Aria is Nice

I couldn’t help but be taken aback by Estelle’s words. When the Order and Roel clashed directly, even if a member of the Confession died and a number became vacant, no one filled that spot. But a new Confession member… It felt like I was ambushed by a sudden variable.

Rene of the Iron Blood would become number 3. Lamine’s position was vacant due to Lacar’s survival, and Ner of Despair, number 8, met an untimely death at Roel’s hands. One vacant spot might not be so noticeable, but two would be quite conspicuous.

I sighed and asked,

,Do you know anything about the new Confession members?

,I’m still investigating, so I don’t know the details myself. There are two newly added members: Mesmer of Illusion, number 3, and Jamie of Madness, number 8. I heard that Mesmer, number 3, was originally part of the Archpriest’s personal guard. Number 8 doesn’t seem to be from the Order.

Even if they weren’t from the Order, it wasn’t strange to become a member of the Confession. Rene of the Iron Blood occupied the number 3 spot while still a student at the Academy.

,Are there any unusual movements? The Vice Archpriest would surely want them to prove their abilities.

The Vice Archpriest, the Archpriest’s proxy, was a highly effective person. He even went directly to the North to obtain the Divine Pen, so even though he didn’t appear much in the novel, it was easy to understand his tendencies. At my question, Estelle shook her head with a calm expression.

,Not yet. According to my clan within the Order, they’re supposed to carry out their original missions and wait until the Archpriest gives the next order.

I felt a little relieved at those words. Although many variables had appeared, it seemed that Roel’s second year would continue peacefully. Still, I couldn’t completely relax. I had something to protect now. It was only natural to prepare for any unforeseen variables.

,Please gather as much information as possible about numbers 3 and 8. And if the Confession members do anything else, contact me immediately.

At my words, Estelle puffed out her small chest.

,Hmph, all you can do is rely on me? You’re really the worst guy! We’re supposed to be in this together, so why does it feel like I’m the only one suffering?

Seeing Estelle pressing down on her small chest and crossing her arms, I scratched my cheek, at a loss for words. As Estelle stared at me silently, demanding an answer, I searched for an excuse and remembered the improved portal.

,Ah, I finished the prototype of the improved portal.

,What?! You should have said that sooner! Hurry, show it to me!!!

Her change of attitude was superb. As I took out the improved portal from my spatial storage, Estelle snatched it away with a speed that left only a trace of her hand, and stroked it as if it were precious.

,Oh, you little money-maker…! If I decorate you nicely, you’ll be even more expensive! Have you tested it?

,It’s perfect. The mana stone efficiency is several times better, and as long as it recognizes the spatial coordinates, it can be installed on any terrain without environmental restrictions.

,Hehehe… Good, good… You tempting thing…! You did well too. You were a worthwhile investment, pig? Should I stamp a grade 1 mark on your back?

I let out a sigh of relief at Estelle’s happy jokes and giggles. I had been mostly using Estelle, so I felt a little guilty. If she was reacting like this, I could probably ask for more favors.

,Could I ask for one more favor?

Estelle’s hand, which had been stroking the improved portal as if it were a puppy, stopped. She raised her masked face and looked at me, causing me to subtly avert my gaze.

,Haa? This is just paying back the interest on what I’ve invested so far. Just because I praised you, you greedy pig, you’re already trying to get more!!!

Estelle shook her head as if I were hopeless. But it was a necessary request. I smiled playfully.

,Is this really the end? I’m the golden pig that will bring Modiste a huge amount of money in the future. Estelle is the one sitting on top of the pile of gold coins. Don’t you want to become a queen who sips a cool potion and orders the pigs around with her fingers?

,Hmph…?

Estelle’s shoulders lifted slightly. Not missing the chance, I praised her to build momentum.

,To be honest, even though you’re only a year ahead of me, I feel like Estelle is a reliable older sister I can lean on. Estelle is the one who fills in my shortcomings.

,Huuuuuuung…!!!

I lowered the corners of my mouth as Estelle purred happily like a cat.

,Well, I guess I am kind of like that. Actually, not just anyone can become a guild master. It takes someone with the generosity to embrace, feed, and house a lacking pig. And I happen to be that kind of person. Heh heh.

,That’s right. Estelle is the best.

In the end, Estelle’s shoulders rose all the way to the sky.

,Heh, fine. I, being the nice person I am, will grant the pig’s request. So, what is it?

,It’s fine within the Academy. But when my club members leave the Academy or aren’t with me, please keep a discreet eye on them.

The Order’s attack on the Academy was still a long way off. But attacks outside the Academy could happen at any time. I couldn’t protect everyone with my own strength, so I needed Estelle’s help.

,Hmph, so you do have what it takes to be a club president. Thinking about your members’ safety and all.

,Isn’t that what I’ve learned from watching and learning from Estelle?

,You should learn from Ember that there’s a limit to how much you can flatter.

As expected, even though she’s cute, she’s not just a fool. I scratched my head in embarrassment and smacked my lips, and Estelle unfolded her arms and said,

,Anyway, the capital can’t escape Modiste’s eyes. That much is easy. But keep one thing in mind: our clan can’t directly oppose the Order.

I nodded at Estelle’s words. I hadn’t forgotten that Estelle’s clan was restricted from opposing the Order.

,If any of the Order’s executives or Confession members appear, please let me know immediately.

Estelle tilted her head.

,Are you sure? They’re nothing like Dwin. Unless it’s me or Roel, you’ll definitely die if you stand against them.

,I know.

Estelle’s words weren’t a threat, but a warning to be careful. And it was true. I wouldn’t be able to beat any of the Confession members in my current state. The Confession members were set to have skills that surpassed or were similar to the continent’s transcendents.

But I couldn’t just let my family-like members die. I wasn’t confident in winning, but I was confident in grabbing onto their pant legs and holding on in an ugly manner. If I held on like that, the capital’s guards, Nelson, or Roel would come to help.

***

It was the weekend, but with exams coming up next week, everyone was focused on studying. No matter where you went in the school, there wasn’t anyone loudly chattering. I was about to go out to buy chocolate for the members, who would be short on sugar from using their brains, when I happened to run into Professor Leora in the hallway. Her clothes didn’t have a single wrinkle, and she looked as strict as ever.

,Ross, it’s been a while. I happened to have something to tell you, so would you like to talk for a moment?

,Yes.

As I nodded in response, Professor Leora left the hallway and headed to a nearby bench. While walking, I tried to guess what Professor Leora wanted to say.

It could be something related to the exam, or it could be about Aria, whom she had taken as a disciple.

My guess was right on the mark.

,How is Aria usually?

,Usually….

I thought about Aria for a moment. All I could think of was her lying on the bed in the club room, eating snacks, or sleeping soundly with her belly exposed. And her arguing with Kanna often.

,She spends her time lazily.

As I answered concisely, Professor Leora sighed deeply, as if she expected it.

,Aria definitely has outstanding talent. She shows passion and listens to training for magic she’s interested in. But if the theory is too long, or if it’s magic she’s not interested in, she’ll try to be lazy or run away no matter what.

I felt like I was having a parent-teacher conference, and my palms started to sweat without me realizing it. Our child has talent, but doesn’t put in the effort. Those words lingered in my mouth. But I couldn’t help but feel happy that Aria had talent, was this what a father’s heart felt like?

,Even if I scold her strictly, it’s only for a moment. These days, she’s even gotten the hang of pretending to be struggling from the start. If I tell her to memorize a spell, she’ll lie down on the floor first. If I scold her, she’ll pout and look at me with a face that says she doesn’t want to do it. She even pretends not to know problems she knows to stall for time.

The more Professor Leora spoke, the more my face felt like it was burning.

,I, I’m sorry. She’s a nice kid.

,I know she has a good heart. But the problem is that she’s being lazy. If she worked hard, she could aim for the top of the Magic Department… Too, too….

Professor Leora, who had been hesitating about what to say, looked at me and said with a sigh,

,She’s like a child. She’s cute, but her actions are like those of a cunning, cheeky brat, I guess?

Perhaps she had grown fond of her, Professor Leora asked with a wry smile,

,I wanted to ask if Aria is always like this. She’s my first disciple, so I was wondering if my training method was wrong.

A person who makes even Professor Leora, who has taught countless students, question herself. That’s Aria, but I didn’t say those words out loud. After thinking for a moment, I came up with a way to solve Professor Leora’s concerns.

,Aria’s mental age is low, that’s right.

Professor Leora frowned slightly at my words. But judging from her reaction, she seemed to regard Aria as her disciple. That’s a relief. She might think it’s backstabbing, but this problem can be easily solved.

,Do you happen to know how to train a dog?

Professor Leora tilted her head at the out-of-context question.

,Dogs… I know they’re trained through repetitive training and treats.

I snapped my fingers loudly.

,That’s it. Aria needs a delicious treat waiting for her as a reward after a boring training session. She hates doing boring and difficult training because she thinks all that’s left is fatigue. But what if a delicious treat comes as a reward…? She might even step up first.

If it was the Aria I knew, she was definitely capable of doing that. What made Aria, who was even too lazy to clean up the bed she used, the cleaning lady of the club room was a set of sweet handmade macarons. If you give her lemon candy and strawberry milk, she’ll massage your shoulders for a short time.

,Would she really do that…? She’s an adult, though.

I nodded confidently at her skeptical gaze.

,…It’s based on experience.

After saying that, I cleared my throat for no reason and added a word at the end.

,She’s a nice kid, though.