The World Has Become Kinder to Her

Lotus and her companions arrived back at the Estelle Marquisate late in the evening, past dinnertime. Frederick efficiently used teleportation magic to bring them directly into Lotus’s bedroom.

“You’ve finally returned?” Manores greeted them with a slightly disgruntled expression.  

“What are you doing here?” Lotus asked, surprised.  

“It’s not as if I wanted to be here,” he replied dryly.  

“Then why are you here?”  

“I managed to hold off the maids and other staff by using the programmed responses in your substitute doll, but Lord Hession wasn’t so easily convinced. He was about to bring the family physician and break down the door. I had to intervene with a voice-modulating spell and give him a proper warning.”  

“…What did you say to him?”  

“I told him that if he continued to insist on forcing conversation and didn’t respect your need to rest, you’d never show your face to him again,” Manores said, deadpan.

Lotus could vividly imagine the scene: Manores delivering that blunt message, while Hession, stunned, likely floundered for a response. She sighed, exasperated.

“And what did my brother say to that?”  

“Oddly enough, he turned into something resembling a sulking dog and said he’d leave some medicine outside the door for you to take,” Manores replied.  

Lotus shuddered. The scene seemed too easy to picture.  

“I checked the hallway, grabbed the medicine, and left it on the table. It seems like a tonic to restore your energy. Should be safe to take. Your meal is still warm too, thanks to a preservation spell,” Manores explained, his efficiency apparent.

“I didn’t account for my brother’s persistence when I left in a rush. Sorry for the trouble, Manores,” Lotus said, feeling apologetic.  

“I’m more concerned about whether my inadequate handling of the situation caused you any difficulty,” Manores responded, shaking his head.  

“No, it’s fine. If he’d found out I was missing, it would’ve caused a much bigger commotion. Now I can just change into something more comfortable and go straight to see him,” she said, already planning to settle the matter.

Thinking back to their previous life, where misunderstandings and insufficient communication led to tragedy, Lotus now knew the importance of resolving small conflicts quickly with proper conversation.  

*He’s probably on edge because of the hazy memories from yesterday,* she thought.

After sending Frederick, Kenneth, and Manores away, Lotus quickly removed her makeup and changed into more casual attire before heading toward Hession’s office.  

***

Near the bed where Theodore slept, Salia heard the nearby water stir.  

「Theo.」  

Her voice carried a note of regret as she whispered to her contractor.  

「Sorry to wake you when you’re finally sleeping so soundly, but it’s time to get up.」  

A visitor was approaching, bypassing the protections of the Marquis of William’s estate and penetrating the magical barrier Theodore had set around the annex.  

*Tock, tock.*  

The sound of wind knocking against the window echoed in the room. After two or three knocks, the window cracked open halfway, and a man’s voice drifted in.  

“It seems you’re awake. Could you open the window for me?” the voice called out.  

“It’s already half-open, and I’m not exactly the welcoming type, especially to uninvited guests,” Theodore replied, his voice thick with sleep as he slowly sat up in bed and glanced toward the window.  

Through the half-open window, Theodore saw a man with brown curly hair standing outside. Theodore didn’t react immediately, merely staring at him. With no further invitation, Manores, the man outside, pushed the window fully open and stepped inside the room.  

“Apologies for the late hour, but I thought tonight would be the best time for our conversation,” Manores said smoothly, as if entering someone’s bedroom uninvited was perfectly normal.  

“Oh, tonight’s the best time, is it? Should I applaud your brilliant timing?”

Theodore, despite his weakened condition from casting the high-level *Hall of Truth* spell and dealing with the subsequent clash of restrictions, managed to maintain his composure. However, the strain was evident—such mistakes were dangerous for someone like him, and Manores clearly understood this was the perfect time to strike.

“I suppose a chair would be a better reward than applause,” Manores remarked coolly.  

“You’re quite demanding for an uninvited guest,” Theodore said as he rose from the bed and moved toward a small table. With a simple gesture, he indicated a seat for Manores, who didn’t hesitate to accept.  

“As compensation for my illegal entry, it seems insufficient…” Manores flicked his fingers, summoning a bottle of wine and two glasses to the table.  

“I took the liberty of borrowing this from Frederick’s cellar,” he added with a smirk.

Theodore chuckled softly at Manores’ audacity.  

“You’re not thinking this is enough to make up for breaking through my wards, are you?” Theodore’s voice held a touch of amusement, but there was an edge to it as well.

The annex where Theodore stayed was protected by magical wards that acted like a mage’s shield. If the barrier had been functioning properly, there was no way Manores could have used magic to summon wine without dismantling it first.

“My skills are lacking; I couldn’t find a subtle way to enter without damaging the wards. For that, I do apologize,” Manores said, offering a mock bow.  

“Lacking skills? You, the head of the Mage Tower’s intelligence division, saying that?” Theodore remarked, his tone laced with irony as he revealed Manores’ secret position.

The title hung in the air. The Mage Tower’s intelligence division was a secret group formed by some of the sharpest minds in the tower, known only to the Tower Lord and a few elders. It operated independently of any national power, collecting and disseminating information to protect the interests of the Mage Tower. Manores was its head—both in the past and now, it seemed.

For a split second, surprise flickered in Manores’ brown eyes before he quickly masked it. Given the circumstances, it wasn’t far-fetched to assume that Theodore, like Frederick, was a regressor, possessing memories of the past. If that were the case, it made sense that Theodore knew about his secret role.

Theodore swirled the wine in his glass before murmuring, “I thought someone with your intellect and judgment would have already assessed the situation. Though I didn’t expect your magic to have improved to this extent. The wards may seem simple, but they’re tricky to break through with magic alone. Even with your abilities, it must have taken time.”

“Is that so?” Manores replied, maintaining an air of nonchalance, but inwardly he felt a tinge of unease. It seemed Theodore not only knew about his position but also had a good understanding of his magical capabilities. Despite Manores’ attempt to catch Theodore off guard by entering abruptly, the amount of information Theodore possessed put him at a disadvantage.

“You have to understand magic, and more importantly, the fusion of magic and sorcery… It seems there’s only one explanation for why your skills have improved so drastically,” Theodore continued, his gaze sharpening as he brought up the name he suspected had helped Manores along.  

“Lotus Estelle,” Theodore said, a wry smile tugging at his lips.  

“She’s more ruthless than she appears, isn’t she? Without intending to, she has a way of captivating men’s attention. Although, I’m sure as the head of intelligence, you wouldn’t be swayed so easily.”

There was a hint of wariness in Theodore’s violet eyes, a familiar look to Manores. It reminded him of how Frederick viewed Lotus, protective and perhaps a bit possessive, though Theodore was far better at masking his emotions.

Manores couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, sensing that Theodore had misread the situation.  

“I have no intention of competing with anyone for the favor of a woman or a superior. That’s just a shortcut to a complicated life,” he replied smoothly, subtly implying that his loyalties lay with Frederick, the superior he was referring to.

His response also distanced himself from any romantic entanglements with Lotus, knowing full well it was enough to unsettle Theodore.  

*So this is what it feels like to talk to a mirror,* Theodore mused, sensing the similarities between himself and Manores. After Lotus’s death in the past, Theodore hadn’t believed anyone could match his intellect or his approach to life. Yet, thanks to Frederick, he had come across Manores—a man with remarkable memory, keen analytical skills, and eloquence.

When Theodore spoke with Manores, he didn’t feel the same tension he often did when talking to Lotus. With her, the conversations were always layered with complexity and subtle emotions, sometimes leaving him feeling frustrated. In contrast, speaking with Manores felt more like engaging with a reflection of himself—similar, but far from enjoyable. It set his nerves on edge rather than sparking any joy. Ultimately, no one could match the satisfaction of conversing with Lotus.

“*Your next superior, huh?*” Theodore said, his voice laced with sarcasm. “The master of earth, water, concealment, and mental magic is being so humble. If given enough time, the future could certainly change, don’t you think?”

On the surface, Theodore’s words seemed to flatter Manores, suggesting he had the qualities to become the head of the Mage Tower. But beneath the compliment lay a subtle warning—Theodore was fully aware of all the magic specialties Manores had kept hidden from public knowledge.

Manores exhaled deeply, sensing the undercurrent in Theodore’s words.  

“While I may have some advantages based on our magical affinities, I pale in comparison when it comes to your mana control and capacity. Besides, the restrictions placed on someone in that position make it far less appealing to me. Still, I now understand why those who speak with you end up with headaches and stomachaches,” Manores quipped.

“How unfortunate. As a valuable figure, perhaps I should prescribe some medicine,” Theodore said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Let’s set aside the mind games, *Lord of Faustus Trading Company,*” Manores replied, leveling the playing field by revealing another one of Theodore’s identities.

The Faustus Trading Company was one of the top ten trading houses on the continent, a name known throughout the empire. At the age of eighteen, Theodore had quietly acquired the failing company, using his natural talents for analysis and business acumen to rebuild it into a thriving enterprise. Blessed by the protection of the water spirits, Faustus Trading Company became an influential force, providing Theodore with the financial resources to pursue his covert agendas.

“So you want to enjoy this a bit longer?” Theodore replied, smirking.  

“That’s not the point,” Manores countered, his tone shifting to seriousness.

“We’re wasting time, aren’t we? I’ve figured out that you, Frederick, Sir Zahard, and Lady Estelle are all regressors. What I want to know is *why*. What are you planning? And what’s the reason for all of this?”  

Manores had pieced together the truth with startling speed. No doubt, he had started with Frederick and then connected the dots with everyone else. Theodore couldn’t help but admire Manores’ direct approach, even if it annoyed most people. While Theodore appreciated his straightforwardness, that didn’t mean he was about to hand over the truth so easily.

“Do I have an obligation to answer that?” Theodore asked coolly.

Manores closed his eyes briefly, steeling himself. When he opened them again, there was a determination in his gaze.  

“You don’t have to answer. But it would be in your best interest if you did. You might gain a powerful ally in the process,” Manores said, making his own calculated gamble.

He was laying his cards on the table, inviting Theodore to reveal the truth and, in doing so, earn his trust. It was a bold move, and one that carried its own risks. He was effectively daring Theodore to convince him.

In response, Theodore’s lips curled into a devilish smile, one that could easily sway weaker men. It was a smile that evoked the charm of a demon capable of bending the wills of humans.  

“If you’re offering your support so easily with just a few words, I’d be more than happy to welcome you.”