Janus gestured with his hands, pointing towards my chest.

"The chains are breaking, is what I mean.

"

I blinked at his words and stopped for a split second to internalize them.

'Oh?'

I then automatically looked down at myself when he motioned towards me to, I don't know, confirm that metal chains are hanging there or whatever, and then dumbly stared at it. It was clear as day that I had no freaking idea what he was talking about.

Chains? What does he mean by chains?

"Where? And what chains?

" I grumbled in confusion.

I see none of it.

That aside, I am really dumb, huh.

Janus's mouth fell into a straight line. As if he too was surprised by how stupid I was. He then slowly shook his head upon seeing me making a fool of myself.

"They are around your heart, binding it, and it's not a material chain alright,

" he then explained. He sounded pretty much exasperated. Can't blame him though.

'My heart?'

My hand went to the part of my body where my heart was and sat there like I was bitten by a snake.

'Ah, so that was the reason why he pointed towards my chest…'

I'm such an idiot for not realizing that sooner, aren't I? Oh, dear...

But he's saying that there are chains binding my heart? What?

How is that… How is that even possible? And why?

I was obviously still perplexed by what he said and the meaning behind it. I couldn't exactly understand what he's telling me and it must have shown in my face because Janus was explaining things again before I could ask him.

"You are wondering why you are showing signs of magic affinity now when it wasn't the case before, right?

" He remarked.

I firmly nodded, still staring at him expectantly.

"Yes… It's still a mystery to me…

"

And the fact that it wasn't mentioned in the book that the novel Nadia can use magic at all…

Why is it different now?

Certainly, it's not because the timeline has changed, right? Because that would be bonkers and wouldn't be an enough reason. Only the flow of things should be altered and not the natural disposition of people, you know.

Maybe lifestyle can be changed and some events too. For example, the wild boar appeared earlier than expected. Or when the supposed female lead and the male leads are not meeting each other because of my interference. That is likely and definitely acceptable.

Unless… There is some big reason behind it now.

Janus lazily leaned to his side as he thought to himself.

"Hmm… How do I say this…

" he muttered lowly.

My eyes flashed brightly upon hearing him and immediately perked up.

"You know something about it? Please tell me, Lord Janus,

" I breathed in desperation.

I don't care whether I looked rather desperate right at this moment. Because I am desperate for answers. And Janus had always been dodgy about the matters ever since and now that he looks like he's willing, I don't want to waste this opportunity.

"Well… the power you have is already there ever since you were born. It was only sealed,

" he then stated.

"And now, the seal is breaking. Thus why the power that is already present is leaking out and has attracted the others.

"

So he means to tell… that Nadia… this body's magic is…

'Wait. Ugh, why am I repeating everything, seriously.'

"Sooner or later, your magic will be freed and your full potential will be unleashed as well,

" Janus added while wearing a cryptic smile.

That… that sounds promising…

One of these days, huh…

I tried to think about the future where I can freely cast magic spells and frowned because I can't imagine it at all. Also… there is something really bothering me...

"But it doesn't make sense?

" I mumbled out loud.

Janus's eyes zeroed on me.

"And why is that?

"

"Because magic comes from the soul. That's what the book says. So it won't make sense if I can practice magic…

" I replied.

One best reason is that I am not the original Nadia but a foreign soul instead. I am merely occupying her physical body. Hell, I am not even sure where she could be right now. Though there is a big chance that we had swapped souls.

I shivered at the thought.

Janus stared at me. Like really stared at me. His piercing golden irises felt like it's drilling themselves into my very being and exposing every layer. It felt very uncomfortable.

"You are right. Magic does come from the soul,

" he then agreed.

"So--!

" I stopped whatever I was about to blurt out midway and bit my lower lip.

'Is it really okay to tell him my secret?'

No. No, I don't think I'm ready for that. I vowed to myself that I will keep it and never blab it to anyone, despite them being close to me. I'm not planning to tell my family nor friends about it, more so if it's Janus. Who knows what would happen?

"What are you so riled up about, Nadia?

" said Janus. The corner of his lips then stretched into a knowing smirk.

"Is it because of your soul?

"

"--!!

"

My heart literally almost jumped out of my throat. I was caught off-guard by his words that made me stop breathing for a moment.

What… What?--!

I looked at him with widening eyes, trying to confirm my budding suspicions. And then Janus's eyes twinkled with a playful emotion, plus that damning smirk that screams he definitely knows.

"W-what do you mean...?

" I feigned ignorance.

I mean, who could expect the turn of events? Not me.

Does he know? Or does he not? What is it?!

"Hmmm…

" He then started rubbing his pinky finger on his lower lip as he gazed at me.

"Are you thinking that because you are not the real inhabitant of that body, you shouldn't be able to use it?

"

'What???'

My brain just started malfunctioning at this point.

That confirms it now. He 'knows' what is up with me.

"T-that's… th--... you knew?

" I was really flustered, and embarrassingly, couldn't even compose a sentence without stuttering.

Janus laughed darkly, very much amused by my current predicament. He is thoroughly enjoying my sense of crisis yet all I can do is sat there and get bombarded by shocking revelations. Just like what he is about to divulge in the next moment.

"Of course,

" He affirmed with a smug smile,

"I am, after all, the greatest magician alive, Lyra,

" declared Janus.

"!!!

"

He even know my name?!