Chapter 121
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: Scene 121 Switcheroo
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The next day, the moment a fully recovered Wendy poked her head into the classroom, she was met with a tight embrace from Sia.
S-Sia I cant breathe
No way. Im not letting go. I was really really worried about you.
Sias eyes grew misty as she hugged Wendy close.
Even now, just thinking back on it made her heart race with anxiety.
Wendy and the other students had been swallowed up inside the barrier amid a deafening roar.
From Sias expert perspective on spells, it was no ordinary barrier by any means.
Its complexity and sturdiness were unmatched by any she had ever seen.
The situation was dire.
Even Ariel, the pioneer of spell research, and the other professors couldnt lay a hand on it.
The longer time dragged on, the more frantic Sia became.
Because it was her best friend Wendy trapped insidenot anyone else.
If this had happened back at the start of the semester, Sia might have secretly been thrilled.
She had envied Wendy for snatching the top spot from her for the first time in her life.
But Wendy was a kind girl. Kind enough to cover for Sia even after shed swung her staff at her out of nowhere.
She felt like such a fool for envying a girl like that.
Wait just a little longer. Ill figure something out and rescue you no matter what
Before it got any later, Sia resolved to ask her father, Odell, for help.
If she mobilized the connections of the empires prime minister, Odell, she might be able to bring in some of the finest imperial mages. They could surely turn the situation around.
But all of Sias determination proved pointless as the barrier burst into flames.
Her mind went blank.
The instructors shouting for everyone to evacuate, the students fleeing in panic.
In the midst of that chaos, Sia stared blankly at the blazeuntil she witnessed something unbelievable.
A man emerging with flames at his back. And in his arms, an unconscious girl.
Recalling that moment made Sias chest tighten for no reason, and she wiped away tears.
Youre really all better now, right?
Y-Yes The C-Countno, the Chairman called in healers, so Im completely recovered. Hehe
Thank goodness Really, thank goodness
After confirming she was okay, the two headed to their seats in the corner of the classroom.
A girl who had been burying her face there lifted her head at the sound of their footsteps.
Oh long time no see, Wendy.
Luna? Are you okay?
Ugh I barely slept last night
Luna stretched as she spoke.
Dark circles shadowed her eyes, looking exactly like Wendy during those all-nighters cramming for exams not long ago.
Oh, that reminds mespeaking of last night
At that moment, Sia spoke up as if something had just occurred to her.
Word is the Chairman had an audience with His Majesty the Emperor last night.
W-What?!
Wendys head snapped up.
T-The Chairman?
Yeah. Its a secret, but my dad told me late last night after coming back from the palace.
Sia glanced around to make sure no one else was listening before continuing.
Apparently, the Chairman had a private audience with His Majesty.
A private audience?
Looks like His Majesty has acknowledged the Chairman as one of the Seven Stars.
Wendy might not know the full details as an ordinary person, but even she could tell that speaking alone with the Emperor was an enormous privilege.
Thats amazing, right?
Amazing? Its beyond amazing. I cant even imagine what the Chairman said to sway His Majesty like that.
No way. He said it was just pity, so His Majesty made an exception.
Huh?
It was Luna who said that.
Realizing shed let slip something she shouldnt have, Luna frantically waved her hands.
Ah? N-No, I mean, thats not exactly itI just heard it somewhere
You heard it?
W-Well, our family has a little connection to the imperial family Ahahaha
Luna laughed awkwardly.
Like Wendy, Luna was one of the students hiding her family background.
Sia nodded, figuring it made senseprobably a house tied to the imperial family, just as she said. Then she leaned in, whispering seriously once more.
Its too soon to say for sure, but the Ruelverta familys ties to the imperial house might change too. Maybe even
Creak.
At that moment, the classroom front door slid open, and in walked Professor Ariel Risujet.
The click of her high heels echoed through the room.
Everyone, pay attention.
The students looked at her with puzzled expressions.
Todays first class was History and Records of Magicnot Ariels subject.
I have an announcement for you all. Its about the results from that midterms exam you took.
The classroom buzzed with murmurs.
Those I call will come forward and collect your report cards.
Professor!
A tough-looking female student raised her hand toward Ariel.
It was Rachel, self-proclaimed rival to Sia.
In her clear, deliberate voice, she asked,
Who got first place?
It was a question on the minds of all the freshmen presentnot just Rachel.
Like any university, excelling at Meikahel Academy meant a higher chance of scholarships next semester.
Especially the top studenttheir name would go up on the school bulletin board for all to see.
It was a huge boost when they graduated and chose their paths later on.
An opportunity for the imperial family and prominent noble houses of the empire to remember their names.
Ariel, knowing this, smirked at Rachels question.
Fine. Youll all find out eventually, so Ill tell you.
The students perked up their ears.
Wendy clutched her chest, awaiting the words from Ariels mouth.
First place is
Hoo
I was in the Chairmans office, doing handstand push-ups.
Sweat beaded on my forehead.
Lately, busyness had made me accustomed to working out right here in the office.
Now that Id lost the weight, my muscles were starting to bulk up nicely.
The more I trained, the greedier I got.
A desire to sculpt this once-lazy body into perfection.
It was impressive now, but not yet my goal. If only I had some protein powder.
Is this the gift from the Emperor?
At Helgas question, I lifted my head while still in handstand position.
What she was looking at was a small crystal box.
.....
.....
Inside it lay a scrap of black cloth, translucent in material.
A glove?
Yeah. The Emperors own glove.
Quite the ridiculous sight.
The crystal box probably cost more than the glove itself.
Still, there was only one reason I cherished and stored that glove so carefully.
I decided to keep it as a souvenir.
What?? This?
Helga gave me a look like she couldnt comprehend.
I agreed with her completely.
Who keeps something like this as a souvenir?
But a promise was a promise.
The least I could do was pretend to treasure it.
Hmm. I see so thats it.
Helga alternated glances between the glove and me with a subtle expression.
Then, as if noticing something, she muttered softly.
Oh dear another run.
Somewhere along the way, a run had appeared in Helgas stocking.
Excuse me for a moment.
Helga flopped onto the office sofa and struggled to remove her boots with grunts.
Her skirt flipped up carelessly, and I clicked my tongue at the imprudent display.
Helga. Act with a bit more decorum.
Hehe Dont worry. I only show this side to you, my lord Count.
Thats not the issue.
Helga snickered and tossed her boots aside.
Then she reached for her thigh and began sliding the stocking down.
You could look, my lord Count?
I wont.
Tch
Helga pouted and peeled off the laddered stocking.
As she changed into a spare pair, she said quietly,
Now that I think about it, I started wearing these stockings because I didnt want you to see the scars on my legs But these days, its the opposite.
Opposite?
Yeah. I just want to show my bare legs only to you. So now I wear stockings to hide them from everyone else.
Makes sense
That explained why she still wore black stockings.
Helga was confident in her legs and favored outfits that accentuated them.
Her military coat usually covered them, but when we were alone like this, she often let her guard down.
As I did push-ups, I replied,
But if you dont want others seeing them, why not just wear pants?
Sorry, but I never wear manly things like pants. And my lord Countwomens hearts are complicated. Hehehe
Complicated? More like utterly baffling.
If I nitpicked every little thing, Id end up like a dad nagging his teenage daughter about skirt lengths, so I shut my mouth.
After slipping into fresh stockings, Helga crossed her long legs before putting her boots back on and declared,
Ta-da! This is my complete form!
But I found her facegiggling like a mischievous girlfar more appealing than her legs.
Aah. No reaction from you makes me so sad. I think Ill go cry in the bathroom.
Now booted up, Helga pretended to sob as she rose from the sofa. I stopped her just as she headed for the door.
Stay right there.
Pardon?
I stopped the handstand and stood up.
Helga.
Y-Yes?
As I wiped the sweat from my upper body with a towel, I said to her,
Did you think I wouldnt notice?
What do you?
Helga tilted her head.
I couldnt help but admire her acting skills.
Playing innocent, are we?
I picked up the crystal box from the desk.
And handed it to Helga.
Open it.
Huh? Why? I already saw inside earlier
Open it.
Under my pressure, Helga finally opened the crystal box.
I lifted out the black cloth scrap inside and said,
Tell me what this is.
In my hand was not the Emperors glovebut Helgas laddered stocking.
Wh-What My lord Count, you taking the one I was wearing
Helga flushed red, avoiding my gaze as if embarrassed.
At her brazenness, I sighed.
Dont swap them on your own.
Ahahaha I thought if you kept mine as a souvenir too
Helga.
Y-Yes? Wh-Why? Whats wrong, my lord Count?
Sweat poured down Helga as I tossed the stocking at her and commanded,
Youre banned from skirts for the next week.
This was punishmentId make her wear pants for a while.
But Helga cried out with a strange mix of joy and shame on her face.
What?! Youre telling me to go with nothing under?! Such indecencyno, a sudden reward like that?!
No. You absolute blockhead.