I Became the Magic Tower Master's Experimental Mouse - Chapter 17

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

I spun around in alarm.
The Tower Master stood at the entrance to the Reception Room.
‘Is he angry?’
The Tower Master’s face was naturally expressionless as always.
But unlike his usual listless blankness, this time his gaze carried a sharp, cutting edge.
Before I could decide whether to feel relieved or more afraid, he strode into the Reception Room.
“Put the child down, if you would.”
At the Tower Master’s words, the visitor hesitated before setting me down.
The Tower Master then looked down at me and asked.
“Test Subject, what’s supposed to be happening now?”
“It’s mealtime, sir……”
“What’s the most important thing in an experiment?”
“Keeping all the conditions identical……” but wait, that’s not what matters right now!”
The more the visitor heard this exchange, the more he seemed to misunderstand!
I grimaced, glancing between the Tower Master and the visitor.
“Why are you making that face? I’m not scolding you.”
“Because this is a huge problem, sir……”
Because you’re about to be accused of child abuse!
“Your Grace, the Tower Master merely means you shouldn’t skip meals……” right?”
I jumped in, spouting whatever I could to defend him.
Then it suddenly struck me — what if that really was the truth?
‘Come to think of it, the Tower Master has never actually scolded me, even when I’ve ignored him and acted out.’
So why would he suddenly scold me in front of a guest just because I missed a meal?
Which meant… what if he really had said it for my sake?
I tilted my head up slightly to peek at the Tower Master’s face.
His lips were pressed firmly shut, sealed tight.
Offering neither denial nor confirmation, the Tower Master quietly averted his gaze.
After an awkward silence, he spoke again, almost grudgingly.
“…It was merely an instruction for the sake of a perfect experiment.”
That’s so wrong! So absolutely, utterly wrong!
Which only made my theory feel even more convincing!
I felt my own lips sealing shut, and I pressed both cheeks firmly with my palms.
“…Mm.”
A moment later, the visitor broke the odd, lumpy silence.
The Tower Master released a small sigh-like breath, then bowed his head briefly but respectfully.
“…Behemoth, Your Grace. I apologize for the late greeting.”
The word ‘Behemoth’ rolled through my mind with a delayed echo.
…Behemoth?
‘Cassian’s father?!’
Then it all clicked into place.
Those golden eyes that felt familiar — they were identical to Cassian’s!
I hadn’t recognized them at first because they looked so clouded and murky.
The brilliant blonde hair was also a mark of House Behemoth, but the only Behemoth I’d ever met had been ravaged by addiction into near-white hair, so I hadn’t made the connection immediately.
The face of that boy whose hand I held and cleansed of toxins suddenly overlapped with this broad-shouldered adult.
‘My 1,000 Gold client!’
While my mind caught up with the facts, Behemoth turned a wary gaze to the Tower Master and asked.
“From your bearing, it doesn’t seem you’re abusing this child. But I can’t understand — how exactly are you using such a young child in poison experiments?”
At the Duke’s question, something flickered across the Tower Master’s eyes: annoyance and exasperation.
He turned to look at me, his expression slightly displeased.
‘I… I was so proud to be working at such a prestigious place that I never thought people would jump to these conclusions!’
I whimpered and wagged my tail frantically, making a desperate case for myself.
The Tower Master released a sigh, more pronounced than before, and replied.
“The Test Subject is… responsible for the Young Duke’s Detoxification.”
“…I’m sorry, what did you say?”
The bewildered Duke stared at me in complete shock, his face frozen.
‘That’s right — I possess a tremendously rare ability, the kind that cost you 1,000 Gold!’
Feeling suddenly proud, my spirits lifted and my ears perked straight up.
“Such a tiny child… truly…?”
“Sigh, it’s a secret from everyone else.”
So when I made a vague excuse that I couldn’t reveal it immediately, the Duke turned his gaze toward the Tower Master.
“How on earth is this possible? You said you couldn’t guarantee a cure, and then came rushing in because there were signs of improvement…….”
“The Test Subject arrived at the Magic Tower recently. She has undergone verification of special abilities and is now dedicated to treating the Young Duke.”
“So you disguised Cassian’s poisoning as a test subject!”
No, that part is actually true.
But I do understand the situation.
Unlike me, who felt proud about working as a test subject at the Magic Tower, the Duke clearly believed children shouldn’t be test subjects.
The Magic Tower staff had accepted it readily, so I’d given it little thought—but to outsiders, it apparently looked like abuse.
‘They feed me well, let me sleep soundly, don’t hit me, don’t steal my wages, and don’t force me to do anything evil. So why……?’
My understanding was very different from theirs, but the common sense of ordinary people was probably more correct than the assassin’s code I’d lived by.
“I cannot even fathom the debt I owe you. The fact that only you can save my son—I’m truly grateful.”
“A debt? I’m working under a contract with the Tower Master for fair compensation. There’s no debt!”
At my firm response, a smile crossed the Duke’s face.
The man who had looked like a grizzly bear suddenly resembled a giant teddy bear.
“That compensation is what the Tower Master provides……. Still, the House of Behemoth would like to provide additional rewards properly.”
“Your Grace. This child’s compensation is already determined within the rewards you presented to the Magic Tower.”
“But such a small child is working so hard for my son. I simply must reward her effort.”
The Duke gently overrode the Tower Master’s businesslike refusal.
“What I wish to give you is—”
And then he began to rattle off an impressive list of rewards.
Gold Coins in the tens of thousands, lifelong protection and patronage, an estate…….
My small mind couldn’t even grasp how far the sincerity extended—the words just kept pouring out.
‘……Tens of thousands? Tens of thousands?’
It was such a vast sum that it felt like my entire life was about to flip upside down.
But I had no desire to accept such additional rewards for healing Cassian.
It wasn’t that I lacked greed or was understating what I’d accomplished.
It was because I had already signed the Contract.
‘Someone who signs a Contract and then asks for more money is a swindler.’
Whether it’s a trap, discord, or anything else.
I’d seen assassins before who tried to earn more money this way and got caught, so it was crucial to stamp the Contract properly from the beginning.
‘Sigh—next time, I should write my contracts with more open clauses, accounting for the possibility of receiving additional compensation.’
This oversight had come from never having met such a generous client before.
In any case, if I didn’t stick to principles, I could end up ruined by greed later, so I had to be careful.
“I’m grateful, but I don’t really want to receive it.”
“……May I ask why? You’re still young and may not fully understand, but what I’ve offered is truly extraordinary compensation.”
“I understand. But the money I contracted to receive is enough, and I have no intention of taking anything beyond that.”
At my firm answer, the Duke paused for a moment.
“It’s a matter of principle to take only what’s in the Contract. I’ve seen plenty of adults who started accepting extra money and ended up ruined.”
The Duke stared at me for a long while.
He regarded me with what seemed like genuine admiration, as if something about me surprised him, and asked again.
“Little one. Then let me ask you one more thing. It’s a question that could change your entire life, so answer carefully.”
“Yes.”
“How would you feel about becoming an Adopted Daughter of House Behemoth?”
Time seemed to stop in the Reception Room.
‘……What?’
An Adopted Daughter? Become the daughter of House Behemoth?
‘A rise in status from commoner to nobility?!’
Before my return, it would have been an impossible dream.
And Behemoth was the greatest ducal house on the continent.
I stood there slack-jawed, staring up at the Duke in stunned silence.
I thought it might be a joke, but the Duke’s golden eyes were serious.
“House Behemoth values gratitude greatly. I wish to formally adopt you as my Adopted Daughter and guarantee your lifelong protection and prosperity.”
It was far too serious a tone to be teasing.
‘……Hmm.’
To say I wasn’t tempted would be a lie.
Before my return, I might have knelt and accepted such an offer…….
‘But I can live well on my own strength.’
I had already lived a life appeasing the moods and whims of powerful people and adults, worrying about the future.
I may have entered the shadow of the Magic Tower, but I am not bound to it.
I am living with legitimate contracts and my own strength, so I am content with my life as it is now.
‘That’s right. Once Cassian forgets the debt of gratitude, once the Duke’s interest begins to wane, anxiety will set in.’
Gratitude is the easiest thing in the world to forget.
I lifted my head and met the Duke’s gaze directly.
“I’m grateful, but I can’t accept it.”
“……May I ask why?”
“Because I’m doing well enough on my own.”
My confident words brought a flicker of surprise to the Duke’s eyes.
And from somewhere behind me, I caught the faint sound of a relieved breath, almost like a sigh.

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