Chapter 82
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: The Mage of the Imperial Palace (4)
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“Miss Lunaris, I have a question about the natural mana theory you personally outlined this time...”
“Miss Lunaris, if it’s not too rude, could you come to our family as a tutor? Even just during the vacation... No, even as a daily instructor would be fine!”
“So, which school’s elder position are you planning to take? Even though the Illusion Dream School is the Tower Lord’s school, your roots are in the Natural School...”
The pre-celebration party was literally the worst.
No sooner had Tower Lord Eleanor and Department Head Raymond stepped away to meet other acquaintances than countless people surrounded me.
Voices and words poured in from every direction, noisy as could be.
Fake laughter and whispers hiding dark intentions clung stickily to my ears.
Ah... my eardrums feel like they’re melting...
And to top it off, the pungent perfume stung my nose.
Sticky gazes shot at me from all sides.
Ah, seriously. This is exactly why I didn’t want to come to the imperial palace.
I nodded vaguely and shoved my way through the crowd.
If they hadn’t parted, I’d planned to force a path with telekinesis magic, but fortunately(?), it didn’t come to that.
Terrace corner, behind a massive pillar.
This spot was perfect for hiding.
‘I want to go home.’
I missed my fluffy bed.
I missed my beloved pillow.
The comforting weight of my blanket pressing down on me kept coming to mind.
My air conditioner, blasting cool wind, must be waiting for me right now, practically weeping.
“Hey? Luna!”
At that moment, a familiar voice slipped through a gap in the din.
I turned my head, and fresh grass-green hair swayed right before my eyes.
The sight soothed me instantly, and my rigidly tensed shoulders slowly relaxed.
“Hi, Claire.”
My lips curved up of their own accord.
The most welcome face I’d seen all day at the palace.
“What brings you here?”
“What do you mean? To attend the inauguration, obviously. Congrats anyway, Great Mage! You’ve totally hit the big time, huh?”
Claire gave my shoulder a couple friendly pats as she spoke.
A casual congrats, no different from celebrating her top class rank.
Unlike the other nobles piling on flowery praise that just weighed me down, this let me breathe easy.
“Yeah, thanks.”
“Hey! But seriously, aren’t you the worst? You said you’d visit our territory over break.”
“Uh... did I?”
No way I’d have said that.
“You said you’d think about it!”
Ah, right.
“I said I’d think about it, not that I’d go.”
“Wow... you’re really too much. If I were you, I’d play along and go at least once.”
“It’s just... such a hassle...”
Claire grumbled, puffing out her cheeks.
“And! You didn’t send a single letter!”
“You didn’t send any either.”
“I totally did?!”
“...Huh?”
“Right after getting back to the territory, up till now—at least every three days, without fail!”
I took a quick look back at my break.
Sure, I’d spent a good chunk of time holed up in the academy.
Inside, it was... sleep, research, sleep some more, sparring...
Wait. Wasn’t I actually living a surprisingly full life, too busy for letters?
Where’d my slacker vibe go?
“You probably won’t believe it, but I’ve been swamped with stuff.”
So much happened... it’s been rough, really...
“Fine, fine. A Great Mage like you must’ve been busy. I’ll let it go this once...”
“Ahem! Claire, I get you’re thrilled to catch up, but mind introducing your friend now?”
Then a thick, gruff voice cut in from behind Claire.
I turned, and my view filled up completely.
Bear-sized build, skin tanned copper by the sun. Thick, callused knuckles.
The way he kept tugging at his collar, like it choked him, made him look like a farmer who’d rushed into a suit straight from the fields.
The only one reeking of fresh earth amid all the slick, oily nobles.
It felt oddly comforting somehow, putting my mind at ease.
“Oh, right! Let me introduce—this is my dad!”
Claire hooked her arm in his as she said it.
“Dad, this is Lunaris Evermoon.”
“I’ve heard plenty about you from my daughter. I’m Baron Lauren.”
Baron Lauren bowed, rough around the edges but polite.
A bit clumsy, but brimming with genuine sincerity.
“I’m Lunaris Evermoon, Claire’s friend.”
I returned the greeting right back.
As Claire’s friend—not some Great Mage.
“I heard you turned my worthless daughter into one of the department’s top scholarship kids. How ever can I repay that kindness...”
“W-what’re you saying?!”
Claire jumped up, yelling.
“Dad! Luna just teased me nonstop, okay? My grades are all from me grinding till my nose bled—what gives?!”
“Ahem. I know your magic skills inside out, girl.”
The baron clucked his tongue.
“You were scraping mid-tier in the magic department, and shelling out for your tuition and enrollment nearly bankrupted our territory—remember that?”
“T-that’s ancient history...”
“I was so ashamed in front of our people—couldn’t show my face. They pitched in voluntarily for your fees, saying we had to make something of our hopeless girl...”
“Argh, seriously! That’s why I snagged the full scholarship this time!”
“And who got you that full ride? Think the genius Great Mage didn’t spoon-feed you every answer?”
“Aaah! For real! You doubting me, Dad?!”
I couldn’t help laughing at Claire stomping her feet in outrage.
This is why I can’t quit messing with her.
“She’s right. Claire worked her butt off. I just watched her solve problems from the sidelines.”
“Oh... no need for that, truly—you’re humble to a fault...”
Baron Lauren scratched the back of his head sheepishly, then whap—slapped Claire’s back with a hand like a pot lid.
“Aaah! Why’d you hit me?!”
“Take a page from your friend, kid. Magic aside, copy that humility and character.”
“Ugh, seriously! Like you know anything, Dad!”
Claire’s lips jutted out in a pout.
“You know no one’s got a worse personality than her? Nag-nag-nagging while I’m grinding problems! I’m up all night, she’s snoring away solo! And she aces every exam, that jerk... Aaah!”
“Ahem! Watch your mouth around friends!”
The second loving back-smack landed square on Claire.
“Sorry you saw that embarrassing side. She’s still such a kid...”
Baron Lauren pulled a stern face, then beamed at me with a warm, kind smile.
I could see why Claire was so bright and wrinkle-free. Growing up with a dad like that? Makes sense.
“Anyway, showing up empty-handed feels off. Wanted to bring flowers at least, but she threw such a fit saying no need.”
“It’s fine. Nowhere to put ‘em anyway.”
Yep. Classic Claire. Knows me too well.
“Come visit our territory anytime. Not much to see, but the cheese? Out of this world.”
He fussed grandly, promising to roll out the red carpet fit for a Great Mage.
“Skip the Great Mage bit—welcoming me as Claire’s friend is plenty.”
Baron Lauren erupted in hearty guffaws. “Uhahaha—”
“Then I’ll have to treat you even grander.”
His hand settled on Claire’s still-pouting shoulder.
“Claire’s my most precious treasure. Her dear friend’s a VIP to me, same as.”
“Here you are, Lunaris.”
No sooner had Claire and Baron Lauren left than someone popped out from behind the pillar, blocking my path.
Timing sharp as a blade—like they’d been waiting for me to be alone.
“Dressed up so pretty today. Hardly recognize you. Head maid’s handiwork?”
A somewhat plain dress.
Elaborately styled red hair instead.
None other than Senior Miriel.
“Yeah, whatever.”
A surly tone slipped out.
All the hassle today had worn me down, and I’d been about to slip away for rest. Getting snagged soured my mood.
“Then I’m off—I’m beat.”
“W-wait a sec!”
Senior Miriel blocked me again, desperate.
I rubbed my heavy-lidded eyes and stifled a yawn.
“Business? Want me to hook you up with your dad too?”
“N-no, that’s...”
Looking closer, today’s Senior Miriel was worlds apart from the one at Elterion Academy.
Hand on hip, playing haughty—but her legs wobbled.
Lips quivering like she was fleeing something.
Sick?
Or bad palace grub?
“Not my father—someone else I want to introduce.”
“...?”
“T-tomorrow!”
Senior Miriel gulped dryly and pressed on.
“Clear some time after the inauguration tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“D-does it matter?!”
Her voice spiked, then she flinched, whipping her head around.
She lowered it to a whisper.
“Just clear it. Why so chatty?”
“Pass. Heading straight to the dorm to crash.”
“Ugh...!!”
Senior Miriel’s face crumpled near tears as she glared daggers.
Or... more like pleading eyes.
“P-please...”
“...?”
“Please! I’m begging!”
“???”
...Wow.
Never imagined please or begging from her lips.
“Just a bit! I’ll meet you after the ceremony—don’t go anywhere! Got it?!”
Senior Miriel blurted it all out and spun away, not waiting for my reply.
Her dress skirts swirling as she fled into the crowd—like she’d committed some huge crime.
I stood there blankly, replaying it.
What the heck? Thought she was here to pick a fight.
More than that, she didn’t feel like the original Miriel I knew—which bugged me more.
Nothing’s twisted again, right...?
“...No clue.”
Anyway, tomorrow I’d find out.