—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuzio
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The weather, as always, was pleasant.
Charlotte’s gaze drifted towards the hallway outside the window.
It was class time, so naturally, there were no students roaming the corridors.
If anyone were to be seen, it would be a professor.
And that was precisely who Charlotte was waiting for.
“Is it today? He should be back today…” she murmured, her eyes glued to the window.
Isabel, ever perceptive, understood Charlotte’s unspoken anxieties.
“Hmm,” Charlotte nodded softly.
“He should be back by today, but he’s still not here.”
Isabel offered a gentle smile, attempting to soothe Charlotte’s worries.
“Charlotte, don’t worry too much. He’ll be back tomorrow for sure.”
“I know, but…”
Charlotte turned her attention to her study materials.
Isabel probably couldn’t comprehend how difficult it was for Charlotte to wait another day.
“…I’ll just focus on studying for now.”
There was no point staring at the hallway if he wouldn’t appear until tomorrow.
Charlotte decided to immerse herself in her studies.
Focusing on her work would hopefully ease her restless mind.
“You’re such a fool.”
Michelle, who had overheard their conversation from her seat in front, chimed in.
“It’s not like anything bad happened. It’s just a vacation. Why are you so worried? You really need to mind your own business.”
“Michelle, that’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?” Isabel said gently.
“It’s frustrating. Besides, does she even have the time to worry about someone else? The Grand Tournament is just around the corner.”
Her words were sharp, but there was a hint of warmth beneath the surface.
Charlotte had come to understand Michelle’s intentions.
She wasn’t just being mean; she was trying to tell Charlotte to relax and focus on her own tasks instead of fretting over things beyond her control.
While she had never waited for someone in this way, Michelle had experienced the agony of anticipation.
When she had first injured her leg, she had waited anxiously for the diagnosis.
But in the end, worrying hadn’t helped.
It was best to focus on the present, do what she could, and accept the outcome when it came.
“By the way, you two…”
Lottin spoke, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose.
“Are you so relaxed because you’ve finished all the assignments Professor Adrian gave us? I’m actually relieved to have an extra day.”
It was a given, wasn’t it? Michelle scoffed. Isabel remained silent.
She realized she still had about three chapters left to study. Hmm.
“When Professor Adrian returns, his first words will probably be, ‘I hate you all’.”
Lotten muttered, diligently underlining his study materials.
“He’ll probably put those who have finished studying through hell with practical training, and those who haven’t through hell with impossible supplementary lessons… Honestly, I’m afraid of his return.”
‘But I’m happy he’s coming back.’ Charlotte thought to herself.
Isabel, on the other hand, became pale.
Michelle burst out laughing.
“Pfft.”
She found Lotten’s imitation of Professor Adrian amusing.
The heiress of the Meinens family truly had an odd sense of humor.
“Lotten, do it again.”
“What are you talking about?”
“That voice imitation. It’s pretty good.”
Lotten tilted his head slightly.
Michelle had never asked for an encore, nor had she ever been so… positive.
It wasn’t difficult.
Lotten began mimicking Adrian’s voice and mannerisms.
“Well… I hate you all!”
“Pffft, hahahaha!”
Michelle clapped.
“No, no. You need to emphasize ‘hate’. Like this: I~ hate~ you~ all! That’s the key to a good imitation.”
“Is… Is that so?”
The other three were baffled by Michelle’s sudden enthusiasm.
“But I’ll give you credit for capturing his indifferent tone. What else does he say… ”
The room fell silent, but Michelle, oblivious, continued.
“Michelle, you lose points~ He says that a lot. Anyway, I know I’m pretty. I’ve noticed he calls my name more often than the others.”
No one answered, but she pressed on.
“He’s a man after all. He can’t help but be attracted to me. It’s actually quite annoying. I’d prefer it if he just spoke to me normally. But then again, that would be too boring, wouldn’t it?”
“No, it’s amusing.”
“Right? It would be quite entertaining. I think I’d burst out laughing if he suddenly started being nice to me.”
Michelle nodded.
“Your imitation is pretty good. Why don’t you imitate his entire lecture?”
“That’s not difficult either. I’ll just prepare a few pages from my all-nighter study session and say, ‘Today’s a self-study day~ You’re all idiots, but there’s nothing you can’t overcome~’ Then I’ll explain things if they have questions.”
“Alright then. Today’s lecture will be led by Michelle Meinens.”
“…?”
What was this?
Why was he suddenly being so annoying?
Michelle frowned.
“Don’t think you can walk all over me just because I played along. And stop saying my full name. It’s creepy…”
She turned around and her eyes met those of the very person she had been mocking.
Black hair, golden eyes.
A tired expression, despite his recent vacation.
While everyone else regarded her with respect and admiration, his gaze was cold, as if he were from another world.
It was Adrian.
“…Huh?”
When did he get here?
No, how could he even be here?
Michelle’s seat was strategically placed behind Charlotte Forte, who served as a living “Adrian reaction barrier.”
If Adrian entered the room, Charlotte would react in some way.
She would gasp, stutter, make some kind of noise.
But Michelle had heard nothing.
It was unfair!
“Michelle Meinens.”
He spoke her name slowly, deliberately.
Michelle’s face flushed red in an instant.
“Ah. Ah. Ah…”
She stammered, her words jumbled.
Her hands flailed in the air as if she were trying to control a psychic orb gone haywire.
“L-Lose points. Okay, okay. I get it. Yes. Lose points.”
She declared her own punishment and slumped onto her desk.
“That was good, Michelle Meinens. Excellent comedic timing.”
Adrian patted Michelle’s shoulder.
“Ugh…!”
It was the first time he had praised her, yet she groaned as if he had wounded her.
Today, Michelle Meinens had been utterly defeated.
Even she had to admit it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“I hate you all.”
I muttered those words as I walked down the hallway.
Was my usual phrasing really that amusing?
I had never considered it to be so.
Well, it was probably just Michelle’s way of expressing her… interest, whether good or bad.
I decided to let it slide.
After all, I had imitated my own teachers back in my student days.
It was harmless enough.
In fact, I wouldn’t penalize Michelle for her little “performance” today.
She had finished her studies, after all.
There was no need to be harsh.
Knock, knock –
“Come in~”
The moment I knocked, permission was granted.
I had knocked on Violet’s door, the Headmistress’s office.
As I entered and took a seat at her gesture, I felt her warm, welcoming gaze.
She had been particularly fond of me lately.
“Did you enjoy your vacation? Oh my, you look even more tired than before?”
“I guess I’m not very good at relaxing.”
“Hehehe, you always say things that make me want to spoil you even more~”
Violet stretched, a pleased expression on her face.
“Alright, so, what brings you to my office?”
“I have a favor to ask.”
I turned my gaze towards the map of the academy grounds hanging on the wall.
And naturally, my eyes were drawn to…
…the construction site where work had been halted, the very ground where Lepista’s Wand was buried.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
[Michelle is so adorable, like a hamster]
