Puhut!
Upon hearing the nickname Black Bear, Dania couldn’t hold back her laughter.
A bear?
Isn’t it rude to call a beautiful woman like me a bear?
Puhuhuh… A bear? That’s just too cute, Hera.
Seeing Dania laughing heartily while grabbing my shoulder somehow made me feel a bit upset. Was it because she was laughing at my nickname?
With a slightly sulky expression, I glared at the man in front of me,
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He immediately bowed his head and began to beg.
I’m so sorry! Please just spare me!!!
How on earth did that rumor spread so much that he’s this scared?
Does he think I’m going to kill him or something?
He looks at me as if I’m a ruthless murderer who would kill someone for no reason.
Wait, what did I even do?
I haven’t done anything wrong.
Sure, I may have killed Bram and his subordinates.
And I might have happily beaten up Gorjan’s lackeys too…
…
Is it really something to be scared about?
I could easily say I’ve laid out over fifty people so far.
It’s no wonder rumors of my ferocity are spreading.
‘But they were the ones to provoke me first…’
Feeling a bit wronged, I spoke to the man in an annoyed tone.
I don’t kill people that often. Anyway, what is this building for?
Huh? But according to the rumors… Ah, no! Of course you would!!!
Seeing the rotten look on my face, he quickly changed his words.
He coughed a few times and began to explain about the building.
I was just about to come find you, Black Bear.
Hera.
Huh?
Call me Hera.
Feeling annoyed at being called Black Bear.
Um… I was just about to meet with you, Hera. This building is a house specially ordered by Lord Gorjan for you, Hera.
My house?
Come to think of it, I did ask for the house to be renovated.
Looks like they decided to just build me a new one instead.
Yes. They are putting a lot of effort into building it, so it should be on a different level than the other buildings here.
Hmm… Can I take a look?
There’s no reason to turn down a nice house offer.
When the man nodded, Dania and I started to tour the building.
The construction was still incomplete, with walls crumbling in several places, but the inside was surprisingly spacious.
A large living room where I could jump around without worry, a kitchen with diverse utensils, and most importantly, three rooms.
I wouldn’t have to trouble Lily anymore.
She’s at an age where she’s growing up, and thinking about how cramped it always was for her because of me makes it urgent to move to this new house.
Oh, and the bathroom was quite spacious too.
For some reason, Dania decided to check the bathroom first, and upon seeing it, she flashed a satisfied smile.
She had said to check where the water comes out when viewing a house, so Dania was thorough as ever.
Not bad. I want to move here quickly!
Yeah, Lily will like it too.
As Dania and I shared our satisfaction with the house, the man from earlier approached cautiously.
Um… Hera.
Yes?
Actually, Lord Gorjan has a request.
A request?
Yes. There have been goblins spotted in the outskirts of the South… He asked if you could exterminate them.
Now that I think about it, I recall hearing about monsters appearing near Drax’s region recently.
I remembered goblins from novels. They looked just like typical goblins—little green-skinned creatures wielding clubs.
But this is reality. I was curious what they would be like here.
Wasn’t the extermination of monsters part of the conditions for repairing the building?
Since Gorjan was working so hard for me, I felt like I should do something in return.
Goblins? Piece of cake.
Alright.
As soon as I agreed, the man let out a sigh of relief.
Are you okay, Hera?
Dania looked worriedly at me with a concerned expression.
To reassure her, I said nonchalantly, as if it was no big deal.
Goblins are no problem at all.
In fact, in novels, goblins were just fodder for filling space.
They were those weak little monsters that would fall with a single swipe of Robin’s sword.
As I was pondering about goblins, a thought struck me.
‘If they’re just goblins… could Lily take care of them?’
I recalled my resolution to raise Lily stronger and send her to the Academy.
Theory is important, but what truly determines victory in fights is instinct and experience, not theory.
No matter how well you’ve mastered theory, when it comes to fighting, it’s your instincts that come out in the heat of the moment.
That’s why people train countless times so they can instinctively utilize theory.
The Academy would teach all the theoretical knowledge, so the only thing I could provide Lily would be real-world experience and insights gathered from the novels she’d experienced herself.
In that sense, exterminating goblins would be a great source of nourishment for Lily.
It’s a good opportunity, but if Dania and Lily oppose it, then it would all be for nothing.
First, I needed to persuade them.
Unnie, can I talk to you for a minute?
Lily to the Academy?
Yes. I’m sure Lily can get in.
I thought Dania would be shocked when I brought up the Academy, but surprisingly she remained calm.
Um… actually, I’ve been thinking about it too. Lily has talent.
Come to think of it, Dania was the one who taught Lily about mana.
By chance, her parents had a connection with someone who could use mana, and she learned from them.
To rescue Lily from Bram’s clutches, Dania had been planning to send her to the Academy.
She had already taught Lily how to use mana to prepare her for admission, and Lily was quick to grasp Dania’s teachings.
But now that there’s no need to run away, I wasn’t thinking about it… Should we send her to the Academy?
Dania seemed to not want to be separated from Lily.
It’s understandable—they’re the only family each other has.
But Lily needs to go to the Academy.
It’s not just for plot progression.
The numerous opportunities and experiences she would gain at the Academy are invaluable treasures she can’t find anywhere else.
For her sake as well, sending her to the Academy would be best.
If she learns at the Academy, Lily will grow tremendously.
Yeah… I guess so…
Dania agreed with my words.
But what about you, Hera? Don’t you plan to enter the Academy?
The Academy accepts students aged 17 to under 22.
Once someone passes 22, it becomes exponentially harder to grow their magical abilities, and they won’t accept you.
Although I haven’t turned 22 yet; I could still enter the Academy.
I have no plans to go.
I shook my head.
Of course not. The moment I entered the Academy, no matter how careful I am, I would inevitably intervene in the original story.
When I conveyed my thoughts, Dania seemed a bit disappointed.
But… it would help you, Hera… Aren’t you sad?
If one graduates from the Academy unscathed, one’s life unfolds smoothly like a paved road.
A diploma from Regis Academy is not just an ordinary graduation certificate. It’s like a guarantee that proves one has extraordinary abilities.
To get such graduates, the Empire and various guilds will engage in fierce competition.
Of course, I have my unique abilities, so I could flourish without a diploma.
But I have no desire for success.
Living comfortably is what matters most.
It’s alright. Besides, if I go, who will protect Dania?
Though entering the Academy guarantees Lily’s safety, her sister Dania would still have to stay in Drax’s place.
Even if the security has improved, it’s ultimately a Lawless Zone. I need to protect her to ensure her safety.
…Hera
Dania seemed touched by my words, lowering her head and pressing her lips together.
Hehe. I think I might have sounded pretty cool.
As I praised myself while imagining myself looking like a knightly prince, Dania suddenly squeezed my shoulder.
Huh?
She was looking at me with a rough breath as if she was about to devour me.
Don’t tease like that… I feel like I can’t hold back any longer.
…..Huh?
After persuading Dania, I returned home to persuade Lily, but.
No!!!
Lily shouted in an unusually loud voice, as if declaring it an absolute no.
Lily.
No!!! I absolutely won’t go!!
Shocked by Lily’s stubborn refusal, I tried to explain the numerous benefits of the Academy to persuade her.
Lily. Regis Academy isn’t just a school—
If I join the Academy, I won’t see you for three whole years!!!! I absolutely won’t go.
Snarling, Lily declared.
Ah.
I see.
In the novel, she joined the Academy in haste after losing her sister.
But now, Dania is very much alive.
It’s only natural for Lily not to want to be separated from her sister.
I must have been short-sighted.
Simply persuading her isn’t going to work.
As I pondered how to approach the topic with Lily, she came running up to me with a tearful expression, gazing up at me.
Does my sister… want to be away from me…?
Gah! That’s cheating…!
Her adorableness was so devastating that it felt like my heart might explode, but after composing myself, I patted her head and spoke.
Of course not… Unnie really likes Lily. But that’s why Unnie hopes you can enter the Academy.
Why…?
You’re already so cute and pretty, but I want to see you as a grown-up through the Academy.
Uptight—
She froze at my words as if time had stopped.
Grown… up?
Chance!
I have a chance to persuade Lily.
I hurriedly added my words.
Yes. If you go, you’ll make various friends and have many experiences that will lead to great growth for you.
Then you’ll definitely become someone shining brighter than anyone else… Unnie wants to see you like that, doesn’t she?
After listening to me, Lily muttered with a shocked expression.
…I said I wanted to see… but three years… No, it doesn’t matter right now…
She stood there for a moment, mumbling things I couldn’t understand.
Then, as if she had made up her mind, Lily stared at me with intense determination.
Alright. I’ll go to the Academy.
I let out a huge sigh of relief at her words.
If Lily had declared she wouldn’t go to the Academy, it would have been a headache all around.
Having grown too fond of her, I would have respected her opinion.
Then, I would have had to intervene in the original story to fill the void left by her absence.
Phew… Good choice, Lily.
Hera Unnie.
Hmm?
Suddenly, Lily called out to me.
As soon as I turn seventeen, I’ll go straight to the Academy.
Yes, I think that’s a good idea.
And when I graduate, I’ll be an adult too.
According to Lily, if she enters the Academy and completes the full three-year curriculum, she will indeed turn 20.
By the way, has Lily hit puberty?
Her obsession with adulthood is somewhat surprising.
Huh…? Right?
Her amethyst eyes glowed fiercely as they pierced through me.
When that time comes…
Then, she tightly grabbed my hand.
You better be ready.
Huh…?
Ready for what…?
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