Chapter 24

EP.24 Dorothy (1)

Sunlight seeps through the curtains.

Mary, the dedicated maid of the Astréan family, wakes up with a sharpness like a blade.

She gets out of bed and neatly makes the bed.

Next, a light breakfast of a sandwich and warm coffee. Shower. Change into the maid uniform. Comb her long, purple hair with a hairbrush.

All these processes were carried out like a machine. The space she occupied was tidy, and all objects were neatly arranged.

She looked in the full-length mirror and tied her neatly combed hair into a round bun. Checked her appearance. Everything was in order.

The young maid, at twenty, tidied herself up and left the maid dormitory.

In one of the rooms on the fourth floor of the Charles Hall, the top-class dormitory of the Merhen Academy, the young lady she served was waiting.

The young lady was always up on time. She sat on the bed with her long, emerald hair tousled, dozing off.

Even while dozing, the bed was always neatly made. This was due to the influence of her father, the head of the family, Gerald Astréan.

Mary brought the young lady her breakfast. She ate heartily, as she had a good appetite.

When the young lady finished washing and putting on her school uniform, Mary tidied her appearance and sat her in front of the vanity to beautify her face. Then, she tied her emerald hair into two braids with black ribbons.

Today, as always, Miss Kayah Astréan was perfect.

Mary was satisfied.

"Mary."

"Yes, Miss."

But why?

Kayah looked at her reflection in the mirror, scrutinizing it from all angles, and then made a dissatisfied expression.

'What is it?'

Today's makeup should be perfect, right?

"Something... feels a bit off today..."

"I will correct it."

Kayah, who didn't usually care much about putting on airs, only did so to maintain the dignity of the Astréan family, as a duchess.

Therefore, she had never expressed dissatisfaction with Mary's work before.

Moreover, Kayah's appearance, enhanced by Mary's hands, had always received much praise.

Mary's skill in beautifying Kayah was a significant factor in her being selected as a dedicated maid when she followed Kayah to Merhen Academy.

In other words, the ability to make Kayah look the most beautiful was Mary's pride, something she would not let anyone surpass.

Thus, Mary could not help but feel doubtful.

Had she made some mistake without realizing it?

...No. She carefully examined the young lady's reflection in the mirror again, but found no issues with her work.

The two braids were perfectly symmetrical. The makeup, which was both innocent and dignified, was a success. The young lady, as always, was lovely.

Then what was the problem? What had she missed?

"Should we try a different style... What do you think?"

"Excuse me?"

"A bit more feminine...?"

After some thought, Kayah looked up and said this, as if it were a carefully considered expression.

Mary instinctively guessed the reason for this sudden change in the young lady.

"Miss, may I ask why you want to change your style?"

"Just... I want to try it out."

"......!"

She was embarrassed. That young lady, Kayah, was embarrassed by the idea of beautifying herself.

Mary took a deep breath.

She wanted to accept it as a simple desire to look more beautiful, but Kayah's recent behavior was too suspicious.

She had been unusually absent-minded lately, and at bedtime, she would kick the covers while muttering, "Why did I do that?"

'Ah...'

The most suspicious memory that came to Mary's mind was recent.

When she entered the room to serve tea, Kayah was silently staring out the window.

No matter how many times she knocked and tried to enter, there was no response.

Mary secretly went to her side and observed. Kayah's cheeks were flushed, and she was staring blankly at a silver-haired man passing by on the road.

When Mary mentioned the tea again, Kayah was startled and showed a flustered expression.

"Mary?"

It finally came to this.

Kayah undoubtedly had a crush on that silver-haired man.

'When did it start?'

Could it have been during the last outing?

That day was when Mary's lifespan shortened. She was so worried she thought she would die.

Fortunately, Kayah returned safely and said something like, "I protected the peace of the academy..." Though she didn't understand what it meant, she assumed nothing serious had happened.

Kayah started to become restless after that.

If she had gone on the outing with a stranger, that silver-haired man?

'This is a mistake.'

There was no way she had engaged in any improper behavior. If she had, it would have been obvious on Kayah's face.

However, the mere fact of spending the night with a man was a significant stimulus for Kayah, who had no immunity to romantic relationships.

Until graduation, do not get involved with men. This was the order of the head of the family, Gerald Astréan.

The image of the head of the family, furious, was vivid.

Mary pressed her forehead. Her head already ached.

"......Miss, this style suits you the best."

"Is that so? Then what..."

Kayah blushed and twirled her braided hair with her fingers.

Mary's inner turmoil was ignored.

......

─ 'Astréan Family Code of Conduct! What is the third rule?'

─ 'Second daughter, Kayah Astréan! Respect your teacher! Respect your seniors! Maintain proper conduct and appearance!'

The family code of conduct that Gerald Astréan had ingrained in Kayah's mind.

The meaning behind the third rule was:

'In the future, strive to become someone who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the person you respect.'

However, Kayah realized she was not properly following this teaching.

'I want to look good in front of Mr. Isaac.'

The person Kayah currently admired was none other than Isaac.

Did she show him proper conduct and appearance? No.

First, her behavior. She only showed him her immature side.

When they went to defeat the ant demon.

Every time she remembered the foolish appearance she showed Isaac, she kicked the covers, muttering, "Why did I do that?"

And her appearance? She had always done the same makeup, showing no change from her childhood self in front of the person she admired.

"Ugh..."

In the morning, Kayah arrived at the A-class lecture hall for class.

Her mind was filled with thoughts of Isaac. However, the fact that she rarely saw him lately made her feel helpless.

Isaac radiated a halo just by being seen, but she lacked the courage to approach it.

Moreover, he had told her not to stalk... or rather, observe him anymore.

Given his level as a grand mage, he would easily notice Kayah's approach. There was no chance to observe him.

She could just talk to him normally.

But after returning from defeating the ant demon, she felt nervous standing in front of Isaac, making it psychologically difficult.

'The Astréan Family Code of Conduct... Is it really this hard to follow, Father?'

She was considering changing her appearance to catch Isaac's eye.

But when Mary said that the twin-tails she usually wore suited her best, she had no argument. Kayah knew she had no talent for makeup.

'I want to see Mr. Isaac...'

It should be as simple as going to see him, but it felt so difficult. Knowing the answer but finding it hard to act.

Kayah held her head and groaned.

* * *

She decided.

She would give Kayah a gift.

When they went to defeat the Garzia, she was a great help. If she didn't receive any reward, I wouldn't feel at ease.

However, she has plenty of gels and isn't particularly fond of luxury, so monetary compensation wouldn't be her preference.

'How about giving her a heroine-specific item?'

In *Merhen's Magic Knight*, you can prepare gifts that the recipient likes to increase their affection. The chocolate I gave Amy during the kidnapping incident is an example.

Kayah is one of the official heroines. I know what gifts she would like.

The best choice is undoubtedly the 'Wand of Armana.' It's the only item available in the secret shop among the heroine's ultimate weapons.

A wand made from the 8-star giant tree, 'Armana,' which guards the Great Forest. It's the only wand in *Merhen's Magic Knight* that resonates with plant mana. It also has a magic stone made from condensed Armana mana.

In other words, with this, she will be able to respond much faster to plant mana.

Her existing elemental magic [Elemental Power] and [Elemental Efficiency] will also noticeably improve.

Given Kayah's strong desire to improve, she would jump with joy the moment she received it.

'It's expensive, though...'

I bought the Wand of Armana from the secret shop and came out.

The Wand of Armana was very expensive. It cost 120,000 gels, which made it a luxury item in the early stages of *Merhen's Magic Knight*.

'But it's amazing that I still have money left.'

Even after spending 120,000 gels, I still had a lot of gels left.

The academy provides all the necessary materials and high-quality stationery. As long as I don't overspend, I won't have to worry about living expenses.

I examined the Wand of Armana as I walked. It looked like a roughly carved piece of light brown wood with a magic stone crudely attached. It might feel different in the hands of someone with a keen sense of mana.

I would give it to Kayah at an appropriate time.

I went to the dormitory, put the Wand of Armana in a box, and then headed to my usual spot in the garden.

Now that all the classes were over, it was time to focus on training.

I felt a sense of level-up today.

My motivation surged.

After a light stretch, I summoned [Frost Flames] in both hands.

......

[Level Up!! Level has increased to 51!]

[You have gained 2 stat points!]

[ Status ]

Name: Isaac

Level: 51

Gender: Male

Grade: 1

Title: Freshman

Mana: 680 / 1000

- Mana Recovery Speed (C-)

- Health (C+)

- Strength (C+)

- Intelligence (C-)

- Willpower (B+)

Potential <<Details>>

[ Combat Abilities ]

Elemental Series 1: Ice

- Elemental Power (C+)

- Elemental Efficiency (B-)

- Elemental Synergy (C+)

Elemental Series 2 (Locked)

[ Skills ]

Active

- (★1) Ice Creation (B-) / (★5) Black Ice (B-)

- (★2) Ice Barrier (C+)

- (★1) Cold Emission (B-)

- (★1) Basic Protection Magic (D)

- (★4) Frost Flames (D+)

- (★4) Ice Wall (D+)

- (★5) Ice Explosion (D)

Passive

- (★7) Psychological Insight

Skill Tree <<Details>>

[ Unique Traits ]

- Demon Slayer

As the evening sky gradually turned to dusk, in a corner of the garden.

The grass around me was frozen. It was the result of casting magic to increase the proficiency of [Ice Explosion], [Frost Flames], and [Ice Wall].

[Ice Explosion] consumes one-third of my total mana with each use, so I only used it once. However, the proficiency increase is proportional to the mana consumed, so even a few uses will significantly boost proficiency.

While I was casting magic, the level-up system window appeared in front of me.

My level increased by 1.

'Ah.'

Euphoria washed over me.

Finally, the mana surge at level 51. My mana increased to 1000 in one go! It increased by half of my previous mana.

[Ice Explosion] consumes 200 mana per use. Before, using it three times would almost drain my mana, but now I can use it four or five times.

Moreover, the increase in mana capacity becomes exponentially larger with each level.

Isaac's coin value should skyrocket.

"Huh?"

While I was happily looking at the system window, a new system window appeared on top of it