In the Magic Academy of the Imperial Capital, there was a cluster of villas.
This was part of the student dormitory area. Those living here were the descendants of royalty and nobility from the Empire’s vassal states.
In the inner section of the villa complex sat the dormitory assigned to Elena.
“Miss Fina, could you come here for a moment?”
Hearing the call from the maid, Anna, Fina momentarily set aside her broom and hurried to Anna’s side.
Anna stood before the door of a quiet room, carrying a basin of hot water.
However, the maid hesitated to take a step forward. She simply stood there, staring at the closed door like a child who had made a mistake.
Fina knew: the sleeping Miss Ai’er was inside this room.
“Miss Fina, please help wipe down Miss Ai’er’s body. I’m… I’m not good at such delicate work.”
Fina nodded and took the basin.
After Anna helped open the door for Fina, she fled the area as if running for her life.
Fina watched Anna’s retreating figure, unsure of what to say.
Fina knew clearly that this maid, who was much older than herself, was by no means bad at delicate work.
During the year since Fina and Anna had followed Elena to the Imperial Capital, Anna had initially handled most of the fine tasks.
Inside this small, two-story villa provided by the academy, everything — from meals and floral decorations to dusting and laundry — was done by Anna, while Fina learned by her side under her instruction.
Anna’s explanations were so thorough that even Fina, who considered herself clumsy, was soon able to share a portion of the workload.
But whenever it came time to care for Ai’er, Anna would push the task away, acting timid and hesitant.
In the beginning, she would stand a short distance away and instruct Fina on what to do; once Fina became proficient, Anna stopped entering Ai’er’s room altogether.
Fina didn’t know why Anna acted this way.
However, Miss Ai’er was the benefactor who had rescued her from Marquis Sirius’s cage. For Fina, being able to personally care for Ai’er was a precious opportunity she had deeply desired.
Setting the basin on a nearby table, Fina looked toward the silver-haired girl lying on the bed.
The girl slept soundly, her face devoid of any expression, as if she were immersed in a dream of nothingness…
It had been one year since Fina had last seen those golden eyes.
Fina still remembered.
She remembered the silver-haired girl’s embrace and her outstretched hand back in that cage in the suburban villa.
She remembered the silver silhouette that had charged into the wind and snow without a second thought on the day her current master, Miss Elena, had lost control.
“Miss Ai’er… please excuse me.”
Fina skillfully and gently lifted the girl with moonlight-silver hair, then expertly untied the silk ribbons of her pajamas.
Her porcelain-white skin looked like pearls in the afternoon sunlight streaming through the window.
Fina dipped a finger shallowly into the water.
The water was pleasantly warm, neither cold nor hot, much like the autumn sun — just enough warmth to drive away the chill of the autumn wind.
“Miss Anna’s control over the water temperature is truly impressive.”
After voicing her usual admiration, Fina gently pressed the warm, damp towel against Ai’er’s back.
Ai’er’s skin was a bit cool, but Fina could feel the girl’s slow heartbeat through her palm. This silver-haired girl was indeed still alive, yet it was as if she were slumbering inside ice…
Fina still remembered the words of the young Doctor from the Empire back in the Duchy of White:
“Miss Elena’s Mana is indeed present within this silver-haired young lady’s body, but it seems this Mana is slowing the passage of her life? It’s the first time I’ve ever seen such a situation.”
But when everyone finally learned that Miss Ai’er’s life was not in immediate danger, everyone in the manor breathed a sigh of relief.
“Miss Ai’er, did you know? After you fell into this slumber, Miss Elena made up her mind to go to the Magic Academy in the Imperial Capital… She said she wanted to find a way to control her Mana and a way to wake you up.
But it was quite unexpected—
The person who helped Miss Elena resolve the issues with her enrollment was actually that elderly Magic User who had previously protected the Sirius estate… Miss Elena has remained wary regarding that point.
Miss Elena only brought me and Miss Anna to the Imperial Capital… I was very worried before about whether I could handle being Miss Elena’s maid, but both Miss Elena and Miss Anna have been very kind to me. I’m also very fortunate to be able to look after you…
Miss Elena often tells Miss Anna and me that while she is away from the dormitory, we must protect you well and stay on guard against the people of the Empire…”
Just as she always did, Fina spoke to the sleeping Ai’er about the events of the past year.
Fina could no longer remember how many times she had told Ai’er these things, but every time she spoke, she held a small wish in her heart — she hoped her words would find their way into Ai’er’s dreams.
To tell her that everyone was waiting for her to wake up.
“Miss Elena is truly amazing. They say the Imperial nobles take three to four years to finish the curriculum, but Miss Elena completed it in six months. Furthermore, her control over Mana has become increasingly proficient.
And, although many people shun Miss Elena because of her title as a ‘Witch’…
By performing meritorious deeds in several operations to drive away Magic Beasts, combined with her ongoing research into magic that could benefit the people of the Duchy —
While I don’t know why Marquis Sirius hasn’t reacted to any of this, even Master Sebas says that although it’s only a little, public opinion of Miss Elena within the Duchy is gradually changing.”
Although Miss Elena always claimed she didn’t care about such things, Fina remembered.
When she saw the reply sent by Master Sebas, the corners of Miss Elena’s mouth had turned up ever so slightly.
“Besides that, Miss Elena has become the youngest Student Council President in the academy’s history.
Actually, Miss Elena originally wanted to decline the position, but once she heard that the Student Council President is allowed to borrow the academy’s Forbidden Books, she agreed.
Miss Ai’er, do you think… Miss Elena wants to find a way to wake you up within those Forbidden Books?
I want to help too, but I… I’m not as capable as Miss Elena. All I can do is pray to the gods for you — may the merciful White God protect you and let you wake up soon…
Do you think… the God can hear my wish?
When… when will you open your eyes?”
As Fina spoke, her voice choked up slightly.
Having finished wiping Ai’er’s back, Fina retied the silk ribbons of the silver-haired girl’s pajamas and tucked her back under the covers.
She picked up the water basin, walked softly to the door, and gently pushed it open.
Before leaving, Fina instinctively looked back at Ai’er, who was sleeping in the afternoon sun — she looked at the girl’s long silver hair, her porcelain-white cheeks, the faint rosy tint on her face, and—
A pair of blinking golden eyes.
“…Eh?”