Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: I've Turned Fifteen
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“Busy, so busy!”
The academy classes were insanely intense, to put it mildly. I was dragging myself to and from school practically half-dead.
But the academy wasn’t my only problem.
I also had to handle the trading company, which was growing steadily—and now even starting direct exchanges with the Principality.
*If it were just the trading company keeping me busy, that’d be one thing, but no, I have to skip grades too!*
If I didn’t skip grades, I’d be stuck at the academy too long, which could get dangerous.
But once I graduated from the academy, the Mirmod family would treat me as an adult, essentially.
I could get involved in the family’s power struggles without Dad interfering, earn merits under the family name to gain a title, and above all, jump into faction fights using my own name instead of Dad’s!
In the midst of my packed schedule, I didn’t even have time to suspect Dad. Of course, I kept a close eye on the imperial palace and the temple....
*The Pope and the Melodya Saintess—where the hell did they disappear to? No clue.*
...I’d failed to track them down.
I’d passed midterms, finals, and even started getting a little closer to Burger and Martin bit by bit. I easily ignored that Liena girl, who’d tried bullying me only to get shut down by an international incident and couldn’t even squeak anymore.
And before I knew it....
“I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen the cherry blossoms bloom and fall at school already.”
“It’s been years since I’ve walked like this with you, Lady Sien.”
Time had flown by.
Standing under the massive zelkova tree we’d claimed as our hideout when I was ten, I realized my height had shot up so much that the tree no longer looked “enormously” huge like it used to.
“How old am I this year?”
Ashid, who’d been gazing at me intently, whispered tenderly.
“Fifteen, milady.”
Five years had passed since I enrolled in the academy.
Countless things had changed, but....
“Dazzlingly beautiful... an age, isn’t it.”
...Ashid had kept his promise.
He’d sworn to stay by my side like a limb, always—and he hadn’t changed.
If anything had changed....
“Sien! Nightnut!”
I waved at Leonhardt. Who’d believe that the puppy-like guy sprinting so eagerly toward me was the terrifying villain from [Melodya’s Life]?
I flashed Leonhardt a big smile, but it froze when I spotted someone else charging up behind him at breakneck speed.
“I figured out a tax-saving method for the Sien Company!”
...Burger, the frugal foreign prince who was too good at math and already helping our trading company—practically tripping as he ran.
“Careful, Burger!”
But....
“Run faster, Burger! I’ve got something to say too!”
...There was someone behind him.
I let out a hollow laugh as I watched Martin racing up.
“Sien? I’ve become a Sword Expert. No need to praise me.”
Those three had made staggering progress compared to five years ago.
Even sprinting like that, not a single breath out of place—their stamina had improved brilliantly. I grinned at them as wide as I could and replied.
“Yeah, you all worked hard! You’re awesome, for real!”
Five years had changed so much for the better.
“Now, let’s head home!”
***
There was one more thing that hadn’t changed in five years: Dad’s love for me.
Even though I was fifteen—basically an adult in the family’s eyes—Dad was always itching to plop me on his lap.
Today, after wrestling with him for a while before finally sitting side by side on the sofa, Dad looked a little sulky.
“...You’re too busy with academy and the trading company to play with Dad anymore.”
“Dad, is that why you’re sulking?”
Oh, right—another thing that hadn’t changed.
Five years had passed, but I was still calling him “Dad.” The thought brought a soft smile to my lips. Dad quietly ground his teeth.
“Who’re you thinking about, Sien? Right in front of Dad. Those guy friends again?”
“Huh? No!”
I smiled brightly and hurriedly rummaged in my pocket, pulling out my report card to hand to Dad.
Perfect timing—it had just come out after finals. Dad’s eyes went wide as he looked it over.
“We need to throw a party.”
“Huh? A party?”
“An empire-wide one.”
“Coming first every year means we throw parties every year! Last time we almost caused a huge disaster...!”
Dad shook his head vigorously, as if he wouldn’t budge this time.
“Every year is special every year! Especially this one—our daughter’s graduating year. First place in her senior year? We should throw a party every month, obviously.”
“No, don’t! We’ll go bankrupt...!”
No stopping Dad now. He’d already jumped up and dashed off to meet his aide.
*Guess I’m done for....*
Ten years since I entered the Mirmod estate—I’d hoped Dad would have some financial sense by now, but....
*Dad’s still Dad, huh.*
I gave up. I’d cover any budget shortfalls myself. Weirdly, Dad always spent like that without the budget going red.
Leaning back on the drawing room sofa, I decided to finish the newspaper on the table. I made a habit of reading it in spare moments to build political insight and economic savvy.
And this issue of the *Imperial Capital Gazette* had some intriguing news.
It was the prime newsletter for all the capital’s big stories—unlike tabloids, it picked only the empire’s most vital info. Top-shelf stuff.
“Hmm, let’s see.”
Of course, it was a paper my trading company had recently acquired outright. Humming contentedly, I glanced down.
“Oh, nice—another article about our company!”
Page 2’s lead story praised the Sien Company’s solid financials this year. I smiled, lost in thought.
*All thanks to recruiting Burger, right?*
Just then, Dad returned from his aide meeting.
“Saw an article about the Principality’s Ambassador Heinrich. Did you catch it?”
“Huh?”
My eyes widened as I scanned the paper—and froze.
“They’ve got Refined Magic Stones! Donating a small batch to the academy for educational purposes?”
Dad nodded casually, sipping white wine.
“Yeah. Most folks don’t know much about them, so there’s confusion.”
“R-Refined Magic Stones...!”
Dad played it off like no big deal, but I knew exactly how valuable those “Refined Magic Stones” were.
*The Principality really is blessed by heaven. Even Refined Magic Stones!*
Refined Magic Stones.
Regular Magic Stones were impressive, but add “Refined,” and it was a whole other level. Like coffee versus T.X.P. tea.
People might think “refined” means humans processed it. But no....
*Dwarves refine them personally!*
Dwarf-refined Magic Stones had insane effects.
To cast magic, mana users must freely control the mana flowing through their meridians.
But that’s easier said than done—how do you even know if your mana’s flowing through your meridians or your heart?
That’s where Dwarf “Refined Magic Stones” came in!
They vividly displayed your body’s mana levels, circulation flow, and usage history right before your eyes.
Like a tongs-wielding teacher for mana-wielding mages!
They had another key use too: letting total magic newbies cast spells temporarily. People focused on that, but....
*...With a Refined Magic Stone, I could find out why there’s not a drop of mana in my body.*
I’d avoided magic entirely to hide that family shame.
But with Ambassador Heinrich’s Refined Magic Stone, my future could change completely.
Know thyself, win every battle.
If I learned why I had no mana, I might figure out how to generate it.
I shot to my feet, ready to bolt. Dad would nag about etiquette, but whatever....
“Sien, break walking etiquette, and you’re going to Etiquette Academy with Dad. Three days, two nights.”
...Yeah, that was a big deal. Getting scolded for bad table manners was fine, but not Etiquette Academy. I straightened my legs neatly, adopting a rigid, proper posture.
“Yes, Father. I’ll head to the academy briefly to fetch the Refined Magic Stone.”
***
I barely got Dad’s permission and raced to the academy by carriage.
Principal! Got to see the Principal! No—actually, Ambassador Heinrich, who’s probably meeting the Principal!
*It’s been ages since I’ve seen Ambassador Heinrich or Principal Hepsiba.*
They both seemed to adore me; I’d wanted to build rapport, but opportunities never arose. Why?
*Because I’m way too busy....*
Heinrich visited our company often, and I’d bumped into Hepsiba at the academy. Both looked eager for downtime with me, but I had none to spare.
*Just gotta graduate and ditch this grind!*
I sighed deeply, rubbing under my eyes.
Felt like they were smudged with eyeshadow.
But even so, I had to puff up my shoulders with excitement. Because!
“The Refined Magic Stone’s in there right now!”
Principality Ambassador Heinrich had come to the Royal Academy himself. Purpose: supply a tiny amount for educational use!
Huge boon. “Educational” supply to the academy, and he’s there now—odds of a formal deal with our company just skyrocketed!
*Gotta be in the principal’s office!*
I scurried like a flying squirrel.
Get in there now, and my precious Refined Magic Stone awaited. Couldn’t miss this.
Of course....
“Ouch!”
...I never expected to slam right into Principal Hepsiba the moment I neared her office.