NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 12: 12. Fix It
--- Bernicia's POV ---
Young Master...
I've always been watching Young Master from afar. He's changed now. He's no longer the same as before. He treats me better—far better than during those dark days.
But I still can't bring myself to speak to him. Not because of the trauma from what he once did. Not because I fear him...
I'm afraid... Afraid that things can never go back to the way they were—when the world still felt light, and he was the only one who treated me kindly.
This regret eats away at me. Because I failed to see the signs sooner. Because I wasn't sensitive enough to realize how deeply he was hurting and how inferior he felt because of his failures. That regret... it silences me every time I try to speak to him.
And now, as he starts to change—becoming a better person, even mastering magic and becoming a mage—I want to congratulate him. But... my lips can't form the words.
Until that day, when he tried to become an alchemist, I saw him walking down the corridor. His expression looked far from okay. His gaze was blank, weary, like someone who had once again lost their way.
That moment... worry began to stir in my heart. I remembered the past, when he failed to become a knight and his entire world collapsed afterward.
I had to talk to him. I had to be someone who stood by him at times like these—not someone who abandoned him like I did before.
I had to be brave...
But it wasn't as easy as I thought.
"Young Master... what happened?"
I tried asking, but I couldn't even lift my head to meet his eyes.
"Shut up." "Don't talk to me if you can't even look me in the eye."
His tone was harsh—piercing. I couldn't bring myself to raise my head.
Is this the end? Is he slipping back into the darkness like before? Is this just like when he failed to become a knight and his world crumbled?
"S-sorry..."
I wanted to say more... I wanted to lift my face and look at him, to show that I truly cared... But my body wouldn't move.
"Damn it... stop pretending to care." "If you really hate me for my past mistakes, just say it."
Those words... made my chest tighten.
He walked away. I just stood there, frozen, head bowed deeply.
"Why can't I... even speak?"
Am I this pathetic?
Am I really useless to him?
Am I incapable of being by his side when he needs me most?
Tears slowly streamed down my pale cheeks.
--- MC POV ---
I stared out the window. The evening sky was glowing red, the orange light bathing the western sky like a calm sea of fire.
Apolo's words echoed again in my mind—about how I was too fixated on the logic of the real world.
It's true. This world isn't where I came from. But that doesn't mean everything can be solved with logic and science alone. This is a world of magic, and I have to face it as such.
I remembered the magic shop in town—the one run by a mysterious old man with immense magical presence. That's where I bought my basic spellbook and the Basic Alchemy book.
"Inventory."
A glow appeared before my eyes, and I pulled out a small dark brown book—The Basic Alchemist Book. I hadn't even touched it, too busy studying magic and runes these past few days.
I sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. "Gaia."
[Yes, Creator. How may I assist you?] Gaia's transmission echoed in my head, calm and familiar.
"Analyze this book thoroughly and send the results to Apolo. I don't want to waste time reading overly basic theory."
[Understood. I'll begin analyzing it... Please send me the book.]
The book in my hand began to disintegrate—breaking into glowing particles before vanishing into the air. The digitalization and transfer process to Gaia's system finished in an instant.
Yes, I still have technology. I can use it as a bridge—to speed up understanding and development. That's my strength.
"Seems like there's still time. Apolo, activate camouflage mode. Time to visit the old man's magic shop."
< Camouflage: Activated >
I jumped from my balcony. My body floated gently with the help of a little telekinesis to stabilize direction before landing softly in the backyard.
Then I ran quickly, sneaking past the guards who didn't notice me at all. After that, I leaped over the tall gate wall.
With telekinesis, everything became much easier. Jumping between tree branches and gliding through the air felt like light practice—though not comparable to my main body back in The Singularity. Telekinesis in this human body had its limits and wasn't strong enough to allow full flight. But for now... it's enough.
Eventually, I reached the magic shop... The magical aura was still there. Looks like the old man was still inside.
Bang! I pushed the door open a bit roughly.
"Yo, Old Man! Are you still alive?" I shouted while waving.
The old man looked slightly startled, his teacup almost tipping as he tried to drink. "Can't you enter more calmly? Damn brat…"
The corner of my mouth lifted slightly. "By the way, Old Man, got any books about plants and monsters?"
"You mean... an encyclopedia?" His brow furrowed.
"Exactly."
"I've got a few books on plants if you're interested." He turned around and started searching through the shelves behind the counter.
'Gaia, analyze his level.' I murmured internally. My right eye began glowing gold—activating the analysis system.
[System: Analysis Active] Info about the old man appeared.
[LV: 83]
My brows furrowed instantly. Damn... even higher than Genesis...
Last I checked, Genesis was at Level 68. I had once wondered if anyone on this continent could handle something as powerful as Genesis.
Turns out... there is—this old man.
Physically, Genesis might be stronger. But in terms of magical energy... this old man was no ordinary person. There's a high chance he was once a powerful mage from the Magic Tower who had retired and chosen to live quietly in the countryside like Lucien.
"Hey, kid. Here are the books you're looking for." The old man returned and placed three thick books on the counter.
"So, how much for all this, Old Man?" I asked, sitting casually in the chair across from him and inspecting the covers.
"60 gold coins."
Without hesitation, I placed a pouch of gold coins on the table.
The old man frowned in surprise. "Not going to haggle at all?"
"I've got money—for now," I replied, raising one hand casually.
He stared at me for a long time—like he was reading something invisible.
"It hasn't even been a week since you bought the basic magic and alchemy books... But you've already progressed so much. You... can already use magic, right?"
I raised my left hand and channeled mana. A basic magic circle began forming in the air.
"Ignite."
Whoosh! A small flame flickered above the magic circle. Yeah, just ordinary fire magic from this world. Not the blue fire I used to incinerate the bandits.
"Your mana control is pretty good," the old man commented, squinting at the flame. "You've grasped the fundamentals well."
"Well... I've been focusing on building the foundation. My mana capacity is still that of a beginner. Maybe even below the average first-rank Mage."
The old man smiled faintly. "Silver-white hair and blue eyes… Kid, your name's Rey Lucien, isn't it?"
I shook my head. "Wrong. Rey Lucien is my half-brother. My name... is Alric Lucien."
"...Don't lie. Do you think I'm an idiot? I know the Lucien family lineage well."
"Hehe," I chuckled lightly. "If you already know, why ask?"
Tck. The old man clicked his tongue. "Damn cheeky brat," he muttered, rubbing his forehead.
I took a deep breath. "By the way, Old Man, what's your real name?"
"My name's Eldrin. Well... it's a secret, but I don't mind you knowing. I'm a former grand mage of the Tharsaros Royal Court. Now just an old retiree enjoying tea in this quiet place."
He sipped his tea again calmly.
"Hooo," I murmured softly.
"...Wait, aren't you surprised by my name?" he asked, confused by my reaction.
"Well, judging from the magical energy I sensed from you, it's clear you're not ordinary. So, there's nothing surprising."
I stood and picked up the books I bought, ready to leave.
Old Man Eldrin was shocked. "How could you tell? Even royal court mages couldn't detect that..."
"Oh, sorry. That's... trade secret." I headed straight for the door and opened it.
From inside, I heard Old Man Eldrin grumbling in frustration.
After leaving the magic shop, I returned to the mansion. Went straight to my room, locked the door... and without delay, I opened a teleportation gate to Stargazer.
Once inside, I immediately handed the books I'd just bought to Gaia, so the data could be added to the database.
With the new plant and monster encyclopedias, Gaia no longer needed to send out drones to explore the nearby region. Everything could now be learned from the references.
I sat before the virtual monitor in the Alchemist Lab within Stargazer. The difference between this room and the alchemist room at the mansion... was stark.
The one in the mansion? Just simple tools—primitive equipment typical of this world. But in Stargazer? A cutting-edge lab on par with interdimensional research centers.
"Gaia, is all the data stored?"
[Certainly. I have assimilated the basics of alchemy and integrated all data from the encyclopedias into the system.]
"Good." I nodded and leaned back in the chair.
The past few hours I had spent reviewing all the data Gaia compiled. Alchemy methods in this world felt... simple. Far from the complexity of modern science.
But—that doesn't mean it's easy.
Every magical theory had its own internal logic. It's like blending ancient knowledge, magical systems, and a hint of basic chemistry principles.
My brows furrowed. "Who the heck is coming this late?"
"Huh?" I froze. Bernicia? At this hour?
[Aha~ is this...] Gaia's voice chimed in. [The moment when the naughty maid sneaks into her master's room?]
"Damn it, both of you shut up!" I rubbed my temples. "Apolo, open the teleportation gate to my room."
I stepped into the portal, still massaging my forehead. My mind drifted back to earlier—to the harsh words I said to Bernicia.
Not to mention... Rey Lucien of the past... nearly did something unspeakable to that girl.
Don't tell me... Bernicia came to take revenge?
I muttered internally.
...Did she bring a knife and plan to stab me?