The Runaway Heroine is Too Good at Escaping

 

 

 

 

***

 

“Seraphina, is your practice going well?”

 

“Yes.”

 

I responded without taking my eyes off the paper filled with numbers, and Simone handed me a new sheet of paper beside me. I immediately started writing again.

 

Since I locked myself in the room to prepare for the magic presentation competition, Simone had been keeping a close eye on me.

 

For instance, when I didn’t come out even during mealtime, he would barge into my room with food that was easy to eat.

 

“Why don’t you take a break now? You look tired.”

 

“No, I’m almost there… Aah!”

 

At the moment the numbers finally aligned perfectly, I shot up from my chair. The chair fell back with a loud noise, but I didn’t care.

 

“I did it!”

 

“You succeeded?”

 

“Yes, with this, I can use a new spell!”

 

Seeing me bouncing with joy, Simone gently brought a spoon to my mouth.

 

“Alright, I get it. But first, try to eat something.”

 

Only then did I accept the soup he offered. Right, I hadn’t eaten all day again.

 

Looking at myself in the mirror in the corner of the room, I noticed my hair was a mess, and dark circles under my eyes were prominent. It was shocking to see myself in such a state.

 

“… I think I look a bit unpresentable right now.”

 

“You look fine. Just stay as you are.”

 

Though I ended up sitting back down at Simone’s words, I couldn’t shake the image of myself in the mirror.

 

But Simone seemed unfazed and simply offered me more soup.

 

“Uh, I’ll eat on my own.”

 

I took the plate and spoon from his hands and started sipping the soup while explaining the mathematical breakthrough I had achieved.

 

Technically, I didn’t come up with it; I just referenced some knowledge from the future, but still…

 

“So, is the preparation for the magic presentation competition finished now?”

 

“Yes, I just need to practice the spell until it feels natural.”

 

As we were exchanging conversation, the door opened, and Raffaelo appeared. He looked taken aback upon seeing my disheveled appearance.

 

“What, what’s going on? Are you alright?”

 

“Yes, I’m fine… I just made a great discovery, that’s all.”

 

“You haven’t come outside in a while, so I came to check if you were okay.”

 

Raffaelo plopped down on a chair, then made a slightly awkward face.

 

“Simone, could you stop looking at me like that?”

 

“Oh, I was just curious if you were preparing for the magic presentation competition as well.”

 

“I hate magic theory and don’t really have any talent for it, so I’m not participating. But I understand what you mean.”

 

Raffaelo stood up again.

 

“Alright then, I’ll be going, Seraphina. See you at the competition.”

 

“What? Weren’t you here to talk to me?”

 

“Yeah, I used to be like that, but suddenly I feel like I shouldn’t act that way anymore.”

 

As Raffaelo was about to leave, I quickly grabbed him. There was something I wanted to ask.

 

“Raffaelo, so what did you decide about Prince Allan’s proposal? About doing politics here?”

 

“Oh, that.”

 

Raffaelo blinked slowly. Wow, even a simple blink from him looks rebellious.

 

“I’ll probably accept it.”

 

“What?”

 

“Honestly, it’s hard to come by a better opportunity than this.”

 

“Oh…”

 

“Well, now I’ll really go. I do have a sense of tact, you know.”

 

Strange, is Raffaelo really accepting Prince Allan’s proposal? But his expression seems a bit off…

 

Without waiting for my reaction, Raffaelo left the room, leaving behind his baffling statement. I looked at Simone in bewilderment, and he shrugged as if he didn’t know either.

 

“Well, anyhow, I’m glad you achieved a good result, Seraphina.”

 

“Thank you. You helped me a lot too, Simone.”

 

Yes, I’ll have to discuss things with Raffaelo after the magic presentation competition. Right now, my mind is too preoccupied.

 

“It’s only natural to help you.”

 

“You’re no longer thinking of handing me over to Princess Eva, right?”

 

Recalling our past, I teased him playfully, and Simone blinked with an odd expression.

 

“I must have been temporarily out of my mind back then.”

 

“What? Haha.”

 

“I’m serious.”

 

Oh, it seems like Simone is becoming increasingly kind to me…

 

With his radiant silver hair shining, he gave me a gentle smile with his blue eyes.

 

“I’ll cheer for you at tomorrow’s competition, Sera.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Oh right, the competition is tomorrow. Why do I feel so overwhelmed with everything?

 

***

 

The day of the competition.

 

“There’s a banquet right after the competition ends!”

 

Mary kept emphasizing this as if the banquet was far more important than the magic presentation competition itself.

 

She took extra care to dress me up, saying there would be a lot of people there.

 

As a result, I wore a voluminous dress in a beautiful shade of silver, subtly shimmering. The pearls embedded here and there added an elegant, soft touch.

 

Since the dress was a light color, Mary accessorized with purple and pink jewels to add a pop. My neck and arms felt quite heavy.

 

The shimmer on my eyelids sparkled under the light, and every time I blinked, it added to the beauty—something even I found captivating.

 

While I admired myself in the mirror, there was a knock on the door. My companions had arrived.

 

“Seraphina, are you ready for the battlefield?”

 

Arkhangelo entered confidently and clapped his hands after looking me over.

 

“Good! You’re well-armored!”

 

“Armored?”

 

“Dressing up is the armor of the social world!”

 

I see… If we think of it that way, then Arkhangelo seems even more heavily armored than I am. Strange, I’m the one presenting today, so why does Arkhangelo look more glamorous?

 

After briefly greeting Raffaelo and Ghieuspe, Simone, in a black suit, approached.

 

He extended his hand naturally, and I took it.

 

There was a slight tension on my face as we headed to the banquet hall, but I bit my lip to keep it from showing.

 

Alright, I can do this! Today, I’ll make waves—not just in mathematics, but in the world of magic!

 

“Are the presenters here? Your names?”

 

“Seraphina Viviana.”

 

“Ghieuspe Ascary.”

 

As Ghieuspe and I stepped forward, the attendant guided us to a spot separated from the spectators. We exchanged light nods with Raffaelo, Simone, and Arkhangelo.

 

Sitting in the waiting area for presenters, Ghieuspe leaned over and whispered to me.

 

“So, what kind of magic did you prepare?”

 

“It’s a new spell.”

 

“You developed a new spell?”

 

Ghieuspe looked surprised, but I answered with a confident expression.

 

“Yes, you’ll see soon enough.”

 

I was nervous, but at the same time, the idea of impressing those who underestimated me made me look forward to going on stage.

 

First, the mages from the Cassan Empire began their presentations. They showcased various dazzling spells, drawing everyone’s attention.

 

“Wow, the magic is incredible!”

 

“To think Cassan has such outstanding mages!”

 

Typically, the Boleno Kingdom is known as the epitome of magic, so the nobles watching were all impressed.

 

Next, it was Ghieuspe’s turn.

 

Ghieuspe demonstrated a level that was overwhelming compared to the previous presenters.