Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Northern Grand Duchess's Exclusive Attendant (5)
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In the early afternoon, as the sun dipped slightly, I sat facing Elena.
"When do you think the magic teacher will come?"
"She said she'd arrive this afternoon, so she should be here any moment now."
"I hope she comes soon~."
Elena's short legs dangled beneath her chair. She seemed awfully excited about learning magic.
How much time passed after that?
In the midst of our idle chatter, a sudden knock echoed through the room.
Elena's eyes widened, her face lighting up with anticipation.
"Is that the magic teacher?!"
"I'll go check."
I stepped out, leaving Elena behind, and soon encountered someone at the door.
It was a girl with red hair—nothing particularly remarkable about her.
"I'm Luke, Elena's exclusive attendant."
"I'm Cecily Gardner of the Gardner Marchioness Family. I'm here for Elena's magic lessons."
I'd heard of the Gardner Marchioness Family from my father once. They held territory not far from the duchy and were a lineage renowned for passing down magic through generations.
I'd wondered how they'd found a teacher so quickly, but it seemed the duke had pulled some strings.
"Please wait just a moment."
I said that and lightly knocked on the door.
"Milady, the magic teacher is here."
"Come in~!"
Elena's voice brimmed with excitement. It almost seemed like she might burst out of the room.
With permission granted, I opened the door and entered with Cecily.
"It's an honor to meet you, Lady Elena. I'm Cecily Gardner of the Gardner Marchioness Family."
"The honor is mine, Miss Cecily."
The two exchanged polite curtsies, skirts lightly pinched. Cecily moved with grace, of course, but so did Elena—elegance shone in every gesture.
"I heard you wish to learn magic, milady."
"Yes...! I want to become an amazing mage...!"
The moment magic was mentioned, Elena's eyes sparkled like a child's on an outing.
It robbed her of that refined air, but...
Maybe that was fine. It suited her age better anyway.
"Before we dive in, shall we do a quick check?"
"A check...?"
"To see if you have what it takes to become an amazing mage."
"What if the check says I can't...?"
"Then it'd be disappointing, but unavoidable."
Gulp.
Elena swallowed, shooting me a sidelong glance.
She was probably anxious. The higher the hopes, the greater the fear.
Of course, I knew better. Elena had talent—and her worries were unfounded.
I wished I could tell her that, but a mere attendant like me couldn't speak up.
It's okay.
I nodded slowly to convey the message.
It must have gotten through. The trembling in her blue eyes gradually faded.
"Milady, are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Then, just a moment..."
Cecily trailed off, reaching for the small pouch at her waist. She rummaged inside.
Soon, she pulled out a fairly large transparent orb.
Elena's eyes went wide at the sight.
"It's so big—how did it fit in there...?"
"Ah—this is a magic bag. Pretty neat, right?"
Delighted by Elena's reaction, Cecily put the orb back in and pulled it out again.
Even to me, the orb's size shifting at will was astonishing.
It shattered all common sense.
"That's so cool...!"
"How about this? If you can become an amazing mage, I'll give you this magic bag as a gift."
"M-Magic bag...! I'll do my best...!"
"Effort doesn't guarantee success, but... whatever, it should be fine."
Cecily folded a handkerchief on the table and placed the orb atop it.
"Watch closely."
As Cecily gently placed her hand on the orb, red and blue energies swirled within.
"There are six attributes of magic: fire, water, wind, earth, light, and finally darkness. So what do the red and blue mean?"
"Fire and water...!"
"Correct. This orb reveals a mage's talents. Mine are fire and water affinities. Most mages only have one."
"So you're an amazing mage, teacher?"
"Not that amazing, but special, I suppose. Even in my family, dual affinities are rare."
In a magic lineage, dual talents were scarce—so in other families, they were virtually nonexistent. Talent ran strongly in bloodlines.
But exceptions existed everywhere. I had no doubt Elena was one.
"Now, milady, would you place your hand on the orb?"
Elena hesitated, then extended her hand.
The instant it touched, the orb blazed with radiant light.
"Wha...? Wh-what...? Eeeek?!"
Cecily's expression shifted from confusion to surprise, then outright shock—like a gradient of awe.
Startled by her reaction, Elena flinched, her hand slipping away. The orb returned to normal.
"L-L-Lady Elena...! Could you do it one more time? Please...!"
"O-Okay..."
Though flustered, Elena touched it again. The orb lit up brilliantly once more.
I expected greatness, but this exceeds even that...
Cecily had said there were six attributes.
The orb now glowed in six colors. Elena had affinity for all of them.
Dual talents were rare even in magic families—Elena needed no further explanation.
"Lady Elena..."
Cecily clasped her hands toward Elena, a small pouch resting atop them.
"Will you please take me as your disciple...? I'll give it my all...!"
"Th-That is..."
Elena hesitated, not out of dislike but sheer surprise.
But Cecily misinterpreted it.
"I-If that's not enough, then this too..."
Bag accepted, now a wand added.
A short wooden staff joined the pouch—likely some magic aid.
Then Elena glanced at me, her eyes pleading for help.
I nodded slowly in response.
I could watch Cecily pull out more goodies, but for Elena's dignity, it was time to end this.
The duke's connections and wealth could procure anything needed anyway.
"I'll do it, disciple."
"Thank you...! My disciple...!"
"Super sub" was surely coined for someone like Elena. Or maybe "super super sub."
I thought that wrapped it up with Elena becoming Cecily's disciple, but...
The arrow turned to me.
"Would you like to try too, attendant...?"
Expectancy filled Cecily's eyes. After Elena's display, she figured her attendant might have something special.
"Unlike milady, I'm just an ordinary person."
"You won't know until you try. Or have you been tested before?"
"Not really..."
I knew without trying. The original story stated Luke—no talent for magic.
I planned to refuse outright, but it piqued Elena's curiosity.
"You try too, Luke...!"
"Yes, milady."
Cecily's words I could dodge, but not Elena's. She was my lady.
Sighing inwardly, I approached the table. Under their gazes, I placed my hand on the orb.
"Ah..."
A sigh escaped Cecily. The orb remained transparent.
Catching the meaning, Elena gripped my hand tightly.
"It's okay, Luke...! You're great at swordsmanship...!"
"You flatter me."
That day, I vowed to train my swordsmanship until I could flatten Cecily's nose someday.
Elena picked up magic at an astonishing pace.
"Luke, look at this...!"
A tiny flame flickered in Elena's palm.
Cecily had said sensing mana took a week, first spell a month.
Yet Elena did it in half that. A once-in-history genius.
Our lady is incredible.
"Watching you shatters all my common sense."
She said that, but Cecily seemed thrilled to teach Elena.
Of course—who wouldn't be proud as mentor to the future great mage?
"Luke, your footwork's too slow~!"
While Elena grew, I wasn't idle either.
I trained under 1st Knight Order Captain Chrome.
Fresh from the northern front, he demanded bolder, more practical techniques.
A nine-year-old body had limits, but I progressed quickly.
Though I collapsed exhausted after...
"Luke, Luke, I learned this today?"
Elena constantly boasted her lessons, denying me rest. Not that an attendant deserved it.
"Impressive."
"Right?! Amazing, huh?"
Praise makes even whales dance, they say. I praised her achievements whenever possible.
It'd motivate her growth, benefiting my future self.
Magic Tower Lord's attendant sounded cooler than Grand Duchess's.
Then one day...
The Duchess...?
After lunch, returning home, there she was—emerging from Elena's room.
I halted and bowed. She passed with a tsk.
Not offended, just puzzled.
Why would someone on bad terms with Elena come here...?
No way...?
Uneasy, I hurried to the firmly shut door.
Pressing my ear, I heard sobs from beyond.
Why do bad feelings always hit the mark?
Sighing inwardly, I knocked.
"It's Luke."
"Come in..."
I entered to find Elena sniffling in her chair. Her lips pursed like a duck's, eyes red-rimmed.
"Lukeeee~."
She hopped down and toddled over, arms wide for a hug.
Uh, wha—huh?
Too stunned to move, I tentatively patted her back.
"Milady, what happened?"
"Stepmom scolded me..."
"What did you do?"
"I was playing with magic and ruined her favorite painting..."
That deserved a scolding...
But I couldn't say it. I didn't know details, and I had to side with Elena.
It was time to start anyway. Might as well.
1529 plans for Elena and the Duchess to bond. First step.
"Sniff!"
Ah, the snot though...