◆

Summer break was always a hassle.

After all, returning home didn’t mean she didn’t have to do homework, chores, help with work, and take care of Neria.

School was so much better because there were no chores to do. Studying in class was no different than a pastime for her. Learning was really fun.

“Ooh, it’s rare to see a young lady alone in a stagecoach.”

As a matter of course, Neria would return to her parents’ home in a luxurious carriage that she personally arranged. Of course, she also made hotel reservations for Neria journey. She would then be scolded for not getting the best room.

As a result, she’d have less money to spend for herself, so she’d have to rent cheap accommodations for her homecoming.

Naturally, she’d travel alone without any escorts. Along the way, she’d meet quite a few shady-looking people, but there were just as many nice ones. Some even shared their fruit with her. Such once-in-a-lifetime encounters made her realize that the world wasn’t rotten.

The period of stay at her parents’ house was approximately one month. The round trip took two weeks.

Those two weeks were her only ‘summer break.’

Alone, just for me.

I don’t have any money, but I find a lot of inspiration from my summer break.

◆

—Now, let’s pick a fight with the king!

…Although, even if I said that, this is the king we’re talking about. Meanwhile, I’m just a low-ranking nobody.

Even if I wanted to meet him, I couldn’t do so through normal means. If I asked for an audience or something like that, I had a feeling he might secretly invite me, but… For me to go out of my way to see him, that was just humiliating. Moreover, I’d be stepping into enemy territory.

Above all, I wanted to make him cry.

—Thus, just like that, summer break.

Incidentally, I passed the final exam without a hitch. Cecily was just that smart. Not only did she keep up with her studies and research at the Magic Analysis Club, she also kept up with Anita during our after-school magic training.

When I received my report card, it was filled with S’s and A’s, and then it was the beginning of a fun summer vacation. …As expected, in terms of practical skills, even if my magical performance exceeded even that of the teacher, a student who had to borrow magic from others couldn’t be given an S.

Well, I can see why.

“Still, I never thought the day would come when I’d be inferior to the former ‘Withered Grass Lady’ in regards to grades…”

“Sorry about that. You can be more frustrated.”

“Actually, I’m saying that you should immediately ditch your sister and show your true potential!”

Today too, Anita was scolding me as she saw me off.

By the way, Cecily’s older sister, Neria, the one Anita was referring to, was lugging a heavy bag all by herself.

Did it contain souvenirs for her parents? Or does it contain her own clothes?

Either way, her complexion didn’t look very good, and the dress she was wearing was somewhat tattered.

Apparently, the Travasta territory was located quite far from the academy. As such, the horse-drawn carriage journey needed to be started on the first day of vacation to return home. Anita herself was going to take her time preparing before returning to Helge territory.

Since the end of the exam, Anita had been desperately trying to invite me over.

“Hey, are you really going back to Travasta territory? You can just stay at my house? The lake is beautiful, and it’s a great summer resort? Also, recently, our family has been passionate about medical research. It’s said that the second semester is the peak period for the magic pharmacy exam, so it’s the perfect environment to prepare for it!”

“Hehe, it looks like it’d be really fun to spend a summer with Anita.. But now is the only time I can be filial to my parents.”

Of course, that was because I, Nora Noz, would only be able to see the faces of Cecily’s parents during this holiday… However, Anita, who frowned, apparently interpreted it differently.

“Your parents, I think they’re messed up…”

As in, they’re sick?

[I think both of them are very healthy.]

If Cecily said so, then it was probably true.

In other words, I could be “pampered” without hesitation!

“Anita, let’s get along well again after summer break!”

“Of course! If something happens, you can always rely on me!”

“Got it~!”

Ah, I love my friend so much today, too.

It’s such a shame that I won’t be able to see my favorite friend for over a month…

“Okay, sister, let’s go!”

I put my arm around my host’s older sister, Neria, who’d been waiting for me with a sullen look on her face.

As a matter of course, both sisters were alone in the carriage.

Neria didn’t seem pleased.

“Why do I have to ride in the same carriage as you…?”

“Since we’re going to the same destination, we can save money by sharing a carriage.”

Even when I preached the most natural providence, Neria only begrudged it even more.

“W-weren’t you invited by that haughty young lady?”

“Oh, so you heard? But I also want to see Mama and Papa once in a while? Let’s get along and be filial to our parents together.”

“Who would—”

“—By the way, sister, do Mama and Papa know about how I’d ghostwriting for  your exams and what not? Or what about your report card? As for me, I got S’s on all my academic tests, but even if I tried my best on the practical exams, I could only get were A’s.”

“…”

Even though I was talking to her, for some reason, my sister was quiet.

I said to my sister with a smile.

“Let’s have a fun summer vacation, sister!”

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