I met Creon's sister, Claire, when I was a first year student at the Imperial School of Magic.
　It was the first time Creon invited me to his mansion.

　Creon was the son of a duke family and the vastness of the imperial mansion was astounding.

　At the back of the mansion was the young Claire.
　Claire was only nine years old, with long fine gray hair and wearing an expensive dress studded with jewelry.

　She looked like a deep-windowed warrior's daughter in a way.
　But what struck me was the bright, intelligent glint in her gray eyes.

''Back then, I had no power. And even now I have no power.''

　Claire in front of me murmured to herself.

　I often visited Creon's house, and Sophia was usually with me when I was there.

　I remember that Sophia was the same age as Claire, so they seemed to get along quite well together and play together.

　Claire said that she was going to join the Imperial School of Witchcraft and Wizardry eventually, and she smiled happily and said, "Then you'll be my seniors, won't you, Solon?

　But that didn't happen.
　In other words, Claire didn't pass the entrance exam for the wizardry school.

　This is because Claire had no magical talent whatsoever, and the amount of magic power she had was zero.
　It's not uncommon for magic power not to be expressed at an early age, and the amount of magic power gradually increases as one gets older.
　That's why the standard entrance age for the Imperial School of Magic is twelve years old.

　However, Claire didn't become able to use magic at all even at the age of twelve.
　Even if the amount of magic power was somewhat inferior, it could be covered up to a certain extent by knowledge and skill.
　However, when it comes to people with no magic power at all, the so-called 'lackeys', that's also impossible.

　Creon had an overwhelming talent for magic and later became a holy knight and one of the strongest adventurers in the empire.
　Compared to that kind of Creon, Creon was like the opposite.

　One day, when I went to Creon's house, she was gone.

　When I asked him what was wrong, he looked away and said shortly, "I went to military school.
　The Academy was a boarding school, and I never saw Claire again.

　Now she is in front of me, with her hair cut short and wearing a military uniform.
　And, of course, she was much more mature than she was then.

　The reason I didn't recognize this girl as Claire was because she looked so different from the past.

'Well, you've grown up a lot, haven't you?'

'Don't sound like your relative's uncle. That kind of Mr. Solon has become so cool.

　Claire says teasingly.
　Back then, Claire was rather fond of me.

　But how Claire sees me now is another thing.
　Now, me and Cleon are no longer friends.

　I've fought with Claire twice as an enemy without even realizing it.

I was jealous.

What?

'I was envious of my brother and Sophia-san. Because I was able to go to school with Solon-san, become an adventurer, and create a knight's club.... I couldn't do all of those things myself.

　For a moment, Claire's gray eyes were melancholy.
　But Claire quickly returned to a cheerful expression.

I was happy to hear that the kind Mr. Solon created the strongest knights of the Empire and became a hero as a magic swordsman. Your brother always praised Solon-san.

I'm not a hero.

I'm sure you do.

　Surprisingly easily, Claire nodded.
　Then Claire shot me a sharp look with her grey eyes.

''What I was more happy about was that Solon-san was expelled from the Order.

"...What do you mean by that?

'You were kicked out of the Order because you weren't strong enough and were too weak, weren't you, Mr. Solon?　I couldn't get into the magic school because I wasn't strong enough or talented enough. So I thought that Solon had come to the same side as me.

"Master Solon is not weak!

　Clarice interrupted from the side.
　Clarice is unusually mortified.
　I'm sure he's angry for me.

　But Claire didn't flinch and turned to face Clarice.

'You're a maid, you can't use magic either, can you?　Oh, but unlike me, you have magical powers. I envy you.

　Claire murmured.
　Then she continued.

''But at least I, Solon-san and the maids there are not all magical geniuses. On the contrary, my brother, Sophia-san, and Solon-san's teacher, Lucy. They all have great talents and are overwhelmingly strong. Can you understand those kind of substandard people, Solon-san?

'Even Creon used to be my friend, and Sophia is still a very dear friend. And Miss Lucy is my mentor.

　When I said Lucy's name, Claire twitched.
　It was a slight movement, but I didn't miss the hatred in Claire's eyes.

'Lucy isn't the good person you think she is, Solon-san.

'I don't know why Claire would say that, but I have faith in Dr. Lucy. And I've known Dr. Lucy for years now.

'Mr. Solon doesn't know anything about that Lucy person. Because that person is trying to deceive and take advantage of Mr. Solon.

What does that mean?

　I was about to ask Claire a question, but the question was interrupted.

'What are you doing, Solon?'

　A voice came from behind her, somewhat low for a woman, but with a beautiful tone.
　I turned around and saw Lucy standing there in crimson.