Shadow: I Can Use Al Chapter 30: Nothing Suspicious Here. Definitely

Chapter 30: Nothing Suspicious Here. Definitely.

Talia led Shadow into another room, and the moment he stepped inside, he noticed the room was large—far larger than necessary—with a quiet kind of luxury that didn’t scream for attention but made itself known anyway. One big spacious bed stood neatly in the middle of the room, it’s sheets spotless. A polished wooden desk sat near a wide window, and beyond that window stretched a beautiful garden, dimly lit under the night sky. Even in the darkness, Shadow could make out the careful arrangement of flowers and trimmed hedges.

It felt... intentional.

Not just hospitality.

He sat down on the bed, testing the softness for a second before leaning back slightly. Talia approached him without wasting time, holding out a small white pill and a greenish potion that looked questionable at best.

"Take these," she said calmly.

Shadow stared at them for a brief moment before taking both.

’I can just cure myself faster... but I have to play along for now,’ he thought.

He swallowed the pill and followed it with the potion. The taste wasn’t great, but he ignored it. A faint warmth spread through his body, easing the pain in his muscles and closing the smaller wounds. It worked... but slowly. Too slowly.

Compared to what he used to make, this was almost laughable.

Still, he kept his expression neutral. But then he noticed Talia still standing in the room not leaving yet.

She pulled out a small notebook and started

Writing "Patient consumed medication successfully."

Shadow was able to quickly read the words she wrote.

Shadow slowly looked at her

"Am I a patient or some kind of a side project?"

"It’s nothing, just making sure you’re taken care of perfectly." She replied.

"Rest for now," Talia added. "Once your wounds are healed, you need to take a bath."

Shadow tilted his head slightly, then a smirk slowly crept onto his face.

"Do I get assigned a bath assistant too?"

"No"

Talia didn’t even flinch.

"Disappointing organization." Shadow mumured to himself in a low voice.

"I don’t think you’re in a position to be this relaxed," she replied flatly. "I’ll bring you new clothes."

And just like that, she turned and left.

Shadow’s smirk faded, replaced by a faint twitch in his expression.

"...Strange," he muttered.

Then his eyes narrowed slightly as the silence settled.

"Something is oddly suspicious here," he murmured to himself, leaning back on his hands. "I need to figure out what’s going on... and quickly."

Time passed quietly.

When Talia returned, she placed a neatly folded set of clothes beside him—a black t-shirt and trousers—before leaving again without another word.

No unnecessary interaction.

No curiosity.

Just... efficiency.

After a while, Shadow rolled his shoulders and exhaled slowly.

His body was already fully healed.

Of course it was.

Without wasting more time, he stood up and walked into the bathroom connected to the room.

" I guess i should wash myself like a commoner."

The moment the water touched his skin, he let out a quiet breath he didn’t even realize he’d been holding.

"Finally..." he muttered.

The warmth washed away the dirt, the tension, and the lingering discomfort.

"My first decent bath in seven years."

By the time he stepped out, his hair slightly damp and his body refreshed, it almost felt unreal.

He quickly dressed in the clothes Talia had brought. They fit well.

"It’s already night," he noted, glancing out the window.

The garden was now fully cloaked in darkness, illuminated only by scattered lights.

He cracked his neck slightly.

"...Time to find out what’s really going on here."

Without hesitation, he stepped out of the room.

The building itself was massive. Calling it a house didn’t feel accurate—it was more like a hybrid between a residence and some kind of headquarters. The hallways were wide, the ceilings high, and everything carried that same quiet, controlled elegance.

As he walked, a faint sound reached his ears.

A soft, rhythmic noise.

Metal slicing through air.

Shadow’s gaze sharpened.

He followed the sound.

It didn’t take long before he arrived at an open training hall.

And there—

He paused.

In the center of the room stood a girl.

She looked around his age. Her appearance immediately caught his attention—not just because of her beauty, but because of how familiar she felt. The resemblance was clear.

She was like a younger version of Yeldez.

Her soft, wavy red hair moved gently with each motion, and her amber eyes gleamed with focus as she practiced. In her hand was a sword engulfed in flames, the fire flickering with controlled intensity.

’From the looks of it... that’s definitely her daughter,’ Shadow concluded silently.

In front of her stood five training dummies.

Then—

She moved.

It happened in an instant.

A burst of speed so sudden that Shadow’s eyes sharpened just to keep up. She dashed forward, her figure blurring as she passed all five dummies in one swift motion, appearing behind them almost immediately.

For a split second...

Nothing happened.

Then—

Boom.

All five dummies exploded at once, flames erupting violently as they were torn apart.

Shadow blinked once, genuinely impressed.

’Wow... that’s one talented girl.’

But just as quickly as the display ended—

Something went wrong.

The girl’s body stiffened.

She dropped to her knees.

"Agh—!"

Her hand clutched her abdomen as she collapsed onto the ground, her expression twisting in pain. A moment later, blood spilled from her mouth.

Shadow raised an eyebrow.

’Well... this is convenient.’

A faint smirk appeared on his face.

’Rescue arc initiated...’

’Your prince on a black horse is here.’

Without hesitation, he rushed forward.

"Are you alright?" he asked, crouching beside her and lifting her slightly.

The girl’s eyes snapped toward him, sharp despite her condition.

"Who are you...?" she asked weakly. "How did you get in here?"

"Just a guest," Shadow replied casually. "More importantly, let’s get you treated first."

She stared at him for a second longer, then suddenly slapped his hand away.

"This is none of your business," she said coldly, forcing herself to sit up as she held onto her sword that was still burning.

"I don’t need help from strangers" she said before her legs started shaking while her sword flickered about to explode.

Shadow watched silently.

Then.

"I see. Still dying but manners are more important." He said sarcasticaly.

Jane tries to regain dignity

"I was... testing my limits."

"You tested gravity instead." Shadow said as he watched her fall to the ground again.

"You should leave." Jane retorted.

’Alright, time for the cringe scene’

Shadow blinked, then sighed dramatically.

"I’ll never leave someone as beautiful as you," he said, placing a hand over his chest. "Every cell in my male body would start screaming at me."

’...Is he sick? Do all intruders speak like this or is it just my luck?’

She looked like she wanted to argue, but the words didn’t fully come out.

"I’m Shadow," he added smoothly. "What’s your name?"

She hesitated for a moment.

"...Shadow?" she repeated, clearly thrown off. "Who names their son something like that?"

He shrugged lightly.

"I don’t really know," he said with a small, almost careless smile. "It’s the only thing I remember about my identity."

That seemed to catch her off guard.

"...Jane," she finally said.

Seeing her finally acting normal, Shadow smiled inwardly

’Yes... classic injured noble girl arc...’

’I appear mysteriously... save her... she develops emotional attachment...’

He thought as he tried to help her stand.

"Let go of me" Jane exclaimed.

’Nevermind’

"Well, Jane," Shadow continued, as if nothing had happened, "why don’t we—"

"There’s no need," she interrupted, slowly standing up despite her condition. "Nothing will work anyway."

Shadow frowned slightly.

"What do you mean—"

Before he could finish, footsteps echoed into the hall.

"Young lady!"

Talia, the young maid rushed in, her voice filled with urgency.

"Are you okay?"

"I’m fine," Jane replied, though her posture said otherwise. Then her gaze shifted toward Shadow. "Why are strangers wandering freely in my house?"

Talia’s expression tightened slightly before she looked at Shadow.

"You shouldn’t have left your room."

"I was hungry," Shadow replied with a shrug. "I wouldn’t have left if my caretaker was efficient at her job."

Talia’s eye twitched.

"You—"

"Come with me."

Before she could continue, Jane spoke again.

"We’re going to eat anyway. Just bring him along."

Talia hesitated for a fraction of a second, then bowed her head slightly.

"As you wish, my lady."

And just like that, the three of them began walking.

The dining room was just as grand as the rest of the building. A large table stood at the center, already filled with an impressive spread of food. Several maids moved in and out, placing dishes and adjusting the arrangement.

At the head of the table sat both Yeldez and opposite to him a middle-aged man.

They were both calm, composed, and observant.

"Talia?" Yeldez questioned as they entered, her eyes briefly landing on Shadow.

"Sorry, my lady," Talia said. "He left his room and encountered young lady Jane."

"It’s fine," Jane said casually. "I told her to bring him."

Shadow stepped forward slightly, glancing at the table.

"If I’m not accepted here," he said dryly, "I can just go back and sleep. That should solve my hunger problem."

The man beside Yeldez let out a small chuckle.

"So you’re the kid my wife brought in," he said. "Come, sit with us."

Shadow met his gaze briefly before taking a seat without hesitation.

Across the table, Yeldez watched him carefully.

’Is this the same boy who looked completely lost just hours ago?’ she thought.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

’What a cunning kid...’

She leaned back ever so slightly, observing every small movement, every expression.

’Controlling him won’t be easy,’ she concluded.

’...I’ll have to be careful.’