My Wife, the Spirit.

Chapter 0003 So-called Affection Grows with Time

Mystery is precisely the source of power for magicians in the Type-Moon world.

It is precisely because of this that with the development of technology, the mystery in this world gradually fades under human exploration, and the power of magicians is far inferior to that in ancient times.

Especially in recent years, successive industrial revolutions have led to the gradual depletion of mystery, and the power of magic has also dropped significantly. For example, in the divine era, "suggestion" magic could even directly distort a person's will. But in modern times, even changing the other person's memory seems difficult.

The arcane magic under the "DND" system mastered by Rhode does not require the concept of mystery. Arcane magic is more like extracting power from the entire world, enabling mere humans to dominate countless concepts in the entire world, condensing them into "elements" and storing them in the "strings (or called arcs)" they master.

The number of "strings" represents the number of times a human body can pluck the concepts of the world. It gradually increases with the strength of the caster.

As the sun rises and sets, twelve years later, Rhode is no longer a weak baby but a slightly emaciated teenager—or a bad-tempered and indifferent young boy with dark red shaggy hair.

"It's still not enough..." Standing in the dim magic workshop, he murmured in a low voice. "After a full twelve years, I have only mastered eight 'strings'?"

"But it doesn't matter anyway. After all, the rules of the two worlds are different, and the conversion process between spells and magic is also quite slow. Now only a few 'arcane tricks' have been completed. Those spells don't need to consume 'strings' to cast."

While Rhode was saying helplessly, immediately after, two soft masses cushioned under his head.

Behind him was a plump girl, probably in her late twenties. She was the "inferior" doll who fed him milk twelve years ago.

Under Rhode's training—or modification, although her appearance hasn't changed and she even has no ability to communicate, her behavior and expressions are more natural. And after infusing the spiritual body of a girl who died accidentally into the doll, it gradually gained the burden called "emotion".

"Tsk..." Feeling the soft touch behind his head, Rhode's face showed an unhappy expression. "I'm starting to regret why I engraved spells related to emotion on your core at that time."

As he was speaking, he casually picked up two pieces of parchment on the table and said to this doll girl with a childish face and big breasts.

"Deliver my visiting card for me. It's the Edelfelt family in Finland. Those war hounds should be interested in these things."

He shook the parchment in his hand. On it was written in beautiful handwriting "The Replacement of Natural Crystals by Artificial Crystals in Magic Storage—Analysis of Research and Mass Production Methods". Obviously, it was a profound magic material.

Of course, as a great arcanist who hates trouble, Rhode naturally didn't write the research report himself. Instead, he let that poor big-breasted doll write it for a whole night.

◇◇◇

A few hours later, in the courtyard in the afternoon, under the shade of a sun umbrella, three figures, one big and two small, were enjoying Helsinki coffee from Finland. For an arcanist, keeping a clear mind is more important than any defensive spell. So Rhode also loves this refreshing drink extremely.

In addition to Rhode, there was also an old woman and a young blonde girl—probably only eleven or twelve years old, within the category of "three years in prison for starting".

"Very good research report. Is it really your achievement? Isn't it a bit too young? " In the slightly hoarse voice, there was obvious doubt, but there was absolutely no contempt.

That was an old woman. The wrinkles on her body were like mottled tree bark. But there was no common decayed smell on the elderly. Instead, she had the wisdom and straightforwardness of a sage.

"Young? If age could represent everything, perhaps turtles should rule the world." Rhode said sarcastically. "Although I am ignorant, I can still achieve writing something of this level."

"You know, young man. This research report of yours can make you be 'sealed and designated' by the Administrative Department of the Clock Tower." The old woman was not angry at all. Instead, she analyzed rationally. "How unwise it is to expose it. Why don't you give it to the main family of the 'Yggdmillennia' family line? Only in that way can you get the greatest benefit."

"It's different. Compared to those ignorant aristocrats, I still admire you and the Edelfelt family more." Hearing this, Rhode spoke in a politician's tone and analyzed reasonably. "The Edelfelt family is known as 'elegant hounds'. I don't think it's without reason, right?"

"Moreover, why should the strong care about the envy and hatred of the weak? The so-called sealing and designation is just the unwilling wailing of the weak."

"Interesting young man. If you are really as young as you look." Looking down at the young child, the old woman exerted pressure in a flat tone. "Very well. Our Edelfelt family accepts this transaction. In exchange for this research material, we will protect your life safety and legitimate rights and interests—provided that all these materials are true."

After all, for the Edelfelt family line, the most painful thing for successive patriarchs is the huge expense of gem magic, right?

Similar to the Tohsaka family, the Edelfelt family line also has gem magic passed down. Fixing magic in gems can avoid chanting incantations during battles. And directly consume gems to cast spells.

So, the Edelfelt family even has the saying that—the difference in the depth of wallets represents the decisive gap in combat power. Such a heretical statement.

And using artificial crystals to replace the consumption of natural crystals. It is estimated that the savings of the Edelfelt family are even an unimaginable astronomical figure, right?

But these are just baits released by Rhode. Just the superficial knowledge in what he masters.

"Excuse me. I still have magic experiments to conduct. I'll take my leave now." Picking up the "contract document" signed by the patriarch of the Edelfelt family line that was handed over by the beautiful maid beside him, Rhode casually found an excuse and planned to leave this manor full of intrigues.

"Wait, Mr. Rhode." The old woman said with a kind smile. "I want to introduce your bloodline. How about it?"

The old woman's plain words were like asking "what did you eat", but Rhode showed an expression as if he had eaten s**t.

"How many meanings do you mean by 'introducing bloodline'?" Rhode said with a strange expression. He never expected that this old woman would be so straightforward and even say such a thing as "borrowing sperm" so grandiosely.

"It's very simple. Combine with a woman of my Edelfelt family line and give birth to a child—you don't need to take any responsibility. But the child also belongs to the Edelfelt family line." The old woman's words were extremely plain. It was as if she had been accustomed to such things. "As compensation, we will give you half of the proceeds created by 'artificial crystals' in your thesis. How about it?"

"Not very good." Rhode pursed his lips. In his peripheral vision, he even saw the blonde girl on the other side of the round table showing a disgusted expression. Her delicate embroidered eyebrows were tightly wrinkled. But she didn't stop the old woman's suggestion either.

Perhaps this is the sorrow of the nobles? Compared to perverted middle-aged uncles, Rhode's appearance is more "high-quality".

"Who is this?" Looking at the blonde girl beside him, Rhode asked softly. But he was greeted by the blonde girl's words full of mockery and contempt.

"Luviagelita Edelfelt. Put away your worthless pity on your face. It's not me who wants to borrow your seed." The blonde girl, or the famous magician who debuted in "Fate/Stay Night".

Well, the reason why she is so famous is probably because of her strange nickname—terrible nicknames like "the crane among ladies" and "the hunting hound in the arena" are indeed unforgettable.

And in childhood, Miss Luviagelita was already full of domineering aura.

"Very good." Rhode chuckled. A trace of malicious playfulness flashed in his eyes. "Although I don't accept things like borrowing seed. But it's still possible to develop a 'pure' physical relationship with Miss Luviagelita."

"You!" Hearing this, Luviagelita was like an angry wild cat. She was about to flip over the table and teach Rhode how to behave. But the old woman behind her grabbed her sleeve and firmly pressed her in place.

"This suggestion is very good. I allow you to 'legitimately' pursue Luviagelita." The old woman said softly. The faint sternness in her eyes slowly dissipated.

"Just as I wish." Rhode nodded slightly. Then he got up gracefully again and said. "Please allow me to take my leave, Patriarch Edelfelt."

◇◇◇

A moment later, looking at the gradually disappearing small figure, the old woman showed a mocking smile.

"Have you noticed it..." She said softly, but there was killing intent in her words.

The so-called borrowing seed is just to bind Rhode to the chariot of the Edelfelt family line through "affection grows with time". Rhode's refusal undoubtedly tore the face and became a hidden danger for the Edelfelt family line.

But it was also because of Rhode's teasing of Luviagelita that this wise old woman suppressed her killing intent.

She also wanted to see how far this extremely talented young man could go. And Luviagelita was her investment. As for whether Rhode could sleep with Luviagelita?

—After all, the future is long.