Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Spica and Summer
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To Spica Trista, Jefrin Academy felt like a dream come true.
Her respected older sister and seniors.
Classes that promised to be a joy.
The Student Council President who praised her magic.
And Wolfram oppa, who graciously allowed her to join both the Student Council and the convenience store faction for adventures.
So, as long as she enrolled next year, a path of roses awaited Spica.
But what drew her heart even more was undoubtedly the convenience store faction.
"My sister said this: 'Jefrin is stagnant. Only royalty can break through it. But most royals are cowards.'"
It was a terrifying statement.
Bordering on treason, even.
But since her sister's slogan was revolution,
it was also the phrase that suited her best.
Rebellion lacked a bit of the grandeur of revolution, but it wasn't a bad word either.
"Right now, among the royals attending Jefrin, there's only one who could spread the wings of rebellion. And the current Student Council President isn't the vessel for it."
Eve sunbae might blow up and scold her sister if she heard, but Spica agreed to some extent.
For the past three hundred years, the one who held the "key" to open the doors of this closed world.
The only one who could poke holes in this cage and spread wings of revolution.
"Ah, we're all dreaming with our eyes wide open of flying through the skies."
Spica nodded at her own poem and jotted it down in her poetry notebook. It was just a hobby now, but she dreamed of publishing a collection someday.
After all, revolutionaries published poetry!
Anyway.
All those dreams she'd recited were for next year.
Right now, before those brilliant wings could flap, there was something she had to do.
"Hello, Ciella sunbae."
"Oh my, if it isn't the youngest lady of House Trista."
Investigating Regina Ciella, who was scheming against House Trista even at this very moment.
That was the mission House Trista had given Spica for this budding season.
Spica Trista stared straight at Regina, organizing the information in her mind.
First off, this Regina Ciella was from that loathsome House Ciella.
And recently, she'd been reeling from Wolfram oppa's fierce offensive.
So, if she resorted to more dirty tricks, they'd surely extend beyond House Trista to Wolfram oppa.
Unforgivable. House Ciella.
Espionage started with gathering prior intel.
Spica Trista stared at Regina and asked.
"Regina Ciella sunbae."
"Yes, youngest lady of House Trista."
"I want to talk seriously."
"Oh? The second daughter of House Trista having a serious talk with the eldest of House Ciella?"
"Yes!"
"...Fine. If it's worth hearing, I'll listen."
Spica Trista was still so very young and pure.
She pretended to scheme, but her ploys were shallow, she couldn't beat around the bush, and she was straightforward.
So, she asked outright.
"What do you think of Wolfram von Loengrin oppa!?"
"························Pardon?"
"Answer me! It's important! What do you think of Wolfram von Loengrin oppa!?"
"···Why, why are you asking that? Why should I answer?"
Because it's important!
Hmph. Her face was flushing red and her breathing quickened—clearly, she had a guilty conscience.
Spica Trista was young but upright, more honest than anyone.
"Answer me!"
"···I, I have no obligation to answer. How rude. Goodbye!"
With that, Regina Ciella bolted away swiftly.
Spica hurried after her to press further, but her feet wouldn't move.
"House Ciella's secret magic? Ugh···! What an annoying spell!"
It was a truly dirty trick.
Frustrated, Spica stomped her feet before letting out a sigh.
"Before I leave this place, I'll uncover that fox's true nature for sure!"
It struck like lightning.
"Lilia. You're wandering around freely again."
"···."
Well, what could I say to that?
"Hm. I've got some stocked up. Take it."
I pointed to the black bread, and Lilia beamed as she approached.
"Wait a moment, Lilia."
"Those foods over there are even better made."
With that, Lilia headed not for the black bread but the cream buns—including juice made from sweet beans—a true snack paradise.
"···."
I'd thought this before, but her words always toed the line of a pad lip without quite crossing it.
Anyway, the reason I gave her this snack set was simple.
What Lilia just said: "I'll bring even better stuff next time." That meant her affinity had risen, and the rewards would improve.
So, it was only natural to invest better items.
"So, what are you giving me."
"You said you'd give something better, so show me."
With that, Lilia pulled something from her cape and held it out.
Oh.
Not bad at all.
At that time, Aila Trista was talking with her younger sister, Spica Trista.
"House Ciella up to their schemes?"
"Yes, sister."
"Isn't that just everyday stuff? Nothing special or impressive about it."
"Exactly. That's just House Ciella's daily routine."
Spica and Aila both sighed as they thought of House Ciella.
The continent's top merchant house. They had nobility in a chokehold, leading the Ten Elder Houses. Founders of the empire.
"Petty, holds grudges forever, rotten personalities. Every generation has at least one mentally unhinged kid, right?"
"Small chests, arrogant elves, meat-eaters despite being elves, and more. Problematic in every way."
Of course, this was laced with some agitation and fabrication since House Trista had been ignored and attacked plenty, but with only Trista blood here, it was no issue.
"So, what are they up to?"
"I'm... looking into it. Not sure exactly. But..."
"But?"
"They're definitely targeting Wolfram oppa."
Spica revealed a huge secret, but Aila's reaction was unexpectedly lukewarm.
"Yeah, I knew that."
"You knew? As expected of sister."
Spica looked at Aila with admiration. If only they could stand together under the banner of revolution instead of mere rebellion!
"So, what do you plan to do?"
"First, follow Father's orders."
"Oh, there were orders?"
"Yes. One is to spy on Regina Ciella."
"···Ah, I see. You'll learn politics after enrolling next year, and spying's basics of basics. And next?"
"Stick by Wolfram oppa all day and learn something from him!"
"···Yeah, classic Father's education policy. And then?"
"Finally, get something that makes House Ciella go 'eek!' Father said to ask Wolfram oppa!"
"Huh? Father ordered that too?"
"No, this is my idea! If they pull cheap tricks on us, we have to hit back!"
"I see. So what first?"
"Starting today, I'll stick to Wolfram oppa all day, then go spy on Regina Ciella!"
"Good. Stay healthy, don't bother Wolfram. Got it?"
"Yes! I'll complete Father's orders perfectly!"
Spica beamed at the head pat.
No matter how she thought about it, Father's orders seemed aimed at future prep, learning from Wolfram, and enjoying school life. But kids and adults interpreted differently, as always.
"Don't bother Wolfram, okay?"
"Yes!"
Breaking news.
My fiancée's little sister is glaring daggers at me.
"What's wrong, Spica."
"I'm protecting oppa right now."
"···I see. You're working hard."
"No, it's not hard."
Child's play.
Kids that age all played like that.
The problem was my current situation.
With my accessory crafting trait requiring ore and masonry, indoor work kicked up dust, so I'd come outside.
And today was hotter than expected.
I had the snow fairy's blessing, but even that was barely holding back the heat.
"Not hot?"
"Hoo... ···I-I'm fine, oppa. I'll protect you. Hehe."
"···."
Her stamina was 11. Lower than Eve's, and strictly speaking, below Jefrin entry level.
So, I was a bit worried...
Though we'd dodged that future, her base gear had been trash.
War mages didn't rely heavily on gear anyway, so maybe it was a balance patch.
Hm...
Activated the skill,
quickly pulled out a frame and chain, slotted the ice crystal fragment as core, and whipped it up fast.
Hm.
The options were a tad underwhelming, but it would do.
"Spica. Put this around your neck."
"Oppa...?"
"Hurry."
"Y-Yes!"
Spica flinched as she took the accessory and clasped it on, soon relaxing with a relieved expression.
"Huh...? Not hot anymore!"
"Don't expect huge effects."
"Wha... Ma, magic-imbued accessory? Right? Amazing effect!"
"It's not amazing."
"It is!"
Kids don't listen to adults.
Not resistance... just pure inability to hear.
I was reminded once more.
"Wow...! Now I can protect oppa all day!"
"···."
No, I made it so you wouldn't do that, kid.
On the way back from the convenience store.
Gazing at the brooch on her chest, Spica Trista couldn't hide her pounding heart.
'Doesn't this mean oppa thinks I have a chance too?'
The thought brought an unstoppable smile.
Why give a gift to her, not sister?
One handmade with magic, no less!
"Hehe... ehehehe..."
"Walking down the street with such a vulgar grin doesn't suit a noble lady's conduct."
Lost in thought, she heard the voice of the flat-chested, irritable, unhinged, petty elf traitor.
"···Regina Ciella sunbae."
"Yes. Whatever good fortune you had, walk with more dignity."
Spica narrowed her eyes.
But she had no comeback.
Fine, you're right this time.
"Sorry. I was just so happy."
"···Is that so?"
"Yes. I got a gift from someone I admire today."
Spica puffed out her chest.
Look at my awesome thing! Isn't it cool?! Kids instinctively bragged like that.
Regina's eyes sharpened at the brooch.
To her, it was clearly a fine piece.
Not just the look, but the mana flow proved it was enchanted.
"My... What a lovely brooch. Where's it sold? Our firm would love to carry it."
"Hehe. It's a gift, sunbae. Handmade."
"Handmade? ···Is there a Jefrin student with that level of accessory crafting skill?"
"Yes! There is. You don't know, sunbae?"
Regina Ciella pondered.
Who would handmade and give such an expensive item to that kid...
One face came to mind: detached from money, always shattering norms.
"Prince Wolfram...?"
"N-No...! Totally not?!"
"···."
Her obvious lie crumpled Regina's face.
"He won't even say my name once no matter how much I beg, but you... Ah... ahaha. Ahahahaha..."
"Eek!"
"Trista. You always have what I can't. Why only you all... I could've had a chance too... If his stats were just a bit higher, our house wouldn't have refused... Ughhh!"
Regina stomped enviously, and Spica shuddered at the bizarre sight.
"D-Don't think you've rin with this! Got it!?"
"···Y-Yes?"
With that, Regina Ciella vanished like the wind.
Watching her go, Spica barely shook off an absurd thought.
"That sunbae... cuter than I thought?"
It took quite a while to dispel.