She didn't answer.
She took a step back, eyes wide with horror, lips trembling.
"...Monster," she whispered. Then, louder—"MONSTER!"
The word echoed through the garden like a curse cast in moonlight.
And just then—
A cold, mechanical chime resounded in Kael's head.
[Congratulations. You have mastered a Rank 1 spell: Moon Blade.]
[Host may master only 6 more spells.]
###
[Conqueror's System]
[Name: Kaelion Drenlor.]
[Title: Certified Treacherous Bastard]
[Race: Human]
[Affiliation: House Drenlor (Kingdom of Velmora)]
[Rank: Noble – 3rd Son of the Duke (Duchy of Velmora)]
[Talents : Horse Riding: (D), Swimming: (E), Swordsmanship: (C) Mana Control: (SSS)]
[Spells(1/7) : Moon Blade ( Rank 1)]
[Primary Objective: Claim the Duchy !!
Reward: Rank 4 Spell – 'Crimson Veil']
###
Kael blinked.
The system's message echoed in his skull like a bad joke.
'Only seven spells total?'
He stared into the air, half-expecting a punchline to follow.
'What is this? Some kind of budget magic plan? Seven spells? That's it?'
Silence. Rude.
He turned toward Selene.
She was staring at him like he'd just eaten a kitten.
Eyes wide. Face pale.
"How many spells can a normal person master?" he asked, voice dry.
Selene swallowed. Still a bit ghost-pale.
"There's… no limit," she said slowly.
"They can master as many as they want. But like I told you—finding higher-level spells is hard. That's the real limit."
Kael stared up at the twin moons.
'I guess my mana control talent lets me connect with mana way better than most,' he thought.
'No wonder I could feel the mana so quickly and master this simple Rank 1 spell without breaking a sweat.'
Then the frustration hit.
'But of course', he mused bitterly,
'There's a catch. I'm stuck with only seven spells. Seven.'
'Perfect. Like being a chef limited to seven ingredients.'
But then his thoughts took a darker turn.
'…But if I could somehow get all the most destructive and powerful spells?'
'Well, who's going to stop me then?'
He smirked bitterly, the faint glint of something dangerous flickering in his eyes.
After some time, Selene finally calmed down, the wild tension in her eyes softening to something more curious.
She looked at him, searching his face as if trying to piece together a puzzle.
"So… you really aren't Kaelion," she said quietly.
Kael's lips curled into a small, tired smile.
"I told you before," he replied softly.
She hesitated a moment, then asked, her voice low and tentative,
"In your world… do all people learn magic this fast?"
Kael chuckled, a sound that seemed to lighten the heavy air between them.
Slowly, he reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering a moment longer than necessary.
Selene's cheeks flushed a soft pink, her eyes flickering away for a brief moment before meeting his again.
"Guess what?" Kael said with a teasing smile, voice gentle.
"In my world... there's no magic at all."
Selene frowned, breaking the silence.
"Then how did you do that?" she asked.
Kael smirked, shrugging casually.
"I just have a blessing," he said, voice light but with a hint of irony.
Selene's curiosity flickered in her eyes, but she said nothing more.
Kael shifted, eyes narrowing slightly as he steered the conversation.
"So, how many more Rank 1 spells do you have?"
A faint smile tugged at Selene's lips.
"I have three more," she replied, "but they're all attack spells, about as powerful as the Moon Blade."
She sighed, the weight of disappointment clear in her voice.
"I really want a defense spell, but they're expensive. I can't buy one, and I don't have anything worthwhile to trade."
Kael raised an eyebrow, his mind already racing.
"At the academy, students get spells based on their merits," Selene continued quietly.
"I only have three Rank 2 spells."
Kael's thoughts darkened briefly—Collecting spells? That's a terrifying hobby.
He looked at her with a sudden edge to his voice.
"Can you show me a Rank 2 spell?"
Selene didn't answer right away. Her expression changed—whatever surprise she'd felt now gave way to something more serious.
She took a slow breath, stepping closer, her voice low but firm.
"Kael… you must not do this."
He raised an eyebrow, but didn't interrupt.
"It's dangerous," she said, eyes locked on his.
"Learning a spell—really learning it—changes you. Your body mutates. Your mana pool expands, shifts. It's not like memorizing a poem or swinging a sword."
Kael's smile faded.
"If you just try to leap ahead—to learn a spell beyond what your body is ready for—it could… damage you. Maybe permanently. Irreversibly."
She looked genuinely afraid now,
"Your mind, your soul, your veins—everything gets touched by the magic you take in. That's why we train slowly. Why we earn each spell through effort, not shortcuts."
There was a long pause.
Kael finally let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair.
"Okay, okay—you win," he said, half-grumbling. "I won't touch Rank 2 spells… not until I'm ready to have my soul boiled alive or whatever poetic warning you just gave me."
Selene laughed, the tension easing from her shoulders as a small smile returned to her lips. "Good."
They both chuckled, the edge of fear and seriousness fading, replaced by something gentler.
Without another word, they sat down together beneath the pale glow of the twin moons. The grass was cool, the night air crisp and quiet.
A faint breeze carried the scent of flowers from the nearby beds, sweet and calming.
Kael kept his eyes on the moon, but his thoughts were far from calm. Beneath that silver glow, his mind churned with strategy.
Seven spells. Just seven. Then I have to make each one count.
He exhaled softly, then spoke aloud.
"In my world," he began, "people can share or exchange knowledge—even if they're oceans apart. Like, say you're good at cooking, and I'm not. You can teach me, or I can learn just by watching a video or reading your notes. We call it social networking."
Selene turned to him, surprised.
"But… you said your world has no magic."
Kael chuckled, the sound low and a little bitter.
"Yeah," he said. "That's called science, but that's not important right now."
Selene narrowed her eyes, sensing something deeper behind Kael's words.
"…What are you trying to say?" she asked carefully, her voice soft but edged with caution.
Kael stood up slowly, the grass rustling beneath him. He took a few steps forward until the twin moons framed him like a symbol, casting his shadow long across the garden.
Then he turned, arms stretched wide as if presenting an idea to the stars themselves.
"Selene," he said, voice calm but burning with quiet ambition,
"Why don't we create an organization?"