He who Bends Time
Chapter 89 -an acquaintance

Chapter 89: Chapter 89 -an acquaintance

Passing the two golems at the entrance, Marian quickly made her way into the mansion, her steps urgent. She arrived in a rush and, without pause, headed straight toward Auran’s room. However, as she passed the dining hall, a voice caught her attention.

"This problem of yours seems to trouble you deeply."

"Obviously. I can’t move forward until I resolve it."

"Have you ever heard of the Mana Refilling Potion?"

"The one apprentices drink to restore mana?"

"No, that’s just a cheap imitation using the same name. The real Mana Refilling Potion is unique. Records say it not only replenishes lost mana, but even increases a person’s mana capacity—regardless of their stage—with just a single sip." _{fr\(e)ew(e)b.(n)o (v)(e)l.com}

"The original potion, you say? If those rumors are true, it could solve my problem completely. So, where can I find it?"

One of the voices Marian easily recognized as Auran’s. The other, however, belonged to someone unfamiliar—soft, composed, and feminine, carrying both grace and a gentle respect for the one she addressed.

Curious, Marian peeked into the dining room. Inside, she saw Auran seated across from a woman with an ethereal presence. The woman wore garments of a faint, silvery white, and her long dark hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall.

The moment Marian appeared in view, both turned their gaze toward her.

"Who are you?" Marian asked the woman directly.

"I’m Clara, an acquaintance of Sir Auran," the woman replied, meeting Marian’s eyes calmly.

"I know I’m an uninvited guest in Lady Marian’s home," she added politely, standing as she spoke. "If my presence has caused any disturbance, I would be more than willing to take my leave."

"No, no, please—if you’re truly Auran’s guest, then by all means, make yourself at home," Marian replied, though her tone was cautious. "But... I must ask—how did you get past the golems? Their primary function is to deny entry to anyone without my permission."

"The two crystal golems at the entrance?" Auran answered before Clara could. "They let us through without resistance—once I told them Clara was my acquaintance."

"Really?" Marian’s brow furrowed. "This is the first I’ve heard of anything like that. Since when have you become so familiar with those golems that they let you come and go as you please?"

She let the thought linger briefly, but chose not to press further.

Then, turning back to Auran, she noticed something about his expression. His face looked strained, his usual energy dimmed.

"You don’t look well. Are you sick or something?" she asked, concern in her voice.

"I’m fine," Auran replied simply.

"Ugh, Auran, can I have a moment?" Marian asked, her eyes fixed on him.

"Just join us—we’re already having one," Auran said, popping a slice of broiled meat into his mouth.

"It’s something a bit serious," Marian replied, glancing at Clara with wary eyes.

"Something serious?" Auran repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, don’t worry about her—you can trust Clara as much as you trust me," he added, noticing Marian’s doubtful gaze.

Clara, seated calmly at the table, was slicing another piece of roasted meat. She didn’t react to Marian’s suspicion in the slightest, her demeanor composed and unconcerned.

Trust her as much as I trust him? Marian’s thoughts stirred. Just what exactly happened between these two? Could they be... lovers?

The possibility flashed through her mind. With a quiet sigh, she stepped into the dining room, brushed aside the nagging thoughts, and took a seat.

Auran, as if nothing was amiss, grabbed a plate, selected a few choice portions of food, and handed it to her. Marian accepted it in silence.

"Tonight’s something fancy," Auran said, clearly referring to the perfectly roasted meat. "Make sure to eat it all—after all, it came out of your own pocket."

"If that’s your attempt to calm me down, it’s not working," Marian replied dryly, stabbing her fork into the meat.

"Huh, and here I thought I had a decent grasp of psychological tricks," Auran shrugged nonchalantly. Clara handed him a plate with another slice of the roast, which he accepted gratefully and began eating once more.

"So..." he said after a moment, "what happened at the Third Watchtower? I hope it’s nothing serious—but judging from the way you came rushing in, I suspect it is." He paused for another bite. "Just so you know, I already have enough on my own plate."

Marian set her spoon down and began explaining what she had seen in the administrator’s room of the watchtower. As she spoke, her voice slowly rose with emotion, becoming shaky. By the end, she was trembling, and her words turned into a near-rant—her expression haunted by the memory of what she had witnessed.

"I’m telling you, Auran... what I saw—it was not ordinary. It was sinister. Only a evil magic user—someone well-versed in taboo arts—would attempt something like taking over another person’s body. And that’s exactly what I saw."

"To make me, a Forge-Stage body enchanter, freeze upon seeing the magic... it’s definitely sinister magic," Marian insisted, staying on the same subject as much as she could, trying to impress upon Auran the danger of the issue.

"I hear you clearly, and from what you’re saying, I can also say it’s sinister—or even evil—magic. The kind that’s considered taboo in the lawful world. If someone is using magic like that, their purpose typically ends up being the same as their magic—evil and sinister," said Auran.

"You agree with me? Yes! Let’s do something quickly," Marian urged.

But despite her urgency, Auran remained calm.

"First of all, did you find anything about the main reason you went to the Third Watchtower in the first place?" he asked, leaning back in his chair after finishing his plate of meat.

It was then Marian paused slightly and realized that after witnessing the unbelievable scene, she had done nothing else but dwell on it—completely forgetting the original purpose of her visit.

"Even seeing evil magic can make someone lose their rationality. Just stay calm and think about what’s more important," Auran said, noticing the shift in Marian’s expression.

"Wait... the watchtower administrator is the one I originally went to see, to investigate those mysterious figures. But the administrator himself turned out to be someone using sinister magic..." Marian trailed off as a sudden thought hit her.

"What if... the tower administrator and those mysterious figures are all part of the same group?"