Advanced Chapters ― I Was Saved by the Crown Prince, Who Jangled His Evil-Banishing Items, After I Lost Control of My Charm Magic

―――

Synopsis:

“It’s all your fault! My search for a bride is not progressing at all!”

“Eh?!”

Claudia, the nouveau riche Baron’s daughter, was pampered and raised by her merchant father who called her the “goddess’s child” of business success, as his business suddenly prospered after her birth.

Although she was born a commoner, she had magical powers and eventually enrolled in the Magic Academy, also known as the Noble Academy. However, Claudia’s school life was not at all enjoyable.

Called out behind the school building! Wall slam! Confession! “Excuse me, he is my fiancé!” ―― A battlefield!

Claudia spent her days repeatedly being confessed to and pursued by others. One day, when she thought that this was a bit strange, she was directly summoned by the crown prince of the country.

The prince said that Claudia’s existence was a hindrance to his search for a bride. According to him, Claudia seemed to be using “charm magic” unconsciously.

“I am not affected by charm magic!” With the prince, who was jingling the evil-banishing Items lined up under his cloak, Claudia began to train day and night to control her charm magic.

This is a romantic comedy about a self-centered prince (a good person) and a hardworking Baron’s daughter.

―――

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏: 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬’𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝, 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐚

Claudia was a beautiful girl who was well-known in the city.

Her father was a common merchant, but after Claudia was born, his business suddenly started to flourish and he made a fortune. Now, he even holds the title of Baron.

Claudia was called the “goddess’s child” by her father.

Even in difficult business negotiations, if Claudia was present, things would go smoothly as if by magic.

Claudia didn’t have any special abilities, nor was she particularly knowledgeable or skilled in rhetoric. After all, this was the case since she was a child. All she had to do was sit politely, and say “hello.” 

Claudia simply enchanted people by being there. All Claudia had to do was smile. Even a single word of greeting was enough.

She just had to be there. That was enough.

Claudia, unusually for a commoner, had magical powers. She was to attend the Magic Academy to learn how to properly use her magic. 

In this country, those with magical powers were mostly nobles, and although it was called the “Magic Academy,” in reality, it could be called a “Noble School” without any problem.

Her father, worried that his daughter, born a commoner, would feel too intimidated in the school, bought a title with money for this purpose. He adored his daughter, the “goddess’s child.”

However, Claudia’s school life was not at all enjoyable.

・・・

『”ᴀᴡᴇʙsᴛᴏʀɪᴇs.ᴄᴏᴍ” – ᴅɪsᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴀ ᴄᴀᴘᴛɪᴠᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ᴏғ ʟᴏᴠᴇ, ᴘᴀssɪᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴅᴠᴇɴᴛᴜʀᴇ, ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ ɪɴᴅᴜʟɢᴇ ɪɴ ᴀ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏғ ᴛʀᴀɴsʟᴀᴛᴇᴅ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs ᴡɪᴛʜ “ᴅᴀɪʟʏ ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇs” ᴀɴᴅ ᴇxᴄʟᴜsɪᴠᴇ ᴀᴄᴄᴇss ᴛᴏ “ᴀᴅᴠᴀɴᴄᴇᴅ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs”.』

・・・

“I don’t know any woman as beautiful and kind-hearted as you. . . Claudia, I love you. . .”

“Um. . . Oulga-sama. You have a fiancée. . .”

“What’s the matter? It’s a political marriage arranged by my parents. I can break off the engagement anytime.”

He slammed his hand against the wall.

In the dimly lit back of the school building, he, Marquis Tsilgilly’s son Oulga, looked down at me with his hand against the brick wall of the school building. His sharp golden eyes and rare silver hair were attractive, and his slightly wild atmosphere made him popular in the school! 

Yes. It’s a splendid wall slam. As I look up at him, who is shadowed by the backlight, I frown.

(. . .Wall slam, I’ve gotten used to it. . .)

I search for a reason why he started calling me kind-hearted. . .No good, I can’t think of anything.

If I had to say, it would be when we sat next to each other in a special class the other day, and I picked up the fountain pen he dropped.

. . .Is he approaching me, abandoning his fiancée, just for that? No way. . . No way. . .

. . .But it’s not impossible.

“──Excuse me! What on earth is going on?!”

Just as I was about to sigh, a shrill female voice echoed in my ears.

“Wha. . . Lindmarie?!”

“I’m shocked, Claudia-sama. I’ve heard rumors about you! You’re a nouveau riche young lady who flirts with men who have fiancées! You’re probably aiming for a rich marriage!”

Ah. . . It’s a battlefield. . .

How many times has this happened since I entered this school?

But it seems like I’ll be released from Oulga-sama’s wall slam. That’s good.

“Rare light pink hair! Beautiful white skin, big eyes that seem to suck you in! How many men have you captivated with that adorable appearance! It’s really. . . lamentable. . . lamentable. . . lamentable. . .?”

Ah, here it comes. It’s coming.

Lindmarie-sama’s pointing finger, which is pointing at me, starts to tremble. Her face is also turning red.

“. . .Cute. . .!”

A choked voice is squeezed out.

Lindmarie-sama sighs deeply, holding her cheeks, and collapses on the spot.

“When I see your face up close like this. . . Eh, no way. . . Cute. . . Eh, why are you so cute. . . I can’t believe it. . . Cute. . . Ah. . .?!”

“That’s right, Lindmarie. This cuteness is unbearable, isn’t it?! I can’t think of anyone but her!”

“I can only agree that Claudia-sama is cute, but I can’t accept that!!! The one to be tied to her. . . is me!”

“What did you say, Lindmarie! I won’t forgive you! I will never give her up!”

“That’s what I want, I will protect her!”

The heated Oulga-sama, Lindmarie-sama.

In the meantime, I quietly slipped away from the scene.

This is my daily life. I don’t really understand, but. . . I’m incredibly popular.

・・・

『”𝘼𝙬𝙚𝙗𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨.𝙘𝙤𝙢” – 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙖 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙜𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡e𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 “𝙙𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙪𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨” 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙤 “𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨”.』

・・・

“Iris! I’m breaking off our engagement! And. . . I hereby declare that I will form a new engagement with this Baron’s daughter, Claudia!”

The hall fell silent. . .

During the regular school assembly, Gordon-sama, the student council president and eldest son of the Duke family, made a grand announcement with a microphone in hand. This microphone, powered by magic, allowed his voice to echo throughout the large hall without him having to raise his voice.

(Why. . . why is he declaring the annulment of an engagement at a school assembly. . .?!)

Moreover, he had boldly mentioned my name. As I stared at him on the stage in confusion, our eyes met, and he winked at me meaningfully.

I have no connection with Gordon-sama, who is in a different grade. If I had to say, we exchanged “good morning” greetings every day during the morning greeting exercise when Gordon-sama stood at the main gate of the school building. But all students do that. After all, it’s a greeting exercise. The student council president, Gordon-sama, greets everyone. Despite that, why. . .

“. . .What on earth are you thinking! Making such a personal declaration at a school assembly, don’t you know the difference between public and private?!”

Iris-sama, who had just been declared to have her engagement annulled by Gordon-sama, stood up abruptly and voiced her objections. It was an unbecoming action for a lady, but. . . it couldn’t be helped given what was said at such a place and time.

“Hmm, I thought it was something that should be made known to the whole school. It seems you’ve been harassing this lovely Claudia, haven’t you!”

“I have not done such a thing!”

. . .I have no connection with Iris-sama either. . .

(. . .Ah, could it be, during the joint cooking practice the other day, when we were cutting onions together. . .)

At that time, Iris-sama was reduced to tears by the juice of the onions. So, I offered to do it instead. I was also somewhat teary, but as a former commoner turned rich girl, I was used to cooking for myself, and I wasn’t as affected as Iris-sama.

. . .The only situation that could be misunderstood. . . is probably this one. . .

“How dare you say such a thing. . . I, to this, the most adorable Miss Claudia in the whole world, harass! There’s no way I would do that!!!”

Even without using a microphone, Iris-sama’s voice echoed loudly throughout the hall. Her voice was incredibly loud. Indeed, Iris-sama was the ace of the vocal music club.

The microphone on the stage, the raw voice from the seats. The voices of the two flew around the hall! The grand exchange of words between the two didn’t stop.

“. . .Claudia-san, a moment.”

So as not to be noticed by the two who were heating up, the sensei with the triangular glasses quietly beckoned me and helped me escape from the hall.

・・・

『”𝐴𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠.𝑐𝑜𝑚” – 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒, 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑑𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ “𝑑𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑢𝑝𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠” 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑜 “𝑎𝑑𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠”.』

・・・

“Oh dear, this is troublesome. Claudia-san, how many times has this happened?”

“I’m sorry, sensei. . .”

“Oh, it’s okay. It’s not your fault, Claudia-san.”

The sensei, with her tightly curled light brown hair, waved her hand in a slightly flustered manner.

“You’re a wonderful student. You’re hardworking, diligent, and serious. That’s why it’s easy to understand why everyone loves you.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Hmm, being praised for being hardworking, diligent, and serious, feels like I’m only being praised for trying hard?

But, all my grades are “excellent”! Yes, I’m an honor student!

“. . . Say, Claudia-san. If you don’t mind, would you like to take special lessons with me from now on?”

“Eh?! Is, is that allowed?”

“I’ll make sure you can earn credits for subjects other than the ones I’m in charge of! Come on, Claudia-san. If something goes wrong while you’re mixed in with this group of adolescents. . . I can’t help but worry. . . Okay?”

She was panting heavily. Her distinctive triangular glasses fogged up. . . 

“Eek! Excuse me!”

I hurriedly ran away from the sensei with the triangular glasses.

◆

I walked alone on the road from the school building to the dormitory.

──Isn’t this beyond the realm of being popular?

I had a vague idea, but I was avoiding facing the reality. Now, I held my head in my hands.

Why does this happen? Why does it always turn out like this? I want to live a more modest, steady life.

Can I. . . survive this crazy school life and graduate safely?

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐: 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐉𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫!

“. . .This is. . .”

I, who tried not to meet many people, left the dormitory at five in the morning and sneaked to school.

Something was stuck in the locker installed in the classroom.

“Today, at noon. Please come to the back of the second school building.”

The only sentence written in beautiful handwriting was that one.

Is it a love letter, or a challenge letter?

Either way, if we meet alone. . . a kabedon, I guess. . . The back of the school building is a perfect spot for a kabedon. . .

𝐀𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: (𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐧/𝐛𝐢𝐤𝐮𝐝𝐨𝐧) 𝐀 𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥 

Alright, let’s ignore it!

I made up my mind in about three seconds. I didn’t want to throw the letter away in the school, so I tore it up and threw it away when I got back to the dormitory.

[Today, at noon. Waiting at the back of the second school building.]

[Please come to the back of the second school building at noon on the fifth. I’ll be waiting.]

[After school on the sixth, I’ll be waiting for you at the back of the second school building. I would be grateful if you could come.]

[Noon on the seventh, at the back of the second school building.]

“Sheesh, persistent. . .!!!”

And it’s finally just a note. 

Somehow, I feel a little guilty. It’s cute that they changed the time once.

“. . .If I just sneak a peek. . .”

Yeah, just a little bit.

And so, I headed to the back of the second school building.

I cast a magic spell to erase my presence. . . and quietly checked the person waiting there.

. . .Huh?

An unexpected person entered my field of vision. A sparkling aura that can be seen even from a distance. Not just an aura, but actually, his golden hair is shining like gold in the sunlight. That tall person with blond hair and blue eyes, no, that person is. . .

“. . .Wha?!”

With a bang, something seemed to explode, and I accidentally let out a voice.

Damn, our eyes met perfectly.

The sound of shoes kicking the ground echoed.

“Oh, you cheekily used a magic spell to erase your presence. You don’t seem to be a thoughtless fool.”

“Eek.”

His long, flashy blue eyes with powerful lashes glared at me hiding in the shadows.

Flipping his cloak, he approached me. 

“C, Crown Prince. . .?!”

In a hurry, I paid my respects to the highest-ranking being. The prince, seemingly unconcerned with my minor gestures, approached me steadily. With each step he took, the ornaments or something he was wearing made a jingling sound.

Why is the Crown Prince in the back of this school building. . . No, rather. . . The author of that beautifully written and gallant letter was. . . the prince. . .?! What should I do, I’ve been diligently tearing it up and throwing it away every day. . . If he finds out, it might be a crime of disrespect. . .

While I was panicking, the prince had already come right in front of me. I hurriedly backed away.

This distance might be bad. Even the prince might become that thing that has happened many times before. I don’t know why, but everyone wants to kabedon me. . .

“Ah, um, it’s better not to get too close to me. . .”

“Don’t underestimate me. Your level of charm magic won’t work on me.”

“. . .Huh.”

Charm. . . magic?

I was taken aback. Was His Highness somehow angry?

He raised his well-shaped eyebrows, and deep wrinkles formed between them. His handsome face was intimidating.

――Bang!

“Eek.”

Just like before, there was a sound of something popping. Did it come from under His Highness’s. . .mantle?

“I see, you’re unaware. . . Well, that makes sense. It’s a magic that’s supposed to be kept secret. You probably wouldn’t be able to use it if you were aware.”

“Hmm,” His Highness snorted, jerking his chin.

“Um, excuse me. . . Are you saying that you, the Crown Prince, are the sender of this letter. . .?”

“That’s right! You’ve kept me waiting for days!”

“I, I’m very sorry! I didn’t think it was from you. . .! I had trouble with a similar letter before. . .!”

“. . .Hmm, well, never mind. Let’s get to the point. Time is precious.”

His face is so handsome, but his aura is even more intimidating and scary.

As I was bathed in the aura of the Crown Prince, I trembled slightly.

What should I do? Should I prostrate myself? There is a basic principle that all students are equal while they are enrolled, but what should I do?

His Highness lowered his eyes, took a deep breath, and then blurted out.

“Because of your charm magic, I can’t make any progress in finding a bride!!!”

“Huh. . .?”

Finding a bride?

“Because you’re charming everyone, men and women alike! All the students in this school are spineless! Useless! Daydreamers! Everyone only likes you! How am I supposed to find a suitable woman to be my wife from among them?!”

“Uh. . .”

I was dumbfounded. The Crown Prince was speaking rapidly. Because he was making such a big fuss, his ornaments or something were making a jingling sound.

Charm. . . charm magic. . . 

. . .No, but. The Crown Prince, isn’t he a creature that has a fiancée from a very young age. . .? I see, in this school where magic users gather, he’s trying to find a suitable, excellent person to be the Crown Princess. Probably. That must be it. If he says he can’t make progress in finding a bride, that must be it. I didn’t know. Well, that doesn’t matter now. More importantly.

“Charm magic. . .? Me?”

“That’s right. It seems you’re unaware.”

“What?”

“I thought it was impossible, so I watched for a while. . . But I was convinced by the commotion at the school assembly the other day when an engagement was broken off. Your charm magic is abnormally powerful. Something must be done.”

“T, That, well. . .”

I’m at a loss for words when it’s suddenly brought up.

Charm magic. I’ve heard the name in class. It’s a forbidden magic that’s classified as dangerous and top-tier. Even if I’m suddenly told I’m using it, I don’t get it at all. 

“Y, Your Highness, about my control of magic. . . I have received an ‘excellent’ grade. I wouldn’t unconsciously use magic. . .”

“Oh?”

His Highness narrowed his eyes sharply. It was scary. A handsome glare, it was scary.

“Unfortunately, you are undoubtedly constantly deploying charm magic with an extraordinary power. Just now, when I approached you, my ‘Protection Against Evil’ exploded, proving it.”

“P, Protection Against Evil?”

Repeating his words in confirmation, His Highness dramatically spread his thick, deep red cloak.

On the inside of the cloak. . . there were many small accessories made of gold, silver, copper, and iron, shaped like swords and dragons. So this was what was making noise every time His Highness moved. There were also things like wooden and straw dolls.

. . .No, there are more than I thought?! I thought he was coolly wearing a cloak, but this is what was inside?!

There were so many ‘Evil-Banishing Items’ lined up inside the cloak that it looked like something out of a dream. It’s scary when you make eye contact with a mask.

“. . .Y, Your Highness, isn’t this very heavy?!”

“You, what do you take me for? This is nothing.”

“Amazing, Your Highness!”

“Hmph,” His Highness snorted arrogantly. It’s rare to see someone who can pull off such an insolent attitude.

“. . .These are a collection of accessories with ‘Evil-Banishing’ effects specially made by the royal family. They have the power to repel ‘charms’ and ‘curses’ like yours. However, each effect can only be used once.”

“So, the ‘pop’ sound earlier was. . .?”

“It was the sound of your charm magic being repelled and exploding.”

“So, it explodes and becomes useless, then.”

It seems easy to understand that this can’t be used anymore. It feels like a bad cost-performance ratio to only be able to use it once per item. . .

But His Highness is wearing a large number of Evil-Banishing Items. With this, even if one or two break. . . well, yeah, that’s about it.

As I was overwhelmed, His Highness suddenly smirked cynically.

“. . .Your ‘excellent’ grade is suspicious. All the faculty at the academy are under your charm magic.”

“No, surely the teachers aren’t. . . ah.”

But the other day, I was. . . approached by the teacher with the triangular glasses. . . 

“But, but, all my grades are ‘excellent’. Surely not. . .”

Surely not everyone, every single person, is a victim of my charm magic? That can’t be. . .

“Normally, it’s impossible to get ‘excellent’ grades in all subjects. Even I get ‘good’ grades!”

For some reason, His Highness leaned back and loudly declared. He pointed his index finger at me, quite rudely. I felt a vibe like “There’s no way you’re better than me, don’t mess with me.” I’m a merchant’s daughter, so I’m sensitive to people’s silent pressure.

“Eh, if I’m just doing normal, isn’t it usually superior?”

“Fool. Normal is ‘passable’. With lenient grading, it might be ‘good’. The purpose of this academy is to ensure that magic, which has the potential to threaten the state, humanity, and other environments, can be controlled reliably. Therefore, strictness is required in the grading criteria.”

“. . .Then.”

“What do you mean by ‘then’? If you like the word ‘normal’, I’ll tell you this. It’s impossible for all grades to be ‘superior’.”

. . .Is that so?

Then, my all ‘superior’ grades. . . Are they due to the consideration of the teachers who were charmed by me?

I was shocked and fell to my knees. 

“Your grades could be seen as proof that your extraordinary charm magic is always running wild.”

In front of my eyes, as I lay on the ground, His Highness’s cloak fluttered. I caught a glimpse of the ‘Evil-Banishing Items’ stuck all over the inside of his cloak.

“If things continue like this, I’ll probably have to confine you in a solitary cell for life.”

“C, Confinement?”

“Charm magic is originally a kind of magic that is sealed in the innermost part of the State Temple. If you can’t use it correctly. . . Charm magic users are too dangerous. Even if they are unaware of it, as the future ruler of this country, I can’t let you run wild.”

“But, I won’t do anything bad. . .”

“Even if you don’t intend to, the people around you will surely go mad for you. Confining you is not only for the sake of the state and the people. It’s also for your sake.”

“. . .”

I couldn’t say anything to His Highness’s words. . . I see, I’m not normal. Everything up to now is because of charm magic. Thanks to charm magic.

. . .I’ve been causing trouble for many people because of me.

“Don’t worry. That’s why I called you here.”

“Your Highness. . .”

His Highness extended his hand to me, who was hanging my head.

“I’ll help you control your charm magic.”

The ‘Evil-Banishing Item’ tied to his cloak jingled. 

・・・

『”𝓐𝔀𝓮𝓫𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼.𝓬𝓸𝓶” – 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓬𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓪 𝓬𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓲𝓿𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭 𝓸𝓯 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮, 𝓹𝓪𝓼𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓪𝓭𝓿𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮, 𝔀𝓱e𝓻𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓾𝓵𝓰𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝓪 𝓬𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓼𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵𝓼 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 “𝓭𝓪𝓲𝓵𝔂 𝓾𝓹𝓭𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓼” 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓮𝔁𝓬𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓿𝓮 𝓪𝓬𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝓽𝓸 “𝓪𝓭𝓿𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓭 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼”.』

・・・

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑: 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞

And so! I was to receive magic control training directly from the Crown Prince himself!

The two of us were in the deserted back of the school building. The Prince, just to be safe, had cast an “invisibility” spell on us. Despite it being a high-level magic, the Prince was amazing, effortlessly casting the spell on both himself and me.

(. . .But, the first thing he said was, “I can’t make progress in finding my bride!”. . .)

Somehow, I got carried away and created an atmosphere of “Prince~! Are you going to help hopeless me?! Thank you~!”. . . But, dealing with my charm magic is just a bonus. . . right?!

“What’s with that look? I sense disrespect towards me.”

“No, it’s nothing! Nothing at all!”

Well, whether it’s a bonus or not, it’s fine. As it is, I have obstacles to leading a normal school life, and even after graduation, to leading a modest, reserved, and steady life. . .

The Prince’s goal is to “find his bride”. To do that, he’s willing to help me control my troublesome charm magic. Yes, it’s good that we both benefit. 

Now, to control my charm magic. . . First, I’m practicing the control of “fire”, a basic magic.

Maintaining the perfect heat so that the water in the pot doesn’t boil over. . . It’s a very mundane training, but it’s incredibly difficult.

I have a lot of magical power. It’s easy to output tremendous firepower without thinking, but this delicate heat adjustment. . . Continuously adjusting while watching the state of the pot is quite tough.

If I lose focus for a moment, the pot boils over in an instant.

And if I panic, the fire intensifies and burns the pot.

“At this rate, who knows when you’ll be able to control your charm magic. . .”

As the Prince shakes his head in exasperation, the contents of his cloak jingle.

Yes, I didn’t know because I hadn’t been close to him, but the Prince makes a jingling sound with every move, thanks to the anti-evil items in his cloak.

I feel like calling him “Jingling Prince” in my head. I won’t call him that. Only in my head.

Ah, that’s right. I try saying what I thought of. 

“How about distributing the royal family’s evil-Banishing Items to everyone at the academy?”

If we do that, the whole school won’t be infatuated with me, and there won’t be any “favoritism”, and the Prince can search for his bride with high spirits. . .

“It’s not as simple as just wearing them. All these accessories are custom-made. They won’t have much effect if worn by anyone other than me.”

That’s a shame. Well, but, indeed, it wouldn’t be a fundamental solution.

I have to do something about my uncontrollable charm magic. . .

Even though I’m receiving training directly from the Prince, I’m still not aware that I’m using charm magic.

――Bang!

“. . .It burst, didn’t it?”

“You’re losing focus, aren’t you? If you were concentrating on adjusting the fire magic, your charm magic output shouldn’t have increased, right?”

“I-I-I-I’m sorry.”

It seems that if I think about other things, it’s immediately noticeable. I’ll be careful, I’ll concentrate.

This Prince, although his attitude is arrogant and his tone is harsh, surprisingly, he’s very good at teaching. 

Today’s training. . . is it already the third day? I don’t think I can master magic control overnight, but His Highness seems to be patient with me.

His Highness, with his long legs crossed, is sitting on a perfectly cut stump behind the school building, casually reading a book. Although he is reading, he seems to be concerned about my condition.

“. . .It seems that you, have too much magic power to handle.”

“Ugh, that might be. . . true.”

In the magic tests, I always released magic that was several times more powerful than the specified power. But, because it was evaluated as [Wow, you can use such powerful magic! Extra 30000 points♡]. . . I didn’t care much.

(. . .But, that overly sweet grading, it’s all because of my charm magic. . .)

That’s why, when I accidentally burned the roof of the school building, I wasn’t scolded.

I bow my head in silence.

――Bang!

His Highness’s Evil-Banishing Item broke again. I shouldn’t have let my mind wander. The pot is burnt. 

“The stronger the magic power, the harder it is to control. It’s not shameful that your magic control is a piece of junk, considering the extraordinary amount of magic power you have.”

“Junk. . .”

“Even though you’re rotten, you’re still attending the Magic Academy. But, the minimum line that others can tolerate is much stricter for you.”

“Even though I’m rotten. . .”

I don’t know if I’m being praised or criticized. . . I feel like he’s saying something grateful. . . but I can’t concentrate.

“If the school’s faculty weren’t so spineless, you would have been better at controlling your magic. Just a little bit of my unreserved guidance, and your magic control has improved dramatically in these three days.”

“Really?”

When I take a step closer, another of His Highness’s Evil-Banishing Items explodes. It seems that it’s no good when I get closer. His Highness frowns, narrowing his striking blue eyes that give a strong and flashy impression.

“I’m sorry. . .”

“About the charm magic that you’re unconsciously deploying all the time. . . the road will be long.” 

His Highness sighs. With a jingling sound, His Highness lightly flips his cloak, raises his eyebrows in a triumphant manner, and smiles at me.

“But a step is a step. You will progress as much as you strive. Your honesty is a virtue. If you keep working hard, you will surely be able to walk on your own power, not with a false evaluation.”

“. . .Your Highness. . .”

After school, the sun had already set. The setting sun was making His Highness glow red. His confident and insolent expression looked very cool.

“Yes, I. . . I’ll do my best!”

When I face His Highness with determination, the Evil-Banishing Items explode one after another. 

・・・

『”𝔄𝔴𝔢𝔟𝔰𝔱𝔬𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰.𝔠𝔬𝔪” – 𝔇𝔦𝔰𝔠𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯 𝔞 𝔠𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔦𝔳𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔴𝔬𝔯𝔩𝔡 𝔬𝔣 𝔩𝔬𝔳𝔢, 𝔭𝔞𝔰𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔞𝔡𝔳𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔢, 𝔴𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔠𝔞𝔫 𝔦𝔫𝔡𝔲𝔩𝔤𝔢 𝔦𝔫 𝔞 𝔠𝔬𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔰𝔩𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔡 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩𝔰 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔥 “𝔡𝔞𝔦𝔩𝔶 𝔲𝔭𝔡𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔰” 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔢𝔵𝔠𝔩𝔲𝔰𝔦𝔳𝔢 𝔞𝔠𝔠𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔱𝔬 “𝔞𝔡𝔳𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢𝔡 𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔰”.』

・・・

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒: 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞!

“Let’s try using charm magic today.”

“Eh?”

It’s been a few weeks since I started training with the crown prince. I’ve already mastered the art of keeping the pot from boiling over.

I was secretly puffing up my chest, thinking I was quite a good student, when he said that. I’m working hard to deal with that charm magic, so what does he mean by let’s use it?

“You’re using charm magic. . . If you’re not aware of it, it’s hard to control. Try to use it consciously, grasp the sensation when charm magic is activated. Then, try to be careful not to use charm magic normally.”

“Y, Yes, I understand!”

Really?!

I replied to the prince who was saying something that seemed plausible with a straight face, but immediately after, I froze.

“. . .But, how do you use charm magic?”

“It’s a forbidden magic, after all. . . But.”

Even if he says to try it, I don’t know how to use it. The prince calmly nodded, as if he had anticipated my question. 

“If you break the seal on the charm magic formula sealed in the State Temple, you should be able to use it.”

“Huh. . . I see?”

“So, we’re going to the State Temple.”

State Temple. It’s a place that can be called one of our country’s cultural heritage, where only the royal family and the highest-ranking priests are allowed to enter, and it’s not open to the public.

“. . .Eh.”

“I’ve already explained the situation to the king, and I’ve received permission from the chief priest. I’ve also submitted a leave of absence to the school.”

――That was quick!

I was taken aback, and before I knew it, the prince had taken me to the State Temple.

・・・

『”𝐀𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬.𝐜𝐨𝐦” – 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 “𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬” 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 “𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬”.』

・・・

“Welcome. I am Chief Priest Zilva. By the wish of our king and the crown prince, Claudia-sama, I will allow you special permission to enter.”

“T, Thank you. . .”

I was taken in the latest and most luxurious carriage, which even I, a nouveau riche lady, had never ridden in, and arrived at the State Temple in no time. The person who greeted us at the solemn gate was an elderly gentleman with white hair who introduced himself as the chief priest. His face was wrinkled, but his back was straight.

“Handling charm magic is considered taboo. . . However, you have already mastered charm magic. Therefore, if it can help you control it, it has been allowed this time. Please be careful not to misuse it.”

“Y, Yes! Of course!”

He seemed kind, but his voice and expression were stern, and I swallowed hard.

Upon hearing my reply, the chief priest nodded and said, “Good,” then turned his back and walked into the temple.

I followed him. The familiar sound of jingling followed me.

“Is the prince coming with us?”

“Of course. I’m also your supervisor.”

The prince, who smiled smugly and flipped his cloak, made a jingling sound with his anti-evil goods today as well. 

It’s strange, but I feel a bit relieved when I hear this jingling sound.

The largest temple in the country is incredibly large. It seems that various forbidden magics, not just charm magic, are sealed here. I follow the chief priest who walks briskly through the interior that seems easy to get lost in.

Eventually, we arrived at a slightly open dead end. There was a door there, far larger than our height. It was a stone door that seemed impossible to open by human strength. On the door, there was a meaningful pattern and a round hollow in the center.

“Beyond this door is the area where the charm magic is sealed.”

When the chief priest inserted a deep blue gem into the round hollow carved in the door, the heavy stone door opened.

Beyond this, the charm magic is sealed. . .

“. . .There are multiple traps set up to the deepest part where the charm magic is sealed. Please, do not walk ahead of me.”

Zilva-sama said in a heavy tone. Traps. I imagined things like a terrible bear trap, or countless arrows being released from the walls, and nodded while turning pale. His Highness looked at me with a half-closed eye as if to say, “Oh dear.”

“I’ll tell you, you’re probably thinking of traps that would skewer you and make you scream, but it’s not like that.”

“Eh?!”

――How did he know?! And what does he mean, it’s not like that?!

Something more terrifying is waiting for me ahead. . .?

I swallowed my saliva, which I had just drunk, once again.

◆

“The first trap is the Room of Illusions. Once you step in, a magic mist with hallucinogenic effects will be sprayed throughout the room. The hallucinations will make the intruders turn back here.”

“. . .”

Hallucinations. . . If that’s the case, it’s not dangerous. It’s a temple, so they wouldn’t actively do anything bloody. . .

Chief priest Zilva-sama cast a barrier on us to neutralize the magic mist. 

“The second trap is the Room of Sorrow. Here, tiles that amplify human psychological anxiety with dark magic are laid on the floor. Please do not step on any tiles other than the ones I stepped on. Even the slightest sad event that once happened can captivate your heart and ruin you.”

“I, I’ll be ruined.”

When Zilva-sama activated a light magic that detects dark magic, the tiles laid in the room began to glow black. And I desperately follow Zilva-sama, who chooses only the safe tiles that do not glow and proceeds with light steps, so as not to be left behind. If I step wrong even once. . . I’ll be. . . ruined, I guess. . .

“The third trap. . . is the Room of Betrayal. If there are more than two intruders, everyone other than yourself will appear as hateful beings. Well, it’s aimed at causing infighting.”

“T, That’s quite directly dangerous.”

When I looked closely, there seemed to be some reddish-black stains on the floor and walls. . .

Zilva-sama gave us protective glasses that break illusions, and we were safe. 

“This is the fourth trap, the Room of Falling Tears.”

“Falling tears. . . what is it, poison gas. . . or something. . .?”

“No. There are pitfalls everywhere. At the bottom of the holes are bamboo spears. . . The image of falling and being impaled by the spears, with blood flowing, is likened to falling tears.”

“Your Highness! It’s a straightforward trap of being skewered, gyaah! That’s what it is!”

“Shut up! There could be such traps! What, do you think you’ve taken the head of a demon?!”

“Ho ho ho. You two get along well.”

For some reason, Zilva-sama watched us bickering with a warm smile.

“The traps end in the previous room. . . This is the room of the charm magic seal. Now, please proceed.”

“. . .This is. . .”

It was a small room with a very pure atmosphere. In the center of the room was a pedestal, on which sat a small stone box.

“Inside this box are instructions on how to handle charm magic. How to chant the spell, how to circulate the magic power. . . All of charm magic is sleeping here.”

“. . .Can I really open it?!”

“Enough. You have permission from both the royal family and the temple. You are already using charm magic unconsciously. You are special.”

“Y, Yes.”

His Highness and Zilva-sama decided to wait a little distance away.

I was alone, facing the pedestal, and I reached out to the box with trepidation.

“. . .!”

I tried to open the box. But, it’s heavy.

Not just because it’s made of stone, but it’s just heavy.

“Guh, guuh. . .”

Even when I put so much strength into my fingertips that they turned white, the box wouldn’t open.

I tried my best, but the box didn’t seem to open at all. I heaved a sigh and glared at the box, at a loss.

“. . .Let me see that for a moment.”

“Y, Your Highness.”

His Highness, who had been standing a distance away, walked up with a clatter and casually picked up the box I was struggling with.

Then, after gazing at it for a while and lightly touching the lid, he narrowed his eyes.

“. . .I see. This box itself is the last mechanism to prevent grave robbers.”

“What do you mean?”

“No matter how hard you try to open this box, it will never open. It seems that the box will open if you flow magic power into the magic circuit in the way the box demands, with a determined output, speed, and order.”

“. . .Wha. . .”

“What is required is. . . the ability to analyze and control magic power. It’s unlikely that an average magician could open it. Even our school’s faculty would have a hard time. Only a top-class magician recognized by the country could probably open it.”

“That’s. . .”

No, that. . . I can’t do that, can I?

Zilva-sama also put his hand on his forehead with an “oh no” expression and closed his eyes tightly.

“You said there were no more traps. . .”

Even though you said that. . .

“It’s not a trap, it’s a mechanism.”

“Ugh. . . Zilva-sama, did you know about this seal’s mechanism. . .?”

“No. I designed the traps on this journey, but the mechanism of the box was thought up by someone else. By dividing the responsibilities, we were able to spread the risk of the traps and mechanisms being discovered by grave robbers.”

(. . .That trap, Zilva-sama thought of it. . .)

I was a little resentful of Zilva-sama, but if he didn’t know, it couldn’t be helped. I’ll dissipate my small grudge for this misunderstanding.

Thanks to Zilva-sama’s guidance, we were able to overcome the numerous traps, but it was quite――very difficult. Especially the last skewering trap was very difficult. I had to follow the route Zilva-sama took without a single mistake, and I had to be very careful on my tiptoes, but I almost fell several times by accident, and it was really――very difficult. After all, physical and primitive traps are the scariest. During the second trap, the shining tiles were a warning sign, but there was no magic to conveniently detect pitfalls, and I just had to desperately follow Zilva-sama. It was really hard.

I pointed at myself with trembling fingers and asked His Highness.

To open a box that has a charm spell sealed in it――.

“Isn’t that impossible. . .?”

“I didn’t know it was like this until I picked up this box. Well, it’s impossible.”

When His Highness shook his head, a jingling sound came from his swaying cloak.

Hearing that sound, I trembled my fist. And then, I slammed my fist on the floor and shouted.

“It’s futile!”

“Oh, you have surprisingly rich vocabulary!”

“I demand an apology!”

“I’m sorry.”

“Eh, you’re too honest and there’s no tension and I don’t know where to direct my emotions~!!!”

Charm magic. It’s no wonder the country recognizes it as taboo and seals it in the innermost part of the temple.

The numerous traps that I broke through, guided by Zilva-sama.

The mechanism of the box that an ordinary magician can’t solve.

No matter how hard a fallen magician tries, they won’t be able to get through these and unseal the charm magic. It’s a perfect defense. Surely this charm magic will never be misused! It shouldn’t be! Probably!

I lay down on the ground.

Even though I’ve come this far.

“. . .If it’s impossible, that means it was a waste, right. . .?”

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

What can’t be opened, can’t be opened. It can’t be helped. 

“If you can control your magic power enough to solve the mechanism of this box, you should be able to control even unconscious charm magic.”

“. . .I see.”

His Highness laughs cynically. I also laugh back.

And I mumbled with a twisted mouth.

“. . .It means I can’t take it easy, right. . .?”

“You’ve got a goal to work hard, good for you.”

“Uuuuu, it’s futile!!”

“Next time, try saying it’s a wasted effort.”

“Wasted effort~!”

And so, I decided to work hard to somehow deal with the charm magic that I’m unconsciously scattering around, even though I don’t understand much about charm magic, and to polish my magic control skills. 

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓: 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩!

My acquisition of charm magic at the State Temple ended in failure. However, regardless of my unique circumstances, the final exams are coming.

Before and during the exams, His Highness and I were always training in magic control behind the usual school building.

And the result of the exam is. . .

“. . .15th in the grade. . .”

I inadvertently muttered, looking at the ranking of the final exams posted in the hallway.

My name was written in the upper part, mixed with the names of other students, for the first time.

Until now, my name was always at the top of this paper with a perfect score.

“. . .Miss Claudia. . .getting such grades. . .”

“She was said to be the top student since the school started!”

A little far away, voices of concern about me were buzzing.

“Claudia-san, are you okay? Are you feeling unwell. . .”

“I haven’t seen you much after school recently. Were you busy with something other than your studies?”

“Ah, yes, no, I’m fine, everyone. Thank you for your concern.”

I smiled at the few male students who came to talk to me.

Then, everyone blushed, rubbed their noses shyly, and showed various reactions, such as making a fuss even though no one asked.

(Did my exam results get worse because the effect of my charm magic on the teachers has weakened. . .?)

If they are experts in magic, it’s not surprising that they originally have high resistance to magic. In other words, my charm magic control lessons are not in vain. . .

Well, I haven’t seen much change among students of the same age. . .

“. . .Hey, Claudia-san?”

“Yes?”

The male students in a daze left, and when I was relieved, a sharp, high-pitched voice was thrown from behind. I hurriedly turned around.

A young lady with abundant light purple hair curled up was crossing her arms and glaring at me.

“He is a man with a fiancée. No matter how much you are a commoner, as long as you attend this school, you should know the manners not to approach a man with a fiancée. . .”

“. . .”

I know. I’ve received that advice countless times.

The problem is that soon after that advice, the young lady herself becomes infatuated with me and somehow can’t help it. . .

“Are you listening seriously?”

. . . 

. . .But, this light purple girl doesn’t seem to be infatuated.

. . .Could it be. . .

“. . .I, I. . .”

“What is it? You suddenly start shaking. Oh no, are you trying to flirt with me too?”

I, me. . .

This is the first time a girl of my age has talked to me so seriously. . .!

Usually at this point, I’m admired for some reason and it’s left vague. This is the first time someone other than His Highness, who is not affected by my charm magic, has looked me in the eye and talked to me so directly. . .!

I’m about to cry.

“Don’t cry, please. Hmph, I’m glad it seems to have resonated a little. Be careful in the future. Excuse me.”

The beautiful lady with light purple hair left somewhere. Ah, I should have asked her name. . . If I knew her name, I would have written it down in my notebook along with today’s date. . .

・・・

『”𝙰𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜.𝚌𝚘𝚖” – 𝙳𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚊 𝚌𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎, 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚍𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎, 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚞𝚕𝚐𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 “𝚍𝚊𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝚞𝚙𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜” 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚎𝚡𝚌𝚕𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚝𝚘 “𝚊𝚍𝚟𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜”.』

・・・

“Claudia-san! How many times do you need to be told to understand? You always flirt with other people’s fiancés.”

“Oh, you’re taking advantage of Thomas’s kindness. Are all commoners as indiscreet as you?”

“Claudia-san, your grades have dropped, so isn’t it about time you stopped your disgraceful man-hunting?”

In a corner of the schoolyard, under a gazebo, I was alone. Just a moment ago, I was being bothered by a certain young lady, but I managed to escape.

It would be fine if I was just being bothered by the young lady alone, but when her fiancé is there, the situation becomes quite dangerous. Before, the young lady was also smitten with me, which made it easier to escape, so I welcomed the intrusion.

Even so, however.

“I feel like the girls at school have been getting more aggressive lately. . .”

“Is it just a matter of them getting more aggressive?”

Ah, this jingling sound. . . There’s no mistake, it’s His Highness.

His golden hair is sparkling brilliantly today. It’s so shiny and smooth, it’s enviable. Even though the sound effect when he walks is a jingle.

“Your control over your charm magic has improved a bit, hasn’t it?”

His Highness sat down a little distance away from me. He crossed his long legs and sat down in a relaxed manner.

At His Highness’s words, my cheeks involuntarily relaxed. “Is that so?” 

The influence of the charm magic wasn’t just fading on the school’s teachers. Its effect on the female students was also diminishing.

“I see. . . little by little, I’m getting better. . .”

I couldn’t help but let out a heartfelt sigh.

In response, His Highness raised an eyebrow in puzzlement.

“You seem happy.”

“Yes! Because, the results of my special training are showing!”

“Your existence, in its original form, would have been a thorn in the side of many female students. Thanks to your charm magic, you were adored by them. . . Isn’t the current situation difficult?”

“Yes. But more than that. . . It’s refreshing to feel what it’s like without charm magic!”

When I expressed my honest feelings, His Highness slightly narrowed his blue eyes.

“Charm magic tends to have a stronger influence on the opposite sex. Soon, the men will start treating you without the influence of charm magic.”

“I’m looking forward to it!”

When I responded with a full smile, His Highness looked at me with even more curious eyes.

“Aren’t you worried? Your life, you’ve been pampered all this time. Even if you didn’t do anything, you were adored. Suddenly, no matter how much you act spoiled, no one will substitute for you in cleaning the classroom or throwing away the trash.”

“Hey! I’ve never asked for such things!”

Choosing classroom cleaning and trash disposal, what? His Highness, your ideas are surprisingly simple.

“If the gap between your past life and now is too large, you might unconsciously strengthen your charm magic again. People in the world are colder to others than you think.”

“. . .Are you worried about me?”

“I’m not worried about you. I’m worried that your special training will be in vain.”

His blue eyes were staring straight into mine. . . Yeah. In my life, I’ve never had someone look me in the eye so directly. I’ve been stared at from close range countless times, though. 

His Highness, the first person to face me like this. When I look at his handsome face up close, I feel a warm feeling rising from the bottom of my heart.

“My charm magic doesn’t work on you, does it, Your Highness?”

“Of course. What are you talking about now?”

His Highness crossed his arms, looked down at me disdainfully, and snorted. Even with such an attitude, for some reason, my mouth loosens.

“Hehe, then, there’s no need to worry.”

“. . .What do you mean?”

His beautiful eyebrows were raised in puzzlement. He looked a bit grumpy, but I’m not scared of His Highness’s face like that anymore. At first, I was a little scared.

“Even without charm magic, Your Highness is very kind.”

“. . .”

“I mean, I think there are mean people too. . . But there must be many kind people like Your Highness. So I’m fine.”

With a smile, my face naturally brightened.

His Highness, without averting his eyes from me, listened to my slightly embarrassing words with a serious face. . . 

―― Papapapapapa~an!!!!!!!

And then, the Evil-Banishing Items suddenly exploded in large quantities.

“Kyaaaaa!!!”

Dust dances in the flashy explosion. This is the first time an explosion of this scale has occurred. Usually, only one item would explode modestly.

“Don’t scream! It’s noisy!”

“Wha, why?! Why did it explode so much?!”

“It’s because of your charm magic! Damn it, I was just about to praise the results of your special training! You!!! You still need more training! Work harder!!!”

“Eeeeh!”

The somewhat nice atmosphere literally exploded, and we continued our usual special training.

By the way, the prince’s test results were easily first place. Amazing. 

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟔: 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐮𝐩)

A healthy soul resides in a healthy body.

――That being said, today is the day for physical measurements and health check-ups at the academy.

Our Magic Academy has three grades in total, but today everyone is moving in droves to different venues to undergo physical measurements and health check-ups.

(Ah, there’s the prince)

I pass by a strikingly conspicuous blonde hair in the corridor when moving from the gymnasium where the girls’ physical measurements were being taken.

In order to smoothly proceed with a large number of various measurements and internal examinations, even the students who usually wear flashy robes or dresses are wearing plain white shirts designated by the school today.

The prince, who is a grade above me, is not wearing his usual jingling cloak. Not only does he have a handsome face, but he also boasts a tall stature with a well-proportioned body. Even in a plain shirt without any decorations, he looked good.

(He looks cool.)

I was inadvertently looking at him like that when I bumped into another male student and was yelled at, “Watch out!”

(. . .I, I was yelled at. . .!)

I might be the only one in the world who is happy to be yelled at. Hehe, thanks to my efforts, the influence of my charm magic has become much! Thinner! On male students!

There are still some people who seem to be smitten, but according to the prince, “The influence is strong on men who were originally your type.”

But, however, finally, I have come this far. It’s only a matter of time before my charm magic causes trouble in all directions.

Thanks to my improved control of magic in school lessons, I can use more magic and do more with magic than before. My grades are improving not because of my charm magic, but because of my own efforts.

Thanks to the fact that not all male students are indiscriminately smitten, little by little. . .Actually, I’ve been making more female friends. I’m very happy.

The other day, I had lunch while having a girls’ talk in the cafeteria for the first time. Until now, I had been eating my lunch alone as much as possible to avoid confusion. So, I’m really happy. 

“Claudia-san, you’re always smiling, aren’t you?”

“Really. I’m so depressed. . .I find it annoying to have so many measurements in one day, but when I see Claudia-san, I feel like I have to learn from her.”

“Ehehe, I like it when various results come out in numbers.”

Between tests and tests, while moving classrooms, I have a peaceful conversation with my classmates about nothing in particular. . .Ah, this is the peaceful school life I’ve been longing for. . .

“Oh?! Claudia-san, are you crying?!”

“I, I wonder if it’s because of the eye test earlier? I also found it hard to be made to stare at one point without blinking.”

“Ah, thank you. I’m sorry, it’s nothing. . .Yes, maybe my eyes are a little dry, so that’s why I’m crying. . .”

Everyone is kind. If love and fiancés are not involved, all the girls who attend this school are kind-hearted ladies.

Although my magic control is not yet perfect, I was gradually gaining a peaceful school life. 

・・・

『”𝔸𝕨𝕖𝕓𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤.𝕔𝕠𝕞” – 𝔻𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕒 𝕔𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕠𝕗 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖, 𝕡𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕒𝕕𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖, 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕔a𝕟 𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕝𝕘𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕒 𝕔𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝𝕤 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 “𝕕𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕪 𝕦𝕡𝕕𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕤” 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕖𝕩𝕔𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕒𝕔𝕔𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕥𝕠 “𝕒𝕕𝕧𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖𝕕 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤”.』

・・・

Now, the next is magic measurement.

Basically, the amount of magic is innate, and although there may be some increase or decrease with effort, it is almost impossible to significantly increase from the amount one was born with.

However, because there are cases where the amount of magic explosively increases at certain timings, students attending the academy measure their magic values every year just in case. Well, it’s more like the power that was not being exerted due to a cork-like thing being put on the potential that was originally there is finally released as the cork is removed over the years. . .It seems to be like that.

I enter the classroom where the magic measurement is done and line up in the examination queue. When it’s my turn, the teacher in charge of the measurement greets me with a smirk.

“Claudia-san. You usually suppress your enormous magic and take classes, right? Today, you can release your magic to your heart’s content.”

“Y, Yes!”

“I can’t say this out loud. . .But I was actually looking forward to it. I wonder what kind of value your magic will produce. . .! Now, please do your best!”

“I understand! Sensei!”

I’m actually a little excited too! Before entering the school, I could only take a simple magic power measurement, so although the prince told me that I had an incredible amount of magic power, I didn’t really get it. But, today’s magic power meter is the latest model and it seems that it can clearly express the amount of magic power as a numerical value.

However, there are some voices saying that “Magic power cannot be visualized in such a numerical way!”. . . Well, let’s put that aside.

Excited, I put my right hand into the meter. Then, I released magic power from the palm of my hand. It seems that this can measure the magic power value.

As Sensei and I excitedly watched the meter of the measuring device, the needle of the meter quickly swung to the end, and then, with a bang! Something inside the machine exploded, and it started to spew out black smoke.

“. . .?!”

“U, uwa―――!”

The classroom is enveloped in black smoke. I hurriedly pulled my hand out of the meter, but. . . somehow. . . there’s an atmosphere of. . . it’s too late. . . I can feel it. . . 

A chill that comes from nowhere.

Someone’s hand patted my tense shoulder.

“. . .Claudia-san. . .♡.”

It’s Sensei, who was just excited about the magic power measurement. Her eyes are glazed over, and her cheeks are flushed.

“. . .!”

The magic power that I released to measure my magic power. It activated as a charm magic, riding on the black smoke.

I realize it in an instant.

It seems that my magic power value is off the charts. The meter couldn’t handle the magic power that exceeded the measurable range, and it broke.

I understand because I’ve started to be able to control the charm magic. Now, my magic power was covering the entire school. 

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟕: 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐠𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥

𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘖𝘬𝘢𝘢-𝘴𝘢𝘯, 𝘖𝘵𝘰𝘶-𝘴𝘢𝘯. 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶?

I wrote in my last letter that my school life has been going well recently.

Yes, it’s true, and I was really feeling good about it.

But now, I’m in the biggest crisis ever.

“. . .Eek!!!”

I barely escaped from the classroom where the hellish magic detector was placed, and waiting for me in the hallway were masses of people, people, people.

“Claudia!”

“Claudia-san.”

“Miss Claudiaーーッッッッツ!!!!!”

“Hii, hii, hii, hii, eeeh!!!”

I broke the hallway window and ran outside while crying. There’s no damage from breaking the glass because I have physical enhancement magic, and I landed successfully even though it was the third floor. I took a breath of fresh air outside, free from the dense crowd――but it didn’t last.

People started gathering from everywhere with a thud.

People, no, my respected classmates, seniors, and teachers, but there were just too many of them and I couldn’t understand. Without even having time to apologize for my rough categorization, I ran away again.

Run, but where to?

My magic-infused black mist covered the entire school.

・・・

『”𝘈𝘸𝘦𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.𝘤𝘰𝘮” – 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳a𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 “𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴” 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 “𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴”.』

・・・

For now, I climbed up to high places as I found them.

People who were affected by my charm magic seemed to know where I was, and they found me no matter where I hid.

However, and I hate to say this, their thinking ability seemed to be significantly reduced due to the high concentration of charm magic, so I found that it wasn’t that difficult to escape even when surrounded.

So, I climbed up to high places with physical enhancement magic, and if they caught up, I jumped down, lured them as much as I could, and climbed up again. . . This was the best way to buy time.

(. . .I’m just running away, but what will happen to me if I actually get caught. . .?)

I didn’t understand, but somehow, I felt a threat to my chastity. No, maybe I would just be petted and played with. . . But the sight of a large mass of people, regardless of age or gender, rushing towards me was terrifying beyond comparison.

The situation was completely different from when I was unconsciously using charm magic. . . It seems. Back then, people didn’t approach me directly unless I was close or had some kind of contact. But now, everyone who was affected by the charm magic was rushing towards me, it was truly a runaway situation.

The State Temple I visited some time ago. The charm magic I tried to learn but couldn’t.

If I had properly learned charm magic at that time and could handle it correctly, I might have been able to stop everyone in their runaway state. 

(. . .No. Everyone is like this because of my magic. I don’t know why they’re affected by charm magic like this, but this is happening because of my magic. I should be able to do something about it.)

I don’t know exactly how to control charm magic or how to stop everyone who’s running wild. But I have to do it. It’s my fault that this is happening, so I should be able to do something. If I can do something, I have to!

Sniffling, I looked down at everyone from the roof of a tall building. People were climbing up the outer wall and approaching. First, take a deep breath. Concentrate.

(Please, please, calm down. . .!)

I refined my magic. I crossed my hands in front of my chest and slowly exhaled. A feeling like a fire slowly lighting up in the furnace in the middle of my chest filled my body. I searched for the whereabouts of my magic that had scattered on the black mist, one by one. 

There’s still time. It will take another 30 seconds, 20 seconds. . .10, 9. . . for the person climbing the wall to reach here. With each throb of my heart, the wave of people is getting closer. Ah, they’re almost here. When my heart beats particularly hard, I lose track of where the core of the magic I was about to grasp is. . .

(. . .!)

A body much larger than mine was already right in front of me.

I unconsciously step back, frightened by the bloodshot eyes. I gasp at the hand reaching out.

Almost at the same time, someone grabs my arm and pulls me in.

My heart beats loudly.

“――Hey!!!”

“. . .Your Highness!”

I turn to the person who pulled my arm. Strong-willed blue eyes were glaring at me. A sharp voice that could make one shrink. But, the moment I heard his voice, the tension I had felt relaxed instantly.

I clung to His Highness with the momentum of being pulled in. His Highness, while holding me, skillfully dodges the approaching crowd.

“I’m, I’m glad, Your Highness. . . I’m glad to see you. . .”

I sigh in relief. But, that was only for a moment.

His Highness is now in a white shirt, without his usual Evil-Banishing Items jingling on his cloak.

“Your Highness! Your Highness, now, the Evil-Banishing Items are. . .”

Even His Highness might be under the spell of my charm magic if he inhaled the black mist containing my magic without the Evil-Banishing Items. And if someone like His Highness inhaled the mist, it might be okay, but it might be dangerous if he was in close contact with me in his bare state.

Thanks to the training with His Highness, I have gained confidence in controlling my magic, but I don’t have confidence that I can control my magic in the same way under these circumstances. I think my charm magic, which I am unconsciously deploying in this emergency, is leaking out.

“. . .Hmph, you! Are you underestimating me!”

“Huh.”

His Highness pulls me in tightly as I try to pull away in a hurry.

In His Highness’s large blue eyes, my face, wide-eyed in a pathetic way, was reflected.

“There’s no way I’d be fooled by your level of charm magic!”

“. . .Your Highness. . .”

“Hide behind me. While I’m protecting you, you calm down that charm magic.”

“Ye. . .Yes, Your Highness!”

His Highness, who scolds me with a disrespectful face. The [confidence] in himself and the [trust] in me that I feel from his strong gaze looking straight at me.

His Highness runs while holding me, puts some distance from everyone, puts me down on the ground, and then shows a big hand to the crowd.

A dazzling light was emitted. It’s the barrier magic shield that His Highness deployed.

Behind it, I take a deep breath again and refocus. I search for my scattered magic that I had almost grasped and let go.

His Highness’s back is so. . . wide and big.

Even at a time like this, I notice such a thing. There’s probably no other back that I can feel so reliable.

A warmth was slowly lighting up in my chest.

So that the people under the charm magic can know where I, the caster, am, I can also know where the magic power of the charm magic is. I suck out all the magic power that has entered everyone’s bodies and return it. 

I think this is the only way to stop the rampage. If I had the power to completely control the charm magic, there might have been another way. . . I can’t give orders to the people under the charm magic by my own will. If I could give orders, I wouldn’t have made everyone go berserk like this.

I closed my eyes. I concentrate my consciousness even deeper. If His Highness is here, it’s okay to close my eyes.

(. . .!)

I find my magic power in everyone’s bodies in the school. And then, I grab all of it and suck it up――!

[You’re really going to do it in such a stupid way. You’re a real fool, you.]

The moment I accomplished such a stupid thing. For some reason, the face of His Highness, who said that in a slightly mean but kind way, came to my mind.

◆

“. . .I’m, I’m tired. . .”

I leaned against the trunk of a large tree behind the school building, sighing heavily. 

“Of course. You were deploying magic on such a ridiculous scale, and on top of that,you were forcibly gathering all the scattered magic with an absurdly forceful method, so it’s only natural that you’d be exhausted, no matter how stupid you are.”

“Ugh, I was treated as a fool, not an idiot. . .”

But personally, I feel that being called an idiot is a bit softer than being called a fool. Isn’t that so? Or does it not matter?

Today’s physical measurements somehow ended as planned. Conveniently, everyone had lost their memory of the time when they were under the charm magic. I wonder if it’s because I absorbed the magic that was causing mischief? When everyone regained consciousness, the whole school was filled with question marks, as if to say, “Huh? Why am I here?”

It was a day of measurement where if I just went with the flow, the day would end, and that was a good thing. If there had been a full practical lesson, I might have exploded.

And then, as usual, I came to the back of the school building out of habit, and as usual, His Highness was there (with his jingling cloak), so I completely let my guard down and collapsed. 

After a while of being exhausted, I slowly got up and looked up at His Highness’s always perfect face, tilting my head.

“. . .Your Highness, why were you okay?”

“. . .Hmph. What a foolish question.”

Even though there were no Evil-Banishing Items, His Highness was not affected by the charm magic, even though he was defenseless and super close to me, and even though the black mist that covered the entire school indiscriminately.

His Highness sneered at me and dramatically flipped his large cloak. The cloak that flew high, the Evil-Banishing Items that made a good jingling sound.

“I acknowledge your magical power, but even so, I have more! And better! Quality of magic! Furthermore, this steel-like mental strength, toughness! I am not one to be dominated by your charm magic!!!”

“Your, Your Highness. . .!”

His Highness, who laughs more defiantly than anyone else with his chest puffed out.

With the setting sun on his back, his figure was even divine due to the backlight.

What should I do, it’s amazing. . . My heart is throbbing. . . 

Even though he’s so insolent. . .!

Somehow, I started to tear up a little.

“Your Highness. . . you’re cool. . .”

“Of course! What are you sighing about!”

When I heard the sound of one of the Evil-Banishing Items exploding, I felt truly relieved. 

・・・

『”𝕬𝖜𝖊𝖇𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖘.𝖈𝖔𝖒” – 𝕯𝖎𝖘𝖈𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝖆 𝖈𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖛𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖑𝖉 𝖔𝖋 𝖑𝖔𝖛𝖊, 𝖕𝖆𝖘𝖘𝖎𝖔𝖓 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖆𝖉𝖛𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖚𝖗𝖊, 𝖜𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖈𝖆𝖓 𝖎𝖓𝖉𝖚𝖑𝖌𝖊 𝖎𝖓 𝖆 𝖈𝖔𝖑𝖑e𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓 𝖔𝖋 𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖘𝖑𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖉 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖑𝖘 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 “𝖉𝖆𝖎𝖑𝖞 𝖚𝖕𝖉𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖘” 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖊𝖝𝖈𝖑𝖚𝖘𝖎𝖛𝖊 𝖆𝖈𝖈𝖊𝖘𝖘 𝖙𝖔 “𝖆𝖉𝖛𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊𝖉 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘”.』

・・・

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟖: 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐞, 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮?

“. . .Miss Claudia! I love you! Please go out with me!”

“. . .”

Behind the dimly lit school building. Not the usual second school building I go to, but the brick-built first school building.

The sun is always shaded behind this school building after school.

In front of me, a boy from my class is deeply bowing and extending his hand to me. His ears are turning red.

After a little hesitation, I opened my mouth.

・・・

『”𝐀𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬.𝐜𝐨𝐦” – 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 “𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬” 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 “𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬”.』

・・・

The setting sun shines behind the second school building. Since it’s the furthest place on the school grounds, there are hardly any students who come here on purpose. It’s our usual spot where we can fool around without being found.

“. . .You were confessed to by a male student?”

With a slightly cracked voice, His Highness asks me with a twisted eyebrow.

When I nod, His Highness furrows his brow even more.

“. . .So, what did you do?”

“Well, I turned him down.”

“I see,” His Highness replies shortly, his expression still stern.

“. . .That guy, he confessed to you without being influenced by your charm magic, right?”

“――Y, Yes, probably.”

“That’s good.”

The day of the physical measurement was a big fuss, but since that day, my magic control has greatly improved. According to His Highness, the experience of “unleashing magic of a fool’s scale and forcibly converging it” must have paid off.

There’s probably no one in this school who is under the influence of my charm magic anymore.

. . .So, yes, I think the boy who confessed to me yesterday wasn’t influenced by my charm magic, but he must have liked me from his own heart and confessed to me.

But, the moment I was confessed to, my mind went blank.

“I, to be honest. . . I don’t. . . really understand. . .”

“. . .”

“I was happy to be confessed to. But, that happiness wasn’t because he confessed to me, but because he said it without being influenced by my charm magic. As for whether I like him or not, I don’t think so. . .”

“You, are you planning to talk about love with me?”

“Eh, no, um. . .”

His blue eyes glare at me.

I was relaxed because it was His Highness, but when I think about it calmly, His Highness is the prince of this country. It’s certainly a bit, well, disrespectful to say “but, but” while fidgeting with my index finger in front of such a person.

“. . .I’m sorry.”

“Hmph, you can’t help it.”

When I honestly bow my head, His Highness sighs and looks away. As His Highness moves, his cloak sways, and the Evil-Banishing Items underneath it makes a noise.

“You turned him down. Is there anything else to worry about?”

“. . .Well. . . yes. . .”

“. . .If you’re worried, it’s not too late. You can go see him and say you want to be friends~”

“No, no, that’s not it.”

“People in free love are all like that. It’s not unusual to try dating.”

I wonder if that’s true. Most of the students at this school are engaged, and I’ve only recently started talking to my friends of the same age, so I don’t quite get it.

“Is that the case with you, Your Highness?”

“. . .”

“By the way, Your Highness. How’s the search for a bride going? The influence of my charm magic is almost gone now.”

“It’s going well.”

(. . .Is it not going well?)

Whether the search for a bride is going well or not, His Highness, who seems to laugh “Hahaha!” unexpectedly gave a bland answer, and I tilted my head.

“You know, liking someone. . . it’s difficult. I. . . when I was pouring out my charm magic, I was approached almost every day. . . but to be liked by someone, and to like someone. . . I still don’t understand.”

“. . .I see.”

His Highness’s reply is still bland. . . but his narrowed eyes seemed to have a hint of kindness. Hmm, I wonder if I look like a child to His Highness. Actually, His Highness is one year older than me.

(. . .His Highness is. . . really. . . kind, isn’t he.)

Looking at his face, I think again. Until I started training with His Highness almost every day, my impression of him was that he was a handsome, blond, tall, flashy type who always wore a cape and seemed arrogant. He was arrogant, exceptionally handsome, and tall. Also, I assumed he was smart because he had excellent grades.

But even without that visual impression. . . I think His Highness is cool. His attitude, too, is due to his always standing tall with confidence. People who have confidence and stand tall are cool.

As I was deeply thinking about how cool and kind His Highness is, the Evil-Banishing Items under his cape suddenly exploded with a force that blew away my calm feelings.

“Whoa, Your Highness?! Your accessory is exploding with incredible force?!”

“Hmph. . . Don’t worry about it.”

His Highness hurriedly adjusts his cape.

“No, no, no. . .?”

Don’t worry about it. . . It was not a situation to be ignored. . .

It was the most explosive it had ever been.

“. . .”

For some reason, His Highness’s face was bright red. His expression looked angry. . . but it wasn’t scary.

As I stubbornly stared at His Highness, he cleared his throat several times and finally opened his mouth heavily.

“. . .So, you. . . you like me, don’t you?”

“Huh.”

At his unexpected words, my eyes widened.

――I like His Highness?

Me? You mean. . . me?

Before I could react, His Highness was shouting rapidly, as if he was letting out everything he had been holding back. His face was bright red.

My brain couldn’t keep up.

“You can’t control it at all! Your power that has always controlled everything around you! Now, with all your power, you are trying to. . . seduce me!”

“What?!”

His Highness pointed his index finger at me.

For a while, I stared at His Highness, who was panting heavily with a red face from his rage. I was still confused and couldn’t say anything, just standing there.

In the meantime, His Highness seemed to have calmed down somewhat, and he let out a big sigh and lowered his pointed finger.

Then, he muttered quietly.

“. . .I can’t be by your side.”

“Your Highness. . .”

His Highness turned his back to me.

“. . .I’m sorry. But. . . I’m lonely.”

“. . .”

A word slipped out of my mouth without thinking.

I was surprised at my own spoiled words, but His Highness stopped in his tracks.

Then, His Highness turned on his heel and took one step, then another step towards me.

When His Highness came close enough to reach out and touch, another one of His Highness’s Evil-Banishing Items exploded with a bang.

“Your Highness. . .”

His Highness’s face is always perfect, but his face now. . . was so serious it was almost heart-stopping.

“Do you want to be by my side. . . no, do you want me to be by your side? If so, work hard. More than now.”

“Your Highness. . .”

His Highness’s unusually gentle, low voice echoed in my ears.

“You’ve done really well. The charm magic that was uncontrollably affecting everything is no longer being deployed. Now it’s only activated towards the person you like. . . me. If you can even control this, you will no longer be able to spill charm magic.”

“. . .”

I clenched my hands tightly in front of my chest.

“Thank you, Your Highness. . . It’s all thanks to you that I became aware of my charm magic and gained the power to control my magic as I do now.”

His Highness may be arrogant, haughty, and condescending, but he always faced me sincerely. If it weren’t for His Highness, I would have lived my life conveniently due to the charm magic I was unconsciously scattering. In that process, there would surely have been people who became unhappy because of me, and unwanted disputes would have been born.

“I, I also. . . want to be able to face you, Your Highness, properly! So, I will do my best to become that way. And then. . . I want to talk to you again.”

“. . .Ah.”

The prince’s expression softened.

His kindness overflowed in that expression.

(Ah,)

At that moment, it felt like something was about to spill out from my chest.

Underneath the prince’s cloak, the Evil-Banishing Items made a particularly loud noise and exploded. 

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟗: 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞

(. . .)

Now, three days have passed since the shocking statement from His Highness.

I’ve been restless ever since.

His Highness said he couldn’t stay with me as things are now, and our daily training behind the second school building suddenly came to an end.

To begin with, do I like His Highness?

His face is very handsome. He’s so strikingly beautiful that it’s mesmerizing. His legs are long, he’s tall, and he’s really cool.

And, although he has a disrespectful attitude, he’s kind.

When I see His Highness showing a soft, small smile, my heart warms up.

. . .Is this what it means to like someone?

I still don’t know.

I’m very lonely right now.

It’s only been three days, and I haven’t seen him. I can’t help but think that I might never see His Highness again.

I just want to see His Highness soon. That’s what I thought.

――Jingling.

At the sound I’m familiar with, I quickly lift my head.

“. . .”

“. . .Your Highness.”

Even if I don’t see his face, I know who’s come. It’s His Highness. He’s the only one who makes such a jingling sound.

His Highness was looking at me with his usual disrespectful expression.

“You, you’re still coming here.”

“Well, Your Highness.”

“Hmph, it’s a whim. I’ve been coming here long before you.”

Saying that, His Highness turned his face away and walked off.

・・・

『”𝘼𝙬𝙚𝙗𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨.𝙘𝙤𝙢” – 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙖 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙜𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 “𝙙𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙪𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨” 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙤 “𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨”.』

・・・

But then, another day.

When I was aimlessly wandering behind the second school building, His Highness was there again.

The moment our eyes met, the Evil-Banishing Items under His Highness’s cloak burst with a bang!

“Your charm magic control training doesn’t seem to be progressing, does it?”

“Uh. . . I’m working on it. . .”

While I was squeezing out an awkward voice, the Evil-Banishing Items were bursting with a bang!

――Is my charm magic (targeting only those who like His Highness) that strong?

I was puzzled.

However, while I was puzzled, the Evil-Banishing Items continued to explode, so I quickly disappeared from His Highness’s sight, saying “Excuse me!”

Yet another day. 

Habit is a scary thing, and when I’m spacing out, I end up going behind the second school building. His Highness wasn’t there yet today, so while I was meditating for magic control training, sitting on a conveniently growing stump, I heard a jingling. . . bang! A sound indicating a certain person, and I regained consciousness.

“. . .I disturbed you.”

When our eyes met, His Highness hurriedly tried to leave.

(. . .Does His Highness have nothing else to do but come here?)

I couldn’t help but think such a disrespectful thing. Isn’t His Highness a very busy person? I was puzzled about this point as well.

After all, His Highness is a person with a noble purpose of finding a bride, a candidate for princess, at this school. Now, it seems that I can’t control my charm magic only for His Highness, but instead. . . or rather, I’m not doing any harm to anyone other than His Highness, so there should be nothing to hinder His Highness’s bride search now.

“By the way, Your Highness! How’s the bride search going?”

“Shut up! It’s going slowly!”

When I asked the departing back, a loud reply came back, making a jingling sound.

Yet another day.

Well, it’s a foregone conclusion, but. . .

When I go behind the second school building, I run into His Highness. I met him again today.

His Highness, under his cloak, pointed his index finger at me, making a lively explosion sound as usual.

“You make me run out of Evil-Banishing Items when you’re around! My crisis isn’t just your charm! Hold back!”

“Your Highness! But, but, but, the reason Your Highness’s Evil-Banishing Items are exploding so much! You say it’s like my charm magic is causing all the trouble, but isn’t it also because you get excited when you’re with me?!”

“Shut up! That’s part of it!”

“Kyaaaa!!!”

I drew out His Highness’s bombshell statement and screamed, turning bright red. His Highness’s face was also red. The Evil-Banishing Items exploded again.

I ran away as I was that day.

・・・

『”𝐴𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠.𝑐𝑜𝑚” – 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒, 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑑𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ “𝑑𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑢𝑝𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠” 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑜 “𝑎𝑑𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠”.』

・・・

Well, needless to say, His Highness is or will be behind the second school building.

So, I ran into His Highness again today.

“. . .You, you’re here again without learning your lesson.”

“But. . . Your Highness.”

We glance sideways at each other. The sound of the Evil-Banishing Item bursting fills the awkward silence.

“. . .This is a place where I’ve worked hard with Your Highness. My feet just naturally lead me here. And when they do, Your Highness is here.”

“. . .Ah, really. . .”

His Highness ruffles his magnificent golden hair. It’s an unusual gesture for him, who is always arrogant yet elegant (though flashy).

From the sound of His Highness’s cloak rustling, it’s clear that my special training to control my charm magic against His Highness has so far been completely ineffective.

Even though the other students and teachers seem to be completely fine.

Why does this only happen with His Highness?

(. . .Is it because I like His Highness?)

When was it? His Highness said that charm magic is more effective if the caster already has positive feelings for the person.

According to that logic, His Highness must at least not dislike me.

. . .But.

(But, His Highness. . . must find a suitable princess. . .)

I don’t think I’m that person. I’m just a nouveau riche Baron’s daughter who bought her title with money.

Even if His Highness has a shred of affection for me, he would never choose me.

(I can’t stay like this forever. . .)

When I thought I might never see His Highness again, I felt truly lonely. And my determination to face His Highness again was real.

But when I found out that I could meet His Highness if I came to the back of the second school building, I was easily pleased. I indulged in this situation.

I have two options.

One is to never see His Highness again. If I do that, at least the only connection I have with His Highness, who is the only one affected by my charm magic, will be gone. His Highness can focus on finding a wife. And he will rule this country prosperously with his wonderful chosen wife. It’s a happy ending. 

. . .But, if I fall in love with someone other than His Highness, I might unconsciously activate my charm magic on that person.

The other is to master my magic control technique so that I don’t accidentally unleash my charm magic on His Highness.

(. . .I. . .)

Even if I put aside my romantic feelings, I admire His Highness. I don’t want to never see His Highness again, or not be able to talk to him. I think that once I graduate from the academy, my connection with His Highness, I, who is just a nouveau riche daughter, will be over, but at least while I’m at this academy, I want to meet and talk to His Highness normally.

I’m sure I’ll fall in love with someone someday. I don’t want to accidentally activate my charm magic on that person without realizing it.

In that case, there’s only one path for me to choose.

“. . .Your Highness. I have a favor to ask.”

The cold wind blows between me and His Highness, rustling the fallen leaves.

・・・

『”𝓐𝔀𝓮𝓫𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼.𝓬𝓸𝓶” – 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓬𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓪 𝓬𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓲𝓿𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭 𝓸𝓯 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮, 𝓹𝓪𝓼𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓪𝓭𝓿𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮, 𝔀𝓱e𝓻𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓾𝓵𝓰𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝓪 𝓬𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓼𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵𝓼 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 “𝓭𝓪𝓲𝓵𝔂 𝓾𝓹𝓭𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓼” 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓮𝔁𝓬𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓿𝓮 𝓪𝓬𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝓽𝓸 “𝓪𝓭𝓿𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓭 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼”.』

・・・

――And so, I stepped into that place again.

“. . .I see. The seal on that box, once again. . .”

“Yes. I’ve trained a lot since then! I won’t waste my efforts anymore!”

Chief Priest Zilva-sama lowered his eyes and nodded deeply.

This time, I will unlock that box and master the charm magic!

(. . .I might still be lacking in power. . .)

Because I still can’t control my charm magic against His Highness.

If I’m going to unlock that box, I might need to be a powerful person who can control my magic even against His Highness.

(But, I. . . won’t go home until I unlock this box!)

I was determined.

When I said I wanted to challenge the seal of the charm magic again, His Highness said “I understand.” with just one word. And although it might have been just my imagination, he seemed to be smiling in support of my challenge.

By the way, the Evil-Banishing Items that don’t read the atmosphere were exploding at that time too.

His Highness has always been watching over me. He patiently trained me in magic control. So, there’s no way I can’t do it.

Because His Highness, who has been watching me, is an amazing person!

◆

◆

And so, after how many hours, no, how many days had passed?

I had lost all sense of time, to the point where I didn’t even feel hunger. Only the nerves in my fingertips, touching the box, were sharpened.

Click. A small sound. My magic flowed smoothly through the circuits of the box, racing through.

“Oh. . .”

Zilva-sama, who had been accompanying me, exclaimed in admiration.

The sealed box was opened.

(This is the charm magic. . .!)

I picked up the small diary that was inside the box. In that moment, the incantation and the construction of magic flowed directly into my mind.

(This feeling. . .)

I understood. The order had been reversed, but I already knew the sensation when this magic was activated. The state I had always thought was normal was actually the state of the magic being activated.

Now that I had become skilled in controlling magic, I was able to understand. If I had carelessly opened this box without knowing anything, I would have just wondered, “What is this box?” and that would have been the end of it. 

I gently placed my hand on my chest, which was pounding due to the fatigue from consecutive sleepless nights and extreme tension.

And in that state—though I hadn’t realized it because of something overflowing in my chest when facing His Highness—I became aware that I had been unintentionally triggering the charm magic when I was with him.

“. . .You have accomplished it.”

“. . .Yes!”

Chief Priest Zilva-sama gently placed his hand on my shoulder and turned around, smiling.

Without thinking, Zilva-sama and I high-fived. 

・・・

『”𝙰𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜.𝚌𝚘𝚖” – 𝙳𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚘v𝚎𝚛 𝚊 𝚌𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚒v𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚘v𝚎, 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚍v𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎, 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚞𝚕𝚐𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚕e𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚗𝚘v𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 “𝚍𝚊𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝚞𝚙𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜” 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚎𝚡𝚌𝚕𝚞𝚜𝚒v𝚎 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚝𝚘 “𝚊𝚍v𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜”.』

・・・

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟎: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈

◆

“Your Highness!”

The usual spot behind the second school building.

As I expected, His Highness was there. His Highness, who was reading a book while sitting on a tree stump, looked up with a slightly surprised expression at my voice.

“. . .You.”

It seems His Highness understands.

That I can control my charm magic even towards those who like His Highness.

“You’ve accomplished it.”

“Yes!”

“. . .Well done.”

His Highness puts the book he was reading on the stump, stands up, faces me, narrows his blue eyes, and smiles. At His Highness’s gentle voice, my cheeks involuntarily turn red, but I caution myself not to accidentally let my charm magic run wild.

I took a step closer to His Highness. Even as the distance closed, the area under His Highness’s cloak remained silent.

“. . .Your Highness. I. . . I like you.”

“. . .You. . .”

Looking straight into his eyes, I said it.

I worked hard to say these words.

“I wanted to tell you once I could fully control my charm magic. Otherwise, I would surely cast charm magic on you. . . I wanted to tell you, not with the power of charm magic, but properly.” 

“. . .Ah, you’ve worked hard.”

His Highness has the Evil-Banishing Items, so he should never actually be affected by charm magic, but if I had been facing him with my charm magic running wild, by now the area under His Highness’s cloak would probably be like a fireworks display.

It’s very quiet when there’s no sound of His Highness’s Evil-Banishing Items exploding. I can clearly hear my own heartbeat.

“I won’t bother Your Highness anymore, right? Now, Your Highness can. . . progress in finding a bride.”

I looked up at His Highness’s face and smiled.

“Thank you for everything up until now! I will continue to do my best. From now on, I will aim for all ‘excellent’ grades with my own power! I will also try my best at free love!”

I felt refreshed. 

I have no regrets now. I felt a sense of accomplishment for the first time in my life. I accomplished this to tell this person that I like him. Until now, I had been receiving false evaluations and favors due to my charm magic, and I had been taking advantage of that without realizing it. I was able to achieve my goal with my own power. I’m happy. There was even a sense of liberation. An indescribable refreshing feeling.

I laughed from the bottom of my heart and bowed to His Royal Highness.

His Highness should have no more worries. A troublesome person who could potentially threaten the country by unconsciously letting loose charm magic, which is a forbidden magic, and who might have to be confined in a solitary cell. He no longer has to look after such a person.

His Highness will concentrate on finding a bride, and I will work hard on my studies and free love, each of us accomplishing what we should do, and if we pass each other in the hallway, we will have a little chat. That’s the kind of relationship we will have from now on. Maybe we can even become more comfortable with each other than we are now.

Thinking about it makes me chuckle.

And then, the moment I turned on my heel to leave from behind this second school building.

“. . .Huh?” 

A large hand was gripping my wrist.

When I turned around, His Highness’s large eyes were staring at me.

“Do you intend to run away after confessing, you?”

“Eh.”

“Didn’t you persevere to the end because you wanted to be by my side?”

“Well, that. . . but, Your Highness is the crown prince, so you have to find a suitable queen. . .”

His Highness’s face, which was close to mine, twisted.

His well-shaped eyebrows rose, and deep wrinkles were etched between them. My heart jumped at the intensity of his blue eyes, and I swallowed.

“There’s no one but you.”

His low, hoarse voice hit my earlobe.

“No, but, I. . . I’m just the daughter of a humble commoner who made his fortune. I’m not fit to be a queen. . .”

“If status was necessary for a queen, I wouldn’t be looking for a bride at this academy. If that were the case, I would already be engaged to a girl chosen by the royal family based solely on her family background.”

I realized, belatedly, that His Highness had bent his tall back to meet my gaze. His large palms were resting on my shoulders.

“. . .Think about it. Why I’m looking for a bride at this Magic Academy, what that means.” 

“Eh, huh. . .?”

“I don’t care about your social status. If you have a good character and decent magical power, and if I find you desirable, that’s enough.”

“. . .Huh?”

His face is close, very close.

“There is no one else who possesses such powerful magic and can control it as you do.”

“But, but. . .”

“I’d like to meet someone who can open the magic box sealed in the State Temple with their magical power, if there is such a person.”

“. . .But. . .”

“I want you, Claudia.”

I gasp for breath. I can only see His Highness’s beautiful blue eyes.

My brain was shaken by the impact of hearing my name called for the first time in his voice.

“Y, You’re not under a charm spell, are you?”

“There’s no way I could be.”

His Highness’s voice and gaze were serious.

I collapsed on the spot.

“I’m glad. . .”

The Crown Prince, who speaks sweet words that are too good to be true for me, made me think, “Could it be?”

His Highness looks at me, who is relieved, with a soft gaze.

“Can I really, really, like you, Your Highness?”

“――Of course.”

His Highness knelt down and reached out to me, who had collapsed on the ground.

His Highness had a wry smile on his face as he looked at me, who was alternating between looking at his palm and his face.

When I finally took His Highness’s hand hesitantly, His Highness slowly and gently, but firmly, lifted my body.

“Thank you, Albert-sama. . .”

His Highness, who was supporting my body, opened his eyes wide.

“. . .You, it’s the first time you’ve called me by my name.”

“Eh, is that so?”

His Highness narrowed his eyes at me, who was surprised.

“I thought you didn’t even know my name.”

“Ehehe, but, Your Highness feels like Your Highness.”

His Highness was laughing mischievously. There’s no way I wouldn’t know. It’s the name of the crown prince of this country.

Because His Highness is His Highness, I’ve always called him that. But now, I wanted to call him by his name.

Before I knew it, I was being held tightly by His Highness. The heartbeat I could hear from His Highness’s chest pressed against me was very fast. As fast as my own heartbeat.

“From now on, call my name more. . . because you’re going to be my queen.”

“Ye. . .yes. . .”

His Highness’s hand covered my cheek, which I had lowered in embarrassment.

“Hey, hang in there a little longer. Lift your face.”

“Ye, yes.”

When I obediently lifted my face, there was His Highness, making a face I had never seen before.

“I love you. . .Claudia.”

A voice that couldn’t form words leaked from my throat.

Then, a loud sound burst from under His Highness’s cloak. Then, a series of loud popping sounds echoed cheerfully.

“. . .”

“. . .Um. . .”

As if to represent our feelings, which couldn’t find a second phrase, the sound of the Evil-Banishing ItemS exploding with a bang was heard a little later.

“――It seems we still have some issues to address, don’t we? Claudia.”

“Le, let’s do our best, Albert-sama!”

Our bright future full of promise is still to come. 

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏: 𝐌𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬

The season is winter. The air outside is cold, but the sun is warm and it’s a beautiful afternoon.

His Highness and I had advanced a grade.

It’s been a year since we entered the academy. It feels like it’s gone by in a flash, but also like it’s been a long time. . . When I think about how I’ve spent almost half of my school life with His Highness, I feel a little embarrassed.

We’re relaxing in our usual spot behind the second school building, basking in the sun. As I gaze at His Highness’s profile sitting right next to me and giggle, a loud pop comes from under His Highness’s cloak.

Eh. . . That was. . . not good. . .

I stare at His Highness in surprise. His Highness frowns his well-shaped eyebrows and clears his throat.

“That was. . .”

“It’s your fault.”

“Eh?”

I was just thinking how happy I am to be able to relax with His Highness, but it seems that my charm magic leaked out due to my relaxed mood. And then, pop.

. . .It happens quite often. Pop.

“. . .Your Highness. I’ve been thinking about something.”

“What is it?”

“I know my charm magic is the cause, but. . . isn’t there also a problem on the receiving end. . .?”

“You’re saying there’s a problem with me?”

His double-lidded, elongated blue eyes narrow sharply.

“Well, what I mean is, if every time His Highness feels a throb for me, the Evil-Banishing Items explode, then doesn’t His Highness. . . need to make an effort too. . .?! I mean. . .”

“. . .”

“. . .Um.”

As I shyly look at the prince’s handsome face, which stands out even more when he’s serious, I make a wry smile and tap my fingers together in front of my chest.

It’s embarrassing to say it myself, but the reason His Highness’s Evil-Banishing Items burst when I’m with him is basically this.

When I think His Highness is “cool!” or feel my heart pounding, my charm magic, which I should be controlling, leaks out.

His Highness has a strong natural resistance to magic, but when it comes to me, it seems that the charm magic works better when he feels a throb, and that’s why the Evil-Banishing Items explode.

In other words, when the prince and I are in a good mood, the Evil-Banishing Items pops. 

I was supposed to be able to control my charm magic by learning how to use it and understanding the sensation of activating it after unsealing the charm magic that was sealed in the State Temple!

In reality, I’m not always letting my charm magic flow when I’m with the prince. I can usually control it. But, it just leaks out at certain times.

Like this, like this, like this. . . I can’t even put it into words in my head, but it’s like this.

“――That’s not to say I haven’t considered it.”

His Highness’s low voice resonates.

It seems that the wise prince understood my clumsy words. I’m relieved.

“There’s definitely a problem on my end as well. I can’t deny that. I admit it. I’ve been telling you to keep trying, and I can’t just sit back and act superior.”

“Your, Your Highness!”

I can’t help but feel a throb at His Highness’s words. I think my charm magic just leaked out. ――But this time, the Evil-Banishing Items didn’t explode. Maybe it’s because His Highness is seriously responding to what I said. 

“. . .charm magic is especially effective against those who have feelings for you.”

“Yes, you’ve said that before.”

“So, to put it bluntly. . . I’m incredibly weak to you.”

“. . .Eh?”

The prince’s clear, double-lidded eyes were staring straight at me.

“If I didn’t have the protection of the Evil-Banishing Item, I would have been done in by your charm magic a long time ago.”

“Your Highness. . .”

It was clear from the fact that the Evil-Banishing Items were popping cheerfully. His Highness frowned in distress, put his hand to his mouth, and sighed.

“I need to do something. I think. . . “

“. . .?”

“To weaken the effect of your charm magic. . . no, to increase my resistance, that would mean telling myself that I don’t care about you at all.”

“Is that. . . what it would mean. . .?”

“That’s not what I want. That’s why it’s troubling.”

“Hmm. . .”

His Highness seemed genuinely troubled. 

“But, um, isn’t there something. . . Can’t we do something about it? Of course, I’ll work on improving the accuracy of my charm magic, but Your Highness. . . um, isn’t there something. . .?”

I couldn’t quite grasp what to do or what to say to solve the problem, and as I fumbled for words while spinning the potter’s wheel, His Highness raised an eyebrow.

“What a vague way of speaking.”

“Um, well, I mean, what should I say, or what should I do. . .”

“. . .Claudia.”

“Y, Yes.”

When my name was called, I straightened up. We had called each other by our names on the day of our confession, but we still mostly called each other “Your Highness,” “you(貴様/𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐚)”, or “you(お前𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐞)” in casual times because it made us nervous and increased the chance of a charm magic explosion. By the way, I feel like the rate of “you(お前𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐞)” has increased rather than “you(貴様/𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐚).”

𝐀𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 

(貴様/𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐚): 𝐑𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 “𝐲𝐨𝐮” 

(お前/𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐞): 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 “𝐲𝐨𝐮”

So, when my name is called, I can’t help but get nervous.

I look into His Highness’s blue eyes with a pounding heart. His Highness, still looking a bit grumpy, opened his mouth. 

“――What’s wrong with me liking you!!!”

“E. . .Eh?!”

Did he just come out?!

(Did, did I, just, get, told something amazing?!)

I was so surprised that my eyes widened, and then my cheeks started to heat up with a delay.

His Highness’s face was dead serious. It was a seriousness that even felt dignified. I couldn’t deny His Highness’s words, so I shook my head.

Seeing me like this, His Highness nodded and smiled slightly.

His expression was a bit smug. I don’t think there are many people who can be so defiant and arrogant.

His Highness prefaced his next words with “That being said,” and his face became serious again.

“. . .But, it’s a problem if I can’t woo you properly. If you’re worried about it too, it’s perfect. Keep your next day off open, I have something I want your help with.”

“Wo, Woo me?”

“What, you don’t want to be wooed by me?”

“Huh, huh.”

His Highness’s puzzled face came closer. Seeing me blinking in confusion, His Highness narrowed his eyes slightly.

“. . .”

“I like you.”

“Eek.”

Boom. 

With just one word, I let out my charm magic and blew up one of His Highness’s Evil-Banishing Items. His Highness sighed dramatically and shrugged his shoulders.

“――This is getting us nowhere.”

“I’m, I’m sorry.”

“Well, it’s helpful that it’s easy to understand.”

Even though the Evil-Banishing Items had burst, His Highness was smiling a little more cheerfully than before for some reason.

(. . .By that logic, isn’t His Highness also easy to understand. . .)

As I tilted my head in thought, His Highness gently pulled me closer by the waist and brought his face even closer.

“So, Your Highness, um. . .”

“If you don’t mind, that’s fine.”

I can’t be affected by charm magic, His Highness whispered lowly. It tickled and made me squirm.

The air was somehow sweet. It reminded me of the slightly risqué romance novels that were popular among my dorm friends and were being borrowed and lent.

As I blushed and turned bright red, His Highness stroked my hair with a small smile, looking a little troubled and lowering his eyebrows. When I looked up at him, our eyes met and His Highness’s palm slid down my cheek. The force of his arm around my waist increased slightly, and then. . . 

Boom!!! An inappropriate explosion sound echoed through the room.

His Highness clicked his tongue. Even though he’s a prince. Clicking his tongue. I wonder if he learned it in school life.

“. . .I can’t compete with this every time.”

As soon as His Highness’s hand left to adjust his cloak, I quickly put some distance between us and pointed my trembling fingers at His Highness.

That, that. . . that sweet atmosphere. . .

“Weren’t you thinking something a little naughty just now?!”

“――Huh? You. . . I see.”

(I see?!)

His Highness was momentarily taken aback by my loud voice, but for some reason, he seemed to understand something on his own and quickly flashed a wicked smile.

What? Why?

What did he understand?

“Well, I’ll keep that in mind for the future.”

(He, he’s definitely thinking something naughty!)

Unable to stand the sweet atmosphere, I decided that and glared at His Highness, holding back my tears.

His Highness had a somewhat playful and mischievous look on his face.

Well, that aside, we were to visit the workshop where His Highness’s Evil-Banishing Items was being made this weekend. 

・・・

『”𝒜𝓌𝑒𝒷𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈.𝒸𝑜𝓂” – 𝒟𝒾𝓈𝒸𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒶 𝒸𝒶𝓅𝓉𝒾𝓋𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹 𝑜𝒻 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒, 𝓅𝒶𝓈𝓈𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒶𝒹𝓋𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒, 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓎o𝓊 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝒾𝓃𝒹𝓊𝓁𝑔𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝒶 𝒸𝑜𝓁𝓁𝑒𝒸𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓃𝓈𝓁𝒶𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝓃𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 “𝒹𝒶𝒾𝓁𝓎 𝓊𝓅𝒹𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓈” 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑒𝓍𝒸𝓁𝓊𝓈𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝒶𝒸𝒸𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝓉𝑜 “𝒶𝒹𝓋𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒𝒹 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈”.』

・・・

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐: [𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬] 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩

――The morning of a craftsman who serves the royal family and creates anti-evil protections is early.

“. . .Is there a mistake in this order form?”

“No, we definitely need this many.”

The workshop master raised a dubious voice to him, who visited the workshop with an order form before the sun had fully risen.

The workshop master squints and stares at the piece of paper. No matter how many times he looks, the number written on the paper does not change. In front of him, shaking his head, is the beloved crown prince.

The man who has been entrusted with the production of ornaments to protect him since he was a child, when his height was only up to his waist, took pride in his work.

Now, looking up at him, who has grown so tall that he has to raise his head high to see him, the man said,

“Your Highness. I must say, this number of orders is not ordinary. Why are so many items breaking at this frequency? Is there some. . . formidable threat in your school life?”

“A threat. . . huh.”

He chuckles lightly.

The workshop master senses that he has no intention of answering clearly. He has always been a stubborn person. 

The anti-evil protections, which has the effect of warding off spells of curses and charms. It is the custom of this country for those born into the royal family to always wear it. Even today, when such spells have been sealed as forbidden magic, this culture continues, and it actually protects the members of the royal family.

There are a few people in the world who are born with the ability to handle forbidden magic. In most cases, they are not aware of it and do not pose a significant threat, but of course, there are those who intend to misuse this special power. We should not neglect measures against possible threats.

(There is a threat in the academy that threatens the prince’s life. . .)

The workshop master’s chest ached.

However, if the threat is something that even the power of the Crown Prince cannot handle, the wise prince will report to the people of the royal castle and take full measures. Even the king should act. The Magic Academy is an important educational institution for our country. If there is any kind of threat there, the country should not stand still.

But, if the prince is trying to handle it himself without doing that, it must be judged as “something that can be handled by himself.” 

The workshop master could not deny what the prince himself had judged.

“I’m sorry. I’m causing you trouble.”

“No, this is my job. But, Your Highness. . .”

“Hmph, who do you think I am? I am the son of the great King Georg, a man who inherits the proud royal bloodline of this magical powerhouse. This level of consumption is not a big deal.”

The anti-evil protections are completed by imbuing it with the magic power of the wearer.

In other words, the prince will have to imbue an extraordinary amount of magic power into the anti-evil protections.

“. . .Your Highness, please don’t overdo it.”

“I won’t say it a second time. Workshop master.”

The prince’s clear blue eyes were shining with a strong will.

The workshop master just nodded.

“. . .Workshop master, is it possible to increase the strength of the anti-evil protections more than it is now?”

“Yes, theoretically it is possible. However, it will require you to bear more magic power. . .”

“I don’t care about my burden. Increase the strength as much as possible to the limit.”

“Your Highness. . .”

𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦? The workshop master involuntarily clenched his fist.

Even if he asked, he probably wouldn’t be told, but the workshop master couldn’t help but feel a parental-like emotion towards him.

The only thing he could do with this feeling was to put it into the charm that protects him.

“Oh, yes, that’s right. Workshop master. This is the payment for this order.”

“. . .Eh?! Your Highness! I’m afraid, is this, is this some kind of mistake?!”

“I’m forcing you to produce in an unusually large quantity. This is probably not enough.”

“Your Highness. . .”

“If you have too much, use it to increase the manpower in the workshop. You need to train young people too.”

The workshop master felt a heat in his eyes.

The prince showed a smile filled with trust to the workshop master, turned on his heel, and left the workshop. The anti-evil protections lined up under his cloak make a proud jingling sound. The workshop master also felt proud. 

When the prince left, the craftsmen of the workshop who had been watching the exchange between the workshop master and the prince surrounded the master and raised their spirits, saying, “Let’s do it!” “We’ll protect the prince with our power!” “The prince has grown so splendidly. . .”

From then on, an unbelievable number of orders for anti-evil protections would be placed in an incredibly short period of time, but their morale never waned.

・・・

『”ᴀᴡᴇʙsᴛᴏʀɪᴇs.ᴄᴏᴍ” – ᴅɪsᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴀ ᴄᴀᴘᴛɪᴠᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ᴏғ ʟᴏᴠᴇ, ᴘᴀssɪᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴅᴠᴇɴᴛᴜʀᴇ, ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ ɪɴᴅᴜʟɢᴇ ɪɴ ᴀ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏғ ᴛʀᴀɴsʟᴀᴛᴇᴅ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs ᴡɪᴛʜ “ᴅᴀɪʟʏ ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇs” ᴀɴᴅ ᴇxᴄʟᴜsɪᴠᴇ ᴀᴄᴄᴇss ᴛᴏ “ᴀᴅᴠᴀɴᴄᴇᴅ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs”.』

・・・

Time passed, and even after the New Year, the mornings of the anti-evil protection craftsmen were early as usual.

No, it was earlier than usual. They had received a visit notification from the crown prince.

“――Let me introduce you. This is Claudia.”

“Nice to meet you, my name is Claudia.”

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you, I am Tim, the workshop master.”

The crown prince brought a beautiful girl with long peach-colored hair, long eyelashes, and big round violet eyes.

No one could blame Tim for inadvertently looking at the prince’s face.

――Your Highness, this young lady is. . . Is that so?

(Is the prince. . . is this good person the. . .?!)

It would be forgivable to be inadvertently immersed in such a sentiment.

There was certainly a sweet and sour atmosphere between the two young people.

It is customary for the crown prince to find a lifelong partner at the Magic Academy. Tim was convinced that she must be the one.

“The reason I brought Claudia here today is not other than that.”

“Yes, yes. Young master. . . Ah, no, Your Highness.”

“I don’t care how you call me. I’ll say it straight.”

Tim blinked slightly.

It was not just about introducing a “good person” to a familiar person.

Although Tim, who used to play with the prince when he was a child, was filled with the feeling of “I’m so happy that you would introduce me to someone like me!”

“I want you to develop an anti-evil protection with a strength that can counter her magic.”

“. . .What?”

This time, Tim’s eyes widened in surprise. 

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑: 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐈 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮

“This one, she has a natural talent for charm magic. . . She should have mostly been able to control it. . . But. . .”

“Especially when it comes to, well, His Highness. . .”

The adorable girl called Claudia blushed slightly and gave a wry smile.

“. . .So, the threat at His Highness’s academy. . . was her. . .?”

“That’s right.”

When Tim nervously voiced this, she widened her large eyes in surprise at His Highness, who nodded solemnly.

“But, Your Highness?! What do you mean by ‘threat’?”

“It means exactly what it sounds like. Even with numerous Evil-Banishing Items, it’s not enough when you’re around, constantly unleashing your charm magic.”

“You’ve been telling people around you that I’m a threat?!”

“There’s no other way to explain it.”

With a pitiful sigh, the girl hung her head and dropped her shoulders.

This adorable girl had been continuously shattering His Highness’s Evil-Banishing protection. Tim involuntarily swallowed hard.

His Highness, who was looking down at her with a mischievous smile while crossing his arms, seemed strangely amused at her dejected state. 

(Your Highness! If you tease her too much, she’ll hate you!)

From Tim’s perspective, it was clear that His Highness was smitten with her. But this was something only Tim, a seasoned veteran who knew His Highness since childhood, could understand. Rather than finding it amusing, Tim watched with a sense of unease.

(. . .However, I see. . . Your Highness. . .)

Tim was a third-generation maker of Evil-Banishing protections. Although Tim himself had no magical powers and had never attended the Magic Academy, he understood the mission of the accessories he created. He prided himself on having a deeper understanding of magic, such as curses and charm, than any court magician.

The power of charm magic increases with the strength of the caster’s magical power, but it is also greatly influenced by individual emotions. The more favorable the caster is towards the target, the easier it is for the charm magic to take effect. Therefore, powerful casters of charm magic are often beautiful men and women.

(If she can naturally handle charm magic, perhaps there was someone in her ancestry who used charm magic)

Looking at Claudia’s eye-catching cuteness, Tim speculated this. Surely her parents must also be good-looking.

And then, the fact that the prodigy Albert, said to be the best in the royal family’s history, was shattering an extraordinary number of Evil-Banishing protections against her. The sweet atmosphere that hung between the two.

(. . .Your Highness is head over heels in love!!!)

The Prince had never neglected his magical training since he was a child. While wearing Evil-Banishing protections, he had also been constantly training to increase his own magical resistance. Until he entered the Magic Academy, The Prince’s Evil-Banishing protections rarely broke.

The fact that they started to shatter easily and in large numbers as soon as he entered the Magic Academy a year ago, could only be explained by The Prince having strong feelings for this girl.

Tim couldn’t help but recall the time when The Prince first shattered an Evil-Banishing protection, and when he started to break many of them. His Highness’s cough brought Tim back to reality. 

“. . .So, I want to increase the strength of the Evil-Banishing protections. Would you be willing to help?”

“Ah, yes. That’s right. . .”

“Currently, we’re somehow managing, but it’s just a stopgap measure.”

Tim nodded. Considering the consumption of the Evil-Banishing protections, it was indeed just a stopgap measure.

(It’s technically possible. However, it would reduce the ability to mass-produce. . . It’s meaningless unless we can achieve a strength that can completely suppress Miss Claudia’s charm magic, which is a formidable power for His Highness)

In that case, the current policy of countering with sheer numbers might be better.

“Um, then, Miss. Excuse me.”

“What is this?”

“It’s a kind of magic detection device. . . Yes, charm magic is not activated right now.”

He held up one of the devices specialized in detecting charm magic, which he had prepared in his workshop, in front of Claudia. The needle seated in the center of the brass disc did not move.

“Before, it was like a constant leak, but now you’ve basically learned to control it.”

“I see. . . However,”

(When the atmosphere becomes good and they start to flirt. . . it comes out. . .?!)

Tim, who is well-versed in charm magic, realized this. The power of charm magic is not only influenced by the goodwill of the recipient. The strength of the goodwill directed by the caster also greatly affects it.

𝑃𝑒𝑟ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑐 𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠. Tim thought about the anti-evil protections that he made and were immediately destroyed in large quantities.

“. . .Your Highness. I will leave this with you. Can you please check the number indicated by the needle when Miss Claudia’s charm magic is activated?”

“. . .Understood.”

Probably, it won’t be as effective as the number suggests. Their mutual goodwill should be multiplying to create a much more powerful charm magic.

The Prince received it with a slight frown, but Tim, who had known him for a long time, guessed that it was due to the embarrassment of sensing the implication of “please check it when you’re flirting.”

They had gone out of their way to visit together. It would be settled on the spot if they showed it in front of him, but Tim was not so tactless as to say so.

“That’s right. . . Also, should we measure the amount of magic power itself?”

“Ah, I, when I tried to measure my magic power at the academy before, I broke the machine.”

“What?”

“――Assume that she has a disaster-class. . . ancient dragon-class magic power.”

“Ancient dragon?! Are you serious, Your Highness?!”

Claudia looked up at His Highness with a face that couldn’t believe it, but Tim nodded deeply. Considering the synergistic effect of their mutual goodwill, it should be assumed that charm magic is being deployed on that scale.

The charm magic that can now be controlled and only accidentally comes out against The Prince, Claudia was deploying charm magic against all humans in the academy, regardless of age, gender, students, faculty, staff, and dorm mothers, when she first entered the academy, His Highness continued to explain.

(Was it really a disaster-class ancient dragon?)

Tim heightened his tension again for what he was about to do.

“. . .”

“Is it tough, Workshop Master?”

“No, that’s right. . . This old bone has the greatest challenge.”

“Don’t push yourself.”

His Highness spoke to Tim, who had a stern face. When Tim responded with a strong raise of his eyebrows, His Highness smiled gently.

“I will continue to encourage Claudia to improve her control techniques. . . Of course, I intend to increase my own magic resistance. Workshop Master, It’s going to be tough but. . . Let’s work together.”

“Yes, of course, Your Highness!”

“I, I’ll do my best! Thank you!”

――𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠’𝑠 𝑏𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑒.

The Workshop Master, Tim, and the loyal craftsmen were greatly excited. 

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟒: 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬

After that, the development of the Evil-Banishing Item was extremely difficult.

We made prototypes only to have them destroyed, over and over again. But the hearts of the workshop staff, who truly loved His Highness, never broke. . . It was my charm magic that was causing the destruction.

(I have to work harder, since everyone else is working so hard!)

I put my all into improving my magic control techniques, but I didn’t see much progress.

His Highness said he would go on a training journey for a while. He went to a sacred mountain at the northernmost part of the country, where it snows even in summer, for waterfall training. But he couldn’t completely deflect the charm magic that leaked out from me.

“Using an Evil-Banishing Item is not the best solution, of course. . .”

I nodded at His Highness’s words. Our ultimate goal is for the two of us to master control on our own.

It’s difficult because our feelings are intertwined. 

“But if we can create an Evil-Banishing Item that won’t break even when faced with your charm magic, it will reduce the burden on the workshop in the future. It’s not something that should be mass-produced like it is now.”

“That’s true. And if we can develop such a powerful Evil-Banishing Item, it will reduce the threat to the royal family in the future!”

When I said that, His Highness smiled confidently. Everything we’re doing, and everything the workshop staff are working so hard on, will not be in vain.

◆

At that time, we received a report from the workshop.

They said they had finally completed something they were confident in.

“. . .”

“. . .”

What greeted us as we headed to the workshop with high spirits. It was.

A very large black sphere.

It was placed with a thud in the garden of the workshop.

His Highness is tall, but it’s about the size of his waist.

――It’s huge. It’s incredibly huge.

“. . .What is this?”

“I’m sorry! Yes, it’s gigantic.”

According to Tim-san, the workshop master, this is the new Evil-Banishing Item.

It’s a circle. A huge circle, no matter how you look at it.

His Highness, who is always confident, showed a rare sign of confusion. All the prototypes so far had not changed much from the shape of the traditional Evil-Banishing Item, but this one was completely different.

“In order to contain enough magic power to counter Miss Claudia’s magic power, it’s difficult to make it any smaller.”

“. . . I see.”

“It’s currently in its simplest form as a sphere, but if this test is successful, we’ll modify it to a more natural shape like a sword or shield that can be carried around. . .”

His Highness looked a bit complicated. It’s too big to hide under his cloak. His Highness is known for the jingling sound from his cloak. It would be a bit lonely without it. I wonder if a sword would make a clanging sound.

“Then, Your Highness. Please put your magic power here.”

“. . . Understood.”

His Highness touched the huge sphere and closed his eyes.

The Evil-Banishing Item is said to be completed by infusing the magic power of the person to be protected.

After a while, His Highness, who had been pouring magic power into the sphere, staggered as soon as he took his hand off the sphere.

“Your Highness!”

“. . . It takes an incredible amount of power.”

I rushed to His Highness’s side as he staggered, and saw that his normally confident and healthy face was slightly pale. I shuddered. What a terrifying sphere.

“It requires so much magic power that it exhausts Your Highness. . . !”

“You’re the one causing it, you.”

“Is it. . . a disaster-level threat?!”

His Highness and the workshop director nodded as if to say, “That’s what I’ve been saying.”

“Well, the thing is, the rest is up to you two.”

The workshop master pointed his thumb at me, who was standing next to His Highness, and quickly retreated into the workshop.

His Highness and I were left alone in the garden with the sphere. 

“Create a good atmosphere here, that’s the idea.”

“. . . I see.”

Last time, I felt like I was being considerate, but this time, it’s probably because of this huge sphere that it’s like, “Let’s get moody here!”

It’s a high hurdle to be told to take this home and get cozy in the appropriate place.

“Ah, haha, it’s kind of, nerve-wracking.”

“Speaking of which, you’ve unsealed the charm magic and learned how to handle it, haven’t you? Can’t you activate it consciously now?”

“Ah.”

“. . . You didn’t think of it.”

“But, but, but, Your Highness! Even though you didn’t think of it last time!”

With a snort, His Highness turns away.

There’s no way I can get cozy like this! If that’s the case, I’ll do it, I thought, and I psyched myself up.

“Um, concentrate the magic circuit. . . around my chest. . .”

“You’re hesitant.”

“I, I’m concentrating right now.”

Speaking of which, I was close to His Highness because I was supporting him when he was dizzy. It’s embarrassing to be spoken to close to my face, and I’m like, “Hyaa!” The magic circuit I was constructing seems to be dissipating, but, no, with this embarrassment as a push, I can do it!

I was confident and activated the charm magic towards His Highness at close range.

“. . .”

“. . . Did you do it now?”

“I, I did it.”

The result. Nothing happened. The huge sphere of the new Evil-Banishing Item is also unaffected, and His Highness is calm. He’s looking at me with doubtful eyes as if he’s not sure if I really activated the charm magic.

“It’s really big after all!”

“. . . Well, that’s true, but it’s too hard to carry. He said he would improve the shape. . .”

His Highness looked at the sphere with a worried look.

If it’s shaped like a sword, it’s going to be a pretty big sword. His Highness is a smart guy, so a slender sword would suit him better, but His Highness with a great sword would surely be cool in its own way. A sword is cooler and better than a shield. 

“Let’s go report to the workshop master for now.”

“That’s right. . . Ah.”

The moment His Highness stepped away from me, his body swayed again and he lost his balance. I try to support him in a hurry, but I can’t support His Highness’s body, which is much larger than mine, and we both fall down.

“. . . Hey.”

“I, I’m sorry.”

I thought I was helping, but instead, I was the one being helped by His Highness. My back, which I thought was going to be slammed to the ground, was firmly held by His Highness’s arm and escaped the danger of falling.

“. . . Don’t worry. It’s my lack of training. I’m sorry.”

His Highness sighed deeply. He must be ashamed that he has become dizzy as a result of having most of his magic power taken away by the black sphere of the Evil-Banishing Item.

“That’s not true. The amount of magic power is something you’re born with. . .”

“. . . It’s annoying when the owner of a disaster-level magic power says that.”

“Eh.”

I hurriedly closed my mouth, which was about to say that it’s not His Highness’s lack of effort or anything like that! His Highness sighed again. 

“Well, it’s fine. For now, if you’re okay, try standing up on your own.”

“Eh? Ah――.”

I finally realized what His Highness was saying. I was still clinging tightly to His Highness’s body. I can clearly feel the thickness of his body, which is surprisingly solid and has a thickness to it, even though it’s slender and close. Even his face is closer than ever.

“I’m sorry, I’ll let go now–.”

The moment I tried to pull away in a hurry.

His Highness opened his eyes in surprise, and then he held me tightly.

“Eh, yo, yo, yo, Your Highness?!”

“. . .”

In contrast to my flustered state, there was no sign of excitement on His Highness’s face.

What’s going on? In my confusion, a loud explosion sounded from behind His Highness.

With a heavy explosion, dust rose.

The scattered fragments disappeared in the air, sparkling and shining. The design of the Evil-Banishing Item, which had fulfilled its role of banishing evil, was considered for safety after the explosion.

It’s like fireworks, I thought, out of place. 

“. . . Your Highness.”

“. . . Yeah.”

We looked at each other and laughed together.

――It’s a failure. 

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟓: 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐧

“. . .It’s frustrating.”

The workshop master muttered a single sentence, shaking his head slightly.

He furrowed his brows tightly, showing deep regret from the bottom of his heart.

“Master. . .”

“No, I still have a long way to go. I will develop a defense against evil that can compete with Miss Claudia. . . until the light of this old bone’s life goes out. . .!”

“. . .Don’t overwork yourself.”

“What are you talking about, it’s worth doing! Wait for me, Your Highness!”

(. . .Am I really a threat on the level of an ancient dragon disaster. . .)

I can’t help but think that when I see the director’s burning enthusiasm and the nodding prince.

The giant spherical Evil-Banishing item, the result of the master’s repeated prototypes, exploded miserably. The explosion was large due to its size, but thanks to the master’s insistence on safety, there was no damage. It was probably fortunate.

Even so, why did the charm magic I used intending to activate it not have much effect, but the charm magic that leaked out when I was close to His Highness and my heart was pounding, turned out like that?

(. . .I’ve heard that emotions have a strong influence. . .)

I can’t help but think that I can’t see the future. Will the day come when I, when we, can overcome this?

“The current situation is still about managing with numbers. It will continue to be a burden. . .”

“Don’t worry about it! It’s our job! So, please, Your Highness, be with Ojou-sama forever. . .”

The craftsmen who agreed with the master’s words raised their voices and cheered us on, saying “That’s right, that’s right.”

(. . .Every time the Evil-Banishing Item breaks in large quantities, they think, “Ah, they’re in a good mood.” . . .)

Thinking that naturally tightens my feelings. . . Let’s do our best, let’s do our best. . .!!!

・・・

『”𝔸𝕨𝕖𝕓𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤.𝕔𝕠𝕞” – 𝔻𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕒 𝕔𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕠𝕗 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖, 𝕡𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕒𝕕𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖, 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕝𝕘𝕖 i𝕟 𝕒 𝕔𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝𝕤 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 “𝕕𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕪 𝕦𝕡𝕕𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕤” 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕖𝕩𝕔𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕒𝕔𝕔𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕥𝕠 “𝕒𝕕𝕧𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖𝕕 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤”.』

・・・

“. . .In the end, it didn’t work out.”

On the way back to the dormitory from the workshop, I muttered to myself while being shaken in the carriage.

The setting sun was shining in through the small window, and when I squinted at the brightness, the prince lowered the attached curtain for me.

“It can’t be helped. Everyone did their best. . . Even if this prototype had worked, we would still aim to solve it ourselves.”

“Yes! Tim-san also. . . seemed to be in the mood to do it!”

Ah, His Highness’s eyes, which responded, were filled with trust in the master.

But after a while, His Highness sighed and looked gloomy. The long eyelashes of his downcast eyes made my heart skip a beat.

“. . .But, it can’t be helped. Introducing you as my fiancée to my father and mother will have to wait.”

“Huh?”

“What do you mean”huh”?”

The prince made a puzzled sound at my wide-eyed expression.

“Eh, no, because you suddenly said it!”

“It’s hard to say that I want a woman who might make my partner a victim of charm magic to be the queen of the country.”

“. . .As you say. . .”

I swear in my heart that I have no intention of manipulating His Highness to do anything wrong, but I have no way to prove it.

(So, Your Highness, you were thinking about me like that. . .?)

He confessed, at least. We’ve communicated our feelings. His Highness said to me, “The only one fit to be my queen is you.” I recognized our current relationship as [lovers], and I thought we would eventually get married. 

I was casually thinking that we would probably get an official engagement when either His Highness or I graduated from the academy.

“Your Highness, by any chance, was that your goal from the beginning. . .?”

“That’s right. You started saying all sorts of things when I was thinking about it. It was just right.”

“. . .So it wasn’t just because you wanted to flirt!”

Actually, when I calmed down a bit, I thought, “Huh? This is the same as saying, ‘We want to flirt, so please make the Evil-Banishing Item more powerful.’” and I felt embarrassed by myself.

“Of course. At least, if the Evil-Banishing Item could block a little more, it would have been easier to introduce you. . .”

“I’m, I’m sorry.”

“It can’t be helped. . . It’s not your fault.”

“But. . .”

Even though it’s because I can use such a troublesome thing as charm magic.

“. . .If anything, it’s my fault as the receiver.”

His Highness sighed again. He sighs a lot today.

“Your Highness.”

His thick eyelashes cast a deep shadow. In the dimly lit carriage with the windows closed, His Highness’s handsome features stood out more than usual.

“. . .To be honest, there’s a part of me that’s secretly pleased when you can’t control your charm magic.”

“Eh?”

“Your magic control skills are already above those of a national-level magician. Yet, when you’re in front of me, you suddenly lose control. . . At least, I end up thinking that you feel that way about me.”

“. . .”

What should I do, I’m too embarrassed to speak.

His blue eyes, which are less bright than usual due to the darkness in the carriage, look somewhat melancholic and even sexy.

“That’s why I’m no good. . . If I had a little more self-control, the Evil-Banishing Item wouldn’t be so broken.”

“Is, is that so. . .”

His Highness laughs with a hint of self-mockery.

Today’s His Highness. . . Is it because his magic power is depleted? Overall, he seems weaker than usual, a different atmosphere from the imposing His Highness. He’s not the type to laugh like this. 

I’m taken aback by his unfamiliar expression and his candid words, and I can’t help but dart my eyes around suspiciously.

However, when I raise my face and meet His Highness’s eyes, he tilts his head slightly, raises his eyebrows, and declares boldly.

“But, I have absolutely no intention of changing the fact that I like you.”

“. . .Your. . .High. . .”

I was knocked out by His Highness, who suddenly smiled smugly with a triumphant expression.

――Specifically, the Evil-Banishing Item under his cloak exploded with a bang.

Yes, this lively explosion sound is good. The one the workshop master made for me was too grand.

“I. . .I’ll do my best. . .”

“That’s right. . . Let’s do our best.”

All I could do was nod slightly in response to His Highness’s smile.

I’m sure my face was red the whole time until we arrived at the dormitory, but fortunately, His Highness’s Evil-Banishing Item didn’t explode any further. 

―𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕰𝖓𝖉―

𝐀𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟔: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧

The academic year at the Magic Academy begins in the cold, cold winter.

The new students, full of freshness, were all bundled up in cold-weather gear, their puffed-up figures looking like baby birds.

I was watching this scene from a window in the corridor on the third floor as they passed through the school gate.

(This year, the children of the Astral family are enrolling. The daughter of the Gardiral family, a key figure in the frontier, is also coming.)

As I imagine the prestigious magical families one after another, I take in each new student.

Last year, I couldn’t be sure that any of the people were suitable to be a queen. I have two more years of school life. During that time, I might have new insights if I deepen my friendships. . .

The other party doesn’t have to be a classmate. I wonder if there’s a chance that I could have a good encounter with someone who enrolled today. 

Family background isn’t very important. What’s important is the potential to be a queen――and more than that, whether I find them desirable as a person. And the minimum requirement is to be blessed with magical power. That was the condition imposed by the royal family. Marry a person who has the magical power suitable to support this country and can use that power correctly. That was the duty I had to fulfill during these three years of school life as the crown prince.

About two months after the new students enrolled, when the buds of the cherry trees, a gift from an eastern country to the Magic Academy as a sign of friendship, began to sprout, something unusual happened.

(I haven’t been followed around much lately.)

I was less surrounded by young ladies who were eyeing the future queen title. Even though it was so annoying last year.

For a while after the number of ladies around me started to decrease, I thought it was better to have this much calm so I could slowly search for a bride, but as more time passed, it seemed that the ladies were losing interest in me. 

No, if I call out to them for some reason, they might still be interested, as they blush and squeal. To be precise, I should assume that they have found a subject of interest that is even bigger than me.

The change wasn’t just with the young ladies. A smart friend I know well has been spacing out more lately. The male students were noticeably spacing out. All the students attending the Magic Academy were supposed to be diligent.

The change started to be noticeable after this year’s new students enrolled.

When I carefully observed the entire school, I noticed that the first-year boys were the most spaced out. It’s not just because they’re new students.

(. . .There might be a user of charm magic among the new students.)

That’s what I speculated. If so, it makes sense that the first-year students, who would have the most interaction, are the most spaced out.

Charm magic is a forbidden magic that is sealed in the State Temple. It is strictly managed, and people should not be able to learn the technique. 

However, there are people in the world who can use certain magic for some reason from birth. There are families among the nobility who can handle special magic inherited through bloodlines, which might be similar. There are confirmed cases where descendants who can use magic that their ancestors used to be able to use are born.

Charm magic is supposed to be a magic that allows the user to control people at will, but as far as I can see from the students’ behavior, they are not being controlled to do anything.

(If so, the user is likely using the power unconsciously.)

Just scattering charm magic around, making the targets’ consciousness scattered. That’s all for now. It’s a big nuisance that it’s making the promising young people spaced out, but there’s no actual harm. The fact that even the same sex is affected by the charm magic suggests that the user is quite powerful.

I still don’t know who the user is. While keeping an eye on my surroundings, I decided to watch the situation a little longer. 

The practitioner of the charm magic was quickly found. After all, she was noticeable because she was always causing some kind of trouble in the academy, surrounded by victims of her charm magic.

A girl with light peach-colored hair, looking around nervously for an escape route. I leaned out from the shadows and began to observe.

. . .I see, so it’s her.

I narrowed my eyes. If asked what I meant by “I see,” it would be her appearance.

Charm magic is easily influenced by the charm of the user. The strength of the magic power itself certainly affects the strength of the magic, but even if the magic power is weak, the charm magic is more likely to take effect if the person has positive feelings towards the practitioner.

Her long, soft-looking, light peach-colored hair, large round violet eyes, long eyelashes, small lips, and white cheeks were slightly flushed.

To put it simply, she was a cute girl. Even I thought “she’s cute” at first glance. 

With this appearance, I could understand why she was spreading charm magic all over the academy. Even if she was of the same sex, they would think “she’s cute.” If they were made to think “she’s cute” even a little, they would become victims of the threat of charm magic. Even jealousy like “What, just because she’s a little cute!” is out the moment “cute” flashes in your mind.

(. . .That’s right, she is. . . the only daughter of one of the leading trading companies in the country, the Flawless Trading Company)

Her name is Claudia. I heard that her father, who adores his daughter, bought the title of Baron with money to enroll her in this academy as a noble’s daughter. The Flawless Trading Company is a trading company that made a name for itself in one generation under her father.

He was a man who was said to be a mediocre merchant until then, but apparently, after his daughter was born, big deals started to come together one after another, and he rose to the top.

(No way, could it be)

The daughter, in other words, this girl with light peach-colored hair, Claudia. There is a possibility that he was gaining customers through her charm magic.

Neither the merchant father nor the daughter Claudia would be aware of this. 

Charm magic itself is considered a taboo magic. However, even so, this father-daughter case cannot be held accountable for a crime. There is no evidence, and even if they were blessed with the opportunity to gain customers thanks to the daughter’s charm magic, the skill to not let those customers escape and develop a small trading company into one of the leading large-scale trading companies should be seen as something the father originally had.

I decided to observe this freshman, Claudia, for a while.

It was a daily occurrence for Claudia to be swept up in her charm magic and get involved in trouble. She was called out to a deserted place and approached, then a man’s fiancé appeared and for some reason, the fiancés fought over Claudia, or she was suddenly confessed to in the hallway and surrounded by a crowd saying “me too, me too.”

I felt so sorry for her that I couldn’t help but lend a hand.

Claudia, who had lost her escape route by pushing people into the hallway. While hiding in the shadows using the magic of “Invisibility,” I used wind magic to suddenly create a strong wind in the hallway, creating a gap. The wind blew away the wall of people surrounding Claudia, creating a single escape route. 

Claudia’s reaction was quick. As soon as she sensed that the attention was off her, she kicked the floor and ran. As I watched with interest to see how she would escape, Claudia jumped out of the hallway window.

She landed lightly on the ground from the second floor, her long, light peach-colored hair and the skirt of her uniform fluttering. She must have used body strengthening magic. As soon as she landed casually, she disappeared somewhere. Judging from her quick decision and lack of hesitation, she must be used to running away like this.

(. . .Impressive!)

I held back a laugh and sent praise in my heart. The brilliance of her actions was somehow exhilarating. The victims of the charm magic who lost sight of Claudia in an instant were looking around in confusion, calling her name. With the caster gone from the scene, the influence of the charm magic faded and they all returned to their daily school life, tilting their heads in confusion.

I didn’t expect her to jump out of the window and run away. I thought she would somehow escape through the gap I made in the wall of people in the hallway, but she managed to escape much more brilliantly than I imagined. 

(She must have just enrolled in the academy. Being a commoner, she would have had almost no opportunity to learn magic until now. It’s only been a few months since she enrolled. Yet, she can enhance her own body to the point where she can land safely from that height, which shows a good sense of skill.)

Perhaps it’s a skill she acquired from being chased around every day. I wonder when she came up with the idea of jumping out of the window.

The sight of her light peach-colored hair falling with the early-blooming cherry blossom petals was strangely burned into my eyes.

It was a moment when I suddenly became interested in her, more than just as a practitioner of charm magic.

・・・

『”𝘈𝘸𝘦𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.𝘤𝘰𝘮” – 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 “𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴” 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 “𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴”.』

・・・

“――Iris! I’m breaking off our engagement! And. . . I hereby declare that I will form a new engagement with this Baron’s daughter, Claudia!”

At the regular school assembly, Gordon, the student council president and the eldest son of the Duke family, declared loudly using a magic microphone.

(What a foolish thing to do.)

Gordon Timis. . . The marriage between the Duke Timis family and Iris Naviria was heavily politically motivated. The Marquis Naviria has a traditional family lineage, but they have been struggling with water shortages for many years. On the other hand, the Duke Timis family has a rich water source and has been providing water to the Marquis Naviria’s territory for a long time.

Although they have maintained friendly relations in recent years, these two territories have a history of bloody conflicts over water. Among the elderly people living in the Duke Timis territory, who are deeply knowledgeable about past history, there was strong opposition to giving our precious water to the Naviria.

That’s why a marriage proposal was arranged between the Duke Timis family and the Marquis Naviria family. The Marquis Naviria’s territory does not have the blessing of water, but they own a large mine and promised to transfer some of the ownership to the Duke Timis family when they get married. 

It was a marriage with many advantages for the Duke Timis territory. Fortunately, these two had a good compatibility and had built a good relationship since they were young. That’s why the marriage proposal was arranged. They were supposed to be the strong bond that would unite the two territories.

I can’t just let this go. I need to follow up. I need to think about how to act from now on.

Iris, who was told by Gordon that their engagement was broken off, was arguing with him in a clear and resonant voice.

“You, what are you saying. . . I, this, would never harass the most adorable Miss Claudia in the whole world! There’s no way I would!!!”

. . .Iris was also broken.

(Even if I try to mediate between these two, first of all, I have to do something about that charm magic girl.)

I picture the pink-haired girl who had disappeared from the chaotic auditorium at some point.

One semester, and after a short spring break, one month. Now the season was about to turn to early summer.

・・・

『”𝙰𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜.𝚌𝚘𝚖” – 𝙳𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚊 𝚌𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎, 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚍𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎, 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚞𝚕𝚐𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 “𝚍𝚊𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝚞𝚙𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜” 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚎𝚡𝚌𝚕𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚝𝚘 “𝚊𝚍𝚟𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜”.』

・・・

A few days later, I continued to watch the situation. 

It’s certain that she’s a threat. But how should I attack? If by any chance her charm magic is powerful, I need to think about how to attack.

Normally, if you’re chased around that much, you’d be in trouble. Despite that, Claudia seemed carefree. She’s being pursued and running away, so she should be in trouble――but she seemed strangely unaware of her own charm magic.

Despite enchanting the entire school and being loved by everyone, ironically, it seemed that no one in the school knew much about Claudia. What kind of person is Claudia? I thought I would take appropriate action if I knew more about her.

Day after day, Claudia was being pursued, caught up in battles, and surrounded in the same way. The place she usually ran to was the bushes in the courtyard set up between the school buildings. She would hide in the bushes, and when she saw that the crisis had passed, she would start moving to her destination quietly. It was a very brave sight. 

(But why doesn’t this girl question her own situation? Why doesn’t she take action to change her circumstances?)

I couldn’t help but wonder. Was she really just carefree, or did she enjoy being fawned over by those around him?

That being said, I was only observing her casually for a few days. It was a few days after the grand declaration of engagement annulment at the school assembly. That day, I was also hiding in the shadows, watching Claudia.

And then, while hiding in the bushes, I saw Claudia’s profile as she sadly watched the female students in the gazebo.

I was taken aback by her expression.

(Because of this girl, I can’t find a bride, the political marriages of the domestic nobility are in chaos, and. . .)

Claudia, she herself is in trouble.

Then, there’s no reason why I shouldn’t help. If I can somehow deal with her charm magic, it would be like killing three birds with one stone. 

What was I thinking, leisurely observing the situation? I should have reached out to her right away.

Claudia was a lonely girl, being tossed around by her charm magic that she was not aware of.

(――This girl! She’s a carefree person to the core! No, in other words, he’s easy-going! That’s it, isn’t it?!)

And then, despite my determination, Claudia never responded to my letters, and I ended up wasting days, which frustrated me. At that time, I didn’t know that I would be taken aback by Claudia’s generosity, which I would come to know closely later on. 

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟕: 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 (𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫)

――Valentine.

The Magic Academy is coeducational.

There was a senior from some time ago, Valentine Nova. He was a stunningly handsome man who seemed to have been aggressively pursued by students throughout the school.

One day, Valentine said,

“I will not accept gifts except on the fourteenth of February.”

Perhaps, Valentine was tired of being courted and given gifts by all sorts of people every single day. I can understand because I have a bit of a similar experience.

The gift-giving on the fourteenth of February that started because of Valentine. However, even after graduating from the Magic Academy, this custom continued, and it eventually became a major movement involving the general public. It seems that after graduating from the Magic Academy, Valentine became even more popular as a super handsome and excellent magician.

. . .Valentine Nova, could he have been able to use charm magic?

. . .Since he’s said to be super excellent, it’s different from me (who can’t control it and keeps going berserk). . .

After Valentine got involved with a certain woman, the gifts that lost their destination started to be given to the people close to the sender.

From there, it turned into. . . the fourteenth of February. This day became “the day to give gifts to the person you like,” and it has become established in the present world.

Valentine’s Day is such a day.

・・・

『”𝐀𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬.𝐜𝐨𝐦” – 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐝u𝐥𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 “𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬” 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 “𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬”.』

・・・

“. . .So, Your Highness! I made some chocolate too! Please accept it!!”

“What do you mean by ‘so’?”

“Ah, I was thinking about Valentine’s Day.”

His Highness, who was sitting on a nice stump behind the school building, raised his eyebrows at my mysterious enthusiasm.

Oh no, oh no. I was so empathetic to Valentine Nova that I flew into the sea of thought for a while.

Regaining my composure, I looked at His Highness’s face and offered him the small box in my hand again.

“. . .Um, I made it thinking about you, Your Highness. If you’d like, please eat it. . .”

“. . .I see. Thank you.”

His Highness’s large palm accepts the small box wrapped in wrapping paper. I look down, my heart pounding at the size of His Highness’s hand that accepted it.

“May I open it?”

“Y, Yes.”

The wrapping was done well, but I wonder if the contents are okay.

I think it turned out delicious. . . The friends from the cooking club who helped me make it also gave it their seal of approval. . .

His Highness unties the ribbon, carefully removes the wrapping paper, and finally opens the box.

“This is. . .”

His Highness gasps.

It’s nothing special, just a bite-sized rectangular shaped chocolate.

It’s also popular to make it in the shape of a heart mark, but that’s too embarrassing, and I thought a simple shape would suit His Highness, so I chose the safest shape.

Even though I chose such a safe shape, I feel embarrassed when I’m stared at closely, so what would happen to me if I gave a heart-shaped chocolate♡? I might die of embarrassment.

His Highness stared at the chocolate I made for a while, and finally hovered his hand over the chocolates in the box.

And then――

“. . .I can’t eat it!!”

“Eh, whaaat?!”

His Highness shouted with his eyebrows raised. I also shout in surprise.

“Wh, why?!”

When I questioned His Highness with tears in my eyes, he sighed and brushed back his soft golden hair.

“You see. . . it’s in there, charm magic.”

“Eh.”

――Charm magic.

“I just tried casting appraisal magic. There’s an incredibly high concentration of charm magic mixed in. . . The Evil-Banishing items repel threats from outside the body. If attacked from within. . . I might not be able to resist.”

“Whaaat?!”

Is that. . . possible?!

His Highness was looking at the chocolate I gave him with a solemn face.

“So, I can’t eat this. . . Sorry.”

I was stunned.

(At this point! Are you causing trouble?! My charm magic!)

I, who started dating His Highness just before advancing to the second year.

The reason I got involved with His Highness. . . was because of my charm magic.

If I keep losing control of my charm magic, His Highness’s search for a bride won’t progress! So, under His Highness’s guidance, I started special training to control my magic.

Well, various things happened, and as I spent time with His Highness and he helped me, we were drawn to each other. . .

――Bang!

“. . .Hey.”

“I-I’m sorry. I was lost in thought. . .”

I was reminiscing about how I fell in love with His Highness and my charm magic accidentally went off. THis Highness looked at me with half-closed eyes, holding down his slightly fluttering cloak as the Evil-Banishing Item exploded.

I put my hand on my slightly hot cheek and made a guilty face.

. . .Yes, when I think about the prince, my charm magic just leaks out.

(Because I made it while thinking about His Highness. . .! It got mixed in! Charm magic!)

A magician can make dishes with various effects by infusing their magic into the cooking. Like health enhancement, metabolism promotion. 

Therefore, [Charm Magic] can also. . . be infused, that’s the idea.

I cried out “waah!” in my heart.

How sad, what have I made, I thought.

“Ugh. . . It can’t be helped. . . I’m sorry.”

“What are you apologizing for?”

His Highness tilted his head at my nasal voice, which was pathetic.

“But, I, I worked hard to make it for His Highness to eat. To think I would mix in charm magic. . .”

His Highness laughed coolly, as if to blow away my worries.

“That just means you couldn’t suppress your feelings for me, right? Charm magic is troublesome. . . but that in itself isn’t bad.”

“Y, Your Highness.”

At the prince’s gentle voice and smile, I felt a tingling sensation.

“Come here.”

Prompted by His Highness, I sat on a stump that was growing just right behind the school building. His Highness, who was right next to me, picked up a piece of chocolate from the box as soon as I sat down and held it out in front of me.

“. . .Here.”

“Here. . . huh?”

I stared at it, blinking rapidly. 

When I looked up at the prince’s face, he narrowed his eyes and said.

“I can’t eat it. So, you eat it instead.”

“. . .Eh?”

“You’ve been saying “eh?” since a while ago.”

The prince raised one eyebrow as if he was amazed.

As I bit my lip lightly so as not to let out a “eh,” the prince looked at me with a faint smile.

“You made it while thinking about me, right? Eat it and tell me what it tastes like.”

“Eh, t, that’s. . .”

His Highness had a slightly teasing look on his face. Since we started dating, His Highness often teased me with this kind of face, doing slightly mean things.

“Here, ah.”

His Highness’s long fingers picked up a piece of chocolate and brought it to my mouth.

(T, This is really embarrassing?!)

While concentrating all my nerves to prevent the charm magic from leaking out, I hesitantly opened my mouth as prompted by His Highness.

“. . .It’s, It’s sweet.”

“Is that so. . . Anything else?”

His Highness picked up another piece of chocolate and brought it to my mouth. 

Honestly, I was too overwhelmed by the situation to understand the taste. With my almost blank mind, I was just desperately trying to suppress my charm magic.

“Um, it’s. . .melty.”

“I see, anything else?”

It’s a “semi-raw” type of chocolate that I learned how to make from a member of the cooking club. When you put it in your mouth, it melts with the heat. I’ve tasted it, so I know the taste and texture.

As I hesitated, His Highness nudged my lips with the edge of the chocolate, urging me to open my mouth.

. . .I still feel like this is really embarrassing.

Prompted, I opened my mouth and His Highness’s fingertips pushed the chocolate into my mouth.

“. . .It’s delicious. . .”

“Is that so, it’s good.”

His Highness repeated my clumsy words in a soft voice.

His voice and expression seemed very happy, and I felt increasingly uncomfortable.

“. . .”

“What’s wrong? Sweet, melty, delicious. . . is that all?”

“. . .Ugh.”

His Highness looks really happy. 

Even though he’s such a kind person, why is he a little mean at times like this?

His blue eyes are narrowed, but they sparkle brightly from behind his eyelids. They’re lively.

Because I get nervous when I look into his eyes, I quickly looked away.

“T, That’s enough, I can eat the rest myself.”

“No way. You gave it to me, right? Then let me do as I please.”

“Oh, how rude!”

When I inadvertently turned to look at him because of his arrogant remark, he immediately shoved chocolate towards my lips.

“. . .Come on, open your mouth. Claudia.”

“. . .”

Unable to resist, I obediently opened my mouth and took the chocolate.

The chocolate was, as expected, sweet, melty, and delicious.

That’s all I could understand.

“. . .I added a little salt as a secret ingredient. Just a little.”

“Oh, really?”

“It’s supposed to enhance the sweetness! . . .But.”

“But?”

“. . .I can’t taste the salt. It’s too sweet.”

“What’s that about?”

He gives a small bitter smile.

It’s a way of laughing that he doesn’t usually do. 

“It’s sweet, melty, and delicious, isn’t it?”

“. . .Yes.”

“You made it while thinking about me, and that’s how it turned out. . . I see.”

He murmurs with narrowed eyes.

“W, What a way to say it!”

“I’m not wrong, am I?”

I turned bright red with embarrassment, but he, on the other hand, snorted proudly for some reason.

Why is he looking so pleased?

“Here.”

“. . .”

“Is it good?”

“. . .It’s delicious. . .”

I continued to feed him the unbearably sweet chocolate, even though I couldn’t really taste it.

It seemed like he was watching me the whole time I had the chocolate in my mouth, until it completely melted. His gaze was unbearably embarrassing.

“Here, one more.”

His index finger and thumb picking up the chocolate.

His hands are incredibly large for a man, but they are long and supple, with beautiful fingers. His nails are probably carefully filed, and they are long and beautiful.

Why does he have such beautiful hands, when his face is already so handsome? It’s somehow unfair. 

Once I noticed how long and beautiful his fingers were, I couldn’t help but feel more and more nervous as I watched him pick up the chocolate with his fingertips―――

“. . .I, I can’t take it anymore! I’ve reached my limit!”

As I stood up and started to run, his Evil-Banishing Items burst all at once with a “pop!”

I had been trying hard to suppress the charm magic, but I had really reached my limit.

I had done well to hold out this long.

I had tried so hard that my head was spinning.

“――You idiot! Thank you for the meal!!”

With tears in my eyes, I ran away from the usual spot behind the second school building. As soon as I arrived at my dorm room, I jumped into bed without even taking off my shoes, buried my face in the pillow, and thrashed about while literally wailing.

“I’ll definitely. . . definitely make normal sweets that he can eat next year. . .!”

I swore to myself that I had had enough of this humiliation.

・・・

『”𝘼𝙬𝙚𝙗𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨.𝙘𝙤𝙢” – 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙖 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙜𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 “𝙙𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙪𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨” 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙤 “𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨”.』

・・・

“. . .Next year, make sure you feed me properly, Claudia.”

A low, raspy voice whispered behind the second school building, accompanied by a small smile. 

―𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕰𝖓𝖉―

𝐀𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐇𝐞𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞! 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞!

Translator’s Blog

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