༺ Starting Over (5) ༻
I’ve always heard that time flies when you’re on vacation, but that wasn’t the case for me. Maybe it was because I wasn’t exactly enjoying the break, given the situation I was in. It didn’t even feel like a vacation at all.
Looking back, each day passed in a blur, but the vacation itself seemed to drag on forever. And you’re telling me that I have to go through this five more times? That’s too much.
‘If this keeps up, I deserve a diploma myself.’
After three years of steadfastly sticking it out at the Academy, shouldn’t I be considered an honorary graduate? If the principal had any sense of recognition, then he would give me a diploma. I trust the principal and his kind nature.
— At least there’s no need for you to commute to work while you’re at the Academy.
“…”
— My apologies. Don’t look at me like that.
The betrayal felt deeper because those words came from the Information Department’s Executive Manager, a comrade who suffered the same fate as me.
If I had to choose between taking care of the royalties at the Academy or just going to work, I’d choose the latter. If they told me to go instead, I’d refuse vehemently.
Realizing that he went too far, the Information Department’s Executive Manager quickly apologized. In fact, he had become somewhat milder since that day.
‘That’s how people should be.’
When I found out that Louise was using the Mage Duchess’s unique magic, I contacted the Information Department’s Executive Manager, wondering if they knew how she learned it.
But what I got in return was a stark betrayal. The Information Department’s Executive Manager, who said he’d look into it, miraculously chose a method that put me directly in touch with the Mage Duchess.
I was so furious. He even avoided me when I visited, anticipating my protest. How despicable.
— Prosecutors’ Office’s Executive Manager, have you been well?
“Wow, a traitor called me. I really missed you.”
Then, a few days later, he contacted me as if nothing happened.
As if I could be well. I was summoned after being caught prying into the Duchess’s private life. Luckily, the Mage Duchess just gave me a light warning.
— I apologize. The Mage Duchess has a lot of eyes and ears in the capital.
He told me he was sorry, but he didn’t seem sorry at all.
Was it really the Mage Duchess who had caught wind of the Information Department’s actions, or did the Information Department’s Executive Manager simply betray me to the Mage Duchess? Only he knew the truth.
‘You vile and ugly traitor…’
Still, the Information Department’s Executive Manager’s attitude softened somewhat after that incident since he knew what it meant to be offered as a sacrifice to the Duchess.
Thankfully, there was still some decency left in him. After all, it wasn’t like I could take personal revenge by going after his family.
— Anyway, I’ve sent everything you requested through the communication crystal.
“Yes, I received them. Thank you for accommodating my sudden request.”
And it was nice to be able to ask for information from the Information Department’s Executive Manager without feeling burdened.
— That’s fine. I’ve already been closely monitoring those matters, so we had plenty of information.
The Information Department’s Executive Manager lightly nodded in response to my thanks.
What he was referring to were the five organizations from the original story that seemed to have their eyes on the Academy’s activities.
Among them, the Third Honor and Twilight Cult were already destroyed, but three potential threats remained. I had to check their status from time to time for my peace of mind.
Actually, I had half-forgotten about the Third Honor after we defeated them, but the Twilight Cult’s infiltration attempt into the capital woke me up. I expected them to infiltrate the Academy, but I never imagined that they would try to hit the capital. Those crazy bastards.
‘I can’t let my guard down anywhere.’
So, I requested additional information on the remaining three groups. It would be terrible if we were ambushed on our way back to the academy.
— And as you’ve probably seen, the Five Pillars have been relatively quiet among the three.
According to the Information Department’s Executive Manager, the Five Pillars have been busy promoting traditionalism in the United Kingdom of Yuben while being secretly backed by the empire’s support. So far, they seemed uninterested in heading to the empire.
Still, one couldn’t be too careful. It was always better to prepare for the worst. In the first place, there was a high probability that Lather came to the empire’s academy because of that.
— I’ll let you know if more information comes in.
“Ah, thank you. I appreciate it.”
I nodded at his willing words. Automatic updates would certainly be welcome.
After exchanging a few more parting words, we ended the call.
…But then, I noticed that he was holding some documents in his hand.
‘It’s night already.’
A moment of solemn realization hit me. I may have been sold to the Academy, but my work conditions were still better than his. Being sold to the academy was an issue, but anyway, that was how it was.
There was always someone going through something worse. Thanks to the Information Department’s Executive Manager, I was able to survive without going insane.
***
The day after I unintentionally spied on the Information Department’s Executive Manager’s live overtime, it was time to leave for the academy. I should start moving, considering the carriage ride.
“Are you heading back, baby?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Our departure was scheduled for the afternoon, so I decided to visit the Mage Duchess in the morning before leaving.
She insisted on seeing me after the Twilight Cult incident. I couldn’t just ignore her request, and there was something I needed to receive anyway.
“It should last you through the winter.”
At those words, a box that had been floating beside the Mage Duchess flew towards me. It was impressive how she used magic on mundane things.
“Thank you. I’ll make sure to consume it well.”
But it didn’t matter. It was magic intended to care for the health of this lowly civil servant, so why not?
This replenished my supply of the Mage Duchess’s special potions. Judging by the quantity, it should be enough until winter.
‘The color is quite nice, too.’
The ginseng-like color of the potion naturally brought a smile to my face. Moreover, I had the items Mother gave me, so I wouldn’t have to worry about my health for a while.
“Do you like it?”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
“Then I’m relieved.”
The Mage Duchess’s smiling face was truly fitting of the title ‘Mother Mage Duchess’.
But seriously, this was impressive. I had tried almost every potion available on the market up until now, but I had never experienced this level of quality. It would be a sensation if she started selling these.
After staring at the potion, I turned to the Mage Duchess, who shook her head.
“I have no plans to sell it, baby. Mass production is impossible.”
“Is that so?”
Well, if the maker said so. Besides, it wasn’t like the Duchess needed the money.
“It’s based on your blood, so it won’t be much effective for anyone else.”
“What?”
My… blood?
The unexpected revelation left me speechless. Was this red color because of my blood, not ginseng? I never imagined it.
As I became stunned by this shocking truth, the Mage Duchess’s ears drooped slightly.
“Well, didn’t I tell you that I’ll give you good results soon? This was what I meant.”
“Ah, yes. I remember now.”
I recall her mentioning it the day she summoned me over the incident with Louise.
I had forgotten about it, thinking it would be much later because of her half-elf origin, but it turned out to be really ‘soon,’ and by human standards at that.
‘It doesn’t matter.’
I was surprised, but it didn’t matter. What came out of my body was just coming back into my body. It would be miserable if I had to drink it instead of water because I had nothing else to drink, but it was at least transformed into a super health supplement.
However, the Mage Duchess seemed to think I found it repulsive. Her ears stayed down and her gaze shifted downwards, showing her dejection.
“It’s good. I’m glad the effort paid off.”
So, I immediately drank one. It felt uncomfortable having an elder look at me so intently, but I hope it didn’t seem like I had intentionally made that comment.
Then, the Mage Duchess’s ears perked up again. She might have a poker face, but her ears were too honest.
“It’s all thanks to you, baby. It wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.”
I was relieved to see that her mood had improved.
***
After lifting the Mage Duchess’s spirits, I returned home with loads of gifts. It reminded me of the time I met the Invincible Duke. Was generosity a trend among the dukes these days?
“Remember that it’s only for you, baby. If someone else consumes it, it’s no different from ordinary water.”
The Mage Duchess emphasized this several times with a grave expression before sending me off. The efficacy seemed extreme, though.
‘If the pharmacist says so, it must be true.’
Who else should I trust if not the expert? Even herbal medicine could be troublesome if misused, let alone a potion made from blood.
Yet, I felt a bit disappointed. I wanted to share a few bottles of it with others, but it was better to give them something else if it was no different than water for them.
“Master.”
“Why are you waiting here?”
The 4th Manager greeted me as I slowly approached the mansion. It was unusual for her to wait outside the fence.
Where would you find a maid who waited for her master outside the mansion? Her loyalty was too excessive.
“Today’s the last day, isn’t it?”
Seeing the 4th Manager’s disappointed gaze made me feel a pang of sympathy. After all, I wouldn’t see her for a while after today.
I felt the same. It would be so much easier if the 4th Manager and the Masked Unit could be stationed at the academy.
“I’ll be back in winter, so let’s meet then.”
I patted her shoulder, suppressing my own disappointment. The summer vacation might be over, but the winter vacation wasn’t so far away.
Of course, I wasn’t sure if the Special Service Agency would send the Masked Unit during the winter vacation, but they probably would as long as nothing happened. After all, it was typical of civil servants to assign the same task to the same people.
“Yes, Master. I’ll be waiting.”
The 4th Manager seemed to brighten up at the thought.
Still, I was relieved that I could conclude my time at the capital with the 4th Manager. If it had ended with the 1st Manager’s provocation, I would have boarded the carriage while clutching my neck in frustration.
Just the thought of it made my neck hurt. Was this the effect of the 1st Manager?
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