DPAA 75

chapter 75

Exam prep season always makes time pass faster than usual.

Lectures during the day were crammed with professors rushing through material ahead of midterms, and every evening, I studied with Felix’s group at the study club. Days flew by in the blink of an eye.

And the biggest gain from all of that was, without a doubt—

“Kanis. How about a quick trip to the campus store?”

“Sounds good.”

—my friendship with Asphodel.

It wasn’t strange at all.

Daon and Aiden, who clearly wanted to get close to me, were tightly leashed by Felix. Bella still seemed a bit uncomfortable around me. And An Siwon… I simply didn’t want to befriend him.

So I naturally began spending most of my time beside Asphodel.

We were both female students, both in the magic department, and most of our courses overlapped, so studying together was no issue. At first, she seemed timid around me, but as time passed, she opened up. She began asking questions freely whenever she was stuck, and now, even going to the store alone together felt completely normal.

“I finally have a female friend, huh.”

I’d been surrounded only by loud, annoying men until now—becoming close with a girl my age was… honestly, kind of nice.

May wasn’t really a “friend”; she was more of a younger sibling. And I hardly ever crossed paths with Larisa, a political science major.

I glanced at Asphodel, who was nibbling on a pastry with her cheeks puffed out.

“This feels weirdly sentimental.”

Truth is, I had no friends in my previous life.

Back in middle and high school, I spent every break studying. At university, I never even went on a single MT. And after awakening, I was too busy surviving to have hobbies—unless lying around alone at home counted.

I was close to Felix and Aiden… but still.

No matter how close we were, I wasn’t about to get naked with Felix in a bathhouse. Unless we got married or something—though that was insane.

“Why are you staring so hard? Creepy.”

Asphodel recoiled when she caught me watching her.

“…Don’t start with me.”

“What. Why.”

“Ugh.”

She leaned toward me, so I pushed her away with a flick.

She burst into giggles.

Seeing that, I suddenly snapped back to reality.

“What am I doing.”

Even if she doesn’t appear much in the original novel, she’s still a character in it. Someone who could end up in my inventory.

I let out an internal sigh.

Lately, I kept getting lost in useless emotions. Definitely the fault of that damn nightmare and that “true fantasy protagonist” of a guy.

“You bought it and aren’t even eating it.”

Asphodel sat on a bench and pointed to the chocolate cream croissant in my hand.

“Want me to eat it for you?”

“Get lost.”

I grumbled and took a bite.

Crunch.

My teeth sank past the glossy, crispy layer into a surprisingly chewy and rich pastry beneath—and then came the smooth, thick chocolate cream.

My expression softened into bliss, and Asphodel let out a little snort.

“What are you planning for autumn break?”

“Aumun bragh?”

The moment I heard myself, my cheeks burned. What a stupid-sounding answer.

But Asphodel didn’t react much and continued calmly.

“Yeah. After midterms, we get a week of autumn break.”

“Mhm.”

Autumn break starts on the last day of September.

Midterms end exactly on that date, so as soon as exams are over, we gain a week of freedom.

“Well….”

Most students went home during autumn break to rest.

But I didn’t need to.

“The retainers’ meeting already decided everything.”

The meeting was on August 31st—moved up exactly one day from the original schedule.

The day I attended the Empress’s tea party, and officially exchanged names with An Siwon… whatever. The point is: that day.

I recalled the meeting I secretly watched using invisibility and teleportation.

“When Kanis graduates from the Academy, I will grant her the title of Baroness.”

“However, there is a condition.”

The retainers stirred, and the Duke continued calmly.

“The lords of Escliff have always graduated as top students of the Academy, and achieved outstanding records in monster subjugation, a task reserved for high-ranking students.”

“For my heir to govern vast lands, such ability is only natural.”

It was complete nonsense—yet not entirely wrong.

Because his words sounded like genuine concern for his successor, the retainers all nodded approvingly.

“You are absolutely correct.”
“Lady Kanis has awakened as a mage now, after all.”
“Haha. His Grace must have great expectations of her.”
“But of course.”

And so, it was decided.

In that warm atmosphere, one man asked:

“Will you inform the Lady yourself, Your Grace?”

“Yes.”

“Haha. I’m sure she will be delighted to receive a letter from her father.”

Lies.

The Duke never sent me a letter.

I only learned the results because Larisa told me.

Her information source was a maid she planted inside the Duke’s household.

Nobles treat maids like invisible furniture—so overhearing a meeting wouldn’t have been difficult.

Ah, and Helena, whom I expected to explode in rage, had apparently been strangely quiet these days. Also information from Larisa.

Anyway, with all that, why would I go home?

“I’ll probably stay at the Academy.”

Only Larisa would be sent to the Ducal estate. If I really needed to return, teleportation was faster than a carriage. No reason to add my name to the return list.

Asphodel hesitated for a moment.

“Hey, Kanis.”

“Yeah?”

Her purple eyes flicked up at me, then away, then back again—like she was gauging my reaction.

After wrestling with herself, she spoke carefully.

“If you have time… would you come to House Ruxellroad?”

I blinked, and she quickly added:

“Mother! My mother really wants to meet you. Not for any weird reason!”

“Sure.”

Her eyes widened.

“R-Really?”

“Would I say it if I didn’t mean it?”

I smirked.

Her mother was technically my aunt. I was curious to meet her once.

And besides, I had nothing else to do dur—

“Ah. That won’t work.”

“What? Why!?”

Then I remembered someone I had completely forgotten.

“If I go, May will be left alone.”

Maybe it sounded overly protective for a seventeen-year-old, but it just felt wrong to leave her by herself.

Asphodel shouted immediately:

“Then bring her too!”

“Huh? Is that… allowed?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Well…”

I grimaced a little.

Asphodel invited me because we’re related by blood. But May was different.

She was the Duke’s illegitimate child.

Even if others didn’t know, Ruxellroad—former sister of the old Duchess—would never look kindly upon her.

Even if she was my sister, May would be a stranger to them.

“It’s fine. Mother doesn’t care about things like that.”

Asphodel must have read my expression, because she continued calmly:

“It’s not a child’s fault for being born. That’s just how life works.”

“That… is true.”

“After that, how one lives is up to them. Like your sister.”

Her words held a double meaning.

Both of my siblings were born the same way, but they walked two completely different paths.

I thought a moment, then answered:

“I’ll ask May.”

Even if Ruxellroad was fine with it, May herself might feel uncomfortable.

Asphodel finally smiled in relief and nodded.

* * *

That night, after study club, I returned to the dorm and asked May.

Would she like to visit House Ruxellroad with me during autumn break?

“House Ruxellroad?”

“Yeah.”

Even as I asked, I thought:

She’ll say yes, of course.

Or maybe she’d ask me to stay with her instead.

But the moment she heard, May replied:

“Please go.”

“…Huh? What about you?”

She looked at me and said firmly:

“I’ll stay at the Academy.”

Her voice was unwaveringly resolute.