The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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I rolled on the floor, embraced by the wretched lord, and there wasn’t a part of my body that didn’t ache.

Even now, pain flared up in my arms and back, but I caught the murmurs of the knight looking down at me.

Her whisper cooled my feverishly distracted mind, almost as if it was about to ignite anew.

‘She definitely said it was magic.’

It seemed that Siabel had seen me using Spirit Magic.

… I had tried my best to conceal it, but I guess the gust of wind that accompanied it didn’t help.

From the flow of mana to the wind itself, I was no match for the insight of an expert knight.

‘So she might be half-convinced.’

The feeling I sensed from Siabel’s gaze wasn’t enormous, but it was certainly there.

I could tell her interest in my existence had deepened.

Just by the way she quietly looked down at me instead of taking care of her sister, it was obvious.

Even with that calm expression, she probably couldn’t believe that I, a man, wielded magic.

Men in this world could barely conjure a small spark of fire, let alone cast a spell that manipulated the wind like I did.

‘This is troublesome.’

It truly is. A lot.

It’s unlikely that the world would end just because a man cast a spell, but at least in the world surrounding me, things were different.

Just as I had newly gained Spirit Magic, the situation was different now compared to when Shione had been discussing the limits of the bow right in front of me, causing me to unleash magic in frustration.

Unlike back then, I was now surrounded by an unspecified multitude, and I realized how terrible a man’s talent for mana was in this world.

The only certain backing I had was Siabel, who had barely finished her emergency repairs.

I couldn’t even imagine how much trouble it’d be if Siabel decided to cast a spell on me.

“Ugh…”

Shione, who had been resting in my arms, stirred.

It was no longer necessary to keep holding her, so I loosened my grip.

As the tense silence broke, Siabel regained her focus and began checking on her sister.

“Shione, are you hurt anywhere?”

“Um… thanks to Ray, I’m not hurt too badly.”

“Just stay still for a moment.”

After thoroughly examining Shione’s condition, Siabel let out a sigh of relief.

Watching the two, it seemed they shared a bond that was more caring than awkward between sisters.

With Siabel showing such concern for Shione, I thought that perhaps they had cleared a quest about reconciling.

Yet, something still seemed lacking as no status window appeared indicating the quest was completed.

Feeling puzzled, I looked at Shione and found my answer in her face.

Unlike her thoughtful sister, it seemed that Shione was burdened by her own worries, showing signs of awkwardness.

That’s why the quest can’t be cleared.

Shione, it’s you again?

Regardless, Siabel still spoke with an air of concern.

“Haah, thankfully it appears there are no major injuries. I was so anxious.”

Suddenly, Siabel turned her head to look at me.

“If your servant had been even a little late, it could have been dangerous.”

After a brief once-over, Siabel scrutinized me again.

As I calmly held her gaze, she tightened her grip on her sword and said,

“Shione, you should step back with your servant. Let’s discuss this after we deal with the orcs.”

“…Understood.”

Given the ongoing battle, after confirming her sister’s safety, Siabel moved toward the orcs without hesitation.

Shione and I briefly watched her retreating figure before rising to our feet.

“Are you okay?”

“Thanks to you, I’m fine. But what about you, Ray?”

“Is there anything I would say?”

At my words, Shione wore a look of mixed regret and concern.

… Who’s worried about whom, considering I nearly got crushed by an orc’s fist?

“… Next time, at least shout. It was really close.”

“I’m always sorry for being a burden. I feel ashamed.”

With that, Shione walked with her head down, looking dejected.

I walked beside her in silence until we reached a distance I deemed safe from the orcs.

In that moment, Shione’s small hand tightly grabbed the hem of my clothing.

“… Once again, you saved me, the burden. So…”

As Shione raised her head from the ground, she met my gaze.

“I will protect you next time.”

The sight felt resolute, like a knight pledging her conviction.

I could only nod quietly in response.

*

The sun set, and the moon rose.

Already, the end of the second day of monster hunting in the Beltlin Mountains was coming into view.

The return was planned for the morning of the fourth day, so this ordeal would end by tomorrow.

Today had drained me significantly, and I felt utterly exhausted.

It was about time for some rest.

Thinking I could return to my tent, I bid Shione farewell for the day.

“I’ll head back to my tent now.”

“Okay, you did well. Rest well and we shall meet again tomorrow.”

“Yes, I look forward to it.”

After our brief farewell, I stepped outside the tent.

Whoosh—

A slightly chilly breeze greeted me.

Today felt refreshing enough for a good night’s sleep.

Just as I was filled with excitement at the thought of finally resting, an unexpected voice came from behind me.

“Wait a minute.”

Drawn to that voice, I turned around.

“Don’t we have something to discuss?”

I must have misheard, for standing there was Siabel Shianella, glaring at me with her arms crossed.

It seemed this was due to my Spirit Magic from earlier.

Just when I desperately needed rest, I found myself entangled in the most troublesome affair.

“Discussion, you say?”

“Don’t play dumb. Follow me.”

Siabel began to walk ahead, and I had no choice but to follow her pace, matching her composed yet deliberate strides.

When a superior says to follow, one must follow; it was an unavoidable choice.

In a secluded part of the forest, away from the frontline.

When we reached a spot devoid of any human presence, Siabel halted.

“I’ll ask directly. About that magic from earlier today. How could a man like you possibly use it?”

“Magic? You mean when I threw myself to save Princess Shione?”

“Exactly. You’re well aware.”

“… They say a desperate person can tap into superhuman strength, right?”

That was a flimsy excuse.

Siabel seemed to find that level of excuse quite predictable, letting out a scoff.

“It looks like you have no intention of confessing the truth.”

“It’s impossible for a man like me to wield magic!”

“Then tell me.”

Siabel’s chilling gaze bore down on me, putting pressure on me.

“The mana I felt moving is a lie, and everything my own eyes have seen was an illusion?”

“…….”

“Don’t even think about pulling me. It won’t work on me.”

It was clear that Siabel had completely figured out that I could handle magic.

As I considered continuing to brazen it out, fear of future repercussions grew, and since there was no reason to keep hiding from someone who already knew everything, I decided to give up concealing the truth.

“… Please keep it a secret from others.”

At my words, Siabel’s cold gaze softened slightly.

Intense curiosity and interest seeped into her otherwise colorless expression.

With her eyes sparkling, Siabel nodded.

“I swear on the name of Shianella that your ability to use magic will remain a secret.”

With her reputation alone, I could tell Siabel was not the type to break promises.

If she had sworn on her family’s name, then it seemed safe to trust her.

Besides, even if Siabel told someone I could wield magic, it would be hard for anyone to believe a man could use magic.

I let out a small sigh and nodded in response to Siabel’s words.

“Can you show me some magic?”

Since everything was out in the open now, there was no longer anything to hide.

“Of course.”

I agreed to Siabel’s request and began to gather my mana.

Without any weapons on hand, due to packing, there was nothing particularly special to showcase.

Flame!

I conjured a single flame into my hand.

Then, I created a path of wind, guiding the flame along it.

The dancing flame, shining brightly as it consumed mana, blossomed beautifully along the path I created.

“Wow.”

Siabel’s gaze fixated on my magic, utterly entranced by the beautiful sight that harmonized with the gentle moonlight.

Her reaction was quite favorable, but since I was using two types of mana simultaneously, I knew I had to withdraw my magic soon.

As the magic I had initiated began to wrap up, Siabel’s lips curled into a smile.

When I finished and looked back at her, a status window popped up right before my eyes.

[Siabel Shianella has started to feel ‘amusement’ towards you.]

[Due to her interest, your mana efficiency has slightly improved.]