"No. Because I actually care about you. This is difficult for me too." Kuzon sighed.


    At this point, the young Midas was right in front of Ana, and he held her hands in his.


    As his golden eyes reflected her blue ones, he stared at her small face for moments without saying a word. Hopefully, his intentions would be understood by his much shorter and na?ve partner.


    "I aming with you." Ana stubbornly responded.


    It almost drove Kuzon crazy.


    "I have a Spell Card that will allow me to escape if ites down to it, so you don''t have to worry about my safety." She continued, her determined gaze unfazed.


    Despite all of this, Kuzon wasn''tpletely convinced. His conflicted expression conveyed that very clearly.


    "But—"


    "Even if you have thepass, you probably won''t be able to operate it. It runs on a unique power that resonates with me. It won''t respond to your signature."


    "A-ah…"


    "Even if I design it to answer to you—which would take more time—thepass'' function will cease to be relevant once you arrive at Beruel''s base. Are you sure you want that"


    Kuzon''s expression turned sullen. He knew exactly where she was going with this.


    "You said it yourself, Mechanics isn''t your forte. Beruel is an expert in this field. Isn''t it reasonable to have a partner who can assist you where you''re not so skilled? What if a mechanical problem arises and you can''t solve it? Not everything can be achieved by sheer power. I believe you understand that, and that is why you had me help you."


    Kuzon nodded. As much as he didn''t want to, he couldn''t help but agree with her position.


    "I know I''m not as strong as you, but don''t you dare think I won''t be useful." Ana drew closer to Kuzon and elevated her height to the best of her ability by standing on the tip of her toes.


    Something about Ana''s determination caused the boy to be curious.


    ''I''m desperate to find my uncle, so I need information. Besides, this Fairy has been bothering me for some time. But…''


    "… What is your motive? Why are you so interested in this mission?" Kuzon asked the young girl.


    Their faces were so close to each other—limited only by Ana''s inability to reach further above due to her restrained height.


    "I…" Her eyes seemed distracted as she looked away.


    She probably didn''t know how to say what was in her thoughts. It was something embarrassing, as well as something she was fighting against.


    How could she say something like that?


    "I… want to further my knowledge and research. Beruel has technology and information I need too. You''ll probably kill him, so I want to get as much as I can." Ultimately, Ana lied.


    Sure, she wanted all those things, but they weren''t her primary motivation when it came to this particr scenario


    Kuzon could easily help her ask the questions she wanted, and he could obtain the technology she desired.


    She could even watch what was going on by having an Automaton or a Golem of hers follow Kuzon—instead of going physically.


    ? In essence, her presence wasn''t necessary to achieve her supposed goal.


    Thus, there was something else.


    Kuzon must have also realized this, but he didn''t say any more. Understanding that Ana would rather keep her true motivation hidden, he sighed and backed off from her.


    "You have the Spell Card, right? Please be ready to activate it at all times."


    Upon hearing those words which were literally synonymous with a ''Yes'', Ana''s face brightened up.


    "We leave in an hour. You can shower and rest up before then."


    >BZZTTTZZZZZ<


    In a spark of lightning, Kuzon vanished from sight, leaving Ana alone in the room.<novelnext></novelnext>


    For a moment, the girl stood in silence—stunned by all that just transpired between her and the boy.


    Her face slowly turned red, and she suddenly felt her heart rate reach a climax.


    "MPPHHHHHHHHH!!!" She held in the scream that would have escaped earlier had she not controlled herself.


    She squatted and covered her face in embarrassment, feeling the heat rise in her body.


    "Kuzon, that idiot…" Ana murmured.


    ''How could he say stuff like that with a straight face…''


    The memory of how he mentioned his care for her shed into Ana''s mind, and she stifled a scream once more.


    Despite her personality and obsession with Magic, she was still a girl. She had a heart that responded to things too!


    How could he have said such a thing to her?


    "And he expects me to not go with him? No way…"


    After all, despite how much he drove her crazy and got on her nerves, Ana could not keep denying the feelings that kept growing within her.


    "… Y-you''re not the only one who cares…"


    The mission came first, Ana was well aware. She also understood that she couldn''t drag Kuzon down.


    Which was why, while she had been working on locating Beruel, her side project had also been constructed by her Automatons.


    ''I have no intention of being dead weight.''


    She couldn''tpete with Kuzon in terms of power. That much was certain.


    After watching him win so wlessly against Jared, Ana would be insane if she thought she could even touch him in a fight.


    However—


    "There''s more than one way to be useful… and I''m going to show you!"


    *


    *


    *


    [The Present]


    "So, how do we get in? Is there an entrance? Or…?" Kuzon asked Ana.


    He didn''t like the awkward silence, so this was the best way he could cope.


    ~Sheesh. Good going…~ A voice within himughed at his very forced attempt to strike a conversation.


    It came from none other than his Familiar.


    ''Since when do you makementaries like this? Stay out of this.''


    ~Is that how you''ll address me? Don''t bother asking me for helpter on!~


    This was the only thing that could break the young Midas—well, other than Ana''s cute tantrums.


    ''F-fine… I''m sorry.'' He sighed.


    What was with him today? Being pushed around by two females—his Familiar, and his partner.


    It was definitely not cool.