About a week or so before the mission, Tesfia had unfolded in front of the main gate in an act that was tantamount to the farewell of this life with Alice.

She had been urged by her mother to come back once during the summer holidays. I suppose it was to compare my old life with the fact that I had entered the academy. It's easy to imagine from my mother's personality that it's not as easy as reporting on what's going on, so she can't hide her depressed expression.

　She's that depressed in person. Just seeing my mother would be enough to earn her a scathing assessment. It's not only that, but also that the position he held in the past was that of a general, and he even led a large scale annihilation operation with more than 100 mages.

　After that, he took up the position of instructor and trained wizards for actual warfare. It's time for me to retire from the military. According to him, he boldly said that he had raised a replacement.
　From his daughter's point of view, she actually thinks it was because Tesfia's father lost his life while on an outside mission. It was partly because of that, and as a result of his devotion to his mother and son, he gave her a strict education.

　Tesfia herself is proud to be an aristocrat, and she's convinced that it's a commensurate effort, but she can't count the number of times she's received a gentle pat on the head from her mother for her hard work.

''I'm going to go,''
Yeah. Good luck with that.

　Alice can't help but say that she knows in her bones how strict Tesfia's mother is.
　Tesfia pulls a cart powered by magic and piles up a large amount of luggage, then trudges into the circle port.

　From here, you will pass through several towns and take a car to pick you up on the way. Of course, the power source is pseudo-magic power. Although it has become the mainstream, it is still expensive and only the wealthy, who are still called nobles, have it.

　If you try to run around the city with such a thing, you will be exposed to curious eyes.

　Tesfia let out a sigh every time it went through the circle port for the umpteenth time.
　It began to exhale more and more of its vitality with each approach.
　At first, it moved to the transition gate, which overlooked the noisy city, and the scene was more or less distracted by the vibrancy of the city - the most populated place called the Middle Tier Civic District.

　From there, the streets transformed as they moved towards the wealthier, more aristocrat-rich areas.
　It's a city where expensive-looking luxury shops are lined up, and if you move two or three from there, it's a neat row of houses that are classified as low-end even among the wealthy.
　There are many streets, and even at night they are clearly reflected in shadows.
　It is a familiar sight, with well-maintained gardens that assert the dignity of the house.
　The security forces are also patrolling the streets with a keen eye on the wealthy.
　Such a familiar cityscape turns into concern as it weighs heavily on Tesfia's shoulders.
　

　In Ars's words.

(I guess people here have never seen a demon before either.)

　What a surprise, I thought as I watched the drinking light spill out of the window.

'Here you are, young lady,'

　The voice that called out so reminded me of something familiar and someone who couldn't be mistaken, so I assumed he would be here, even if it was sudden.
　Selva Grinus, a usable butler to the Favell family.

　He opened the door in front of the pitch-black body and held his hand in front of it as if to urge.

'Selva, thank you for welcoming me.'

　This long-serving butler had long years of deep wrinkles to call him old.
　Even though he was tall and thin, his spine, which was still taut, always felt refined. His neatly coiffed white hair was a sign of age, but in his case, even that gave him an unusual atmosphere.

　He was also a former magician. Initially he was hired as a guard, but having served for so long, he has the quaintness of a butler. If anything, the bodyguard has become more of a dual role.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're going to be doing.

I'll put your bags in there for you, please go inside and relax.
'It's not like that...'

　The words of concern for your old body are superfluous when held lightly in front of you in both hands.

"Thank you,

　After packing everything deftly into the trunk, I bow with an attitude.

　When I get into the car called the 《Magic Car》, I feel a little floating.
　The recoil from the initial movement is also so smooth that you can hardly feel it since it is powered by magic power.
　The tires are a product of an older generation. In this day and age, where pseudo-magic power is widely used, the body of the vehicle floats off the ground as it runs.
　While there are many futuristic inventions, there are still many things from the old days. The progression of demons has decimated civilization and brought about a new evolution.
　It's one of the reasons why wizards who go out into the outside world sometimes use horses, depending on the distance.

''You have become even more beautiful again.

　Selva, who had been served by him since he was a child, smiled, rejoicing in his growth as if he were her own child.
　They have known each other long enough for Tesfia to know that she is not flattered without seeing such a face.

''Thank you. But it's only been about four months since you left home.'
No, no, but still. You are becoming more and more beautiful like Lady Froese every year.

　I was puzzled if I should be honestly happy from the anxiety evoked by the mention of my mother's name.

'I doubt it...'

　In the end, I could only smile, and I'm not sure if he saw that in the rearview mirror.

'Master Froese was worried about you every time something happened, too.
Really!

　After all, it seems that Tesfia's distress could not be hidden from this first generation.

　It's not that Tesfia and Froese are not particularly close as parents and children. It's just that they are particularly strict when it comes to magical matters. Still, it's inevitable that Tesfia would have a hard time with her mother.
　That's why I can't help but feel happy when I hear these parents' natural concern for their children.

　After all, in the dozens of minutes on the road to the Fevers' house, Tesfia had completely relegated the ordeal that would be coming up later to the corner of her mind until her arrival.
　It was a great time to chat with Selva. It's because the communication skills, which should be called the age-old wisdom, made me feel better.
　And when he was about to talk about basic things like life at the academy and what he learned and what he thought..................Tesfia's personal experience.

'My lady, I thought it would be better to let Master Froese tell you more than that.

　The sound of Selva's voice exuded enjoyment, but that's the point of being a steward, I guess.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get a good idea of what I'm talking about.
　There is a straight line paved for the magic car, and various trees and plants neatly line the sides. These places have the same appearance as the garden I've seen since I entered the wealthy family.
　Even so, it's far enough away that you can't see the mansion from the gate, and the Favell family's property is about half that, if not as large as the Second Academy of Magic.

　When I began to see the mansion, a mansion as large as the main school building, there was already no conversation in the car, which made me even more nervous.
　As soon as Selva stops the car in front of the main entrance, he opens the Tesfia's rear door.

　The only thing that greeted her was a line of servants bowing with undisturbed movements.........
　There is no sign of his mother, Froese, among them.

　The head chamberlain approached on behalf of her and greeted her at the door as if waiting for her.

'Welcome home, Miss Tesfia. Lady Froze is in the study.
Yes, thank you.

　I knew the head chamberlain would say that, as I hadn't expected my mother to go out of her way to greet me.

　The servants open the old-fashioned double doors.
　The gleaming lights were a reminder that Tesfia had lived in this mansion for years.
　The house is too large for just two people, and there are many empty rooms. The servants are given a remote residence connected by a corridor.
　That's why the house has Tesfia, her mother Flosse, and Selva, the butler, as the head chamberlain and a long-time servant - who knows the house's own business - to give rooms to some of the servants. There is.

　Even so, the house is too large, and at midnight, a deserted and lonely atmosphere descends with the dark night.

　At the farthest east end, there is a hall facing the terrace, where balls and dinners are often held. It's also a place to show off one's status as a nobleman or to build extensive friendships.
　And the other -.

　Tesfia takes a big deep breath in front of her mother's study and knocks.

'This is Tesfia. I'm back now.
Come in.

　Normally a servant would open the door, but the fact that he is not present means that this is a visit between a parent and a child.

　The trustworthy Selva and others may accompany them, but they are not here, perhaps to carry their belongings in.

　He enters the room with one hand (...), turning the knob without making a sound. I close the door, trying to keep the knob on and trying not to make a sound.

Welcome home. You must be tired, sit down.

　Froese didn't even look up to see if she was working on something in front of her desk.
　Her lustrous red hair, like Tesfia's, was tucked up at the top of her head, and she was wearing a dress-like black dress and a thin cardigan.
　At thirty-seven, Froese was too young to be retired from active duty yet. Her mother's bewitching beauty is getting more and more bewitching every year.
　She would have been inherently honestly happy that Selva had told her that she was becoming more like her mother, if there were no concerns.

　She sits awkwardly on the front sofa.
　Tesfia's other hand held two sheets of paper in her hand. She doesn't notice that they are damp with sweaty hands, she just looks at her mother's face. A heavy air fills the room, like a stranger's room in her own home.

''No, no, this much is okay.''
Yes.

　There was a large pile of materials on the long, brightly-grained desk, and an even higher pile on the other side, dozens of them wrapped in thick leather cases, perhaps valuable.

　Froese put down his pen and stood up slowly, as if he'd settled down for a moment. She moved to the opposite side of the plush sofa, in front of the plush sofa opposite Tesfia, and sat down and crossed her legs so as not to wrap around the hem of her dress.

　As if on cue, Tesfia forces the heavy knots into operation and holds out two sheets of paper facing the other side.

'Here are your transcripts and semester exam results.
....

　Froese lifted the paper without saying a word. Her eyes moved as she read through every inch of it.
　It was inevitable that silence would fall. He hadn't expected it to be as much pressure as it was, and he reacted with a jolt when Froese suddenly looked up.

'You did a great job,'

　I couldn't reply to the unexpected word as quickly as I did.

'Yes,'
I thought I wasn't good at the department, but I guess I've gotten over it.
...I'm not good at it, but they saw me study a lot and helped me understand more.
Oh, I wonder if it's Alice.
'Ah!　No ... yes.

　There was an unnatural stagnation of speech, but Froese did not mention it further.

'Oh well. More importantly....'

　The few wrinkles between Froese's eyebrows caused him to swallow raw in the meantime.

'I wonder what it means to be second in your grade after getting so much.

　It's a simple question that I don't blame Tesfia for.

'There's a kid in my grade who's a triple digit mage.
"Hey!　What does that mean?

　The sharp gaze Tesfia couldn't refuse was a look that reminded him of his rubbed-in bitterness.

　Whatever the reason for this was, it bothered Froese, who was still involved with the military.

'Which nobleman?　Are you a man?

　Before Tesfia could open her mouth, Froese folded up and

'A three-digit wizard in Alpha, and yet a man, the late son of Limfugé's place or the second son of the Wurmruina family, was a four-digit number... but both are a year or two older than you...' As far as Umluina is concerned, there's no way you'd have any contact with her, and that place is... no, that would be the Limfje family in the first place. But I also heard that they didn't let you into the academy there.

　Tesfia interrupted her denial with a finger on her chin as Froese pondered.

'I'm not a nobleman or a man, Mother.
--!

　Froese looked over at Tesfia as if waiting for the words to follow.

'I'm a female student named Loki Rabehel. I've transferred to the academy.
Transfer.

　He knew that concealment would not work for Froese, who was in military service. So I'll add myself as an intention not to hide it before being asked.

'I heard that she had served in the military in the outside world before she enrolled.
Oh, there's no such girl.

　Froese was aware of the anomaly.
　He didn't expect to find out if he asked his daughter about it now. It is customary for most wizards to be assigned to the military after graduating from the academy.
　The only exceptions would be aristocrats like the Socarent family who would let them get involved in private business only.

　Selva announced outside the door to announce the preparation of dinner, leaving the question unanswered.

''Lady Froese, Miss Tesfia, dinner is ready.
"Thank you, Selva.

　It seemed as if this was the end of this conversation.

'Fear, let's talk again,'
Yes.

　With a slight twitch, Tesfia replied, pondering the need to keep her relationship with Loki from being realized.

　She was determined not to repeat the tragedy that had happened with Alice because she had invited him to be her friend, and she was determined not to even mention Ars.
　If she can't disobey her mother, she must at least take care to avoid being noticed.