Ungifted

The corner of Kalliope's lips lifted slightly as she felt her steady heartbeats that pounded harder than usual, feeling ever fiber of her nerve throbbing along in nervousness. Gulping down, she glanced once again at Sister's Astrid shadow that seemed darker at the second glance.

It was like staring at a bottomless darkness and haunted by the feeling that something would stare back in the next moment. However, it wasn't just an assumption for Kalliope as she knew it herself what lied in that shadow.

Sister Astrid who noticed her tensed shoulders and how she kept glancing behind her, finally turned around to check as well. However, she saw nothing but an empty and quiet hallway.

So, she shifted back to Kalliope again and asked in bewilderment. "My Lady, I wonder what are you looking at?"

Kalliope snapped back to the priestess upon hearing her question. She immediately forced a smile, pointed at the console behind, and lied between her teeth, "I was looking at the vase sister. It seems that the maid didn't put it correctly after cleaning the table."

Sister Astrid who heard that, turned around and spotted the so-called vase. It was really placed disorderly.

Meanwhile, Kalliope stared at her with a complicated emotion. The confusion portrayed in Sister Astrid's eyes seemed genuine, and Kalliope couldn't help but wonder if this priestess realized the origin of her power and the God whom she served. Because it appeared to her that Sister Astrid didn't seem to notice anything strange.

Thus, it was either she truly didn't know or that 'thing' was skillful enough to hide its presence. But, wasn't it strange that Kalliope could notice it still?

All of the sudden, Kalliope was struck by a thought. It couldn't be that they were testing her back, right? If she could sense its presence then...

Kalliope breathed a sigh of relief deep down. Fortunately, she didn't blatantly stared at it. Thereafter, Kalliope smiled and was about to take care of this examination issue when the duke spoke out first. His voice sounded especially stern, allowing no room to rebut.

"Sister, I'm sorry but I have to disappoint the archbishop."

Sister Astrid was slightly taken aback. She didn't need the duke to spell it out clearly to know that he had refused His Excellency's request. The priestess pressed her lips into a straight line as she slowly retrieved her hand.

She had heard so much about the grand duke before, especially how arrogant and cold-blooded he was. But, despite the complaint, many still looked up to him and wanted to establish connection. With the duke's overwhelming power that was comparable to the royalty, it gave him rights to do act however he wanted.

Moreover, everyone knew how high the duke's magic level was and how excellent he was in mana control. Sometimes, it wasn't about how powerful one's magic was because if they didn't know how to control their mana accurately, their magic would still be useless.

That was what made the duke one of the most talented sorcerers in the empire. Not to mention his skill in swords and his three magnificent sons. Therefore, the dukedom's power could be said unshakeable and unparalleled.

Hence, it didn't come as a surprise for Sister Astrid that the duke dared to act presumptuous by declining the archbishop's request. However, remembering how much His Excellency stressed this task to her, Sister Astrid pushed on once again.

"Your Grace, pardon me, but this examination will only take a while. I promise. So, please do this honor for His Excellency and the church will very much appreciate it," Sister Astrid spoke with confidence as she bowed with slight arrogance in representation of the church.

The duke's expression turned cold as he stared distastefully at the priestess, while Leonard Angwin complexion also didn't look good. His expression looked dark towards how the priestess had subtly insinuated that the church's prestige was without question and it was imperative for them to respect the archbishop based on his status.

Leonard clenched his fists tight as he felt an intense urge to tear off their mask. It was rather insulting to be saying that in front of a royal representative. However, he was even more confused at their persistence to check on Lady Alice. He couldn't help but looked at the petite lady in wonder.

"I apologize, Sister. I don't mean to make this difficult for you but as you can see it yourself, my daughter has completely recovered. She just needs more rest to regain her strength. Her healthy complexion is there for everyone to see. So, whatever your examination for?" The coldness permeated from the duke's inquiry brought about a sense of hostility in the air. Despite, the smile on their faces, the atmosphere had gone tense.

Sister Astrid readily entertain the duke as she pressed on obstinately, "Yes, I can see that, Your Grace. However, like I've said, His Excellency is worried that there might be some leftover residue or aftereffect from the poison so he 'insists' on a mana examination upon Lady Alice. The duke had nothing to lose in this situation. So, I wonder why His Grace is against this so much?"

Sister Astrid kept her smile as she was certain that the duke wouldn't fall out with the church just for something like this. It was rather strange indeed how His Grace seemed resistant to the idea of her daughter being examined.

Finally, Leonard Angwin who was watching all of this from the side decided to assist the duke even though it would be risking the second prince's name against the church. However, since the duke was their ally, he decided to trust His Grace's decision.

There had to be something wrong for the duke to deny the archbishop. After all, what the priestess said was true. The duke had nothing to lose from this situation.

"Pardon me, Sister," Leonard Angwin inserted himself in between the duke and the priestess as he explained, "I think there's some misunderstanding here. The duke isn't exactly against the archbishop's request. However, this is about the lady's constitution that's rather sensitive to mana."

In that moment, Sister Astrid was slightly taken aback. It was indeed well-known by the society that Lady Alice was not gifted with magic. Although the dukedom had tried to hire some teachers, it was still difficult since the lady did not posses the most vital element and that was a 'mana core'.

Noticing the change in the priestess's face, Leonard continued again, "That's why His Grace refused to let sister examine Lady Alice because it would put too much burden on her body. The process of transmitting mana to her body itself is painful, Sister. So, I believe the duke is afraid the lady won't be able to handle it."

Meanwhile, as Leonard Angwin went on and on about her body condition, Kalliope's mind went blank at his explanation.

'There's such a thing?!' She was absolutely perplexed.