SPO 3

Lucas’s private tutor arrived.

The man, named Haiel William, was far more passionate than his gentle appearance suggested.

Meanwhile, Lucas is a terrible student.

I began secretly studying whenever Lucas wasn’t looking at his textbooks after class.

But there was a limit to what I could learn on my own.

Worried about my future beyond basic theory, I decided to find a helper.

“Um, Mr. Haiel.”

“Miss Archel.”

Maybe because I always greeted him diligently when we passed each other, Haiel smiled warmly at me.

After quickly checking our surroundings, I led him into an empty barn.

“Everything I’m about to say is a secret between just the two of us. Okay?”

Saying something like that out of the blue would normally make someone uncomfortable.

But kind-hearted Haiel simply smiled and agreed.

He probably thought it was nothing important—just a seven-year-old girl’s secret.

I pulled out a bundle of papers I had hidden behind my back and spread them on the floor.

They were filled with basic magic circles I had drawn, along with formulas I had modified on my own.

“What is this?”

“I studied by myself using my brother’s textbook. But I have some questions… Could you help me?”

The foundation of magic is understanding the language used to construct magic circles.

After that, you choose the circle’s attributes and create a formula that produces the desired output.

The most important part is designing the formula efficiently.

Lucas’s book only covered the basics and simple arithmetic for this purpose.

So for me, it was far too easy.

Eager to move faster, I began experimenting on my own and creating new formulas.

As Haiel carefully examined my magic circles, a gasp escaped his lips.

“My goodness…”

He immediately sat down and listened closely to my questions.

From that day on, our secret tutoring sessions—unknown to the baron and his wife—began.

One day,

“Yudea Academy?”

“Yes. I’m going to Yudea. Do you know anything about the entrance exam?”

When I mentioned Yudea as casually as if I were talking about the market down the street, many emotions crossed Haiel’s face.

But perhaps he wanted to protect a child’s dream.

Instead of telling me it was impossible, he kindly shared what he knew.

“The Yudea Academy entrance exam consists of eight subjects.”

“Eight? Why so many?”

I frowned, tapping my pencil with my fingers.

Yudea had a Swordsmanship Department, a Theology Department, and a Magic Division that included Elemental Magic and Magical Engineering.

I had no divine power, no mana, and couldn’t learn swordsmanship.

There was only one department I could enter.

Magical Engineering.

It was where people researched efficient magic circles and invented magical tools.

I looked down at my small palm.

No matter how much strength I put into it, nothing happened.

Whether my power hadn’t awakened yet or didn’t exist at all, I had not even a single grain of mana.

* * *

For two years, I clenched my teeth and adapted to a new life to overcome those eight subjects.

To avoid giving the baron couple anything to complain about, I prepared breakfast, lunch, and dinner without fail and cleaned thoroughly.

At the same time, I made sure to get small jobs through Madam Stea.

“Is it teddy bears again today?”

I pointed with my short finger at a corner of the room.

A mountain of eyeless teddy bears was piled there.

“Archel, can you finish them all within three days?”

“Don’t worry. You know how good I am.”

At first, I constantly pricked my fingers with needles, leaving my hands a mess.

But now, I could sew eyes onto teddy bears even with my eyes closed.

Compared to how surprised Madam Stea had been when I first asked for work, I had made huge progress.

I have to save as much as possible.

Even the application fee for Yudea was expensive.

On top of that were textbook costs and a small tutoring fee for Haiel.

I needed help from someone.

So I turned to Madam Stea, who always pitied me for being treated like a kitchen maid.

Please give me any work, no matter how small.

I had told her about my dream of going to Yudea in advance.

It might sound unrealistic, but it was better than having no goal at all.

In the end, she brought me tasks suitable for a young girl, and I handled them perfectly.

I had only saved a tiny amount so far, but even that was precious.

I’ll stop here today and finish tomorrow.

My fingers, abused from sewing all day, throbbed.

Shaking my hands, I headed home, tiptoeing quietly like a thief.

Only after entering the small room beside the kitchen could I breathe easily.

Luckily, my family didn’t care about me.

If they found out, who knew what they’d say?

They’re already thinking about how to sell me for a higher price.

Two years ago, when they bought me a new dress, it was only to impress the young duke Diklipf from the ducal family.

When they heard he had gone abroad, their faces fell instantly.

Wait… Did Rena originally have an older brother?

Tilting my head, I opened the drawer I had covered with a blanket.

It was time to study.

But to my shock, the drawer—usually full of thick notebooks—was empty.

“…Why is it gone?”

Had I left them somewhere else yesterday?

I searched everywhere—under the bed, between the mattress and frame—but couldn’t find my treasure.

Cold sweat formed as panic set in.

Then an annoying voice came from behind.

“Hey.”

It was Lucas.

Standing at the door, he held a bundle of papers.

My worn-out notebook.

“Looking for this?”

He smirked, lifting one corner of his mouth.

Leaning on one leg, he waved it teasingly.

“Why are you rummaging through my room?”

He always complained I smelled—so why was he in my room now?

Since I usually either obeyed him or ignored him, my resistance seemed amusing.

He chuckled.

Then he pulled out the clip holding the papers and tore them.

Riiip—

“What are you doing?!”

I shoved his shoulder, trying to protect my notebook, but it was useless.

He raised his hand mockingly and poked my forehead three times.

“You think someone like you should be studying?”

You bastard.

I clenched my teeth in frustration.

Standing on my tiptoes, I tried to grab the papers.

Just a little more…!

Suddenly, a sharp voice struck from behind.

“Archel Nodovan!”

My heart dropped, and my body froze.

Glancing at Lucas’s smug grin, I slowly turned around.

Someone who shouldn’t have been there was standing in the darkness.

“M-Mother…”

In her arms were my precious textbooks, stacked like a tower.

She stared at my pale face, then turned and walked away.

“Wait! My books!”

I hurried after her.

With every step, my heart pounded harder.

When I realized she was heading to the bathroom, my fear intensified.

Shhhh—

The sound of running water filled my ears.

She threw the books into the bathtub without hesitation.

I rushed forward, but they were already soaked.

As I reached for them, she yanked me back by the collar.

“Aah!”

I fell hard on my backside.

It hurt, but I cared more about the books.

As I tried to stand, her shrill voice struck like lightning.

“Who do you think you are, studying? It’s ridiculous!”

She crossed her arms and sneered at me.

“Where did you get these? No wonder the safe’s been empty! Stealing now, are you?!”

She bent down and slapped the back of my hand.

Smack.

I twisted my arm to escape, but she only hit me more.

It was unfair.

The money was disappearing because my father secretly took it for gambling.

I glanced at him, standing nearby.

“I didn’t do it! I really didn’t!”

I couldn’t bring myself to tell the truth.

The more I denied it, the harsher her voice became.

“Now you’re lying too? Stop wasting money on studying and do your work, you useless freeloader!”

Tears welled up.

Her words hurt more than her hand.

I bit my lip until I tasted blood, but the tears kept falling.

“Why… why can’t I? And I didn’t steal anything…”

“Shut up!! Clean this up. Throw those books away. Got it?”

As soon as she left, I leaned over the bathtub.

I grabbed the nearest book, but the pages were already falling apart.

It was ruined.

“Pfft.”

I heard snickering.

Turning around weakly, I saw Lucas outside, holding his stomach with laughter.

He met my eyes and tore the last page of my notebook.

Then I realized.

It was you.

My stepmother never cared what I did as long as chores were done.

She never entered my room.

So how had she found out?

Now I knew.

Like the blurred letters on the soaked pages, my self-control faded.

The restraint I’d maintained as an adult with memories of a past life snapped.

You little brat…

I charged at Lucas, who was grinning and fluttering the paper.

“You bastard!!”