Chapter 62

After walking in the darkness for a while, the two people guiding me stopped.

"Ah, um... it couldn't be helped. It was sudden, so I didn't know what to do."

My voice cracked with tension and anxiety, and while still covered by the large cloth, I fidgeted by pressing my index fingers together.

"There's no one around, you can take it off now."

Magilka, who didn't seem to hear my excuse, answered and removed the cloth from my head, revealing the surroundings. It was the familiar entrance hall of the old school building on the first floor.

"Um, well..."

I tried to say something but didn't know what to say, so my words were muddled. Magilka took my hand and led me to the second-floor lounge, our current resting place, while keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings.

"Phew... At least this should be fine now."

As soon as we entered the room, Magilka closed the door, let out a sigh, and relaxed.

"Are you okay, Miss?"

Tutte approached me, who was standing in the middle of the room with a blank look, and examined me carefully.

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Hmm... It seems to have little effect on the same sex."

Magilka, who had been observing our conversation objectively, said something profound, so I tilted my head in confusion.

"Same sex? Effect?"

"Oh, don't make such a cute gesture. It's making me nervous."

When I looked at her, Magilka turned her face away hurriedly, put her hands in front of her, and waved them to block her view. I noticed her cheeks were a bit red.

"What do you mean?"

After checking that everything was normal, Tutte brought a towel and started drying my wet hair. Her attitude was as usual, and I couldn't see any changes.

"Is Tutte okay?"

"I see Miss every day, so this is nothing."

While drying my hair, Tutte answered Magilka's question, but I still didn't understand the situation.

"Hey, what's going on? Can you explain?"

After finishing drying my hair, I was offered a chair and sat down. Magilka sat in a chair a little distance away.

(Why is she keeping a distance? Could it be because of the plant juice... Oh, could it be?)

The keyword "plant juice" made me think of the worst-case scenario.

"Could it be, I smell!"

I sniffed my arm, but there was no strange odor. However, there are cases where others can smell it even if I can't, so I couldn't be too careful.

"No, you don't smell. But there's a more troublesome situation."

"What do you mean?"

"The plant that burst in front of Miss Mary is a very rare subspecies that only grows among mandrake clusters. The juice, which has been cultivated for a long time, has the effect of enhancing the charm of the person it touches."

"Huh?"

I couldn't fully grasp Magilka's explanation and asked again in a voice unbecoming of a young lady.

"Due to its long cultivation period and the fact that it bursts when stimulated, it's a very difficult plant to grow. However, they probably inherited and carefully cultivated it from their seniors over generations. When Miss Mary attacked it with magic..."

"It burst..."

I recalled their shocked faces.

(Well, they brought it upon themselves.)

"It's very rare and expensive, and the amount extracted is small, so it's usually mixed with perfume and sprayed on oneself. But I never thought it would cover someone's head in such a large amount."

"Wait, wait, wait! So, that's why Lord Reiforce suddenly came on to me?"

"Yes, it's probably the effect of the charm."

(Why would it cause such a status effect? My nullification skill? Oh, right, it enhances charm, so it doesn't harm the body. That's why it passed through. What a convenient skill.)

I began to grasp the situation and was stunned.

"But I've never heard that the effect would be this strong. I thought it would just make the opposite sex nervous, but even I, a woman, feel a bit nervous. Oh, maybe it's because charming people don't need such a drug."

The effect seems to be less on the same sex, but Magilka tried to avoid looking at me. The most important thing for me was one thing.

"How long will this effect last?"

"Normally, it would only last a few minutes, but since it's still effective, it suggests individual differences."

I could only stare at Magilka, who was deep in thought.

(What should I do? This is school. There are a lot of men around. How can I get home? No, is it even safe to go home like this? In the worst case, I might have to fly away.)

However, while levitation magic can reach high altitudes, it's very slow for movement. Flying magic is much faster, but it's a third-tier spell, so I can't use it in front of people.

"Anyway, I'll attend the Herbology Society meeting and consult with them. They're probably still active in this old school building."

"Me, too."

"Please stay here, Miss Mary. You might charm everyone at the meeting."

"O-Okay."

I realized that not everyone at the meeting would be the same sex as I stood up and felt dejected, so I sat back down. After confirming this, Magilka left the room, leaving the rest to Tutte. I waved her off and sighed deeply.

"Why does this happen? I just want to have a quiet school life."

"Perhaps the goddess of turmoil is blessing you."

"I'd rather have that blessing nullified."

I grumbled while waiting for the judgment. If the effect wears off while I'm waiting, that would be fortunate.

After that, how much time had passed? The prince and Zach finished the cleanup and went to the next room for safety. Now, with nothing to do, Safina was sitting in front of me, having tea. The teachers would handle the field, and it would probably be cultivated under their supervision instead of being discarded.

"Hey, Safina, how do I look?"

"You look beautiful. I feel like hugging Miss Mary."

"S-Sure... Try to suppress that urge."

I snorted and held back the urge to pounce like a dog, sighing deeply at the fact that the effect hadn't worn off. It seems to be controllable for the same sex, but people with weak self-control are affected.

"Still, Tutte is really unaffected. I'm impressed. She's a great maid."

"Thank you."

When I genuinely praised her with a big smile, I noticed that the teapot Tutte was holding was slightly shaking, but I pretended not to see it.

(Sorry, I'll be good. I won't do anything to enhance my charm. So, please, Tutte, try to hold on.)

I looked down and tried to make myself as small as possible to avoid drawing attention.

A few minutes later.

"Phew! I thought I was going to die."

"Miss, were you holding your breath again?"

Hiding my presence = holding my breath had become an unconscious habit, and I was breathing heavily through my shoulders.

"What are you doing?"

Magilka stood in the doorway, looking at me with half-closed eyes.

"Magilka!"

"Ah!"

I looked up, probably with a very happy face, and Magilka instantly blushed, covered her mouth, and looked away.

(Sorry, I'll cover my head with a towel and hide.)

I became dejected like a scolded dog, grabbed a large towel nearby, and sulkily covered my head.

"Stop it! Don't make such a cute, protective gesture!"

With Magilka's mental scream, Tutte and Safina looked away and muttered something like a mantra to control themselves.

"What's going on! What is it?"

"Prince! It's bad!"

Surprised by Magilka's scream, the prince peeked in, froze at the sight, and Zach pulled him away and closed the door.

"Phew... That was close..."

I could hear the male voices from the other side of the door, but I felt so much guilt for causing trouble that I was on the verge of tears.

"The effect isn't wearing off; it seems to be getting stronger. It seems everyone's theory is correct."

"What do you mean?"

Holding back tears, I spoke with my head down, still covered by the towel.

"There's a theory that the charm effect and its duration are proportional to the person's original charm and magic power. Miss Mary's overwhelming charm effect is probably due to her own charm and magic power."

"Is that so?"

"Still, for it to have such a strong effect, Miss Mary's charm and magic power must be extraordinary."

Safina's muttered words made me shudder with cold sweat.

(Oh no! If this effect persists, they'll realize something is wrong with my magic power.)

"Is there no way to cancel the effect immediately?"

"I can't think of anything right now. I'll investigate with the society members tomorrow."

"Then, the problem is how to leave the school and get home."

At Safina's suggestion, everyone fell silent.

"Basically, as long as I'm not seen, right? If I cover myself completely so no one can tell who I am, that should work."

"That's right. The less charming you look, the better."

"Then, there's only one option."

I thought of a plan and proposed it to everyone.

An hour later.

"Perfect!"

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the lounge. Although my actions as a young lady are shameful, I have no such concerns now. Because I am...

"An impressive full white plate armor."

Magilka muttered in amazement.

Indeed, the figure in the mirror was completely unrecognizable, fully clad in perfect armor.

Thank you for reading this far.