First Year at the Magic Academy: Summer
A school year at the Magic Academy consisted of three terms: spring, fall, and winter. For Emma, spring term in her first year flew by in a flash, just like the first time she went to the Academy.
“Emma, you had better visit me over the summer recess,” Rashida insisted. “I won’t take no for an answer, especially because there’s someone I want you to meet. Swear to me, you will.”
“Of course! And I’ll be expecting your letters!”
The Academy’s summer holiday started today. Most of the students would return home for the long recess. Both Emma and Rashida’s family homes were within the royal capital, so geographically speaking, they wouldn’t be going far. It would be easy for them to fulfill their promise to visit. Emma waved her friend off with a smile as the other girl boarded her family’s coach.
“Well, Emma, I see you’ve made a close enough friend in Lady Rashida to call upon her during the summer holiday as well, hm?”
Emma nodded in response to Ian’s question. “Indeed. Besides that, though, I plan on remaining at home, so there’s no need for you to worry, Ian.”
Despite Ian’s incessant pampering, Emma was motivated to return home. Once there, she intended to speak to her father about her goal of becoming a lady’s maid. In truth, she was already taking many classes to further her aim without his knowledge. As far as her parents were concerned, once her responsibilities as a time traveler ended, they believed she would marry Bernard. Her dream most likely wouldn’t pose a problem. No, her desire to call off her engagement with him would turn their faces pale.
Various families’ carriages lining the street in front of the Academy’s main gate created a lively atmosphere. Some students would return to their homes in faraway parts of the monarchy, while others would depart for destinations unknown to enjoy their holidays. The air around her vibrated with everyone’s impatient fervor to make the most of their two-month recess. Emma, too, was eager to get the show on the road.
Yet she didn’t spy Glen’s figure among the crowd. Although he made the worst possible impression he could at the dinner party in her honor, much to her surprise, he proved himself to be a fount of strength in her second life. As a fellow individual who possessed an affinity with all the elements, he would often counsel her in secret during practical lessons. He hunted down magical tomes he deemed would be helpful in her journey to control her magic more easily and skillfully. Their first meeting had been atrocious, but she and Glen built an unexpectedly solid friendship over the past few months. I wanted to say goodbye to Lord Glen. From the looks of it, he’s already left.
Emma’s spirits sank when she realized she most likely wouldn’t see him again until the start of the new term. This won’t do. She shook off her melancholy and boarded the Seagrove coach, which would carry her back to her family manor.
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“I’M home!”
“Emma!”
When she stepped into the foyer, she didn’t even get to put her luggage down before her mother embraced her tightly. She’d apparently been lying in wait for her daughter. Seeing her mother’s face after such a long time away comforted Emma. Not a moment later, her stomach rumbled as a sweet scent entered her nostrils. It permeated the whole house.
“Something smells delicious, Mother!”
“The fruit tart you love so much is baking as we speak. Let’s have tea right away, hm?”
“Excellent!”
“My lady, might I suggest you indulge in a bath first? Today is quite warm, after all.” Jamie waited politely for mother and daughter to finish their exchange before she spoke, smiling at Emma’s sparkling eyes. She was one of the maids at Seagrove Manor, and she stood patiently next to Emma’s mother.
At this point, it had been three years since Sunny went back to her hometown to marry. Jamie was her replacement, so her primary duties involved looking after Emma. They both headed to her room, where she found that Jamie had already drawn a bath for her in the ensuite. Emma talked to her while she was preparing to step into the tub.
“You’ve been here three years now, yes, Jamie? Did you attend the Magic Academy before your employment with us?”
“That’s correct. Although I’m a commoner, I was granted entrance to the Academy. But, thanks to that opportunity, now I can work gainfully with your family.”
Jamie was one of Sunny’s distant relatives. Emma’s mother took a liking to the town girl, judging her as having outstanding potential. So she asked Jamie if she’d like to work for them.
Broadly speaking, aristocratic young ladies in the Monarchy of Reauxvil only worked as ladies’ maids as one facet of their societal education. On the other hand, only a handful of commoners could succeed in becoming a lady’s maid. That demonstrated Jamie’s superior caliber as an individual. Jamie made her dream come true, hm?
Moving briskly, Emma’s maid picked up a few lumps of bath salts. Emma knew she would choose the most suitable one once she gauged how her mistress felt based on her expression and attitude. On a stand beside her were: two large bath towels, three towels big enough to wrap her hair in, a bathrobe, body cream, a pitcher overflowing with citrus fruit, and a glass next to it. After this, she’ll lay out a change of clothes for me, dry my hair using magic, and pamper my hair with an oil treatment. How sublime.
Being able to chase her dream after giving up on it before made Jamie’s every action seem dazzling. As she watched her maid’s flowing, graceful movements, her heart fluttered, thinking about the as-yet-unknown young lady she would someday care for.