Third Year at the Magic Academy: Secrets Revealed
TIME passed. Emma, now a third-year, would soon graduate from the Magic Academy. She practiced diligently throughout the summer recess and breezed through the large-scale exams that took place once the new term started. She had high hopes for her report card. The only thing troubling her was that she hadn’t yet secured employment.
The school festival took place that day, and the night of the festival was special for third-years, who only had a few months left until graduation. In the Academy’s massive courtyard, they would gather for a special celebration. And under the late autumn starry sky, as they stared up at the heavens, they would pour spirits for each other, whiling the night away.
Most third-years would participate in the party. First- and second-years could watch them from their dormitory windows. Many lanterns were strung up in the courtyard for the event, and there was a special cafe. It was a wondrous, bustling sight.
“I can’t believe the festival is over already.” Rashida huddled under a blanket that warded off the cold.
“Indeed. The only events left are the graduation exam and graduation party… Rashida, you’ll attend the vocational school in Ulster after we graduate, right? The one that specializes in training servants?”
Emma was saddened, even though she broached the topic herself. She considered changing it, but the conversation would eventually return to their plans after graduation anyway, so there would be no point. That was just how much weight the future held.
“Yup! Despite Father’s dogged opposition, which gave me grief to no end these past few years, he ultimately gave in easily enough. Exasperating man.”
“Of course he did! Because you worked hard to prove yourself, Rashida. You’re amazing for achieving and maintaining grades so outstanding that even your father couldn’t find any reason to complain.”
“I could say the same about you, Emma. You finished top in our grade for applied life magic, despite struggling so much with it in the beginning. Not to mention the letter of recommendation the Academy gave you. The world is your oyster as far as your future employment is concerned!”
While the two reminisced about their three years’ worth of memories, one of their classmates served them piping hot mulled wine. Emma considered refusing her glass since she couldn’t tolerate alcohol well, but today was a special day. Wanting to at least be a part of the lively atmosphere with the rest of her cohort, she accepted the offer.
“Don’t drink recklessly now. We certainly wouldn’t want a repeat of dinner at Rashida’s, hm? So pace yourself.”
“Glen.”
Before they noticed, Glen and Ian had wandered over to stand in front of the bench Emma and Rashida sat on.
“Oh, that’s right! You looked like you were in dire straits that summer night, Emma.”
Ian laughed when Rashida agreed.
“Emma’s always been weak with alcohol, so she’s usually quite reluctant to consume it. Who would have imagined she’d confuse wine sauce with fruit sauce, eh?”
“Pleeease, can we forget about it already? More importantly, Glen, I have to talk to you about something.”
“What is it?” Glen raised an eyebrow irritably. He already had a good guess at what Emma wanted to discuss. But she wasn’t daunted by his attitude.
“I want to be Lady Brigitte’s maid. So please introduce me to her guardian.”
Since their first meeting in her second year, Emma and Brigitte had regularly exchanged letters. The whole time, the little girl waited patiently for Emma to become an adult who deemed herself worthy of caring for Brigitte. The only thing left for her to receive was approval of employment from her future potential employer.
It was a long-awaited wish for Emma. Brigitte had told her she should ask her “big brother” about that. Clearly, she meant Glen. That was why she wanted him to arrange an interview.
“Brigitte’s circumstances are complicated, so my answer is no. Plus, your grades are excellent, Emma. You have your choice of employment, whether you stay in Reauxvil or work abroad.”
“I know, but…”
“Then I suggest you take that route.”
Emma pursed her lips tightly at his overly blunt response. By this point, she was well-versed in controlling her magical energy. Nowadays, it would be impossible for her to make a novice mistake like exploding a teapot. She could even manage any difficult hairstyle with ease.
In truth, she had already received quite a few offers of employment as a lady’s maid from several noble families. Yet she wanted nothing more than to be Brigitte’s maid. She said she would wait for me, even saying my inexperience wasn’t a bad thing. Lady Brigitte inspired me to work hard this past year. I want to see her grow up, stay by her side.
For a member of the low-ranked Seagrove family, perhaps she was aiming too high by wanting to work for a duchy in the Olano Kingdom. But she couldn’t deny her strong desire to work as Brigitte’s exclusive maid. She hoped to excel to the point that she would be promoted to head housekeeper and remain with her lady long enough to see her grow up, happily married. What’s more, she would love to follow Brigitte to her new family as well, serving her forever if she could. Emma’s dream had grown dramatically over the past year.
So why won’t he help me…? Dejected, Emma allowed her feelings to overtake her and downed her glass in one long swallow.
“Emma, wait! Gah.”
She heard Glen’s panicked voice.
“Hm…?”
It didn’t take long for the starry sky stretching endlessly overhead to start spinning. The twinkling cosmic bodies blurred together with the lantern light floating in the darkness, creating a lovely image. Mmm. What is this feeling? It’s absolutely, positively wonderful. In the next instant, her blood heated, and she had the most pressing urge to empty her stomach. Oh, no! I forgot this was mulled wine! Unfortunately, her epiphany came too late.
“Emma!!!”
Rashida’s scream sounded distant. I need to get up. As she lurched up from her seat on the bench, strong arms wrapped around her. A comforting scent tickled her nose. Lovely. Seems I didn’t collapse on the lawn… Once she confirmed she wasn’t sprawled disgracefully on the ground, sure enough, Emma lost consciousness.
✦ ✦ ✦
🍵🍵🍵
“NGH…?”
“……”
As Emma surfaced, her mind still hazy, she thought she heard someone say something. After a few seconds, she finally identified Rashida’s voice and another person’s, this one much lower, deeper. In a dreamy, distant daze, someone placed her gently on something soft and plush. The sensation made her realize it was her bed in her dorm room. Blast. I must have fainted after recklessly drinking the mulled wine. Ugh, when will I learn?
“Lord, Emma, you’re such a dangerous creature. Can never take my eyes off you, eh?”
Forgive…me. Deep in her mind, she responded to the words he muttered under his breath, but he didn’t know that.
“To think, I was almost fooled by the dignified, responsible facade you present… But I learned early on, didn’t I? Considering you spoke so unguardedly to me that day when we’d essentially just met.”
That…day…? After a while, the other side of her bed dipped under someone’s weight.
“Though I’d wager that might have been a sign of how far you’d been driven into a corner… Despite being so close to you now, I still worry about you.”
His voice was strained, as if at his wit’s end. Befuddled as she still was by the effects of the alcohol, even Emma could tell something was making him so tense, distraught. Despite her clouded state of mind, she tried to stretch a hand out toward him in compassion. Except her body felt as heavy as lead. She couldn’t even lift a finger. During the brief minutes she struggled to move, she sensed he stood up because his weight no longer created a depression in her bed.
What does…he mean…by…that day…? She wanted to pursue the truth behind his profound words, but her voice wouldn’t come out. I’ve had it with spirits! I’ll never drink again! Emma swore to herself in the depths of her consciousness before falling asleep again.