episode_0006

Currently, Rachel was in a rather complicated state of mind.

The reason, needless to say, was the magic Serena had just cast moments ago.

‘How on earth…’

Was casting magic without a magic circle really that rare? No, not exactly.

For a reasonably skilled mage, it wasn’t uncommon to cast frequently used spells without a magic circle.

So then, what was the problem?

It could be summarized into three main points.

First.

Serena had only encountered this spell for the first time today.

No—

It wasn’t just that she had encountered it for the first time. This was likely the first proper spell she had ever cast in her life.

Second.

Serena was just a seven-year-old girl.

Seven years old.

An age that was, by all appearances, notoriously volatile.

‘What was I doing at seven?’

Well, she had probably been studying magic, but—

Had she ever succeeded in casting a spell she’d just seen for the first time without a magic circle?

‘Absolutely not.’

She could say with certainty that even if every current Tower Master were gathered and sent back to their seven-year-old selves, not a single one would come close to matching Serena’s feat.

In truth, the above points weren’t really problematic.

If anything, it was a situation any mage would celebrate—gaining a prodigious student.

But there was another reason Rachel was currently restless.

The third and final point.

The fact that this miracle had happened in front of Her Highness the Princess of all people.

From what Rachel had observed so far, Princess Flora was a genius.

Bearing the noble blood of the imperial family, Flora was astonishingly gifted, her talents stacked upon one another.

She had shown such exceptional ability that Rachel, who had been idling through her dull days, felt her passion for teaching reignited.

But there was one problem.

‘Pride.’

Like most geniuses, Princess Flora had an exceptionally strong sense of pride.

Fortunately, it wasn’t the kind that twisted in the wrong direction.

Flora wanted to learn more in her studies, sought out greater challenges, and despised showing any sign of inadequacy.

Of course, this was better than the type of genius who grew complacent, lazy, or looked down on others—but that didn’t mean it was entirely a good thing.

Naturally, there was a reason the princess’s personality had formed this way.

“Flora.” “Yes, Father.” “You are the future of our empire. Never forget that.”

The pressure to live up to the expectations of both her genius and the imperial family.

“I will never disappoint you.”

These two forces had taken root in Flora’s heart.

Rachel, who was somewhat aware of this, couldn’t help but feel pity for her.

‘No matter how much of a princess she is, deep down, she’s still just a ten-year-old girl.’

In fact, she wasn’t much older than Serena.

Yet she constantly pushed herself to her limits, all to avoid disappointing His Majesty the Emperor.

‘Sooner or later, she’s bound to hit a breaking point.’

Like an unoiled machine breaking down,

Or an athlete who never rests getting injured,

A crisis would inevitably come for Her Highness one day.

With that in mind, Rachel had always kept a close eye on the princess’s condition,

Ready to step in if she ever faltered or strayed down the wrong path.

But today, something major had happened.

While Princess Flora was struggling to channel mana through her fingertips,

The new student, Serena, had suddenly and effortlessly completed the spell.

Without even a magic circle.

‘How is Her Highness reacting?’

Just as Rachel expected, Flora was staring at Serena as if she couldn’t comprehend the situation.

Not that she was angry at Serena, though.

‘I was completely outmatched by a child younger than me.’

If anything, she was angry at herself.

‘I must never fall behind anyone.’

Logically, she knew that, but she was still just a young girl.

The disappointment of being surpassed by someone younger.

The jealousy toward someone more talented despite their age.

The frustration of struggling with a spell no matter how hard she tried.

These emotions swirled together, heating up the princess’s mind.

“Haaah…”

‘I’ll admit it.’

She let out a deep sigh and made up her mind.

She would acknowledge that Serena was better than her right now.

Truly, a princess-like resolve.

‘I just need to grow faster than this.’

And to do that, she needed guidance.

The princess stepped firmly toward Serena.

—Tap, tap.

“You’re Lady Rielle, correct?” “Ah, y-yes!” “Might you share some tips from today’s lesson? No matter how hard I try on my own, I’m struggling a bit.” “Gasp! O-of course! But… would someone like me really be of help?”

—Fidget.

‘She just casually completed the spell and now says something like that?’

Was she mocking her?

Suspicious, the princess scrutinized Serena’s face, but—

—Sparkle, sparkle.

‘Wh-what’s with the light in her eyes…?’

No matter how she looked at it, Serena just seemed like an ordinary girl thrilled at the idea of helping the princess, making it impossible to say anything.

“Then, Your Highness, where exactly are you stuck?” “Hmm… I’m having trouble controlling the mana released from my fingertips. I managed the release itself, but maintaining control afterward is a bit difficult.” “Ah, I see.”

—Hmm…

After a moment of deep thought, Serena’s eyes lit up, and she confidently replied:

“Just don’t let go of your focus until the very end!” “…Pardon?” “If you lose focus, all the mana you’ve released scatters, so if you maintain the same concentration from the moment you send mana to your fingertips and keep pushing until the end, you’ll be able to control it!” “Huh?” “Eh?” “What?” “Huh??”

‘What kind of…?’

Don’t let go of your focus.

It wasn’t wrong.

The problem was that it was too correct.

‘Of course I’m not letting go of my focus…!’

The issue was that even with her utmost concentration, it still wasn’t enough.

And the response she got was essentially, ‘Sounds like you’re not focusing hard enough?’

From her perspective, it was maddening.

But Serena’s earnest attitude made it impossible to retort.

“Ugh… Then what should I do… Is there a way to focus even harder…?”

—Hmm…

The situation of a girl three years her junior pondering how to help her focus better.

Flora’s face flushed with embarrassment as she sat back down, closed her eyes, and said:

“I-I’ll try again, so please wait.” “Sure! I’ll help from the side.”

Help?

How?

‘Is she going to help me focus or something?’

At this point, Rachel should have intervened,

But the sight was so far beyond common sense that her mind had gone blank.

Seeing this, Serena took even more initiative.

‘The teacher’s mental fortitude is surprisingly weak.’

She was like this at our house too.

A moment where Rachel’s evaluation dropped a notch in Serena’s mind.

Approaching the cross-legged princess, Serena carefully stepped closer.

And then—

“May I be a little rude for a moment, Your Highness?” “Huh? Oh, yes.” “Then, just for a bit.”

—Gently.

She softly placed her hand on Flora’s head.

Caught off guard by the silent gesture, Flora blinked in confusion.

Rachel was once again stunned, but unaware of this, Serena spoke calmly.

“Alright. Your Highness, would you like to try focusing again?” “Ah, yes.”

‘Focus, focus…’

Steadying her turbulent thoughts, Flora began channeling mana once more.

Again, she succeeded in releasing it from her fingertips, but controlling the already-released mana was still too difficult.

‘No…! Please, listen to me…!’

—Ugh… Ngh…

Just as she began wrestling with it again—

‘…Huh?’

A soothing sensation washed over her, and suddenly, controlling the mana became much easier.

‘What is this?’

She couldn’t understand what was happening.

‘Is it Lady Rielle?’

She had her suspicions, but right now, something else was more important.

‘First, the spell.’

With her focus now steadied, Flora quickly moved to the next step.

‘Fill the space with mana.’

True to her prodigious nature, once mana control became easier, progressing further wasn’t too difficult.

Gradually, the classroom filled with Flora’s mana, and finally, she reached the last step.

‘Now, the magic circle…!’

Unlike Serena, who hadn’t memorized it, Flora had studied the circle as if in a staring contest, so she knew it well.

Once she completed the circle without issue—

—Huum.

The same sound as before rang out, and the spell activated.

“Good morning, Princess.” “Good morning to you too, Rachel.”

…

“Finally…!”

She had done it.

Overwhelmed by a fierce sense of accomplishment, the princess slumped to the floor, panting heavily.

“You’ve worked hard, Your Highness.” “Ah… Lady Rielle.”

Still basking in satisfaction, Flora steadied herself upon seeing Serena approach to congratulate her.

‘Right. Strictly speaking, this isn’t my achievement alone.’

This was the result of Serena’s help.

She must never grow complacent here.

But then, Flora suddenly wondered:

‘She didn’t use a magic circle earlier, did she?’

How had she done it?

Too curious to hold back, despite her usual strictness, she finally asked:

“Lady Rielle. By the way.” “Ah, yes, Your Highness.” “Earlier, you cast the spell without a magic circle, right?” “Yes. Th-that’s right. Hehe.” “How did you do it?”

Honestly, Flora had asked with a hint of hope.

‘Could I do it too?’

—Thump, thump.

Her heart raced as she awaited the answer,

But what came back was slightly different from what she’d hoped for.

“Well, I just really, really wanted it to work, and it did!” “Huh?” “What?” “So… you’re saying you cast the spell because you wished for it really hard?” “Yes!” “Huh?” “Eh?”

‘…This is infuriating.’

Flora regretted asking.

And afterward,

With Rachel finally regaining her senses and stepping in, Serena’s first lesson came to an end.