"I don't even aspire to be like Elbert Baden."
He was a staunch believer in bloodlines and, above all, Miracle's teacher, making him the number one person to avoid.
"It doesn't have to be him."
After all, the magic I train in will be a bit different from ordinary magic.
It was enough to have someone who could solidify the basics.
There are plenty of magicians at that level in Rodbel.
"Anyone will do."
So please...
I looked at him with earnestness.
He was even trying to get me into the academy, so he wouldn't refuse this request, but I was anxious because I couldn't understand his thoughts at all.
The Duke stared at me for a long time.
"Okay."
He nodded.
"I'll get you a magic teacher soon. But before that, let's get your mana level checked."
I flinched at the words 'mana level check'.
That's because when I got my level checked by Elbert Baden in my previous life, it came out as '0'.
But.
'This life might be different.'
No, it will definitely be different.
Recalling a series of memories, I nodded vigorously.
"Thank you, Duke!"
I felt very good about the unexpected big gain.
It felt like I had overcome a big wall.
There were still countless walls left in front of me, but I would be able to use this opportunity to develop the strength to overcome those walls as well.
'This is great.'
I couldn't help but smile at the fact that I might be able to use magic.
It was an unconscious smile.
"...You're smiling."
"Yes?"
I tilted my head with a puzzled expression at the sudden words.
And I stopped breathing.
'...Was he the kind of person who could make that kind of expression?'
His lips, which were always tightly set, were softly relaxed.
He was looking at me with a faint smile.
That kind of expression... it was the first time. It was a face he had never shown to Miracle either.
Could I have seen it wrong?
I blinked, but the expression remained the same.
"Is that all you want?"
He asked in that same expression.
I nodded blankly.
"Okay, then go back now. The mana level check will be done soon."
"...Ah, yes. Thank you. Good night."
I bowed my head and left the office.
I went back to my room in a daze.
After reassuring Marin, who had been nervous about meeting the Duke, I went to bed.
Flicker, flicker.
I murmured as I watched the moonlight rippling like water on the ceiling.
"Did he eat something wrong...?"
No matter how much I thought about it, the Duke's last expression was too strange.
And he seemed somehow happy...
"He must have eaten something wrong."
There was no way he could have made that face otherwise.
What if he gets poisoned?
Then I can't show him the fallen Rodbel.
'I should tell Ligrin to re-inspect the kitchen.'
With that thought, I closed my eyes.
It had been a very tiring day.
I wanted to fall asleep as soon as possible.
But sleep did not come as the long night slowly passed.
It was a difficult night.
Since then, time has passed quickly.
As a reward for enduring a harsh winter, spring came a little early.
March. The weather became quite warm. Gardeners were busy preparing for the soon-to-be-welcomed spring.
Moreover, the Duke's residence was bustling everywhere.
The reason was not only because of the spring preparations.
"Lady!"
Marin came in as the door burst open.
"They say they'll be leaving soon."
At her announcement, I nodded and came down from the windowsill.
Marin, who quickly approached, put a cape around my shoulders.
"The wind is still cold. You mustn't catch a cold... Oh my?"
Marin, who was carefully wrapping the cape around me, tilted her head in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
"No, you know. Oh my goodness..."
Marin put her hand over her mouth without tying the ribbon.
What's going on all of a sudden?
Soon Marin shouted.
"Lady... you've grown taller!"
"Huh?"
"Not only taller, but your overall frame has grown more. Oh my goodness, our lady has grown this much. I'm so touched that I feel like crying."
As if she wasn't just saying it, Marin was actually tearing up.
Then she murmured.
"Our lady is already 11 years old... time really flies."
I patted Marin's shoulder, turned my head, and looked at myself in the mirror.
That's right. As the year changed, I also turned 11 years old.
Is that why? I felt like my appearance in the mirror had grown a lot.
But it was completely different from when I was 11 years old in my previous life.
Unlike the 11-year-old in my previous life, who was skinny and much smaller than her peers, the 11-year-old in this life was much bigger and healthier.
The fact was so amazing that I was staring at the mirror when I heard Marin's subtle voice.
"But Lady, are you really okay? Even if you can't get into the academy..."
Marin didn't know about the deal between me and the Duke.
So Marin thought that I couldn't enter the academy because I was a bastard.
She seemed worried that I would be very upset.
Of course, I wasn't upset at all.
I smiled brightly and said.
"I'm okay."
"Lady..."
"I'm really okay, so Marin, don't be upset either. It hurts my heart if Marin is upset."
"Sniff... Yes. Of course. I can't be depressed when the Lady is okay! More than that, the cape doesn't fit, so I'll have to bring a new coat. Please wait a moment."
Taking the shrunken cape, Marin hurried out of the room.
Before I knew it, my clothes had increased so much that I had a separate dressing room instead of a closet.
While waiting for Marin, I looked out the window.
A large carriage was standing in front of the entrance.
There were a lot of people around it.
I looked at them and then looked down at my hand.
After staring at my hand for a while, I clenched it slightly.
Paji jit-
As a faint purple mana flickered, it created a small purple crystal.
As I squeezed the crystal tightly.
Quajik.
It shattered.
"Is this all I can do now..."
I murmured, looking at the crystal that had turned to dust and disappeared.
I didn't just play around while the seasons changed.
The power Cherish gave me. I practiced every day to handle that power, which was finally complete.
'I had to sleep at night to avoid Marin's eyes, though.'
That was better. If it had been the original me, I would have reduced my sleep to practice.
'Then my body would have been ruined.'
Perhaps that's why the progress was slow, but the results were certain.
'I can even materialize it...'
The problem was that it was too weak and the duration was too short.
'It would be nice if I could weaponize it like the first family head...'
Even if not, if I could train in magic that puts power into weapons...
What I was sure of was that there was a limit to training alone as of now.
'Would it be different if I took magic classes at the same time?'
If this power is the mana of the first Rodbel, then the fact that it is fundamentally mana is the same.
If I can use magic, my proficiency in handling mana will increase, and I will be able to handle the mana of the first family head more naturally.
'There's been no news from the Duke since then.'
I was also waiting without urging because I was focused on handling mana, but I was starting to get impatient.
Surely he hasn't forgotten? Changing his mind now, or...
'I have to go see him again.'
As I was resolving to do so, Marin returned with a new coat.
Wearing a slightly larger coat, I went down to the first floor.
There were many people from the lobby.
When they found me, they made way in the middle.
I approached the entrance along the path.
There was the carriage that I saw from my room in front of the entrance, and in front of it.
"Lady, Young Master, don't be nervous and have a good trip."
"Hmph, I'm not nervous or anything!"
"I'm okay because I have my brother."
The main figures of Rodbel and Ligrin, the Duke, were standing there, and in front of them were Miracle and Bansis, dressed in the academy's uniform.
That's right, today is Miracle and Bansis's academy entrance day.
I slowly approached them.
Those who recognized my presence stepped aside.
"Lady..."
Ligrin also looked at me with a strange expression.
After Aen left, Ligrin paid more attention to me. After smiling at him as if to say it was okay, I stood in front of the two.
"Hey, you..."
Bansis looked at me with a complicated expression.
'I feel like I haven't seen him in a while either.'
Well, there hasn't been a reason to run into each other since the qualification test.
"Have a good trip, brother, and..."
I turned my head and looked next to him.
Miracle was smiling and looking at me.
As I, who turned 11 years old, grew, Miracle also grew.
She was even more beautiful and radiant.
Looking indifferently at the figure that I would have looked at with admiration in the past.
"Miracle."
"Thank you, Lucia. I wish we could have entered together, but it's a shame. But we can meet during vacation."
Miracle smiled brightly.
"You have to be doing well?"
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