Ch.102Historical Discovery (2)

*Scratch, scratch.*

Ella was scribbling with a quill pen on crisp paper in the mansion’s library.

The quill pen flowed smoothly as if dancing.

Until recently, this would have been unimaginable.

Using such a fine quill pen, having unlimited paper to use.

Wearing nice clothes, sleeping in a comfortable place.

Above all, having her research achievements fully recognized.

“What time is it now?”

Ella rubbed her eyes and checked the time.

2 AM.

Though she was working on documents when she should be sleeping, Ella wasn’t tired at all.

Rather, her passion burned even brighter.

Of course, the paper she was writing would bear “her name.”

It would be her first time being listed in an academic journal as a “formal mage,” so she couldn’t help but work hard.

“Yaaawn.”

Ella stretched fully while yawning.

Then she made a deeply troubled expression.

“…Ruide is too kind. What if he gets hurt by those nasty nobles later?”

Ella suddenly had such thoughts.

All the treatment Ruide gave her was far too generous.

Though it might be rude to think this way, he seemed almost like a “pushover.”

“I need to work hard.”

Ella clenched her fist with determination.

“I’ll work hard and help Ruide.”

She needed to take good care of him so he wouldn’t fall victim to any scams.

Ella decorated the final part of her paper, then placed the quill pen in the ink.

All that remained was review and submission.

This completed her work for the week.

‘The schedule…’

While a normal Academy teacher’s schedule meant nothing to Ruide, Ella had memorized everything.

Next week would be exams, and she needed to prepare a month’s worth of assignments for the vacation ceremony.

And then…

“Ah, right.”

Ella realized she had forgotten something very important.

A letter to her parents.

She had been sending one every week, but recently she’d been too busy to send any.

Ella unfolded another sheet of paper.

She wondered if she could use it for personal matters, but…

-Don’t be annoying and just use the paper however you want.

…she could almost hear Ruide’s irritated voice.

Being too reserved wasn’t good either.

Ella began writing her letter on the crisp paper.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I’ve been too busy to write lately.

How are you doing? How is the harvest this year? Is Jimmy behaving well?

I’m doing fine as always.

Recently, I changed jobs!

Now I’m an assistant to a formal Academy professor.

Impressive, right?

The new professor is an amazing person.

Everyone says he’ll become the youngest Grand Mage, and his status is extraordinary too.

(Please don’t ask about his status. You might faint.)

But the most amazing thing isn’t his status or ability, but his warm heart.

He treats someone as insignificant as me with such kindness.

Recently, he recognized my very minor research success and said he would include it in an academic journal.

He praised me so much too.

I’m incredibly proud.

Do you remember what I said when I left home?

That I wanted to become a mage who could help someone!

Though I haven’t achieved anything great yet… being able to work steadily as an assistant means I’ve half-fulfilled my wish, right?

I’m not entirely sure, but I can tell you one thing for certain.

I am truly, truly happy.

So don’t worry.

I’ll keep my promise to return home in a golden carriage someday.

To my beloved parents.

From Ella.

**

The early bird catches the worm.

The early-rising Ruide eats baguettes.

‘Baguettes are divine.’

Ruide nodded as he ate the hard baguette with milk.

Somehow, it tasted different every day despite eating it daily.

“Hmm… come to think of it, the allowance ban isn’t such a big deal.”

At first he had trembled at the thought, but after living through it, he realized his living expenses weren’t that high.

Meals of mushrooms or greens were sufficient.

Baguettes were plentiful for snacks.

For occasional dessert cravings, he could rely on Hersy’s wallet.

Amelia had been his only concern, but as expected of the Windsor heir, she quickly resolved it.

Apparently, Irina was supporting her.

The two seemed to be getting along well.

Of course, someone of Amelia’s status could only really socialize with someone like the Imperial Princess.

Though she didn’t seem entirely pleased about it.

Therefore.

“Kukuk, now nothing can stop me.”

Ruide covered one eye with his hand and smiled cruelly.

Blue flames leaked from his uncovered eye with a “fwoosh.”

Since he’s only 12, not yet 14, this middle school syndrome behavior is still acceptable.

“Rui… what kind of game is that?”

Amelia asked with a dumbfounded expression.

The phenomenon of having family witness middle school syndrome behavior.

An ordinary person would be embarrassed and blush, but Ruide wasn’t ordinary—he was extraordinary.

He was an unabashed aspiring unemployed person.

He looked directly at Amelia and said confidently:

“Adolescent play.”

“??”

Amelia let out a light sigh.

This was the captain’s room.

Ruide had been playing alone for three hours.

Earlier, he had created an orca and several goldfish out of mana in the air.

The so-called “aquarium play.”

…It was so beautiful that even Amelia, busy with knight duties, had spent an hour staring in awe.

‘He must be really bored to do that. Let’s play with him today.’

Playing with her brother was like a sister’s duty.

Feeling she had neglected that duty lately, Amelia stood up.

She picked up Ruide, who was sitting on the floor, and placed him on the sofa.

She wiped the milk stain from the corner of his mouth and sat down beside him.

“You seem to be moving around a lot lately. Have you decided to change?”

Ruide nodded.

“So you noticed too, Ame. I’m living diligently.”

Amelia smiled and stroked Ruide’s head.

“You’ve taken one step forward.”

‘…One step? Not a thousand steps?’

Ruide was shocked.

“Should I ask to lift the allowance ban?”

“…Can you do that, Ame?”

“…Aren’t you underestimating your sister too much?”

Ruide maintained his silence.

Not answering was even more impactful.

Amelia was shocked.

“Hey, hey. I can at least do that much.”

“Can you?”

Amelia avoided Ruide’s gaze.

With drowsy eyes, she said:

“I can… at least try.”

“I can try too.”

“Are you talking back to me lately?”

Amelia grabbed Ruide’s cheeks and pulled them.

His cheeks stretched like cheese, but they were so elastic it didn’t hurt.

“Jush try ih.”

When she released his cheeks, Ruide’s body wobbled.

She caught him just before he fell over, folded her arms, and said with a blank face:

“…If I get the allowance ban lifted, what will you do for me?”

Ruide seemed to know what Amelia wanted.

“I’ll treat you properly as my sister.”

Amelia’s shoulders dropped.

“That means you haven’t been doing that until now.”

Amelia stood up as if making a big decision.

“Really, I’ve been too indulgent, and you show no respect for your sister at all.”

Amelia grumbled as she opened a drawer.

Watching her, Ruide smiled triumphantly.

‘As expected, Amelia is easy to handle.’

He needed his allowance to provide Ella with a generous salary.

Though he could pay her with his professor’s salary for now, Ruide wanted to give Ella much more money.

That way his slave… no, his excellent assistant wouldn’t run away.

Amelia set up a crystal ball at a good angle and looked at Ruide.

“Stay right there. And watch. Your sister’s dignity.”

It was the most impressive sight of Amelia he had ever seen.

Ruide clenched his fist with a tense expression.

“Fighting.”

Nod.

Amelia connected the crystal ball with the heart of a general heading into battle.

After several signal tones, Victoria’s image appeared in the disposable crystal ball.

“Head of the family.”

Amelia knelt on one knee, bowed deeply, and spoke in a low voice.

[Ria, I couldn’t say this yesterday because you looked pitiful, but stop being childish now. How can you cry more often than your younger brother?]

“…!”

Amelia’s face turned bright red.

She stammered and waved both hands.

“Um, Mother.”

[And you know what? Ruide should be dating and such. To suddenly cry because your brother is dating and growing distant…]

“Mother!”

Ruide covered his mouth and barely held back his laughter.

If he laughed here, Amelia might die of shame.

“That’s enough, really! Please stop talking about that!”

[…Alright. And don’t show that gloomy face often, instead show Ruide’s face…]

Amelia was embarrassed, but if she dragged the conversation on further, her mother might start talking about “things Ruide really shouldn’t know,” so she quickly changed the subject.

“I’m contacting you today because of Ruide!”

[Ruide?]

Fortunately, Victoria’s ears perked up at the mention of Ruide.

[Tell me.]

Only then did Amelia regain her composure.

“I’m contacting you about lifting Ruide’s allowance ban.”

[…Though it pains my heart, I have no intention of withdrawing it until Ruide properly reflects on his actions.]

“He has not only reflected but also grown. I can assure you.”

[Really?]

“Yes. He has achieved several accomplishments, and recently even helped two poor commoners. He wants his allowance to help those children.”

Ruide’s eyes widened.

The “two poor commoners” must include the child with torn clothes from yesterday.

‘How does she know?’

Though she had pretended not to know anything, she must have been watching properly.

Amelia listed several other things as well.

Like helping Damon, installing barriers at the Academy.

…When listed like that, he had done quite a lot.

“That’s all. I think the allowance ban should be lifted now.”

After hearing about Ruide’s achievements, Victoria had already turned to pudding.

[I want to see him.]

“…Pardon?”

[Ahem, you heard me well. I’ll lift the allowance ban. Tell Ruide he can freely use his dimensional space. …And I understand the Academy vacation is coming soon.]

Victoria Windsor asked timidly.

[…Will you come together this time?]

Amelia glanced subtly at Ruide.

Ruide nodded.

‘I should go home during vacation.’

Ruide really likes the northern castle.

The people, the environment. Even the magical beasts.

Especially with Victoria reacting like that, he couldn’t possibly refuse.

“Yes. We’ll come together.”

Victoria’s face brightened.

**

[Ruide Christopher Windsor’s Academic Journal Publication Preview.]

[A new divine magic. Academy Chancellor Clifford, who previewed the research content, says: “This is a historic discovery that will never be seen again in the magical world.” What kind of magic could it be?]

Ruide was lying down reading the magic newspaper.

The main headline was full of exaggerated excitement.

But it wouldn’t be just exaggeration.

When announced, it would deserve to be called revolutionary.

Ruide was particularly drawn to the keyword “historic discovery.”

‘It is indeed a historic discovery.’

Ruide nodded.

His discovery of Ella was truly historic.

That wasn’t wrong.

“…But there’s too little content about Ella.”

If content is lacking, just create it.

Ruide scribbled with his pen.

The creator of this newspaper, “Marquis Pertu,” really loved money, and for a large sum, one could anonymously submit articles to be featured on the front page.

This was the first expense he decided on after his allowance ban was lifted.

[A commoner contributing to a historic discovery? Ruide’s assistant Ella. Who is she? A new figure in the magical world.]

‘A masterpiece.’

Ruide looked at the completed article and smiled with satisfaction.