Chapter 21: What Starts a Rut?

“Jay, what did I just say?”

The Duke stopped his explanation and asked me.

“You said it’s important to know the precise mana capacity limit of the gem.”

When I gave a suitable answer, the Duke smiled brightly enough to show his dimples. That expression seemed to say he had noticed I was listening half-heartedly.

“Correct. Then how did I say we gauge the gem’s mana capacity limit?”

I don’t think I heard that part, but I couldn’t be sure. Seeing his dimples deepen, I felt like I had to answer somehow. The Duke’s lessons were quite rigorous, and if he noticed I wasn’t concentrating properly, he would undoubtedly raise the level of rigor. Which would undoubtedly result in me fainting again.

But today, I had a reason not to faint. I mean, gems. Right, gems. I recalled the knack for appraising gems.

“Uh, first, based on experience, we try infusing mana close to the capacity limit of a gem of the same weight, and then, relying on the caster’s senses, we make fine adjustments. That’s the only method that comes to mind.”

The Duke stared at me intently. He raised one eyebrow as if displeased. Then, soon after, he nodded as if he had no choice. He looked utterly disappointed.

“It sounds like you just made it up without thinking deeply, but that is the correct answer.”

“Really?”

This was a bit surprising. Constructing magic circles using gems seemed to have quite a few similarities with gem cutting. In the sense that it ultimately depended on human senses. Then there must be a way to do it more precisely.

“Since a novice mage who kept getting distracted couldn’t improve at all from the method he came up with, should I blame the existing mages? Including myself.”

“Indeed. If gem grades were classified in detail and empirical values were systematized, we would only need to check the gem’s grade.”

Just like diamonds have the 4C standards. Just as prices can be determined by gem grades, the mana capacity limit could also be found out.

As I nodded and spoke, the Duke made a hollow expression.

“You’re right again. But mages are fundamentally selfish beings, so they don’t want to easily share what they’ve found out.”

“Then we could just make a measuring device. Input the systematized grades and capacity limits, and make it output which grade the tested gem belongs to. Since they can receive compensation for systematizing the grades from the sales of the measuring devices, there should be mages willing to do it. Looking at the mages who made adult toys, it doesn’t seem like all mages make good money.”

Even if a mage with exceptional senses capable of accurately measuring mana capacity limits put aside all other research and focused solely on systematization, it would take ages. Still, recalling when I first met the mages who are now watchmakers, it seemed entirely possible.

And the measuring devices would probably sell incredibly well. There would likely be demand not only from mages but also from jewelers.

“You really know how to make money well.”

The Duke said, shaking his head.

“Listening to you, it really sounds plausible.”

Seeing him frown, he seemed to be genuinely contemplating it.

“So, what is the reason you can’t concentrate today?”

Ah, coming in with a hook like that.

At the sudden punch, I just blinked my eyes. The Duke made a humming sound and opened his mouth again.

“So there was a reason.”

It was a leading question. It seems the Duke reading my expressions has become systematized faster than me, a servant, reading my employer’s expressions. I had no choice but to surrender. The Duke was already convinced there was a reason I couldn’t focus on the lesson.

I bit my lip and let go. I had to bring up the words that had been filling my brain, leaving no room for explanations about magic circles.

“I have something to report.”

“Go ahead.”

The Duke took his hands off the gems and crossed his arms.

“Do you perhaps remember a child named Tommy?”

“If it’s Tommy, he’s the child recommended by Miller, who works at the fruit and vegetable store in the market, three months ago. I remember. Miller said he would take him since he learned to read, write, and do basic arithmetic.”

I thought he might not remember him just by the name Tommy. Just like the head of an entertainment agency can’t remember all the trainees. But the Duke knew not only his name but also his brief history clearly.

“You remember him?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t know the people in my own house?”

“Because there are often higher-ups who forget even the fact that their subordinates are people.”

This wasn’t a story exclusive to this place with a strict class system. Even in Korea, abuse of power incidents happened often enough not to be forgotten.

It’s also why I showed kindness to Tommy and only admonished him verbally. Honestly, in terms of physical strength, he had a sturdy physique I couldn’t match. To properly teach him a lesson, magic was the only option, but the Duke would have detected my magic immediately. Since he knows my mana pattern better than I do.

If I had poured magic on him, the tomato soup stain would have been cute in comparison. Tommy would have had to trim at least some singed hair. The magic I can control most certainly is the fire attribute. I had no intention of breaking his bones just because I got some soup on me.

And, although Tommy would think it’s really unlucky, even if his damage were greater, the Duke would surely side with me. Since I was the one who got hit first, and arms bend inward. I was not only a servant attending closely to the Duke but also took up a quite large part in his business.

Moreover, Tommy was already on Philip’s bad side. The reason he was leaving the mansion was partly due to lack of openings, but a bigger reason was that he showed insincerity several times.

Like being found standing on the landing near the study out of the blue when he was definitely told to organize the pantry, or being caught loitering in front of the cabinet containing expensive glasses and magic pots when told to do dishes.

Every time that happened, Philip scolded him severely. But Tommy, disgruntled about something, would glare at me standing next to Philip. While lowering his head to avoid Philip’s eyes. Sometimes, tears would well up in his red, bloodshot eyes. Unfortunately, being shorter than him, I had no choice but to see all of that.

In such a situation, if it became known that he picked a fight absurdly, it was obvious his confirmed job placement would fly away.

I thought that was too harsh a treatment. If minimal welfare existed, I wouldn’t have worried about his ‘next.’ But this was a world where finding a ‘next’ opportunity was too difficult.

Anyway, since he only picked fights with me for no reason, I also thought he would live adequately on his own once he went somewhere I wasn’t present.

If he hadn’t babbled that kind of nonsense, I wouldn’t have reported it to the Duke.

“Tommy thinks I am the Duke’s Rut partner.”

“What does that mean?”

The Duke’s face distorted fiercely. The gems placed on the floor began to roll on the marble. Evidence that his pheromones were wavering.

“Duke.”

“Speak exactly. What did that guy say?”

“……”

“Jay.”

The sound of gems hitting the marble floor grew louder and louder.

“Male prostitute bastard, no matter how much a Beta like you takes the King’s Brother’s seed, it’s f*cking useless. That’s what he said.”

I tried to refine his words a little, but gave up thinking that would be f*cking useless too. No matter how I said it, the insidiousness contained in the meaning wouldn’t change. Then it was better to report exactly as I heard.

Tommy might have just wanted to insult me without any thought. No, he definitely did. But the moment he let those words out of his mouth, the moment I heard them, I couldn’t just pass it over as mere nonsense.

The Duke’s Rut was still a sensitive topic. The King’s spy disguised as Count Umbra’s servant still visits the mansion occasionally. He is acting as a parrot repeating what the Duke dictates, but what if words different from his circulate outside? What if that enters the King’s ears?

I couldn’t trust Tommy’s patience at all. He whispers so only I can hear now, but once spoken, it was obvious the words would flow out again with even the slightest stimulus.

I had to tell the Duke.

Before reaching this conclusion, I pondered quite a bit. To the extent of listening half-heartedly to the magic circle lesson I was so interested in. I reviewed several times whether it was right to determine a young kid’s fate with the words I convey.

Knowing it would be words that hurt the Duke, even more so.

As soon as I thought that, the gems shaking on the floor floated into the air. Vibrating extremely fast.

They looked like they would shatter any moment. It was a phenomenon clearly showing that force far exceeding the gems’ mana capacity limit was being applied.

“Duke.”

I urgently grabbed the Duke’s wrist. And I flowed mana in the gentlest way I could. Like his mana I could feel whenever I woke up from fainting.

I made eye contact with the Duke. The eyes looking down at me were dyed red.

Was what I conveyed that shocking? To the point of not being able to control his pheromones at all? Just as the question arose.

“Get, away, Jay.”

The Duke’s words came out brokenly. As if suppressing a groan.

“It started…”

At the end of the unfinished sentence, the Duke let out a heh, a self-deprecating laugh.

It was the Rut.