Soon after, I was able to gain confidence in my guess.
Count Teln had begun distributing flyers widely, including both inside and outside the academy.
They say they purchased a large mana stone called the Welcoming Stone, which amplifies children’s intelligence and mana, and further upgraded it with their magical abilities.
It’s supposed to temporarily enhance learning abilities if you come out of a ten-minute nightmare.
Specifically, it’s said to have effects on three things: concentration, intelligence, and mana.
Some said it would be good to use during exams, as nightmares would soon be forgotten anyway.
Of course, there were voices expressing concern for children’s health.
But the response from parents regarding an item that simultaneously boosts intelligence, concentration, and mana was tremendous.
“They’re planning to experiment on Petit Debutantes’ Day.”
Naturally, both the social circles and the academy were in an uproar.
It’s inevitable that there would be no parents who dislike the idea of their children gaining learning abilities after a brief period of suffering.
And I was in an uproar for a slightly different reason.
Developing an item that implants trauma in children instead of increasing intelligence! Such an item is nothing but trash.
“That bastard should just drop dead.”
But how can I make him die? Right now, all I have are fluffy, cloud-like cotton candies.
“Besides, I’m short on mana. So I can’t just charge straight ahead.”
I pondered deeply.
“Is there a way to stop Count Teln while still helping the children? But due to abilities, it’s unlikely to create an entirely identical item….”
I looked at the pink, cotton candy-like clouds, and deeply immersed myself in thought, my chin propped on my hands.
“In a nutshell, it means that the sanctum stone contains blessings and mana.”
It seemed like a solution might come to mind if I think hard enough.
I poked Dominic in the side and asked,
“Can I still only summon a demon for three seconds?”
“Yes.”
Sharp response. But upon further thought, three seconds seems like it might be enough.
Just four days ahead, an idea of what I could do within that time came to mind.
***
Four days passed quickly, and before we knew it, the day of the Petit Debutante arrived.
The vast hall was packed with children and their parents, along with visitors here to see the welcoming stone of Count Teln.
It was the most nerve-wracking day for all the children of the elementary academies. It was the day to show off the most beautiful and precious thing they had.
Gorgeous chandeliers were densely hung from the ceiling.
Soon after, all the academy children gathered in the central hall of the academy.
The inside of the grand hall was very splendid. The soft carpet on the floor was engraved with exotic, antique patterns.
The glamorous obsidian tables and chairs decorated with angel motifs were overwhelming to look at.
The children seated at their respective tables exclaimed in amazement.
“It’s so sparkly!”
“My feet don’t touch the ground…”
“It’s normal for your feet not to touch the ground.”
“It’s dazzling.”
There were clear likes and dislikes among the children.
However, most of the children here were nobles. They were children who thought that glamorous and adult-like things were of the highest value.
“My mother is also happy!”
“That’s true.”
“Then I’m happy too!”
The children murmured, looking towards the VIP seats where their parents were sitting.
It was a custom for parents to attend their young children’s debutante stage.
Moreover, it was Hesman and Babeloa who arranged this debutante stage, wasn’t it?
Ladies of various titles flocking was only natural.
Upon entering the hall, the parents let out exclamations.
“My goodness, how much does that jewel cost?”
“It’s amazing!”
“There’s Lady Hesman too.”
The adults’ greedy eyes turned towards Mirisa.
The little lady in a pink dress, holding a bouquet of roses in both hands, looked even more radiant.
Everyone present was curious about who the beautiful lady would give the roses to. Of course, their curiosity wasn’t entirely pure.
“Who are those roses for?”
“It must be for our son, right?”
“My goodness, marrying Lady Mirisa would mean a hefty dowry…”
“Our child has been close with her.”
“When the previous Duke was alive, he had decided that Lady Mirisa’s marriage would be to our family.”
Mirisa sighed inwardly.
‘Adults.’
She knew the way parents with sons looked at her gleamed.
However, she had no interest in such matters. Mirisa stared intently at the opposite side of the hall. The girl’s pupils seemed cloudy and dull.
‘My sister… I prepared the flowers for her. Why isn’t she coming?’
The roses were intended for Meldenik.
‘Sister would look so good with the roses.’
Mirisa had no interest in talk of premature engagements or boys who acted immaturely.
I liked my sister because she was adult-like and cool, and she cared about me.
“When will my sister come?”
Mirisa slumped her shoulders and looked around, worried because she hadn’t received any contact and felt increasingly anxious.
Her brother, unable to attend, sent his apologies through a servant along with a rose quartz necklace.
But Mirisa felt somewhat upset looking down at the necklace.
It’s probably because the Hessman family is more important than me, anyway.
“It’s fine. I’m more at ease if she doesn’t come.”
Then, Axion, dressed impressively, approached her with a disgruntled face.
“Mirisa! Carat is nowhere to be seen, and where has Mel gone?”
Axion’s face was full of dissatisfaction.
Mirisa could clearly read from his face a mixed feeling of suspicion and complaint, as if thinking, ‘Did the two go off to have fun without me?’
“Typical of an elementary academy student with no worries.”
“Let’s wait a little longer.”
She chided Axion in a mature manner.
Axion grunted and scraped the rug under the table with his foot.
“Alright.”
Ding, ding-.
The academy clock tower bell rang loudly, announcing the start of the academy’s biggest event, the Petit Debutante.
***
‘What’s going on?’
But even after the first part ended and the break was over, Meldenik didn’t arrive.
“We plan to proceed to the second part after the first part, the break, and the time to introduce special items.”
‘Why isn’t she coming.’
Axion and Mirisa tapped their feet anxiously as they listened to the person in charge of the debutant’s progress.
It was originally planned to introduce items in the second part.
However, the worry preceded when thinking about Meldenik, who hasn’t arrived without any notice.
Meanwhile, the lower nobles started sharing the items they brought in turn.
“The item I want to share today is a jewelry box.”
“I brought a 4th Circle magician who serves our family!”
One by one, as children introduced someone they brought or shared an item, Mirisa and Axion’s hearts grew more anxious.
“Mel…, will she come?”
“Of course. I believe her.”
Mirisa bit her lip hard. Mel would keep her promise. She’s totally different from her brother, Duke Hesman.
Mirisa glanced at the door.
“The door will wear out.”
“But if she doesn’t come now, she won’t be able to enter at all….”
Axion’s expression also became anxious.
“Look at the faces of Duchess Baberoa and Baron Teln.”
Those on the stage had already excited faces. Just look at them lining up spirit stones on the giant table in the middle of the hall!
They were arrogantly gesturing towards the academy chancellor sitting side by side on the stage, high spirited with white hair.
Even without looking, it’s already apparent that bullying is starting.
Axion clenched his fists tightly.
“I hope nothing happened to Mel. Maybe they’re bothering Mel, so she couldn’t come.”
It was a plausible statement.
“If that happens, neither the adulterer nor those people will ever be forgiven.”
Axion clenched his fists tighter.
Mirisa nodded as if agreeing.
“Just assassinate them.”
“No, I don’t intend to go as far as assassination…”
“Just make them disappear.”
Axion felt Mirisa’s cruelty and blinked.
