Chapter Index

    I Have to Try Something (3)

    I Have to Try Something (3)

    Originally, I had no intention of eating. Even if I had made a promise, I hadn’t sold my conscience to the moon to the extent that I could receive something from Mari right now. But when Mari held them out with such an earnest expression, I ended up giving in and eating a cookie. As I’ve mentioned several times before, I was also curious about the taste of Mari’s cookies.

    “It’s delicious.”

    If I could have my way, I would have liked to give an exaggerated reaction like “Oooh, it’s sooo delicious!”, but no matter what, going that far would be a matter of dignity, so this was the limit.

    It’s delicious. Really delicious. Without exaggeration, it’s truly delicious. Despite how I look, I’m a duke’s daughter, so I’ve tasted delicious things. I’ve eaten confections made by famous artisans in the capital, and Jake, our chef, is a master who can make pretty much any snack.

    I don’t know in detail how the confectionery level of this world compares, but perhaps thanks to magic, there were many delicious things that wouldn’t lose out even compared to modern times. Objectively speaking, the things I’ve eaten are ones that could be satisfyingly eaten even if brought to modern times.

    Yet even to me, Mari’s cookies were delicious. How should I put it? Should I say there’s a warm taste when eating the cookies? It’s not the kind of taste I’ve experienced in high-class confections, but anyway, it’s a mysterious feeling.

    “It’s delicious.”

    “Y-Yes! Thank you!”

    What’s this, why is she suddenly flustered? After being in a daze for a while, seemingly lost in thought, she jumps when I express my thanks. Did she see something strange?

    Ah, come to think of it, after keeping my mouth shut and showing displeasure all day, acting like this might seem a bit strange. In Mari’s eyes, don’t I look almost like someone with bipolar disorder? I don’t like that. What I want to create is a villainess image, not a mentally ill person image.

    ‘It seems too late to smooth things over.’

    Since she’s already seen everything, it seems useless for me to say anything now. In that case, it might be better to brazenly act as if nothing happened. Hmm.

    Mari was eating the cookies she had set in front of herself with somewhat stiff movements. Those were definitely the ones she had set aside earlier, saying they were failed attempts. But I don’t believe those words.

    As I genuinely felt just now, Mari’s confectionery skills are extremely excellent. They’re not inferior even compared to most professionals. And yet, such a skilled person made failed products? That’s nonsense. Those must definitely be exceptionally well-made ones that she set aside to eat herself!

    Why am I so sure? Because I did the same thing last time!

    I gave Mari the evil item known as mint chocolate cookies, and I only ate the normally made ones, so I know. Given Mari’s personality, she probably wouldn’t intentionally give me failed products, but I think she might be mischievous enough to not give me the well-made ones due to lingering resentment from last time. Even if Mari is a saint, she’s still human. I think she could do that.

    But I have a conscience too, so I don’t just snatch and eat them right there. I briefly thought about forcibly taking them. After all, I’m aspiring to be a villainess. It wouldn’t be strange to be that mischievous, right?

    But thinking about it again, that’s mentally difficult. Snatching food from a girl? No, no matter what, that’s a bit too much, isn’t it? Unless it’s threatening her to hand them over or something.

    ‘Ah, that method was available?’

    As I was about to implement the method I belatedly thought of… only an empty plate greeted me. Huh, when did she eat them all? Seeing Mari’s satisfied smile, a feeling of regret suddenly began to surge. How delicious must they have been for her to look so satisfied!

    You might think that eating dinner and dessert would make you gain weight no matter what, but magic isn’t the only thing I train every day.

    “Phew…”

    There’s a practice room in the dormitory that any student can use. It’s mostly favored by students from the swordsmanship department, but it’s also useful for those who have learned swordsmanship even if it’s not their main major, like me.

    You might worry about showing your arcane swordsmanship practice to others since it’s a public space, but the academy solved this with the crazy idea of making it a private room. If you submit an application in advance, anyone can use it, and the space is quite large.

    Despite the entrance being about the size of a small tent, I hear the interior space is about the size of a classroom or kendo hall. I heard something about space expansion magic, but when I saw the budget spent on it, even I was dumbfounded at how absurd it was. As someone learning magic, my jaw drops even more.

    To think they would implement such a crazy thing. What on earth was the emperor of that time trying to create? Or in this case, should I question the author?

    Of course, separate from that, it’s very good from the students’ perspective. As long as you apply in advance, anyone can use it, and there are quite a number of practice rooms. It’s an offer you can’t refuse.

    Needless to say, I haven’t missed visiting this place even once since enrolling in the academy. I didn’t particularly set a specific time, but I came here roughly after dinner if I had time, and if not, I made time.

    “Phew…”

    As I sheathe my sword with a deep breath, my sweat-soaked hair sticks annoyingly to my cheeks. Ugh, how irritating. I need to wash quickly.

    No matter what, they couldn’t install shower rooms, so you have to maintain your sweaty state when you leave the practice room. Some refined nobles use magical tools to groom themselves simply because they don’t like that, or they move in other places entirely… but that’s not my business.

    People can get sweaty after exercising, what’s the big deal? This isn’t a mixed-gender dormitory, it’s a women’s dormitory for now.

    I haven’t 100% fully accepted the fact that I’m female. But if I show an overtly sensitive reaction, I’ll just receive strange looks, and nothing particularly changes. Moreover, since I’ve acknowledged and accepted that I need to become a woman, I can get over it to some extent.

    It was a long introduction, but to summarize, I can be aware of being among women in a women’s dormitory. Real women might consider showing each other sweaty appearances taboo, but at least I haven’t been criticized for this so far.

    ‘I’ve received quite a lot of curious looks though.’

    Needless to say, there are students from the swordsmanship department in this dormitory too. So the sight of coming out sweaty after going to the practice room shouldn’t be that rare. But strangely, when I come out, I often receive curious looks. I don’t know why.

    As I wiped off just the sweat on my face and came out, it seemed the person in the room next door had finished too, and we opened the doors simultaneously. But…

    “L-Lady Walpurgis?”

    “…Lady Scrania?”

    The person who came out of the next door was none other than Elizabeth Scrania. This is an unexpected encounter. I knew she was in the swordsmanship department, but I didn’t think she had the image of practicing so diligently? No, looking at her now, it’s different again.

    Elizabeth’s appearance, with her eyes wide open in surprise at seeing me, didn’t have any of the villainess-like feeling I felt when I first saw her. With her rolled-up hair undone and her attire changed to be a bit more adorned, she looks like nothing more than an ordinary, sociable noble young lady.

    It’s the same now. Her hair tied tightly so as not to interfere with swinging the sword, and comfortable clothing. Who would think she’s that Lady Scrania seeing this appearance? Even I can’t believe it.

    Moreover, decisively, unlike the usually well-groomed Elizabeth, she was now sweaty like me and hardly hiding it. For a family like the Scrania, obtaining magical tools shouldn’t be difficult, but for some reason, she came out of the practice room in her sweaty state.

    Oh, is this it? It’s not that I’m strange, just a slightly rare type? Elizabeth is like this too!

    “Does the Lady also use a sword?”

    Elizabeth’s surprised gaze turned to my waist. Ah, come to think of it, I’m strictly in the magic department. Moreover, I haven’t particularly gone around boasting that I can use a sword, so many people probably think of me as just an ordinary magician.

    “Yes. Though my skills are shameful.”

    “Then, have you been practicing every day since coming to the academy?”

    “Yes. I thought I should do my best even with my lacking skills.”

    Something was added to Elizabeth’s gaze as she looked at me. How should I describe that? The sparkling light is burdensome. I feel like I’ve sensed a similar gaze from Mari.

    But it’s strange. There’s no way the gaze Mari gives and the gaze Elizabeth gives could be the same, right? Could Elizabeth also be the type who’s wary of me? That’s not it. There were no such signs.

    No, that’s not important right now. Whether it’s just my feeling or not, the gazes are starting to increase strangely. I need to go back and wash quickly.

    …Wait a minute. Come to think of it, wouldn’t it be fine to go out together with Elizabeth tomorrow? I was feeling a bit awkward about going out alone, but isn’t she just the right candidate?

    Someone like Elizabeth wouldn’t be inferior to any family, she’s the very embodiment of the villainess role model I want, and given what happened last time, there’s a high chance she’ll accept if I suggest it.

    ‘If we go out together… hehehe.’

    Unaware of my sinister plan, Elizabeth looked puzzled when I suddenly stared at her without saying anything.

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