Vol 1 Chapter 11: To the Royal Capital

Dear Lidia,

It’s been a month since my last letter.

Wait—before you start scolding me, please hear me out.

As I mentioned, I’m currently tutoring at the Howard Ducal estate. My pupils are the duke’s second daughter, Lady Tina, and her attendant maid, Lady Ellie.

Both girls are exceptionally gifted; I’m certain they’ll enter the Royal Academy.

——As for Tina, she’s only been using magic for about a month.

I’m not exaggerating. You, of all people, know how these things go.

Among the nobility, it was apparently common knowledge that “the Howard family’s second daughter can’t use magic.”

After a few twists and turns, she can wield it now… and her mana is just as strong as yours—honestly, a bit too strong.

She reminds me of you when we first met—though, unlike someone we both know, she isn’t brash or overbearing. Still, watching her is just as nerve-racking.

That’s why I’ve spent the past month drilling Tina on mana control and coaching Ellie on written academics (Tina’s already first-rate in book learning). I barely had a moment to write you—my apologies.

And that, in short, is my excuse.

In a few days we leave here, so my next letter will come from the capital.

Think we can meet there? I’d really like to—there’s much to talk about.

…Once the girls’ exams are over, I’ll head back home.

From the Tutor of the Snowy North

to the Southern Young Lady,

Allen

※※※

To a certain cold-hearted someone,

I understand the situation.

I’m not angry at all—really.

Taking such tender care of two girls you barely met—oh, I’m absolutely not thinking anything about that, so don’t mind me.

How tragic… To discover that the man who’s spent the past few years at my side secretly prefers little girls… But it’s fine. After all, she’s more important to you than I am, isn’t she?

On a serious note—are you saying you made a girl who’d never cast a single spell in her life start using magic?

What sort of parlor trick… No, you didn’t do the same thing I did, did you?

Even you must understand the implications. I assume you used another method, but if not… we need to talk.

I also have to hear, in detail, that utterly baffling story about how you failed the Royal Court Mage exam.

Running is forbidden. If you try, I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth.

We will meet in the capital.

——Who gave you permission to hole up in your hometown? I certainly didn’t, nor will I, nor would I ever consider it.

From the Interrogator

to the Suspect with a Thing for Little Girls,

Lidia Linstar

P.S.

My sister’s sulking, saying, “I wish he’d been my tutor…”—so make sure you cheer her up yourself.

※※※

The road to the station was still a snowy white world.

Spring is more than two months away for a northern city; people won’t put away their coats and winter wear for even longer.

“——Sensei, is the temperature comfortable?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Hehe. All thanks to you, Sensei.”

Tina—once again perched on my lap (let’s pretend we don’t see Ellie’s jealous look)—fidgets shyly.

She’s adjusting the temperature inside the carriage (a different one from last time).

No one who sees this would believe she couldn’t use magic three months ago.

Graham-san is at the wheel; Ellie, looking slightly pouty, rides with me in the back seat.

“Ojou-sama, that was splendid.”

“Amazing! B-but I’m glad Allen-sensei is in the back seat.”

“You got praised by Sensei yesterday, didn’t you? Today is my turn.”

“L-Lady Tina was praised the day before yesterday and three days ago. Today should be my day!”

“…We’ll discuss this later.”

“G-gladly!”

Since Tina’s mana outburst, she’s stopped holding back—at least where I’m concerned.

After much thought, I could only conclude the outburst stemmed from her bottling up too much.

So the next day I told her, “You don’t need to hold back or endure anything with me.”

…And this is the result. Ellie’s picked it up too. Well, both girls tend to be reserved—call it practice.

Still, I’ll have to curb their habit of demanding hugs from me… Lidia’s already branding me with strange accusations, and that girl—

“By the way, Sensei.”

“Yes?”

“What did Lidia-sama’s letter say? She even sent it by griffin post.”

“In short, it read, ‘I’m angry!’”

“S-she went that far just for that?”

“Sadly, that’s exactly the kind of person she is.”

Within the kingdom, the state-run mail is cheap and widespread, but slow—about a week from north to south.

Thus private couriers compete fiercely on speed.

Among them, Wyvern Post and Griffin Post are the twin titans.

Of course, they’re expensive; almost no one uses them for ordinary letters.

…She’s angrier than ever before. Honestly, I’d like to run, but she’d just chase me down.

“I’ll make sure you meet her in the capital—brace yourself.”

“I’m ready. I’ll win!”

“I-I’ll do my best too!”

Let’s hope we’re not just adding fuel to the fire…

Graham-san, please don’t laugh under your breath.

——Rest assured, I will deliver these two safely to the capital.