Chapter 68
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: The Count's Favor
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Ughhh
Inside the Ruelverta familys carriage.
Wendy, dressed in her school uniform, fidgeted with the toe of her shoe.
Hmm? Did you eat too much for breakfast or something? You just picked at it?
Teaaacher
The cat grinning and twirling on Wendys shoulder was Myohail.
Its not that. Im just s-shaking
Ho ho ho. Whats there to be nervous about? You did great giving the pledge as the representative. Now all thats left is to enjoy school life, right?
Today was a meaningful day for Wendy.
It was the day of her first university class.
The classes hadnt even started yet, but Wendy was already shrinking in on herself.
Ugh Im worried if I can keep up with the lessons
Ho ho. Dont worry. Even university is just kid stuff.
B-but thats because youre you, Teacher I cant even keep up with kid stuff
Having grown up in a poor farming family, Wendy had been far removed from any proper education.
Before entering service at the counts household, all shed learned was basic reading and etiquette at a vocational school.
That was why she couldnt wrap her head around the fact that shed been admitted to this nations top institution of higher learning.
Myohail stroked his whiskers.
Magic isnt all that special Its funny for me to say it, but Im skeptical about the idea of schools existing for magic. Back in my day, there were no schools or anythingwe just experimented ourselves.
Y-yeah
Wed beg renowned mages to teach us, doing all the chores and suffering endlessly. Compared to that, todays mages lack passion. In that sense, how lucky is our little disciple lady? Shes got the worlds greatest teacher. Heh heh.
Thats true, but
Myohail hopped down from her shoulder and curled up on Wendys thigh.
He let out a rumbling yawn.
Wendy stroked his chin as she spoke.
But Teacher do I really deserve to attend this school? I wasnt born into a good family or anything
Hmm Isnt the answer to that basically what the count already said?
Huh?
Wendy tilted her head.
Looking quite comfortable, Myohail stretched out languidly and said.
Hmm The count Ive seen so far Tristan might seem like a wasteful playboy who throws money around at first glance.
P-playboy?!
Ho ho. Hes a rich noble, handsome, and his personality isnt the worst. The picture of a playboy.
The count isnt like that! Well I wont deny hes handsome
Tsk tsk To fall head over heels for a playboy like that Anyway, he doesnt waste money. He actually hates wasting it. For a count like that to spare no expense supporting our little ladywhat do you think that means?
Uh um yeah why is that?
That youre worth it to him.
Huh?
Wendys hand froze.
Myohail voiced what hed been thinking all along.
Thats what I think. For him to so readily invest that much money and time in you means hes recognized your potential.
Potential
Wendy mulled over the word.
Did she really have something like that?
Myohail provided the answer to her question.
Tristan is the head of Ruelverta, the most prosperous house in the empire. Its only natural he has sharper eyes than anyone. And besides
He glanced around, the corners of his mouth turning up.
He wouldnt send our little lady to school in such a luxurious carriage if he didnt cherish her that much, right?
T-thats
Tristan had lent her one of his carriages for commuting to school.
It was preferential treatment beyond what any mere servant could dream of.
Not only was he covering her tuition, he was keeping her salary intact. And now even lending her a carriage Wendy was so overwhelmed she could barely lift her head.
With a carriage, her commute time would be drastically cut.
She would have been overjoyed even with some rickety old thing.
But what shed received was a top-of-the-line carriage, no different from the one Tristan himself used.
The moment shed seen itfar too extravagant for a servant like herand tried timidly to refuse, Tristan had said:
-If you dont use it, youre fired.
-Eek?!
And so, Wendy ended up riding to school in a luxury carriage despite her status as a servant.
This Receiving the counts favor all to yourselfsmall wonder youre smitten.
I-its not favor like that Its not, Teacher.
She said that, but Wendy knew.
She was receiving privileges on an enormous scale.
No other servant of Tristans got treatment as extraordinary as hers.
The situation made her feel burdened, yet happy and embarrassed too.
You never know with people. Maybe someday she could be his his
Seeing Wendys face flush bright red, Myohail snickered.
Heh heh. Sorry, but this teacher hasnt acknowledged him as your mate yet.
M-m-m-m-mate?! Kyaaah!?
Startled, Wendy shot to her feet and bonked her head on the carriage ceiling.
It was a luxury carriage, so the interior was padded softno injury, but tears still welled up.
Sniff I-I didnt think anything like thaaat! I didnt sob
Saying it out loud while sniffling, she realized her words amounted to a confession.
Mortified that Myohail had seen through her, Wendy covered her face.
Its just I-I fell for him all on my own The count must never know not ever
Her true feelings leaked out between her trembling words.
Yeah he must never know that way I can keep liking him on my own
Having barely calmed down, Wendy looked up to find Myohail had moved to the opposite seat.
He was huddled in the corner with his face buried, trembling.
Fine, just stop already Do you want to see this old man getting all rejuvenated? Theres a limit to how fresh it can be
Huh?
Tch What does a playboy like that have going for him? This isnt just some rose-tinted glasses. Hmm? Could it be some unknown curse even this teacher doesnt know about?
D-dont tease me
Just then, the carriage began slowing down.
They had arrived at their destination.
Hmm Shall we get moving?
Y-yes! A-are you coming too, Teacher?
Myohail chuckled at Wendys question.
Ho ho Strictly speaking, this is my workplace. Whats wrong with me going to work?
Oh y-yeah youre right?
But hadnt Teacher been staying cooped up in the mansion this whole time?
That question didnt go further.
The carriage came to a full stop, and Wendy opened the door.
Rain poured down in sheets.
It was hard to block every drop, so even inside the barrier, it was drizzling.
Her first day, and the weather was utterly gloomy.
Myohail grimaced.
Ugh This rains a nasty color.
Dont worryyy. Ill use an umbrella
No helping it Catch me.
Huh?
Myohail did a flip in the air, his body shrinking like a deflating balloon.
Eh? Ehh!? Teacher!?
Wendy quickly cupped her hands and caught the miniaturized Myohail.
In her palms lay a golden hair accessory shaped like a cats face.
At the same time, Myohails voice echoed in her mind.
Hmm. Perfect.
It was telepathy, the mind-to-mind communication hed taught her.
T-Teacher?! This is youuu?!
Ho ho ho. Thats right, little lady. Nomy disciple.
No way
Transformation magic was known as one of the most difficult spells.
Even Wendy, whose magic knowledge was limited, knew that much.
It really hit home now that her teacher was a sage.
Im ready. Now stick me in your hair.
In my h-hair?
Ho ho. That way, no one will notice, right? Its a kind of stealth technique.
Oh, right
Wendy carefully pinned the Myohail pin? into her hair.
I-is it okay?
Excellent. My disciple.
No mirror to check, but if Myohail said it was fine, it was fine.
Just as Wendy, fully prepared, reached for her umbrella
Hold on.
Huh?
An umbrella is unnecessary for a sages disciple.
Huh?
Wendy made a blank face, not understanding her teacher.
Ahem. Just trust this teacher.
Myohail spoke in a mischievous tone.
Now, Ill teach you how a sages disciple walks through the rain.