Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Canteen Expansion (4)
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Adella's roommate Lina immediately noticed that her condition was off again.
It was because the girl who had been rolling around madly on her bed right up until a second before falling asleep yesterday was now sitting demurely and spacing out after returning to the dormitory today.
Just ignore her. Anyway, it'll probably be some worry that no normal person could understand.
She tried to ignore her several times, but Adella kept staring over with those pitiful eyes for the past several dozen minutes.
"...Haa. What is it this time, Adella."
In the end, she gave in.
Stepping into the impenetrable realm of Adella's mind, akin to a fifth-circle spatial teleportation spell.
And as expected, Adella started rambling about utterly trivial concerns like how she wished the bread would just disappear or that her hiccups wouldn't stop—
"It hurts."
"Huh?"
"My heart... it hurts."
At that unexpectedly serious remark, Lina actually began to worry about her for real.
So she threw back the blanket and approached Adella.
"For real? Are you hurt?"
"Yeah. From the magic duel the other day..."
"Is the wound infected or something?"
"I told you it's all healed."
"Let me see. Come here."
Lina undid the buttons near Adella's neck to take off her top.
Since they were both girls, there wasn't much resistance.
No, if anything—
'Why is there such a difference when we're both girls?'
A deep sigh escaped from somewhere deep inside as she compared herself to those truly impressive breasts.
Anyway, even after slightly lifting the blue undergarment, there were no visible external injuries.
No bruises or wounds in sight.
"It looks fine on the outside... Did something happen today?"
"Yeah. A new part-timer started at the canteen."
Please, Adella.
This conversation isn't flowing at all.
"It was that person we met at the magic duel. Second-year."
"Oh~ Senior Liv?"
Come to think of it, she had overheard the boys chattering in the classroom.
Top of her year, Baroness Liv Greenwood.
Pretty face, and that Dispel she showed during the duel was incredible.
"That's weird. If she's that good at studies, places must be lining up to recruit her. Why work at the canteen?"
"That's what I mean..."
"Anyway, that canteen uncle must be over the moon."
"Huh? Why?"
"Why? Well..."
Lina looked at Adella as if asking why she would question something so obvious.
"That big sis is super pretty."
"..."
"You can tell he hired her because he's smitten with her face. What if he's planning something shady behind the scenes? Eww..."
Hearing that, Adella recalled what she had seen earlier that afternoon.
Liv's white face flushed bright red as she came out from behind the counter—it was just like how Adella used to look.
It was exactly the feeling after cramming a ton of magic.
Breath getting ragged, legs tangling up, lower belly tickling, nose stinging like she might cry.
She said she'd never taught it to anyone else.
No way... the teacher...
—Throb!
"Adella? Are you okay!?"
As the pain in her heart flared again, Adella clutched her chest and crawled under the blanket.
Lina's worried voice sounded like a distant echo.
Her heart hurt.
It hurt like it was going to burst.
Father had said this was something the Roshiars must never have.
Sister had said all she wished for from her was to be honed sharp as a spear tip.
Magic was slicing the incomprehensible world of great mysteries with a biased gaze.
It was carving out all lingering attachments except for attaining the ultimate path of magic.
"Ah, ugh... Haa, haa..."
She lay there with her small mouth agape, breathing raggedly, and ended up unable to sleep.
The image of Baroness Liv and Louis sharing a book at the canteen counter, smiling at each other, wouldn't leave her mind.
A customer came looking for me early in the morning.
It was Mark, from Pharenchia Academy's security team.
"Louis, did you order all this stuff?"
He pointed to the piles of lumber and furniture behind him.
Seeing enough materials to fill three wagons, I already felt daunted about when I'd sort it all.
"Yeah. Supplies for the canteen expansion."
"Tch, inspecting all this one by one is gonna be a pain. Gotta move everything."
"No need. It's all from the Luhillen Trading Company."
"Oh yeah? Then can you unload it all by yourself?"
I shrugged to say I didn't need help.
Mark nodded, apparently relieved he wouldn't have to move it all to check for hazards, and just handed over some paperwork.
"Check if everything's there and sign. Got the academy's permit for the construction?"
"This is my land."
"Right, forgot. Anyway, good luck."
After he left, I carefully started unloading the cargo from the wagons and stacking it behind the canteen.
Starting with the lumber for pillars and floors, then tea sets, shelves, sinks, side tables, and chairs—the sheer volume was impressive.
'Just snap these all together, huh.'
The included papers had blueprints and design mockups.
The pillars were about three times my height, so it was leagues beyond assembling a simple toy, but with my strength, the difficulty was about the same.
No, assembling toys might actually be harder.
No tools needed.
I drove nails into the pre-processed outer wall panels with my thumb and got to work.
Bill had clearly put thought into it—every material was top-grade.
Ebony and rosewood native to the Bahran area.
Even cherry wood with its beautiful red hue—all expensive lumber.
Way beyond what I'd paid for...
Now even if Darling wants to drop by for tea, it'd be hard to chase her off.
It's denser than usual, but considering the upgraded new space for the canteen, it's worth it.
Thud! Boom!
The work that started in the morning continued until midday.
After roughly assembling the parts and erecting the central pillars, a small rumble echoed.
If I hustle, I can finish within the week.
Taking normal business hours might take a bit longer, though...
"Boss."
Lost in the work, I turned at the call.
Liv stood there with water and a towel.
"Take a break."
Already time for her shift?
The canteen got busiest at lunch and dinner, so I couldn't leave it all to her.
Come to think of it, I'm getting hungry too.
I stood, took the water she offered, and drank.
"Thanks, Baroness."
"I told you to drop the baroness..."
Drop it, huh. Definitely not using protection... No, the shy Baroness Liv.
She still insisted on dropping the title, but a small smile played on her face, not displeased.
I wiped my sweat with the towel from her, just as the noon bell tolled.
Ding~! Ding~! Ding~!
Pure white pigeons soared above the clock tower as a gentle breeze wafted through.
Robes like drifting clouds entered my view from the opposite building.
It'll get crowded soon, so I should wrap up appropriately.
After splashing my face and wiping my mouth, I told Liv to go ahead and handle things there, as I'd tidy up here and follow.
"Gonna be busy today too. I'll clear these piles and head right in, so go on ahead."
"..."
"Baroness Liv?"
"...Y-Yes!?"
Whatever she was daydreaming about, she stared right through me, then startled and nodded vigorously.
"Y-Yeah, got it! I'll do that!"
"Thanks. The towel..."
"I'll take it."
"No. I'll wash it upstairs later and return..."
"I'll take care of it."
Uncharacteristically, Liv hurried right up close.
From her crown nearly at my chin wafted a sweet yet heavy scent of blackberry and cedarwood.
Her tight apron hugged her form over black flats and stockings, subtly revealing a waist slim enough to grasp with one hand.
"...I'll head in first."
While I was distracted, Liv snatched the towel from my neck.
And vanished into the canteen before I could grab it.
Guess she doesn't want to leave her stuff with me.
I hadn't even finished wiping yet.
In the two largest nations on the continent, the Penheim Kingdom and the Monarch Holy Nation, the Church of the Light God Hera is widespread.
Extending to the southern Bahran Duchy and eastern Sakel Union, other religions exist alongside the main church, but their influence is minor.
Thus, even in Penheim, which often clashes diplomatically with Monarch, temples to the Light God dot the capital and cities.
Treating patients who come to the temple is the role of the clergy.
Among them, priests are those who primarily handle white magic classified as healing spells.
In the Temple of Light branch north of Pharenchia, Ansen opened his eyes.
What his senses picked up was the white marble floor and the smell of disinfectant.
And the immense pain of being on the brink of death came rushing back.
"Gah, guaaah!!!"
As Ansen screamed, priests gathered. Healing spells and potions poured from their hands over his body, and only then did he gasp for breath and look around.
A young acolyte approached and sprinkled holy water on him.
"Are you alright?"
"Hah, huff... Where is..."
"Pharenchia branch of the Temple of Light. Viscount Ansen was brought here unconscious about a month ago."
A month? It felt like the entrance ceremony was just the other day, but suddenly a whole month had passed?
Ansen tried to recall what had happened, but only a horrific darkness lingered in his mind.
As if he never wanted to remember it again.
'No, that's not it. I definitely...'
Clutching his head in thought, he suddenly recalled the scene just before blacking out once his breathing stabilized.
Sending Adella Sylvestra de Roshiar to steal bread.
Calling her behind the faculty building and drawing his sword.
"Fuck..."
Right. Meeting that bitch Adella was his last memory.
She must have used black magic in the moment he let his guard down.
"Out of my way. I'm going back to the academy."
"You need more rest."
"Get the fuck out!!!"
Staggering from the bed, Ansen ground his teeth.
And headed to Pharenchia Academy in search of his target for revenge.