75: The Villainess Weeps with Joy
“Hm~ what a nice morning!”
“Thanks to someone, I’m sleep deprived.”
As I stretched my arms out cozily towards the blue sky, Neria spoke sarcastically.
Once again, her sarcasm is refreshing~
However, I should probably be more reserved in accepting Big Sis’ love. Once we returned to school, we’d be in different classes. She probably wouldn’t be able to pay much attention to me during the school festival.
After saying goodbye to the head maids who had taken care of us, we trainees returned to school. Apparently, our reports would be delivered to our school. However, from the head maid’s kind words at the end, “You should keep searching,” I could guess how well I did.
Sorry, Cecily… I was actually planning to balance being a maid and getting revenge at the same time…
But for some reason, Cecily was worried about me.
[Does Nora feel better now?]
After getting my revenge on that man?
[Yes…]
The fact that she took the trouble to ask… She must’ve known how I felt. Well, we shared the same body after all. So maybe, a little would be okay…
So, I decided to tell her my honest feelings, without hiding anything.
Honestly, it’s a bit awkward. I thought I’d feel a bit better…
Right now, all the trainees were heading toward the castle gate. Of course, next to me was Neria, who had implicitly been hired. She was told to, “gain a bit more knowledge by spring.” Neria seemed to be trying hard to hide her grin.
She’s obviously happy…
Looking at Big Sis, I shrugged.
Still, I’m satisfied.
[Because you’re able to save Eivind?]
Well, there’s that too, but…
The fate of Eivind and the others were merely an added bonus. I had no intention of straying from my original intention.
Did you notice? I didn’t summon my magic at all last night.
[Eh?]
I overcame it with Cecily’s magic!
My number one priority had always been Cecily. I had prepare everything so that she could live a new life with confidence next spring. After all, such was the condition for borrowing her body.
Cecily Travasta sure is amazing! She’s a great magician who defeated the King of Sagacity, Shuel von Nouwen!
[Nora…]
Honestly, had I drawn forth my own magic, I could’ve completed the spell sooner.
If I had done that, I might not have put Neria in danger.
But in the end… I thought my choice wasn’t wrong.
I want to announce it to the world! After a reign of 800 years, the Evil Spirit King was defeated by the Travasta siblings! I want to tell your parents, too! That your daughters are excellent magicians! That you’re proud daughters who don’t shame the prestige of a family renown for its magicians!
Inwardly, Cecily shed huge droplets of tears, repeating what sounded like, “Thank you.”
Even though that should’ve been my line.
All of this was possible because you accepted me, an Incorrigible Villainess.
Near the castle gate was the bespectacled guard who shooed me one summer ago.
“Cecily!”
Below, my beloved classmates were waiting.
“Anita! Oh, you came to pick me up?”
“Yes, you should be honored.”
Anita puffed out her chest like usual. Of course, she wasn’t the only one. Eividn, casually waving at me, was also with her, saying, “Good work,” and Mark, who was shrugging tiredly.
As I tried to turn around, Neria, who was walking next to me, pushed my shoulder.
“Hurry up. I want to ride the carriage by myself.”
“Okay!”
I ran down the stairs.
Of course, it was my dear Anita who leaped at me.
“Good job with your internship, Anita!”
“So, how many problems have you caused?”
…As usual, Anita has the worst assumption about me.
As expected, Anita had a complicated expression. So, I quickly asked her again.
“How did your internship go, Anita?”
“…Did you see the fireworks last night?”
“…Yes.”
Fireworks that didn’t bloom properly, almost like wilted flowers.
Her lips trembled as she held me.
So, I turned my gaze to Eivind, who shrugged as he gave me something.
“This is Ms. Helge’s prototype. How would you improve it?”
“Let’s see…”
Still clinging to Anita, I reached out to my hand.
Apparently, Anita attempted to do a bunch of complicated things and failed.
Thus, I tweaked the magic formula with my fingers.
I don’t think I should increase the acceleration…
Instead, I’d add a formula to reduce friction. The original firepower should have had sufficient magic power. Any other unnecessary formulas would only ruin the shape of the fireworks.
Let’s adjust the air resistance, but it’s not that important…
Eivind then glanced at the firework device with satisfaction.
“Yes, well done. If you can’t even do this much, you aren’t fit for the Royal Institute of Magic. Well, that’s how it is.”
His ruthless words made Anita burst into tears.
“I feel so pathetic… Even though I wanted to show off to you…”
“That’s not true. Your tears are beautiful.”
“You’re the worst at comforting people!”
With that, Anita burst into tears.
I hugged her tight and patted her on the back.
I wasn’t even trying to comfort her—it was my honest impression.
Yes, compared to that man, who had lived for 800 years, Anita’s tears of frustration were truly beautiful.
Of course, she wouldn’t understand my intentions. I also didn’t want to tell her.
So, to hide that, I stroked Anita’s back and looked elsewhere.
“By the way, Mark?”
“I found the solution first, so I started working on other tasks hallway through.”
That meant he passed. Eivind nodded and said, “He’s the only one who passed this time.”
That must’ve made Anita even more frustrated…
Anita calmed down a little and slowly spoke.
“As expected of Cecily, you figured out the answer in an instant.”
“Do you hate me?”
I suddenly recalled Shuel.
After all, he was jealous of my talent. Hence why he committed those barbaric acts over the course of 800 years.
Yet, Anita laughed and said, “No way. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t upset. But even Mark had to research for ten days without sleep before finally arriving at this answer. Besides…”
She lifted up her face, showing a smile loftier than anyone else.
“My friend is such a genius! I want to brag to the whole world about it!”
“Anita…”
What should I do? I felt like tearing up…
Ugh, seriously…
Why, why is my friend so precious?
Why, why is this young lady so cool?
“Thank you… thank you, Anita…”
“Hey, why are you crying?”
Ah, really, the tears just won’t stop…
Anita was flustered because I suddenly started crying. Mark was wide-eyed, Eivind was smiling in joy. Neria, who’d been passing by, took two steps back. Cecily, who’d been crying just a moment ago, now patted me on the head, saying, “I’m glad.”
—Putting all that aside…
Anyway, for today…
I love the friend I finally found after 800 years…
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