Merka is not the kind of person who looks down on others from a higher position. But who knows? Common people are always content with mediocrity and filled with fear. Someone who is content with their current situation will inevitably fear a soul that is constantly striving for progress and self-improvement. What if, and I mean what if, Merka distances himself from me when he finds out about my identity?

"I won't let that happen, of course I won't." Turing thought to himself, and gave a firm pat on the neck of his horse, Joseph. The horse snorted and galloped away.

"I arranged to meet Merka at Westminster Abbey and go to Red Port together."

"The distance from Croto to Red Port is not far."

"I used to say that my home is in Croto, so each time we meet, I arrive relatively quickly."

"But if I don't ride a horse this time, Merka might start suspecting me."

"And since Merka and I have developed a deep connection, there may be a possibility of facing his parents in the future."

"As long as his parents aren't blind, they will definitely recognize who I am."

"While Merka is at the abbey, I should go to his house and make a good impression on his parents." Turing suddenly had a clever idea and pulled the reins to stop the horse.

"There is some faint magical fluctuation..." Whenever someone uses magic, there will be an accompanying wave of magical energy. The stronger the magic, the more sensitive one's perception of these fluctuations.

It was evident that Turing's magical perception was as precise as an atomic clock.

"Never mind, there are more important matters at hand. I can't keep Merka waiting." Turing spurred the horse and rode off.

---

13 Wilde Street, Croto City

A petite figure rode a horse that did not match her size, and stopped in front of an elegant classical building.

"I've tried to dress as simply as possible. The crown can't be taken off no matter what, so I'll cover it with a sleeve patch."

"Phew... There shouldn't be any problems now, let's go in."

"No. 13 Wilde Street... The house is more exquisite than I had imagined. Is this the middle-class?"

Turing stepped up the stairs leading to the entrance, feeling a strange and guilty uneasiness.

"Just like when meeting any ordinary commoner, I just need to honestly state my intentions to Merka's parents." Turing placed his hand on the doorbell, his heart in disarray.

Click. Before Turing could press the doorbell, the door suddenly opened. Startled, Turing quickly withdrew his hand.

"Oh, hello there."

"Ah, I wondered why I could hear a little kitten's heart pounding non-stop."

"Come in, Turing. The head of the family was just getting to the exciting part." The person who opened the door was a tall and gentle woman.

"Bishop Maria?" Turing exclaimed.

"Why is she here?"

Maria warmly smiled, said nothing more, and gestured for Turing to follow as she began to walk back.

Following Maria into the house, Turing followed her up the stairs, disregarding the simple first floor and the book-filled second floor. As they were about to step onto the third floor, Turing's heart grew more and more restless.

"Ms. Maria, why are you here?"

"Is something wrong with Merka?"

"What is her relationship with Merka?"

"What exactly is their relationship?"

Turing felt as if he had missed a step on the staircase, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.

"Do not worry, Turing, come here." Maria said. It was only then that Turing noticed Maria's hand, which was sneaking out of her sleeve.

White, large, and delicate, Maria's hand was dangling in front of Turing like a teasing toy. Turing's heart warmed and he gently placed his hand on top of hers."Yes, actually, there's no need to think too much about it."

"I'll do my best, just like before."

"Professor Paimon," Maria led Turing to the third floor and spoke.

Even without mentioning the afternoon tea and dessert table that immediately caught Turing's attention, the numerous artistically arranged chairs, and the man sitting at the table, when we saw the exquisite silver shirt the host was wearing, the elegant old tobacco pipe placed on the table, and the lingering aroma of Da Li tea in the cups and saucers, we could understand that the identity and taste of this man were extraordinary.

However, the house was not well-maintained. Not to mention the slight damages in some places, the accumulation of dust alone already decreased its appeal in people's minds.

Maria casually pulled a seat close to the man named Paimon and sat down, saying, "This is the daughter of The Altria Family. It seems she's also interested in your condition, so do you mind if she listens in?"

"Ah, the young mistress of The Altria Family? It's a great honor to have your presence. Please, have a seat. There's some herbal tea and sweets at home, let me prepare them..." Paimon's voice was mellow and comforting, just like Merka's, making people feel at ease. Could it be that he is Merka's father?

"This house doesn't seem small, but it doesn't even have a servant? The master of the house has to serve tea and water himself," Turing thought.

"Even though he sees me and the bishop, he doesn't seem nervous at all... He has an extraordinary magnanimity," Turing observed.

"Please don't trouble yourself, Professor. I've cast a spider trace spell to prevent eavesdropping. If someone were to come and go, it would disturb my perception," Maria said.

"A perception spell? So Maria knew I was coming without me ringing the doorbell," Turing realized.

Turing didn't sit down, but instead leaned on the back of Maria's chair with one hand, standing relaxed.

"I'm just here briefly, as I do have something I want to discuss with you," Turing began.

"But actually, I have something I need to attend to. Regarding the conversation with the bishop, please be concise," Turing slightly raised her small face, gently lifted her small nose, just like Oedipus often did.

"Alright, alright, esteemed Miss Ochiai," Paimon picked up the pipe from the table with his left hand, lit the tobacco with a match, and covered the bowl with his hand as he took a deep breath of the smoke.

"Sorry, forgive me, I can only do this when Merka is not around." After taking a breath, Paimon quickly put the hand holding the pipe under the chair and let the smoke waft low.

"Speaking of which, it has been fourteen years since I quit smoking."

"For Merka's health, I can only smoke intermittently when he's not present," Paimon supported his chin with his right hand and leaned on the back of the chair, his cloudy eyes staring blankly at the wall.

"All because of me and my wife."

"We carry remnants of inferior blood."

"The combination of our bloodlines created Merka's illness."

"Miss might not know this, but in the past, others used to call people with this illness 'cursed children.'"

"They are allergic to tobacco, and their bodies will develop certain defects as they age."

"Most importantly, they can use magic under certain conditions, whether male or female."

"People didn't understand this before, and they thought it was a curse."

"How could there be Acadia people who can't smoke? Acadia people are made of smoke."

"How could there be men who can use magic? Magic is for Acadia women."

"But it wasn't until I personally abandoned my child because of this illness that I understood."

"This is a hereditary disease. There are no devils, no curses," Paimon's voice sounded hoarse and desolate.

"This has been the subject of my research for the past fourteen years."

"Merka's eyes were damaged due to this illness. But compared to other severely disfigured 'cursed children,' it's already not bad."

"In order to prevent others from experiencing the tragedy that my wife and I went through or for Merka to experience the joy of smoking, I won't give up no matter how difficult the conditions or funding may be until I uncover the mystery of this illness.""I want to atone for abandoning Merka." Baimon finished speaking, seeming to be immersed in a certain sadness, and he pursed his lips without saying anything.

[What is he talking about, it's so disjointed?]

Turing looked at Maria beside him. She had a thoughtful look on her face.

[His words don't seem enough to explain the mysteries of Merka.]

[Moreover, Merka's eyes are so beautiful.]

The pitch-black, mottled pupils of Merka revealed an indescribable, chaotic and colorful charm that went beyond the color black itself.

[How could those be eyes affected by an illness?]

[Maria, the bishop, she's actually listening attentively... so serious.]

"Alright, little Turing, Professor Baimon. There's a little kitten downstairs meowing again, so I'll take my leave." Maria smiled warmly and winked playfully at Turing.

"Well, I wish you a good day." Turing nodded and watched Maria go downstairs until she disappeared from his sight.

Turning his gaze back to Baimon, Turing said, "It's really a terrible experience, and I feel sorry for you."

"Merka's condition is indeed worth further research."

"That's something meaningful. I'm willing to continue to pay attention to your research results in the future."

"So, I hope that when we meet next time, you can..."

Turing explained his intentions and instructed him not to reveal his identity to Merka if they meet again.

—————————————————————

"Xixi, you're late. It's rare to see that." Merka and Turing were driving side by side on the road in Red Port. Merka's flowing black hair was like fluffy mandala flower petals, simple yet elegant —

[Black mandala flowers,] Turing thought.

[How charming black mandala flowers must be?]

"Uh... I was delayed on the way, Joseph suddenly didn't want to walk anymore." Turing said, patting the horse's neck lightly. "Isn't that right, Joseph?"

"Neigh." Joseph didn't seem to understand Turing's words, and he snorted unhappily. His pace seemed to quicken.

"Oh, Joseph looks quite cute like this." Merka said, driving his horse closer to Turing, bit by bit. "Just don't move... " The gentle voice, like flowing water, rolled into Turing's ear.

It was unclear whether this sentence was directed at the horse or at Turing. Merka's hand slowly reached out and gently stroked Joseph's neck, which was covered in brownish-brown hair.

Merka's handsome face, lifeless yet seemingly full of life in those black eyes, clearly defined collarbones, and short, shiny lips - Turing observed them all in the whispers of the gentle breeze.

Quite coincidentally, there was another surge of magical fluctuations, appearing suddenly and disappearing suddenly, causing ripples in Turing's heart.

[Why is that?]

A tingling sensation formed a knot in Turing's heart.

[Perhaps this feeling isn't even a magical fluctuation at all?] Turing secretly speculated in his mind.

This was something more magical and noble than magic itself...