Chapter 35
“Yeah. Back then, I actually won with a big, red, beautiful apple.”
It really had been a gorgeous apple.
Its surface was smooth, without a single blemish, and the color was a mouthwatering red—like the apple from Snow White.
“I think Peter said something to me when he gave me that apple…”
But there was another reason why that memory had remained so vivid until now.
“Oh, did he say the apple blossom on that apple was the most beautiful blossom he had ever seen?”
“……”
“Maybe that’s why the apple itself was so beautiful and tasted amazing. Is it true that if the apple blossom is beautiful, the apple will taste good too?”
The apple had been so large that I hadn’t expected it to taste great. It was barely held in both hands, so I assumed its sweetness would be lacking.
But to my surprise, it was really sweet and delicious.
In my entire life, including my previous life, I had never eaten an apple like that.
“Oh, and Peter’s face was so red at that time. How nervous must he have been?”
He must have been anxious about living up to his father’s reputation.
Even long after the contest ended, his face and neck were flushed as if on fire.
It might have even looked redder than the apple he had given me.
Thinking about that scene made me laugh.
I hurriedly covered my mouth, worried that my laughter might escape.
Then, it happened.
“…I’ll join.”
“Huh? What did you just say?”
“The contest. I’ll participate.”
Suddenly, Estelle declared that she would enter the contest.
And she was burning with determination.
“I’ll definitely win.”
“Y-Yeah! You can do it.”
Just a moment ago, she had seemed indifferent…
I was stunned, but decided to cheer for her anyway.
We ate lunch by the wide lake, chatted, and spent time together. Gradually, Estelle’s stats changed significantly.
Sensitivity: 30 (+11)
Stress: 8 (-20)
‘Her stress index dropped a lot.’
Phew. That’s a relief. Now there’s no chance Estelle will fall ill.
I quietly exhaled in relief, careful not to let Estelle notice.
In the stillness, as if time had stopped, the only sounds were the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind.
“I have a worry.”
Estelle, staring across the calm, unmoving lake, spoke.
“A worry?”
“Yes.”
She nodded slightly and slowly continued.
“Soon I have the Pandora Academy entrance exam. I’m worried about whether I’ll do well.”
Ah, that’s right.
Estelle had to take the entrance exam for Pandora Academy soon.
‘I never imagined she’d be nervous.’
I had assumed she would walk confidently into the exam hall and solve the problems with confidence.
So I hadn’t paid much attention to the exam.
‘Actually, I almost completely forgot it existed.’
Even though I kept telling myself that going to the academy was important, I had totally blanked on the exam.
Why, I wonder.
Had I never seen Estelle fail to enter the academy? Or was it because I just believed she would pass?
‘I’m such an idiot…!’
But self-blame could wait.
The important thing now was to ease Estelle’s anxiety.
“Why did you suddenly think that?”
“Just… while studying, I realized I know much less than I thought. There’s so much I don’t know, so much I didn’t know before. At first, I thought I could do well… but now, I’m not so sure.”
Estelle bent her legs, wrapped them in her arms, resting her chin on her knees, and murmured softly.
‘Oh…’
I had never seen Estelle like this—so deflated.
She was clearly feeling very anxious.
‘And studying with Basago, of all people…’
Basago was a demon, not human.
He had lived a long life and inevitably knew a lot. Comparing herself to him, Estelle’s anxiety made sense.
But in reality, Estelle had no reason to worry.
She was far smarter than her age.
Intelligence: 135 (+18)
Her current intelligence far exceeded the average of previous stats I’d seen.
The academy entrance exam would be nothing for her.
‘After the exam, she’ll probably say the problems were so easy she finished them all.’
Or she might complain after entering the academy that her classmates knew nothing, wondering how she even got in.
Either way, Estelle had no reason to be anxious.
I approached the curled-up Estelle and gently embraced her.
Perhaps because we were in the shade, or because she had been sitting in front of the lake for so long, or maybe due to her anxiety, her body felt cool despite the heat.
I held her a little tighter to transfer my warmth.
“Don’t worry, Estelle.”
“……”
“You’ve worked so hard up until now.”
Even though she had a part-time job, she never missed a day at the library. After coming home, she opened her books again to review what she had learned.
“You’ll do well, I’m sure.”
“……”
“Believe in yourself.”
I teased her playfully, rocking her gently in my arms.
Her eyes widened in surprise, then her face flushed red.
“L-Let me go!”
She seemed embarrassed for worrying and overthinking on her own.
I laughed heartily and released her from my embrace.
“I’ll work hard. I really will.”
Estelle whispered softly. Then, sheepishly, she began tidying her messy hair.
Trust: 99 (+11)
It was a relief to see her mood improve.
I smiled at her.
Perhaps because we spent time relaxing by the lake, Estelle’s stress levels dropped.
“Estelle, your attitude has improved a lot. I can hardly believe you’re the same person.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Stamina: 103 (+19)
Intelligence: 142 (+7)
Grace: 55 (+42)
Morality: 42 (+6)
Estelle’s stats had risen overall.
‘Just a little more, and she’ll hit this year’s goals for some essential stats.’
The essential stats goals for this year were: Stamina 120+, Intelligence 160+, Grace 110, Fame 80, Morality 60.
Stamina, intelligence, and morality were already close—less than 20 points to go.
‘She’s been diligently working the farm job.’
Step by step, her stats had surpassed 100.
Her physique and overall presence had changed noticeably.
‘That’s probably what people mean by “having presence.”’
With her increased stamina and a firmer body, Estelle no longer lost her posture easily.
She appeared upright and strong, if not stubborn.
Her gaze had also become sharp and perceptive.
Daily visits to the library, and reluctantly, some help from Basago, had boosted her intelligence significantly.
‘As for morality… well, I’m her teacher, so that’s natural.’
But the most noticeable improvement was her Grace.
Grace: 55 (+42)
It had skyrocketed in a short period.
‘It wasn’t easy getting here.’
A single lapse had once sent her stats plummeting, nearly causing a major accident.
A story that could bring tears just to recount.
‘Though that incident did improve our relationship a lot.’
Still, considering the physical and mental strain she endured, it was something she could have done without.
Regardless, the current Estelle was completely different from before.
The reckless, distracted version of her was gone.
She now seemed like a perfect young lady, even more refined than when I first met her.
‘She’s changed so much in such a short time. I was genuinely surprised.’
I remembered going to the fields to fetch Estelle recently.
From my own experience with farm work, a worker looks very different at the start and end of the day.
No matter how clean you arrive, a few hours with a pickaxe and you’re covered in dirt.
So I expected to find a disheveled Estelle when I arrived.
But to my astonishment, she looked completely different from my expectations.
There was an inexplicable sense of nobility about her.
Even though she was covered in dirt and sweat from hard labor, she somehow radiated dignity.
