A New Arrival and a Broken Door

“Power bank… don’t describe people as if they were objects.”

“Ah…”

I mustered my strength to retort feebly.

“But don’t you think that’s the most fitting analogy? When fully charged, you can release electricity; when insufficient, you absorb from outside.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Well, don’t mind it. Rather, you should be proud of this rare constitution—it’s a rarity you can’t find even with a lantern!”

“…You saying that just makes me more concerned!”

“Alright, alright, don’t be sulky, little maid. Don’t you have training today?”

Just as I was about to flare up, Margaret changed the subject.

“…True. So what’s today’s topic?”

“Let me think… how about—”

Boom! Boom!

Before Margaret could finish, a forceful knock sounded.

“Who could be coming here at this hour…”

Margaret was clearly displeased at being interrupted.

Still, she permitted entry.

“The door is unlocked, come in…”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

No sooner had Margaret spoken than the lab door was knocked again.

This time, it was even more urgent.

“It seems… not just that.”

Crash!

An ominous sound rang out.

After the deafening noise, the entire door collapsed.

Looking closely, fragments of wall still clung to the doorframe.

And standing behind the door was a green-haired twin-tailed maid in a maid outfit.

She was only slightly taller than Margaret. Had she really demolished an entire door just by knocking?

“Sorry to intrude!”

The culprit not only failed to realize her mistake but cheerfully greeted us…

“This is way beyond ‘intruding,’ isn’t it?”

Twitching at the corner of her eye, Margaret enunciated each word.

Seeing the mess on the floor, the maid scratched her head.

“Ah! Sorry! I’ll pay for it!”

“…Oh?”

Margaret raised an eyebrow.

“This is my specially made anti-theft door, you know? There’s only one in the whole world. If you want to compensate, it won’t be cheap.”

“Huh? How much exactly?”

Margaret held up three fingers.

“Three hundred gold coins?” the green-haired maid ventured.

“Three thousand?”

“Thirty thousand!?”

The maid’s eyes widened.

“Well… I can afford it, but I’d have to pay with my entire savings!”

She could still afford it? Even as a maid?

Well… though I could afford it too, I’m among the highest-paid servants at the duke’s estate, so I can’t compare to other maids.

“Enough, I never intended to make you pay.”

Margaret waved her hand, pardoning the maid’s offense.

“Just help us with the repairs.”

“Whew… that’s a relief.”

Patting her chest, the green-haired maid sighed long.

Margaret found a chair, sat down, crossed her legs, and fixed her gaze on the uninvited guest.

“So, who are you? Why come to my lab? Isn’t there a sign saying ‘No Admittance’?”

“Uh… there’s a sign? Sorry, I can’t read.”

Scratching the back of her head, the maid gave a silly grin.

“This…”

Margaret was stunned.

Among higher nobility, maids usually had some education… especially personal maids entering the academy, who generally had the responsibility of helping their masters study. Illiterate ones were rare.

And this girl seemed shaky when changing books just now?

Plus, she claimed to be rich… not typical of lower nobility.

But the green-haired maid didn’t mind; she just cleared her throat and formally introduced herself:

“I’m Calu! Personal maid of Miss Teresa Donix, daughter of the Archbishop! I got lost on my way to report today, ended up here, and wanted to ask for directions, so I knocked on your door!”

So her mistress was the Archbishop’s daughter?

That explained her absurdly high salary.

“…And so you broke my door?”

“Well…”

Calu was speechless.

Ignoring her expression, Margaret continued her sharp commentary:

“But your sense of direction is quite remarkable. This is the old teaching building, almost deserted. Getting here before asking for directions is almost genius.”

“Huh? Am I a genius?”

Pointing at herself, Calu beamed.

“Thank you for the compliment!”

…Was this girl missing a screw?

Even though Margaret was teasing, she was actually thanked… even Margaret had to cover her face in exasperation.

“That wasn’t a compliment… never mind.”

Crossing her legs the other way, she spoke again:

“Where’s your destination? I can still give directions.”

“Ah! Thank you!”

After a bow, Calu counted on her fingers:

“My lady and I were supposed to report to the teaching office in the main building! Then take her to her dorm to unpack… and finally, I go to the servants’ quarters!”

Hearing this, I couldn’t help but ask:

“Your young lady… may I ask where she is?”

“Ah… oh no! I left her outside!”

Calu slapped her forehead, rushed out, and pulled in a shivering blonde girl standing in the cold wind.

Leaving her own young lady out in the cold… is it really okay for this person to accompany the Archbishop’s daughter to study?

“Hello, I’m Teresa Donix.”

The girl bowed politely to us, her perfect etiquette making her appear quite elegant.

Though also a blonde girl, our young lady exuded a dignified air, while Teresa was soft and adorable, with no authority at all, very approachable.

More like an ordinary daughter of a lower noble than an Archbishop’s daughter.

But she had one decisive difference—the black lace eyepatch over her eye.

“Ah, are you curious about this?”

Noticing my gaze, Teresa pressed a finger to her eyepatch and smiled sheepishly.

“I’ve had poor eyesight since birth… I can’t stand strong light, so I’ve worn this since childhood. Please excuse me.”

“You don’t need to be so respectful to me; I’m just a maid, Lady Donix.”

“Is that so? Sorry, I can’t see, but I’m sensitive to other people’s gazes.”

“I see—”

Margaret, who had been silently listening, suddenly drew out her words, looking distracted.

“Then let’s stop here for today. Little maid, and Elizabeth, you two guide them. I’ll go back by myself later.”

“But won’t it be unsafe alone?” I worried.

“Rest assured, this is inside the academy, very safe.”

Wasn’t it just recently that she was attacked by a mysterious figure and lost consciousness?

“Besides, the door’s broken, and there are valuable or dangerous items in the room~ I need to set up some security measures to protect them.”

She did have a point… let’s listen to her.

The academy had indeed become much calmer lately; leaving her alone should be fine.

So, Elizabeth and I walked out of the lab first.

“Allow us to guide you.”