For magic tools, I used my devil-tusk shells from Peylon to make a music box that was pleasing to the eye. Devil-tusk shells, sort of like mother-of-pearl, were a common material used in making accessories. Though they had brutal exteriors, once you peeled away—or rather, hammered away—the exterior, the insides were quite pretty.
Instead of clockwork, the music box ran on mana. I thought about bringing it to the institute to see if they’d be interested in selling them.
Working with the shells was fun, and caught the eyes of the other girls. Not only were they used for decoration, but by shaving the shells down thin, I used them to produce sound too. I had found that when used right, the shells could produce pleasant sounds, which was where I got the idea for the music box. These were, after all, monster materials. Even thinned down, they were sturdy, and didn’t bend or break easily.
Once I’ve compiled what I know about this surprising trait, I’ll send it off to the institute.
The magic tools instructor wanted me to register it under the academy’s name, but I had to politely decline. If I was going to sell these, I’d be better off going through the institute.
For alchemy, I made an antidote for plant toxins. I got good scores in both magic tools and alchemy, and I hardly need to say how I did in general magic. Thus my scores were once again among the best. Not that I really wanted that though, it’s just that if I didn’t, I’d incur Sheila’s wrath. Truly a dilemma.
Regardless, with tests behind us, I could enjoy the break that followed, which I’d be once again spending at the Aspozat residence.
It would appear I have a busy winter break ahead of me.
“Have you been measured for your dress?”
“Do you have your accessories in order?”
“When will your shoes be ready?”
“Don’t forget your bag.”
“Oh! Your fan!”
I would be enjoying the Aspozat’s hospitality for the short break, but when I arrived, I found pell and mell.
“What’s all this noise?” I wondered aloud.
Loks laughed at me. “Did you forget, Lera? Next February is Colny’s social debut.”
“Ah!”
They’re getting ready for that now?! I mean, I get that dresses and whatnot take a while to make.
So that was it. They were getting next year’s dress ready. Asking about it some more, it turned out they had been preparing since this spring. Just last fall, she had been in a predebut, as well as making appearances at tea and garden parties.
Watching everyone rush around, I voiced my honest opinion. “Must be rough.”
That was when Colny, who had returned to the residence ahead of us, made her appearance. “Oh Lera, you say that as though it has nothing to do with you. We’ll be getting a dress for you too.”
“Wha? Oh. Since my grades were so high...”
From each grade, the ten students with the highest scores were given top tier treatment. Namely, said students were invited to a royally sponsored ball that would be held the following February. Having easily crossed that threshold, I would once again be participating.
“Be sure to enjoy it, just as you did last year.”
Colny, there’s no need to say it with such a satisfied smirk.
I ended up getting my measurements taken alongside Colny. Though I hadn’t noticed it, I had grown a fair bit taller.
“We’ll have to have your uniform adjusted,” Sheila murmured.
“I grew that much?”
It’s my own body, but I really hadn’t noticed it. Probably because my uniform had already been a bit large on me. But now that she mentioned it, it had grown tighter around the shoulders, and the hem of the skirt was higher. My stats were indeed growing, and yet the growth rate of my chest defense was decidedly still lacking. What was this? Was I fated for flatness? Was I going to be small-chested two worlds in a row?
Augh! I don’t need this sort of debuff!
I only needed one dress made, but Colny was getting multiple. Just the measuring required her to jump through all sorts of hoops, and it didn’t look fun at all.
I got my measurements over quickly so I could take a seat next to Sheila. Still in measurement land, Colny looked utterly drained. That’s probably why she told me, “Around this time next year, you’ll be doing the same thing.”
You’re staring really intensely.
“Don’t say unsettling things, Colny.”
“You might as well use this year you have to make plenty of dresses.”
She wanted to drag me into her fatigue vortex.
“What are you saying?” Sheila said with exasperation. “If she’s grown so much in a single year, her size might change again before next.”
“I see no reason for Lera to get any taller,” Colny said through pursed lips.
Well I did. If I was going to be slender, I might as well be tall. Yeah, that’s a better word than flat-chested. Slender. The more you know. Though I guess Colny didn’t care for the thought that I might grow taller than her.
“I’d much prefer it if Lera remains cute as she is.”
I know it’s funny coming from me, but I think you’re the only person who might describe me as cute.
Sheila’s wry smile backed up this assertion. Besides, my association with Peylon had given me a reputation as an irregularity. That’s what happens when you start entering the Mystic Forest at age seven. I set a new record for youngest person to enter the forest, and that record was yet to be broken.
With measurement hell over, I was set free for snack time. We had started in the morning, yet somehow barely finished in time for afternoon tea. Of course Colny was tired. Just sitting in on that had left me exhausted. Struggling to stay upright, Sheila, Colny, and I enjoyed some tea and baked treats in the family drawing room.
“Oh, I just remembered, I was told Sir Yuin finally returned to the royal capital.”
This came as a surprise to Colny and me.
“Huh?”
“Is that true, mother?”
It was still before exams when Ville had asked me to write him a letter telling him to come back to the royal capital. I thought he’d come right back, but that was more than two weeks ago.
“I hear he was spending days at a time in the Mystic Forest,” Colny said. “Ville said he had made considerable progress on Layer Five.”
Oh hoh.
Here I was, forced to return to the academy and unable to enter the forest. It frustrated me.
Ignoring my poor mood, Colny asked, “Do you suppose Sir Yuin took a liking to Peylon?”
“Who’s to say?”
Sheila please stop it with that meaningful look.