Chapter 71
Abellus-nim and Bellicus.
In the past I knew, the two of them got along terribly. Yet here they were now, playing together as if they were close.
And Bellicia, who had at some point disappeared from the records, was still here with us.
As I kept smiling, Bellicia suddenly shouted.
“Oh! The baby smiled!”
“Right? Sis, I made it happen.”
The siblings said that and suddenly pushed their faces close to mine.
‘Huh? Why is it such a big deal that I smiled?’
“What do you mean, success?”
“I promised the head of the family earlier that I’d make you happy! I’m glad you’ve regained your spirits sooner than expected.”
I looked at Abellus-nim with eyes that clearly asked, What on earth is going on?
He was calmly sipping water as if nothing had happened.
Since yesterday, both the head of the family and Gordio… why is everyone paying this much attention to my mood?
And what’s with Abellus-nim acting like he knows something?
“As I thought, you were lonely because you didn’t have many friends.”
Bellicia nodded, as though she finally understood everything.
“But it’s okay now! We’ll be with you as much as you want.”
“Hm… what if the baby just comes to school with us? There you could make lots more friends.”
Bellicus suggested.
“School?”
My eyes sparkled.
It was something I hadn’t even considered.
I did know that children in this era attended schools to learn basic knowledge.
Then, as they got older, they could decide whether to continue their studies at the Academia depending on their interests.
Of course, there were many like me and Abellus-nim, who received only home education and then directly challenged for official posts.
In fact, both Bellicia and Bellicus had been taught at home by Erasinus until he was expelled, and then enrolled in school to fill the gap.
“If you want, you can.”
Seeing my interest, Abellus-nim spoke to me.
It might indeed be a good choice if I could establish connections early on with children of other families attending school.
“Yes, let’s tell the head of the family tomorrow! It’s close fro—”
“That’s not okay!”
To my surprise, it was Bellicia who objected.
“Why not, sis?”
“Uh, the baby’s still too young. You’d need at least two more years.”
Her reasoning didn’t quite make sense to me. I knew children younger than me were admitted.
“And besides, learning at home will be better for you. The head will surely find the smartest teacher in the world just for you. At school they teach many children at once, so they won’t be able to give you the attention you need…”
That was unexpected. I had thought model-student Bellicia would be the one most eager to recommend her school.
Bellicus and Abellus-nim also seemed to find it odd, exchanging doubtful glances.
But sensing Bellicia’s true intent, I quickly answered before they could speak.
“Okay, I understand!”
She didn’t want me to come to their school.
What reason could she have?
While Bellicus and Abellus-nim continued chatting, I quietly stared at Bellicia’s face.
“What is it, baby?”
“It’s just… it makes me happy to see your face after so long.”
“Me too!”
Bellicia forced a smile at me, but behind it I caught a fleeting glimpse of sorrow.
I lowered my head quietly.
If she didn’t want to talk about it, it wouldn’t be polite for me to press.
“Baby, how about instead we invite friends to play with you at home while we’re at school?”
Bellicia asked kindly.
“That’s a good idea. Then the baby can make playmates too. We also had playmates when we were little. Kids from nearby estates would come, and we played together.”
“Friends? At home?”
I looked again toward Abellus-nim.
“You mean like Tophus and Exi?”
“You’re the heir of Ignitus. Rather than playmates, you should be making companions for the future. Those two are also my companions.”
“Wow, that’s so cool…”
Bellicus looked at us in awe.
“I’ve never met friends from outside. I’d like that, just once.”
Actually, I had already met Titus. But I pretended not to know.
“Children your age… the twins of the Tellus family would be suitable.”
“…Huh?”
I jumped up in shock.
Of all names, it had to be the ones I was just thinking of.
“Titus Tellus and Tertia Tellia. Both heirs of the Earth family Tellus, each a year older than you. If you wish, I can tell the head of the family and have them officially invited.”
I worried for a moment that he had found out about me meeting Titus, but judging from his reaction, that wasn’t the case.
I sighed with relief.
Still, if what Abellus-nim said was true…
At last, I can meet Tertia!
And it was also a perfect chance to reveal my true identity to that brat Titus.
Under the protection of my family, meeting them both at once would make it easier to observe the Tellus family’s movements.
There was absolutely no reason to refuse.
Overjoyed, I nodded vigorously.
“Alright. I’ll inform the head of the family.”
“Thank you, Abellus-nim!”
A few days later.
Word came that the head of the family’s invitation had been delivered to the Tellus twins.
And I, too, received a letter.
It was from Paulus.
[To Callidora,
Hello, baby.
Something amazing happened at Academia, so I picked up my pen earlier than planned.
You’re so kindhearted, I thought you’d be worried, so I wanted to share the good news right away.
It’s about Aquilinus, the boy I told you about before.
He’s found a sponsor, so he can continue attending school through this year.
He won’t say who it is, but the rumor is strong that his family is secretly helping him.
Because of that, I’ve been pushed back to second place again, but I’m actually happy about it.
Winning first through his misfortune was less meaningful than earning second place fairly.
The term isn’t over yet, so I’ll keep giving my best.
By the way, news has reached us here that the Young Master has never once lost in the Arena since its opening.
I can’t describe how proud I am to be from the same Ignitus line.
I’m sure you’ll shine just like the Young Master soon.
I hope that day comes quickly.
I’ll visit as soon as the term ends. I hope you’ve been well and cheerful.
That’s all for now. Take care.
—Paulus ]
It was as gentle a letter as always.
“I did it!”
I cried out, lying back on the long cushioned chair.
“That’s wonderful, my lady! The gold must have been delivered in time!”
Io celebrated with me.
“Good work, Io.”
By chance, things had gone well after meeting Titus.
In the end, I achieved my goal without spending any money—and even earned more in the process.
Aquilinus must be completely bewildered. Well, as Paulus said, he’ll probably just think it was family helping him.
Still, since studying abroad could happen anytime, I’d have to keep watching him closely.
I must make sure the power of the substance doesn’t reach Hella.
I had no reason to stop him from pursuing studies.
So really, I had only two choices left.
First, keep him here in Eterna until his research was complete.
Second, allow him to study abroad in Hella, but ensure before he leaves that he can’t use his power array in war.
Maybe I could extract an oath from him, or bind the technique through a patent.
…What should I do?
Should I just enroll in Academia myself and watch him directly?
But I quickly threw out that plan.
Forget it. Geometry and power studies are dreadful just to think about. Better to keep asking Paulus through letters.
So, putting Aquilinus aside for now—
“All that’s left is to wait for Tellus’s reply to our letter.”
“To the two heirs, right? Surely they’ll want to be your friends, my lady.”
“Right? I hope the reply comes soon.”
“Oh, speaking of which, wasn’t that pickpocket boy you met also from the Tellus family?”
“Mm, yes.”
“How outrageous! To live so recklessly despite belonging to such a great house! When the two heirs meet him, they certainly won’t let it pass!”
I wondered how Io would react if he learned that very boy was actually one of those heirs…
I wanted to tell him a little, but seeing how excited he was—more than even me—at the thought of meeting the Tellus family, somehow I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
