Chapter 69 – If I Could Wish for Just One Thing

Hmm, was I overthinking things?

Evelyn’s mind wandered to the two protagonists from the original story, Khalid and Dahlia, who had become each other’s salvation. Watching the tenderness between those two, she wondered if perhaps she had let herself get carried away when he clearly felt nothing for her.

‘No, of course not. There’s no way.’

She gave her head a small shake, then naturally changed the subject.

“By any chance, do you know where the doctor might be?”

“Allow me to accompany—”

“No, that’s quite alright. I’ve already received far too much kindness from you, Your Grace.”

Her gentle smile was a polite way of turning down his offer.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

A wide garden stretched out behind the banquet hall. Unlike the banquet hall, which overflowed with endless laughter and lively music, this place was tranquil and still.

They said the host of tonight’s midnight soirée had paid particular attention to the garden. The vast grounds looked more like a carefully curated botanical garden than a mere estate. Yet, with its abundance of green foliage, it was probably only the true plant enthusiasts who would find it impressive.

‘Where on earth is Dr. Fabian?’

As Evelyn scanned her surroundings, her eyes suddenly landed on a rare plant that she’d only ever seen in illustrated botanical guides. She couldn’t help but pause, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Wow, this is—”

“It’s a Schwauser plant.”

“Oh, my God!”

Startled by the sudden appearance of a middle-aged gentleman, Evelyn nearly lost her footing.

Wait, fox mask and a red bowtie…

“Are you, by any chance, Dr. Fabian?”

“How do you know who I am?”

The man, his hair streaked with gray, seemed to harden his expression for a moment, then fixed her with a sharp, searching gaze.

Feeling a wave of relief at having found him, she quickly offered a polite greeting.

“My name is Evelyn Inevasel. I was deeply impressed by the papers you published at the Academy.”

Beyond what she knew from the original story, Fabian was also a renowned scholar in the Baltian Empire.

“Ah. So you’re from Roxen Academy, I see.”

Fabian regarded her with a look of interest, thoughtfully stroking his beard. Now that he had confirmed her identity, some of his wariness seemed to fade.

Evelyn gave an awkward smile and, after darting her eyes about for a moment, continued speaking.

“Yes, to be honest, I hoped I might have the chance to meet you, Doctor.”

“You wanted to meet me?”

Even as he eyed her with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism, she nodded calmly, undeterred by his guarded expression. 

“You’re quite knowledgeable about Mordian, aren’t you?”

“That’s right. It’s a fertilizer imbued with magical properties.”

Fabian was one of the researchers who had developed Mordian. Given his many other achievements, this particular fact was not widely known, but Evelyn knew it well from the original story. She also knew that, of all his work, he took the greatest pride in creating Mordian.

Looking up at him with steady eyes, she spoke earnestly.

“I hope you’ll forgive my boldness, but I’d like to make a request.”

“…And what sort of request would that be?”

“I would like to obtain some of the Mordian you developed, Doctor.”

To make Dirkworth’s flowers bloom, that special fertilizer was absolutely necessary. Yet the Magic Tower was notoriously insular, and gaining access to anyone from their ranks was notoriously difficult. Now, with this rare opportunity before her, Evelyn was determined not to let it slip away.

However, Fabian looked as though he had no intention of granting her request.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

She felt as if her stomach was churning with anxiety at his curt response.

“Doctor, please, if you would—”

“If you know I was involved in developing that fertilizer, then you must also know why the research was abandoned.”

When he interrupted, drawing a clear line with a shadow passing over his expression, she gave a small nod.

“Because as useful as it is, it’s also dangerously easy to misuse.”

When Mordian was first introduced, the researchers believed without a doubt that it would bring positive change to the world.

But things hadn’t gone as planned and instead, it began to be weaponized in ways they’d never anticipated. Straying far from its original purpose, the results turned dark, and the Magic Tower eventually banned its use, ensuring Mordian was no longer available to the public.