Free Web NovelBy the time Leon brought Rena back to the laboratory, Weiss had already reorganized more than half of it.
The two apothecaries were still laboriously handling the remaining cleanup work, while Weiss had already begun using the equipment here to experiment with producing Magical Potions.
“You two can stop for now and go outside to rest,” Leon called out to the two apothecaries.
“Understood, boss.”
The apothecaries immediately put down their work and left the laboratory one after another.
Hearing Leon's voice, Weiss first finished the procedure she was working on before turning around and speaking.
“Leon, I just helped improve your production process—”
She stopped halfway through her sentence.
She saw Rena standing beside Leon, a young woman whose face was also covered. The two stood almost shoulder to shoulder.
Without blinking, Weiss carefully observed Rena before hesitantly asking Leon:
“And this is...?”
“She is—”
Just as Leon was about to introduce her, Rena stepped forward first, wrapped her arm around Leon's, and spoke.
“I'm his lover.”
Weiss's eyes widened in complete surprise.
Leon also looked at Rena in astonishment. He had not expected her to introduce herself through that particular relationship first.
Then he immediately understood the small hidden intention behind Rena's decision to meet Weiss.
She was staking her claim.
The realization made him nearly laugh.
Rena deliberately avoided looking at Leon.
For a brief instant, Weiss felt as though someone had clenched her heart.
Then she quickly forced herself to calm down and looked at Leon for confirmation.
Rena quietly observed Weiss's reaction.
Only after withdrawing his gaze from Rena did Leon turn toward Weiss.
“That's right. This is my girlfriend and also my business partner. Sorry for never mentioning her before. The operations inside the labyrinth are basically managed by her. She heard that you'd be using the labyrinth, so she wanted to come meet you.”
“...I see.”
After a brief silence, Weiss replied softly.
After observing Rena for a moment longer, she suddenly seemed to realize something.
“I understand now. You're the girl from Sally Hesh's case—the one who was detained before Mrs. Hesh because of Witch suspicions, right? If I remember correctly, your name was... Rena?”
She vaguely remembered the name from the case file.
When handling cases, some Church investigators would omit sections involving suspects who were arrested and later cleared. However, according to regulations, the entire investigative process had to be documented.
Back then, Aaron had been quite conscientious in that regard.
Although arresting Rena, conducting a targeted interrogation, confidently applying for a Supreme Investigation Warrant, and then withdrawing it did not exactly reflect well on him, he had still faithfully recorded everything in the case file.
At the time, Weiss had not paid much attention to the details, so she had not completely memorized Rena's full name.
When she first learned that Leon had another person by his side, she had been genuinely shocked.
But after forcing herself back into a rational state of mind, she quickly pieced together part of the truth.
She had previously concluded that Cursed Blood was actually Leon's ability and that Sally's imprisonment might have concealed another truth.
If the Witch's Blessing Sally displayed when she surrendered had been a disguise, then Sally might not have been a Witch at all in the beginning.
Leon had been the real Witch.
In that case, Leon orchestrating Sally's imprisonment became extremely interesting.
According to the case files, Aaron and Bishop Beckett had never actually targeted Leon. Instead, they had focused on a local young woman as the primary suspect.
Now Leon had revealed that this person was actually the manager of the labyrinth and his business partner.
That meant she was the one producing Mana inside the labyrinth.
Without question, she truly was a Witch.
Everything suddenly made sense.
She was the girl named Rena from the case file.
And the reason Leon had orchestrated Sally's surrender and imprisonment was to clear Rena of suspicion.
Rena was astonished by how quickly Weiss had pieced everything together.
Though she had expected Weiss would eventually learn the truth.
“Since we both know each other's identities now, there's no need to keep our faces covered,” Rena said as she raised a hand and removed her veil.
Hearing that, Weiss also removed the protective mask she had been wearing for her experiments and pulled down her veil.
The two women finally looked directly at each other's true faces.
“So young. Just like the case file described—only sixteen or seventeen.”
That was Weiss's first impression of Rena.
“As expected of the Saintess of the Creator Church. She's really beautiful!”
The moment Rena saw her, she felt the difference.
Then she discreetly compared their heights and figures.
Why does it feel like I'm being completely crushed in every category?
A wave of discouragement suddenly washed over her.
After silently lamenting this fact for a moment, Rena spoke.
“You said before that only the depths of the labyrinth can produce the medicine for Saltification Disease, right?”
“To be precise, it's the Mana required to make the medicine. It can only be extracted near the magical power source deep within a labyrinth.”
Halfway through her explanation, Weiss suddenly realized something.
“Wait. Could it be that the original version of that medicine was actually your work?”
Upon closer consideration, if Sally had not been a Witch when she entered prison, then she probably had not been the one developing the medicine.
The medicine required Mana as a raw ingredient and demanded at least some knowledge of Magical Potions.
Viewed that way, the original prototype before Weiss's improvements had most likely come from the young Witch standing before her.
“Yes. I made it,” Rena replied.
“You achieved something truly remarkable,” Weiss said sincerely.
“But I'm still nowhere near as good as you. You developed a medicine that can actually cure it...” Rena sighed instead of feeling pleased by the praise.
Appearance.
Ability.
Even their research achievements.
She felt as though Weiss surpassed her in every category.
“My results are still highly limited. All I did was make minor improvements to your foundation and maximize the effect using high-purity Mana. You achieved the breakthrough from zero to one. I merely performed a simple first-generation enhancement on top of your work.”
Weiss's assessment was completely objective.
Rena studied Weiss for a moment before cautiously speaking.
“No matter what, thank you for helping me overcome the bottleneck that I could never solve. I know this might sound shameless, but I'd still like to ask... would you be willing to tell me the formula for that medicine? Developing a cure for Saltification Disease has always been my goal.”
If she had obtained Weiss's medicine back then, her grandmother could have been saved.
And if the medicine could be further improved into something usable by ordinary people, then her dream after becoming a Witch—to completely eliminate Saltification Disease from the world—would at least have a viable foundation.
She wanted Weiss's research.
But she did not hold much hope.
Not every researcher was willing to freely share results that had cost them immense effort.
And from Weiss's perspective, as long as she held the formula, Leon and Rena would continue needing her.
Yet to her surprise, Weiss answered without the slightest hesitation.
“Of course. I've always wanted to discuss it with the person who originally developed the medicine.”
“You don't need... any conditions?” Rena found it difficult to believe how readily Weiss agreed.
“Research only progresses through exchange. No single person can build the Castle of Truth alone. Every researcher's work stands upon the foundations laid by those who came before.
“Since my research developed from yours, it's only natural that I'd be willing to share my results as well.
“In fact, if you're interested, I could even teach you some of my other research achievements.”
As Weiss spoke, a trace of loneliness appeared in her eyes.
“I can never return to the Church. The materials I left there may eventually be confiscated as well.
“If I die one day, my research may simply vanish from this world.
“If possible, I'd rather have someone suitable inherit it.”
Leon and Rena exchanged glances.
Neither had expected Weiss to agree so readily.
“You want me to become your apprentice?” Rena asked blankly.
“Just an equal academic exchange,” Weiss replied.
“I... I've only ever researched medicine for Saltification Disease. I probably don't have much to contribute.”
For the first time, Rena actually felt nervous.
Weiss had been a core researcher at the Saint Rosalia Research Institute.
She came from a prestigious academy, possessed extensive knowledge, and had access to the Church's resources.
Considering that she could refine Mana with a purity exceeding ninety-five percent, Weiss was undoubtedly a top-tier expert even among Witches.
Rena was merely a seventeen-year-old country Witch.
How could she possibly qualify to engage in academic exchanges with someone like that?
“Miss Rena, you've advanced the treatment of a rare disease to this extent at only sixteen years old. That's not something just anyone can accomplish.
“I believe you possess the qualities of a researcher.
“And I believe you possess the character necessary to properly use the fruits of research.
“I'm very happy that you willingly came to meet me and brought up the subject of academic exchange.
“If you don't mind, I'd like us to conduct research together in the future.”
Weiss looked at Rena sincerely.
Hearing that, Leon recalled Weiss's enthusiasm when she had personally invited him to the Saint Rosalia Research Institute and discussed academic topics with him.
It was completely different from her usual cold demeanor.
Weiss truly valued the pursuit of knowledge.
She probably genuinely believed Rena had come solely for research purposes and had completely failed to notice Rena's additional motives.
A smile appeared at the corner of Leon's mouth as he glanced toward Rena to observe her reaction.
Rena stared blankly into Weiss's sincere eyes.
After a long moment, she suddenly felt ashamed.
Weiss thought she had come purely to discuss research.
But in truth, she had come carrying a small, unnecessary ulterior motive as well.
“I'm sorry,” Rena said quietly.
Weiss blinked.
Then she lowered her eyes with a trace of disappointment.
“So... it's still not possible? I understand.”
“No!” Rena hurriedly shook her head.
“It's not that I don't want to research together with you. I'm apologizing because...”
She hesitated.
Then she decided to tell the truth.
“I heard about what happened between you and Leon, and I... I became a little suspicious about the relationship between the two of you. That's why I wanted to meet you. I'm sorry.”
Weiss froze.
Then she awkwardly looked away.
“No, you've misunderstood. Those things only happened because... the circumstances forced us...”
This time, Leon's expression froze.
Because he suddenly felt Rena's grip on his arm tighten considerably.
When he had explained the situation to Rena earlier, he had only given her a general summary.
Details like biting necks to drink blood and creating human sculptures had never been mentioned.
Knowing Rena, Leon was fully aware that even if she understood the reasons behind it, she would still become upset if she learned about those details.
And now Weiss had accidentally let something slip.
Previously, Leon had never expected Rena would take the initiative to meet Weiss, so he had not had the chance to coordinate their stories beforehand.
“What circumstances forced you? Could you explain in detail?”
Still gripping Leon's arm tightly, Rena fixed Weiss with a suddenly sharp gaze.
