Chapter 9: Trials and Training
Chapter 9: Trials and Training
THE Sea of Wallum was visible from the expansive garden behind Margrave Wallum’s estate. There was a steep cliff on the side nearest to the beach, so, other than the lighthouse, there weren’t any tall buildings in that area. It was a beautifully scenic location. Over the short safety railing, you could look out for miles across the open ocean.
One of the trees there had become Tigger’s favorite spot.
Four people stood in a line, their backs to the glittering ocean—the three students who had gone out on the hunting boat the day before, and a younger girl who was barely tall enough to reach their chests.
The three boys were clearly nervous—only the chubby girl looked happy about the situation.
In front of them stood Sir Dion, the impressive former head magician, with sharp eyes that never seemed to miss a thing and a jet-black robe that seemed out of place beneath the bright blue sky.
Although they were on soft grass, the three boys felt like they could hear the sharp click clack of his footsteps in the lecture hall as he paced, and their backs immediately snapped into better posture.
“I will be using this today,” Sir Dion told Tigger, who was sitting in the tree, as he approached it. Tigger wasn’t disturbing Amy’s class; he just wanted to be by her side.
Sir Dion plucked off four leaves from the branch where Tigger’s tail was swishing and gave one to each student. The unblemished bright green leaves were so light they felt almost weightless.
“Keep your leaf at eye level without touching it with your hands.”
Once he ordered them to begin, the four leaves started to float in front of their faces.
Despite its outwardly simple appearance, this special exercise was incredibly challenging.
Keeping the featherlight leaf suspended in the air amid the constant sea breeze, which was at times interfused with blasts of wind from different directions, required a precise degree of magical control.
Nicholas was good at magic, and this was reflected in his calm expression. But Gilbert had always been bad at it, and with his forehead wrinkled, he was managing to keep it afloat—but just barely.
Amy thought it was curious that the identical twins, who usually responded to everything in the same way, would have such different facial expressions during the challenge.
Amy’s older brother Harold excelled at aerial combat with his dual blades, and while he was talented at outputting large amounts of magical power, he was not great at fine magical control. He was frantically adjusting his magical power back and forth, first sending the leaf flying too far above his head and then quickly making it plummet.
They carried on like that for ten minutes, then for fifteen… Sir Dion, however, was showing no indication that he was about to tell them to stop.
The continuous output of magical power for so long, while additionally needing to exert delicate magical control, put a great strain on their stamina. Their foreheads glistened with sweat—the color drained from their faces—but still, nobody dropped out.
Sir Dion sat on a chair of smoke he had conjured magically, one leg elegantly crossed over the other, and the look in his ice-blue eyes made it clear that giving up was not an option for the boys. This was only natural, as the girl beside them was six years younger and casually excelling at the same task.
With both hands held gently in front of her, and her leaf floating perfectly still, Amy was in such a good mood, she looked on the verge of humming to herself.
“You don’t look bothered,” Harold whispered to Amy under his breath.
“Hm? Well… I’m always taught alone back home, so it’s really fun being able to practice with you and your friends.”
Amy was still too young to debut in society, her father was typically not at home because of work, and Harold lived full-time at the school dormitories. On top of that, because Amy was naturally shy, her mother didn’t force her to tag along to social events, so Amy usually spent her time by herself.
In other words, Amy didn’t have any friends to study or hang out with.
Part of the reason why it was difficult for Amy to make friends was because she had a tendency to harden her expression when she became nervous, and her beautiful facial features made her appear a little standoffish.
But the impression Amy made on others softened ever since the extra weight rounded out her face. Moreover, she had been smiling markedly more frequently since Tigger’s arrival. Her genuine, guileless smile may have appeared to some a bit unsophisticated, but many wanted to protect that innocence as well.
As she turned this smile to the boys and bashfully expressed her appreciation for joining her for the lesson today, their feeble complaints died in their throats.
After all, this type of exercise was often included in their school’s basic training sessions. It was usually done for only a few minutes as a warm-up, but slightly extending the duration of such a simple exercise shouldn’t have been a problem for the experienced students.
It certainly wasn’t easy for the boys—having their magical power chipped away slowly but steadily was like receiving a series of sharp body blows without any respite—but, being Amy’s elders, they wanted to show off a little bit.
“Nice work!” cried Nick. “You can’t ease up now, Gil!”
“But Amy’s so good at this!” Gil replied. “Do you do this exercise a lot?”
Amy briefly looked away from the leaf levitating in front of her to smile at the twins.
“Yeah! I do it around thirty minutes a day for regular practice.”
“Th-Thirty minutes?!”
“Well, sometimes I change the height or use three leaves,” she admitted, brows knitting together as she spoke. “But it’s a little hard with the professor conjuring wind from different directions… I just can’t keep it totally still.”
The three boys were stunned. Amy was doing training exercises only a few students in the advanced magic classes at school would be able to do.
“Changing the height…? Levitating multiple…? Just how advanced are you?!” they sputtered.
From the way Sir Dion acted yesterday, the students had assumed he was fond of Amy. But knowing that he was teaching her much more difficult magic than he taught them, and he wasn’t even going easy on her… Their smiles froze awkwardly in place.
“…If you have the energy to chitchat, perhaps I’m not challenging you enough.”
Harold let out a yelp of surprise at Sir Dion’s voice—none of them had noticed him approach. Sir Dion suddenly conjured four large orbs of water to float above their heads with a blank look on his face.
“The moment one of you lets their leaf fall, all the water orbs will break.”
“Watch it, Gil!” Nicholas shouted. “Yours is dropping!”
“Huh—? Ah!” Gil caught it just in time.
“And we’ll add this as well,” Sir Dion continued. Pointing his staff at them, a wind tunnel shot out, surrounding them.
Even Nicholas’s outlook looked poor with this new addition to the training exercise.
“Wow, it’s so beautiful!”
The wind conjured by Sir Dion contained mica-like glitter specks, which shimmered dazzlingly under the sun.
Sir Dion watched Amy’s golden eyes sparkle as she followed the glitter swirling around her, and his expression softened for a fraction of a second. Then he turned around unsympathetically and headed back to the estate. The screams of the three boys intermingled with Amy’s laughing cheers and rang throughout the garden.
“What the heck?! This is so freakin’ hard!”
“Gil—raise yours more!”
“Nick, why is my water orb steaming?!”
“This is so much fun! It’s like a game!”
In almost no time, a series of noises reverberated throughout that garden overlooking the sea—first a pop, like the sound of a balloon bursting, and then the torrential sounds of a waterfall.
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“THAT certainly looked like fun!” said Isabelle cheerfully, conjuring wind to dry their soaked clothes. “I made some tea, so why don’t you guys take a little break? Sir Dion, I appreciate you coming all the way out here.” Then, addressing the group again, she added, “I’ve set out some cott cake, as well.”
The cott nut, which resembled a walnut, was one of the tree nuts in this world that contained magical power. Eating them would not increase the total amount of magical power a person could store in their body, but it would replenish any magic that had been depleted.
These long-lasting baked goods, usually made with other tree nuts with similar effects, were popular as packaged foods for magicians.
Amy always became hungry after using magic. Her face glowed, and she looked up at Sir Dion.
“I am hungry, Professor.”
“That’s because you are often wasteful when you use magic. You mustn’t forget to cast efficiently.”
“Okay, sir!”
Amy knew she had been so excited to do a magic exercise with her brother and his friends that her focus had been too lax on her casting control. Amy nodded soberly, and Sir Dion patted the top of her head.
Tigger, who had guessed they were taking a break, got down from the tree and trotted over to Amy, tail upright. When he rubbed the sides of his body against her legs and meowed cutely at her, all she could do was smile and pet him.
Amy and the three boys went to sit under the big gazebo in the corner of the garden for teatime. The adults and children naturally forked off and sat some distance apart, and the conversation shifted from the training exercise to the events of the day before.
“That reminds me, I’ve been wanting to tell you…,” Harold said, turning to Amy. “This house has a waterway along the inside of the fence by the main road, right? Make extra sure that Tigger doesn’t fall in it.”
There were several canals connecting her grandfather’s estate to the ocean and were useful for preventing trespassing and for emergency use in case of fires. They were not very wide, but they were deep, so the children had been warned over and over since they were little never to go near them.
Amy tilted her head at the unnecessary warning.
“I know they’re dangerous, but why bring it up now?”
“You remember the deep-sea jellyfish that got caught up in that fishing boat? Apparently, that’s where they set it free.”
“I-I see.”
Deep-sea jellyfish had stingers and turned virtually invisible underwater. As the name implied, they typically lived in the deep sea, but they were so hardy, they had been known to stay alive even in the sand bar.
Her grandfather, it seemed, had boldly suggested that, instead of returning it to the sea, they might as well put it to use preventing crime in the canal.
“But enough of the deep-sea jellyfish, Harold! What about the girl from the boat it got snagged on?” said Nick.
“Oh yeah!” Gil chimed in. “She was really chatting you up at the victory party, wasn’t she?”
There had been a victory party for the successful kraken hunt at the army barracks the previous evening. Of course, with it being so late, the ten-year-old Amy did not attend, but the grandfather and granddaughter from the fishing boat they had saved showed up briefly to personally thank the hunting party members.
Between Gilbert’s and Nicholas’s teasing, Amy gathered that the granddaughter had said something to Harold at the party.
“Yeah, she said I was good with my dual blades,” said Harold. “During the battle, I did think she was looking at me a lot, but that was because my swords stood out.”
Harold’s blades were certainly eye-catching. However, when he barely managed to conceal a smug grin as he spoke, Amy wondered if he was only brushing it under the rug because she was sitting there.
…But she also ruminated over the fact that the hypothetical heroine had chatted with her older brother.
Amy petted Tigger, who was sitting on her lap and purring contentedly, and she became very still.
“But then again, Hal was mostly underwater yesterday…,” mused Nick. “Was he really that active in the battle…?”
“I’m not sure… I was too busy on lookout duty,” replied Gil.
“How heartless!” cried Hal. “Let me bask in the glow of Maria’s compliment for a day at least before you start tearing me down!”
Amy’s head popped up at the girl’s name, and the hand she had been petting Tigger with froze in place. Tigger pressed his paws into her stomach grumpily. She unconsciously hugged him close, grateful for the way his magnificent weight pressed against her, grounding her.
Her name is Maria…? That means…she must really be the heroine…
Amy unconsciously plopped a piece of cake into her mouth and munched loudly on the cott nuts.
“So her name is Maria!” said Nick. “Well…what else did you guys talk about?”
“Well, not much. She is the same age as Amy, though.”
“Ah… She’s that young? Tough break.”
“It wasn’t anything like that!” Harold protested. “She was just…a fan of mine. Or something like that.”
Rolling her eyes at the noisy back-and-forth of the three high-school-aged boys, Amy picked out one of the cott nuts from the cake and gave it to Tigger. Cats loved the crunchy, chewy nut, too.
It didn’t sound like Harold and Maria talked about anything particularly related to the game…
Maybe I’ll stop worrying just a little bit…
As she chuckled at the cat gobbling up the cott fruit from her hand, a black shadow rose behind them.
“It looks like you’ve had enough of a break. Back to work.”
“Sir Dion! A-Already?!” complained Harold.
“If I have to wait for you to get started, the lesson will only get harder from here.”
“We’re on our way!” the boys yelped together.
Thanks to the comforting balm of having Tigger on her lap, along with the rigorous magical training that had followed, by the time Amy returned to her room that night, she couldn’t remember any of the worries she had over the hypothetical heroine.
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AND so that was how the kraken was subdued. I’m really glad no one ended up getting seriously hurt.
I thought it was massive, but I was shocked when someone told me that it was only a medium-sized kraken! I wonder why sea creatures get to be so big… Is it because the sea is so wide? Do you know, Ed?
I was pretty surprised that Sir Dion had gotten on the hunting ship in advance, too. But he’s been able to teach me magic here, so I can get lots of practice in. I know you’re working really hard studying, so I’ll work really hard, too!
Sincerely,
Amy
Looking once more over the letter Roodle had brought him, Edward carefully stored it in a drawer and left his room.
It was still a little while before the agreed-upon meeting time, but Edward had no intention of being late.
Not that royalty was held to the same standards regarding punctuality. Edward could leave however late he wanted, and it would probably be impossible for the other person to refuse his visit. But Edward was not that arrogant, and he really didn’t want to give a bad impression to the person he was about to see.
Edward proceeded down the hallway with his two guards, as he had countless times before, but this time, things felt different.
Am I…nervous? Edward wondered.
Whenever he had interviews with special envoys from foreign kingdoms, went out on royal tours, or took part in ceremonies, Edward would always be calm—his heart would never beat as quickly as it was now.
He was a little amused at himself for feeling this way—he was only going to hear a lecture.
When Edward arrived at the Institute of Magic, he was neither late nor absurdly early. He headed confidently toward the Department of Technology. When he informed the administrative officials that he had arrived, they nearly tripped over themselves to open the door. He reached the director’s office and saw Joshua, the Earl of Northland, standing and waiting for him.
“Welcome to the Institute of Magic, Your Highness,” he said with a bow.
Joshua was not only the clever director of the Department of Technology—he was also Amy’s father.
“Thank you for accepting my request for private lessons, Lord Northland,” said Edward, bowing deeply. Joshua’s eyes widened in surprise and admiration at the prince’s courtesy.
The two sat on the sofa for some time in mutual silence. Joshua was the first one to break the ice.
“I didn’t know you had an interest in magical tools, Your Highness.”
“Does it surprise you?”
“It had been my understanding that the royal family was not all that interested in technological advancements outside of times of war. Incidentally, Your Highness, I hope you don’t feel like you have to be extra polite with me. I am just one of your subjects, after all.”
“But you are not—here, you are my teacher. I’m very grateful you are sparing some of your incredibly valuable time as the director to give me private lessons,” Edward said without a trace of shame.
Joshua once again stared in wonder.
Shortly after the fiancée candidate tea party, the prince had started making overtures about wanting to study magical tools. The start date had been postponed due to schedule conflicts, but in accordance with Edward’s wishes, it had been decided that Joshua would give Edward private lectures two to three times a month.
It would have been very reasonable for Edward to ask Joshua to visit the royal palace for the lectures, but the prince said he would make the trip out here for them.
But Joshua had no objections on that point. Some prototypes were prohibited from being taken out of the Institute of Magic, and some things, like the actual process of manufacturing the tools, needed to be seen in person as they were being explained.
He seems different from the two older princes, thought Joshua.
“But if someone were to hear you—perhaps the prime minister—wouldn’t that raise some eyebrows?”
“He takes notice of me very rarely—if ever. But either way, our conversations are not leaving this room, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Joshua’s own eyebrows lifted imperceptibly. Edward had said that so matter-of-factly, his face unmoved by his words.
Joshua had known that the Third Prince had spent his whole life being pressured to be as unobtrusive as air. But hearing Edward himself describe this reality—enforced even by the prime minister—so emotionlessly, without a hint of solemn resignation or emptiness, brought out an emotion in Joshua that was very difficult to describe.
“…I understand. As you wish, Your Highness. Well, then shall we begin? We’ll start today from the very basics. Because this is the first lecture, we’ll review familiar concepts, and then we’ll start talking about magical tools themselves.”
Joshua took out a thin, round metallic object from his breast pocket.
The cover opened with a click and revealed three clock hands of different colors. It looked like an ordinary pocket watch, but it was slightly different. The hands were all the same length and didn’t seem to be ticking away time.
“That’s the magical tool for communication, right? I’ve seen maids and guards use them before,” Edward said, looking at the knight standing in front of the door. “But the one you’re holding looks a little different from the ones they use.”
Joshua nodded, looking thrilled that he spotted the difference.
“That’s right! The type we supply to the royal palace only has two hands. This version with three is a prototype used for research purposes, so you’ve likely never seen one exactly like it before. Did you know there are notches on the bezel?”
Joshua pointed to the bezel—the exterior frame that circled the outer circumference of the tool’s face. The numbers zero to nine, as well as star, moon, and sun designs, were engraved in fixed intervals around the bezel.
“This tool was designed so that the magic wavelengths coming from the magical stone inside change depending on where the hands are pointed. Therefore, only when the hands of two of these magical tools are aligned to the same number is communication between them possible.”
By changing the combination of the hands, one could finely restrict the range of communication, making it possible for those in need to be in contact with each other.
“Right now, each department has been assigned their own number,” said Joshua.
“But as long as the hands on any device can be set to the same position, doesn’t that mean random people can jump in on the communication line, too?”
Joshua looked pleased with Edward’s question.
“You noticed that, did you? Yes, it’s possible. A random person could even listen in on the conversation without saying a word, completely unnoticed. I intentionally didn’t add a feature to block others from doing that.”
“So that it wouldn’t be used to hatch evil plans?”
With that feature, people would be able to hold secret discussions without meeting in person and without leaving physical evidence—like letters—behind. From there, it wasn’t a stretch to assume people would come up with the idea of using it for evil.
At least, I didn’t think it was a stretch, but Joshua looks rather amused…, thought Edward.
“If I added that function, the tool would have become too large and heavy to carry around comfortably. I would have also had to use a much higher quality magical stone as the conduit, which would have caused issues on both the technical and financial end of things.”
Edward blinked in surprise, completely thrown for a loop at his answer, although it was a perfectly reasonable train of thought for an engineer.
“Well, there are certainly others who think the same way you do,” Joshua continued. “I’ve heard there might be some departments that specialize in intercepting communication lines day in and day out.”
Edward wondered if this might have been why several aristocrats had recently and suddenly lost their standing without a reason being publicized, but he wisely didn’t bring it up.
“We should be explaining the tools that are given to people before they are used…,” admitted Joshua. “But it’s very strange that there are so many people who don’t connect the dots like you did, and you’re not even an adult.”
Edward also kept it to himself that the director was strongly reminding him of Alec whenever he would play pranks on unsuspecting people.
“I heard that this magical tool was your invention, Director.”
“You heard correct. There was someone I wanted to get in touch with faster than messenger birds could carry letters.”
Joshua mentioned that he first created it because Isabelle had become pregnant with Harold. Early on in the pregnancy, Isabelle had collapsed several times due to severe morning sickness, so Joshua created the tool to be able to contact her if there was ever an emergency. As it happened, a high official had seen it, and at his request, Joshua created a simplified version that could be mass-produced, and it grew into the popular tool used today.
Not many in Luducia were aware that many of the unique, incredibly convenient tools used in the royal palace were originally created for the Earl and Countess of Northland’s personal motivations. Even now, Joshua was working tirelessly to develop a camera at the request of his beloved wife and daughter…but the lens was taking more time than he had anticipated.
“Magical tools can be devices for good or evil, depending on the person using them. But in any case, let’s look back to the very beginning…”
For some time after that, Joshua lectured on how magical tools came to be.
It was interesting hearing the various origin stories. Edward had been exposed to such tools every day, so he felt he understood them, but in reality, he didn’t at all. He was so engrossed in the lecture that he completely lost track of time.
Joshua, encouraged by the smart questions Edward occasionally interjected, pressed on with his lecture. If the guard knight hadn’t shyly piped up that they should probably be heading back soon, Joshua might have continued the lecture until the sun had set.
“Those were some fascinating stories. I’m looking forward to the next lecture.”
“I will admit I misjudged you—it seems you do have a genuine appreciation for magical tools,” Joshua remarked. “Let’s keep exploring that interest until we reach its natural end… Your interest in my daughter, however, is another matter.”
Edward started in surprise—until that moment, they had both steered clear of breaching the topic of Amy.
“With all due respect, I have no intention of letting my daughter marry anyone until at least the spring of her eighteenth year, no matter who the fiancé is.”
“Eighteen?”
The age of adulthood in Luducia was fifteen—waiting until eighteen for marriage was a little on the late side for aristocratic ladies.
Unless the fiancé were studying abroad, it was common for high-ranking ladies to marry at sixteen or seventeen, typically following an engagement period of a year after they came of age.
As Joshua spoke, he met Edward’s eyes, and Edward felt the weight of his words.
“For that matter, I’d really like Amy to stay at the Northland house until she’s twenty years old.”
That was certainly late for marriage. Unless there was some unavoidable pretext to explain it, a nasty rumor would probably get spread around about the lady herself or her family.
Surely Joshua would know the consequences of what he was asking, but he looked very serious.
“Is there a reason for this rule?” asked Edward.
Eighteen years old… I’ll let her graduate high school, at least, Joshua thought.
In this world, Joshua couldn’t tell anyone else the hopes he had for his daughter that had been dashed in their past life. She never even made it to adulthood in Japan, which was age twenty.
“It’s probably hard for you to understand…but I just ask that you can accept that, as a father, there are certain things I cannot concede.”
For a brief moment, the two men only exchanged serious looks in silence, but Edward suddenly smiled, and the unspoken balance shifted.
“You’re asking me for an eight-year postponement, then?”
“B-But…don’t you need a fiancée, Your Highness?”
“There’s no big rush. Besides, there’s no one else I’d want to make my fiancée.”
Of all the ladies who had gathered for the tea party, Amy was the only one he kept in contact with.
Joshua’s brow furrowed in confusion, not understanding what Edward was really getting at. The prince smiled even wider.
“I want Amy to fall in love with me, so I’m going to do my best to become a man worthy of her.”
As Joshua watched the thirteen-year-old prince leave the room, he remarked to himself that Edward looked rather taller than he had when he entered.
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HELLO, Ed. How have you been? Tigger and I have been doing very well.
My father finally arrived at Wallum, so now the whole family’s here. But my older brother is out on a patrol boat right now, so he’s not really “here,” per se. Apparently, they go patrolling to prevent any damage from sea life.
I haven’t seen any mermen or selkies yet. Have you ever seen one, Ed?
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ED! Sea serpent eyes! My dad was happy, of course, but my mom was thrilled! Thank you so much! Can we really accept such a wonderful gift? But…I’m so happy! I really hope there’s something I can give you in exchange…
I heard from Dad that you’ve started studying magical tools. Keep it between us, but he was speaking very highly of you. You didn’t hear it from me!
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IT’S been three months since I came to Wallum, and the seawater is getting colder by the day. This year my grandfather encouraged us to stay longer than we typically do. Tigger has gotten used to playing at the tide pools, and I think I’ve improved a lot at horse riding. I might even be able to ride Fente on my own now.
My mother will return to the royal capital for a little bit next week, but it’s been decided that I will go straight to our home in Northland territory, so I won’t be able to see you again until the New Year, will I? I bet the royal capital is cold, isn’t it? Have you—or Marvin, or anyone else—caught a winter cold yet? Also, I’ll be sending you a card for Snow Day!
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THANK you for the beautiful card, Ed! It was the first time I’d ever seen a card that made it snow when you opened it! I was so surprised. My father only looked a little annoyed and muttered, “Using it like this…” He told me to tell you that you “passed,” but…does that mean that was an assignment from one of your lectures?
I got a letter from Duchess Camilla that said Alec had gotten a sudden growth spurt. My mom says I got taller, too, so you might be surprised when you see me next!
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THINGS still feel a little different since coming home after so long… But you and Alec have gotten so tall! I’ve gotten so big that I’ve had to have new dresses made. Not quite big enough to be able to lift Tigger’s whole body, though.
A new friend of mine told me that drinking goat’s milk makes you taller. My grandpa heard that and gave me two baby goats. One is black and one is white, and they’re both so cute!
I was told they were both girls, but the white one is a boy. I’m sure my grandpa didn’t realize that…
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YOUR Highness Edward,
Congratulations on entering school.
You’ll be sharing a dormitory room with Alec now, right? I’m sure it will be difficult writing letters like we have been from now on, so I will refrain in the future.
I hope you have a fun school life.
Amy Northland
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ED… Do you really mean it when you say we can continue with these letters? I’ll continue writing as I usually did, then, but…don’t feel pressured to respond or anything, okay?
Have you gotten used to school and life in the dormitory? You just missed being in classes with my brother—he’s graduated now—but Harold said he was going to come visit next month because there was something he had to do there. I really want to try taking one of Sir Dion’s magic classes at school, too…
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I’VE known about it for a while, but it’s still a little sad hearing about Roodle’s retirement, isn’t it? But at least he’ll still carry out letters for us as he always has…
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AFTER taking a bath at the bathhouse on Margrave Wallum’s estate, Amy returned to her room. Droplets of water were falling from her black hair, so she conjured wind to dry it.
Amy’s magical beauty routine was quite laborious, having to adjust the magic power to account for the season and her own physical condition. Nevertheless, she followed the advice of her mother, who emphasized the necessity of grooming (“Hair and skin are important!”), and Amy had achieved a precise level of magical control because of it.
Now fourteen, Amy’s body was still chubby, but she had become much taller, and with her long limbs and pointed chin, she didn’t look quite as round as she once did.
Compared with other girls her age, however, the difference was clear. To put it simply, Amy was somewhat…perhaps a little, well…plump. This was also evidenced by the fact that she was still cherished by the Duchess of Coverdale as a specially acknowledged friend.
When Amy opened the door to her room, she could hear Tigger’s high-pitched meow and the sounds of his toy ball rolling around. Tigger had become much less shy of strangers compared with when she adopted him, but he still loved Amy most of all.
It had been four years since she adopted him. Because they had developed such a secure bond over the years, he became less anxious even when Amy was out of sight. He was now capable of occupying himself alone, like he had been with the ball.
The ball had a bell in the middle and was roughly the size of a small kickball. Strangely, Tigger had become obsessed with it—he typically didn’t show much interest in toys. Maybe he liked the quiet sounds of the bell, only audible if you listened very carefully.
He deftly rolled it around with his front paws and chased after it. The ball had lasted for such a long time because he never clawed at or bit it.
“Looks like you’re having fun, Tigger!”
Amy couldn’t help smiling at the sight of her cat playing as if in a trance. The ball rolled up to her feet and she swiftly picked it up—and Tigger followed it up to her hand and jumped for it.
Amy stumbled as she caught him, and then she hugged him tightly.
“Ah… Soft and fluffy as always.”
A farewell party had been held that night because Amy and the others were returning to the royal capital the following week. The adults were still at the party, but Amy had excused herself early to go back to her room. She sat on her bed and held Tigger. She had many acquaintances, but she had not gotten used to so many people being around her at once, and she was totally exhausted.
Amy would begin going to school in the capital starting the following month.
Although she had been a student in her past life, things would probably be very different in this world. She was quite nervous about the huge changes that were about to happen in her life, but she was equally excited, too.
Her thoughts turned to her study of magic, which had not yet truly begun. Her healing magic had improved considerably, of course, but magic was the sort of thing where there was no real end to your learning—there was always room to improve.
Over the past few years, Amy had been helping out with the duchess’s “Cat Club,” working alongside a veterinarian to help provide medical treatment to animals. Even with the Cat Club, Amy needed her magic to protect each cat.
That realization helped Amy decide what she should be doing with her life. Wherever Amy was, the driving motivator that inspired her had always been—and would always be—animals.
Several cards that had recently been placed on the sideboard suddenly caught her eye. There were ones from Harold, who had become a traveling hunter; Edward, who was in the royal capital; Alexander; Sir Dion, her professor of magic; and several fellow cat lovers.
Everyone was eagerly awaiting Amy’s return to the royal capital for school.
…If an otome game were to begin, it would probably start while I’m a student because that’s the trope…
But then again, Amy rationalized that she had not seen the “hypothetical heroine” ever since the day of the kraken hunt, either in Wallum or the royal capital.
But that didn’t mean her worries were completely gone…
What’s important? she reminded herself. If you don’t lose sight of that, and if you do everything you possibly can…things just have to turn out okay!
“Yeah! I can do this!”
Holding the utterly exhausted Tigger against her chest, Amy slumped down into bed, her heart warming at Tigger’s soft purring.
You’re more likely to have sweet dreams when you sleep with someone you love.
Almost immediately after Amy reached out and turned off her bedside lamp, she and Tigger snuggled and flew off together into the land of dreams.