“Today’s dishes were all new to me and delicious. And they were brimming with magic or skills. Your magic, right?”

My heart skipped a beat.

Uncle and Grandpa never noticed, so how did he?

Aunt, who’d come up to clear dishes, froze beside me.

Of course—she thought I only had a Cooking Skill.

Admitting it’s a magic skill would be unbelievable.

“Are you not enrolling in the capital’s academy?”

The Grand Duke pressed on, ignoring my silence.

“I know you’re using magic. My skill is Mana Detection. I can sense your mana in the food—you can’t hide it.”

I froze, thunderstruck.

His white hair and beard gave him a kindly grandpa vibe, but his piercing gaze was like a hawk’s.

I used magic to blend the potage into a creamy texture since we lacked the tools.

That’s probably what he sensed.

Ugh, his stare is intense—no way to dodge this.

“I… used a little magic. But I have no plans to return to the capital.”

In my panic, I said “return” instead of “go,” not noticing my slip.

The Grand Duke did.

“Oh? You used to live in the capital?”

A noble elder cornering a five-year-old must’ve been quite a sight, because Aunt stepped in protectively.

“Your Grace, she’s our niece. Her parents work for a noble family in the capital, but due to their circumstances, we’re caring for her here. It involves noble matters, so I’d rather not explain further…”

“Which noble family?”

“…”

I stayed silent, and Aunt, fearing disrespect, answered, “Th-the Monteverde family, Your Grace.”

“I see. That family’s desperate for children with magic skills. They probably feared their servant’s magic-skilled child would be claimed,” he deduced instantly.

I couldn’t confirm or deny, but my silence was answer enough.

“What’s your magic skill’s attribute?”

His interest wasn’t fading—I’d have to answer to be let go.

“…*Cooking Magic*.”

“What! A magic I’ve never heard of!”

I could only look down, speechless.

“I’ll sponsor you to enroll in the capital’s academy. With my backing, the Monteverdes won’t touch you. I’ll even employ your parents at my estate, freeing them from the Monteverdes. What do you say?”

I couldn’t respond—still frozen.

“If you want to fully utilize your magic skill, the academy is essential,” he added.

My burning curiosity about magic and skills left me unable to refuse.

“You’re probably thinking of your parents. I’ll ensure your enrollment, but you and they can decide their path later. They can work for me, stay with the Monteverdes, or… if they want to start their own business, I’ll consider some support. How’s that?”

In this world, commoners and slaves can’t defy nobles—disrespect is a crime.

His words sealed my academy fate.

But he was giving my parents freedom to choose their future.

“Thank you, Your Grace. If I can be free of the Monteverdes, studying at the academy would be an honor. But I can’t decide for my parents without their input. I’ll write to them, though it might take until just before enrollment to settle.”

“Fine, fine. I’m only interested in your rare magic. Your parents’ decision can wait.”

“Thank you.”

I bowed slightly, eyes on the floor, while Aunt stared at me, wide-eyed.

Sorry, Aunt, for lying about my skill.

I apologized silently, but with the Grand Duke’s party here, family drama had to wait.

First, we needed to see them off after lunch.

“I’ll have my people inform you later about when and where to go. Prepare for academy enrollment.”

“Yes, thank you, Your Grace.”

The Grand Duke’s party left ‘Bear’s Slumber Inn’ by carriage.

I braced myself for the storm of questions from Uncle and Aunt, shrinking at the thought.

Chapter 65. 64 Ch 65. 64

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