Kays Translations

Chapter 11: Changed Course

From Baral to the National Academy of Magical Arts, I was filled with radiant feelings all the way.

This was like a promise of a peaceful and bright future.

I received a letter of offer from the magic branch in Baral, and I shared the joy with Mac and Cynthia.

Now that my future path was set, all I had to do was attend the remaining six months of classes and my time at the academy would come to an end.

The hot summer is over and the cool breeze reminds us that autumn is coming.

It was such a refreshing afternoon.

On Sundays when there were no classes, most of the students were out in the center of the Royal Capital. 

Everyone was busy shopping for the graduation party.

There must be a lot of things to prepare, like dresses, accessories, hairstyles, and so on.

The three of us, Mac, Cynthia and I, who were idle, suddenly stopped in front of the office building on our way back from the library.

The director of the school stood in front of the office building, and as soon as he noticed me, he waved wildly and came over to me.

He ran over to me as if he were rolling.

"Liesel! I was just about to call out for you. I've got good news for you!"

I was dragged to the dean's office, still holding a stack of books I had borrowed from the library.

Cynthia and Mac remained in front of the office building, upset.

After opening the stately dark brown double doors, the headmaster seated me on the leather couch for visitors. 

For some reason, his round face was flushed and he looked happy.

The Director's wrinkled face became even more wrinkled as he sat down on the sofa across the low table from me. 

His large round butt sank into the sofa, causing the seat to dip deeply.

As soon as he sat down, he began to speak.

"Liesel, I have a wonderful story for you…!　As a matter of fact, starting next year, the top five graduates of the academy will be automatically recruited by the royal palace as royal palace magicians!"

"... What does that mean?"

"You were second best. That means, fortunately for you, you'll be employed by the Royal Palace starting next April!　Ta-da! That's amazing!"

The headmaster was excited and happy, as if there was something very exciting happening.

I felt light-headed and dizzy.

I hope I heard wrong. However, the dean continued on, looking extremely happy.

"No, no, even the top student, Gideon, is going to the Royal Capital Magic Branch, and you, the second highest student, didn't get an offer from the Royal Palace, so I really wondered what was going on with the fifth-grade students this year."

"I didn't want to join the royal court, so..."

"And just now I got a call from the palace...　Ta-da-da!　It seems that you have been assigned to the Security Department of the Royal Magical Agency. Furthermore, as a sorcerer, you've been appointed as a 'Konoe Mage' to guard the personal affairs of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince! Hmm, that's a great honor!"

A cold sweat rapidly breaks out all over my body.

The blood rushed to my head.

What's going on, what the hell is going on? The difference in tension between me and the director made me break out in a strange sweat.

In an overly impatient voice, I tell the director.

"But-I've already been recruited by the magic branch of Baral."

The headmaster held up his index finger and waved it from side to side in front of his face, saying with a sense of pride.

"Don't worry. The royal court has already ordered that the offer of Liesel Crow be withdrawn. You are now a royal court sorcerer!"

"No way~!"

"I understand your surprise! Nothing could be better than this."

The director interpreted my despair as mere surprise.

He nodded repeatedly at me with a broad, innocent smile on his face.

(I'm the Crown Prince's Konoe Mage...?　How ironic is it that I'm guarding the Crown Prince who kills me!)

My hands were shaking and I couldn't help it. I tried to convince the director.

"I am afraid, I can't do that..."

"Don't be shy! In addition, magicians working in the royal palace are paid almost three times as much as those in the royal capital's magic branch. You'll be treated well."

"I want to work for the magic branch in Baral! I don't want to work near the Crown Prince!"

"Hey Kora! Don't be rude, Liesel-Crow."

The director of the academy changed his expression and gave me a warning.

"The Academy of Magic is supported by a large amount of funding from the government, Liesel. Particularly, magic is also the property of the state. It is not possible for any magician to freely decide where to work."

The director of the academy persuaded me that I should somehow understand the adult situation.

As I left the dean's office, almost in tears, I bumped into Cynthia at the exit.

Seeing me holding my nose, Mac tilted his head.

"What's wrong?　Your eyes are all red, Liesel."

"I can't go to the magic branch in Baral next year."

"What? Why?"

"The system has changed this year and the royal court is making me a Konoe Mage."

The two of them stared wide-eyed, then looked at each other.

The Konoe Mages are the ones who are chosen every year from among the Royal Magicians, right?

"As I recall, they only choose from the aristocratic magicians."

Yes. But because of the personal risks involved, it has become customary for new recruits to be chosen from the nobility of lesser houses. 

In other words, it was a perfect fit for the Crow family.

It's sad.

"I don't want to go to the Royal Palace."

"Well, we're also going to the palace after graduation. We can help each other in many ways. We'll be fine."

Cynthia touched my arm gently, trying to comfort me somehow.

As I stared back into her gentle brown eyes, my mind calmed down somewhat.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's have lunch together again every day!"

When I remained silent, Mac asked with concern.

"I think working for the royal palace sounds like a good deal. You don't sound too happy about it. --Is something wrong with your family in Baral?"

"No, it's not that. I'm afraid of His Highness."

"Huh? Not the Royal Palace, but His Highness?"

"Why is that, Liesel?"

I can't answer that.

I can't tell you that I have a memory of him stabbing me in the chest and killing me when I was nineteen...

Then Cynthia took both my hands in hers.

"It's okay, we're here for you."

I gently squeeze her hands back. When Cynthia tells me it's okay, I feel okay, even if I have no proof.

Besides, not everything is the same again.

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