Chapter 3: Apple Pie

“Haaaah, that’s finally over.”

With all my classes finished for the day, I let out a breath and stretched my arms wide. My stiff shoulders groaned.

crack, crack

It felt as if the tension from the day had finally been released.

After gathering my things to leave, I stepped out of the classroom. The light of the setting sun pouring through the windows dyed the hallway a brilliant orange.

An Engagement Crest…

Naturally, the content of Lafumiere-sensei’s lecture crossed my mind. The discussion about Engagement Crests had left a particular impression on me.

I had seen an Engagement Crest once before. The memory of it came back to me vividly. That shape. I should have been seeing it for the first time, and yet, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

It was a crest carved into the lower abdomen, shaped like a heart. The memory of that thing I’d seen online in my past life came flooding back.

…Yes, it looked just like what’s commonly known as a “lewd crest.” I couldn’t help but feel my cheeks grow hot.

“Michelle!”

Carnelia’s voice pulled me back from the sea of my thoughts. When I turned, she was standing there, smiling.

“Let’s go to the café! We promised, remember?” 

“Ah, you’re right. Let’s go.”

Carnelia took me by the hand, and we headed for a café nestled in a corner of the noble’s district. The name of the shop was the “Royal Palace Cafe.” It was a historic café, distinguished enough to be named one of the capital’s Top 50, and it had a certain calm, warm atmosphere.

When we opened the door, a pleasant bell chimed.

ding-dong

The interior was furnished with antiques, creating a tranquil mood. We were guided to our seats.

We’d barely settled into our chairs before we both reached for the menus at the edge of the table.

“Jibril’s not with you today?” 

“Yeah, it seems she had something else to do.”

She always seemed busy at the academy, constantly running from one thing to the next.

“Michelle, you’re getting your usual apple pie and chamomile tea, right?” Carnelia asked with a grin.

“Yes, that’s right. I make it a rule to get the apple pie whenever I come here,” I answered proudly. Just then, a waiter came over to take our order.

Carnelia ordered the new plum parfait and a Darjeeling tea. A short while later, our orders arrived.

“Let’s eat.”

We said it in unison, each picking up our spoons.

The apple pie before me had a perfectly browned crust and was generously filled with a glossy apple filling. The sweet aroma, mingled with the faint, rich scent of wine, made my mouth water. The first bite was pure bliss—a crisp, flaky crust giving way to a sweet and tangy apple filling that melted in my mouth. And the gentle fragrance of the chamomile tea enhanced it all the more.

Carnelia, too, was happily digging into her parfait. Watching her eat with such enjoyment made me curious about the new parfait myself.

“Shall we trade a bite?”

When I suggested it, Carnelia readily agreed. “Sure!” We took our spoons and offered each other a bite.

“It has a very refined sweetness.”

The plum parfait was also wonderful, with an exquisite harmony of subtly sweet plums and fresh cream.

We finished our desserts in what felt like an instant, basking in satisfaction.

“Phew, that was completely satisfying!” I said, exhaling deeply with a beaming smile.

“Hee hee, I’m glad!” Carnelia smiled, looking just as pleased. We left the café. The sun hadn’t fully set yet, and a pale orange still lingered in the sky.

“Hey Michelle, I want to look at some clothes. Would you mind coming with me?” Carnelia asked.

“Of course, I don’t mind at all.”

I happily agreed, and as we walked toward a boutique, I spotted a group of noble children running hand-in-hand, looking cheerful.

“My magical power was 1500!” 

“Wow! Mine’s only 1200!”

Around this time of year, noble children who turn ten undergo a magical power inspection. They must have just finished theirs. They were busy comparing their power levels.

For their age, those were some fairly impressive numbers. However, hearing their innocent reports, I inwardly scoffed. My magical power was in a completely different league.

I remember my own inspection. I’ll never forget it. The day I won at life—my magical power inspection five years ago.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

It was just after I turned ten. I stood quietly on a measurement platform placed in the center of a majestic chapel. The moment I placed my hand on the crystal sphere, a stir went through the crowd.

“A-A magical power level of… 530,000…!!”

The priest’s trembling voice echoed through the hall. He was so shocked that the crystal sphere in his hands was rattling. His aides were equally wide-eyed and speechless.

“No way… For a child to have a number like that…?!” 

“No, the instrument is working correctly… Record it, quickly!”

I vaguely watched the adults buzz with excitement in front of me. But in the next moment, the priest placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke, overcome with emotion.

“You… are a child blessed by the gods! One who will bear the future of Alirium!”

From that moment on, my life changed. From that day forward, I was the pride of my family and my clan, and even the townspeople began to treat me with a special reverence. It might have been too much for a ten-year-old to handle.

But I got used to it quickly. Or rather, I let myself get used to it.

“Lady Michelle, right this way. We have prepared a special cake for you today.” 

“We hear that Michelle-sama’s magical power rivals that of the ancient sages. Your future is truly something to look forward to.”

Showered with such words every day, I gradually came to think of it all as a matter of course. A storm of praise, adulation, and acclaim. It was days spent under the illusion I was the center of the world.

As long as I have magical power, everyone will acknowledge me…

Born into a noble house and possessing a level of magical power that was the envy of all. My existence was crafted into something “special” by those two factors.

Every time someone’s gaze fell upon me, every time someone praised me, my heart felt as though it were being filled.

I am a chosen being. That’s why… that’s why everyone pays attention to me.

I accepted this conviction as truth without a shred of doubt, as if it were my natural destiny.