Chapter 275 |
TL: TangSanFan
ED/PR: Tanthus
『Side Story』 Pursuing the Butterfly (2)
The maids at the Rothtaylor estate had already somewhat become aware. That controlling Lucy, who had regained a small portion of her magic, was an impossible task.
As mentioned before, Lucy’s magic sensitivity far exceeded that of an average mage, so even with an insignificant amount of magic, playing around with ordinary maids was a piece of cake for her.
However, the reason the maids at the Rothtaylor estate were able to control Lucy was thanks to the head maid, Belle Mayar.
Lucy Mayrill had surprisingly followed Belle Mayar’s words obediently, as the fear ingrained during her time at the Sylvania Academy seemed to linger still.
As a result, the workload of the maids under Belle Mayar also became significantly lighter, leaving them with a bit of complacency.
“… Miss Lucy is missing.”
Even someone as capable as Belle Mayar of handling every matter perfectly couldn’t be entirely without flaws.
“… Are you talking about Miss Lucy…?”
The maid, serving as an aide, silently bowed her head in response to Belle Mayar’s question.
Although brief, the report clearly outlined a thorough review process.
Taking good care of Lucy Mayrill was a special directive given particularly by Ed Rothtaylor, who had left the estate for a while – a kind of special mission.
Belle Mayar did not change her expression, but she was quite perturbed on the inside.
“…”
Lost in thought for a moment, Belle Mayar leaned quietly against the cabinet.
During this time, the aide maid reported the detailed situation: the visits to the guest room to check on Lucy Mayrill that morning, finding the room empty with the window open.
There were traces of Lucy’s movements from the central garden of the estate toward the front gate.
Apparently, Lucy had likely sneaked into a merchant’s cart delivering supplies early in the morning and slipped away. The cart’s destination was probably headed to Acken Island.
“… Should we contact the merchant guild and ask them to inspect the cart?”
“By the time the message gets through, it’ll already be too late.”
“… Is, is that so.”
To commit such an oversight on a special mission personally issued by Ed Rothtaylor was unbearable for Belle Mayar, who prided herself on her perfectionism. She sighed deeply, rubbing her forehead, but sighing wouldn’t change the situation.
Given the current circumstances, it was obvious where Lucy would head.
“Reporting to the lord and the young master… would be the right thing to do, correct…?”
As the maid cautiously spoke, Belle straightened her clothes and stood up.
“I will relay the message to the lord. And as for the young master Ed… he will find out soon enough without a specific message.”
“… Is that so?”
The reason for Lucy’s sudden departure was clear as day.
Recently, Ed Rothtaylor had been too busy to return to the estate. It was foreseeable that this would happen once the academic term started. Not anticipating such a scenario beforehand was a considerable oversight on Belle Mayar’s part.
Lucy was probably on her way to meet Ed herself.
Even individuals who thrive in solitude and prefer to be alone sometimes yearn for companionship. Even aloof stray cats occasionally leap down from their fences, longing for human touch.
How could people be any different?
“Lucy’s escapade should… not be a big deal, for the most part. She’s regained some of her magic, so it’s not as if she’s vulnerable to anything out there…”
Lucy Mayrill could handle an intermediate magician with just a fraction of her magic.
With such capability, protecting herself should be no trouble.
“…. Perhaps it would be wise to draft a report of dismissal in advance…”
Belle sighed deeply, voicing this as a precaution.
Nonetheless, it was a necessary step.
Considering Lucy’s personality, it was remarkable she endured the tedious life at the estate for so long.
It was about time for her to act out. It’s easier to accept what’s to come. From Lucy Mayrill’s point of view, she had endured quite a bit already.
* * *
“This is what you need to handle intermediate magic. Since magic sensitivity varies completely with each element… It’ll be much faster to get the feel for the finer details through personal practice.”
Ed Rothtaylor’s elemental science lectures are fiercely competitive even among classes for freshmen.
Not only did Ed’s reputation precede him, but his teaching abilities were also considerably superior to those of older professors.
Aspiring freshmen looking to master intermediate magic quickly were all eagerly attending his class, and it had become famous to the point where securing a seat was no small feat.
With a large auditorium filled with students, Ed Rothtaylor calmly said, “That will be all for today. Attempting to manifest intermediate magic without being familiar with basic elemental magic is risky, so focus on proving your basic magic abilities in this month’s evaluations before researching intermediate magic. And pick up the practice schedule from the teaching assistants. That’s all.”
Ed set the chalk down, gathered his lecture materials, and walked steadily out of the classroom.
This elemental science class had been the last morning lecture for today. He needed to find some time for lunch before overseeing the first-year students practicing intermediate magic at the student union’s practical room in the afternoon.
Rushing toward the faculty dining hall, he entered the corridor where students already awaited him with questions.
“Let’s walk and talk.”
Answering the questions one by one while walking through the corridor, Ed looked almost like a celebrity, though the discourse was mostly academic rather than glamorous. Yet despite the seemingly exciting life, it was closer to one of weariness.
Nonetheless, Ed showed no signs of fatigue, accommodating the students’ inquiries up to the lobby of the faculty building.
The lobby of the faculty building had a neat marble floor adorned with antique wooden benches, designated for students.
Students reading books, those having a quick meal while waiting for lecture time, chatting with friends, one lying down with a witch’s hat covering her face, deep asleep; some bustled about with somewhere to go…
Casting a peripheral glance at the various students, Ed was about to leave the faculty building when suddenly…
“… Wait.”
While answering a stream of questions, Ed stopped abruptly, sensing something odd. Consequently, the cluster of students around him had to stop as well.
“Eh,.. Eh? Professor… what’s the matter?”
A student who had been bombarding questions looked puzzled at Ed.
Rubbing his eyes, Ed glanced back toward the lobby from where he had come.
Then, turning around swiftly, he approached a bench in the corner of the lobby.
Sat on the bench was a familiar student, sound asleep under a witch’s hat. I took a seat next to her.
But on closer inspection, it wasn’t a student. She wore not a uniform but a distinctive blouse. Naturally. This girl was no longer a student; she had long since dropped out of school.
“What are you doing here… Lucy…”
It would not have been as surprising to meet an old friend in a foreign land.
Lucy.
At that name, the students around tuned their ears in disbelief.
There wasn’t a student enrolled at the Sylvania Academy unaware of the name Lucy Mayrill.
The legendary senior, that prospective great mage, Lucy Mayrill.
“Mmm, huh… Umpfff…”
The legendary mage woke up, startled, and quickly swallowed her drool.
Clutching her witch’s hat, she sat up and glanced about, drowsy and perplexed.
Lucy Mayrill.
The name drew wide-eyed stares from the nearby students.
“… Hi. Got bored, so I thought I’d drop by to see you.”
The next in line to rule the Rothtaylor Duchy. Casually addressing Ed Rothtaylor as if she were talking to an old friend at home…
And so the slow reveal continues.
Ed Rothtaylor seemed completely unfazed by the inconvenience.
It wasn’t because he was naive and unaware. From the start, the girl was an individual who could easily match—and perhaps even rival—Ed Rothtaylor.
“The school hasn’t changed a bit even after all that commotion… Grandpa Gluckt would’ve been pleased…”
At those words, the surrounding students could do nothing but collapse in shock.
The indolent sorceress before them was, in fact, the legendary genius mage who had broken all records in Sylvania history.
After a moment of silence, an explosive response ensued.
“Senior Lucy! I admire you! I’ve been studying diligently, hoping to become a mage like you!”
“I’ve read all the records about Senior Lucy without missing a single one!”
“Kyaa! Senior Lucy looked this way!”
“No, it was me! She looked at me!”
“Lucy Mayrill! Lucy Mayrill! Lucy Mayrill! Lucy Mayrill! Lucy Mayrill!”
Lucy, clearly annoyed by the noise, covered her ears and plopped down on my lap.
Seeing her in nothing but a light blouse, I quickly understood the situation.
Lucy had escaped her mansion on her own and came all the way to Acken Island. It wasn’t a short distance, she must have used some sort of transport. Her magical power hadn’t recovered enough to use spatial magic yet.
I slipped my hands under her armpits and locked them, lifting her effortlessly.
With no resistance, Lucy allowed herself to be cradled in my arms.
I had to carry her, like a piece of luggage, weaving through the crowd of students to reach my office.
* * *
“Senior Lucy is here?! It’s such an honor to meet you!”
When I entered the office carrying the legendary mage Lucy like luggage, the assistants were all shrieking in surprise.
They hurriedly brought out snacks and tea, but Lucy barely glanced at them before lazishly grabbing a chair to sit beside my desk and yawning.
“Quite the noisy environment to work in…”
“If you want to get technical, you’re the cause of the noise.”
I dropped the lesson materials on my desk and slumped into my chair.
Silence ensued.
Lucy, half-asleep and bleary-eyed, remained quiet, and so did the students observing us with blank expressions.
Silence continued to linger in the office for some time.
I wanted to send the assistants away and pry into the situation, but I couldn’t exert more pressure on them; they already had plenty on their plates.
I quickly finished delegating the remaining tasks and stepped out of the office with Lucy in tow.
News at the Sylvania Academy spreads fast.
Rumors that the legendary grand mage Lucy Mayrill had entered the academy spread like wildfire, and by the end of the day, nearly everyone was aware.
Some eager students headed to Triss Hall, hoping to catch a glimpse of the renowned mage. Others waited outside Ophelius Hall, where she once resided, hoping she might appear. The faculty area was also brimming with students wishing to meet Lucy.
In the students’ minds, Lucy’s image was already that of a kind, beautiful, mature, and admirable grand mage whom everyone looked up to.
Not wanting to confront them with the harsh blade of truth, I eventually chose the North Forest and my personal research office as our destination.
What used to be a cabin site was now, with the support of the academy, a modest wooden research building.
“While much has changed, the campfire remains the same… It always makes me sleepy…”
“Lucy, it’s been a while since you were last here. This place is still close to my heart.”
“…”
As twilight approached and day gave way to evening, I sat Lucy down by the fire and set water to boil in an iron pot.
Beneath the crackling fire, the pot began to warm up.
Although life has afforded me much leisure and I could live lavishly if I wished, whenever I need to reflect or relax, I find myself drawn to the campfire in this North Forest.
It might not radiate the full essence of wilderness living like the old days, but it still feels like everything I need is right here.
After quickly brewing a cup of herbal tea, I handed it to Lucy, who accepted it in her small hands and sat demurely on a nearby log.
She might have sprawled out in the past, but at least with a drink in hand, she wouldn’t.
The efforts of the mansion’s maids were not in vain, it seemed.
“I thought you’d be mad.”
“…”
Lucy spoke softly, placing the mug on her knees.
I stirred the fire with a poker before holding my cup of herbal tea and responding lightly.
“Why?”
“Because I escaped from the mansion to see you in Acken.”
“I’m not so close-minded. The maids in the mansion must be pulling out their hair though…”
Even with all these troubles, when I first saw Lucy’s face in the lobby of Triss Hall, buried beneath my reaction was a sense of gladness.
“Life’s been keeping me too busy, it’s been quite lonely.”
Lately, it’s felt as though I haven’t had a moment’s peace.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen anyone from the mansion, so seeing Lucy was a welcome sight.
Well, there’s no use lamenting over her fleeing the mansion… what’s done is done.
“I’m glad you seem well, Lucy.”
I stated that sincerely.
Then Lucy glanced down at the mug she was clutching and started to reply in a quiet voice, seemingly embarrassed.
A subtle change in her emotions might be hard to detect, but compared to when we first met, she had certainly become more colorful.
Unbeknownst to me, Lucy had grown into a proper young lady.
Change in people is sometimes felt most acutely when it happens unexpectedly.
“… Anyway, now that we’re talking, there’s something I have to tell you. I might have to head to the Rameln Mountains soon.”
Executioner Zellan.
I planned to meet this war hero and trade for information about Archwizard Gluckt’s residence.
As I explained that I might need Lucy’s help in the process, she merely nodded without much of an emotional shift, as if the sensitive matter didn’t concern her too much.
I wasn’t sure how much time we could spare during the term, but having Lucy’s assistance assured simplified things going forward.
Or maybe not…
“Hmm…”
“… You look troubled.”
“No, it’s nothing to do with you, Lucy.”
Seriously considering a trip to the Rameln Mountains meant having to pass through Keheln’s lawless region.
Regrettably, it’s impossible to cross Keheln without the royal family’s consent as the area includes some of the empire’s most renowned goldmines.
Even being under imperial patronage, it’s difficult to invoke such privilege unconditionally. You need at least a plausible reason for the royal house to consider.
Even if one can devise a suitable pretext, another problem arises.
Currently, a member of the royal family, known for overseeing the region including Keheln, is not on good terms with me. The slightest mention of me seems to trigger anger or loud objections, and I’m not eager to engage in a confrontation with her.
Still, if it’s necessary…
I mulled over the issue, stroking my chin.
As I was deep in thought, Lucy, who had finished her tea, came up to my knees, seemingly glad to see me after a while.
Resting my hand lightly on Lucy’s head, I went back to my contemplation.
The North Forest, bathed in the evening’s fading light, remained as ever—quiet and peaceful.
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