**Chapter Title: A Lesson in Magic**
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"I'll tell you about the future you'll face."
"The future… you mean?"
Technically, it was the things you would have to do for me.
"Yeah. I've already said it. You'll learn theory and practical skills at the same time to master magic."
"… yes. I'll do my best."
"Doing your best isn't enough. You have to do well. No one cares about your progress. Only the results matter."
"… I'll show you the best results. Master."
"It seems you still don't fully believe my words. I even said you're a mad genius."
Even though she was an important heroine, she had grown up in the countryside, receiving abuse and hardship.
Even if I suddenly told her she had an abundance of talent, it would be hard for her to believe or even comprehend.
"… I've taken your words to heart. I believe there's a reason you're speaking to me in such a manner, Master."
"You speak so nicely, as if you're trying to please someone. Words. Anyway, that's it. In six months, you'll grasp the feel of magic, and then you'll enroll in Academia with me."
"The Academia…!"
"It's a gateway to train heroes. It's also called the Hero Academy."
A place of learning and training that attracted the world's attention. The main stage where many of the main characters and protagonists of this novel world appeared.
A place where the two main characters who got on my nerves were active.
"You will compete under the name of the Schugenharz family."
Thinking about it made me laugh.
I would crush those damn protagonists with the heroine, Emma.
"…."
There was a moment of silence, and Emma cautiously spoke, her fear evident.
"If that's your wish, I will do my best. However… I'm worried that because of me, you might tarnish the glory of the great Schugenharz."
I struck her forehead lightly, as she fretted.
"Ugh…"
Quite firmly.
I faced her squarely, sensing she needed a lot of mental education.
"Remember this."
You fool who didn't even know your own worth.
"As you say, I am the direct descendant of the great Schugenharz. My status and position are on a different level from a mere peasant girl like you."
"…."
"Those in high positions carry heavy responsibilities and have much to do. They must acquire knowledge to bridge the gap between heaven and earth every day, waste time on pointless social gatherings, and even then, cutting down on sleep is insufficient. In simpler terms, I am extremely busy."
But still, I came to fetch you.
"That is true at any time, even now."
While I hadn't given up on my learning, prioritizing Emma was a fact.
"I am a very practical and calculated person. If your education were useless and hopeless, I wouldn't have bothered teaching you about magic myself."
That was plain truth.
As I revealed this, Emma's eyes widened in surprise. She stood frozen, no reaction or sound coming forth. I gazed at her.
As silence lingered, the blue moon, previously obscured by dark clouds outside the window, slowly revealed itself, casting rays of light into the room.
The room brightened, revealing Emma's face.
She just waited quietly, expecting the conversation to continue.
"You have value and talent equal to that. Why?"
I chuckled.
An arrogant and authoritative chuckle.
"Because I acknowledged it. No other trivial reasons are needed. That's more than enough."
I asked her.
"The answer…?"
Emma bowed her head deeply, hiding her face as if ashamed. It was a gesture she made when she wanted to conceal her expression, much like when she felt embarrassed.
"… yes, thank you."
Her voice was filled with moisture. Emma herself seemed surprised by the tremor in her voice.
In truth, I hadn't said much.
I hadn't comforted her or kindly instilled confidence in her.
However.
Emma shed a single tear.
I knew what her tears meant.
That she had talent, that she could do something.
It must have been the first time she heard words that made her feel like someone believed in her.
Truly a delicate and distorted woman.
"Very well then. From tomorrow onward, you must undertake tasks harder than today's. Make sure to rest quickly. I, too, shall return now."
"…."
No response from her forehead.
"… ah!"
"I wonder how many times I've struck you today. My fingers are numb. As I said in the carriage, always answer your master's questions."
She replied, wiping the slightly moist corners of her eyes. There was a hint of a smile on her lips.
"… yes. I will keep it in mind!"
---
Emma lay on her bed. It was late into the night, but sleep eluded her.
"… me, having talent."
Her mother, with whom she lived, had no expectations of her. She said Emma couldn't do anything, so she had to help herself and live her life.
Emma didn't mind helping her mother and followed obediently, feeling she had no talents.
But she never thought things would turn out like this.
In just one day.
The environment surrounding Emma had completely changed.
She was truly surprised when the strange man barged into her house earlier, and when he said he bought her with a large sum of money, it felt like the sky was falling.
In the carriage, he talked about learning magic, having talent, and believing in her value.
Even moments ago, he told her to have confidence in herself. Well, maybe he didn't say to have confidence. He wasn't that kind of person.
The man who became her master had incredibly high self-esteem and possessed things he could boast about. So maybe he could speak so boldly.
He brought her from the countryside to teach her magic, which would cost a fortune.
"… if I really have talent, how did he know?"
How did he find her in a remote village? Where did he hear about her?
She still knew nothing about him. He seemed like a bad person… or maybe not. It was hard to judge definitively.
"Ugh…"
Her mind was in turmoil.
She worried about her mother and her own future.
She made a promise with him, so she might be able to see her mother once a year, but what if it was a lie…? No, he didn't seem like that kind of person… or did he…?
… it was pointless to worry about it like this.
Yeah.
First, let's do our best in the given environment.
Just as she always had.
With that determination, memories of her misunderstanding his intentions today, undressing, and saying strange things, as well as showing tears, passed by.
"…."
She pulled the pillow beside her.
Then she lifted it onto her face and covered it with both arms. The pillow smelled nice and cozy, but the fingers holding it pressed deeply into its surface.
"…Ugh!"
Filled with uncertainty, but one emotion was certain right now.
"It's embarrassing…!!"