A few days later…

I was secretly consulting with Eivind during lunch break.

“What should we do?”

“Hahaha. I did say that I’d help you, but I didn’t think you’d be facing such desperate situations every day.”

“Don’t laugh!”

Terrible! Eivind Dahl is such a terrible man!

We hid behind the staircase where there weren’t many people. The topic I was discussing with Eivind in the dimly-lit area was about today’s after school study session.

Indeed—the study session with Anita. Nora always taught according to the material of the class and Anita’s learning progress. If it was theoretical, I could do plenty of preparation and tackle it head on, but… Nora always gave very intuitive instruction.

“C’mon, make it fluffier.”

“No, no, it’s more of a ‘whoosh’.”

…Naturally, Anita was always complaining about those instructions.

Still, somehow, her magical precision was improving day by day, so I thought Anita was a natural. In the last practical test, she achieved third place in class. As a matter of course, first place was Eivind Dahl, and second place was Cecily Travasta (Nora Noz, the Great Sage from 800 years ago).

How is someone who has always been last supposed to teach someone who is practically number one in the class?

I was serious, yet Eivind wouldn’t stop laughing.

“Still, it’s an improvement from yesterday’s issue. Although, even I don’t know how to spend a day in theatre club without a single incident… You always watched over her, right? Then you can just show up to practice. If you really don’t feel like it, you can just take a break.”

“—But Nora looks forward to it every time! What if she develops a bad reputation from skipping once? She wouldn’t be able to enjoy it anymore! I’d feel really bad.”

I tried to keep my voice low, and Eivind laughed, leaning his back against the wall.

“You’re too serious. It’s your body, so stay calm.”

Even so…

As I was sulking, Eivind asked me.

“Nora never wakes up?”

“She’s awake, but whenever I call her, she just says, ‘I’m in the middle of a good research session, so if you need anything, please write it down in bullet points for me to look over later’… I don’t even know how to write a letter in my mind…”

“Haha. She’s a true researcher.”

“…Eivind Dahl.”

Just as he laughed at me again, I heard a low voice calling out to him.

I turned around and saw Hana Field who had transferred to our school in the spring. No matter how many times Nora tried to befriend her, she always brushed her off.

However, it seemed that she helped my mother during summer break, so I wanted to thank her again… Still, considering that Nora had thanked her, would it be weird if I said it again?

Amidst my contemplation, Hana curtly asked.

“Are you done?”

“Eh…?”

“Can I borrow that?”

Did she just refer to Eivind Dahl as “that”?

I was taken aback. After all, a young staff member of the Royal Institute of Magic wasn’t the someone a mere student like me would be able to talk to so casually.

Although, I suppose Nora doesn’t have such an issue.

Eivind didn’t seem to mind. He silently smiled at me, and I immediately took the hint.

When I timidly turned to leave, Eivind gave me a reassuring, “See you after school.”

I paid no heed to the two of them as they began to speak in the shadows. Then, I spoke to Nora.

Hey, Nora. Eivind is going to be stolen away.

But Nora seemed to be concentrating intently on her research.

I thought Eivind was pretty loyal.

Maybe he’s just as much of a playboy as he looks?

Maybe he isn’t the right person to entrust Nora with after all?

…But even so, Eivind Dahl—

—He would always keep his word. He even came to our study sessions and gave Anita advice on my behalf quite naturally. Although, I couldn’t help but notice that he would wink at me, as if asking, “How’s that?” I averted my gaze every time.

I knew I shouldn’t repay kindness with ingratitude, but I couldn’t just overlook someone who might hurt Nora in the future!

—And with all that going on, after the study session, I also went to the Magic Analysis Club.

The school festival presentation was in full swing.

Although we still had another month to prepare, the third-years would soon be entering their vocational training period. During that time, they would be dispatched to various companies and facilities to do on-site work and training, rendering them unable to participate in the preparations.

As such, Mark and I had to get our work done ahead of time, and whenever we had free time, we would discuss it, but… Out of the blue, Mark suddenly said.

“Lady Travasta has changed recently, hasn’t she?”

“Huh?”

Mark’s face was close to mine as he sat next to me. I let out a silly yelp, but he didn’t back down.

“Honestly, you used to be a bit brazen, which I didn’t like. Although recently, I feel like Lady Travasta is easier to talk with.”

Well, I haven’t changed… My soul has.

Mark’s face was indiscernible because of his long bangs, but he seemed to be faltering slightly as he spoke.

“Take this however you like, but I find you very attractive as a woman.”

“What?”

M-me…? I’m attractive…?

Someone actually thinks that the shy Cecily Travasta (the actual real person) is attractive?

Then, Mark asked me out.

“Would you like to come with me to a library in the suburbs this weekend?”

[I’d love to!]

The first to reply was Nora who had been silent the whole time.

---

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