Silk-woven soft shoes stepped across the corridor's plush dark red carpet. Exquisitely carved brass wall lamps lined the hallway in orderly succession, while the right wall displayed various precious artworks mounted in gold-leafed frames.
If Lin Jun were here, he'd definitely mutter something about "damned aristocrats," but to Inanna, all this was simply the familiar home she knew.
She made her way from her third-floor bedroom to the study on the second floor.
Her tutor, Julian Daniels, had been hired by her father from the Relic Association. According to the butler, the teacher's requested compensation was simply access to the family's book collection during his spare time from teaching.
In fact, ever since the teacher arrived at the mansion, he'd practically taken up residence in the study.
Even when teaching her magic, aside from practical lessons held at the training grounds, all other classes took place in this very study.
Today, however, it seemed someone had arrived before her—voices could be heard conversing within the study.
Of course, Inanna would never engage in something as undignified as eavesdropping outside the door.
She gently pushed open the side door.
"Teacher, you don't know—they just shoved this thick thing into my mouth and inflated it, forcibly blowing me awake..."
The voice cut off abruptly as the study door opened.
Inanna looked up to see someone she recognized gesticulating wildly by the desk, describing something outrageous before freezing with an embarrassed expression upon seeing her enter—Calvin, her teacher's other student.
An overly energetic fellow who was either being punished by their teacher for causing trouble, or on his way to cause more trouble.
"Inanna, you're quite early today." Teacher Julian smiled and beckoned Inanna to come sit.
This man with his two small mustaches would strike anyone upon first meeting as a pampered middle-aged nobleman, never betraying that he was actually a nearly fifty-year-old Diamond-rank mage.
"Good day, Teacher."
After Inanna sat down, Julian turned back to Calvin and asked:
"So what does all this have to do with your failed potion? This is the first time I've seen a Truth Serum brewed to this color."
He picked up and shook the bottle on the desk—a potion as black as ink.
At the mention of the potion, Calvin's face immediately turned bitter as a gourd.
"Those puffshrooms gave us stuff after they rescued us!
Teacher, don't look at me like that, I'm telling the truth!
Grey's enchanted longsword was a gift from them.
There was even a parasitic tree seed among the items, so naturally I used it for potion-making.
How was I supposed to know it was a dead seed that had been picked too long ago and lost all its medicinal properties?"
Julian leaned against the desk, rubbing his temples.
"Fine, I won't question whether your story about the puffshrooms is true or false.
Didn't I teach you to test all materials for their medicinal properties before mixing potions?"
Calvin opened his mouth, taking a long while before quietly saying: "You did teach that... but I was rushing to submit my assignment..."
"Go copy the Potion Brewing Guidelines thirty times. Bring it to me tomorrow."
Indisputable. Calvin could only hang his head and say "Yes."
At this moment, Inanna suddenly leaned over with a curious expression, asking Calvin:
"Um, what's this about puffshrooms you mentioned? Could you tell me about it?"
The Duke's daughter's delicate face was quite close. Calvin shyly scooted back a bit, then began loudly and dramatically describing his underground dungeon adventure with Grey.
He told how they had relied entirely on Calvin's wisdom to successfully reach the fifth floor.
How they battled the suddenly attacking dragonmen for three hundred rounds, narrowly escaping after a hard-fought defeat, and how he was accidentally rescued by a group of glowing puffshrooms while gravely wounded.
He particularly emphasized that when he mentioned being "stuffed in the mouth" earlier, he was referring to being rescued by fungal tendrils—nothing weird or inappropriate.
Inanna listened as if hearing a fascinating new tale, occasionally exclaiming in wonder or nodding in agreement, which made Calvin even more enthusiastic in his storytelling.
After Calvin finished, Inanna suddenly suggested:
"How amazing! I'd love to see this myself!
Teacher, for our next practical lesson, could we go a bit farther and visit the dungeon?"
Julian looked strangely at the slightly guilty-looking Inanna, stroking his chin thoughtfully:
"That's not impossible, but this would require Lord Eric's permission."
The moment he finished speaking, Inanna cheered and completely forgot about class, running straight off to ask Eric for permission to go out.
Left behind was a completely bewildered Calvin: *Was my story really that captivating?*
---
"I'm afraid I must refuse your request, Miss Inanna."
"Why?"
Eric's unexpected refusal left Inanna unable to understand.
"Teacher will accompany me, and we'll only go down to the fifth floor at most. There wouldn't be any danger.
What if you came along too, Eric? Wouldn't that work!"
Eric sighed, frowning in thought.
After a long while, he retrieved a magical pendant from his drawer.
As the pendant activated, a semi-transparent membrane enveloped both him and Inanna.
Inanna felt as if she'd suddenly entered a sealed room—all outside sounds disappeared.
Only then did Eric speak:
"Miss Inanna, it's not that I want to prevent you from going anywhere, it's just that the timing is terribly unfortunate right now.
What I'm about to tell you, please keep to yourself and never spread it."
Eric looked at Inanna, seeing her nod with slight confusion before continuing:
"You may not be aware, but the Hidden Empire has been making increasingly aggressive moves at our borders recently.
There are even reports of small groups of demons infiltrating our territory.
Everything indicates they're preparing to restart hostilities.
Under pressure from the war threat, the Supreme Council has passed a resolution for... Hero Summoning."
"Hero?"
Inanna was somewhat incredulous.
That word was just like "Demon Lord"—she'd only encountered them in legendary tales.
They had been active three hundred years ago, far too distant from Inanna's time.
Now suddenly hearing that the United Kingdom wanted to summon a Hero?
Though she wasn't clear on exactly what summoning a Hero required, she felt a sense of unreality.
Eric's words continued:
"We're still in the preparation phase, mobilizing resources nationwide under the pretense of war preparations for the summoning.
The true information is sealed within upper circles.
But can this really be hidden from the Empire?
Both the Duke and I are pessimistic about this. There are always nobles willing to betray for immortality.
Whether through traitors reporting intelligence or discovering clues from resource movements—
Either way, once the Empire notices something unusual, they can't possibly have no reaction.
Assassination, sabotage, even initiating full-scale war early are all possibilities.
You are the Duke's sole heir—you should have been informed of this matter, but we refrained from telling you to avoid affecting your magical studies.
In any case, please remain within the mansion during this period. I will ensure your safety, Miss."
Hearing such a reason so suddenly, Inanna felt her head spinning, unable to simply say "no."
She only managed to ask at the end:
"Wouldn't a summoned Hero still need time to grow?
If the danger is so imminent, why not directly revive the Hero from three hundred years ago, Lord Link?"
Unfortunately, Eric shook his head—clearly he didn't know everything either.
This question would remain Inanna's private puzzle.
---
Meanwhile, a certain Hero...
"Talk! What else are you hiding! Xiao Hei, put more effort into it!"
[I've really confessed everything already, please stop!]
[Wuuuuuu]
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