Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Yan's Friedelric Remake
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"You're giving... this to me?"
After mulling over Yan's words and piecing together the context, I realized this was something I knew.
Well, something I used to know what it originally was.
This was a brand-new frilly hair ribbon made by a famous designer in the capital of the Orelot Empire.
Originally, it had been a sweet pastel sky-blue color, with a fluffy, cotton-candy-like shape that was utterly adorable.
When Mayches told me to pick an item to always carry for protective magic, I'd vaguely pictured something like a ring or necklace.
But Doria had brought catalogs from somewhere, pored over them carefully, and pointed to this frilly hair ribbon.
"No, this is perfect for you, miss."
Partly because I was swept up in Doria's confidence, but also because I thought it was really pretty myself.
So, without much trouble, I decided that hair ribbon would be the item I'd always carry.
...But for some reason, this trendy high-end product from the capital had suddenly been upgraded to the realm of art and appeared before me!
If my deductive skills had been even a little weaker, I never would have imagined this was that hair ribbon.
I stared blankly at the twelve flowers that had stolen my gaze.
They looked like satin-covered sculptures, or like oil paints still wet and glistening with shine.
Even though each flower was no bigger than my pinky nail, the divinely skilled craftsmanship captured detailed wrinkles more vividly than real blooms, creating a solid, three-dimensional form.
The soft crumples formed shadowy stains, the stamens brimmed with deep vitality from the shading, and the subtle texture of the sky-blue fabric hadn't been overlooked—it all combined to birth an imaginary flower that seemed to drink in nonexistent light and water, shining brilliantly.
It was as if it belonged in the gods' garden, a mythical blossom that absolutely had to bloom there.
"Huh..."
I ended up letting out a sound like an old art critic marveling at a master's work.
Wow... The novel mentioned how his pieces incited people on impulse, but a genius really is a genius.
It was the moment I fully understood the line about Yan's works touching people's hearts.
But Yan scratched the back of his head like someone handing over something embarrassing.
"It's really just something I whipped up in a hurry..."
I cradled the hair ribbon in both hands and trembled.
"No, it's truly beautiful... I'm sorry, I can't express it any better than that..."
I should have been a poet!
When that side character from the Roxydran Marquis family, one of Yan's devotees, rattled off half a page of praise even without skipping anything, I should have paid attention instead of just laughing it off with "What an exaggeration."
Just then, Daluh spoke up as if struck by a thought.
"Come to think of it, Aiel, catalogs from all of Ileneias's shoe shops are probably piling up at the Rudelriz estate soon. If Yan's just gonna rate them as crap anyway—"
"Hey, kid's listening. Watch your mouth."
"...Wow! A day when Yan says something like that to me."
Daluh glanced at the ceiling and composed himself in three seconds flat. He was a religious man who had reached enlightenment. With his signature serene expression, he continued.
"...If he's just gonna rate them that way, why not commission custom ones from Yan?"
"You think I'm a vending machine you press for stuff? And I haven't made shoes before."
I hurriedly waved my hands to keep things from escalating.
As I flailed, Mayches's friends paused their conversation and looked at me.
"Ah, no! I'm truly grateful for this alone. It's an amazing gift."
My eyes met Yan's, who looked awkward.
I didn't have the talent for flowery rhetoric like that side character from the Roxydran Marquis family, but I wanted to express my sincere thanks as best I could.
"I was actually a bit scared to step outside... but if I'd known something this wonderful would happen, I wouldn't have worried as much! From now on, whenever things get tough, I'll look at this like a talisman to steel my resolve."
"......"
Yan's face stiffened in bewilderment.
Seeing that, I instantly regretted mustering the courage.
He's overwhelmed! I should have thought three times before saying something so embarrassing!
I should have kept it simple!
Bamper patted Yan's shoulder.
"As my mother always said, the truly strong get what they want without saying a word."
Yan irritably brushed off Bamper's hand.
Then he opened his mouth, closed it, opened it, closed it, and finally spoke.
"I've been meaning to learn how to make shoes someday... I'll send them to the Rudelriz estate when they're done."
"Really? You don't have to!"
I was already at a loss with how honored I felt by this hair ribbon.
The thought of wearing shoes from Yan and stepping on the ground made me feel guilty enough to fidget in my seat.
But my flustered fussing didn't drag on for long.
I'd finally noticed the cafeteria growing deathly quiet around us.
The academy students were staring in shock at the Friedelric Antier... well, remake on my hand—subtle distinction.
"Should we... move somewhere else?"
I whispered in a mosquito-like voice. Fortunately, Bamper responded brightly.
"Yeah, right. Want to tour the academy?"
"Like Bam said, since we're here, it'd be nice to look around. As long as we stay indoors, it won't be cold, right?"
I nodded eagerly at the saving grace.
The others rose one by one, murmuring, "Shall we, then...?"
I cupped my hands around the hair ribbon to hide it and hurriedly blended into the group of Mayches's friends.
Feeling like the only one scurrying away amid their leisurely strides, I quickly exited the cafeteria.
The Repitelips Academy students watched the six departing figures until the end.
The cafeteria was silent, as if the power had gone out.
Without a word from anyone, the students tremblingly fiddled with their communication devices.
[Friedelric Antier – Hair Ornament Receipt: Lady Rudelriz]
[Next Work Mentioned – "I've been meaning to learn shoemaking. I'll send them to the Rudelriz estate when done."]
[Friedelric Resuming Activity...?]
[Second Auction War Beginning...?]
With Repitelips as the epicenter, the entire continent buzzed with news of Friedelric's new work, while Rosiana Elnika and Etit Radawen faced an unexpected new development.
[Why did Friedelric give the lady a gift all of a sudden?]
[Once she starts getting gifts from Friedelric, we couldn't outdo that with material attacks even if we flew and crawled. Ditch everything we've collected without regret. Time for a new strategy.]
To the ladies whose eyes were fixed only on Mayches, the newly emerged Friedelric Antier was less concerning than the miss whose standards would shoot sky-high because of it.
At Etit’s cool-headed analysis, Rosiana—who had filled a room with gifts to win favor—clutched her garish ruby-red hair.
"This stupid..."
Her classmate sitting beside her flinched.
He knew well how fiery the headmaster's daughter could be.
Fearing he'd get caught in the crossfire, he stealthily scooted his chair to the edge of the desk.
Rosiana ignored him and focused on plotting a new strategy with Etit over the communication device.
Rosiana and Etit were now close enough to collaborate on 'Winning the Lady's Favor' projects, but just a few years ago, they'd been at each other's throats, hair-pulling rivals.
"Let go! I said let go!"
"On the count of three, you let go first."
They shared a liking for Mayches—and knowledge of his major secret, the sister complex—which made each other's existence grating.
To best their rival, they'd often resort to tough physical scuffles.
Then Mayches's popularity started soaring day by day.
Feeling the crisis, they hastily signed a peace treaty for friendly competition.
"First, we team up and crush all the other girls."
That had been the calculation in the heads of those eleven-year-old ladies.
But as they spent time together, they found each other's personalities surprisingly compatible and easy to talk to.
They toughed it out once more, deciding to deal with the future later, and became true friends.
The promise held firm even now, at fifteen.
"Sigh, no helping it."
Rosiana scribbled invisible words on her desk with the magic pen linked to her communication bracelet.
The text inputted onto the bracelet.
[For now, sync all next semester's classes with the lady and the count.]
It was a fiery decision that tossed a semester's grades and peace out the window.
In fact, at the start of this semester, Rosiana had wheedled her dad for Mayches's schedule.
"Dad, you can't commit that little corruption for your daughter's future? They say the staff sneak-peek everything anyway, and the system’s a wreck? Don't leave me out! I'll tell Grandpa!"
"Ugh, you little rascal of a daughter..."
That was how Rosiana squeezed into three of Mayches's classes.
She'd wanted to match them all, but compromised since she couldn't stomach things like 'Research on Random Combinations of Metaphysics and Symbolic Systems.'
At any rate, that's why she—a girl with zero aptitude or interest in magic—was sitting in 'Variations of Ancient Magic and Modern Theory.'
She had zero interest in things like the '31 Ancient Curse Collection Devices' the professor was spittle-flecking about.
"This is an ancient device we fully restored based on student Mayches's assignment."
...But now she had a smidgen.
Rosiana tore her eyes from the bracelet, a pleased warmth blooming as she tuned into the professor's explanation.