Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - 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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“Nervous?”
“Yeah, I haven’t had good memories at these galas. And this is my first winter one.”
“But this time will be completely different.”
“You’re right. And you’re coming with me too.”
At her renewed confidence, Diena’s eyes slowly widened.
“I’m so glad you’re well again.”
Just then, Barcan opened the carriage door.
“Bianca, get in quickly.”
“Oh, understood!”
Bianca bounded into the carriage like a child, her excitement infectious. Since awakening her Innate Ability—and now being able to spend time with Sevar and Barcan—she had grown noticeably brighter.
While people bustled about, Barcan held the door and turned toward Diena, who stood silently.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you getting in?”
“Me?”
Diena shook her head quietly.
“Actually, I’m planning to go with Malacar.”
“Oh, with Malacar…”
At the mention of Malacar’s name, Barcan’s eyes narrowed. Inside the carriage, Bianca’s expression shifted with wariness.
Since Bianca’s collapse, Malacar had remained at House Cardian, continually attempting to approach Diena.
And each time they met…
“I hear Bianca’s recovered! What wonderful news. It’s fortunate you no longer need to hide your identity while watching the Duke of House Rothwell’s mood… but I must confess, I’m disappointed. I was looking forward to going to the Magic Tower together.”
Without fail, he began inserting remarks about going to the Magic Tower together.
Diena dismissed it as kindness, but Barcan could not. He doted on Diena in an unusual way, as if feeling kinship with someone in similar circumstances to his own.
Barcan recalled something Malacar had said not long ago.
“Barcan, I have a feeling. I think Diena may have talent for magic.”
“Really?”
“Doesn’t Diena seem to want to go to the Magic Tower, in her own way?”
“I can’t tell at all.”
Each time, Barcan had put up an iron wall, yet he couldn’t help feeling anxious—just in case.
When Diena had been expelled from House Cardian, she’d entertained thoughts of going to the Magic Tower. He feared that if she truly had talent for magic, she might simply abandon them and leave.
Then, from a distance, Malacar reacted swiftly to Diena’s words.
“Diena! My carriage has plenty of room.”
Barcan’s expression darkened as he looked at him.
“Your hearing’s remarkably sharp for someone your age.”
His gaze turned cold as it swept across Malacar. Unbothered, Malacar smiled gleefully and waved his hand.
Bianca, sensing the tension, poked her head out and cried out.
“Wait, you’re going with Malacar? Not with me?”
“Yes, there’s something I need to discuss with him alone.”
Bianca narrowed her eyes at Malacar, and behind her, Sevar’s gaze grew equally sharp and cold.
Despite commanding the undivided attention of the three Cardian youngsters, Malacar maintained an easy smile.
“In fact, I have much to discuss as well.”
At his unwavering stance, Bianca gripped her skirts tightly and forced herself to speak.
“Fine… yes, if that’s what you want, I suppose I can’t help it. I’m… fine with it. Really, I’m truly fine.”
Her voice dripped with barely concealed reluctance. Still, Diena smiled softly and boarded Malacar’s carriage without hesitation.
“Diena…”
Bianca gazed wistfully at Diena’s retreating figure as she climbed into Malacar’s carriage.
* * *
The carriage door closed, and heavy wheels began to turn. Malacar sat with his chin propped on his hand, studying Diena intently.
“Why did you suggest we ride alone? There must be a reason.”
“There might not be a particular reason.”
“If there were no reason, wouldn’t you have ridden with Bianca instead?”
“Mm, I can’t deny that.”
“This is quite disheartening. I’ve never lacked popularity anywhere, yet at House Cardian I’m treated like this… How lamentable.”
“Were you really that popular?”
“Of course. Do you think it’s easy to find a powerful mage like myself? Everyone wants to court my favor. You and those Cardian people alike—you all underestimate me terribly.”
Diena let out a small laugh.
It was typical of Malacar.
And it was true. Malacar was an exceptional mage, and powerful ones were rare to find.
That was precisely why Diena had boarded the carriage with him.
“So why did you want to see me? Have you changed your mind now?”
Diena slowly nodded.
“I want to become your apprentice. However, could I enter the Magic Tower later?”
“Later?”
“Yes, I’d like to go after I’ve finished everything I need to do.”
“What is it that you need to do?”
“The annihilation of House Rothwell.”
Despite Diena’s absurd declaration, Malacar answered with a grave expression.
“Won’t that be difficult? They monopolize the Temple’s Side-Effect Suppressant. You’ll have no one to stand beside you.”
“That’s why I’m asking. Please use my Innate Ability to improve the Magic Tower’s Side-Effect Suppressant.”
Had anyone else said this, Malacar would have immediately declared it impossible.
But it was Diena who spoke. Among those he knew, the most inscrutable person.
And the possessor of Purification of Ability User—a miraculous Innate Ability.
“You’ve seen potential?”
“Yes.”
Malacar pressed further, as if seeking confirmation.
“Truly?”
“Truly.”
“Really?”
“If I use my Innate Ability, I can enhance the performance of the Magic Tower’s Side-Effect Suppressant.”
“What?”
At that, Malacar handed Diena a Side-Effect Suppressant. She accepted it, drew up her Mana, and simultaneously activated her Innate Ability.
The color of the Suppressant began to shift—from yellow to blue.
Witnessing this, Malacar gasped in astonishment.
“H-how did you do that?”
“…”
“And when did you awaken Mana?”
His hands trembled, and his eyes gleamed with unsettling intensity.
“I awakened it not long ago.”
“But when we first met, it wasn’t that long ago, and I couldn’t sense any Mana in you…”
“More time passed than you might think.”
“And you awakened it on your own, without any guidance from another…”
Malacar’s eyes gleamed as though he were witnessing a prodigy born of monsters.
“Would you like to try using it?”
Diena redirected the conversation by handing the Suppressant back to Malacar. He seized it with urgent hands and took a sharp breath as he tested it.
“The effect truly is different. It’s like the Temple’s Side-Effect Suppressant.”
“It seems much research will be needed. Right now, I can only produce it using my Innate Ability. For commercialization, I’ll need your help, Malacar.”

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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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