In front of her was Blood, her beloved older sister and senior.

Listening to her words, a deep confusion lingered on Soul’s face.

“So… does that mean that the combat power of that man, Santana, is far beyond yours?”

“Yeah. He looked like a weak beginner mage on the outside, but his strength was literally monstrous.”

“How is that possible? That guy who can’t even learn magic normally because of his aura?”

“I don’t know the details either. But…”

With those words, Blood pointed to her face wrapped in bandages with her finger.

Immediately after retreating from Bohemia Castle, she was in such a terrible state that it was pitiful, and now the little first aid she had done showed just how thoroughly she had been defeated by Santana.

“At least… just looking at me in this state, isn’t it clear enough that there’s no need for further explanation?”

“Well… that’s true.”

Blood was a 10th grade witch, and she had a personality that always handled her tasks perfectly.

The possibility that Blood had somehow compromised with Santana was out of the question, so Soul could only take her words at face value.

“So what should we do now?”

“Failing the mission hurts, but there’s nothing we can do now. First, we should return to Sophia and report the situation.”

Since they had stirred things up quite a bit, the castle’s defenses were definitely much stronger than before.

Having been ordered to proceed quietly, there was no way to intervene further in this situation.

And on top of that, facing that powerful mage…

Assuming he possessed at least 10th grade power, it was burdensome enough that Soul could only agree to Blood’s suggestion to retreat.

“Then let’s handle it that way for now… What about that girl?”

Even though she hadn’t really thought about it much while escaping Bohemia Castle, as time passed and she could finally think clearly, Blood could finally ponder this issue seriously.

“Honestly, considering that ‘person’s’ involvement with Bohemia… I’m not sure if it’s okay to take a mage like this. If we’re unlucky, it could lead to that ‘person’ taking notice…”

Although Soul didn’t really have any direct ties to that ‘person’, if the woman they brought along was somehow connected to that ‘person’s’ plans in Bohemia, it could lead to another awkward situation for them.

However, since she had been ordered to keep that ‘person’s’ existence a secret, Blood couldn’t easily decide how to justify sending the woman back to Soul.

Meanwhile, having no clue about Blood’s simmering anxiety, Soul flashed a hopeful smile and naturally replied.

“Of course, I’m thinking of taking her as an apprentice. As you can see, finding a gem like her isn’t an easy job, right? With such talent at such a young age, she could really become great if we play our cards right.”

“…Hmm… I do think she has talent, but… even so, do you think she’ll readily accept that? As you know, from our side, we practically kidnapped her.”

“I’m sure she will. This is a chance to become much stronger than those mediocre mages, she’d probably accept it right away!”

“No…that’s just you thinking that way…”

“Don’t worry. To me, that girl is on my level. She won’t reject my words.”

“…Hmm…”

Soul was saying something kind of reckless, but Blood knew very well that was just her nature.

Moreover…

If purely considering ability and excluding external factors, the potential power that girl had was indeed at a level that even Blood felt envious of.

Especially considering she was a ‘witch’ rather than an ordinary mage, the current circumstances of being at the level of an upper-level 6th grade witch were merely the budding of a flower; Blood couldn’t help but acknowledge Soul’s judgment.

“If her talent was lacking, it would give me a reason to oppose it, but that’s not the case… Hmm… what do I do? Should I just let her go while Soul is asleep?”

Sorry for Soul, but she really wanted to avoid clashing with that ‘person’.

While contemplating this, just then…

“Uh… excuse me!”

“Huh?”

“Wait!”

The next moment, a third voice suddenly rang out.

The two turned to the source of the voice, and there, as expected, was…

The Bohemia woman they had kidnapped, wide-eyed and looking at them.

However, at that moment, there was no expression of rejection or hostility on her face as Blood had expected.

“Was what you just said… really true? The reason you kidnapped me is…”

She spoke with urgency.

At that moment, Blood could recognize that the emotion in the woman’s eyes was tinged with the longing Soul had mentioned.

*

Quietly listening to the two’s conversation, Queen remained silent.

However, the short exchange they had was enough to send a massive shock through her and completely alter her mental state.

“Santa… that brat concealed that strong power?… That brat has the power of a 10th grade mage?”

If someone else had told her this, she would have certainly dismissed it as nonsense.

However, the individuals discussing this were at least 10th grade high mages—a ‘formidable opponent’—and Queen had no choice but to accept that their words weren’t a lie.

Santana Andreas…

That jerk really had the kind of power that could effortlessly surpass someone like her.

And this reality was sufficient to deliver an immense psychological blow to Queen.

In any other aspect, she might not have cared, but at least in terms of her abilities as a mage, she was confident that no one like Santana could touch her.

This was one of the few prides and dignities she had over him.

However, that ultimate pride was shattered by the conversation between the two 10th grade witches, leaving a huge wound in Queen’s heart, already marred by her own inferiority and anger towards her younger sibling.

She hadn’t gained her father’s trust,

And she had lost her position as the heir.

If she were to lack even magic skills, that would mean her entire life would be denied.

But just afterward…

As she fell into despair, the ongoing conversation between the two witches continued to echo in her ears.

It was a tale powerful enough to rekindle her motivation, even as she teetered on the edge of despair.

That she possessed immense hidden talent, and that she could become far stronger than she had ever imagined.

Upon hearing this, Queen, who was immersed in a mire of despair, felt a flicker of hope ignite within her and quickly made her decision.

“Apparently, those two don’t know who I am… They’ve kidnapped me purely based on my ability. If that’s the case, the path I need to take here is…”

If she were to reveal her identity, she might be able to return to Bohemia through a series of negotiations.

However, as she listened to the two witches’ conversation, the thought of returning to Bohemia faded away.

“After all, my father wouldn’t need a child like me… He has a son by his side who is much more precious and capable than I am. He likely has no regrets over having a daughter he doesn’t even care for. So, if that’s the case…”

Realistically, returning would most likely only lead to her becoming a pawn for her younger brother Santana.

Instead, it seemed better to join forces with the ones who recognized her abilities…

Deciding to become their apprentice and allowing her talent to flourish was her conclusion.

Thus, Queen, concealing her identity, made her request to the two.

“I… want power. So please… accept me as your apprentice!”