the place that they headed to wasn’t franto’s, but instead to the magic engineering institute.

    the research institute was built by pushing the northwest outskirts of viseltium, which was originally a slum area which was considerable in size. seira scanned the strong magic barriers surrounding each building and pondered about its importance.

    louis took seira into the largest and had an incomparably denser barrier than the rest.

    ‘in this level, it would be difficult even for me or baron to break through,’ she thought.

    but would it be possible if aven, who had the power to go beyond space, and herself, who could amplify his ability, penetrate it together? it seemed to be both difficult going in and out of the facility by the looks of it.

    seira greeted and almost bowed to a researcher they encountered on the way. she watched his back as he walked past them, and then quickly followed louis down the stairs.

    “this research facility operated by franto surely must have a lot of confidential information,” she said, “is it fine to casually bring in outsiders like this?”

    he looked down at her and said, “that’s fine. you’ll soon be no stranger. right?”

    “if franto and askan’s interests are in line with each other, so be it.”

    “then there is nothing to worry about.”

    louis didn’t seem to mind that there might be the possibility of things going wrong between them. perhaps his confidence lied in the fact that he held the key to seira’s goal, which she had dedicated years to solving.

    however, seira didn’t disregard anything at all.

    ‘i mustn’t let my guard down,’ she told herself, ‘this could be a trap.’

    when she began her career as a master-class slayer, many tried to take her by force for she was a pure-blooded omega. day and night, she had to fight and deal with demons and humans alike.

    seira feigned composure, but deep inside she was on high alert so she could use her power any time it was needed.

    thanks to the magic lamps stuck to the ceiling, seira didn’t feel suffocated as they descended down the basement. the air was as pleasant as it was above ground.

    ‘how much did they spend on these buildings?’ she could only wonder.

    while trying not to be distracted and calculate the estimated cost of one research building, the two of them arrived at their destination.

    “this is my private lab,” louis said as he waved his hand towards an entrance door.

    it was the only door there as if he used the entire underground space alone. its large stone gate had elaborate patterns that moved on its own when louis raised his palm. it looked like the magic circle recognized him as its owner.

    louis’ lieutenant was allowed to enter this far only, so he set down the cage he carried for seira inside the room and went straight back up.

    lewis reached out to her saying, “come on in.”

    ‘i don’t think i could get out of her alone,’ she realized.

    the only way to pass through a perfect protective shield, where not even a single hole that could get a needle through was visible, was to hold the hands of its owner.

    her intense worries ended so quickly she didn’t even notice.

    ‘i can’t go back now.’

    even if it was a trap and a bait, she had no choice. seira smiled at louis and held his hand as if she never even suspected anything negative from him.

    ‘franto’s mansion would’ve been a much better place if he planned to do something to me,’ she convinced herself at the back of her mind.

    she heard that the emperor’s permission, as the land owner, was essential for the research facility to be located in viseltium. the temple had worked hard to achieve that. the eyes of the imperial family and the temple would be everywhere to prevent franto from wandering.

    not one of them was on her side, but calrad and louis also didn’t seem to get along. there was no way that she’d be locked up in the facility without a rat or a bird knowing.

    seira’s eyes widened as she entered the room nervously.

    “ah!” she exclaimed spontaneously.

    hundreds of transparent cubes containing different substances filled the wall. some of them were jewels she knew, and some liquids she had no idea what they were.

    as seira watched, louis entered through the inner door and came out with a tray full of teapots, teacups, and snacks.

    after a while, the fragrant scent of tea filled the enclosed area.

    “seira,” he called out to her.

    louis approached seira and wrapped her shoulders with a friendly gesture as he added, “you can visit anytime. we can take a separate tour and look around later.”

    he led her to a table in the middle. after pulling out a chair for her first, louis took the seat across seira and sat.

    “do you know how to make tea?” she asked curiously.

    it seemed like he was quite skillful in handling the teapot as it tilted and filled the teacup.

    “we don’t have anyone working in this place aside from me, so i had to do everything myself. i can make simple food to eat,” he bragged, “there’s everything we need for sustenance here.”

    after all, most wizards were like that. once holed up in his personal cave, a wizard didn’t usually come out for months and immersed himself in his dedicated work.