Chapter 65 : Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Choice (2)

Labella’s question about my identity.

Her voice was as calm as ever, but the meaning behind her question was razor-sharp.

I stared into Labella’s pitch-black eyes.

I couldn’t guess what emotions were hidden in those dark pupils.

As I silently gazed into her eyes, Labella spoke again.

“The past ten days have been quite busy. I analyzed the dark mage’s journal, tested various magics in Myeolji with the research team, and reported to the agency that Polarin-nim successfully completed a request.”

“…….”

“The dark mage’s research was incredibly fascinating. He referred to demonic energy as a blessing, and in some ways, there’s merit to that perspective. It enables things impossible with atmospheric mana.”

I knew that everything Labella had said so far was merely a prelude.

I listened quietly, waiting for her to bring up what she truly wanted to say.

“But Polarin-nim’s mana is just as mysterious.”

“That’s…….”

“Polarin-nim, what is your true identity?”

Who in this world knows that I am half-human, half-dragon?

With Labella standing before me, that was my first thought.

Hike and Baden knew my true identity.

Gerd didn’t know I was half-human, half-dragon, but he was aware that my heart wasn’t in good condition.

Though I hadn’t said it outright, Tayon or the Council of Elders might also have their suspicions.

To others, I had never revealed my identity.

Humans are wary of those different from themselves.

That wariness can turn into fear or disgust.

That truth held on Earth as well.

Humans have an inherent tendency to reject those who are different.

That’s why they struggle to coexist or unite with other races.

The Empire’s talk of efficiency in rallying humans likely stems from a similar mindset.

They reject those with differing thoughts, aiming to subdue them by force.

Even to those I considered comrades, like Keldric, Kiyot, or Siriel, I never disclosed that I was half-human, half-dragon.

Having a dragon’s heart is proof that I am a descendant of Adjak.

Though I didn’t think Kiyot or Siriel would react poorly, there was no need to reveal it myself.

But looking into Labella’s eyes, it seemed she had already figured out my identity.

“I am human, but my heart is non-human.”

I had thought it might come to light someday.

If I had intended to keep it hidden, I wouldn’t have allowed Labella, who knows more about mana than anyone, to examine mine.

When I first joined the mana research department, my goal was simply to study demonic energy and mana before leaving.

But my perspective gradually changed.

Though busy with her research, Labella thoroughly played the role of my mentor.

She didn’t flaunt her status as a princess, but thanks to her, I could form a small connection with Baron Renwood.

“My heart is that of a dragon. I don’t know exactly why. It’s been that way since I was born.”

“As expected. It’s no wonder Polarin-nim is called the successor of Adjak-nim.”

Her words startled me.

And then, I realized the source of the unease I’d felt since meeting Labella.

She had known my identity from the very beginning.

The look in her eyes before I took the entrance exam.

Realizing her help wasn’t purely out of kindness made me give a wry smile.

“So, are you going to expel me now?”

“Why? Because your heart is different from mine?”

“Yes.”

“That will never happen. If anything, it’s fascinating.”

As expected of the head of an extraordinary research department.

From my perspective, there was still much to learn here, so it was fortunate.

Lost in those thoughts, I couldn’t have anticipated what Labella said next.

“I have a confession for Polarin-nim as well. I’ve been reporting your information to the Empire.”

“What?”

“Exactly as I said. I am a spy appointed by the Imperial Intelligence Agency.”

I was at a loss for words.

Labella, a spy?

The reason the Adjak family allowed me to go to Ostrum was simple.

In a place where the magic towers hold more sway than the lord, they assumed the Empire’s influence would be weak.

Though Labella was a princess, she had drawn a line between herself and the Empire.

Had I been too naive?

“Did Labella-nim sell me out?”

Labella gave a faint smile.

Though her emotions were usually hard to read, the sadness in her dark eyes was unmistakable.

“Yes.”

I asked again, hoping for a different answer, but the same response came.

Why was Labella revealing this now?

That was a question, but first, I needed to carefully assess the situation.

“Why is the Imperial Intelligence Agency monitoring me?”

“As I mentioned, the Empire plans to form an expedition. They believe Polarin-nim’s power is necessary. They need the symbolic value of Adjak-nim’s successor.”

“So, after suppressing my family by force, they want to borrow my power?”

“That’s the Empire’s stance.”

“But it sounds like Labella-nim’s stance differs from the Empire’s.”

“Yes, I don’t support the war. The demons in the Dome are likely stockpiling their strength. Humanity must not waste its power.”

Then why on earth was Labella acting as the Empire’s spy?

As if reading my thoughts, Labella spoke first.

“The current head of the Intelligence Agency was my teacher, who taught me and my siblings. I owe him a great deal. He rarely makes requests, so it was hard to refuse.”

“What information did you pass on?”

Labella spoke freely.

She said I came to the mana research department to learn more about demonic energy and mana, that I had a strong interest in combating demons, and that I had the qualities of an exceptional mage.

All the information Labella shared was true.

None of it would cause significant harm if leaked.

But my posture in this conversation had already turned defensive.

“Is there anything you deliberately taught me incorrectly in your research?”

“No, I swear there isn’t. I treated Polarin-nim no differently from the other mages in the department.”

No, in fact, she treated me better than the other mages.

But now I couldn’t help but wonder if it was all to fulfill her role as a spy for the Empire.

Should I trust Labella?

I hadn’t revealed my half-human, half-dragon nature either, so were we on equal footing?

My mind was in turmoil.

I asked the question that had been nagging at me.

This would determine how I’d deal with Labella moving forward.

“Why did Labella-nim tell me you’re a spy?”

“To be honest, when I asked if you were human, I was testing Polarin-nim.”

“Did my truthfulness influence your confession?”

“Yes. I was certain Polarin-nim was a dragon. If you had lied, I would have deceived you as well.”

“…….”

“But since Polarin-nim spoke the truth, I want to be truthful too.”

“Be truthful?”

“Yes, I will no longer pass your information to the Empire. My cooperation was more about helping my teacher than being forced, so if I say I’ll stop, he won’t object.”

Then I recalled Tello’s strategy. Knowing their headquarters was exposed but not rushing to act.

Tello had deliberately leaked information to successfully relocate their base.

“Labella-nim is my teacher.”

Labella’s eyes widened.

She clearly hadn’t expected me to say this.

“Will you continue to teach me?”

“…Of course.”

“Then, from now on, be my spy. After all, Labella-nim doesn’t want to remain under the Empire’s shadow and opposes the war.”

“You mean to feed the Intelligence Agency only the information Polarin-nim wants, to mislead them?”

As expected, Labella was quick-witted.

From my brief words, she immediately grasped what I wanted.

“Haha, exactly.”

I laughed, but Labella didn’t.

She seemed to carry some guilt toward me.

But I had hidden things from her too, so it couldn’t be helped.

The moment I decided to reveal my half-human, half-dragon nature, I had chosen to trust her.

“Teacher, I don’t know how to draw magic circles.”

“T-Teacher?”

“Yes, I’ve learned so much from Labella-nim, so you’re like a teacher to me. Of course, I have other teachers too. Labella-nim is the one teaching me about mana and demonic energy.”

“…That’s true. And I know Polarin-nim doesn’t know how to draw magic circles. Why bring it up?”

“Teach me magic because only magic will help me conquer Myeolji.”

At that, a spark returned to Labella’s eyes.

“Of course. It will definitely help you conquer Myeolji.”

“Then I’ll learn. Magic.”

At my words, Labella smiled for the first time in a while.

* * *

Labella gathered all the mages in the research department.

It turned out that all the mages had been working together to develop the theory for the magic I would use.

When I first arrived at the department, the mages’ busyness was due to calculating the magic meant for me.

“While studying Polarin-nim’s constitution, we discovered new possibilities. The potential to invent magic that humanity has never seen before.”

Following Labella, Mumbel, the second-in-command of the research department, nodded and stepped forward.

He had been too focused on his research to exchange even a single word with me.

But even Mumbel glanced at me and supported Labella’s words.

“This magic is new. A new history of magic might be written in our research department.”

Mumbel shouted to the mages with a passionate voice.

“Are you all ready to write a new history!”

“Yes!”

The mages responded with booming voices.

Though they rarely gathered as one, in this moment, they were united.

Labella smiled proudly and spoke again.

“The magic for Polarin-nim isn’t complete yet. We’re all working together to create it. We need to know more about Polarin-nim.”

“What are you curious about?”

“We already know Polarin-nim’s ability to control mana. Most mages in Ostrum would be astonished.”

I felt a bit embarrassed but accepted it.

The fact that I was special.

“What else is Polarin-nim’s strength? It would help to know.”

I thought for a moment.

What was my strength?

Being able to skillfully handle many Tunes?

But that wouldn’t interest the mages.

Some hardline mages believe in the mystery of magic over Tunes.

“I have a lot of mana.”

I declared with confidence.

My greatest strength was my abundant mana.

But Mumbel looked puzzled and asked.

“Polarin. None of the mages here lack mana. You can’t become a mage without sufficient mana in the first place.”

“I have a lot.”

But I was certain.

Even the current tower masters, or the genius mages of the century, couldn’t match my mana capacity.

“Just watch.”

I spurred my heart.

Moments later, the mages’ eyes widened in shock.

“I told you, I have a lot.”

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