~Chapter 42~
Snap!
Rudrick snapped his fingers.
The papers that were neatly stacked on one side of the desk suddenly floated into the air and gently landed in front of me.
Wow… no matter how many times I see this, it’s still amazing.
My mouth fell open.
Rudrick then gestured toward the book in front of me, “Basics of Magic Circles.”
The book opened by itself, and the pages flipped on their own.
Finally, it stopped at a certain page.
“This magic circle is a circuit that draws out the magic stored in the mana stone. Let’s practice by tracing it and pulling out the magic.”
“Ah, okay!”
I grabbed the pen firmly with a determined face.
Then I started tracing the magic circle…
Huh…?
Something felt strange.
The blue mana stone on the pen suddenly lost its light.
At the same time, I felt something being forcefully pulled out through the pen.
And then—
Bang!
The tip of the pen exploded, and ink splattered everywhere!
“……”
“……”
Rudrick and I both went silent.
The paper I was drawing on—and even my hand—was covered in ink.
Shocked, I quickly raised my head.
“Oh no, Teacher! Are you okay—!”
But I couldn’t finish my sentence.
Because the ink had splashed all over Rudrick’s face.
He stared at me expressionlessly.
For some reason, he looked like a spotted cat with a blank face.
“S-sorry… pfft—”
I tried to hold it in, but a laugh slipped out.
Rudrick let out a deep sigh and used magic to clean the ink off his face.
Then he spoke in a calm, cold voice.
“Now, continue drawing.”
That resigned expression…
It looked like a professor who had taught clueless students for decades and finally reached enlightenment.
Wait… did he already give up on me?
That’s not true, right? Right?!
At that time—
Cecilia was pacing in front of the room where Milena was having her lesson.
…Today, I must apologize to Milena.
That’s right.
She still hadn’t apologized for what she said that night.
Even though Milena had helped her receive an apology from Elias.
Yes, today for sure!
Just as Cecilia strengthened her resolve—
Bang!
The door suddenly opened.
Milena, who was about to come out, looked at Cecilia in surprise.
“Cecilia… Sister?”
Ah.
Cecilia froze stiffly.
Milena tilted her head.
“What’s wrong?”
“N-nothing.”
Cecilia shook her head quickly.
This was strange.
She came here to apologize.
She even waited for Milena’s lesson to end.
So why… can’t I say anything?
Cecilia bit her lower lip.
Meanwhile, Milena looked at her for a moment—
then suddenly sighed.
“Then… Sister, can you listen to me for a moment?”
“Uh… okay?”
“Following a genius is really hard…”
Milena started complaining with a tired face.
As Cecilia listened absentmindedly—
someone suddenly interrupted.
“Isn’t it that Your Ladyship isn’t trying hard enough to keep up?”
It was Rudrick, looking slightly worn out.
Milena immediately frowned.
“That’s not true. It’s the teacher who isn’t trying hard enough to understand normal people.”
“I did my best to teach.”
“And I did my best to learn!”
“Usually, failing seven times to draw one magic circle is not considered ‘doing your best.’”
“But I succeeded in the end! And were you counting all of that?!”
Cecilia blankly watched the two of them arguing.
Milena looked the same as always—
but what surprised her the most was Rudrick.
Shaking his head, he looked like a normal young man his age.
Normally, he felt perfect and untouchable.
She’s really amazing…
It felt like Milena had a way of making people feel comfortable.
Honestly, Cecilia found Rudrick difficult.
He always smiled, but it felt like he kept a line no one could cross.
But Milena crossed that line so easily.
And watching her bright energy made Cecilia feel warm inside.
That’s probably why everyone likes her…
Unlike herself—
the fake daughter who always kept her distance.
Just as Cecilia’s expression darkened slightly—
Milena suddenly turned around.
“Sister, want to go out for a change of mood?”
“A change of mood?”
“Yes! I’ve never even explored the capital yet.”
Her eyes sparkled.
“Let’s go out together!”
“No.”
Cecilia refused immediately.
But Milena stubbornly clung to her.
“I’ve been emotionally hurt a lot lately. I need healing, okay?”
“Sorry, but find someone else.”
“Sisteeer, don’t be like that.”
After clinging to her for a while—
Milena suddenly smiled slyly.
“But wouldn’t our parents be happy if we got along?”
At that moment—
Cecilia’s firm expression cracked for the first time.
“Think about it. This is a chance to reassure them.”
“……”
“We just became sisters. If we keep fighting, they’ll worry.”
“……”
“This is the perfect time to show a good relationship.”
Even though Cecilia stayed silent,
Milena noticed the subtle changes—
her eyes softening,
her lips relaxing.
Good… then.
Time for the final move.
“Or… have you never gone out before? Since you’ve always lived like a proper lady?”
A direct hit to her pride!
Milena covered her mouth and smirked.
“You’re older than me, but acting like such a child…”
“I can go out!”
Cecilia suddenly raised her voice.
Then she froze.
Her face turned pale.
I-I messed up… my dignity as a noble lady…!
She had just raised her voice—
in front of Rudrick!
But Milena didn’t give her time to panic.
“Great! Let’s go now!”
“R-right now?!”
“Of course! If you delay, it’ll never happen!”
Milena grabbed Cecilia’s hand with a bright smile.
As Cecilia was being dragged along, she glanced at Rudrick.
Then her eyes widened.
Huh?
Even after seeing her lose her composure—
Rudrick was smiling faintly.
“You two seem very close. It’s nice to see.”
“……”
Cecilia blinked blankly.
Is this really okay?
I didn’t act like a proper noble lady at all…
