I Hate My Master!!
Master, I hate you!!
Medeia Academy is vast. That's because it's essentially an independent city in its own right. Uniquely, it draws aspiring nobles and highborn children not just from the Portia Empire, but from places like the Neleid Kingdom, Galatea Kingdom, and Halimede Duchy. Sure, when it comes to pure magic, it might fall short of the mage towers' academies, but there are subjects you can only learn at Medeia Academy.
Like Imperial Studies, or Court Etiquette and Manners, or Diplomacy and Negotiation... Subjects like these, impossible to pick up anywhere else, abound—which is why even foreign elites clamor to enroll.
But sending royal heirs and nobles en masse to the heart of an enemy nation? Way too risky. Mindful of that, the academy's location isn't in the Portia Empire's capital of Lisitea. It's further east, past two estates, right near the Neleid Kingdom border. The whole place even has its own name: the academy city of Laomedeia.
Master had told me on the carriage ride beforehand that Laomedeia was the empire's greatest mage and magus in history. A key figure in the empire's founding, wielder of all seven attributes who quelled the chaotic continent... None of that was in the original game. All the game mentioned was "The academy founded by Laomedeia's great magus and founding hero of the empire."
It wasn't as big as the Lisitea I'd seen, but it wasn't some puny little thing either. At the very least, crossing from the west gate to the east gate would take you all day on foot... Lisitea? A full day by carriage. Sure, crowds keep you from max speed, but roughly speaking, Lisitea is a massive fortress-city with a 40km diameter, while Laomedeia is a 20km-wide urban sprawl. And 20km is no joke. From Namsan Tower as a starting point, that's most of Seoul covered.
Why does the academy need all that land? Because it includes everything—dormitories, facilities, residential zones. Officially, it's extraterritorial. No imperial meddling. In the early days, when Laomedeia founded it, it was for the empire alone. But as time passed, the academy opened its doors to continental talent, granting education to all, not just imperials. That's when its own city laws took over instead of imperial ones. Sure, the empire pulls strings behind the scenes... Like how commoner mages and swordsmen often end up in the imperial court. Smart move, really. Open the path to success and scoop up all the talent.
Anyway, why the sudden history lesson? Simple.
"Haa... I just wanna get inside and crash."
Right now, I'm not at the academy proper—I'm wandering the shopping district of the academy city. Because I've got something super important to do. Class-related? Eh... Kinda? I've got my bed for perfect sleep, so next up: matching linens, pillows, stuffed animals, sofa...
You need deep, quality rest for top-tier naps... Er, lecturing motivation. Super important. Totally. From a plush sofa for anytime flops, to desk-huggy dolls. Just thinking about it makes me happy.
But I overlooked one thing...
"I'm beat..."
My crap stamina. Wait, correction—my stamina's decent. I'm just exhausted from crap sleep. Sob. All because of subpar bedding. So I gotta fix that!
Um... Where's that top-grade lamb's wool bed? Oh, it's there. But bedding's more than just the mattress, right? Onward. To bedding shopping!! With Master's money!!!
Thwack!
"Ow!! Who was thaaat... Huh? Master?!"
Why's Master here? Wait, does he...?
"Ah... Master? You here for bedding too?"
"Bedding? Don't the dorms provide basics? Even as perks."
Huh? Not shopping?
"But a bed alone's not enough! You need blankets, pillows, a sofa, dolls..."
Thwack! Thwack!
"Ow!!!"
Two hits this time!! Waaah!!! Tears welled up. Master's thwacks pack serious mana... Sob sob. It hurts, Master. Technically, my insides aren't girly, but to look pitiful, I rubbed my head calling myself a girl. Felt a little bump forming. Ugh!! A lump!! Master hates his disciple!!
I grumbled internally but didn't dare say it. Unsatisfied, Master let out a splat.
"You rascal of a disciple!!! You suddenly ask for money, so I followed, suspicious—and this extravagance?!"
"B-but!! Proper sleep and sweet dreams are essential!"
I glanced at him meekly. No thwack yet—good. But I prepped a barrier just in case.
"Hah... You think I don't know you after all this time? Your 'proper sleep and sweet dreams'—72 hours straight sleep and 24 hours napping—sounds off from what I know..."
Eh...? How do you know the details? Stalker?
"Five years living with you, rascal. Think at my age I can't read your head? Tsk tsk tsk..."
Guh... Pulling the age card... You've lived decades more—cheating! Decades... Right? Past life 30 years, here 5? No memories, so 5 it is. Hmm... Random worries as Master shakes his head and floats me up, carrying me along.
"Eek? Master? Where to? I haven't bought..."
Thwack!
"Ow!!!"
Dropped my guard—another hit. Sob sob. No choice but to let him drag me. Our destination? Surprisingly...
"Planetarium Where Starlight Lingers?? Master, this place?"
"The academy city's star attraction. Students and profs recommended it..."
Whoa... Master, you're more worldly than I thought? I figured you'd hole up researching or train in deep woods... Scouting trendy spots? Seeing him anew, I looked around.
True to the name, even in bright day, the cafe was dim like a starry galaxy, ceiling mapped with constellations. Ooh... Beautiful. Master's got style. Or maybe that's why he secluded in the mountains? Head tilt in awe, then his hand on my head.
Ugh... Short girl's sorrow... Suddenly emotional... Master knelt to my eye level.
"Eh?"
I yelped childishly; he smiled gently.
"Miriel, my disciple. Remember what day it is?"
"Uh..."
What day? Master's birthday? That's May... Our master-disciple anniversary? August... What is it?
"Your face says you've forgotten. Fine—for old times' sake, I'll remind you."
His hand shifted to my back. My tiny frame hugged in his big embrace.
"Miriel. My precious disciple. Today is the day we first met. Happy birthday."
Oh... Right. End of winter when we met—around now. Dust in my eyes? They burned hot. Tried stopping, but tears flowed free. Must be bad dust. No fixing now. To hide, I buried my face in his robe.
Truth is, today isn't my real birthday. I'm a July baby. But that's the other world's. Here? Unknown... So Master picked the day we met, since I had no info or memories.
Secluded in the mountains, only celebrated the first year—forgot since. But...
"Not sure if you'd like this, cooped up in the woods with me... But they said girls your age love places like this."
Master, really...
"Thanks for coming along, Miriel... I wanted to show you more than that narrow mountain—a wider world..."
He tried standing; I clung tighter. Didn't care how we looked, or what he thought. Couldn't let go now. My face... Unimaginable.
"Heh heh... Being spoiled? Got a gift ready too..."
Gift?
"Something you'd love..."
Something for me?
"Chocolate cake with premium chocolate..."
Slurp... Drooling. Chocolate cake? Thought they didn't exist—Master always fed meat and veggies. Mountains, I guess? Ooh, sweet...
"Silk blanket to match the premium lamb's wool bed..."
What?! Premium silk?! That super pricey one earlier? The price was in different units from what I wanted!! Master!! You picked pricier than me!!!
"Plush-cushioned sofa..."
I peeked out eagerly. Nothing. Lied! Tricked again! Glaring injustice, he just said,
"There, Miriel... All cried out now?"
With a smile.
Damn... Busted!!!
Master, I hate you!!