Once the annoying tasks were finished, the order of the party soon changed to collecting honey.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Future Ilya’s in-law’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.]
[What the… What kind of party suddenly makes you do field experience learning? They should have organized a kissing booth or something.]
What the heck is a kissing booth?
I shook my head inside and received a palm-sized glass bottle handed out by a young priest. The priest explained, guiding us to a huge acacia flower tree that sheds clear golden honey.
“You can take the honey dripping from the ‘knowledge storehouse acacia’ in a glass bottle. Please be careful, as you cannot collect more than the specified amount.”
Knowledge storehouse acacia! This is a flower I saw in the Magical Plant Encyclopedia. They say it oozes honey, which enhances learning ability.
I wasn’t the only one whose eyes sparkled when I saw acacia. The expression of the noble couples gathered there also had changed.
Among the party attendees, Ilya and I were particularly young, while most were middle-aged. This meant there was a high probability that they would have children old enough to care about their studies. Parents who have children show great interest in the effectiveness for their children’s academic achievement.
Actually, some people attend this party because of this honey.
In preparation for the upcoming final exam, I was also very desperate for a mysterious honey that helps my brain function smoothly and improves my concentration.
That was when I turned on the light in my eyes and diligently put large drops of honey falling slowly into a glass bottle. Ilya asked me without much enthusiasm for collecting honey.
“Why do you want to grow magical plants?”
“Somehow, I have accumulated a lot of wealth, so I’m trying to roll the money. It’s good to prepare for the future.”
“What kind of future are you preparing for?”
“That’s…” I’m embarrassed to say it
.
Ilya said when I hesitated. “If the plan is difficult to talk about, you don’t have to tell me.”
“It’s not like that.”
Originally, I was a little embarrassed to share my plans or thoughts with someone because I hate presentations the most. Actually, I thought that no one would be interested in my story. I’m confident I’ll do well if they ask me to write and submit a report.
I opened my mouth shyly. “Having a farm that grows magical plants is beneficial to the alchemy workshop or hospital owned by my family.”
But when I started talking, my mind became calm. Ilya listened with a serious expression, without any sign of ignorance or boredom, just like he did when he waited for my answer in the carriage. Maybe that’s why my words came out more smoothly than expected.
“I’m talented in purification magic and have magical animal friends who help me, so I think I can improve the conditions of workers working in dangerous situations. No, I think it must be improved.”
I was able to organize much more neatly, bringing out the things that I only vaguely remembered in my head.
“And among my juniors, there is a friend named Reini, who is talented at alchemy. I thought setting up a magic farm would be advantageous in many ways, as it would immediately provide the materials needed for her research.”
Reini was an alchemist who studied things useful when dealing with demons and monsters. If you fully support Reini, there will definitely be good results.
Ilya said as if he now understood. “Are you planning to take over the Squire family in that way?”
“Yes? Not at all.”
As I hurriedly denied it by using magic to block the surroundings from hearing my voice, Ilya tilted his head.
“You’re not planning to become the family’s heir?”
“Yes. I have absolutely no desire to become the heir of the family. I’m not that good at it, and I’m not confident that I can do it well.”
I added hesitantly. “And I’m not Theresa to begin with.”
It was true that I wasn’t interested in the position of head of the family. Still, it didn’t make sense for me, who was only a shell of Theresa, to become the Squire owner. Wouldn’t the maximum role I can play be a family supporter?
Of course, I still believe that my presence is beneficial to the Squire family.
In the scenario, the unfortunate events that would have inevitably occurred due to the original presence of Theresa disappeared because of me. But even so, my guilt didn’t go away.
“Uargh.”
In a moment of contemplation, a honey drop the size of an egg candy fell into my hand, not a glass bottle.
“What a shame.”
As I unconsciously licked the honey that had flowed from my hand, Ilya furrowed his eyebrows and stopped me from doing so.
“It’s not a good thing to see.”
He put the glass bottle aside, took out his handkerchief, and wiped the honey that had soaked my hands with a meticulous touch.
I held back my laughter. “In fact, my hands are now covered with honey, Professor.”
My fingers were covered in golden honey and glistened like a candy’s surface.
“Wouldn’t it have been better to wash it with water rather than wipe it with a handkerchief?”
Ilya looked at the handkerchief, which was a mess of honey, and obediently said yes. “I think that would be better.”
At the same time, I somehow found it cute that he was following me to the small fountain. Am I finally crazy? How can I think this archdemon is cute? I must be out of my mind. However, I felt a sense of familiarity when I discovered an unexpected sloppy side of Ilya, who seemed to have no flaws.
“It would be better to have the handkerchief washed separately. Would you like to use this instead?” I took out a handkerchief embroidered with flowers and butterflies from my bag and held it out.
“Professor, do you think it looks a bit weird if you use it?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Ilya took his handkerchief, stuffed it inside his suit pocket, and gave me his share of honey.
“You, take this.”
It seemed like he was only collecting it roughly. But when did he fill up the glass honey bottle?
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Future Ilya’s in-law’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.
[Since you had a meeting earlier, are you now exchanging gifts?]
I smiled brightly and received honey without hesitation. “Are you really giving it to me? Wow, thank you.”
With this, I’m sure the final exam will be no problem. Fufufufu.
While I was genuinely rejoicing, Ilya briefly ruffled my hair, then lowered his hand and said, “Let’s go back now.”
“Yes!”
Since I had gained everything to gain, there was no reason to remain in the temple any longer. As soon as I got into the carriage, I picked up a book that caught my eye. It was a book that Ilya tried to read when we came to the temple.
“Can I see what book it is?”
Instead of giving permission, Ilya summoned a bead that emits a soft light. “Be bright.”
Although there was a lamp in the carriage, it was dark inside at night, so it wasn’t suitable for reading.
“Don’t look directly at the light, as it is not good for your eyes.”
“Yes. Thank you, Professor.”
Ilya crossed his legs and looked out the window as if his job was done.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Empty Vessels Make the Most Noise’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.]
[Ha… This is the taste of an older man.]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘I hate romance’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.]
[If you’re talking about Ilya, he’s not older but an ancestor…]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Rotten Taste’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.]
[That’s rather good.]
While the constellations were talking nonsense, I read the book diligently. Still, it only gave me a headache, so I covered it up.
“I have no idea what this is talking about.”
“Don’t be heartbroken if you don’t understand. It’s something I’ve already expected.”
“Ah, yes…”
Maybe it’s because he’s actually from hell, but he has got a hell of a mouth…
After discarding the book filled with incomprehensible words, I absentmindedly fiddled with the glass honey bottles.
I think it would be too much for me to drink both bottles by myself. Should I invite Libby and Reini to the dormitory and have honey tea and dessert? I wanted to make honey wine and raise a toast with Clybe for some reason, but I didn’t have enough honey for that.
I need to plant knowledge storehouse acacia on my magic farm. I can’t give up on the idea of increasing my intelligence and drinking alcohol at the same time. I wonder if the temple would actually give me a sapling.
As I looked out the window, thinking that even if the end of the world approached, I would definitely plant an acacia tree on my farm, before I knew it, Duchy Squire began to appear. As the carriage entered the mansion, Ilya asked me.
“Finals will start soon. Are you studying well for the exam?”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Be Mindful’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.]
[Ah, Older Brother Ilya!!!]
I answered with a relaxed smile. “I’m an A+ level wizard.”
“A high level doesn’t mean a high grade. It should be accompanied by sufficient theory and practical experience.”
Even wizards of the same level varied greatly depending on their abilities. However, even taking into account various factors, an A+ level wizard was an incredibly high level. I’m not making a fuss of it for no reason.
The carriage stopped in front of the lobby. Ilya got out of the carriage and escorted me in smooth motion like a black leopard. Feeling both grumpy and playful, I asked for the answer to the only question Ilya couldn’t answer.
“Have you found the answer to what you think of me now?”
“You’re short-tempered. It’s not a good habit for a wizard.”
I played around for no reason and couldn’t even score a point.
Ilya, who saw Eloise, who came to meet me, stopped in place and told me. “It’s not the answer from before, but I think I can tell you what I think now.”
“What is it?”
“I have two impressions. One is that today’s party was better than I thought.”
“What about the second one?”
Ilya suddenly bent down at my question and whispered in a small voice that Eloise couldn’t hear. “I don’t want to send you home.”
“…Yes?”
I made a dumbfounded expression, and when I reacted belatedly, Ilya had already lightly ruffled my hair.
“I’ll see you at school.” He turned around as if his business was over.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
The constellations responded explosively, but there was no time to check the sponsorship comments. I checked Ilya’s likeability with blank eyes.
[Likeability:
He suddenly appeared at the Gates of Paradise and freaked me out. Today, he even dropped a bombshell saying that he knew I wasn’t Theresa. And now, he was surprising me with his likeability.
Ilya kept me so confused that I couldn’t afford to think about anything else. Why is he ruffling my hair again?
“I can’t tell, really…”
Really, I felt like I was being played by the demon.
Once the annoying tasks were finished, the order of the party soon changed to collecting honey.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Future Ilya’s in-law’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.]
[What the… What kind of party suddenly makes you do field experience learning? They should have organized a kissing booth or something.]
What the heck is a kissing booth?
I shook my head inside and received a palm-sized glass bottle handed out by a young priest. The priest explained, guiding us to a huge acacia flower tree that sheds clear golden honey.
“You can take the honey dripping from the ‘knowledge storehouse acacia’ in a glass bottle. Please be careful, as you cannot collect more than the specified amount.”
Knowledge storehouse acacia! This is a flower I saw in the Magical Plant Encyclopedia. They say it oozes honey, which enhances learning ability.
I wasn’t the only one whose eyes sparkled when I saw acacia. The expression of the noble couples gathered there also had changed.
Among the party attendees, Ilya and I were particularly young, while most were middle-aged. This meant there was a high probability that they would have children old enough to care about their studies. Parents who have children show great interest in the effectiveness for their children’s academic achievement.
Actually, some people attend this party because of this honey.
In preparation for the upcoming final exam, I was also very desperate for a mysterious honey that helps my brain function smoothly and improves my concentration.
That was when I turned on the light in my eyes and diligently put large drops of honey falling slowly into a glass bottle. Ilya asked me without much enthusiasm for collecting honey.
“Why do you want to grow magical plants?”
“Somehow, I have accumulated a lot of wealth, so I’m trying to roll the money. It’s good to prepare for the future.”
“What kind of future are you preparing for?”
“That’s…” I’m embarrassed to say it
.
Ilya said when I hesitated. “If the plan is difficult to talk about, you don’t have to tell me.”
“It’s not like that.”
Originally, I was a little embarrassed to share my plans or thoughts with someone because I hate presentations the most. Actually, I thought that no one would be interested in my story. I’m confident I’ll do well if they ask me to write and submit a report.
I opened my mouth shyly. “Having a farm that grows magical plants is beneficial to the alchemy workshop or hospital owned by my family.”
But when I started talking, my mind became calm. Ilya listened with a serious expression, without any sign of ignorance or boredom, just like he did when he waited for my answer in the carriage. Maybe that’s why my words came out more smoothly than expected.
“I’m talented in purification magic and have magical animal friends who help me, so I think I can improve the conditions of workers working in dangerous situations. No, I think it must be improved.”
I was able to organize much more neatly, bringing out the things that I only vaguely remembered in my head.
“And among my juniors, there is a friend named Reini, who is talented at alchemy. I thought setting up a magic farm would be advantageous in many ways, as it would immediately provide the materials needed for her research.”
Reini was an alchemist who studied things useful when dealing with demons and monsters. If you fully support Reini, there will definitely be good results.
Ilya said as if he now understood. “Are you planning to take over the Squire family in that way?”
“Yes? Not at all.”
As I hurriedly denied it by using magic to block the surroundings from hearing my voice, Ilya tilted his head.
“You’re not planning to become the family’s heir?”
“Yes. I have absolutely no desire to become the heir of the family. I’m not that good at it, and I’m not confident that I can do it well.”
I added hesitantly. “And I’m not Theresa to begin with.”
It was true that I wasn’t interested in the position of head of the family. Still, it didn’t make sense for me, who was only a shell of Theresa, to become the Squire owner. Wouldn’t the maximum role I can play be a family supporter?
Of course, I still believe that my presence is beneficial to the Squire family.
In the scenario, the unfortunate events that would have inevitably occurred due to the original presence of Theresa disappeared because of me. But even so, my guilt didn’t go away.
“Uargh.”
In a moment of contemplation, a honey drop the size of an egg candy fell into my hand, not a glass bottle.
“What a shame.”
As I unconsciously licked the honey that had flowed from my hand, Ilya furrowed his eyebrows and stopped me from doing so.
“It’s not a good thing to see.”
He put the glass bottle aside, took out his handkerchief, and wiped the honey that had soaked my hands with a meticulous touch.
I held back my laughter. “In fact, my hands are now covered with honey, Professor.”
My fingers were covered in golden honey and glistened like a candy’s surface.
“Wouldn’t it have been better to wash it with water rather than wipe it with a handkerchief?”
Ilya looked at the handkerchief, which was a mess of honey, and obediently said yes. “I think that would be better.”
At the same time, I somehow found it cute that he was following me to the small fountain. Am I finally crazy? How can I think this archdemon is cute? I must be out of my mind. However, I felt a sense of familiarity when I discovered an unexpected sloppy side of Ilya, who seemed to have no flaws.
“It would be better to have the handkerchief washed separately. Would you like to use this instead?” I took out a handkerchief embroidered with flowers and butterflies from my bag and held it out.
“Professor, do you think it looks a bit weird if you use it?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Ilya took his handkerchief, stuffed it inside his suit pocket, and gave me his share of honey.
“You, take this.”
It seemed like he was only collecting it roughly. But when did he fill up the glass honey bottle?
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Future Ilya’s in-law’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.
[Since you had a meeting earlier, are you now exchanging gifts?]
I smiled brightly and received honey without hesitation. “Are you really giving it to me? Wow, thank you.”
With this, I’m sure the final exam will be no problem. Fufufufu.
While I was genuinely rejoicing, Ilya briefly ruffled my hair, then lowered his hand and said, “Let’s go back now.”
“Yes!”
Since I had gained everything to gain, there was no reason to remain in the temple any longer. As soon as I got into the carriage, I picked up a book that caught my eye. It was a book that Ilya tried to read when we came to the temple.
“Can I see what book it is?”
Instead of giving permission, Ilya summoned a bead that emits a soft light. “Be bright.”
Although there was a lamp in the carriage, it was dark inside at night, so it wasn’t suitable for reading.
“Don’t look directly at the light, as it is not good for your eyes.”
“Yes. Thank you, Professor.”
Ilya crossed his legs and looked out the window as if his job was done.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Empty Vessels Make the Most Noise’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.]
[Ha… This is the taste of an older man.]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘I hate romance’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.]
[If you’re talking about Ilya, he’s not older but an ancestor…]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Rotten Taste’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.]
[That’s rather good.]
While the constellations were talking nonsense, I read the book diligently. Still, it only gave me a headache, so I covered it up.
“I have no idea what this is talking about.”
“Don’t be heartbroken if you don’t understand. It’s something I’ve already expected.”
“Ah, yes…”
Maybe it’s because he’s actually from hell, but he has got a hell of a mouth…
After discarding the book filled with incomprehensible words, I absentmindedly fiddled with the glass honey bottles.
I think it would be too much for me to drink both bottles by myself. Should I invite Libby and Reini to the dormitory and have honey tea and dessert? I wanted to make honey wine and raise a toast with Clybe for some reason, but I didn’t have enough honey for that.
I need to plant knowledge storehouse acacia on my magic farm. I can’t give up on the idea of increasing my intelligence and drinking alcohol at the same time. I wonder if the temple would actually give me a sapling.
As I looked out the window, thinking that even if the end of the world approached, I would definitely plant an acacia tree on my farm, before I knew it, Duchy Squire began to appear. As the carriage entered the mansion, Ilya asked me.
“Finals will start soon. Are you studying well for the exam?”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Be Mindful’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.]
[Ah, Older Brother Ilya!!!]
I answered with a relaxed smile. “I’m an A+ level wizard.”
“A high level doesn’t mean a high grade. It should be accompanied by sufficient theory and practical experience.”
Even wizards of the same level varied greatly depending on their abilities. However, even taking into account various factors, an A+ level wizard was an incredibly high level. I’m not making a fuss of it for no reason.
The carriage stopped in front of the lobby. Ilya got out of the carriage and escorted me in smooth motion like a black leopard. Feeling both grumpy and playful, I asked for the answer to the only question Ilya couldn’t answer.
“Have you found the answer to what you think of me now?”
“You’re short-tempered. It’s not a good habit for a wizard.”
I played around for no reason and couldn’t even score a point.
Ilya, who saw Eloise, who came to meet me, stopped in place and told me. “It’s not the answer from before, but I think I can tell you what I think now.”
“What is it?”
“I have two impressions. One is that today’s party was better than I thought.”
“What about the second one?”
Ilya suddenly bent down at my question and whispered in a small voice that Eloise couldn’t hear. “I don’t want to send you home.”
“…Yes?”
I made a dumbfounded expression, and when I reacted belatedly, Ilya had already lightly ruffled my hair.
“I’ll see you at school.” He turned around as if his business was over.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
The constellations responded explosively, but there was no time to check the sponsorship comments. I checked Ilya’s likeability with blank eyes.
[Likeability:
He suddenly appeared at the Gates of Paradise and freaked me out. Today, he even dropped a bombshell saying that he knew I wasn’t Theresa. And now, he was surprising me with his likeability.
Ilya kept me so confused that I couldn’t afford to think about anything else. Why is he ruffling my hair again?
“I can’t tell, really…”
Really, I felt like I was being played by the demon.
