Chapter 32: Trials of Growth and Hidden Talents

After Sending Nia Away

It took a bit of time to descend into the garden.

“You took longer than usual today.”

Elin commented as she emerged from washing up, having taken more time than normal.

Worried that it might have been due to trauma, I asked,

“Are you all right?”

Aside from her expression looking slightly complex, there didn’t seem to be any significant issues.

Thud.

Elin sat in front of me with her back turned, silently asking me to dry her hair.

Just a short while ago, even the slightest touch would cause her to panic, but now…

Her progress was genuinely moving.

With a warm heart, I dried her hair gently.

“Teacher.”

Suddenly, Elin leaned back, laying down against me.

Her freshly dried, soft hair tickled my neck.

“Why are you calling me?”

“Were you close with Lady Nia when you were young?”

I hesitated to answer.

For the original ‘Luke Bucklin’ before my possession, it might have been true.

But for Elin’s tutor, Luke, it wasn’t exactly the case.

“We were, yes.”

I replied for the moment, as there was no way to reveal the truth about my possession.

“I see. You must have even bathed together then…”

Elin subtly leaned closer, nestling snugly into my arms.

“If you’re referring to when Nia was three years old, then yes.”

“…?”

“It wasn’t so much bathing together as it was me helping her wash.”

Blink. Blink.

Elin tilted her head, her large, round eyes blinking at me.

“That’s what it was?”

“That’s exactly what it was. Did you think it happened right before entering the academy? It’s actually quite awkward between us now since it’s been so long since we last met.”

“Ah, so that’s how it is.”

Her stray hair, which had been drooping limply, perked up with a boing.

“Let’s head down quickly. The others are probably waiting.”

Elin hopped to her feet and scurried towards the door.

I wasn’t sure why her mood had suddenly improved, but it was a relief.

This morning’s incident with her trauma had been nerve-wracking.

“Wait a moment. I’ll comb your hair properly first.”

With a silent sigh of relief, I tidied her hair and accompanied her to the garden.

“Ah, everyone is here.”

In the garden, the same group from yesterday was gathered.

Everyone except one person.

Natia wasn’t present.

“The Duchess had some urgent matters to attend to, so she won’t be joining us today. I’ll be taking charge for the second day instead.”

The promising young talents, who had been eyeing each other nervously, all let out a collective sigh of relief.

After what had happened yesterday, their anxiety must have been through the roof—especially considering they were Elin’s age.

“Is my leading today not to your liking?”

“That’s not it at all! It’s great!”

“I… I think it’s great too…”

Felice, who had been suppressed, began radiating energy like the sun once again.

Meanwhile, Bena, who had practically shrunk into invisibility, started to regain some semblance of presence.

“Are we doing another magic evaluation today, like yesterday?”

Nia asked, exuding the elegance instilled in her through rigorous training, as though nothing had happened this morning.

“Of course. We still haven’t seen everyone’s magic yet. But first…”

I turned my gaze to Fabiana, one of the aspiring talents who had felt the overwhelming difference in skill compared to Elin yesterday.

Fabiana, who hadn’t even bothered with proper etiquette today, sat slumped, like a wilted vegetable.

The shock from yesterday’s events still seemed to linger.

“Fabiana.”

“…Yes?”

Her cracked voice answered as she lifted her head.

Oh dear.

Her swollen, puffy eyes painted a clear picture of a night spent in tears.

It was evident how deeply yesterday’s events had affected her.

In hindsight, she hadn’t even said anything particularly bad about me.

But I hadn’t really listened, forcing her into a duel with Elin, only to let her experience an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

With a hint of guilt, I opened my inventory.

“I have a gift for you.”

“A… gift?”

“Yes. I feel I might have been a bit harsh yesterday.”

I handed her a piece of stationery.

“What is this…?”

Fabiana turned the stationery over in her hands, examining it from all angles.

As someone skilled in rune magic, she quickly noticed the enchantment placed on the paper.

“Is this… long-distance communication paper?”

The answer didn’t come from me.

“Whoa! Isn’t that rare? You don’t just give that to anyone!”

Ranian, who had been carefully observing, nudged me with her elbow.

“If she’s talented enough to be called a promising magician, she deserves it, don’t you think?”

“Heh, I suppose that’s true. With this, I can easily get in touch with Fabiana whenever I need to.”

“…What…?”

Fabiana, who had no idea what long-distance communication paper was, appeared utterly dumbfounded.

The other young talents seemed equally puzzled.

Ranian’s reaction gave them a sense of its importance, but they didn’t understand its exact function.

“Let me show you.”

I demonstrated by writing on the paper.

Shimmer.

The text I had written was transmitted onto the sheet of paper Fabiana held, glowing faintly as it appeared.

“…!!”

Fabiana’s fox-like eyes widened to an almost comical extent.

Even with her sharp features, they could grow this large, it seemed.

“Do you understand what it does now?”

“This… this kind of magic exists? Did you craft this using your unique magic?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then… does this mean I can contact you whenever I want—”

“Not exactly.”

“…I thought so.”

Fabiana’s overwhelming excitement turned into an awkward laugh.

“If I’m busy, I might not see your messages. But if I’m free, I’ll gladly respond.”

Fabiana, clearly overjoyed, placed a hand on her chest.

“It’s an honor, Senior.”

She seemed to recover some composure, even bringing back her clumsy manners.

“That’s unfair, Brother! Why does Fabiana get a gift and not us?”

“Exactly, Brother. This doesn’t feel fair at all.”

Dissatisfaction bubbled up elsewhere.

Felice raised a hand enthusiastically, and Nia puffed out her cheeks slightly.

Even Bena nodded vigorously in agreement.

“You haven’t proven yourselves yet.”

The young talents tilted their heads in confusion.

“After observing yesterday’s exchange, I realized something. You’re all future leaders of the Empire, and there’s no need for competition here.”

I decided to leave out the part about them having to fiercely compete at the academy later.

“So, let’s do this today. Prove that you’re truly worthy of being called promising talents. I’ll give long-distance communication paper only to those I acknowledge.”

Hum.

Three sheets of paper floated out of my inventory.

“Do you agree with this arrangement?”

If anyone objected, I had planned to proceed with evaluations like yesterday.

“Of course!”

“I’m in!”

“Me too!”

The young talents’ eyes burned with fiery determination.

The first to step forward was Nia.

“Should I show you the magic I’m most confident in?”

“Yes. Will it be what I’m expecting?”

“Probably.”

Nia twirled her staff, which had been strapped to her back.

Whirr.

A chilling noise followed.

As the staff spun, its elemental attributes shifted between fire, ice, and lightning in sequence.

Despite her slender limbs and pale complexion, which gave her a frail appearance, she was undoubtedly a member of the Bucklin family.

“Since my magic specialty requires a sparring partner… Would you do the honor, Brother?”

It was clear she possessed a talent for combat magic, excelling in practical applications.

“Is it necessary for demonstrating your magic?”

However, the look in her eyes felt odd.

Rather than simply wanting to show off her skills…

It seemed like she wanted an excuse to beat me up.

“Of course.”

Nia replied, her eyes lacking even a shred of persuasion.

I reluctantly nodded.

“Very well. Show me your full capabilities—”

Before I could even finish speaking—

“Haaah!”

Nia launched herself forward with a loud cry.