ILSMT 10

Chapter 10

Warm sunlight poured over my face.

Whenever it feels like this, it usually means I’ve overslept.

The surroundings were so quiet and peaceful that it felt strangely ominous.

I sat bolt upright—

Then remembered.

“Oh… right. I’m unemployed now…”

What was I supposed to do with the instincts of an office worker that had been engraved into my body?

Feeling a little pathetic, I was about to lie back down when I turned my head.

Sunlight streamed through the empty window.

Was it all a dream?

It still didn’t feel real that Roakin had been sitting there last night.

But if it had been a dream…

Why could I remember every word of our conversation so clearly?

“Fine. I’ll leave for today.”

Does that mean he’s coming back?

If Roakin Arzen kept visiting my house, there would be no point in hiding anymore.

Whether because of his striking appearance or his status as the Master of the Magic Tower, he attracted attention wherever he went.

We had a serious conversation. At the very least, he should stay away for a while.

Thinking about it gave me a headache.

Any desire to sleep vanished.

I threw off the blanket and headed downstairs.

Dragging my fluffy slippers across the floor, I walked onto the terrace while yawning.

Then I noticed the flowerpots.

“…Already?”

Tiny leaves had already sprouted.

I knew the Crown tree grew quickly, but I hadn’t expected this.

I’d planted seeds in two separate pots.

One had been watered normally.

The other had been watered with the potion I’d made.

That way I could compare them.

The pot with ordinary water had only sprouted.

But the one treated with the potion already had small leaves growing beside the sprout.

“So it actually works?”

Excited by the promising results, I grabbed the remaining growth potion and poured another dose onto the healthier plant.

“Ah!”

I winced.

“It splashed…!”

Apparently I’d gotten a little too enthusiastic.

Potion splattered all over my clothes.

I was wondering why these clothes had lasted so long.

Whenever you made potions, clothes inevitably got stained with potion…

Or burned by fire…

Or ruined in one way or another.

It was simply the fate of every potion maker.

I hurried into the kitchen and tried wiping the stain away with water.

It didn’t come off at all.

With a sigh, I decided to throw the outfit away and opened the wardrobe.

“Hmm…”

Rows of dull gray and black clothes hung inside.

The wardrobe looked as gloomy as a sky full of rain clouds.

…Is this really the best she had?

Since Serphine wore the same clothes for everyday life and work, she intentionally bought only dark-colored outfits.

There was a reason for it…

But even so…

This was a little much.

How could someone in the prime of her youth own so few decent clothes?

Back when I’d been busy leaving the Magic Tower, I hadn’t had time to think about clothes.

Now that life had settled down…

I couldn’t help seeing things differently.

“Well… I guess I’m not one to talk.”

Looking at the depressing wardrobe reminded me of my previous life.

The days when I’d stood in department stores, unable to buy even a single coat because it felt too expensive.

Money had always been tight.

So I held back everything.

The clothes I wanted.

The food I wanted.

The things I wanted to do.

I saved every penny.

But what had all that sacrifice accomplished?

I’d worked myself to death before enjoying any of it.

I’d already learned that lesson the hard way.

I wasn’t going to repeat the same mistake.

There’s no way I’m spending this beautiful spring dressed in nothing but gloomy clothes.

Then I remembered the clothing shop I’d passed yesterday on my way back from the plant store.

“♪”

Humming to myself, I picked out the brightest thing in the wardrobe—a light gray dress—and hid my face beneath a wide-brimmed hat before heading out.

* * *

The clothing shop was packed.

With the Founding Festival approaching, women had crowded in to buy new clothes.

“…Maybe I should come back another day.”

For a moment, I considered leaving.

But the store would probably stay this busy until after the festival.

Since I was already here, I decided to go inside.

Girls around my age chatted happily in little groups while shopping.

I was the only one alone.

Seriously… don’t I even have a single friend?

Honestly.

Even after reincarnating…

Why had I ended up in this body?

Serphine had no relationships outside the Magic Tower.

In a society where a mage’s worth was measured by magical power…

She had never been particularly welcome.

Actually… she wasn’t just unpopular.

People actively avoided her.

Someone who’d spent her life as an outcast wasn’t likely to have friends.

Normally, being an introvert, I didn’t mind being alone.

But today…

For some reason…

It made me feel a little lonely.

Turning my attention away from the cheerful groups, I started browsing dresses.

The problem was…

Serphine had never cared about fashion.

Which meant I knew almost nothing about dresses.

As I awkwardly wandered around, unsure what to choose, a shop assistant approached me like a savior.

“Welcome. Is there a particular style you’re looking for?”

She had curly reddish-brown hair…

Freckles…

Rosy cheeks…

She looked like a doll from a mountain village.

…She’s adorable!

Suppressing the urge to poke her cheeks, I answered calmly.

“No. I’m just looking around. I don’t really know much about dresses…”

“Oh! I see.”

She smiled brightly.

“Would you like me to recommend a few?”

She happily began showing me around.

“I think something elegant like this would suit you very well.”

She pointed toward a purple dress displayed on a mannequin.

Wow… that’s beautiful!

It was exactly my favorite shade of violet.

The design was simple.

The lace was tasteful.

It looked fancy enough to be pretty, but casual enough for everyday wear.

“I really like it.”

I smiled.

“May I try it on?”

“Really? Of course!”

She reached toward the mannequin.

Just then—

“Hazel!”

An angry voice called from the cashier’s counter.

“Ah!”

The assistant flinched.

“I’m so sorry! The owner is calling me. Could you wait just a moment?”

So her name was Hazel.

After apologizing repeatedly, she hurried toward the voice.

“Tsk.”

Another employee arranging clothes nearby clicked her tongue.

“What trouble has she gotten herself into this time?”

She turned to me.

“You wanted to try this dress, right? If you don’t mind, I’ll help you instead.”

“Please.”

I followed her into the fitting room.

“If you’ll just remove your hat—”

She reached toward it.

“Huh?!”

I quickly stopped her.

“Please don’t take off my hat!”

“Oh!”

She looked startled.

“I’m terribly sorry! I’ll be careful.”

There were only the two of us inside.

Maybe I’d overreacted.

Fortunately, she seemed to assume I was just a difficult customer and carefully avoided touching my hat while expertly helping me into the dress.

Once I was finished, I looked into the mirror.

“Hmm.”

It felt awkward saying it myself…

But honestly…

It looked beautiful.

Serphine had simply never bothered dressing up.

Her natural appearance was already gorgeous.

The violet dress matched her silver hair perfectly.

Together, they created an elegant, cool beauty.

Whatever mistakes Hazel usually made…

She clearly had excellent taste.

After spinning around once, I called the employee over.

“I’ll wear this one home.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Buying clothes without even checking the price tag!

It had always been one of my little dreams.

“Wonderful!”

The employee smiled and led me toward the register.

“You still don’t understand? How many times do I have to tell you the sleeves shouldn’t be finished like this?!”

…She’s still getting scolded.

While waiting to pay, I spotted Hazel standing in the corner behind the counter with her head lowered.

“But… I followed your instructions…”

“When did I ever teach you to do it like this?”

The owner snapped.

“Do you even know who almost bought this defective dress? Countess Rud, one of our best customers! Luckily I noticed before she paid!”

“…I’m sorry.”

Hazel’s cheeks, already red, looked ready to burst.

“And this dress is expensive!”

The owner held it up.

“Because of your mistake, I can’t even sell it now! Even six months of your wages wouldn’t cover the loss!”

“Please!”

Hazel clasped her hands together.

“I’ll work harder! I’ll make up for it somehow! Please don’t deduct my salary!”

I watched silently.

Even inside a novel…

Life really wasn’t that different.

Watching the scene reminded me of my old café job.

The day I’d accidentally spilled coffee all over a customer’s clothes.

I’d ended up using an entire month’s wages to compensate them.

I remembered how miserable I’d felt.

Back then…

I’d desperately wished someone would help me.

Of course…

No one had.

I glanced at the dress in the owner’s hands.

It was a lovely daffodil-yellow dress with layers of frills.

The color was beautiful.

The only problem was that it was far too extravagant.

It looked more suited for an Imperial Palace ball than everyday life.

…Where would I even wear something like that?

But my inability to mind my own business struck again.

After a moment of hesitation, I spoke.

“Madam…”

The owner looked over.

“Yes?”

“Would it be possible for me to buy that dress?”

“…Excuse me?”

“The yellow one.”

I pointed at it.

“I’d like to buy it.”

“I’m very sorry, miss…”

The owner shook her head.

“This dress is defective. We can’t sell it.”

“I couldn’t help overhearing.”

I smiled.

“It sounds like the stitching is just a little off. I really like the color, so I don’t mind.”

The owner thought for a moment.

“I can repair the stitching.”

She hesitated.

“But… I can’t promise it will be completely unnoticeable.”

“That’s fine.”

Eventually, she gave in and placed the dress on the counter.

“I’ll charge you only half price.”

She smiled.

“The total comes to two hundred gold.”

…What?

Two hundred gold?

Even at half price?

My jaw nearly dropped.

After a quick calculation…

Two hundred gold was enough to buy two thousand Crown tree seeds!

No…

I promised myself I wouldn’t live like that anymore.

Compared to my usual spending habits, this was definitely extravagant.

But considering how much money I currently had…

It wouldn’t hurt me financially.

Closing my eyes, I paid.

The owner said she’d repair the yellow dress and deliver it to my house along with the clothes I’d changed out of.

After a brief hesitation, I wrote down my alias and my address.

Then I left the shop.

I’d barely taken a few steps—

“Excuse me! Wait!”

Someone came running after me.

“…?”