Chapter 190
Chapter 190
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 190
Chapter Title: The Meaning of Rebellion
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【Swamp】 is a wide-area magic.
Regina Cielra, as the Swamp mage of her era, had proven herself several levels above all the previous geniuses of the Ciela family, and no one doubted her abilities.
As mentioned before, 【Swamp】 is an ultra-wide-area spell.
However, unlike the previous mages who handled it clumsily over broad areas, Regina Cielra analyzed and comprehended everything around her by spreading her mana widely.
The only monster capable of escaping her mana detection of 21 was one in this world.
There might be equals at 21, but excluding Eve von Loengrin at 22, everything in the world fell within her sight.
This was true even for Aila Trista, who had once bested her—Regina could always detect Aila's mana.
And on that day too, though she appeared to converse elegantly on the surface, she was perceiving and analyzing everything around her.
As usual, amid the overwhelming flood of information that made her feel like she might go mad, and dealing with trash who smiled sincerely at her while their mana betrayed their lies, Regina clutched her throbbing head.
"My, you're making that weary-of-the-world face again today, Miss Regina Cielra?"
"Miss... Aila Trista."
Regina's head ached again as she looked at her rival, who approached her so casually.
Still, whether this girl was just stupid or boldly straightforward, at least the waves of her mana matched the words she spoke.
Boldly upright to the point of audacity, straightforward to an impressive degree, and generally an idiot.
That was how Regina assessed Aila's mana wavelength.
However, that day, the wavelength felt strange.
How should she put it? It was like her interference wasn't landing at all.
It was emanating from the staff holstered at Aila Trista's waist.
So, she couldn't understand it.
Aila's mana was clearly at 20. Even if the staff boosted it, Regina should be able to counter Aila's overall mana, yet it felt like she couldn't interfere with just the staff...
"Miss Aila Trista. What is that staff?"
"My, asking about a noble's treasured tool so bluntly—isn't that rather rude?"
"...I'm that desperate. Where on earth did you get that tool...?"
She projected her mana repeatedly to uncover the staff's nature, but she couldn't pierce it.
It was certain. If it was a staff for casting magic and it ignored her mana, then with high probability, it was the very tool she'd only dreamed of.
"A staff that ignores mana interference...?"
"My, as expected of Miss Ciela. You saw right through it."
Aila smiled naturally, and Regina clenched her fist tightly.
Mana at 21 could never surpass 22.
Regina Cielra had felt an absolute wall when facing Eve von Loengrin.
Her vast mana, her Swamp, her wide-area attacks—none of it mattered.
Unlike with battle mages like Aila, in fights between pure mages, mana levels were the absolute standard.
But if she had that staff... just once. She might get a single chance.
A chance to reach the natural disaster named Eve von Loengrin, even just once...!
"W-where did you get that? Are you thinking of selling it by any chance?"
As a merchant, it was a total failure. She wasn't even following basic negotiation principles. She should keep her desire burning inside while maintaining a calm face... but she couldn't give up.
"No intention of selling."
"I figured as much. It's a treasure of that caliber. Then where did you get it?"
"Wolfram gave it to me? Hehe."
That day.
That moment.
Regina Cielra couldn't maintain her composure.
Again. So greedily. Taking everything.
Taking what I could never have, so effortlessly.
Smiling happily.
Holding the hand of the person she'll walk with. Without a doubt.
And walking on like that.
"...I see."
"Hm? Why so serious?"
"No. It's nothing..."
Aila tilted her head at Regina's sad fury, then nodded with an "aha."
"You want it?"
"......Yes? No, that's..."
Regina ground her molars there.
Saying "No, not interested" here would make Aila Trista just go, "Oh, I see?"—she was that oblivious. To converse with this girl was annoyingly frustrating; you always had to push forward with your true feelings.
"Yes. I want it. No matter what."
"Not giving it, though?"
Should I kill her?
Regina considered unleashing Swamp right then and smashing Aila, but she lacked confidence in overcoming Aila's agility at such close range.
If she countered with that staff and followed up with a punch... her abdomen still throbbed from that sparring match in the first semester.
"I... see."
"This staff was a top-grade item Wolfram brought from Loengrin Forest to begin with. How could I sell or give it away?"
"...Ah."
That made sense.
"Instead, why not go ask Wolfram yourself?"
"...Pardon? You'll introduce me to Lord Wolfram?"
"Planning to commit evil against Wolfram, Regina Cielra?"
It was a chilling, frightening tone. If Regina nodded even slightly, this Aila Trista would turn hostile and drive a fist into her gut.
That pain... hurt. The fear was terrifying. Especially since it was just a fist. Explaining that pain wasn't cool.
Regina shook her head, and Aila nodded.
"Then let's go."
"...Y-yes."
Today, oddballs had gathered at the convenience store again.
No, correction.
It was just a bizarre combination.
Why were Aila and Regina entering the convenience store together?
"Good afternoon, Wolfram."
"Hello, Prince Wolfram von Loengrin."
"Hm."
Oh, got it.
These two had dramatically reconciled.
Their relationship had improved a lot.
Coming to the convenience store together. Sharing snacks and becoming friends, huh.
"Did you two become friends or something?"
"Pardon? You serious?"
"Pardon? You're serious?"
No?
If not, why stare at me so intensely?
Then why are you here?
"Wolfram. To be honest, since I've claimed the top spot in our year—as the grade's top student?"
"Right."
"Yes. Naturally the grade's top. An absolute being no one in the Magic Division can catch. The pinnacle of the third years?"
"That's true, but?"
"Of course, the world is vast, and I have no intention of settling for Jefrin, but even so, by the standards of Jefrin's third-year Magic Division, it's no exaggeration to say I've completed my rebellion?"
"Yeah. Sure."
"So, I'd like everyone, including the runner-up, to come at me with everything they've got?"
"......"
What was she really getting at?
Every time she spoke, Regina's fist trembled.
She might make the kid cry at this rate.
"So even if we fight, I want it to be on equal terms!"
"...And?"
"Do you have another staff like this one? You could sell it to Regina for a high price!"
"......"
Regina's face had turned beet red, trembling beyond just her fist.
She talks about fighting on equal terms but wants to sell it expensive.
I didn't know much else, but these two really hated each other.
Anyway.
A staff similar to the twilight cornflower one?
"No."
Regina's face fell at my words.
Hm.
Truth be told, that staff was practically a "Regina Cielra national treasure" or "soulbound equipment," so it did weigh on my mind a bit.
In all routes except my own, Regina Cielra never finds happiness.
Doomed to live forever suppressed by the name Eve von Loengrin.
But everyone knew mana 21 couldn't surpass 22.
Seeing Regina trailing after Aila like a puppy, she must have sensed something from that staff, and now I'd have to tell her there's no hope for her.
It felt like snatching candy from a crying child.
Hm. A unique magic-activation-type staff...
"Not right now."
"...Right now?"
"Th-then, Your Highness."
I could acquire one if I tried. Honestly, crafting one might be faster.
Magic tool crafting.
And magical tool crafting relied more on gem and wood processing than metal, so it wouldn't even be taxing.
I'd promised to give Regina Cielra something if I achieved complete victory in the midterms.
I'd even apologized to Aila about it, and she shouted, "I'm glad!"
"Fine. Depending on the midterm results, I might consider crafting one."
"I-is that so? Then..."
"But. It won't be free."
"Yes, of course."
"And one more condition."
"Anything."
"That wish is the end of it. Don't ask for more."
"Pardon? There's something else?"
"...Ah. We've all made a deal where Wolfram grants requests based on midterm scores."
"Nothing too big."
"Just the two of us, shopping for clothes, dining out... that kind of outing is fine, right?"
"Fine, but."
"Then we're good."
Aila giggled "ehehehe." No matter what, that and a staff aren't equivalent...
"......Just the two of us. Just the two of us in Jefrin...?"
Regina squinted and fell deep into thought.
?
"Staff. Just the two. Staff... just the two. ...Just the two?"
No.
Is that worth pondering so seriously?
Regina left fuming that she understood, while Aila stayed at the convenience store.
The real surprise was that Aila cooked dinner herself that evening.
"How is it?"
"Not bad. Been practicing?"
"Of course."
What Aila made was sandwiches.
The balance was surprisingly well done, showing clear effort.
"Sudden, isn't it? Decided to take up cooking as a hobby?"
"Not just cooking. Sewing, accessory making. Even trying pastries?"
"I see."
All familiar skills.
"They're all so hard."
"Not easy. I could help if you want."
"No. I want to try alone for a while."
"Got it."
"Yeah. I want to break free from just receiving things from Wolfram and do them myself."
"Just receiving, huh."
"This staff, Filtia's sister's token, rebuilding the family, the path ahead... I've only received everything, right?"
Have I?
I didn't really feel like I'd given anything special.
Just actions needed at that moment.
"I didn't do much..."
"You didn't do anything special. You just did what you could in that moment... That's what you were going to say, right?"
My, how did you know?
"......"
"But from the receiver's side, at some point, you don't know how to repay it anymore. I get that."
"It wasn't much..."
"It's nothing, but your praise is too much. That's next, right?"
No, I wasn't?
I was going to say something else?
I didn't say it, so I didn't?
"......"
"And honestly, I don't even know how to repay you anymore. I'm just grateful." "That's enough."
"Then, to be even more grateful, I'll learn and master how much effort Wolfram puts in, one by one... to feel even more thankful."
Well.
Strange way of thinking.
Aila said that with a beaming smile.
Yeah, well. That's just who she is.
"By the way, is it okay to give Regina Cielra that chance?"
"Of course. As I said before, Regina Cielra is my rival. Last time, I rin a bit unfairly, but this time, I want to duel with all our cards on the table."
"You could lose. A serious Regina Cielra is strong."
"Yes. I know. Even with your support, Wolfram, I might lose to Regina Cielra. But..."
"But?"
"If that happens, I'll rebel again and climb back to the top."
"You're already at the top, you're choosing to step down, and if you fall, you'll climb back up?"
"Yes!"
I see.
Now I finally had a bit of an idea what Aila's rebellion meant.
Facing the world without breaking, looking higher with a smile. Rather than cheap tricks, she wanted to live even more strictly, justly.
"Very you."
"Right? Who do you think I am!"
Yeah.
Who else?