The walk to Liza's office felt short while I was still thinking about the Baron's words. His advice about what happened last night left me calmer. I'll follow his counsel and hold that line; I must never cross it no matter the cost. Only those who truly deserve it will meet death.

I knock on the door to her office and, after a few seconds, I'm given permission to enter. Inside I find a room as large as the Baron's, though completely different in its order and objects. The difference between a man and a woman can be seen instantly.

"Good morning, Aunt. How are you?" I greet as I enter, and she points to a chair for me to sit.

"It's been several months since we last saw each other, Maki. I'm well, thank you for asking. What brings you here?" She raises a brow as she asks her question.

"Something happened recently, and I'd like to consult with a specialist." My answer makes her close the massive book she was reviewing. She looks me straight in the eyes, silently telling me to continue. I explain about the fallen hero's dungeon I just completed, leaving out details about Sus and her spell, making it sound like I stumbled upon the dungeon by chance.

Her eyes widen at the first part of my story, and she urges me to go on. I describe each floor in detail until the end. She interrupts only with a few questions to clarify points but mostly listens in silence.

"So the reward at the end was a single choice? According to reliable sources, there should have been two rewards, and possibly the protection spell caused the issue." My words leave the Baroness thoughtful. She leans on her elbows, clasps her fingers together, and rests her mouth against them.

I don't know how many minutes pass before she finally replies. "Forgive me for keeping you waiting, I was trying to recall some books I read in school about a similar case and connect them with my current knowledge." I let her know there's no problem.

"The protection may have been part of the issue, but it couldn't have been the only cause." I keep silent and let her continue. "It could have been the combination of that shield, which drained much of the dungeon's mana, plus the fact that the dungeon itself was probably quite new. That combination likely reduced it to only one reward."

"New? Can that affect a dungeon?" I don't mean to doubt her—she's a renowned expert in dungeon studies—I just want more information.

"Yes. From your story, it seems that dungeon must have been created by someone, not naturally formed. Being relatively new, it hadn't yet absorbed enough mana from nature. Without that shield, you probably would have received two rewards, but the combination of those two factors reduced it." That makes much more sense. So that dungeon wasn't natural.

We continue talking about other details from the dungeon, then shift to family matters before I finally take my leave. I watch her run toward a shelf to jot down everything we discussed. She truly is passionate about her work; if I get more information, I'll be sure to tell her.

I return home. Without Sol in this city, everything feels boring. Everyone is busy with their own duties, and I don't want to disturb them.

I spend the whole day training for my electric pseudo-law. It's almost within my grasp; I hope the motivation I need will come during the tournament just around the corner. I need to master it quickly if I want to evolve my mental ability. I can already feel the outline of a new mental skill related to electricity forming, one that will sharpen my reactions and movements.

Somehow I'm holding back my Frozen Core from reaching its final level until I gain the new ability. My cube knows what I want, and so it unconsciously stalled at that level.

The day flies by while I stay in the training room until nightfall. The next day, I prepare to head to the Baron's estate; I need his teleportation circle to reach Primaver without trouble.

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I'll travel with the Baron—he has many business matters in the capital and will also attend Arisa's party. We step together onto the platform, and I feel space magic forming around us. In a blink, we're no longer in Marril. Sight returns immediately—we're in Primaver.

The jump gives me a clearer understanding of how space magic works. The sensation is unlike anything else. I wish I could experiment more with this feeling to grasp long-distance teleportation better, but the cost is high and the complexity immense. I'm trying to learn multiplication, while the teleportation circle is solving integrals.

The Baron, walking just ahead of me, stops abruptly. Without my Personal World, I would have bumped into him—I was too distracted pondering the complexity of that magic.

"Good day, Baron Solar." A young man's voice makes me step aside to get a better look. He looks about fifteen or sixteen, with black eyes and hair, a little taller than me, sharp features, and a handsome but fierce look. He glances at me, then turns his gaze back to the Baron, ignoring me completely.

"How are you? Have you come for Lady Arisa's party? How is Sol?" Did that kid just ignore me so blatantly? Wait, I'm a kid too—doesn't matter. That rude brat looked at me like I was nothing more than a pebble.

"Good morning, Young Pizz, you've grown a lot." The Baron gestures subtly at me, as if telling me to stay calm. The two talk while Pizz continues to completely disregard me. I stop paying attention and refocus on the sensation I felt moments earlier, the way space magic bends reality by force to achieve its purpose.

But then I hear something that catches my attention. That insolent brat keeps asking about Sol, even going so far as to ask the Baron if he can invite her to dinner. Does he have feelings for her? A strange emotion rises in me. Are these… jealous feelings? I'm not sure, but the more he asks about her, the more irritated I get.

"If Sol doesn't consent, I cannot force her to dine with anyone." The Baron refuses politely, without stirring trouble.

"Then as long as she agrees, I can have dinner with her! That's perfect!" Does this idiot not know how to read between the lines? He only heard what he wanted. Who is this guy? Probably the son of some noble. The problem is, I know little about nobles beyond this duchy.

In this marquisate, there are only two Counts—one is Arisa's father, the Marquis's younger brother, and the other is Bush's father. So is Pizz a Viscount's son? Or maybe a Baron's? Or from elsewhere in the empire?

While I puzzle over his identity, two women enter the hall. Their eyes scan everywhere until they spot us, then they almost run in our direction. Both are wearing jeans—similar style but in different colors, one orange and one black—with simple yet elegant tops. The Baron notices them too, which makes the young noble turn as well.

"Lady Arisa, Sol, it's a pleasure…" Before he can finish, both completely ignore him and rush into my arms. I can see the Baron standing with his arms half-open, expecting his daughter to embrace him. I give him an apologetic smile while I hug the two girls.

"How have you been? I missed you so much." They both look closely at me, their smiles as warm and beautiful as ever. "You're more beautiful than the last time I saw you." My words are true—they keep growing more radiant with maturity. But I also said it just to rub it in the noble's face.

"Of course. I'll be even more beautiful in the future." Arisa winks at me. "And you've grown too—you look more manly now. I like your new haircut."

That's true. I'm nearly 170 cm now, growing quickly, and my mother chose my haircut to highlight my features.

"Thanks, Maki." Sol is still clinging to my chest. "Arisa's right, you're taller now and your new style makes you look older, though your face is still like a baby's."

I can only laugh at her comment—my face still looks my age, maybe like a fourteen-year-old at most.

We chat for a few more seconds before they reluctantly let go. They only released me after I reminded them that many people were watching and the Baron was still waiting to be greeted. Otherwise, they would've held on for minutes more.

They greet the Baron informally—one is his daughter, the other sees him as an uncle. It feels less like nobles meeting and more like a family gathering. Once they finish, they try to come back to me, but are stopped by a voice.

"Lady Arisa, Lady Sol, it's a pleasure to see you again." Pizz's voice makes them both turn quickly.

"Hello, Pizz, it's been a while," Arisa answers with a polite smile.

"Pizz, I'm glad to see you're well," Sol responds the same way.

"I was wondering if…" Before he can finish again, they turn back to me after greeting him. He shuts his mouth, realizing they've ignored him once more, giving their attention back to me. The noble bids farewell to the Baron and to them before leaving, clicking his tongue. That must've hurt worse than a beating.

Both girls take my arms, and we head toward Arisa's house, where her party will be held tomorrow.

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