"Don't Even Mention It—I Never Want to Spar Again."
"Don't even talk about it. I never want to spar again."
"Of course not. There's no way Grandfather would go easy on you."
"Haha."
I shook my head vigorously. The white-haired old master had nearly shattered my arm. And that was now, when he was past his prime. I could only pity the monsters that must have turned to mush under his blade in his heyday.
"I'm sure the lady will take it easy on me."
"Heh, you can count on it."
As we exchanged friendly words, Henry, sensing the danger, piped up.
"Hey, don't forget I'm here too."
I smirked at him.
"Of course."
Then I pointed my wooden sword at the two of them in turn.
"I'll take you both on, so relax."
The boy and girl glared at me, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.
* * *
The bustling festival period flew by in no time. Today was already the final day of the Magic Festival.
Just as there had been an opening ceremony on the first day, the last day featured a closing ceremony. The northern Magic Festival was famous for its spectacular finale as well. I heard the Colosseum's stands would be packed with spectators today too.
"You look amazing, miss."
Hearing the admiring voice, I looked up. In the mirror, a girl in knight's uniform stared back at me with a stern expression.
Abigail Carpoem. The villainous duke's daughter from the novel I'd possessed. I'd changed her fate quite a bit.
And today, Abigail would officially become the heir to the ducal house.
I buckled on the sword Annie had brought me, and May draped a long red cloak over my shoulders. Black base with gold epaulettes, the ducal house's dragon emblem, the ornate crimson cloak—everything was perfect.
"How do I look?"
I spun around and asked. Every maid in the room turned to me. The ones who'd looked uneasy when I first wanted to wear pants for sword practice now gazed at me in rapture.
"The knights will lose all their nerve when they see you, miss."
"It suits you so well."
"How do you shine like this...?"
May was clutching her mouth, eyes glistening with tears. Their over-the-top reactions made me laugh. Back when I first possessed this body, the maids had dressed me in a heavy gown for this occasion. Now, I'd ditched the dress for a sword instead. I still wasn't sure if that was the right choice. Honestly, I doubted I could pull it off.
But I couldn't stop just because I was scared.
I turned to Ian, who was waiting.
"Ian, let's go."
"Yes."
I was no longer a lady who needed an escort. I strode out of the room and down the stairs with confident steps. Ian followed like a shadow.
"Abigail."
"...Benjamin?"
Benjamin emerged from a dim corridor and called my name softly. I was startled to see him. He hated crowded festivals and hadn't shown up at all. A senior mage had attended events in his stead.
Was he planning to appear for the closing ceremony on the last day? Curious, I approached him.
"What? You heading to the closing ceremony too?"
Maybe he was coming to celebrate my heir announcement. He had a sense of loyalty like that, even if he didn't show it. I eyed him, already sipping the kimchi soup.
But Benjamin's face was gravely serious. As soon as I got close, he cut straight to it.
"Marquis Ather is dead."
"What?"
I widened my eyes in shock. The Magic Tower's rune prison was no ordinary place. Mages guarded it so tightly not even a rat could escape, let alone die at will.
Benjamin bit his lip until it bled.
"Damn it, there has to be a traitor in the Tower. My mistake."
"......"
His pride must have been shattered. The pinnacle of all continental mages, the Magic Tower Master, had been stabbed in the back. A faction opposing the Master's will inside the Tower was no small matter.
"Ather was just a disposable pawn after all. There's something bigger at play."
Marquis Ather was a mage skilled enough in curses for even Ren to acknowledge. They'd used him to assassinate the duke, and when caught, somehow breached the rune prison's defenses to kill him. They must have thought grabbing him ended it all.
But that was too naive. It felt like some massive black curtain loomed in the shadows, something not in the novel.
"Lady Abigail?"
Dominic must have come up because I was taking so long. I heard his voice calling me. Quickly masking my troubled expression, I whispered to Benjamin.
"I'll contact you later. I'm busy now."
"Alright."
Benjamin stepped back, vanishing in an instant. I sighed softly and finished descending the stairs.
Dominic looked at me anxiously.
"Sorry, I was a bit late."
"Lady Abigail!"
"I was just nervous."
Only then did Dominic exhale in relief and speak.
"We should hurry. His Grace is waiting."
"Okay."
I nodded and followed Dominic. Marquis Ather's death was shocking, but I had something more important now. I couldn't let myself waver.
That was exactly what my enemies wanted. Still, I couldn't shake the rising unease in my heart.
Seeing the duke waiting in the entrance hall made that anxiety swell even more. This world was dead set on killing the duke and me.
My complacency crumbled in an instant.
"Abigail."
"...Father."
The duke smiled brightly at me, then looked proudly at my uniformed figure.
"You're beautiful today."
"Beautiful in uniform?"
"You're beautiful in anything."
I knew the duke could say sappy things like that. It didn't sound bad, so I smiled and took his hand.
"Your face looks dark."
"Guess I'm a little tense."
"You'll do great."
"...I have to."
We boarded the carriage together. It left the ducal estate and headed into the city.
The northern city of Rius brimmed with the same energy as the first day I'd seen it. Even on the festival's last day, the excitement hadn't died down. People recognized the ducal carriage and cheered. Some shouted Abigail's name.
I gazed blankly at them through the small carriage window.
"If you're that nervous, we can delay the announcement."
"...Father."
"No need to feel burdened so soon. You haven't even had your coming-of-age yet."
He had a point. At Abigail's age, awakening and announcement were both precocious. He'd rushed out of joy, but seeing my dark expression, he must have thought he'd misjudged.
But delaying would hurt me more than help. First off, I'd lose grounds to demand breaking off my engagement to the crown prince. Past female dukes had rushed heir announcements to dodge marriage. Marriage was inevitably a chain for women, stripping away freedom to do as one pleased.
"No. Today. I won't put it off anymore."
Seeing my resolve, the duke nodded.
The ducal house would face countless crises ahead. Those targeting our lives, monsters bursting from the far north, the near-arctic cold. To prepare and overcome them all, I needed power within the house.
I'd nearly shown weakness over just Marquis Ather's death. If obstacles arose, I'd simply eliminate them.
"......"
Anyone who touched the ducal house would regret it.
* * *
"It's already the last day of the festival. Don't be sad—plenty of magic awaits you today too."
The lively announcer's voice echoed through the Colosseum.
Unlike the opening, the closing featured magic demonstrations first, ending with the duke's remarks. By today, the city would be saturated with mana from the mages' shows. One of the watching children might become a mage for the history books.
I watched the diverse magics blooming from the mages' fingertips from the VIP box. I couldn't reveal my uniformed self publicly yet, so I was essentially in hiding.
The box held me, Ian, and a few escort knights.
"Nervous?"
Jade, my escort and sword instructor, asked. They all seemed to misread my dark expression.
I smirked.
"A little. Standing before that crowd makes me shake."
"Not like you, Lady Abigail."
Jade teased.
"You've earned your clan's recognition, and the 1st Knight Order is loyal to you. Today is just announcing that to the territory. No need to tense up."
"...Right."
My swordmaster Jade looked even more reliable than usual. I could picture the knights swinging their blades at my side in the future. They'd be a great strength.
Knock knock.
"A mage wishes to see the lady."
"Hm?"
A guarding knight entered after knocking. I'd met Benjamin at the estate, and only one other mage knew me personally here.
"Let them in."
I signaled Jade and Ian to step back. A mage in a deep brown robe, hood pulled low, entered.
"Ren, shouldn't you be busy? What brings you here?"
"...Lady."
Ren's green eyes peeked from under the hood. As an apprentice at the Tower, handling odd jobs beyond his duties, I figured he'd be swamped till the end.
But he'd made time to visit.
"I have something to tell you."
His eyes held resolve. I'd never seen him look at me like that, and it threw me off a bit.
"Go ahead."
Ren took a deep breath.
"You said before... you'd grant my wish?"
"Wish? Oh."
I realized what he meant and parted my lips slightly. I'd promised him a reward for lifting the duke's curse. With the festival ongoing, I'd planned to decide later.
I hadn't expected him to bring it up first.
"Of course. Tell me what you want."
I intended to grant anything Ren desired. Then, with a face full of determination, he dropped the bomb.
"I want to be your mage."