Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 51

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 51
Serpina Rosena nodded as though it were obvious. Indeed, if I’d insisted on going to Violet House alone, I could easily imagine how much she would have objected.
Lucian Advein maintained his blue eyes in Aubrey Violet’s presence—perhaps because I’d only said he was a decent person, but hadn’t gone so far as to say I trusted him.
“Then I shall guide you at once.”
Rather than waste time, Aubrey Violet promptly led us forward.
As Aubrey Violet moved, I caught her glancing sideways at my sister while pretending to look ahead. It was a gaze too deliberate to simply overlook.
She was clearly conscious of Serpina Rosena for some reason. I hoped it wasn’t for any ill purpose. I didn’t want my relationship with Aubrey Violet to deteriorate.
“This person is….”
“Ah, my traveling companion. You may have seen her before, but I maintain at least two guards for my personal protection.”
Minabell Cherita, her head covered by a robe and her face concealed, carried an unexpected air of dignity.
There was something mysterious about her presence—as though she might produce some terrifyingly formidable weapon from her embrace at any moment to protect me.
A status window would certainly qualify as a dangerous weapon.
“The knight who was with you then is not present, I see.”
“That person was assigned to me directly by His Highness the Crown Prince. I’m not in a position to use them as I wish.”
I’d been honest about it to prevent any unfortunate incidents when Aubrey Violet later recognized Haeston.
“Ah, then the rumors about the two of you….”
“Pardon?”
“It’s nothing.”
Aubrey Violet hastily cut herself off. She’d been about to suggest that our relationship was of that nature.
Perhaps I should simply admit it publicly. That would be easier.
Even as I tried to think of other things, the moment when Aubrey Violet had observed Serpina Rosena continued to linger in my mind.
If it had merely been curiosity, I wouldn’t have paid it such attention. But the emotion reflected in Aubrey Violet’s expression then was subtle discomfort—and something more negative than that.
If I had to name it, it lay somewhere between envy and jealousy.
If she harbored any intention to harm Serpina Rosena or held malice toward her, we could never truly be friends—and besides, Serpina Rosena would never allow Aubrey Violet to live.
I preferred to maintain good relations between us.
“The Magic Tower calls this a portal.”
A portal.
The place that rippled like blue flames resembled both a mirror and a puddle of water.
I gazed at the wall where my reflection shimmered, then turned back to Aubrey Violet.
“You need only step directly through.”
“It certainly does lead to the Magic Tower, then.”
When Lucian Advein posed this final question, Aubrey Violet bowed deeply in perfect courtesy. To show such utmost respect for such a simple inquiry.
She seemed like someone who had been explicitly instructed to hold Lucian Advein in such high regard.
“How could I defy such an order? It is certain.”
“When I meet my brother, I shall commend him for having such a loyal retainer.”
“…Thank you.”
Aubrey Violet’s face seemed to flush slightly.
Ah, I see. I understood that subtle negative emotion in an instant. It was a feeling common to her age, and my sister—who had grown weary of such matters long ago—would handle it herself.
Still, perhaps I should give her a hint. My sister seemed to have almost no interest in Aubrey Violet.
With Minabell Cherita and Elian flanking me on both sides, I offered a final greeting to Serpina Rosena and Lucian Advein.
“Then I shall see you in a few days.”
Immediately after, I leaped across the space without hesitation. Whether it was because I’d already experienced death once, or because I’d unexpectedly discovered a way to reach a new world, I found myself oddly exhilarated—doubt never even crossed my mind.
For a brief moment, a subtle sensation of suffocation washed over me in the cold water, but my consciousness snapped back into focus just as quickly.
I stood alone at the very bottom of a cylindrical building lined with books on every side. Elian and Minabell had arrived safely as well, pressing close behind me as they cautiously surveyed our surroundings.
“Eli, Bell. Have you heard anything about the Magic Tower?”
“I’ve heard a few things, but this is my first time actually visiting.”
“Mine too. Information is available, but this place is only meant for those who genuinely wish to study magic properly.”
To be precise, that’s not entirely accurate, but that’s what the general public believes. The upper-class nobles who visit here to trade magical artifacts do so in secret, so the truth likely isn’t widely known.
I was pondering whom I should summon to enter deeper into this place when I heard someone hurrying down from the center of the building.
“Hah!”
As if the descent itself was too tedious, a figure vaulted over the railing with a loud crash and tumbled to the floor below.
A man landed gracefully before me, his eyes still squeezed shut, and exhaled a long breath.
A handsome man who appeared to be in his thirties or early forties smiled gently toward me.
“Welcome to our tower. Serpina Rosena has told me much about you. I am the youngest Tower Master, Asteron….”
“The youngest Tower Master is eighty-one years old? Becoming a Tower Master really is quite difficult, isn’t it….”
At Minabell’s murmur, his pretense, his lies, and his poker face all shattered at once.
Even our very first meeting.
* * *
Whether noble or commoner, anyone with a heartbeat harbors secrets they wish to keep.
Just as this Tower Master hides his age to run rampant through the Magic Society and turn the Council of Elders’ insides out.
Can one still cause trouble even with age? Of course, but those like the Council of Elders simply cannot bear the sight of youngsters defying them.
‘Why do you enjoy such things?’
‘Because I don’t wish to become the sort of authoritarian who crushes others beneath the weight of age.’
‘How contradictory of you.’
‘In my view, you’re simply a strange person. Most wouldn’t notice.’
‘….’
Having inadvertently learned many others’ secrets, I always make an effort to pretend I know nothing.
“Bell.”
“Eek.”
But Minabell….
No, truthfully, Minabell’s voice had been extraordinarily quiet.
So quiet that an ordinary person could never have heard it. Only I, standing right beside her, could barely make it out.
But the problem was that the person before us was the Grand Mage who reigned at the pinnacle of the Magic Tower.
“Eighty-one?”
He offered no further reproach or comment toward us, yet the subtle fading of amusement from his expression was enough for me to immediately grasp that our situation had taken a turn for the worse.
“Could you possibly be Serpina Rosena’s family member?”
Asteron’s gaze, which had been creaking with tension, slowly turned toward Minabell.
As I deliberated whether I should offer a well-intentioned lie to protect Minabell, she answered with disarming honesty before I could even interject.
“No, I’m Minabell Cherita, and this is Flotie Rosena. Anyone can see the resemblance! Tiae, it’s still an honor for me, right?”
Sometimes I truly cannot fathom this girl’s reasoning. Does she genuinely wish to hasten her own demise?
Perhaps it was because I’d already died once that a second death held no particular terror for me.
“I did hear this morning that you were bringing another companion to the Holy Kingdom.”
“I am Flotie Rosena. This arrangement was decided rather abruptly this morning, and I sincerely appreciate your understanding.”
Asteron responded to my reluctant answer with a grin.
“Among nobility, it’s hardly unusual for children to share no blood relation. A difference in appearance means little. And which house does Cherita hail from?”
The clearly irritated Magic Tower Master approached us step by step, laughing with a hollow sound.
There was no helping it. I narrowed my eyes slightly and positioned myself between Minabell and Asteron.
‘Tiae, the Magic Tower Master’s true name is Asteron Sol Osborn.’
‘I’ve never heard that he has a separate middle name before.’
‘It’s quite an old-fashioned name that disappeared long ago, but he’d be pleased if you mentioned it to him. It holds meaning for me as well. Had I not known your master possessed that middle name, I would never have found you again.’
“Flotie of Rosena offers her greetings. I have heard much about you from the Young Duke. Magic Tower Master Asteron Sol Osborn.”
“I never expected anyone to remember the middle name Sol.”
Asteron, who had seemed about to do something to Minabell, froze with his eyes wide open.
I remembered the expression Serpina Rosena had worn then—so complex and tender—and it truly resonated.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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