‘My Academy grades… why are they like this?’
Her academy graduation record was, quite literally, disastrous.
A beautiful set of scores that averaged out to a D.
At this point, it wasn’t even “she was lucky to graduate”—it was more accurate to say the professors had pushed her through just so they wouldn’t have to see her anymore.
Kaien frowned as he looked over her personal records.
Then he spoke.
“You’re hopeless.”
“B-but she still ranked first on the entrance exam!”
Aeron hurriedly pointed out the only shining achievement in Frisia’s record.
But his master remained merciless.
“Shouldn’t it be the other way around to mean anything? It would make sense if she started as a fool and improved through study, but this… she just kept getting worse.”
“Th-then… are you not even going to interview her?”
So this was it? The long-awaited new assistant… gone before it even began?
Just moments ago, Aeron had been imagining a capable Frisia smiling confidently.
‘Haha, senior. You’ve suffered alone for so long. Don’t worry anymore—I’m here now.’
But now—
“Fine. She passed the written test anyway. I’ll at least see her face.”
“I’ll bring her immediately!”
Aeron quickly brightened and rushed off.
Thump. Thump. Thump-thump.
I pressed my trembling hands together to stop them from shaking.
Right now, I was sitting in front of the Duke of Kreutz.
His face was partially obscured by backlight, but his silhouette alone was so perfectly sculpted it was almost unreal.
But my heart wasn’t racing from admiration.
It was fear.
Why is he scary even as a silhouette?!
Just moments ago, I had entered the duke’s office after being granted an interview.
Thankfully, my test results had apparently been decent enough.
I had been happy when I was told I’d be interviewed.
But now—
Why does just resting his chin on his hand feel so terrifying?!
He looked like the embodiment of a final boss.
No matter how closely I studied him, I didn’t think I could ever imitate that presence.
No. No weak thoughts. Remember why I’m here.
I have to absorb that aura!
“Chick. Are you learning properly? His posture, the angle of his legs—he looks like a villain straight out of a story.”
[Insufficient data! With the user’s physical proportions, replicating that posture will not produce the same impression!]
…Fair. Brutal, but logical.
Even I wasn’t short, but the Duke looked like someone who made a living out of being a sculpture.
He uncrossed his elegantly long legs and spoke.
“Frisia Violet?”
“Y-yes, sir!”
I answered with full energy.
Wow… even his voice sounds villain-like.
His low, chilling voice sent a shiver down my spine.
It was beautiful—but unsettling.
“You are the sole heir of a noble house that became a barony in name only after you handed it over to your uncle. Your grades hover around a D average.”
Ouch. That hurt.
“During your academy years, your career goal was listed as ‘ideal housewife.’ And now you want to become my secretary. Why?”
“Because you are my role model, Your Grace!”
The answer I had prepared burst out of me.
Aeron, standing nearby, looked stunned.
The Duke frowned.
“…Me?”
“Yes! I aspire to become someone with your excellent character and personality! That is my new life goal!”
“…My character and personality?”
The assistant choked.
“Excuse me—!”
He looked at me like I’d said something insane.
But I wasn’t lying.
I had once seen this man casually beating someone down with his boots in the distance.
It was terrifying—but also strangely fascinating.
So that’s what it looks like to live freely without restraint…
It was almost… admirable.
One day, I’ll crush Felix like that too.
The thought alone made me feel better.
“Yes! I respect you the most, Your Grace! It would be the highest honor to work and learn under you!”
The atmosphere in the office shifted.
Even the knights standing silently nearby stared at me like I was insane.
Was I… overdoing the flattery?
But I meant every word!
“….”
The Duke broke the silence.
“Hm.”
He covered his mouth with one large hand.
Huh?
Did I imagine it?
Was his mouth slightly curved upward?
Was his ear slightly red?
Before I could look closer—
He spoke again.
“An unusual answer.”
But his expression was already cold again.
Maybe I really imagined it.
“Fine. I’m convinced enough. Last question.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Explain the effect of zero-point fluctuation in mana when the ether threshold is zero.”
“Phase separation occurs due to mana potential difference, leading to dimensional decoupling and a fundamental restructuring of the magical system.”
“Primary cause of rune resonance cancellation?”
“Asynchronous collision of heterogeneous mana waves.”
“L·R/V = ?”
“Magical efficiency calculation formula.”
“Accepted.”
Aeron’s jaw dropped.
I finally exhaled the breath I’d been holding.
Once I left the Magic Tower, my racing heart finally began to calm.
[Congratulations, Benefactor! You didn’t rely on me at all!]
The chick—Pippi—chattered excitedly in my mind.
[In some calculations, you were even faster than me! Amazing!]
“Heh… it’s nothing.”
I tried to sound calm, but I was honestly proud.
I had spent countless nights helping Felix prepare notes and predicted exams.
I had never thought that effort would benefit me.
For the first time, I had achieved something with my own ability.
I looked at the pendant that granted access to the tower with satisfaction.
Then a question I should have asked earlier came to mind.
“Hey, Pippi. Where did you even come from?”
[My memories before being found by you are unavailable.]
It looked at me nervously.
“…I see.”
It had called itself a magical AI.
Maybe it was something from the Academy’s research.
Should I return it?
[Now that you saved me, I belong to you! You even gave me a name!]
It panicked.
Its feathers trembled slightly.
It was lying about not remembering.
But it also clearly didn’t want to go back.
After a moment, I said,
“Pippi isn’t your real name.”
[Huh?]
“I just called you that because you looked like a chick. It’s not really a proper name…”
Then I thought of my old dog.
“…Can I call you Pipi?”
[Yes!!]
The chick—no, Pipi—fluttered around me happily.
[I am now your Pipi!]
It was so happy just from being named.
It felt like I had regained something I lost long ago.
And then, the next day.
“L-Lady! Lady Frisia!”
A not-so-welcome voice woke me.
“Sir Felix is currently in the reception room!”