The carriage of the Luelbarta family always provides a comfortable ride. From the wheels to the interior materials, everything was custom-made and of the highest quality. The ride could be compared to that of a luxury sedan.
Well, to be honest, I’ve never ridden in a luxury sedan. The closest thing I’ve experienced is a taxi I caught after missing the last train.
It’s quite something to enjoy luxuries in the game that I couldn’t in real life. Life is full of surprises.
“Woah…”
Wendy was gazing out the window, her eyes shining. Such a reaction was fitting for a 12-year-old.
“Wendy.”
“Yes, yes!”
“Where is your hometown?”
I folded the newspaper and placed it in the carriage’s storage compartment. Wendy answered hesitantly.
“Uh… it’s a place called Lihart. You probably don’t know it, Sir.”
“Hmm.”
Indeed, I didn’t know the place. If even I, obsessed with the game’s settings, hadn’t heard of it, it must be quite a rural area.
“So this is your first time in Luerdrow.”
“Yes! I’ve seen it from afar, but this is my first time actually being here.”
Luerdrow, the imperial capital of the Maikaheil Empire. The heart of the empire and its largest city. Surrounded by mountains and with a river running through it, it closely resembled Seoul, Korea.
Probably influenced by Sora’s tastes. However, there were differences from Seoul, the main one being that this place was protected by magic.
The carriage passed through the grand city gates and simultaneously crossed a boundary, similar to the Northern Lights. As a result, there was a change inside our carriage.
“Wow…! It suddenly got colder!”
Exactly as she said. Luerdrow was protected by the Elsink family’s ice barrier, making the inside of the barrier always winter.
“Hehe…”
Wendy was fascinated as she breathed out into the air. Although she would normally sit in the carriage fidgeting, the excitement of her first visit to the capital brought out age-appropriate reactions.
Thinking about it, Wendy’s life in the original story or the game was always unhappy. Whether she was beaten to death by Tristan, died of illness, or got involved in an accident, her death always led to Tristan’s downfall. I certainly don’t wish for that.
Shivering as if cold, Wendy watched her breath in the air. I took off my coat and handed it to her.
“Wear this.”
“Y-Yes…?!”
Wendy was startled and waved her
hands frantically.
“I, I can’t possibly wear such a thing…!”
“You’ll catch a cold.”
“I’m from the countryside, I don’t catch colds easily!”
Well, actually, you do catch a cold and die in one of the endings. But saying that wouldn’t help, so I resorted to the simplest method.
“It’s an order.”
“Ah…!”
Wendy reluctantly accepted the coat, bowing her head. Being a servant, she couldn’t defy an order. She hesitantly took the coat but was worried.
“But, Sir, won’t you be cold?”
“I’m fine.”
With a thick layer of fat and now the ‘Patience’ trait, I could easily withstand the cold.
I casually helped Wendy put on the coat, ensuring it was buttoned up tightly so she wouldn’t take it off easily.
“Ah…”
Wendy looked perplexed. The coat was oversized on her, but fortunately, it was so luxurious that it made her look like a noble’s daughter at a glance.
Hmm. Quite suitable. I was quite satisfied.
Then, Wendy, who had been looking down shyly, asked,
“Sir, I have a question…”
Oh?
“What is it?”
It was rare for her to initiate a question. I found this situation quite interesting and decided to listen attentively.
“Why did you choose me as your personal maid?”
Ah, so that was it. Wendy looked uncertain, clutching the coat’s collar and hunching her body.
“I’m the youngest and least experienced among those working in the mansion… I’m still clumsy and make a lot of mistakes. I certainly won’t be of any help to you, Sir…”
“Wendy.”
“Yes!”
“You’re already helping me.”
“Me…?”
Wendy looked incredulous.
“Yes. You’re always clumsy, always making mistakes. Sometimes you’re downright foolish.”
“Yes!?”
“But.”
The carriage stopped. I slowly got up.
“Despite that, you keep trying. No matter how many times you fail, you never give up.”
“But that’s just because I’m incompetent…”
“I have high expectations of you.”
“……”
Wendy seemed lost in thought.
That should be enough for now. What she needs is confidence.
I stepped out of the carriage.
Wendy followed, looking around curiously, marveling at her new surroundings.
“Wh-where is this…?”
The first thing that caught Wendy’s eye was a massive arch-shaped gate. Beyond it, a snowy courtyard stretched out.
“Is this a school…?”
“Meikahel University.”
“Mei, Meikahel University?! This is it?”
“Yes. Do you know of it?”
The prestigious Meikahel University, a leading institution in magic education, accessible only to a select few.
“Yes… it’s the school where all the smart people go…”
“From now on, it will be your school.”
“Mine?”
Wendy looked at me, utterly bewildered.
“As my exclusive maid, you must be the best in every aspect.”
“Is that so…?”
“Yes. Wouldn’t you agree that one should be capable of attending this nation’s best university then?”
Wendy’s face turned pale.
*
Mondri wiped sweat from his forehead.
He was a man who rose to the position of a royal magician in his youth, owing to his exceptional magical abilities. For 50 years, he devoted himself to the royal family. Approaching retirement, he was offered the prestigious position of chancellor at Meikahel University by the royal family.
This smooth sailing life of Mondri was uninterrupted except by one man.
‘Millium Ruelverta…’
That man always obstructed Mondri’s path. It was intolerable that someone who couldn’t even cast a single spell dared to criticize him, almost a sage. Such a thing was inexcusable.
However, it was unavoidable since the funding for Meikahel University, established by the royal family, came from the Ruelverta family, not the state treasury. A mistake with a member of that family could mean losing his chancellor position.
Thus, Mondri was more than pleased to hear of Millium’s death. Now, there was nothing for him to fear.
“Mondri, Sir.”
“Yes?”
The cold voice that called his name was all too familiar to Mondri.
“Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Mondri faced the man in front of him. A rather corpulent young man. His presence seemed to fill the vast chancellor’s office. The only person who could be so assertively dominant in Mondri’s presence was the late Millium Ruelverta. Or so he had thought.
“Yes, Count. You’re here to apply for admission. But, I must say, that’s a bit problematic.”
“Why is that?”
“The application period ended yesterday.”
“What about this then?”
Tristan extended his hand, and the girl beside him placed a newspaper on the table. He pointed to a page in the newspaper, the admission schedule of Meikahel University.
“This is… the schedule for special admissions.”
“Isn’t there still time left for that?”
“Ah, sadly, we have already selected all our special admissions for this year.”
“All of them?”
“Yes, even though the application period is still open. Count, you may not be aware, but it’s common to select talented students early before other schools can take them.”
That wasn’t entirely wrong. Those applying for special admissions were all children of high-ranking nobles, each exceptionally talented. To secure these bright students, such decisions were often necessary.
“So, even if it’s a request from the Count, it’s a bit…”
“A request?”
“?!”
Mondri flinched at that moment, feeling a chilling fear creeping over him. He almost instinctively prepared a defensive spell. Tristan spoke again.
“When did I ever make a request to you?”
It wasn’t magic. Nor a clever trick. It was the palpable anger emanating from the young man before him.
“Mondri, Sir. Say it again.”
It was like a nightmare, as if the dead Millium had come
back to life. Mondri couldn’t help but tremble.
“Does this look like a request to you?”
The fury in the young man’s presence seemed poised to attack Mondri directly.
“Mondri, Sir. I’ll ask you once more.”
In the grip of a nightmare reminiscent of the late Millium, Mondri shook uncontrollably.
“Does this really appear as a request?”
