Chapter : 138

What is a vacation?

Isn't it a period when classes are suspended after a semester or school year ends, or when the heat or cold is severe?

So, it's a break! The 'vac' in vacation means to rest!

Then why can't I rest!!!

In the morning, it's a beating disguised as teaching.

In the morning and afternoon, I help Yuno with his work, and after dinner, I learn magic from my father.

On weekends, I'm at least exempt from the morning and afternoon work, but the delightful educational sessions with my father and Sunbae continued even on weekends.

"This is overwork."

After getting thoroughly beaten up again today, I lay down on the training ground. I could feel my body trembling.

+++

Sudden Quest [Complete] (Repeatable, 18/40)

You have received excellent teachings from Cecilia.

Reward: Physical Resistance 1

+++

The quest reward, thrown at me as if to say 'good job,' was my only comfort.

Starting a Sunday with a beating, is this right? Even in a game? Huh?

Cecilia, who had put away the wooden sword on my behalf as I lay sprawled on the floor, poked my head with her finger.

"But you're getting stronger."

"Khugh."

It was sad that I couldn't refute it.

Perhaps because I had been cornered and forced to use it once, it was a great help, and I heard that the teleportation magic lessons were about to end.

My stats, which were originally incredibly hard to raise, had also gone up by a whopping 18 points.

+++

LapidemyBunnyPrincess Lv. 30

-Class: Writer (Unique)

-Titles: Possessor, Contractor of the Ancient Demon, Contractor of the Light Spirit

-Health: 85 (+5)

-Mana: 125

-Strength: 18 (+6)

-Agility: 20 (+5)

-Physical Resistance: 23 (+7)

-Magic Resistance: 45

-Intelligence: 50

-Luck: -99~99

※Penalty: Nearsightedness

+++

My stats, which had been heavily skewed towards magic, were now more evenly distributed, and my health had increased as my strength grew, but…

No matter how I think about it, it feels like I'm shortening my lifespan.

If you were to ask, 'Do you want to die early as a weakling, or suffer and live longer?',

I would naturally choose the former.

"That's all for today."

"To say that's all, it's already past 9 o'clock."

The lesson time with Cecilia-sunbae was set from 6 to 9 in the morning.

Since it's 9:10 now, even including the chat time, the lesson ended 5 minutes late.

Sunbae, who lightly trampled on my point, poured cold water on my head.

"Ugh."

"Lilia is coming today."

"Wasn't she not coming?"

"She said it's boring to just stay in the fief."

It was a truly simple and clear reason.

In any case, the Vivian Rose Society, and its vice president at that, would be a huge asset, so should I be grateful?

"It seems she's coming to see Laurel."

"Puheub!!"

Ah, water in my nose!

There's water in my nose! Is this water torture?

Cecilia-sunbae, lost in thought, continued to pour the cold water.

"Kehek!"

This is a good way to kill someone while trying to cool them down.

After a long bout of coughing, my breathing finally subsided.

"Anyway, you're saying Lilia-sunbae is coming."

"That's right."

Sunbae, who wasn't supposed to come, is coming.

Her power is certain, which is good... but why does even this feel so unsettling?

Is this a foreshadowing of some big event to come?

"Why the sour face?"

"It's nothing."

It's hard to explain something like this, so it's best not to run my mouth for no reason.

Cecilia-sunbae, realizing that I had no intention of saying anything more, gave up cleanly.

"Then let's go."

So I have to go too... I took the hand Sunbae offered and got up.

After lightly drying my hair with the Circle of Wind, I headed towards the entrance.

Cecilia-sunbae suddenly drew the rapier from her waist.

What? What's going on?!

With the rapier in hand, Cecilia-sunbae rushed at Lilia.

Even though it was a sudden turn of events, Lilia didn't even blink an eye and instead smiled confidently.

A cold light seemed to envelop Lilia's entire body, and silver ribbons fluttered as her silhouette was completed like in a manga.

It was a transformation scene that could be commonly called a magical girl transformation.

From nearby, I heard Laurel-sunbae's light scream.

"Is this a surprise attack?"

"It's not a surprise attack. It's a daily routine."

Lilia didn't deny Cecilia's statement that it was a daily routine.

Instead, as if unconcerned, the flames that spread from her hand shot towards Cecilia-sunbae in an instant.

Fire?! She's using fire, not ice?

My surprise was short-lived. Cecilia-sunbae lightly deflected the flames with her sword.

However, the flames didn't go out and instantly swallowed the sword.

As the flames instantly climbed up the blade, Cecilia-sunbae threw the sword away without hesitation.

When the flames died down, she picked up the fallen sword again and quickly closed in on Lilia, thrusting her rapier without giving her a moment's rest.

However, Lilia used the powerful durability of her magical girl magic to block the blade.

It was a fierce battle that was almost impossible to follow with the naked eye.

"Aren't you going to stop them, Sunbae?"

Laurel-sunbae, who had briefly collapsed from the internal damage of seeing Lilia transform, was now standing next to me, observing the two's battle.

"Is there a reason to get involved and get hurt?"

At her incredibly wistful gaze, I was at a loss for words for a moment.

That's true, but... it's not like me or the butler can stop them!

"You stop them, Sunbae!"

"No way, if I get involved in that, I'll just be a shrimp caught in a whale fight!"

"Come on, you're better than me, Sunbae!"

"Not at all!"

Despite my shouts, Sunbae showed no signs of moving.

With my stats, stopping them was out of the question, but in the end, I decided to try something unusual.

"You're really not going, are you?"

"Even if a knife is at my throat—"

Absolutely not! Unfortunately, Laurel-sunbae couldn't finish her words.

Because the space beneath her feet had suddenly been torn apart.

"You son of a b*tch!!!"

An expletive-filled curse erupted as Laurel-sunbae fell through the torn space.

The coordinates of the torn space were, of course, between Cecilia-sunbae and Lilia.

Laurel, who had managed to correct her posture while falling through the air, instantly

inserted herself between the two, blocking Cecilia's sword with one hand and Lilia's fist with the other.

"Stop it, please!"

"Don't interfere, Laurel-sunbae."

"It's not over yet."

Taking advantage of the pause between the two, I approached and took Laurel-sunbae's side.

"Cecilia-sunbae. The butler has fainted while standing."

The butler of the Loren Viscounty, his face deathly pale, was streaming tears.

Confirming his state, Cecilia clicked her tongue, tsk, and sheathed her sword.

Fortunately, Lilia also seemed to have no intention of continuing if her opponent stopped, and she undid her magical girl transformation.

"Long time no see, junior."

Lilia-sunbae smiled gently and strode towards me.

I glared at Sunbae with a slightly wary expression.

"Laurel-sunbae falling from the sky was your doing, right, junior?"

"So what if it was?"

"Shall we have a talk about arbitrarily using the precious property of the Vivian Rose Society?"

Could the 'precious property of the Vivian Rose Society' possibly refer to Laurel-sunbae?

The moment my wavering pupils landed on Laurel-sunbae, Laurel-sunbae sharply turned her head.

"Isn't she the president of the Vivian Rose Society?"

"That's why she's a precious property."

Is this right?

I urgently sought an answer with my eyes, but Laurel-sunbae remained silent.

At the characteristic behavior of someone avoiding the truth, I was at a loss for words.

"Besides, it was your idea to call Laurel-sunbae here, right, junior?"

How did she know that?! I didn't say the words out loud.

"How did you know?"

At Cecilia's question, Lilia smiled brightly.

"Because you, Cecilia-sunbae, are far from one to make plans."

Come to think of it, could the real president of the Vivian Rose Society be Lilia-sunbae?

"So, could you explain the current situation?"

"In exchange, let's make it as if dropping Laurel-sunbae from the sky never happened."

"Let's do that."

At Lilia's answer, Laurel-sunbae's hollow question echoed.

"Hey, what about my opinion?"

Unfortunately, Lilia never answered Laurel-sunbae's question.

* * *

After moving to a different location, I first explained the reason why I felt suspicious.

There were very few students at the Academy who had not worked as mercenaries.

That was the same for those from noble families, because no matter how much effort the professors put into practical training, it couldn't compare to real combat.

Gaining real combat experience was one of the important virtues of an Academy student.

That's why Lilia, of course, had experience working as a mercenary.

"It certainly is a bit strange."

Lilia, who had mumbled softly, frowned.

"Laurel-sunbae, is there anything strange you've noticed while staying with them for a fortnight?"

"For now, they all seem like normal mercenaries."

Laurel immediately answered Lilia's question.

"If there's anything strange, it's that they blatantly avoid answering whenever the topic of the benefactor who gave them the potion comes up."

"Aren't they wary of you because you're an Academy student?"

"That's not it. In fact, they like me too much."

It's not strange for them to like an Academy student.

There's no more certain fighting force than an Academy student, and a slight difference in power can mean the loss of a life.

Although there are no dungeons and gates in the Loren Viscounty that would threaten the life of a 4th-year Academy student, you never know what variables might be lurking.

Moreover, mercenaries who have almost lost their lives once would appreciate their value, so up to that point, it's a natural reaction.

"Should I try asking them directly?"

"Are you going to use confession magic?"

"I haven't learned mental magic yet."

The common consensus was that mental magic was so difficult that most people couldn't even dream of it.

Since I have Simunan, I might be able to learn it surprisingly easily, but mental magic is dangerous magic that can turn a person into a cripple if used incorrectly.

"I agree with confirming the identity of that benefactor, but isn't it too dangerous?"

Not unaware of the danger, Lilia-sunbae said with a smile.

I, too, don't want to risk turning a person into a cripple.

"I have other methods besides that."

The I Am the Writer skill.

It was time to use it.