A handshake……?
To request a handshake while standing before me…… heh heh heh, what an interesting woman.
A handshake from an adversary…… this is without question a request for a [duel].
To find a girl this devoted to Arnia…… love is a frightening thing.
I know the resentment of a woman is terrifying.
But…… to demand a [duel] while trembling like that — what a gutsy individual she is.
I sifted through the faces of students I’d hammered into my head.
Judging by her clothing, she shouldn’t be a high-ranking noble…… cross-referencing through the catalog, a photograph with matching features hit.
”…… Shultaud Satia, correct?”
“Y-yes……! Y-you remembered my name……”
“Of course. Don’t underestimate me too far.”
In this life, my brain is genius-class.
To properly secure a harem — that is, excellent subordinates — I’ve memorized them all.
Rank: viscountess.
To challenge me to a [duel] from that position is — is she stupid, or brave?
What with Ruark the idiot too, what on earth is noble society teaching its children — wait, what!?
”…… Th-thank you so much…… uu……!”
She’s crying!?
Could it be…… she thought I wouldn’t deign to face her?
And so when I accepted the [duel], the sheer joy made her cry……?
What depth of love…… enemy or not, I’m impressed.
What Arnia needed might have been a person like her.
But the [duel] won’t be satisfying in a state like this.
I want to focus on my conversation with Milfonti, too. Let me throw her a lifeline.
Never forgetting one’s composure is, also, the conduct of a cool villain.
“Satia. We’ll make time for this matter on another occasion. So today — depart.”
“Y-you’ll grant me time……?”
“Yes, I’ll neither run nor hide. I’ll face you any time.”
“S-surely……”
“Whether to believe my word — that’s for you to decide…… what’s your verdict?”
“I believe!!”
Wh-whoa…… what a forceful response.
Where is that trust coming from.
Combined with those earlier tears, maybe she’s…… my fan…… no, no chance.
I haven’t done anything that should make anyone like me.
She’s probably just pressing the don’t run point home.
“Then, here, I’ll have you obey.”
“Yes, of course. With your leave, then. Good day, Lord Veret.”
She clapped her hands twice and left the spot at a brisk pace.
…… No — more than just her, the surrounding students began to disperse as well.
Maybe they overheard my exchange with Satia and read the room…… only the gods know.
”…… Sorry to keep you waiting.”
By a strange coincidence, the space had become just the two of us.
Now I can speak with the real target leisurely.
“Not at all. I’d just finished preparing on this side as well.”
When I returned to my seat, Milfonti had finished pouring hot water into the pot and cup to warm them.
This world has magic, so a small magical implement makes it easy to produce.
“Would Miss Maid like to drink with us as well?”
”…… For my future study, I would be honored.”
“Three servings, then.”
Without any sign of reluctance, she scooped three spoonfuls of leaves into the pot and poured freshly boiled water from up high, like a waterfall.
“After steeping for a few minutes, it’s done. While we wait…… shall we talk?”
“I don’t know what you’re misunderstanding, but I was just interested in the tea you brew, Milfonti.”
“Fufu, let’s go with that, then.”
No, really — there isn’t any other meaning to it……
She has a habit of reading too far between the lines.
Come to think of it, at our first meeting she’d had probing movements as well; this must be baked in.
Being Floné’s apprentice is hard work too.
…… Right, what to do. First, I need to remove the wall between us.
A wall I’d built unilaterally. So tearing it down is my role too.
“Milfonti. I’d like to apologize for one thing. I had a misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding?”
“I’d held a mistaken impression. Going forward, I’d like us to be friendlier than before.”
“My, that’s lovely. Then from today, Uga-uga.”
“Spare me Uga-uga.”
“Rei-rei, then?”
“That isn’t the kind of issue this is, Reina.”
”……! Understood. Pleased to be friends with you anew, Ouga-kun.”
When I addressed her by her given name, she smiled and addressed me by mine in return.
But that smile was the usual one.
I’d already known — an iceberg doesn’t melt at this level.
I’ll have to engage with patience. Waiting doesn’t bother me.
“There. Sorry for the wait. I hope it lives up to expectations.”
After one stir with a spoon, the tea was poured through a strainer into the cup — a clear, transparent orange.
The aroma drifting up as I brought it near my mouth single-handedly raised the bar for flavor.
“With thanks.”
I took a sip and let it sit on tongue and throat.
”…… Delicious.”
“It’s wonderful……”
Before we noticed, the words had slipped out naturally.
It’s not that Alice’s daily tea is poor.
But the delicate aroma, the rich body, the perfect after-taste blending bitter and sweet — Reina’s tea was clearly different.
”…… The best I’ve had so far.”
“Such an over-generous evaluation.”
“It isn’t over-generous. Honest words.”
“It’s because you provided fine leaves, Ouga-kun.”
”…… No, I couldn’t bring out this depth. The taste is possible because of Lady Milfonti’s skill, I believe.”
“To receive such praise from both of you…… what a wonderful day this is.”
She poured tea into her own cup and took a sip.
She exhaled — whew — and smiled at us.
“——Praising me won’t reverse Sensei’s opinion, you know.”
A voice cold enough to make the air stretch taut.
The illusion of my body, warmed by the tea, going cold in an instant.
She looked down at her own reflection in the cup with inorganic eyes.
“Sensei has no interest in my words. Not the slightest.”
”…… I’d already said that wasn’t my intent.”
“It’s fine, you don’t need to dress it up. I understood from the beginning.”
Rare for her to declare it, she set the cup on the saucer without finishing the tea.
”…… My apologies. I’ve spoiled the mood. Have you concluded your business? I have some duties left, so——”
“——Then how about you come to me?”
Her movement froze for an instant.
But only for an instant — an action you wouldn’t have noticed unless you’d been watching closely.
“Truth is, I was offered exactly that by the Headmistress. I’ll give you Reina, so will you join the Council? I refused at the time, but accepting it now isn’t a bad idea.”
“You found enough appeal in me to overturn an opinion you had been refusing this vehemently?”
“Drinking tea this delicious every day. A small change like that raises the everyday’s happiness.”
And above all, I continued.
“It can’t be enjoyable to be with that woman. I can declare it’d be far more meaningful to spend that time training alongside me. And that time will carry me to even greater heights.”
”…… So Ouga-kun, you intend to surpass [Floné the Lightning Strike]?”
“In the near future, that’s my intent.”
”…… You’re a strange person, Ouga-kun. When I hear your words, somehow, I want to believe.”
She stood, tucking her hair behind her ear, and looked at me again.
“Thank you for the passionate invitation. But — don’t say such things outside, you know. You’re already engaged to Miss Lebetsenka.”
She gave a crisp wink, and this time she did leave.
For the apprentice of a hero and the Council President of the Magic Academy, her back appeared thin and weak.
I’d seen that back before.
She really resembles them…… my coworkers from the black-corporate days, who had vanished without a trace.
In time, her limit will come.
Heh heh heh, now I get it…… why she keeps her emotions locked away.
A cruel superior. An understaffed Council. Duties so heavy they devour even lunch break.
To protect herself from the stress that environment generates, she’s shut herself away in a hard shell.
Rescue her dashingly from that, and her affection will absolutely rise.
I — unlike the masses — am sure to become a special person to her……!
True, Reina has no boobs. But she has clerical ability that more than compensates.
If I bring her into my inner circle now, she’ll exercise her ability to its fullest as my subordinate.
Poor Reina…… thinking she’s been freed from evil, only to find herself in the sights of an even greater villain……
“I’ve decided, Alice.”
She didn’t say no. And there was a reaction.
The strong words I’d deliberately used had paid off.
That alone, for now, is enough.
“I will obtain Reina Milfonti……!”
So saying, I clenched my fist.
◇ Thanks to strong sales, publication of Volume 2 of the book version has been decided~!
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