"Hm hm hmh~"
I lightly hum to myself as I inspect the flower in front of me. It's a really beautiful white lily in a pot, with four pristine white blooming flower heads.
Hm, the water I gave it before has been absorbed quite well, the stem and leaves appear to be completely healthy as well. As for pruning, these four blooms should now be able to last the entire blooming season, but this fifth one…
I gently hold up the last flowerhead with my fingers. This one too was blooming vibrantly just a few days ago, but now its edges are starting to brown and wither. I've been paying extra attention to this flower for a while now, but it still doesn't seem to be getting better.
If it continues like this, I'd need to trim this flowerhead in a week or two. But this flower doesn't grow any new buds during its blooming season so then it would spend the rest of its time with only four flowerheads already…
After thinking for a moment, I carefully let my mana flow into my hands and release just a small amount of light magic. The soft golden glow gets absorbed by the brownish petals. Then after a moment the light fades and the fifth flowerhead regains its pure white form as well.
A small smile forms on my face as I look over the flower again, now in its perfect form once more.
"Ahem. So what's your diagnosis?"
"...!"
However, Miss Julia's voice snaps me out of my daze suddenly.
"U-um. All the flowers are healthy and growing well so they don't need any healing magic at the moment."
"Is that so? Then why did I feel the flow of magic a moment ago?"
"..."
I avert my eyes at Miss Julia's accusatory gaze.
"Haah. Whatever. Your conclusion is correct. We'll continue the rest next time. Class dismissed."
"Phew."
I let out a sigh. Then I quickly gather my things and get ready to leave.
"...You seem a bit happier lately. Did your present work out?" Just before I can walk out the door, Miss Julia suddenly speaks up.
"Yes! Lady Lazarius seemed to like it, so I think my feelings reached her! Thank you for your recommendation!"
"...I think… Hm, no. Just be careful around nobles, they are always full of schemes."
"...? Okay?"
"Now, go."
After saying what she wanted, she just ignores my confusion, lightly pushes me through the already open door and closes it behind me.
…? Was she concerned about me with her advice? But Miss Julia didn't really show any emotions openly to Lucy in the game. Not even this small amount.
I almost get lost in my thoughts, but I suddenly remember that I still need to attend a General Magical Theory class so leaving my train of thought behind, I quickly run towards the classroom.
***
"The attribute of the mana you possess is decided at birth and will always remain the same. However, similarly to physical features, the mana of your parents can influence your attribute, though there are no dominant attributes. So generally speaking, a newborn child will receive the mana attribute of one of the parents. But even that much isn't absolute. There is a small chance that the child will get an attribute that neither the parents, grandparents or seemingly even no ancestor had. So devoid of any logic, mana and magic along with it, are universally accepted as the blessing of Luxion to help humanity stand against the remnants of the Harbingers. Whether this is the truth or not is what we want to find out by studying mana and its inner workings."
The monotone voice of an elderly man fills the classroom, causing a few student's heads to slowly lower over time, getting closer and closer to falling asleep.
The man briefly glances around, but he doesn't seem bothered by the lack of attention. Instead, it seems like something else caught his eyes. But he only pauses momentarily, and he quickly resumes his speech, while he slowly begins walking.
"Another rather illogical aspect of mana is that certain emotions can affect how well your spells work. You have already learned how to release your mana, but your practical magic teachers probably haven't covered this part yet. But essentially it's about how, by focusing on certain emotions while casting a spell, can further enhance its effects. It's a rather complex technique, as it's different for each attribute and even for each type of spell, but for example as a mage of fire attribute myself, by focusing on anger, the flames I can produce can become much more potent. Observe."
The teacher stops among the desks and with a flick of his wrist, suddenly a small flame erupts and dances around in his right hand. A small grin also forms on his face as he briefly glances at something.
…?
"This current flame is the result of just regularly casting the spell. But if I add some emotion into it…"
The original flame was only the size of a tennis ball, but then it suddenly bursts with power and grows several times in size. The previously slowly flickering flame seemingly comes alive as it starts violently thrashing about. Like a wild animal trapped in a cage, it wants to escape but the teacher retains control over it.
Hm, I have heard about this technique before, but seeing it in person, it is still impressive. I think we'll learn about it later during the second year so I'm excited to try it myself. But… Why isn't the teacher presenting from the podium? It's a bit awkward to see what he's doing there between all the desks and students.
"Heh. As you can see, the flame's intensity and destructive power increased yet it only consumes slightly more mana."
He moves his hand around to show it off, but for some reason he doesn't even turn around so the students behind him could also see the flame. It's almost like he's demonstrating it only for the student right in front of him. And that student seems quite familiar…
"So I would recommend all of you to take your time in mastering this technique once you get to it in the curriculum. Magic is truly beautiful, huh?"
That dazed look on Lucy's face and the slight shaking of her body reminds me of when she was being bullied in the courtyard by those noble girls. Except this time it's the teacher waving the flame in front of her.
Did she say she gets easily scared? But there is still a considerable distance between them, and he does seem to be just demonstrating a spell, which is quite common practice for teachers. Though it does seem intentional… Yeah, I can't watch this anymore.
"Excuse me, Mister Roderic! I'm not feeling well, could I be excused to go to the infirmary? Lady Castille could accompany me and assist me along the way."
"..."
Upon hearing my words, the grin fades from his face and with a simple flick, the flame disappears from his hand.
"Go."
Then he just starts walking back to his podium, ready to continue the lecture.
"Thank you. If you'll excuse us."
I quickly stand up and walk over to Lucy. I feel a number of gazes on me, but I ignore them and help Lucy stand up. Like before, her body easily accepts my guidance and I lead her out of the classroom.
"Are you okay?"
"..."
I ask once we are in the hallway, but she seems unresponsive again. So I decide to just focus on getting her to the infirmary instead.
Since it's still the middle of class, the hallways are deserted so we make it to our destination quickly. I knock on the door and then enter with Lucy.
"Excuse me…"
The infirmary is still in the same state as before, but this time the nurse seems to be working on some papers at her desk.
"What? ...Haah. Just hand her over." She asks with a disinterested voice but as she looks up from her work, she falls silent for a moment before coming over.
She lies Lucy down on a nearby bed with the same practised movements and for a moment I once again feel the faint trace of magic as she closes her eyes.
"...What happened this time?" She asks.
"I'm not sure… We were in the middle of class and Mister Roderic started demonstrating a fire spell and that's when I noticed that Lu- ahem. That Lady Castille was feeling unwell again."
"..."
Is it just my imagination or did the air around her get colder?
"Is that so? You stay with her, I have some matters to attend to." But the next moment she returns to her usual self and turns to leave.
"Huh? Wait!"
But by the time I react she is already long gone and I'm left in the quiet infirmary, disturbed only by the sound of Lucy's soft rhythmic breathing.
"..."
I could go back to class… But instead I just take a seat on the chair next to Lucy's bed.
"Hm?"
Without much to do, I shift my attention to Lucy's face and notice that this time, the nurse forgot to remove her glasses. It must be uncomfortable lying like that so I reach over and carefully pull them off, but then my hands stop midair.
…I knew it. When she isn't actively trying to hide her face, her real, natural beauty is finally shown off. But isn't a face like that cheating?
Such flawless and soft looking skin, with a somewhat pale complexion that gives it a fragile quality, like if you touch it a bit too roughly it would break. That effect is further enhanced by her serene, and peaceful sleeping face.
Which is why it's cheating. Because now I get the irresistible temptation to poke her cheek to check its texture for myself, but I know I'm not supposed to do that. However, by the time that thought is formed inside my mind, my outstretched finger is already in the proximity of Lucy's face. I swiftly force my arm to stop.
"Haah."
I take a deep breath.
No, doing that to a sleeping classmate would be wrong and a breach of etiquette. I'm usually not like this, get a hold of yourself Seraphina.
…Okay, I think I'm fine.
*Poke.*
"Ah."
While I was getting my thoughts in order, Lucy moved her head to the side in her sleep…right into my finger that was next to it.
S-so soft and squishy!
What's with this? It's not fragile at all! It feels more like a springy pudding, soft and elastic. Do all cheeks have this texture or is this one of a kind? My brother's cheeks weren't like this at all from what I can remember. As for my own, I never really paid attention to it so I don't know. But maybe, it would be okay to indulge in this feeling a bit more…?
"Mhm. Ugh."
"...!"
I get startled by the sudden sound escaping Lucy's lips and instantly jerk back my outstretched arms. Only now remembering that I still have Lucy's glasses in my other hand and I almost drop them, but still manage to catch them just in time.
"Hm?"
Hearing Lucy starting to wake up, I panic internally and quickly fold her glasses, put them to the side and then adjust my sitting posture to be as elegant as possible, just like I was taught. All of this done within just a single moment.
"Huh?! L-Lady Lazarius?"
It seems like she woke up fully just now, meaning I was still in time.
"Phew. I mean, ahem. What is it?"
"Where? Ah, the infirmary. Right, I was at a Magic Theory class." She quietly says as she sits up.
"Are you…okay?"
"Hm? Ah, yes. Sorry to trouble you again like this…"
"No no! It's okay…" I guiltily avert my eyes for a while.
But now that she's awake, I can't help but ask what's been on my mind for a while now.
"Um… It's okay if you don't want to answer, but… It's the fire you're afraid of, right?"
"Ah… Was it that obvious?"
"Well, that's what makes the most sense. Your original explanation felt a little off… But it's okay if you don't want to talk about it."
"No, it's fine. It's not really a big secret or anything and after everything, I guess I can tell you. It's just a stupid reason anyway."
She says as she leans against the wall behind her bed.
"I got hurt in a fire not too long ago and ever since then, whenever I see an open flame of any kind I always get reminded of that event and relive it in my mind over and over again."
"What? Really?"
"Hm. Ah, but it's okay. I don't have any wounds from it, I have a light magic attribute after all."
She casually tries to dismiss the shock she just delivered as I try to gather my thoughts.
"That… must have been rough."
I don't remember hearing anything about a fire in the Castille territory. But she doesn't seem to be lying so it could have been covered up, or really just a small fire that didn't get much attention. Though that sounds kind of sad for an incident that traumatized the daughter of a duke.
"Well, it's alright. Though the first few days were a bit difficult…"
"..."
Just how much misfortune has this girl been through? And now that I think about it, that teacher… Hmh, first of all I need to take care of this.
"Haah. Okay, let's pause our study sessions for the next few days."
"Huh? Why?"
"Why do you think? So you can rest up a bit. And don't worry about getting left behind, knowing you, you can make up for a few days within an hour anyway."
"O-okay."
"And your part time job."
"Hm?"
"Cut back on your hours as well."
"What? B-but-"
"No buts. You no longer need those books urgently right? You can only work three times a week at most. Do you understand?"
"I… okay…" She disheartenedly says.
No, Seraphina. Don't be swayed by that look.
"Ahem. So tomorrow. Do you have any plans after school?"
"...? W-well, if I don't have to go to work and there's no study session either, then I'd probably just take care of the flowers in the light magic classroom over there?"
She points to a door opening from the infirmary. Ah, I guess it makes sense for the nurse and light magic teacher to have her places of work near each other.
"Okay. You should rest up some more. I need to do something."
"Ah, okay?"
Normally I'd stay here with Lucy for a while, but there is something that's been bugging me. Mister Roderic… His actions seem way too intentional.
But how would he know? Those girls from before didn't seem like they knew about Lucy's situation. It felt more like that leader girl wanted to bully Lucy and she happened to have a fire attribute. Then maybe he heard about it from somewhere?
Anyway, it doesn't matter for now.
I make my way back to the classroom, however now the hallways are filled with students. Apparently more time has passed than I thought.
But the main thing currently occupying my mind right now is Mister Roderic.
Roderic Blackthorn, a prominent member of the Blackthorn family. Though in the scope of nobility they aren't very well known, but members of that family have served as teachers at the academy through many generations so they do have a strong influence within the academy.
Making an enemy of him would be quite unwise and would probably result in future problems even with my position as the eldest daughter of the Lazarious family, a ducal family which is only second to the royal family.
Honestly even if I was determined to confront him, I'd normally spend a lot of time formulating a foolproof strategy beforehand and only take action when I'm one hundred percent confident in my chances.
But right now, even with zero preparations my head is weirdly clear with a single purpose and I don't really care about anything else, other than giving him a piece of my mind.
So I quickly get to the classroom and I get ready to open the door when-
"You dare call yourself a teacher and go and pull stunts like this?"
"I don't know what you're talking about Miss Julia, but I believe discussions should be done in a civilised way."
I suddenly hear two familiar voices from the other side. It looks like all the students have already left the classroom and there doesn't seem to be anyone nearby either.
So I just move my ears a bit closer to the door…
"Do you really think I'm stupid? Just how many times do you think you 'just happened to present for the class' and used your fire magic already? I know you're doing this on purpose."
"Hm? I don't know what you're accusing me of, but shouldn't you need more proof before jumping to conclusions? I was just educating the students as usual. Or if you believe we should escalate this further, you could take this to the headmaster. As an impartial judge, I'm sure he will get to the bottom of this."
"..."
"Hmph."
Mister Roderic lets out a satisfied grunt, probably feeling like he won their verbal fight.
"Fine, if we're talking about escalation there is an even higher authority we could bring this to. Of course just to ensure absolute fairness."
"...! You… You wouldn't dare."
"Hm? Don't worry they are known to be very understanding, they even helped recommend me for this job after all. But of course we can just drop this subject for now and if you can focus only on your role as a teacher, then we can just forget about it."
"..."
"Well then, have a nice day Mister Roderic. I'm going back to work."
…! As I hear footsteps coming towards the door, I quickly duck behind a nearby pillar just in time. Miss Julia walks off in the infirmary's direction.
*Bang!*
And I hear a loud thud from the classroom, sounding like someone hitting a desk. Seems like my job has already been done by someone else, but…
Just who is Miss Julia exactly…?