"It seems I, as the master, have failed in my duties, to let a guest harbor such thoughts," Roswaal said, his expression turning solemn.
"I have no intention of rushing you. I simply invited you here with that promise in mind and worried you might be feeling disappointed."
"Since you haven't decided yet, please continue to stay here. As long as you don't find it beneath you, you may stay for as long as you like," Roswaal said sincerely.
Though that eccentric cadence made his words sound peculiar, there was no denying that his attitude was impeccable.
"Then, much obliged."
"It just so happens I wanted to impose for a few more days," Gojo Satoru said with a smile, having neatly finished his pancakes before elegantly sipping his tea.
"After all, I've grown quite fond of this place."
Nightfall.
No lamps were lit in the elegant study; only a beam of cold, clear moonlight from the window provided a touch of brightness.
Roswaal was reclined in a high-backed armchair, holding Ram to his side with one arm, his palm resting gently against her forehead. Under his guidance, mana flowed softly and steadily into Ram's body.
"What are your impressions of our interesting guests these past two days?"
Ram leaned into Roswaal's embrace, her eyes narrowed like a contented cat. Hearing his question, she opened them slightly and spoke softly.
"Gojo Satoru. On the surface, he appears casual and flighty, but from the glimpses he's shown, his strength and learning capacity are extraordinary."
"Furthermore, unlike the other two, he makes no effort to hide the fact that he is investigating his surroundings. Also, his eyes seem unique, and he has a significant craving for sweets."
"According to Puck, it seems even Betty in the Forbidden Library has suffered a setback at his hands."
"A mysterious powerhouse, indeed..." Roswaal nodded, the flow of mana from his hand remaining stable. "And Felt?"
"Pragmatic, vigilant, money-oriented... like a hedgehog?" Ram thought for a moment before finding a fitting description. "Coming from the slums, she is remarkably disciplined regarding food, fine clothing, or other luxuries. She shows no sign of unbridled indulgence; she is very cautious."
"As for Natsuki Subaru... he is ordinary, yet very active. He hasn't displayed any special abilities. He is somewhat clumsy but likes to act tough; he has plenty of passion, but his motives are baffling. Occasionally, he performs strange gestures and says odd things. However, it is quite obvious that he is deeply infatuated with Lady Emilia."
Roswaal's fingers brushed gently through Ram's soft hair. Feeling the texture against his fingertips, a faint, glinting light flickered in his deep eyes.
According to the records in the Tome of Wisdom, an individual with the power to change the world would appear at Emilia's side. He had made many preparations for this day.
However, now that the day had truly arrived, Roswaal found that it wasn't just one person appearing beside Emilia, but three.
"You've observed them very closely, Ram."
"And what of Lady Emilia? Has my candidate shown a different side of herself while around them?"
"Lady Emilia seems... somewhat more spirited," Ram replied, recalling Emilia's reactions over the past few days. Because Natsuki Subaru was constantly pestering her to do strange things, she was indeed more active than before, and she smiled more often.
Previously, Emilia spent most of her time finding a quiet spot to enjoy the sun and play with Puck. While communicating with her was never an issue, she always gave off a sense of detachment. If you didn't take the initiative to speak, she wouldn't offer much in return. It was as if she lived in her own very quiet, very flat world.
But now, that flatness had been thoroughly shattered by Natsuki Subaru.
"Spirited, is she?" Roswaal murmured to himself.
The faces of Gojo, Subaru, and Felt flashed through his mind. Purely based on the current situation, the one most likely to be the individual with the power to change the world was Gojo Satoru, who had demonstrated staggering strength and learning speed. Among the three, only his performance fit the criteria.
Of course, it couldn't be fully confirmed yet. More testing and observation were required.
"Keep watching them. They are far more interesting than the other candidates."
"Yes, Lord Roswaal," Ram whispered with a nod.
What Ram failed to see, however, was the cold indifference buried deep within Roswaal's pupils.
Over the next few days, Gojo Satoru and Natsuki Subaru completely made themselves at home in the mansion.
Gojo, naturally, spent his time eating desserts, wandering the estate, and hunting for the door to the Forbidden Library. Subaru was even more direct, sticking to Emilia every day like a piece of chewing gum.
Among the three, only Felt remained somewhat restrained and cautious, not quite as relaxed as the others. However, following Gojo's advice, she gradually began to accept her surroundings. She swapped her tattered rags for new clothes; though the style remained practical for movement, it was a massive improvement.
Felt, a beautiful girl to begin with, suddenly radiated an air of nobility. She finally looked like a candidate, though she herself didn't realize it yet.
Roswaal and the others continued as usual, though the sisters, Ram and Rem, were slightly busier. But the unluckiest of them all was surely Betty in the Forbidden Library.
After Puck took Gojo there once, Gojo had mastered the trick. Using the Six Eyes, he could clearly distinguish which door led to the library at any given time.
Consequently, harassing the easily-angered little loli and browsing the books in the Forbidden Library became Gojo's favorite pastime alongside eating sweets.
And he wasn't the only one. There was also Natsuki Subaru.
Gojo found the "Crossing Door" because of the Six Eyes. As for Subaru, even he couldn't explain it. In his own words, it was "instinct"—he could pinpoint the door through pure intuition.
With the presence of these two, Beatrice's Forbidden Library experienced its most boisterous period in hundreds of years. Whether she actually welcomed the noise, however, was another matter entirely.