No, why is everyone yelling like this today?! I barely managed to calm my racing heart and glanced at Allen and Jack. However, I soon decided to accept Ascart’s proposal as being that great. Of course, I don’t know how much Allen and Jack know what it means that I was invited to the Principality of Belus, or more specifically, the Magic Tower. Ascarte’s offer meant that he recognized my talent as a wizard, and that he would give me the qualifications to enter the Magic Tower. The magic tower of the Principality of Belus had a different meaning because it recognized the autonomy of individual magicians, unlike the patronage of ordinary noble families. To be honest, I was a little tempted because Magic Tower is a place with strong individualistic tendencies that does not impose restrictions on individual activities even if one is affiliated.
‘It’s still burdensome to belong somewhere, but…’
I thought that if it was a high-level magic tower from the Principality of Belus, I would be able to uncover the secrets of not only the Master but also my return.
“Why can’t you answer? Are you really going?”
“Sister, where are you going and leaving Dana behind?”
Diana’s eyes widened at Allen’s fuss. She asked, hugging my waist with a childish look on her face.
“No, right? You’re not going anywhere.”
“…Ahaha.”
My heart prickled at the sight of Diana looking up at me with her tearful eyes.
‘I don’t think I can leave either…’
Although I gave up my feelings early on, it seems like I can’t really just leave now. Even if I left the duchy and became independent, I had no intention of cutting off my ties. On the contrary, I was confidently trying to tell Diana that she would not go anywhere, as my desire to be by Diana’s side had become stronger.
Pubububung!
Before I could even answer, the highlight of the Academy Festival, the fireworks, began.
* * *
Indeed, the fireworks that everyone was looking forward to were beautiful. I, too, have seen fireworks every time there is a national founding ceremony or other major events and festivals of the empire. However, it was the first time I had seen it properly, as I was always on a mission or just stopped to look at it for a while while moving around. I felt bitter as I realized that I had lived a very far from normal life in my previous life, but I was also grateful to realize how much I was living beyond my means.
“Miss, I’m not going anywhere.”
The same was true for Diana, who was hugging my waist tightly right now and not letting go.
“Hmm. But, her brother…”
“You believe the little master’s words more than me.”
“No! Dana trusts her sister more!”
As soon as she pretended to be sad and made a sullen expression on her face, Diana shook her head and snuggled into my arms.
“Diana…!”
Allen called out from behind her in a desperate voice, but it seemed that Diana couldn’t hear her.
“Sister, are you really not going?”
“Sure.”
“Lol.”
Diana smiled brightly as she lifted her head and there were crumbs of bread in her mouth, as if it had been rewarding to reassure her again and again. Even though I was anxious about where I was going, I ended up eating snacks sold inside the academy that Taze bought me. As I gently removed it and wiped her mouth, I saw that the baby’s bulging belly was so cute.
“Hey, don’t look.”
It was so cute that he looked embarrassed and even covered it with his small hand.
“You’re so cute, where should I go?”
As soon as I spoke with a chuckle, a warm gaze landed on my cheek. I turned her head and Lucio was looking at me.
“…?”
“You…”
“Ma’am, you have to go now.”
As soon as Lucio opened her mouth to say something, Taise, who had been watching the movement while escorting her, spoke to the Duchess. When the fireworks ended, many people stood up to leave the academy. In fact, the real finale of the Academy Festival was the extravagant ball, but since it was only open to students, it was time for visitors to leave.
“It’s already so late. Lucio, you too will have to attend the ball, so go quickly.”
The Duchess spoke with her wistful gaze and Lucio shook her head.
“I will see you off at the school gate.”
And as I followed him ahead, I noticed male students wearing academy uniforms holding flowers for their partners. I suddenly wondered who Lucio’s partner was. Even after his coming-of-age ceremony, he did not have a fiancée, so he received a lot of attention from noble ladies and ladies.
‘Of course, perhaps because of Lucio’s cold personality, no one approached him openly.’
Still, it is the prom that Academy students look forward to the most, so they will not miss it. In particular, in the future, unlike his father, the Duke of Elad, Lucio showed very political moves and formed close relationships with noble figures. He showed such a significant appearance that Terencium did not designate him as a person of interest for nothing and keep an eye on him. So, since he attended the academy, he must have already built relationships with other noble nobles and ladies. There is no way to miss out on such a great opportunity as the prom.
‘Then Lucio is dancing too, right?’
No matter how different my situation was from my previous life, the life of a nobleman still felt like a story far removed from me.
‘A prom.’
To me, the ball was just a way to secretly infiltrate a noble family while carrying out a mission.
‘Oh, maybe I’ll be invited because I’ll become incredibly rich in this life…’ … .’
“Are you listening to me?”
“Yes?”
“For a man, looks aren’t everything! “If you chase after him just by looking at his face, you’ll get seriously hurt!”
‘Oh my god. Does that still mean that sound?’
I looked at Allen, who was in a fever pitch with an absurd expression on his face. Every time she hears that she is handsome, her mouth drops open. Allen’s simple yet persistent personality seemed to have caught a glimpse of her, and when she gave him a bored expression, she seemed to be pricked and added,
“Well, of course Askal has a good personality and a great personality, but that’s not true for everyone.”
“But she said it was better to be a handsome beggar than an ugly rich man.”
“What, what!”
Allen, who probably didn’t expect me to retort, made a puzzled look on her face. Actually, I could have just ignored it, but it was a little annoying to keep repeating it over and over again.
“Who on earth said that to you!”
Allen jumped up and said something, but I couldn’t say that Lope, who was an executive at the guild, taught me, so I just told him I heard it somewhere. Then the Duchess, who had been listening to my conversation with Allen, burst into laughter.
“I don’t know who said it, but he’s very smart. But Leah, being good-looking is good, but being both handsome and rich is even better.”
As the Duchess smiled happily as she said that, I could feel the indescribable aura of a winner. After realizing, I put my hands together and looked up with sparkling eyes. Suddenly, Jack whispered something in Taiz’s ear with a serious expression. Then Taiz suddenly burst into laughter.
“K-huh. I will tell you the details of the knight’s salary when I get back.”
It was when I tilted my head to see Jack’s face turn bright red at an unexpected remark.
“Oh my, it looks like it’s already over.”
An unexpected person appeared.
‘A handsome and rich man…!’
Duke Elad, who was entering the school gate, frowned when he saw us about to leave.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to pick you up.”
“You said you’d be late today.”
The Duchess asked in surprise, but the Duke just shrugged her shoulders. At the same time, I noticed that the Duke was secretly looking at Lucio, and I smiled happily to myself. Because the Duke didn’t express it, it seemed as terrible to Lucio as it was to Diana and Allen. She was shaking her head, saying that the Duchess probably didn’t just pick him because he was handsome and rich.
“…?”
Lucio and I made eye contact again. His mouth twitched as if he was about to say something.
“It looks like people are getting more and more crowded. Let’s go back quickly.”
And just as people were turning to leave the academy, the Duke said angrily. Fortunately, Taiz had moved his knights in advance, and the duke’s carriage was waiting in front of the school gate.
“Lucio, I worked hard to show you around today. “Thank you.”
“Hyung, goodbye!”
“Hello, brother!”
As I watched the duchess greeting each other and getting on the carriage, I also bowed briefly to Lucio and stepped into the carriage. It was that moment.
“Wait a moment.”
Lucio urgently grabbed my arm. People around us looked surprised, but I actually felt like something was coming. Because I realized that I wasn’t wrong.
‘Maybe it started when I was watching fireworks.’
Over and over again, I saw Lucio purse his lips as if he had something he wanted to say to me.
“You…”
“Master, I’m working hard on the studies you asked me to do. I also go to the library every day. I will take good care of you, young lady, so please trust me!”
As soon as Lucio opened his mouth, I poured out words with determined eyes. In any case, the only thing Lucio would say to me would be to confirm what he asked me last time, so he answered hastily to avoid wasting time.
‘Even without saying anything, you can sense the owner’s feelings in advance and respond accordingly.’
I was very happy because I thought I had become a very skilled and capable user.
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Translator Note:
Next 15 chapters will be translated by Bree. See you soon!!
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
Next post will be released on February, 17.
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