Vol 1 Chapter 7 – Promise

This is a bit abrupt, but let me talk about my family.

My parents are plain commoners, not nobles. Their marriage is rock-solid—they were childhood friends who simply kept things going until they wound up married.

They run a small magic-item shop in a provincial city, far away from anything as rough as swordplay or offensive magic. The two of them can manage only a handful of basic household spells.

Apparently my grandmother, who passed away before I was born, was a somewhat well-known mage, and my younger sister seems to have inherited that talent.

She currently attends the Royal Academy and—if I may say so myself—is outstanding.

Her personality is great too, and I’d even call her a beauty (family bias noted). Her only flaw is that she still hasn’t managed to cut the apron strings from her big brother—though dorm life has at least pried her away from Mom and Dad. She’s adorable for now, so I’ll let it slide.

If things keep going like this, she’ll rank among the kingdom’s top mages someday. She’s aiming for that herself—when she was little she used to say, “I’ll become Chief Royal Court Magician and take care of you forever, Onii-chan!”

—Me? Nowhere near that.

My grades were decent enough, but as you know my mana is below average, and my practical skills… well, I flunked the Royal Court Magician exam.

The only reason I made it from the Royal Academy to the University was because I served as handler for that pushy genius and long-time pain-in-the-neck, Lidia Linster. That woman honestly believes that anything she can do, anyone can do.

Back when she was just a sword-fighting maniac, it was one thing, but now that she’s among the strongest mages in the country, very few people can survive her impossible demands. That’s why someone—read: me—got offered up as a sacrificial lamb… er, a calming influence.

From the moment we met, I never imagined she was a duke’s daughter, and these days we don’t stand on ceremony at all. (Lately she crashes at my place without blinking, then punches me the next morning because “Why didn’t you make a move?” Beats me.)

The point is that—even though Tina and Lidia are both duke’s daughters—they’re light-years apart.

Raised as a commoner, I don’t know any other noble young ladies besides Lidia, and if she’s the standard I’d defect to the Republic tomorrow. She’s the exception that proves the rule.

Therefore—I absolutely can’t afford to be rude to a genuine highborn lady.

Even I have that much sense.

“…But, Sensei, I heard you often pat Lidia-sama on the head as well.”

“That’s a misunderstand— I mean, it’s something I reluctantly do to defend my personal dignity, and—who even told you that? The professor?”

Her Highness nods.

That old geezer… tarnishing my reputation for no reason.

Fine. If it’s war he wants, it’s war he’ll get. Next time we meet, I’ll have rumors ready—true or otherwise!

“…That’s unfair. You said you’d praise me, Sensei. In that case, I demand head pats as well!”

“Sigh… All right. But on one condition. If you perform today’s magic exercise correctly, I’ll pat you until you get sick of it, Tina.”

“Really?”

“I don’t lie.”

“Recorded on the orb. So, what do I need to do?”

…This young lady is giving off a faint Lidia vibe; better stay alert.

Still, motivation is good. She should be arriving right about—

“E-excuse me.”

There we go. Perfect timing. Ellie (she told me this morning, “P-please, no honorifics—just call me Ellie”) slips into the room.

I asked her to bring the materials for the exercise. She didn’t have to balance them on a tray, though.

—I can already see how this will play out.

“Allen-sensei, I brought what you—kyaa!”

“Whoops—easy, easy.”

I catch Ellie before she face-plants, stopping the tray in mid-air.

Float, float…

The tray drifts down and settles gently on the desk.

One, two, three—yep, seven candles. Perfect for the exercise.

“A-Allen-sensei, um, that is, uh…”

“Sensei, Ellie doesn’t like that. Please let go. Right now.”

Ellie’s cheeks redden as she flails in my arms.

Watching, Her Highness smiles, radiating an arctic chill.

…This is fun. I give Ellie a squeeze.

“Eh—ah, ah, ah, um, er, uh—”

“Sensei!! Let her go, this instant!!”

Probably time to quit while I’m ahead. I set Ellie free.

She glances down, mortified. Adorable.

…Her Highness’s glare hurts, though. Ha ha ha.

“…Sensei, you’re mean. You’re a brute. You’re a pervert.”

“Caught me.”

“…But you’re incredible. I’ve never seen anyone use Levitation that easily.”

“It’s really not that hard.”

“…Liar.”

Sharp eyes. She’s definitely clever.

—Time to get serious. I line the candles in a row.

“Over the next three months, Tina, you’ll light each candle with a different spell.”

“In other words?”

“All seven elements.”

“…Sensei, you’re definitely mean.”

“Not at all. Because—”

I flash a beaming smile.

“I believe Tina can do it without the slightest trouble.”

“…If I succeed, hugs too, please.”

“Gladly.”

Now then—will we make it in time?

If she finishes early, I won’t be able to accept the duke’s request. More like…

Anyway, before we start I need to confirm one thing.

“One question—Tina, do you truly want to attend the Royal Academy?”