My name is Alice.
I was picked up by Lord Ouga Veret, and now I walk a second life.
Lord Ouga is, quite literally, a genius.
To have no magical aptitude in this world is a despairing handicap. Even more so when one is born noble.
But Lord Ouga did not break. He stood.
In the end, he completed a theory all his own — and acquired the means to live in this world even without magic.
And the power he obtained — he is using it not for himself, but for the sake of others.
When I heard the story from the Madam, how many tears did I shed?
By happy fortune, I was appointed as the attendant to such a magnificent master throughout his student years — permitted to stay by Lord Ouga’s side from morning until night.
The training the head maid put me through at the manor was savage, but it was all for my beloved Lord Ouga.
From the days when I was buried in combat, this would have been unthinkable.
If the past me heard that I had learned to brew a proper cup of tea, what would she say?
“Heh… It’s pointless to dwell on it.”
I have a more important task at hand.
I’d been ordered by Lord Ouga to watch Mashiro Liche.
He didn’t say it explicitly — but reading the unspoken intent in your master’s words is also a servant’s duty.
Lord Ouga had said: don’t miss the decisive window.
That means: secure proof that Liche is being threatened by those three vermin.
A keen mind like Lord Ouga’s would have noticed it immediately. That letter from yesterday — the paper bore traces of tears.
Why would anyone cry while writing a single letter?
Combined with Liche’s behavior recently, the conclusion that she’s being coerced by those boys is easy.
But accusing without proof, they’ll just wriggle out of it.
So he commanded me — grab them by the tail.
“Lord Ouga…”
I remembered how pained he had looked.
He must feel strongly responsible for having made Liche cry.
It’s the same now.
Whatever vicious rumors are spreading, the whole class has begun mocking Lord Ouga.
But Lord Ouga shows no sign of caring — maintaining perfect composure.
He is enduring this fight with patience.
This too must be Lord Ouga’s design.
The rumors are without a doubt coming from those three vermin.
They are short-tempered. They’ll lose patience with Lord Ouga’s stillness.
When that happens, they will almost certainly approach Liche again.
Lord Ouga is shaving down his own reputation to seize decisive evidence.
“I wish you would cherish yourself more… but he is the one who will guide the world to peace.”
There are ways to stop this, but pressing too aggressively will only damage Lord Ouga’s reputation further.
Cutting them off at the root is a last resort.
Above all, while my master endures, I — his sword, his servant — must endure as well.
”…Lonely.”
While I’m watching from a distance like this, away from his side, Lord Ouga isn’t beside me.
I drew the locket from inside my collar.
When opened, it revealed Lord Ouga’s gallant figure, captured just the other day.
…Good. With this, I can hold on a little longer.
Now, watching Liche carefully—
”——! That…!”
I spotted the three vermin closing in on her in a way that gave her no escape — leading her somewhere.
That direction… the old school building!
I’m glad we walked through the academy together on the day of the entrance ceremony.
”…Did he see even this far ahead…?”
For an ally of justice like Lord Ouga, it’s plausible.
If he scoped out the places best suited for foul deeds in advance, it makes perfect sense.
”…All right, this isn’t the time to be overcome by admiration.”
I broke into a run toward where I could feel my master’s presence.
Hold on, Liche.
Without fail, Lord Ouga will rescue you from this despair.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
“Move it! Get in there!”
“Eek!”
Shoved from behind, I was forced into the room.
An empty classroom in the old school building, scarcely used anymore.
Landing on my backside, I glared up at the people who had dragged me here.
“Ohh, what’s that attitude…? Since when did you get this defiant, huh?”
Ruark Bolbond — their ringleader — sneered down at me with a twisted grin.
The Bolbond family is said to be the right hand of House Argants, head of the kingdom’s military.
Because of that, he is arrogant — and easily reaches for things like this.
He believes he can have it all buried.
And with a single commoner as the target, that’s easy.
“This isn’t what we agreed on…! You said if I insulted that person, you wouldn’t lay a hand on Lord Veret…!”
The day Lord Veret had saved me, they pretended to flee and then waited for me to be alone.
There they extorted me with what they called a “deal.”
“Humiliate the incompetent who made me look bad in public. Otherwise, I might just have to torment him myself — with magic, you understand?”
“Th-that’s…! Use of magic outside class is forbidden at the academy…!”
“There are plenty of ways. Like — going too far in a mock battle in class. We’re still first years, you know. Wouldn’t it just look like our magic got out of hand?”
”…!?”
He claimed Lord Veret had no magical aptitude. That he was an incompetent who couldn’t use magic.
I couldn’t believe it. But… what if it was true?
No matter how strong your strength of arms, you can’t beat magic.
My position was different. I wanted to verify, but in that moment, there was no option to answer except in the way they demanded.
So in exchange for them never laying a hand on Lord Veret again, I did that terrible thing.
Writing the letter that would deceive Lord Veret had been so painful that the tears wouldn’t stop.
Far from repaying his kindness — I’d hurled abuse at him. Of course he’d hate me.
But with this, Lord Veret could enjoy a peaceful student life.
I thought so… and yet, these people had been spreading baseless rumors about Lord Veret all along.
Because of that, Lord Veret was isolated in the academy.
“What about it? I haven’t laid a hand on him. I’ve just been chatting with people.”
He cackled, no shame in his voice.
“But it’s strange, huh. The plan was — he snaps, takes a swing, insta-expulsion! But he ignores us instead. Pisses me off. We don’t even register to him, is that it?”
”…………”
“So — you. Call him out one more time.”
“Wh-what…?”
“Call him here again. We’ll beat him down. Then, this time, you testify that he tried to assault you.”
Expulsion from the Magic Academy…? If that happened, Lord Veret’s life would be over.
That kind, kind man… his life… ending?
To a noble, commoners are existences not worth bothering with.
And yet that person had asked nothing in return — only helped me, because I was in trouble.
From the moment I entered the academy, I’d been met with curious stares and mocking laughter.
But Lord Veret was the one and only one who had treated me as an equal.
He had shown me there were people like him in the world. He had shown me hope.
…I can’t.
I can’t betray that man a second time…!
“…can’t…”
“Huh?”
”…I can’t…!”
”…You’re getting on my nerves, too!”
“Aghh…!?”
I was slammed against the floor.
He hooked his fingers into my uniform and tore it open, buttons and all.
My undergarments and chest exposed.
Looking at the way they bounced, Bolbond licked his lips with a darting tongue.
“To make up for all the irritation, I’ll calm down with that body of yours.”
“Hii!?”
“Hey, you two. I’ll let you have your fun later — keep watch at the door.”
“Ehehee! I was curious about those tits anyway!”
“Sure thing, Ruark!”
I tried to escape, but he was mounted on me, holding me down. I couldn’t even move.
Even setting that aside, the difference in size was too great. Resistance was meaningless.
…Ah… Mom, I’m sorry.
You strained yourself to send me here, to follow my dream…
I closed my eyes, at least, so I wouldn’t have to see them enjoying themselves at my expense.
And what rose into my mind was the scene of that day — when Lord Veret had saved me.
“Lord Veret…”
“Too bad. Nobody comes around here, and there’s no way he’d show up either.”
That’s right. That person won’t come anymore.
Because I pushed him away.
…Thank you, Lord Veret.
Meeting you was the one salvation in my life.
“All right, time to enjoy ourselv—”
“——GUWAAAAAH!?”
A scream — both lackeys at once — and the loud sound of bodies hitting the floor.
”…Wh-why are you here…!?”
Bolbond’s voice, shaken to its core.
…No way. No way, no way, no way.
”…What are you all doing?”
I couldn’t believe it. But the voice was unmistakable…
“Ah… aah…”
Why… are you here, my Lord…
“Lord Veret…!”
I called his name, and Lord Veret turned his gaze toward me.
And then — anger settled into him.
”…Don’t worry, Liche.”
“Now that I’m here, no one’s laying so much as a finger on these idiots… or you.”