Lily certainly stands out among the others at the school.
Less than a day after the etiquette lesson, I heard that name again.
By the evening of that day, the school was already filled with rumors about her.
“It’s unheard of for a magic meter to break.”
Some were excited, others skeptical. Their expressions varied, but no one seemed uninterested in the story of Lily that they had heard.
Occasionally, students her age would add new information as eyewitnesses, and it would bend, chip, or swell like a game of telephone.
“If that’s true, that’s horrifying.”
I frowned at the muttering I heard.
That’s the problem.
Magic in this world is not something that you pray to spirits or gods or any such beings to make miracles happen. It is an invisible power that circulates within the user’s body.
It is not an omnipotent power that can do anything; the way it is manifested and each individual’s aptitude greatly limit its power.
For example, Shade shows a strong aptitude for charm spells and other mind-affecting magic.
Wolf is good at physical strengthening and offensive magic. His career goal is to succeed his father, Duke Ranankura, so if that happens, he will become a very militant Prime Minister.
As for me, I can be broadly classified as a mind-affecting magician like Shade. However, the magic I’m best at is strengthening my own memory. In other words, if I use that magic, I won’t be scared of memorization-based academic exams. It’s convenient, but it’s also a bit plain.
Although each of us has a different specialty in magic, we all have one thing in common: we don’t have magical powers that are stronger than the Association’s expectations.
The Association was originally a group that conducted magical research, and that influence is still strong today. Over their long history, they have systematized many different types of magic, and the limits of that magic are roughly understood.
For example, the charm magic of Shade. Since it is a magic that affects the mind, it is of the highest degree of danger. However, the means to resist it have also been thoroughly researched.
On the other hand, Lily has abilities that go beyond what the Society had anticipated. In other words, she is someone who goes beyond the common sense of ‘what magic can do.’
A rare exception. It would not be an exaggeration to say that her existence itself is extremely dangerous.
In fact, among the students who had heard about Lily’s magical powers, the younger students seemed to be the ones who were most likely to enthusiastically praise them. The older students were inevitably more likely to think about the implications of her powers – that is, the danger she posed.
I also wondered how she would perceive the reaction of these students: would she be proud if they cheered her on? Would she be hurt if they found her frightening?
In truth, I don’t know anything about her personality.
In the game, “Lily” is a girl of commoner origins, gifted with magical powers beyond what would be possible given her background.
She enrolls at the magic academy at the age of 12, and the members are supposed to remain the same for six years, but as an exception to this rule, she transfers in mid-way through, causing a huge ripple in the school’s routine daily life.
Although her origins and abilities are strong characteristics of her, “Lily” is the player’s alter ego. I don’t know the words she speaks.
Her individuality, glimpsed in the choices, fluctuates greatly depending on which option she chooses. Which one is her true nature, or is none of it her true nature?
I began to want to know more about her, about Lilium Valley, who had come to this school.
I was thinking about such things after dinner.
I was spending my free time alone in the dormitory library.
This place is quite a hidden gem. When students need to find a book, they usually head to the library. This library attached to the women’s dormitory has a limited collection of books, so it can be said that there are very few users.
If they wanted to make this place a bit more lively, they could, for example, shift the bookshelf to entertainment. The books here are all the ones that adults want students to read, not the ones that students themselves want to read. Most of them are history and literature books that serve as a review of textbooks. Magic-related books are kept strictly managed in the library, so there are few books here.
It’s a room that you can walk around in about ten steps, and there are only two chairs, so it’s not a good place to hang out with friends. But it’s a relaxing place for lonely book lovers, so I come here often.
Other students sometimes show up, but for some reason they all rush out. And they do it while apologizing to me, saying, “Sorry for interrupting.” I’m not asking them to stay and talk to me, but I don’t think they need to be so scared.
It would be sad if people thought that the dorm manager was occupying this room, so maybe I should refrain from coming here.
Just as I was sighing, I heard a knock. The light was on so the other party must have realized that someone was already here.
“Come in.”
I was worried that they might run away if they found out it was me, but when I urged them in, it was actually Lily who entered.
I was very surprised, but I realized that she had ended up here because she wanted to be alone. The girls’ dormitory was now full of rumors about her, and at worst, her room could be attacked by a group of people driven by curiosity.
Perhaps it was not the time to be relaxing alone in a place like this. As the dorm director, I had to take some measures.
“…I’m going out now, so feel free to use this place. If you want to borrow a book, fill out the necessary information in that notebook over there–”
“No, well.”
She interrupted me and said,
“I was looking for you, Lycoris-senpai. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
What… did you say…?
Instead of running away when she realized I was there, she actually came all the way here looking for me…?
“Do you have time right now?”
“…Yes. Until bedtime.”
When I said that, she smiled happily and came over to my side.
I think again, she is a really cute girl. Not only is her face cute, but her carefree demeanor leaves a very good impression. I get the feeling that she would be especially loved by older people.
When I offered her a chair, she didn’t seem embarrassed, just said “Thank you” and sat down right next to me.
“About etiquette class, and I’d like to thank you for helping me out!”
She bows her head vigorously.
“No, it’s no big deal.”
“But I don’t know anything about manners and I’m a bit weird. But my senior is happy to accept me as my instructor…”
Well, it was quite a shock.
Regardless, I’m a little concerned about what she said.
“Is it just your opinion that things are weird or has someone else told you that?”
“Weird” is a really unpleasant word.
Judging by Lily’s silence, it was probably the latter. Even in the game, Lily had a hard time getting used to the school at first. That’s understandable, since she was suddenly thrown into a group with a different standard of living.
“I’ll teach you some manners, but please don’t forget the most important thing.”
“The most important thing?”
“Didn’t the teacher say the same thing? The important thing is to be considerate. For example, you just came all the way to express your gratitude to me. You have a sincere heart, which is the most important thing, so don’t be intimidated and just be yourself.”
I was being a bit of a senior when I said this, but she seemed to take it in stride. She kept repeating “thank you” over and over, so much so that I started to feel embarrassed.
And as she was leaving, she said:
“Um, can I come here again?”
“Eh? Yes. Anyone who lives in the dorms can come here…”
“No. When I get here, can I talk to you?”
I was so shaken up that I nodded several times.
Without seeming suspicious of my strange behavior, she smiled happily and left the room.
Th-This is……!!
Maybe we’ll even become friends!?
(Is that okay?! Is it okay to make a promise to meet again so smoothly?! Can I take her previous words as her wanting to talk to me?! Am I right in understanding that she likes me?! She’s a game heroine after all! She’s such a friendly and nice girl! I think if we talked about various things, we’d become good friends! Maybe we’d even become best friends!)
My heart was welling up.
I can’t wait for the next time I see her.
Somehow, it feels like Lily is conquering me.
Just kidding.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for reading!
