Julia calmly settled her breath and lifted her head.
She patted her head…
It felt as if the warmth of that large hand still lingered.
How long has it been?
Since I cried so sorrowfully.
I thought I had forgotten sorrow.
I thought I had become immune to pain.
I believed my tears had dried up, and they would never come out again.
Hundreds of years. After going through dozens of reincarnations, I thought such emotions had completely disappeared.
But it wasn’t so.
The moment Schlus’s hand touched my head.
The sensation of that large palm wrapping around my head and roughly yet lovingly stroking it was just the same as in my dreams.
In that moment, tears burst out uncontrollably.
Not wanting Schlus to see my tears, I quickly had to turn my head away.
“Why on earth did I do that?”
I couldn’t even understand why I called Schlus over.
It’s true I felt a bit of curiosity towards him, but that was all.
I shouldn’t have wanted to meet him again.
My hand moved on its own, secretly sending him a signal.
A signal I didn’t know, the first time using it.
As if possessed. Like instinct.
“I must really be going crazy.”
I had lived through decades unendurable for a human.
By now, it wouldn’t be surprising to lose my mind.
This is definitely proof that I’m going crazy.
Proof that I’ve broken.
Unless…
“My heart… is broken…”
What on earth is this unbearable frustration and lingering feeling?
What is this longing for Schlus that I feel just after seeing him?
With my head bowed, Julia began to shed tears again.
It hurt as if my heart were being ripped apart.
I missed Schlus, whom I had just let go so much.
And also…
I felt nothing but sorry.
*
“Damn it.”
It was an annoying day.
Not because I saw Madam Lichtenburg’s face.
Not because I was dancing with nobility.
I just hated this suffocating feeling.
I was angry because it felt like my own weakness was forced out, making me think that I had overcome everything.
When I was alone with Julia.
It would be a lie to say I didn’t have expectations.
If I didn’t imagine her calling my name, my real name, it would be deception.
But that never happened.
Julia was just one of the countless characters in this damn world who showed interest in Schlus Hainkel.
Now I felt rather relieved.
I had confirmed that Julia was nothing but a hollow shell, just a fake.
I should be able to let go of my lingering feelings now.
“We have arrived.”
I snapped back to reality at the sound of the coachman’s voice.
In the brief moments of contemplation, the carriage had already arrived at the Imperial University.
I stepped out unsteadily and slowly walked through the dark and quiet grounds of the Imperial University.
For some reason, my heart felt calm.
Perhaps because it was somewhere I had always lived since coming to this world, like home.
-Notice for Combat Magic Practice…
Looking at the notice, a new announcement had been posted.
It said that the Combat Magic practicum would take place over two nights and three days.
The destination would be announced on the day itself.
Right. There was such an event.
The destination for this practicum is undoubtedly Whist Forest, unless my involvement changed the unfolding.
Just thinking of the name Whist Forest brought a flood of information about that episode.
Now that I think about it, there’s also the enlightenment Hertlocker was supposed to gain there.
I should be able to snatch it on the way.
“It’s about time to get tense.”
Whist Forest is a place full of unexpected events.
I can’t understand why students are pushed into such a place…
It means I need to keep my head straight to avoid seeing anyone die.
And I’ll also need to prepare thoroughly.
I can’t guarantee I’ll be safe, as I’m not the kind-hearted Hertlocker.
Thinking about it, there’s one thing I need to get.
Mana Energy Antidote.
I won’t be able to have Iris by my side in Whist Forest, and using recovery potions would require an almost infinite supply, which wouldn’t make sense.
The most ideal would be the Mana Energy Antidote, but…
Even if it’s not on the level of an elixir, it’s still quite rare and expensive.
It’s not something you often see at auctions, so where would I get it?
“Oh.”
Speaking of which, I recently made a solid ally.
I can simply request one from there…
*
“Ugh…! It’s been a while since a holiday!”
Erica sprawled on the sofa and stretched broadly.
She had finally escaped the hellish swamp of assignments.
Why do all the damn assignments require calculations…?
She had to devise and execute the appropriate spell formulas for each task, exhausting herself.
Despite Schlus’s help, this one was pretty tough.
If she got through to midterms, reclaiming the top spot might not be a dream…?
“Oh… it’s almost midterms.”
A shadow fell over Erica’s joyful face.
Professor Ludwig’s exams were notoriously merciless.
She had no idea how to prepare.
It was said that the questions never even resembled the previous exams.
There were rumors that Professor Ludwig took pleasure in creating difficult problems.
“Is Schlus some kind of madman…?”
Even preparing for one major subject exam felt like her head would explode.
What about Schlus, who was doing two subjects?
On top of that, he had to ace both.
He was undoubtedly not of sound mind.
“Aaaah!”
“…?”
Just then, she heard a familiar voice screaming from a distance.
It was unmistakably her mother’s voice.
But it seemed like it had been a long time since she heard that kind of unsettling tone.
What on earth was happening?
Erica peeked out the living room door.
There, she could see her mother hurriedly coming through the corridor, wearing an outer garment hastily put on.
Her mother was clutching something wrapped in cloth in one hand.
“Where are you going?”
“Ah. Uh, yeah. Erica. I have to run an errand for a bit. I’ll be back soon!”
“Yes…”
She appeared to have received quite an urgent call.
Having just returned from a party and changed into indoor clothes, she rushed out without even changing.
Who on earth called her?
Watching her mother’s hurried figure leave the mansion, Erica began to think.
As the acting Countess of Lichtenburg, and head of one of the three great families, what kind of news would make her mother act so hastily?
“Eh…?”
As if it clicked in her mind, Erica clapped her hands.
When she had asked if there was someone she liked before, her mother had avoided the question.
She hadn’t confirmed it but neither had she denied it.
Which meant the person her mother was going to meet could likely be ‘that person.’
The one who could potentially become her stepfather in the future.
Erica felt a mixture of emotions.
But since her mother chose him, he must be a wonderful and polite gentleman.
She quietly resolved to support her mother’s new beginning…
“Still, I’m curious.”
She turned back and hurried out of the mansion.
Her mother hadn’t gone far at all.
She planned to sneak after her and get a glimpse of ‘that person’s’ face.
Of course, even if she didn’t like what she saw, she wouldn’t dare interfere…
“Ah…!”
They were taking a carriage?
This came as a surprise.
Just as Erica was taken aback, the head maid appeared on horseback.
“Please get on, miss.”
The moment their eyes met, both realized they were thinking the same thing.
Without asking or lingering, Erica took the maid’s hand and climbed onto the horse.
Come to think of it, it was the first time she had seen the head maid in pants. Its equestrian clothing, perhaps?
Having only seen her in her maid attire, this new sight felt somewhat refreshing.
“Is this really okay? What if we get caught and I lose my job?”
“If someone asks why we followed you, I’ll just say it was ordered by you, my lady.”
“…”
Erica’s mouth was sealed tight in shock.
The head maid had it all planned out.
Of course, it was a plan where only she would get scolded.
“It looks like we’re slowing down.”
The carriage began to decelerate and came to a halt in an empty street.
This was… right in front of the Imperial University.
Could it be that one of the professors of the Imperial University was the destination?
Erica, trying to suppress her exciting heart, dismounted with the head maid’s aid.
Just one corner away, Erica and the maid observed Madam Lichtenburg’s back.
“Oh…?!”
“Shh.”
Moments later, Erica’s jaw dropped at the figure that appeared.
Thanks to the head maid quickly covering Erica’s mouth, no sound escaped.
It was Schlus. Schlus Hainkel.
The wicked man who sold his lifespan to a demon.
And the contradictory man who continuously sacrificed himself to save someone.
No way. He must just be passing by.
Just as that thought crossed her mind, Schlus stood tall right in front of Madam Lichtenburg.
“Can you, can you hear what they’re saying…?”
“No, not at all.”
No matter how much she focused, she couldn’t hear their conversation.
It wasn’t that far away.
Just in case, she used amplifying magic and soon realized it was due to a barrier blocking the sound.
In the end, she could only guess the content of their conversation by observing their expressions and lip movements.
‘What are they talking about?’
Throughout the conversation, Schlus seemed calm.
But the lady appeared a bit emotional, alternating between anger and biting her lip while bowing her head.
‘I think I thought wrong.’
Forget about a remarriage partner.
Perhaps Schlus was bothering her mother again.
As Erica realized her misjudgment, she awkwardly smiled to suppress her excitement.
But the next moment.
When Madam Lichtenburg uncovered something wrapped in cloth, Erica’s eyes widened in shock.
“A b-bouquet?!”
“Please, my lady, be quiet…”
Again, she had her mouth covered by the maid.
What Madam Lichtenburg was holding was a bundle of flowers.
In a sheepish manner, turning her head slightly, she offered the bouquet. Erica couldn’t help but be astonished.
Who was that?
She had never seen her mother act so girlish.
‘No way…’
Her mother was interested in Schlus?
Hold on. When was that previous conversation about whether she had someone in mind?
Wasn’t it before enrolling?
Then when did her mother start meeting Schlus?
And why him of all people?
Erica felt dizzy.
She had thought that since both she and Julia had grown up, her mother could remarry freely, and no matter who the partner was, she would support her.
But today, that resolution crumbled to dust.
It would’ve been fine if he were just a commoner.
A young man was okay too.
But a young commoner who just so happened to be her daughter’s college peer was over the line.
That was utterly beyond the limits of what she could support.
‘Schlus Hainkel…! Are you now aiming for someone else’s mother?’
With her cheeks flushed, Erica gritted her teeth.
The intention was obvious.
It had to be for the Lichtenburg family’s wealth.
He was a man who had sold his lifespan to a demon; he could concoct such schemes playfully.
No matter what, she would prevent their marriage.
With her fists clenched tight, Erica resolved.
