—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The cold moonlight washed over his face, highlighting the dark circles under his eyes, a testament to his exhaustion.
Despite the fatigue, his features were striking, far from unattractive.
‘He’s quite handsome when he’s still. Why does he act like that?’
Hildegarde watched him sleep, her thoughts drifting to the scorched marks on his shoulder.
A question lingered in her mind. If his shoulder was so badly burned, why was his arm completely healed?
She dismissed the thought. It wasn’t her concern. She returned to her task, organizing the list of students who’d visited the infirmary that day.
Most of them had feigned illness, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Saint, renowned for her beauty.
She knew their motives, but she couldn’t refuse them. She was the Saint, a symbol of the church. Her image was their image.
She’d lived a life of restraint, suppressing her emotions, isolating herself. Yet, she was also incredibly empathetic, unable to turn away those in need.
That was the duality of the Saint, the woman everyone revered.
‘But why do I feel such sympathy for him?’
She’d called him insane, disturbed his rest, insisted on healing him against his will. None of it was typical behavior for her.
But she couldn’t help it. She was the Saint, a representative of the Creator God, inheriting His love for humanity.
She couldn’t refuse those who sought salvation, and Jenison, despite his outward hostility, clearly yearned for healing, for a better life. Her instincts, her very nature, compelled her to help him.
She sighed, pushing aside her confusing emotions, and returned to her paperwork.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
‘I’m exhausted…’
I’d slept through the afternoon, and it was Ella who woke me, having waited patiently at my dorm.
“Young Master… are you alright…?”
“I’m fine. It wasn’t a serious injury.”
“But your shoulder was scorched…”
She muttered something I couldn’t quite hear, but I knew she was worried.
“Ella, how did you know I was in the infirmary?”
“Oh, a professor told me. His name was… uh…”
“It’s fine. I can guess.”
He must have seen Ella at my dorm after the spar and decided to inform her.
‘That professor… he looks gruff, but he’s kind…’
I was lost in thought when I felt Ella touching my left arm. I looked at her.
“Young Master, are you sure your arm is alright?”
“…I’m fine. Are you hungry?”
“I didn’t eat, waiting for you.”
“…Let’s get something to eat.”
“Hee hee, okay!”
Her cheerful smile was infectious. I smiled back, despite the slight problem we now faced.
I’d planned to eat as soon as we returned to the dorm, but after 50 days of subsisting on minimal rations, my pantry was bare.
I had to go shopping.
“No! You’re a patient!”
Ella insisted on going alone, ordering me to rest.
I knew arguing was futile. And I was touched by her concern. It was like having a daughter run errands for her father.
I’d never had a daughter, but Ella felt like one.
I gave her all my remaining money, telling her to buy whatever she wanted. She looked hesitant.
“This is all your money! I can’t spend this!”
“I have a way to earn more, so it’s fine.”
“R… Really?”
“Yes. I wouldn’t lie. Spend it freely.”
“Okay! I’ll make you a delicious meal!”
“…Alright, alright.”
I smiled and sent her on her way. While she was gone, I’d work on developing a magical tool to register with the Magic Tower.
I needed money.
Registering a tool with the Tower meant they’d handle its production and sales, sending me a percentage of the profits. It was a passive income stream.
And as someone who’d lived in the 21st century, I had plenty of ideas for innovative tools.
Replicating existing technology was difficult, even for skilled craftsmen, but with creation magic, it was easy.
The question was, what to create?
It had to be something uncommon, profitable, and suitable for sale at the Magic Tower.
I decided on scrolls.
For adventurers exploring dungeons and facing constant danger, their lives were always on the line.
What if they had access to scrolls that could protect them in times of need? They’d be indispensable.
Creating scrolls required precise magical circuits and mana control, making mass production difficult.
But I was skilled at imbuing objects with magic, and if necessary, I could create the scrolls themselves with creation magic.
And since they were classified as magical items, the Magic Tower wouldn’t object to their sale.
It was a win-win situation.
I started working immediately, becoming so engrossed in the process that I didn’t hear Ella return.
That evening, I ate a cold dinner.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The weekend arrived, and the academy buzzed with activity.
Students chattered excitedly, making plans, while others, sickeningly sweet, searched for the perfect date spot with their significant others.
I felt a pang of loneliness as I headed towards the Magic Tower, but…
‘My food expenses have doubled… I need to earn more money…’
I couldn’t afford to skip work just because I didn’t fit in.
“Where are you going, Young Master?”
“I have some business at the Magic Tower. You can eat lunch without me.”
“What about you?”
“…About me?”
“I heard Lady Isabella is going to the Tower today, too.”
What?
Why?
House Luniere had close ties to the Magic Tower. They were known as a family of mages, and some had even seen members of the family working there.
There were also rumors that House Luniere funded the Tower.
It was natural to assume there was some sort of connection.
But why today?
Our last encounter had been awkward, to say the least. And the Magic Tower was practically Luniere territory. This was like being thrown to the wolves.
And her mentor, who was incredibly fond of her, resided in the Tower. He’d recognized her talent at a young age and had taken her under his wing.
What would happen if he heard that I’d humiliated her in front of the entire academy?
I, a third-rate mage, would be crushed.
I considered postponing my visit, but I had other plans for tomorrow, and I couldn’t afford to wait until next week. I was running out of money.
“…Why today…?”
At least her mentor was supposedly reclusive. I wouldn’t have to worry about him. He was powerful enough to toy with me like a child before killing me. His absence was a small comfort.
“Oh, maybe it’s because Lady Isabella’s mentor returned to the Tower today?”
Ella’s words shattered my hopes.
“…What?”
“Her mentor returned today… That’s why she’s visiting…”
‘…Fuck.’
The unexpected news made me clutch the back of my neck.
Ella, seeing my reaction, fidgeted nervously, her concern endearing.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
