For Spica Triasta, Zefflin felt like a dream.
Her respected sister and seniors.
Classes that seemed fun.
A Student Council President who praised her magic.
Wolfram orabeo-ni had graciously allowed her to become a member of both the Student Council and the convenience store faction for adventures.
So, once she enrolled next year, nothing but a flower path lay ahead of Spica.
However, Spica’s heart leaned more toward the convenience store faction.
“My sister said this: Zefflin is stagnant. The only ones who can break through it are the Imperial clan. But most Imperials are cowards.”
Those were terrifying words.
In a way, they bordered on rebellion.
But since her sister’s slogan was rebellion—
it was also the most fitting word for her.
Though it lacked something compared to “revolution,” “rebellion” wasn’t a bad word either.
“Right now, among the Imperial clan attending Zefflin, there is only one person who can spread the wings of rebellion. And the current Student Council President doesn’t have that capacity.”
If Eve-senpai heard that, she’d probably get furious and scold her sister—but Spica somewhat agreed.
For the past three hundred years, the one with the “key” to open the closed world’s door.
The one who will put a ventilation hole in this birdcage and spread the wings of revolution—just one person.
“Ah. We are all dreaming of flying through the sky with our eyes open.”
Nodding at her own verse, Spica jotted down the poem in her poetry collection. For now, it was just a hobby, but she had the ambition to publish a poetry book someday.
Because in her mind, a revolutionary publishes poetry!
Anyway.
All the dreams she’d recited so far were things that could only happen next year.
Right now, before those splendid wingbeats, there was something she absolutely had to do.
“Hello, Ciela-senpai.”
“Oh my. The youngest young lady of the Triasta family.”
Investigating Regina Ciela—who was, even at this very moment, plotting all sorts of schemes against the Triasta family.
That was also the command given to Spica by the Triasta family during this sprout season.
Spica Triasta stared intently at Regina, organizing the information in her head.
First, this Regina Ciela is a member of that detestable Ciela family.
And recently, she’s been staggering, unable to withstand Wolfram orabeo-ni’s strong offensive.
So, if she were to use dirty tricks in the future, her claws would surely reach beyond the Triasta family—even to Wolfram orabeo-ni.
Unforgivable. The Ciela family.
Espionage starts with preliminary information gathering.
Spica Triasta stared at Regina and asked.
“Regina Ciela-senpai.”
“Yes. The youngest young lady of the Triasta family.”
“I’m going to have a serious conversation.”
“Oh my, the second daughter of the Triasta family wants to have a serious conversation with the eldest daughter of the Ciela family?”
“Yes!”
“…Alright. If it’s worth hearing, I’ll listen.”
Still very young, Spica Triasta is pure.
She tries to scheme, but her schemes are shallow, she doesn’t know how to deflect, and she’s direct.
So she asked outright.
“What do you think of Wolfram von Lohengrin orabeo-ni!?”
“…………………………..Pardon?”
“Please answer! It’s an important matter! What do you think of Wolfram von Lohengrin orabeo-ni!?”
“…Wh-why? Why are you asking that? Why should I answer?”
Because it’s important!
Hmph. Seeing her face turn excessively red and her breath quicken, there’s definitely something she’s hiding.
Spica Triasta is young but upright, and more honest than anyone.
“Please answer!”
“…I-I have no obligation to answer. How rude. I’ll take my leave!”
Saying that, Regina Ciela quickly fled.
Spica hurried her steps to press further, but she couldn’t move her feet.
“The Ciela family’s secret magic? Ugh…! Annoying magic!”
What a cowardly spell.
Frustrated, Spica stomped her feet and let out a sigh.
“Before I leave this place, I will definitely expose that fox’s true nature!”
—
It came like a bolt of lightning.
**[Hello, Wolf!]**
“Lilia. You’re wandering around as you please.”
**[Because Lilia is a fairy!]**
“…”
Well, if you put it that way, I have no comeback.
**[I came to get some food, Wolf.]**
“Hm. I’ve stocked up. Take some.”
When I pointed at the black bread, Lilia smiled brightly and headed that way.
**[Mm. I like Wolf. Thank you! I’ll bring better things next time!]**
“Wait, Lilia.”
**[Why?]**
“The food over there is made better.”
**[Oh, I see! Thanks, Wolf!]**
Saying that, Lilia headed toward the cream buns instead of the black bread. Including juice made from Sweet Beans—literally a sanctuary of snacks.
**[Wow… I’d believe it if someone said Wolf’s parents were fairies!]**
“…”
I’ve thought this before, but what she says somehow toes the line of being a parent insult without quite crossing it.
Anyway, the reason I’m giving her this snack set is simple.
Lilia just said “I’ll bring better things next time”—that means her affinity has gone up, and the rewards will be better.
Then it’s only natural that I need to invest better items too.
“So, what are you going to give me?”
**[Huh?]**
“You said you’d bring something better. Show me.”
**[Uh… yeah. Yeah! Here, Wolf!]**
Saying that, Lilia pulled something out from her cape and held it out.
**[Ice Crystal Fragment]**
**[8T]**
**[A fragment of an ice crystal that has almost lost its mana. It does not melt. Good for use as material. When worn, increases the user’s heat resistance.]**
Oh.
That’s not bad at all.
—
At that same time, Ayla Triasta was having a conversation with her younger sister, Spica Triasta.
“The Ciela family is scheming?”
“Yes, sister.”
“Isn’t that not really impressive or special information? Isn’t that just their daily routine?”
“That’s right. That is the Ciela family’s daily routine.”
Spica and Ayla simultaneously recalled the Ciela family and sighed.
The continent’s greatest merchant house. Tightly holding the nobility in their grip. The head of the Ten Elder families. Founding merit families of the Empire.
“Honestly, they’re narrow-minded. They hold grudges forever. Their personalities are wrecked. In every generation, one of them goes mentally off the rails.”
“And they have small chests. Arrogant elves. Elves that eat meat well. And so on. They have problems in many ways.”
Of course, since the Triasta family had been looked down upon and attacked extensively, these evaluations had some instigation and fabrication mixed in—but since only the two Triasta bloodlines were present here, it wasn’t a problem at all.
“So what are they planning to do?”
“I’m… still figuring that out. I don’t know for sure. But—”
“But?”
“There’s no doubt they’re targeting Wolfram orabeo-ni.”
Spica recited a truly great secret, but Ayla’s reaction was surprisingly lukewarm.
“Yeah. I know that.”
“You knew. As expected of my sister.”
Spica looked at Ayla with admiring eyes. If only she could stand under the banner of revolution rather than rebellion, she’d admire her even more!
“So what do you plan to do?”
“First, I plan to follow Father’s orders.”
“Oh my, you had those?”
“Yes. One is to spy on Regina Ciela.”
“…Ah, I see. Next year when you enroll, you’ll need to learn politics too, so espionage is the basics of basics. And the next?”
“To stick by Wolfram orabeo-ni’s side and learn something—anything!”
“…Yeah. That’s definitely Father’s educational policy. And?”
“The last is to obtain something that will make the Ciela family go *hwook!*—Father told me to ask Wolfram orabeo-ni for help!”
“Huh? Father gave you that order too?”
“No. This is my idea! If they’re going to play petty tricks on us, we need to respond in kind!”
“I see. So what are you going to do first?”
“From today, I’ll stick by Wolfram orabeo-ni’s side all day, and then go spy on Regina Ciela!”
“Alright. Take care of your health, and don’t cause trouble for Wolfram. Got it?”
“Yess! I’ll definitely carry out Father’s orders successfully!”
At the hand patting her head, Spica beamed brightly.
No matter how she thought about it, Father seemed to have given orders with the intent of future education, learning something by Wolfram’s side, and enjoying school life—but a child’s interpretation and an adult’s interpretation are naturally different.
“Don’t bother Wolfram, got it?”
“Yes!”
—
Breaking news.
My fiancée’s little sister is staring at me with intense focus.
“What’s wrong, Spica?”
“I’m protecting orabeo-ni right now.”
“…Is that so. Good work.”
“No. I haven’t worked hard.”
Is this a child’s game?
That’s just how children that age play.
The problem is my current situation.
Due to the nature of accessory crafting, which requires earth and ore, I came outside because stone dust scatters when used frequently indoors.
And today, it’s quite hot.
Even with the Snow Fairy’s Blessing active, it’s hot enough to feel it slightly piercing through.
“Isn’t it hot?”
“Phew… I-it’s fine, orabeo-ni. I’m going to protect you. Fufu.”
“…”
Her Stamina is 11. Lower than Eve’s, and strictly speaking, it doesn’t even meet Zefflin’s enrollment standards.
So I’m quite worried…
Even though she’s diverged from that future now, Spica’s basic equipment was poor back then.
Of course, since war mages aren’t heavily gear-dependent, it might have been an appropriate balance patch.
Hmm…
**[Activating accessory crafting.]**
I activated the skill,
quickly took out a frame and chain, and swiftly crafted them with the ice crystal fragment as the core.
**[Crafting successful.]**
**[Mana-Lost Ice Crystal Brooch]**
**[8T]**
**[An ice crystal brooch that has lost its mana. Its appearance is exceptionally beautiful, but the mana of the ice crystal used as the core is far too weak. Provides a very slight heat resistance.]**
Hmm.
The option is a bit disappointing, but this is enough.
“Spica. Put this around your neck.”
“Orabeo-ni…?”
“Hurry.”
“Y-yes!”
Spica fidgeted as she put on the accessory I handed her, and soon her expression became more relaxed.
“Huh…? I’m not hot!”
“I don’t think it has that big of an effect, though.”
“Ah, ah… Ma-magic-enchanted accessory? Right? It’s an amazing effect!”
“It’s nothing amazing.”
“It’s amazing!”
Young children don’t listen to adults.
Not out of defiance—they just genuinely don’t take it in.
I realized that once again.
“Wow, wow…! With this, I can protect orabeo-ni all the time!”
“…”
No, I made this so you wouldn’t do that, kid.
—
On her way back from the convenience store.
Looking at the brooch pinned near her chest, Spica Triasta couldn’t hide her fluttering heart.
‘Could it be that orabeo-ni is telling me that I too have a chance?’
Just thinking that, her smile wouldn’t fade.
Why did he give a gift to me, not my sister?
And to personally craft a brooch infused with magic at that!
“Heh… Ehehe…”
“Walking down the street with such a vulgar smile doesn’t befit the conduct of a prestigious noble family, you know?”
As she was walking along thinking that, she heard the voice of a small-chested, irritable, mentally-warped, narrow-minded elf traitor.
“…Regina Ciela-senpai.”
“Yes. I don’t know what good fortune you’ve had, but please walk with a bit more dignity.”
Spica narrowed her eyes.
But she was short on words to retort.
Right now, you’re correct.
“I’m sorry. I had something so wonderful happen.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. Today I received a gift from someone I respect.”
Saying that, Spica puffed out her chest.
Isn’t it a child’s instinct to show off and say “Look at my cool thing! Isn’t it amazing!”
And Regina’s eyes sharpened upon seeing Spica’s brooch.
Even to her, that brooch was an excellent piece.
Not just its appearance—the mana flowing from within proved it was enchanted.
“Oh my… What a lovely brooch. Where is it sold? I’d like to carry it at our trading company too.”
“Fufu. I told you, it’s a gift. It’s handmade, senpai.”
“Handmade? …Is there a Zefflin student with that kind of accessory crafting skill?”
“Yes! There is. Don’t you know, senpai?”
At those words, Regina Ciela fell into thought for a moment.
Someone who would give that child such an expensive item—even handcraft it.
A face came to mind—the only person who transcends money and always breaks through conventions.
“His Highness Wolfram…?”
“U-ugh… N-no, it’s not! To-totally not!”
“…”
At the obvious lie, Regina’s expression crumpled.
“I, I… He won’t even call my name once, and yet… Aha… Ahaha. Ahahahaha…”
“E-eep.”
“Triasta. You always have what I can’t have. Why only you… Originally, I had a chance too… If only His Highness’s stats were a little higher, the family wouldn’t have rejected it… Ughhhhh!…”
With an envious, jealous gaze, Regina stomped her feet, and Spica flinched at the bizarre sight.
“D-don’t think you’ve won with this, got it!?”
“…Y-yes?”
Saying that, Regina Ciela vanished like the wind.
Watching her retreating back, Spica barely managed to erase an absurd thought that had come to mind.
“Is that senpai… actually kind of cute?”
It took quite a long time to erase it.
