chapter 9
chapter 9
Note 2
‘What!? Arrogant?!’
At the other person’s condescending remark, Lucia’s sleep vanished instantly. Grinding her teeth inwardly, she pulled out a memo and fountain pen from her desk drawer.
As if to mock her roommate’s neat handwriting, she carefully wrote in even more precise strokes. It was slightly round and cute, but not messy.
[Isn’t it improper to leave a finished teacup on a shared table? Cleaning up afterward is basic etiquette. I will compensate as promised.]
Who started this first? Still, whoever wrote that had nice handwriting.
Satisfied with her own script, Lucia quietly tiptoed into the living room and carefully pressed the note onto the center of her roommate’s door.
Admiring the perfectly placed note, she returned to bed, the blanket feeling much cozier.
To think her roommate was such an unpleasant noble lady… she absolutely didn’t want to meet her face to face.
Everyone here is strange.
For several days after that, no new reply appeared.
It was as if they lived in parallel worlds under the same roof. They never crossed paths even once.
‘Maybe it’s better this way.’
With a lighter heart, Lucia left the dorm.
Her days passed quietly as usual.
Each morning, she endured Rosaria’s familiar criticism from the seat beside her, letting it pass without reaction.
Lunch time.
At an outdoor café, a pastry and strong coffee sat on the table.
Above, wisteria flowers swayed gently in the breeze, their pale purple clusters glowing under the sunlight.
It was peaceful, but Lucia sighed like soaked cotton.
“I must have sold an empire in my past life. My sins must be immense.”
Maybe her body’s past life…
Looking back at recent events, it really felt like that kind of karma.
Sophia patted her shoulder sympathetically, and Lucia’s frustration spilled out.
“Isn’t this too much?! Every time I enter the classroom, Rosaria has something to say! Is it like that in your department too?”
“No… what does she say exactly?”
“Things like ‘You’re late again’ or ‘Still late, no improvement.’”
“…Every day?”
“Every day.”
“The princess is kind of scary…”
Lucia covered her face, groaning.
After lamenting her fate, she pulled something from her pocket.
Clink.
A small metal device rolled onto the table.
A communication orb.
Now completely drained of mana.
“Look. Just like my life—completely empty.”
She poked it.
“Charge it for me. I had to search your whole department to find you.”
Sophia flicked her fingers elegantly, restoring its mana.
“I want to use magic like that too.”
“You look cool just tapping your staff.”
“That’s terrible.”
“Well, Chloe and I think it’s cool.”
Lucia pouted as Sophia pushed her coffee toward her.
“Everyone around me is impossible to understand. Or maybe I offended them somehow.”
“No way. I’ll get someone to write a nice article about you.”
“It already happened once.”
“…Not like that.”
Lucia drank her coffee silently.
“You look tired.”
“I just didn’t sleep well.”
She took a bite of pastry.
“At least I have Asel…”
Sophia glanced at the silver staff.
A weapon.
To nobles, just a crude stick.
As their picnic faded, more students gathered nearby.
Lucia tried to leave, but Sophia stopped her.
“If you run, it’ll look worse.”
“…Really?”
“You might end up in the paper again.”
“No! My elegance will suffer!”
“What even is that word…”
Lucia clenched her fists dramatically.
“Anyway, my roommate is unbelievable.”
“What happened?”
Lucia explained everything—the broken teacup, the note calling her arrogant.
“You’re at fault.”
“…What?”
“You caused it. You’re just upset about how she said it.”
“…That’s right.”
Why do I feel scolded?
“Still, what did you reply?”
“I said I’d compensate and pointed out her fault too! I held back from insulting her! But no reply… now I’m annoyed again!”
Sophia tilted her head.
Why is she becoming more childish?
Lucia glared.
Sophia patted her again.
“More importantly, always keep your staff with you.”
“I know…”
“Without it, you’re just a small, weak girl.”
“…I know.”
She fell silent.
It was true.
“…Alright.”
After repeated warnings, their picnic finally ended.
Exhausted, Lucia returned to class.
And immediately felt that sharp gaze.
Rosaria.
“Unbelievable.”
“What now?”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Good for you.”
Lucia frowned.
“Do you just hate everything?”
No response.
As always.
‘Like a barking dog…’
The afternoon class was magic demonstration.
Students displayed elegant magic.
Lucia watched.
Colorful circles filled the air.
Beautiful.
Isadora went next.
Perfect.
“Trouble, Lucia.”
Rosaria’s voice.
“You can’t use magic.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“Good luck.”
Her smirk was irritating.
Rosaria’s turn.
Her magic filled the room.
Brilliant.
Lucia watched silently.
‘I still don’t get why that makes it stronger.’
Then—
Rosaria passed by and deliberately bumped her.
Lucia staggered but didn’t fall.
Seriously?
She stepped onto the stage.
All eyes on her.
“Begin.”
Lucia gripped Asel.
Golden light shimmered—
That was all.
“…Is that it?”
“…Yes.”
She turned—
“Elegant indeed.”
Isadora stood.
“But is that truly magic?”
Laughter spread.
“It looks more like a performance.”
More ridicule.
Lucia stayed silent.
But—
She was reaching her limit.