Chapter 168

CHAPTER 10 A Return to Daily Life as Rumors Spread The day after Monica came back to her attic room, it snowed. The region around Serendia didn’t get much snow, so what fell lay thin over the ground and trees. But it felt as though winter’s chill had deepened even further. Since it happened to be a holiday, Monica spent most of her time asleep, wrapped up in her blankets. One day wasn’t nearly enough to relieve all her pent-up exhaustion. Even so, perhaps because she’d had a full day of rest, she managed to wake up on time the next morning. The fact that she was able to wake up, get dressed, and head to school was proof Monica had grown up a little since the days when she spent all her time in that mountain cabin. Back then, she would throw herself wholly into magecraft research, passing out on her desk whenever she reached her limit. “See you later, Nero.” After saying a quick good-bye to the cat still curled up in his basket, Monica headed out. As she climbed down the ladder, her left hand stung whenever she used it. It would probably take another week to heal. Lady Bridget said she would make Felix give up on his search, but can she really do it? She’d claimed she’d solve the problem in three days. What did she intend to do? Monica mulled this over as she left the girls’ dorm. Once outside, she stopped and looked up at the sky. It’s still snowing… I should have worn a coat. But going back to her room now would be too tiresome. It wasn’t that far to the academy, so she resolved herself and hurried along to school. She made her way down the well-maintained street bordering the forest used for horseback riding and magic battle practice and soon saw Serendia Academy in the distance. Then her eyes went wide. She could see a familiar face at the school gate. Cyril was there, wearing a scarf and a heavy coat over his uniform. The last time Monica had seen him was on their way out of Kelielinden Forest. But the last time Monica Norton had seen him was before the duel with Huberd. Careful not to slip on the snow, she scampered over to him. “Lord Cyril! Um, good morning!” “Good morning,” he replied, looking up. A thin layer of snow covered his head and shoulders. His voice was hoarse and nasal. Monica blinked. Cyril took a step back, then covered his mouth with his scarf. “…Don’t come too close. You’ll catch my cold.” Monica had to stifle her reaction. Three days ago, after their duel with Huberd, Cyril and Glenn had been kidnapped by spirits and taken to Kelielinden Forest. After spending a whole midwinter night in the woods, then walking for another day, it was no wonder he’d caught a cold. “Um, Lord Cyril, if you have a cold, then maybe you should…go inside?” “I was waiting for you, Accountant Norton.” Anxiety filled Monica’s chest. She had interacted with Cyril in Kelielinden Forest as the Silent Witch. Could he have figured out her true identity? Oh… Oh, no… Please, no… She was so scared of what he might say next that she nearly put her hands over her ears. Her fingers turned numb, losing all the heat she’d gained from walking there. She was too scared to make eye contact, and her gaze began to drift. Then Cyril dropped his head in a vigorous bow. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t strong enough to win the duel.” “Oh, ah…” “I hear they declared it a draw because Huberd Dee lost control of his magical items, but the fact remains that I didn’t stand a chance against him. As your upperclassman, I should have been able to protect you, and I couldn’t… I’m truly sorry.” Monica was a mess of emotions. First of all, she was relieved he hadn’t found out who she was. She also felt guilty about getting Cyril mixed up in the duel and regretted that he’d waited out here in the snow for her. There were other emotions, too, but she couldn’t properly put them into words. All these thoughts sprouted up inside her, then mashed together into a big heap. “…And it’s not the first time something like this has happened,” Cyril continued. “I’m utterly disappointed in myself.” He must have been referring to the incident when Casey caused the lumber to topple over. He’d apologized to her then, too, saying it was his own error—even though she knew he wasn’t to blame. He was being so considerate to her as her upperclassman. How was she supposed to respond? Unsure, she opened and closed her mouth several times until an energetic voice broke in from behind her. “Morning, Monica! Morning, VP!” Glenn rushed across the snowy road. He usually wore his uniform rather untidily, but today, he had all his buttons fastened and a muffler around his neck. He was full of energy, but he kept sniffling. Cyril frowned. “Wait, Dudley. Have you caught a cold, too?” “Huh? Nah, I’m fine. I almost never catch colds… Achoo!” Immediately betrayed by his sneeze, Glenn used his cuff to wipe at his nose. Cyril’s eyebrows shot up at once. “Don’t wipe your nose with your sleeve. Use a handkerchief! You’ll pass your cold to everyone else. Go back to your dorm right this instant and rest!” After shouting, Cyril burst into a coughing fit. His face went bright red, and it seemed to wind him. Glenn’s expression turned serious. “You’re not doin’ so well, either. Are you, VP?” “……” “Wait, why aren’t you resting?” “……” Cyril coughed some more and turned his cheek. “I’ll do so now. Back to the dorms, Dudley.” Glenn sniffled again. “Monica, please tell Neil I’m taking the day off!” “R-right. Take care!” Cyril walked off unsteadily, and Glenn followed him. Before they disappeared, Glenn stopped to wave at her. Monica gave a small wave back. Neither of them seemed to have any symptoms of mana poisoning… Kelielinden Forest was a very mana-dense location, so staying there for an extended period would put one at risk of mana poisoning. Glenn and Cyril had been in the forest for an especially long time, so Monica had been worried about them. But it seemed there was no need for concern. I wonder what will happen to the ice spirit I sealed in his broach. The magical item had been covered by Cyril’s scarf today, but she was sure he’d been wearing it, just as he always did. The ice spirit would be resting there for some time, though Monica wasn’t sure how long it would take him to heal. …I hope he’ll be okay. She’d made the decision to help without thinking too much about it, but Monica hated the idea that she’d added to Cyril’s burdens by saving the spirit. It was the result of her own selfish desire. She watched until the two boys were out of sight, then started walking toward the school building. Her fingers were freezing, despite her gloves, probably because she’d been standing still for so long. She rubbed them together lightly, so as not to strain her injured left hand. That was when she realized something. Despite the cold weather, lots of the other girls weren’t wearing gloves at all. Instead, they all had bandages on their left hands. That seems like…an awful lot of girls with injured left hands… …I’ve been had. At his desk, Felix Arc Ridill let out a sorrowful sigh. It had been three days since the student council got wrapped up in the magic duel with Huberd Dee. Cyril and Glenn, who went missing afterward, had been saved by the Seven Sages and delivered safely back to Serendia Academy. All related parties had been forbidden to talk about it. Felix had made sure of that, telling the headmaster and the school staff that, because of the Sages’ involvement, they weren’t to discuss anything that had happened. The matter of the duel has been settled, too. It wasn’t a complete win for the student council, but we got to keep Monica, at least. It was safe to say that both the kerfuffle surrounding the duel and the case of Cyril and Glenn’s disappearance were safely dealt with. His personal business, however, wasn’t going very well at all. He was still searching for a girl at school with an injured left hand—a girl he was sure was the Silent Witch. “Hey, Prince,” Elliott said, placing a report on Felix’s desk. He was dealing with a variety of miscellaneous matters, covering for Cyril while he was out sick. “Thank you,” said Felix curtly. Elliott flashed him a cynical grin. “Looks like they got you good.” “In what regard?” “The girl with the injured left hand.” Felix replied with a pained grin, then casually turned his gaze to the rest of the class. As if seizing their chance, several girls flashed their bandaged left wrists, carrying things with their left hands on purpose only to drop them. A few even blatantly held their left hands and grunted in pain. This was why he was having so much trouble: Ever since the holiday, the number of girls with injured left hands had skyrocketed. “According to one of my family’s servants, there’s a rumor at school that you want to marry a certain girl with an injured left hand.” “Any idea where the rumor came from?” “Not for certain, no.” The rumor seemed to have several different variations. According to some, an assassin had been after Felix, but a passing noble girl had protected him and been hurt in the process. Felix, feeling responsible, wanted to make that girl his wife. Others said that Felix had fallen for a girl who hurt her left hand protecting a wounded animal. Still others said the Starseer Witch had prophesied that a girl with an injured left hand was best suited to be Felix’s wife. …All the variations shared one detail: Felix would marry the girl with the injured left hand. Outside of that, however, each story was so different, it was hard to track down the rumor’s source. It seems it will be difficult to ascertain Lady Everett’s identity from her injury. Felix was certain she had spread the rumors herself. She was clever, after all. Felix fought down his disappointment and scanned the report on the desk. As he did so, he felt someone’s eyes on him—Elliott’s. “…What is it?” he asked. “You’re very stuck on this woman with the wounded left hand, aren’t you?” “She saved my life. I only want to thank her.” “Do you really have time for such things? When the general student assembly and graduation ceremony are so close at hand?” Despite the thorns in Elliot’s voice, Felix responded with a perfect smile. “It won’t cause a problem.” Elliot swallowed his next words, then winced and stepped back. “Everything is proceeding apace,” Felix continued calmly. “Thanks to our talented student council members.” “…Is that right?” Elliott turned to look out the window to cover up how rattled he was. Then he put on a fake look of annoyance. “Ugh. And with Cyril out, I have to do so many minor errands it’s making me sick.” “Well, it has been cold lately. We can’t blame him.” “Weren’t you always the one who caught colds when it started snowing?” “Yes, way back when,” said Felix fondly. He smiled. “You were just trying to be considerate, weren’t you? Thank you, Elliott.” “…You’re welcome.” That time, the annoyance in Elliott’s voice was genuine. Three days had passed since Monica was forced into the agreement with Bridget. As she walked down the hall alone after school, she found herself in awe of the other girl’s skills. Just today, she’d seen over five female students pass by with their left gloves off, hands wrapped in bandages. Wow. Lady Bridget is really amazing… Monica would never have thought to spread a rumor like that. And even if she had, she wouldn’t have been able to act on the idea. Only Bridget’s influence at the academy could have gotten such results in only three days. Monica’s left hand had improved quite a bit, and she expected it would only be a few more days before she could use it normally again. “Well! Well, well, well! If it isn’t Miss Monica Norton, the esteemed accountant of the student council.” A voice addressed her from farther down the hall. It belonged to a stout male student with glasses and black hair—Conrad Askam, president of the magic history research club. Conrad approached her with surprising agility, chuckling breathily as he wrung his hands. “Miss Norton, would you do me the honor of having tea with us in the clubroom?” “Oh, um…” “The general student assembly is just around the corner, and we wanted to build a better relationship with you, Miss Norton… Heh-heh.” Hearing “general student assembly” was enough for Monica to figure out what he was after. The assembly would take place the following month, and it was there that club budgets were determined. Though Monica was the accountant, she didn’t have the final say in such matters. Still, more than a few people thought they could increase their budget by getting into her good books. And the magic history research club was small and had little influence. Their budget was similarly trifling, and Conrad was probably desperate to win her over. “Um, well, I don’t think…I should…” Monica edged backward, but Conrad matched her every step. He wore an affable smile, but he was coming on very strong. “Oh? Are you busy today? When might you be free, then? I’d be happy to make time for you whenever is convenient, Miss Norton.” “Oh, no. I, um… W-well…” As she stood there stammering, she heard a high-pitched laugh from somewhere behind her. Whoever it was wasn’t alone—eerie humming could be heard from the same direction. “Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho!” “Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm!” Monica’s eyes widened, and she turned around. A noble girl with orange curls, accompanied by a maid, was walking toward her, along with a skinny young man with pointy red hair. The former was Isabelle Norton, the daughter of Count Kerbeck and Monica’s collaborator, along with her servant, Agatha. They were joined by Huberd Dee, Monica’s former upperclassman at Minerva’s. The strange combination took Monica by surprise. Isabelle kept her mouth hidden behind her folding fan. “This sounds like an interesting conversation, Lord Askam. You would invite my family’s servant but not extend a similar invitation to me?” The one most startled, however, was Conrad. The boy shook his head with such force that his flabby cheeks swung and his eyeglasses nearly fell off his face. “No, no, no. It’s only that our clubroom is quite small. Yes, too small for us to entertain a proper lady like you, Lady Isabelle…” As he quickly rattled on, Huberd put a hand on his shoulder. His waggling cheeks stopped instantly. “Hmm, hmm, hmm. Sounds like a fun little tea party, eh? You should let me join. How about it?” “Gwehhh! Why…why would I…?” “Hey, don’t be so stingy. Who cares? I’m interested in magic history.” “You’re lying. I just know it!” Conrad exclaimed, half-crying. As Isabelle and Huberd faced down Conrad, they looked exactly like a pair of villains. Of course, Huberd wasn’t just playing a role, he really was a bad person. B-but what are they doing together…? Choosing a moment when Conrad wasn’t looking, Isabelle and Huberd exchanged a hostile glance. To Monica’s eyes, they looked like a wildcat baring its fangs and a snake licking its lips. Two formidable opponents. “Well then, Lord Askam. I do hope this tea party will be entertaining.” “Mm-hmm. One of the professors from Minerva’s was really impressed by your club’s presentation. I can’t wait to hear about it.” The two of them sandwiched poor Conrad, then dragged him away down the hall. As Monica hesitated, wondering if they’d be all right, Isabelle’s maid whispered to her. “I’ll be with them. Don’t worry.” “Miss Agathaaa…” She truly was the paragon of maids. Monica felt very reassured. Scarcely letting her feet make a sound, Agatha quietly followed Isabelle. Monica had lingering concerns, but with Agatha there, she knew things would turn out all right. She watched them leave, and just when their group turned the corner, she heard yet another voice from behind. “Isabelle Norton and Huberd Dee. Allies of yours, I assume.” Monica turned around to find Bridget Greyham walking up to her. She fidgeted with her fingers. “Um, allies…?” Isabelle was definitely an ally, but if someone were to ask her about Huberd Dee, she wouldn’t know what to say. I gave him a good thump during the magic battle, so…I suppose he’ll help me out, right? But when did he join up with Lady Isabelle…? As Monica cocked her head in contemplation, Bridget stopped in front of her. This close, Monica was struck again by Bridget’s conspicuous beauty. She possessed both dignity and elegance. She must be the sort of person people meant when they described someone as “so beautiful everyone fell in love with them at first sight.” “Today is the third day, as agreed.” Bridget had said she would get Felix to give up on his search within three days. And that when she did, she would demand Monica’s help. “I’ve reserved a tea salon. Let’s head there.” Her voice was quiet but firm. Tensing up, Monica nodded.