Chapter 18: Witch Hunt – (1)

Since the date with Ilia, our relationship has grown even closer.

Ilia had to stay in the capital for a while, and I ended up staying with her at the Rigmond family’s villa.

Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, Ilia is clearly the next head of the Rigmond family.

Because of that, except for the day we first met, Ilia spent most of her time in the office.

And I followed her to the office, helping her with her work.

It was a significant change compared to before the regression, when Ilia wouldn’t even show me a single document.

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to help with your work?”

At my question, Ilia looked up from the documents and replied, “We’ll be doing this together once we’re married anyway, so why not? Consider this a chance to learn. I’m still not entirely used to it myself, so I could use the help.”

Despite her words, Ilia’s ability to handle work was incredible.

‘Well, even before the regression, she was incredibly efficient.’

I thought to myself as I looked back down at Ilia, who was focused on her work.

Her calm blue eyes and soft white hair gave off a gentle aura.

During our date, her disguised brown hair and eyes were also beautiful, but this color combination suited her the most.

‘Speaking of which…’

Recently, I had been troubled by something related to Ilia’s necklace.

The concern arose on the day we reunited, after our date, when we returned to the villa.

“I forgot to undo the disguise,” Ilia had said, removing the necklace she was wearing and returning to her original appearance.

The necklace was enchanted with a disguise spell.

Seeing it reminded me of the necklace Ilia had left me as a memento before the regression.

‘Come to think of it, was Ilia wearing that necklace during the engagement ceremony?’

I tried to recall, but I couldn’t remember her wearing it at the engagement ceremony.

It was strange.

Before the regression, she had worn it during the engagement ceremony.

No, more than that, she had never been without it.

A silver necklace with a rugged, outdated design.

At the time, I dismissed it as a coincidence, but the more time I spent with Ilia, the more I couldn’t shake the doubt.

‘Why isn’t she wearing the necklace?’

Since we met again, Ilia had never worn that necklace.

The heirloom left by her mother, enchanted with a luck spell.

‘There’s something going on.’

Whether it’s about the necklace or Ilia herself.

It was half intuition, but I was certain of it.

The problem was how to bring it up with Ilia.

‘How can I ask about something I’ve never seen before?’

Ilia didn’t seem to have any memories from before the regression.

If I asked her about the necklace, it might raise suspicions.

‘Then I won’t be able to help her.’

That was something I had to avoid, so I kept the question to myself.

“…Aren.”

Lost in thought, I snapped back to reality at the sound of a familiar voice.

“Ah… sorry.”

At my words, Ilia looked at me with concern in her eyes.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, it’s not that. I just had something on my mind.”

“Really?”

“Yes. But don’t worry, I’m an Expert. I don’t get sick easily.”

It was true.

Thanks to a month of training, I was now at the lower end of the Expert level.

And even though I was just a beginner, an Expert was still an Expert.

The intangible force of Aura flowed through my body, keeping it in peak condition, so I rarely got sick.

“I know that, but…”

Ilia’s eyes still held concern.

‘Is she being overprotective?’

Ilia had lost both her parents, the most important people in her life, just a month ago.

Given that, it was understandable that she might develop overprotective tendencies.

The only question was why it extended to me.

‘Of course, if we were just normal fiancés, it would make sense…’

Unfortunately, Ilia and I weren’t in a normal engagement.

Although we had grown closer recently, almost like friends, I wasn’t sure if we were close enough for her to be this protective.

‘Well, it’s not a bad thing.’

Sadly, I wasn’t the most rational person when it came to Ilia.

Her worried gaze alone made my heart race, so even though I felt guilty, I enjoyed her concern.

“This won’t do.”

At that moment, Ilia stood up abruptly.

Her sudden movement drew my attention.

“…Ilia?”

“Staying cooped up in the room all day is making you overthink, isn’t it? Let’s go outside.”

“But what about your work?”

“It’s fine to take a day off.”

Ilia grabbed my arm as she spoke.

“Let’s go.”

I looked at her for a moment.

The serious demeanor she had while working was nowhere to be seen, replaced by the youthful energy of a girl her age.

It was a side of her I had rarely seen before the regression, but in this life, she showed it to me more than I could have hoped for.

How could I possibly refuse her?

I pretended to sigh and said, “Do you have a place in mind?”

“Hmm… I feel like exercising.”

“Then let’s head to the training grounds.”

It wasn’t exactly a place for a 15-year-old girl to hang out, but Ilia was a Rigmond.

One of the four families that had protected the empire for generations, producing war heroes.

In fact, at this point, Ilia was likely at a higher level than I was.

Ilia’s main weapon, like mine, was a one-handed sword.

She picked up one of the swords from the training grounds with a familiar ease.

“How about a spar? Is that okay?”

“Sure, that’s fine.”

At my words, Ilia gave a small smile.

“It’s been a while since we sparred, so I might get a little excited.”

“That’s fine.”

Because I’m going to win.

I kept the last part to myself.

I picked up a sword similar to the one I usually used.

Noticing this, Rex approached me.

“Young master, what brings you to the training grounds after so long—”

I cut him off.

“Perfect timing. Be the referee for our spar.”

At my words, Rex’s face twisted in dismay.

“Me? The referee? Can’t I just join in?”

“You’re a balance breaker. An upper-level Expert trying to join in?”

Surprisingly, Rex had reached the upper level of Expert on the day Ilia and I went on our date.

‘He said he gained enlightenment while swinging his sword waiting for me.’

Though that probably wasn’t the whole story.

‘The bitterness of being single—something like that.’

Unfortunately, Rex had yet to have a single girlfriend.

“…What’s with that look?”

“Nothing, just… hang in there.”

“…I’m leaving.”

Rex turned his head away as if he really was going to leave.

I laughed and said, “Then let’s spar later.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

At my words, Rex turned back to look at me.

His eyes were now filled with a fierce competitive spirit.

“This time, I’ll win.”

“Have you ever won before?”

“That’s why I said ‘this time.'”

“First, be the referee.”

“Yep.”

Rex stood between Ilia and me as he spoke.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to ignore you, Ilia.”

“No, it’s fine. I needed some time to prepare too.”

Ilia gestured to her hair as she spoke.

Her long hair, which usually reached her waist, was now neatly tied up.

“It suits you.”

“…Don’t say things like that before a spar.”

Ilia’s face turned red as she spoke.

‘I mean it.’

Ilia looked stunning with her hair tied up.

Her sharp demeanor added an intimidating aura, reminiscent of her appearance during the war before the regression.

‘She always tied her hair up when fighting.’

It was probably more practical for combat.

I took my stance, and Ilia followed suit.

‘Her stance is the same as before the regression.’

Despite the many changes in Ilia since the regression, her swordsmanship seemed unchanged.

“Shall we begin?”

At my words, Ilia nodded in response.

“Then I’ll count.”

Rex began counting down from 10.

10, 9, 8.

When there were 3 seconds left, Ilia asked me, “By the way, that knight is an upper-level Expert, right? Have you really never lost to him?”

Having overheard my conversation with Rex, Ilia asked.

“It’s true.”

7, 6, 5, 4.

“Is that even possible?”

“You’ll find out soon.”

3, 2, 1.

And 0.

As Rex lowered his hand, Ilia and I charged at each other.

The first spar with Ilia since the regression.

I recalled the countless spars we had before the regression and swung my sword at her.

Clang!

The sound of steel clashing echoed through the training grounds, marking the start of our spar.