Chapter 16

――Have you heard of the Witch of Calamity?

On a night alone, Laura suddenly brought up this topic.

Of course, I know.

For those who aspire to be magicians, the great figures in the history of magic are all deeply etched in their minds.

The Witch of Calamity.

Her nickname is as grand as that of Magnus, the wielder of a thousand spells, One Thousand.

She is a woman with striking white hair and red eyes, capable of wielding about five hundred spells. While this number is somewhat meager for a magician whose name is recorded in history, it is because she only mastered offensive magic. In terms of offensive magic alone, she is said to have more spells than Magnus.

Despite being such a great figure—

While Magnus's name shines brightly in the history of magic, her nickname has fallen to the ground and is spoken of as a stain on all magicians.

She challenged the kingdom with her overwhelming power.

The kingdom paid a heavy price but emerged victorious; however, it took a long time for the devastated land to recover its vitality.

That's when I realized.

Laura's hair is pure white, a very rare color.

The same as the Witch of Calamity—

"Of course, I know about the Witch of Calamity."

I answered.

Then, from the darkness, Laura posed a new question.

"Do you remember the soldiers calling this place the 'Cursed Village' last night?"

"I remember."

"That's because this village was founded by the descendants of the Witch of Calamity."

"Ah."

...So that's it. That's why it's called the Cursed Village. The Witch of Calamity's rampage is a distant tale, but I heard it many times as a fairy tale when I was a child. To the people of this country, the Witch of Calamity is synonymous with 'evil.'

I had noticed that many of the villagers had light-colored hair, but it seems that's the reason.

"Occasionally, a child with very white hair, a strong manifestation of the Witch of Calamity's blood, is born in this village."

"That's you, Laura, right?"

"Yes... My eyes are blue, though."

I heard Laura's voice chuckle.

"I am a person with the cursed bloodline from the Cursed Village. That's why I don't think I can make friends at the academy."

I don't understand...

"Laura is Laura. You're not the Witch of Calamity."

"Yes, I think so too. It's a strange story, isn't it?"

"Don't worry too much. No one would discriminate against you for something like that nowadays."

"...It's a story from my childhood. When my parents discovered I had a talent for magic, they sent me to a magic school in a nearby town. I tried to make friends, but—'You're a witch, a witch, you'll be killed...'—I was avoided."

Laura said this with a sad voice.

"Because of my distinctive appearance, there's always someone who recognizes my origins, and it inevitably leaks out."

The magic academy has many nobles. Such information circulates even more. They are the kind of people who 'distinguish' others based on their background.

"Why don't you dye your hair? No one would know, right?"

"It might be fine if I just wanted to live a normal life... But it seems that this unusual hair is related to my magic, and dyeing it would weaken the effects of my spells."

Therefore, Laura emphasized.

"Since I've decided to live as a magician, I can't run away from this hair."

"Why do you go through such hardship to attend the magic academy?"

"...I want the village to be treated better, even a little."

"Treated better?"

"This village, due to its origins, is not treated well by the country. It has improved somewhat, but that's thanks to the villagers with the bloodline of the witches contributing as magicians and earning recognition."

Laura continued with a strong voice.

"I want to hone my skills for the sake of the village. That's what I think."

"Laura, you're the hope of the village."

"N-no, it's not that big of a deal...! The villagers tell me I don't have to push myself and can live a normal life... But because they are so kind, I want to do my best with what I can!"

I felt like I understood Laura a little better.

Until now, she had seemed like a good, serious girl—she has something she won't compromise on, and despite her struggles, she tries hard to move forward.

Laura's trembling voice came from the darkness.

"Even though I'm like this... will you be my friend?"

Rejection, rejection, rejection, rejection, rejection.

Outside the village, Laura must have experienced only this. It's not hard to imagine how much courage it took for her to say those words.

So—

The answer is already decided.

Would I have been able to say it if I were the me from ten years ago, when I was attending the magic academy and still believed in my talent, living in the privileged world of the nobility?

But I know. I know the pain of not being able to bear my own weakness and running away, the sorrow of being branded as a worthless person.

There is only one thing I should say to Laura, who has told me everything here and now.

"Of course. I'll be your friend no matter what—forever. I swear. This is something I will never waver from, no matter what happens."

The room fell silent.

I could hear Laura sniffle.

"...Thank you. I'm really glad I met you, Albert..."

After a long silence, Laura said this.

"...I talked too much. Let's go to sleep, shall we?"

"Sure. Good night, Laura."

"Good night, Albert."

And so, my long day came to an end.

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

The next morning, I decided to return home.

I, who had somehow become the village's hero, was seen off by all the villagers.

"Come back anytime!"

The village chief said this.

Laura's father approached me.

"Let me confirm one last time, was there really no mistake last night?"

"Dad, you're being too persistent! I told you nothing happened!"

Laura, with a red face, called out while pulling her father's arm.

Since I woke up, Laura's father had repeatedly asked if there was any mistake. It was quite a pressure...

"There was nothing."

I smiled and answered.

"Laura and I are just friends. Nothing like that happened."

"Yes! We're just friends!"

Laura smiled back at me.

Laura will stay in the village to prepare for her enrollment. She plans to go to the capital for the enrollment ceremony.

I waved to Laura.

"See you at the academy next time."

Then, I raised my right hand to the sky and said the usual words.

"Magic Arrow"

I soared into the sky.

Soon, my second life at the magic academy will begin.

Chapter 1, Pre-Enrollment, ends here. The next part will be about the post-enrollment.

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