I was exposed as the strongest magician to my sister, who has severe brother complex. I can no longer hide my abilities at school!

Chapter 6 : Informant

“Haa… That’s enough, right? I’m heading home now.”

“Hm? Are you going to walk all the way home even though there’s no carriage?”

“Eh?”

“Huh?”

After that exchange, Cecil went inside the academy building, as classes were about to begin.

Alvin was left behind. It was natural for someone who wasn’t a student like Alvin to not attend classes. Although he could use the Duke’s influence to manage it somehow, if asked whether he wanted to go to class to that extent, he would shake his head in denial.

However, walking home was out of the question due to the distance.

Who would willingly walk for hours one way? Alvin, tired from various incidents involving his somewhat overly affectionate sister, didn’t have the energy for that.

Therefore, Alvin reluctantly decided to kill time in the academy’s garden.

“…This should be fine.”

Under a tree where the sun filtered through the leaves onto the soft grass.

It seemed comfortable to lie down here. Having been interrupted during his second nap and feeling tired from his sister’s various sisterly acts, this seemed like a good place to pass the time, especially since it didn’t seem like anyone would pass by.

Alvin lay down as his body felt sore all over.

A pleasant breeze brushed against his skin, and just lying down made drowsiness overtake him.

“Fuah~… Nee-san will come looking for me when the sun sets, right?”

She was helpless to the end. However, he couldn’t imagine his sister leaving him alone. There was still some time until the return carriage would arrive. It seemed better to stay here alone than to go home on his own.

Thinking such things, Alvin let his consciousness sink into a light doze.

◇◇◇◇◇◇

Alvin woke up surprisingly early, only two hours later after he went to sleep.

“Nn…?”

Rubbing his eyelids, he slowly opened his eyes.

It was still bright outside. There was no sign that the sun had set or that the position of the sun had changed drastically.

However, it was noisier than when he had started to doze off. Probably because the academy students had gathered to attend classes.

Did he wake up because of that? Alvin, a habitual napper, felt a bit doubtful about his own shallowness of sleep.

At that moment, “Oh, you’re awake?”

Suddenly, a voice came from above.

Come to think of it, the sensation transmitted to his head had been somewhat soft.

Alvin, curious, opened his heavy eyelids and looked up.

There, a girl with beautiful yet innocent features and crimson eyes was looking down at him.

Her flame-colored hair fluttered in the breeze, and her gaze was irresistibly captivating.

Who was she? He didn’t need to think hard about it. After all—

“Why are you here?”

“I attend this academy too, you know?”

“…Even information brokers go to academies?”

She was none other than Layla Carmine.

The information broker who often helped Alvin—providing information about the state of the duke’s house and the presence of unsettling factors—and the one who once revealed the location of the bandit’s hideout.

Their acquaintance was unexpectedly long.

Perhaps their relationship began after Alvin turned ten? A relationship born of a chance event.

Indeed, it started from the time Alvin accidentally helped Layla.

And she was the only person who knew Alvin’s true abilities—a girl with a relationship that began in such a way.

“You say you’re an information broker, but you’re not making a business out of flowing the information you get, right?”

“But I take money from you.”

“That’s because you said, ‘It’s awkward to take it for free’.”

“Sorry, sorry, that’s right.”

With that settled, Alvin asked Layla about what had been bothering him.

“What’s the situation? How much do I have to pay for a lap pillow from a beautiful girl?”

“I’ll make it a special service and give it to you for free. I did it on my own because I saw you sleeping here all alone.”

“Thanks.”

“Hehe~, you’re welcome.”

Layla laughed elegantly.

Alvin looked at her and thought to himself, ‘Layla was a noble, huh?’

He had avoided asking about her background because their relationship began by chance.

However, attending an academy where many nobles gathered probably meant she was also one of them.

“Why are you here? I thought the time of entering the academy for new students was a little further off…”

“My sister found out about my abilities.”

“Does that mean you were forcibly brought here because of your sister’s bragging?”

“Your intuition is sharp as usual. I just wanted to give my sister a little happiness, even if it’s just a bit.”

“Miss Cecil often becomes the hot topic at the academy. It’s rare for a noble lady to be so fond of her younger brother. Besides, she said that at the school assembly the other day.”

Somehow, it made Alvin less eager to enter the academy and he felt a stronger sense of reluctance.

“What about you? Are you going to sleep a little more?”

“Hm? That’s the plan, but…”

“Then I’ll stay like this until you wake up.”

“You’re not going to attend class? Is Layla unexpectedly lazy like me?”

“It’s not like that. I usually attend classes properly.”

However, Leila had a mischievous smile.

“You won’t have the chance to have me give you a lap pillow anytime soon. I’ll enjoy looking at your sleeping face while I can.”

“You’re a curious one.”

Well, whatever. Alvin didn’t mind being seen, so he closed his eyes once again.

After that, just before he returned to a light doze—

“Good night, Alvin.”