“I’ll also keep thinking about the embroidery floss,” I said. “I believe that for the magic circle to activate, the thread must be able to conduct mana.”
After that, we continued discussing Magius’s cape for some time, but we kept hitting a roadblock when it came to the thread. We would either have to find something that could conduct mana or make a new kind of thread ourselves.
Once I was back in my dorm room, I reviewed my herbology and pharmacy textbooks, along with the notes I’d taken while doing my own research.
“I’ve done enough. If I fail the exam, it won’t be for a lack of effort.”
I’d done what I could, so I decided to just take the test with a calm mind. Of course, Ms. Makias was a twisted character, so I still had some concerns that the exam would include some bizarre questions.
It was the next day, and there were several third-years from the senior division also taking the exam. I was worried about the test being difficult, but the written portion covered herbs from the textbook and making potions. I did well enough to feel confident that I would pass.
My gamble from the previous night had paid off, because just as I’d expected, we had to make antidotes for the practical portion. It was the most annoying to make of the potions we’d covered in class, so I’d had a feeling that Ms. Makias would have us make it for the exam. I’d reviewed my notes on antidotes the previous night, so I was able to make some without any trouble.
“I’m done!” I said, bringing my antidotes up to Ms. Makias’s podium.
“Oh, it’s you. You pass, Patience. Here’s your novice apothecary license. With this license, you can make minor healing potions, greater healing potions, and antidotes. You’re technically also permitted to develop your own potions, but I suggest you wait until getting an expert apothecary license before doing that.”
Ms. Makias wrote my name onto a license, which was made of slightly thick paper, and handed it to me.
“Thank you very much.”
Ms. Makias sometimes seemed like a terrifying witch, but she’d gotten me a side job, and I’d also only passed the novice apothecary’s exam because she’d made the pharmacy and herbology final exams so difficult. If I’d only had the textbook to go off of, then I would have failed.
“Are you interested in attending Romano University? You could become a great expert apothecary. Also, you really should redo your proficiency evaluation at the church. Your mana is pretty weird.”
Yeah, I agree. My household magic is really strange...but it costs a gold coin to get a proficiency evaluation done. Being a cheapskate is another one of my faults. I don’t think I was this stingy in my previous life.
While I waited for Mary to arrive, I organized all the things I was bringing home with me. I was going to bring all my clothes home, and I had some textbooks to bring back as well. I was going to give my textbooks for all three years of law and government to Nassius, since he was probably going to enroll in the civil service track. I’d also passed business, economics, and geography, so I was taking those textbooks home as well. I was going to have to fill out a new course registration form for the fall term.
Mary arrived, and I was going to hand her my luggage, but something seemed off.
“My lady, I have letters addressed to you, sent by Countess Northcourt and Viscountess Satisford.”
Oh, Samuel must’ve passed on my letters to Aunt Lilianna and Lady Lucene.
For some reason, Mary’s eyes were glazed over.
“Um, my lady, the messengers said something about visiting the summer palace... What was that about?”
I’d forgotten that we’d only discussed this at the dorms, so Mary hadn’t heard about it yet.
“Oh, yes, Princess Margaret invited me as well as my brothers, Samuel, and Angela to visit the summer palace.”
Mary blanched.
“We must sew several outfits for Sir Henry and Sir Nassius.”
We’d already been planning to make them some new clothes, since we were going to spend summer with the Northcourts, but Mary was now panicking that their clothing would have to be good enough for the summer palace.
“Well, we’ll only be visiting once or twice,” I tried to reassure her.
We boarded the carriage, Mary still pale, and I read through the letters. I wanted to make sure to read them on the way, since I knew I would have to help prepare all my angels’ clothes once I got back.
“Aunt Lilianna and Lady Lucene both want me to visit them. I wonder if Samuel didn’t explain things properly.”
I’d already been thinking it would be good to see Lucene in person, since she wanted Angela to become close with Princess Jane. Aunt Lilianna had no such ambitions with Samuel, so I figured she didn’t require a proper explanation. I told Mary as much, and she scolded me.
“That is ridiculous, my lady! The reason you were invited to the summer palace last year is because you are the princess’s lady’s maid. It is not a place nobles are normally invited to. That is likely why Countess Northcourt is so surprised.”
Yeeesh. I guess I’m going to have to go around visiting my relatives, all because of Princess Margaret.
This summer, I would be with my angels in Northcourt County, and I was getting the chance to take my brothers to the beach. I continued riding in the carriage, excited for what was to come.
At that moment, I had no idea that this summer would end up being a major turning point in my life.
END