I Lied to the Male Lead With My Pinky Finger on the Line

“Are the runes used in the spell from the Chauntriya Era?”

Aslan raised his hand and spoke, using formal language because we are in a public setting.

“Yes, that’s correct, Professor Aslan,” I replied.

“In that case, destroying it won’t be an easy task. Magic from that era has been lost and there are many unexplained aspects,” he continued.

“We already knew that even before we set out. That’s why the Empire selected the most exceptional mages to form this expedition,” Marquis Colliwood said quietly.

“There’s no point in discussing hypotheticals here. Starting today, we’ll deploy the entire team to find a way to destroy the barrier. If we can’t open the door, there’s nothing we can investigate or do.”

“Oh, that’s….”

I stammered, my voice trailing off.

“What is it, Researcher Rojasis?” Marquis Colliwood’s eyes narrowed.

“I’ve already… found a way to destroy the barrier,” I finally managed to say.

“What did you say?”

Marquis Colliwood’s eyes widened in surprise, and so did the other members of the expedition.

“What do you mean you already found a way? How?” Marquis Colliwood asked.

“I discovered it while deciphering the runes. To be precise, we’re not going to destroy it, but rather modify it. We can add an additional spell to the existing spell pattern on the door, changing the conditions for breaking the barrier. So for example instead of it only reacting to the original spellcaster, it would also respond to my mana,”

“Adding a new spell to an existing one? Is that even possible?”

“By today’s standards, it’s nearly impossible, but since it’s a thousand years old, the spells are more complex and esoteric, and therefore less secure. Oh, but it’s important to note that modifying an existing spell is impossible. It’s limited to adding,” I clarified.

“Wait a moment, wait a moment,”

Marquis Colliwood interrupted me mid-sentence.

“Does that mean you have deciphered not only the runes but also the interpretation of the barrier spell pattern?”

“What? Ah… Yes.”

There was a stir of astonishment among those around us.

“How on earth was that possible? Deciphering magic from the Chantriya Era, and in just one night?”

“Well… um.”

I hesitated for a moment.

There were two factors that contributed to my success in deciphering the barrier magic on the ancient door.

Firstly, it was because I was proficient at deciphering ancient runic scripts.

It was similar to translating English, where you need to know how to read the alphabet and understand the meanings of words.

And the other factor was that I had dedicated most of my time and effort studying techniques on how to break a barrier over the past seven years.

Seven years ago, during the process of helping Clyde escape, I struggled immensely to find a way to break the barriers in the cage.

While I eventually managed to find the release spell in my father’s workshop, I couldn’t break the barrier itself, and that failure was deeply imprinted in my mind.

Since then, I have spent seven years studying barrier magic extensively.

The hard work paid off, and now I was well-versed in deciphering spell patterns of barriers.

“Well, the truth is, I have been focusing on studying barrier magic for a long time,” I confessed.

“But wasn’t your main field of study ancient magic?”

“That was after I joined the department of Magic. Before that, I self-studied barrier magic…”

“You’re telling me you’ve reached that level by self-studying? And you’re only twenty?”

Marquis Colliwood had a skeptical expression.

‘…I can’t really say much since I’ve never attended the Academy…’

My father, who could be considered my mentor, was not one to easily give praise. So, it was difficult for me to objectively assess my own level of expertise.

Of course, I had thought that I was quite exceptional for my age, but…

Then, a soft cough caught our attention.

“In truth, researcher Eila Rojasis is a specialist in illusion magic.”

At those words, everyone’s eyes focused on Aslan.

“Compared to that, barrier magic and ancient magic are just side skills,” he added calmly but with a hint of confidence.

‘…No, you’re making such an outrageous statement in this atmosphere…?’

Marquis Colliwood had the look of a teacher who was suspicious of cheating since earlier.

“Is that true?” Marquis Colliwood asked, his expression filled with curiosity.

Aslan nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s nothing extraordinary in the Rojasis family.”

“…….”

He doesn’t miss an opportunity to boast either.

However, it carried some weight coming from Aslan, who was praised as the Empire’s leading archmage and became the youngest professor in the history of the Royal Academy.

As evidence, the expressions of the people looking at me mostly shifted from surprise to admiration.

“It must have been simple magic if even a twenty-year-old researcher can interpret it,”

A new voice interjected.

It was Caden Colliwood.

He was the son of Marquis Calliword, the assistant head of the Palace’s Magic Department, and belonged to the Disaster Response Division. I didn’t know his exact age, but he seemed to be around Nita’s age.

Caden raised his droopy eyelids, seemingly inherited from his father, and continued speaking.

“Frankly, it doesn’t make sense otherwise. There’s no other explanation.”

“Caden.”

Marquis Colliword warned in a low voice, calling out his son’s name.

“Well, is that really the case? As far as I remember, researcher Rojasis mentioned that the ‘incantation used in the magic was intricate and complex,'”

Aslan spoke, resting his hands in front of his chest. His tone was even but his gaze sharp.

“That might be from your perspective. If we actually examine it, wouldn’t most of the people sitting here be capable of interpreting it to some extent?”

“Caden, that’s enough.”

“Well then, would you like to try interpreting it yourself?”

Marquis Colliwood and Aslan’s words echoed almost at the same time.

Caden raised one eyebrow.

“Excuse me?”

“If you are so suspicious, why don’t you try interpreting it yourself? Then you can find out the level of researcher Rojasis that Count Colliword so disparages.”

Aslan smiled wryly, folding the corners of his eyes.

“And at the same time, we can also ascertain the young marquis’ level.”

“What?”

Caden was taken aback by the challenge.

“Isn’t that too impertinent of you? Even if it’s about your own younger sister, an outsider like me, who isn’t even part of the Magic Department—”

“I told you to stop!”

Marquis Colliword finally raised his voice. Caden closed his mouth, wearing an aggrieved expression.

“I apologize for my son’s rudeness. Professor Aslan Rojasis and Researcher Eila Rojasis,”

“I don’t think it’s something the deputy head should apologize for.”

Aslan said dryly. His gaze was still fixed on Caden, cold as ever.

It was clear that his tone carried the sentiment of “Let your son apologize.”

Witnessing Marquis Colliwood’s expression slightly hardening, I quickly intervened and spoke up.

“That’s right. There’s no need for an apology. I’m fine with it. Let’s move on from this topic.”

“Eila.”

Ignoring Aslan, I continued speaking.

“In any case, it will take about a day to establish the new spell, so the actual process of inscribing the runes on the door should be possible starting tomorrow. With your permission, I will submit a detailed plan.”

Aslan, despite being here as an advisory professor at the Royal Academy, was still nothing more than a twenty-two-year-old kid in Marquis Colliwood’s eyes.

Even with the backing of Julion Rojasis, the head of the Department of Magic, he didn’t have that much influence over the Marquis Colliwood.

Considering Marquis Colliwood’s position, his willingness to apologize on behalf of his son was already quite a significant concession and consideration. There was no way Aslan, the most level-headed of our siblings, could have failed to recognize that.

“No need to waste time writing a detailed plan. Let’s start the work right away.”

“Understood.”

I slightly lowered my head and replied. Then, I made eye contact with Aslan, silently conveying the message of “I’m fine, let it go.”

Fortunately, it seemed to have gotten through to him, as he wore a displeased expression but didn’t say anything more.

“Well then, let’s conclude the meeting here.”

Marquis Colliwood finished speaking and stood up. The other members of the investigation team followed suit, and the Marquis left the barracks.

“I don’t know what they were thinking, entrusting something to a woman who doesn’t even have dry blood on her head.”**

(TL/N: it means a woman who is inexperienced or lacks knowledge and skill in a particular area.)

Passing by Caden, he muttered loud enough for me to hear, as if inviting me to listen.