving from where I was standing, I stared on at him with a dumbfounded look. I secretly flipped up my middle finger.

“It’s disheartening if you hate me that much.”

Adar’s voice came from the second floor.

‘Does he have eyes on the back of his head?!’

In horror, I shoved my hand back into my pocket.

My mood turned sour, so I tried to divert my attention to something else.

This was easy if I thought about herbs.

When I closed my eyes, I was able to picture herbs very clearly, down to all of their individual characteristics. I imagined the process of crafting herbs into something completely new and different.

I can have the herbs eat each other up, change each other, erase each other, or have them fight each other. There were all sorts of things I could have them do.

It was like getting a peep at how god’s territory looked.

So, how could I not obsess over this?

I have no greater passion. It’s as simple as that.

Nothing was more of a challenge to me, which made me stir with excitement.

Didn’t they say the Empire had plotted against them?

That was indeed true.

The poison that had been so carefully crafted such as this was not common.

All poisonous herbs were tricky and delicate to handle.

This made me look forward to it even more.

It was exciting to think about where to cut the Mobius strip.

‘This is seriously amazing.’

I laughed like a maniac high on drugs.

Initially, I was just going to devise a rough outline in my head, but I changed my mind.

I needed to analyze the poison in detail.

I went back inside the research lab.

My insatiable desire to find the best combination of herbs lured me back to the research logs.

I grabbed a pile of research logs and held them in my hands.

The pile of thick research logs pressed heavily against me, from my waist to my collarbones. However, I didn’t mind.

Even if my fingers were to break from their weight, I was happy.

However, that soon changed after about ten steps up the stairs. The excitement that had numbed my senses soon dissolved away.

I set down the research logs on the stairs and started contemplating.

In the end, I concluded that I’d either break my knees or my back trying to carry these up.

I mean, just look at the size of that pile.

It was beyond a casual read before bedtime.

‘Should I read them in the research lab?’

Deciding that was a better idea, I picked up the pile of research logs and looked down.

‘Oh, shoot.’

The stairs I had mindlessly climbed up looked like a cliff from above.

If I were to fall from here, the weight of the research logs would crush my bones. That much was obvious.

They say if you didn’t use your brain, your body would suffer. Feeling flustered, I grumbled to myself when I suddenly heard a courteous voice from behind.

“Could I offer you some help?”

Based on his gentle tone, I could tell who was speaking without turning around.

It was Chellus.

‘I keep forgetting that there’re five other people besides me at home.’

I wanted to turn to face him, but it was hard to move while holding the research logs.

Seeing me struggle, Chellus outstretched his hands as if to take over the pile. His lips formed a smile.

“Should I carry them to your room?”

“Yeah. Well, actually...”

“They’re heavy, so please take them back to the research lab.”

“Yes?”

Chellus asked with a puzzled look while holding the research logs with just one hand.

I furrowed my brows and looked at his hand.

Chellus’ wrists, arms, and elbows were definitely connected to the rest of his body.

In other words, they were human hands, for sure.

I was also sure that it wasn’t just a single sheet of paper he was holding.

And yet, Chellus was holding them with one hand without so much as a grimace and was looking at me quite relaxed.

I briefly fumbled through my memories just to make sure that what I handed over to him was, in fact, hundreds of research papers and not an empty box.

“Isn’t it heavy?”

“I’ve been training.”

He answered with a relaxed smile.

I still couldn’t believe my eyes and double-checked before finally deciding to let it go.

As we went up the stairs, I saw the veins popping out on his forearm and hands. That was when I noticed his outfit.

He was wearing a worn-out white top with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms.

“Oh, right.”

“What is it?”

“Come to think of it, you guys don’t have extra clothes?”

In fact, I remembered that Adar was also wearing clothes with the ragged parts cut out.

“That’s correct. Do you find it unpleasant?”

“No, I don’t, but isn’t it uncomfortable?”

“It’s not something I can complain about.”

Chellus answered honestly.

Once again, I couldn’t believe that he was the only existing sword master on the continent. He didn’t need to bow down to anyone. I blinked my eyes several times.

“You could’ve told me that you needed a change of clothes. You should have at least two outfits. I have to go down to the village to buy herbs soon anyway. I’ll buy some for you guys while I’m there. As for sizes, hm... Well, I’ll ask you guys separately later.”

“Thank you, Kakana. While I’m grateful for the offer, it’d be best if we went together once our mana is able to be released at least a little.”

Chellus added solemnly.

“Now that you are with us, the Empire will track down Snoa’s mana and soon find out that he’s teleported to the Forest of Death. Although they wouldn’t be able to pinpoint the exact location, it’s still dangerous for you to head out all by yourself.”

“That’s okay. You see, I’ve been living in hiding for months. I’m good at running away.”

“Kakana, none of us would let you go off on your own.”

Chellus concluded in a firm voice. There was no room for negotiation.

Feeling oddly embarrassed, I lowered my head as I climbed the stairs. Suddenly, the thought of Halik jumped into mind. I snapped my head up.

“Halik!”

“Yes?”

“Did Halik come back after going outside?”

“He did.”

“Then why didn’t he come find me? This is driving me crazy! Where’s is he now?”

“He should be resting in his room.”

“Could you leave that on the desk in my room? I’m going to go ahead!”

I rushed up the stairs and sprinted to Halik’s room.

Without so much as a knock, I slammed the door open. Halik stared at me with a raised eyebrow.

Thanks to his big stature, the first thing I saw in the spacious room was Halik’s hulking figure.

He had a blanket wrapped around his torso and was taking off his top.

I noticed his tanned skin and his firm muscles, which were solidly built. I forced my gaze away and carefully studied his face.

I stared straight at him and met his eyes. His bright orange eyes were so intense that they appeared to be tinged with neon.

“Halik! Why didn’t you come find me?”

“Huh?”

“And why are you undressed? Don’t tell me you’re not wearing anything below?”

“Ohh, I just washed my clothes and I’m letting them dry now. So, what’s the occasion, Miss?”

“What’s the occasion?”

My blood boiled with anger. I slammed the door closed and charged at Halik.

I grabbed his thick chin and turned it this way and that.

Halik must have let me move it any way I wanted because even though he felt like a statue in my hands, his head gently moved with the way I tugged at it.

Just as I suspected, I found a black spot creeping up on the back of his neck.

I glared at Halik as though he was my worst enemy and bellowed.

“I told you to come find me once you came back from outside!”

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot, hahaha!”

Scratching the back of his head, he laughed simplemindedly.

I lost my temper.

“What are you laughing about? You could have died if you just went to sleep like that!”

“A poisonous herb wouldn’t kill me immediately unless it’s one from the Empire. Calm down. Don’t worry.”

Halik said nonchalantly and shrugged his shoulders.

“I don’t die easily; I have too much mana in my body.”

“What kind of nonsense is that? Even if you don’t die, wouldn’t you feel pain?”

“...”

Halik’s carefree smile dissolved, and his face hardened a little.

I was at my wit’s end with him. I disregarded his expression and scolded him further.

“From what I can see, you’ve been poisoned with Salasmare. You must have felt all your arms and legs go numb. Did you not feel that, or did you just think it would get better on its own?”

I continued grumbling as I used both hands to lift and examine his heavy arm. I checked his lower back and even lifted the blanket to check the back of his knees.

All the while Halik watched me calmly.