[Did I do something to make him angry?]

Of course not.

I dismissed the dejected Cecily.

However, I could understand Cecily’s feelings. Who wouldn’t be depressed if they got ditched in the middle of a date? If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve placed a tracking spell on him. That way, I could teleport and punch Mark right away.

Cecily walked around the library, but there was no sign of Mark.

I couldn’t bear to see Cecily looking so depressed. This happened because I went to look for a book out of my own accord. Maybe enjoying tea at a nice café would cheer her up. I was about to suggest that to Cecily when…

[Huh…?]

Suddenly, Cecily approached the potted plant being displayed on a table. She picked up a leather bracelet.

[Isn’t this Mark’s?]

Really?

I didn’t really pay attention to the accessories he was wearing.

But if Cecily says so, it must be true.

Convinced, I focused on the bracelet. Sure enough, it was seeped with Mark’s beautiful magic. It seemed to be a special item he always wore.

Can I take over for a bit?

After Cecily let me take control of her body, I examined the bracelet. The metal fittings didn’t seem loose. It must’ve been removed intentionally. Then, I noticed that there was a small magic formula engraved on the back.

[It’s so simple, you can figure it out at a glance.]

I guess it wouldn’t be that easy for kid these days.

After all, it was the formula I had developed 800 years ago. The magic itself wasn’t difficult to interpret. It was usually casted on young children to prevent them from getting lost.

Nevertheless, the fact remained that it was a magic tool imbued with a formula from 800 years ago. What used to be a cheap, disposable item had become something that not even a noble could easily obtain.

He was in no position where he should be able to obtain a tool from such an ancient civilization—

—Still, with this around, things should be easier.

I unraveled the bracelet’s formula and released the residual magic.

Then, a thin path of magic stretched out. This path should lead to the owner.

Alright, time to punch the guy who doesn’t follow dating etiquette.

[If something like this was dropped, isn’t he in some kind of danger?]

As I ran, I listened to Cecily’s remark.

That… kind of makes sense.

Well, I suppose judging from the physical evidence, it seemed like he was abducted. Mark probably dropped it as a message.

This is no fun. Why is the guy the one getting kidnapped? Shouldn’t it be the other way around in romance?

[This isn’t the time for that!]

Oh, Cecily yelled at me.

I was happy that she’d gotten so strong over these last six months.

I reached the back of the library, a loading dock used by contractors. Coincidentally, we saw Mark as he was about to be loaded into a carriage. I was impressed by the perfect timing. He was gagged with his arms tied behind his back.

This is an abduction, alright.

I found myself amazed again. I couldn’t help but put my hands on my hips and observe.

“Hmm…”

[Hurry up and help him already!]

Well, if Cecily says so…

While I could just get Cecily to do it, it might be a bit too much for someone with zero practical experience. Thus, I started to channel my magic.

“—What kind of dangerous spell are you trying to use?”

All of the sudden, someone shoved me aside, canceling my spell. It was Eivind Dahl.

Excuse me? I made sure it would be a modest explosive magic so that the library wouldn’t catch fire?

But Eivind, dressed in plain clothes, didn’t hesitate to charge into the crime scene. He was trying to suppress the abductors with as little magic as possible. He boosted his hands and feet, kicking and punching the abductors. In the end, he managed to subdue three.

However, there were five of them. The remaining two quickly threw Mark into the carriage, before rushing away. Eivind immediately shot at the tires, but a barrier repelled his attack. Even if he was a young prodigy, the power of his magic was limited, especially when he moderated it.

Eivind loudly clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair.

He must’ve been desperate in his own way.

He’s being unusually manly.

I looked up at him from below and laughed.

“Haha, so uncool.”

“Should I’ve blown up the whole carriage and Prince Maximillian?”

“What do you mean?”

When I asked, Eivind Dahl replied in a low voice.

“‘Mark’is Maximilian von Nouwen. He’s the third prince of the Nouwen Kingdom.”

---

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***T/N: GOD WHAT A TWIST. THE THIRD PRINCE IS THE FRIEND WE MADE ALONG THE WAY.

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