Chapter 42
......Bella Cecil.
A member of Britain's second-ranked family—and Aiden Cavendish's fiancée.
I remembered Ribi telling me that Bella had been standing beside Aiden at the entrance ceremony.
Han Jihye had briefed me too, but... honestly, there was no shortage of blonde beauties among the nobles, so how was I supposed to recognize her at a glance?
If she'd at least let her mana waves show, I would've noticed immediately.
'I can feel it. Ms. Jihye's needle-sharp stare.'
Of course, no matter what excuse I made, this mistake had gone too far.
I'd failed to recognize the most powerful female student at the academy, and then even shouted at her—a serious situation.
Without a doubt, I'd be hit by a barrage of nagging.
"I-I'm sorry...!"
"No."
I was about to cross my arms, but Bella held out a palm to stop me.
Then she raised the corners of her mouth faintly, as if to reassure me.
"Failing to recognize someone isn't a sin. It was a little unexpected, of course, but that's all."
......Thank goodness. She doesn't seem too uptight.
"Thank you for understanding. Ah, but I'm truly sorry for shouting..."
"It's all right. More importantly, I came to ask you a favor."
"......A favor?"
I was a little taken aback.
Leaving aside the fact that we'd only just met, what could Bella 'Cecil' possibly want to ask of me?
She was the sort of person who could move mountains with a single word.
Bella then glanced toward the podium awkwardly.
"The thing is, I didn't take Materials Science. I can't make head or tail of things like 'maximum attribute mixing ratio' and 'preservation materials'... Would it be possible for me to get some help from you, Lady Raebi?"
'.....! So that's what Enrico meant when he said someone hadn't taken Materials Science at the start of class.'
Well, that made sense if those were the circumstances.
I didn't know why she'd applied for Item Crafting without even taking Materials Science, but if she'd jumped in without doing any preparation, it was only natural that she'd be in trouble.
A problem of 'grades' that neither money nor power could solve.
This was an opportunity—a precious chance to show off my abilities to one of the world's highest-ranking nobles.
I readily nodded.
"Of course! I'll work hard to assist you until the day you pass, Lady Bella!"
"Hehe, thank you."
Bella then asked whether she could receive private tutoring from me in addition to attending class.
Since I was required to study more than the other students anyway, I thought it worked out nicely and accepted.
I figured I'd pick out the essential knowledge needed for Item Crafting and visit her dormitory.
"I'll come to the Korean dormitory."
'......?'
"No... I-I should go. How could I possibly make the vice president of the student council come to me?"
"Hmm... I think it would be unnatural for the 'teacher' to travel too. Oh, while we're at it, would it be all right if I followed you starting now?"
At Bella's words, my brain froze as if its power had been abruptly cut.
Inviting someone this important without telling anyone at the dormitory was a problem in itself, but wasn't advance notice the basic rule of noble etiquette in the first place?
Of course, I could assume Bella was ignorant of such manners because her family had cast her aside...
No, that didn't make sense either, considering she'd been chosen as the future emperor's official consort.
Whatever the reason, this was a disaster.
Bella was no ordinary high-ranking noble. Though it was only in name, she had even been recognized as a 'duke' by the British royal family.
Since refusing wasn't even an option, there was only one answer I could give in this situation.
"Of course! It's an honor to be able to invite you to our dormitory, Lady Bella."
"Oh my, thank you."
Bella clapped her hands sharply and smiled brightly.
She looked genuinely delighted.
I did feel a slightly odd sense of incongruity, but I chalked it up to my nerves and let it pass.
I arrived at the dormitory with Bella. We'd attracted attention from all sides the entire way, but once passersby realized our destination was the Korean dormitory, they all wore expressions asking, 'What is going on?'
Naturally, the Korean students were the most shocked.
Ribi and Kim Cha-hoon came out to the entrance after receiving Han Jihye's emergency call.
Kim Cha-hoon stepped forward to greet us.
"You are as beautiful as ever today, Princess."
"Hmph. To welcome me with such splendid words? You are a gentleman."
'She actually accepted that?'
My mouth fell open before I knew it.
"It is almost mealtime. What would you like to do? A special setting just for you, Lady Bella, has been prepared in the dining hall."
"Thank you, but I'll decline. I'll be staying in Lady Raebi's room today."
Bella asked them to block the other nobles from approaching so they wouldn't interfere with the lesson.
Kim Cha-hoon and Ribi gave a light bow and led the way.
When they reached the women's floor, Kim Cha-hoon went back down, while Ribi also crossed her arms at the entrance and withdrew.
Creak-
""Greetings, Lady Bella Cecil!""
The attendants welcomed Bella, deathly pale. Cold sweat had formed around Kim Daeseok and Pyeon Dayoung's necks, while Im Bora was trembling so badly she looked ready to collapse at any moment.
They had no idea.
They'd been trying to avoid Gale, only to run into Bella.
"I'll escort you this way."
"No. Judging by the look of things, that's a conference room, and the attendants would only interfere with the lesson. A private classroom will be sufficient."
"...Then what shall we prepare for your meal?"
"Please let me know when it's ready, in about an hour. ...Are those attendants in charge of cooking?"
Bella looked at Kim Daeseok and Im Bora standing side by side in front of the kitchen. I saw Im Bora flinch once.
When they answered that they were, Bella smiled brightly and said, 'I look forward to working with you.'
Kim Daeseok seemed to relax a little, but Im Bora grew even paler.
"Are you really all right with starting right away, Lady Bella?"
Before someone actually keeled over, I hurriedly brought Bella to the private classroom. Bella nodded slowly.
"Of course. I didn't come here to socialize. Ah, and I'm sorry for barging in so suddenly."
"No, I didn't mean that."
"Hehe... Please understand. What a disgrace it would be if someone from the Cecil family failed at the academy!"
That was true enough.
Still, why had she suddenly chosen something like Item Crafting and caused all this trouble? And there were still three weeks left before the exam period.
I felt uneasy because I couldn't figure out her intentions, but there was nothing I could do. Once I'd agreed to help, I had to do my best.
"...As you can see, maximum attribute mixing ratio is extremely important for Hunters, who have to withstand a variety of environments. If you make it incorrectly, the item will break as soon as you push yourself even a little."
"Hmm... I see. This ring was made that way too, then, right? Judging by the material, the substance used was probably 'Ice Tendril' or 'Snowflake Spirit's Wing,' like you mentioned earlier."
"It probably was."
As I taught her, I began to feel that something was strange.
For someone supposedly lacking even the most basic knowledge, she was far too intelligent and perceptive to be worried about 'failing.'
She understood five things from every one I taught her, and anticipated ten more.
If I gave her just a little help, she seemed capable of getting a perfect score within a week.
That made one question lead to another.
'......Now that I think about it, why me in particular?'
The Cecil family could have had even an A-rank crafter accompany her as an attendant. If materials or crafting were really the goal, it would have been only natural to have her study in advance so this never happened.
Even if she'd changed her mind during the semester, there were countless options besides asking me for help.
There were too many things I couldn't understand.
"Um... Lady Bella."
"Yes?"
"......"
'No.'
I wanted to demand an explanation right away, but if I happened to offend her, it would be a catastrophe.
I swallowed what I had been about to say and glossed over it.
"Lady Bella, what you've learned so far is already substantial. Why don't you review the rest?"
"Hehe, no. I'll keep going. I can't take up too much of 'Teacher Raebi's' time, after all."
"Ah..."
......Hehe. Teacher.
'No, what am I thinking? Get a grip.'
I'd almost let my guard down at being praised by a figure of global power.
No matter how little attention I normally paid to such things, being treated with deference naturally affected me.
I kept a mild smile on my face and thought it over.
For starters, my doubts about Bella's attitude had only deepened.
What reason could someone in a position to hear 'a lifetime's worth of praise' with a mere wiggle of her toe have for treating a small East Asian noble like that?
She could simply have ordered me, bluntly, 'Do it,' after all.
There had to be something going on. Nothing in this world came for free.
'......She barged in out of nowhere. And she even dismissed the attendants.'
That was what bothered me most.
She'd rushed in so abruptly that I hadn't even had time for a moment's strategy meeting with Han Jihye.
Even on the way here, she'd kept talking, seemingly to keep me from turning my attention elsewhere and coax me into distracted answers.
......Right, I wouldn't have been able to keep my head straight. If I were a 'real' little kid.
For now, I decided to test the waters.
"Lady Bella. Could I become a teacher at the academy?"
"Pardon?"
Bella's smile stiffened and her eyes blinked. Considering that she was a noble, that was unmistakable bewilderment.
She soon composed her expression naturally and said,
"It would be possible if you received Albert's approval. Though that's only if you have the requisite ability, Lady Raebi."
"Ability..."
'That's it. I can't believe I hit the mark right from the start.'
It was certain. Bella hadn't come to be taught by me.
She intended to mix in a little provocation to coax me into revealing my abilities.
Ordinarily, most people would have fallen head over heels for 'Cecil's' smooth words and laid all their cards on the table. Everyone knew she was closely connected to Cavendish.
In other words, there was now a very high chance she'd come to investigate me.
She hadn't given me any warning or opening because an elite like Han Jihye getting involved midway could have caused trouble.
'But she showed her intentions too early. It was probably because she didn't know what was inside me.'
I deliberately let impatience show as I said,
"I-I can make pretty A-rank accessories. Isn't that enough?"
"Hmm—a decent ability, in its own way, but it won't be enough. Is there anything else?"
At that, I put on a dejected expression.
As if I had nothing more to offer.
"Not yet..."
"...Well, you're still young, so I suppose we'll have to wait and see."
Bella spun her pen with a look that seemed to say, 'Just as I thought.' It seemed I'd avoided her immediate suspicions.
Now that I'd relaxed a little, I asked her,
"Um...! If this is all there is, will the invitation to the academic conference be canceled too?"
"Hmm? No. Teacher Enrico recommended you, so why would it be canceled? Don't worry."
"Ah... That's a relief! I'm so happy!"
Damn it.
Later, lunch was ready, and we ate together. It probably didn't match the quality she was used to, but it tasted quite good.
The food seemed focused on simple 'flavor' rather than nutrients, like instant food.
"It's been a long time since I've had a taste like this."
Bella praised the attendants, saying it was nice to have something she'd occasionally wanted to eat.
Im Bora's legs seemed to go weak with relief, so I pretended to send her on an errand and let her leave.
***
"Waaaaah—Sis Ribi..."
"You look like half of you has disappeared... You must have had a really hard time."
Ribi came to see me as soon as Bella left.
At the sight of Ribi's gentle smile, like the Virgin Mary's, I got choked up and threw myself into her arms. She didn't ask what had happened, merely patted me quietly.
Meanwhile, Im Bora was also sniffling while Pyeon Dayoung comforted her. Kim Daeseok kept reassuring her, saying, 'You did well.'
A little later, Douglas and Vincent contacted me as well, and both were relieved that I'd cleverly hidden my abilities.
Then they proceeded to heap praise and scolding on me at the same time.
It was understandable in a way... but being scolded when I hadn't even done anything made me feel even more miserable.
'Hmm... Why am I like this? I can barely even remember how I used to be anymore.'
My mind had already completely turned into that of a little kid.
Even if I wanted to restrain myself, emotions weren't something that could be controlled so easily.
My lessons with Bella ended after a week. She seemed to think there wasn't much more for her to gain, either.
"The social season will begin soon. Why don't you return to the main family residence for a while and rest?"
"Sounds good... Oh, by the way, how do I invite Lady Iroha?"
"You can ask the family head, but I doubt he'll grant permission. He'll be sensitive because of the high-ranking nobles approaching Lady Raebi."
I headed for Noble Island first.
Han Jihye had a point, but
it didn't seem likely that he'd refuse again. A few tears shed in front of him would solve everything.
But...
When I arrived at the annex, I was aghast.
"W-what is all this?!"
"Potted plants."
"I know! What I mean is..."
Who sent all of this?!!!
My room, which I hadn't returned to in quite some time, was packed with plants, leaving not a single place to set foot.
Some of them were unusual plants that could survive only if supplied with mana, and Ahn Gihwan was somehow keeping them alive.
Looking at him, pale and gaunt from having his mana drained, I muttered,
"Who on earth sent them...? This is outright harassment. I'll kill them..."
"......Lord Vincent and Lord Matthew."
'......!'
These petty little bastards!