Two more days passed after Fiache had fully recovered.

After testing Fiache a few times during that period, it became clear that the child knew nothing about her own power.

She didn’t even seem to know what a saintess was.

‘Then the awakening must happen after she meets her companions.’

A protagonist who forms deep friendships at the Academy, awakens when a crisis befalls the world, and joins forces with her friends to save it.

Is that the story?

‘Ugh, how cliché.’

Shaking my head, I circulated my mana.

“Undine.”

Undine’s aura was unusual.

Staring at me with her arms crossed, she looked thoroughly displeased.

“Why are you sulking?”

• • What have you been doing all this time to only call me now?

I was bedridden. I barely survived. Then Fiache was sick, so things were chaotic.

But since explaining that was too long and complicated, I just kept my mouth shut.

• • Now that I look at you, you call me whenever you need me without hesitation, but the moment you don’t, you just abandon me? Why are you so calculating? Is that all I am to you?

You call a spirit when you need them. Why call them when you don’t? It’s a waste of mana.

…If I said that, this small room would probably be flooded.

I lightly tapped Undine’s puffed-out cheek with my fingertip.

“I was busy. I thought you’d be too bored if I just summoned you without being able to play with you.”

• • Who said I wanted to play? I don’t care if I’m bored out of my mind, just call me! I’ll handle the playing myself, so just summon me no matter what! Got it?

“Fine, fine. I’ll do as you say.”

• • ……I’m forgiving you just this once! You know that, right? I’m scary when I’m angry!

“I know, you’re the strongest water spirit in the world. Thanks for cooling off.”

• • I-it’s not quite to that extent… well, hmph, as long as you know.

“Speaking of which, you can stay hidden in front of other people, right?”

Undine’s face, which had just softened, turned pale in an instant.

• • Why… why on earth do I have to do that? Am I… embarrassing to you?

“What do you mean by—”

Just as I was about to answer, I heard someone approaching.

“Master, you must prepare for the Academy class observation.”

“Ah……”

Come to think of it, I had forgotten that I was scheduled to observe classes at the Academy today.

“Undine, let’s talk later. Go back inside for now.”

• • Whaaat? No! Talk to me first! What was that just now? Am I really embarrassing?

“Sorry.”

• • Hey!

Undine, who had been clinging to my hair, vanished in an instant.

It was because I cut off the mana flow.

“Come in.”

As the maids entered, a command appeared.

[Level 3: (Standing in front of the full-length mirror) Tell them to have Fiache prepare to go out as well.]

“Tell them to have Fiache prepare to go out as well.”

“Yes, Master.”

Having finished my grooming, I checked my reflection in the mirror.

A gold dress that revealed the lines of my body flowed elegantly down to the floor.

The double-layered gold lace on the surface was unbelievably intricate and beautiful.

It must be astronomically expensive.

My hair had been swept up into a loose updo to match the dress.

My ears were adorned with shimmering gold earrings, and my somewhat plain hair was decorated with a gold branch-shaped ornament.

Staring at the eighteen lavish bracelets draped along my arms, I let out a sigh.

Even though the maids had dressed me according to my request to be “as fitting for the Academy as possible,” it was so dazzling I could hardly look at it.

Of course, it was truly beautiful. Appearance-wise, Adrianne was the greatest beauty in the entire setting.

The problem was that underneath it all, she was a deranged stalker.

“Everyone, you may leave.”

I waited until the footsteps faded away before summoning Undine again.

“Undine.”

• • …….

“Undine!”

• • Why are you calling me? Wasn’t I the water spirit who was too embarrassing to show to others? Weren’t you ashamed of me!

“You’re talking nonsense again. How could you possibly be embarrassing?”

• • Then why do you keep telling me to hide! It’s not like we’re having an affair!

“It’s a complete secret that I am Adella. If you all reveal yourselves in front of Leonhart, Owen, or Ruspell, what do you think will happen? I’ll be found out immediately. That’s why I’m asking you to stay hidden.”

A spirit and a contractor’s souls are bound the moment a contract is made.

Unless the spirit vanishes or the contractor dies, their relationship never changes.

So what would happen if spirits identical to Adela’s suddenly started following Adrianne around?

Others might not notice, but Leonhart, Owen, and Ruspell would certainly be suspicious.

Undine tilted her head.

• • But… do you know how much of a mess those humans were after you died? Drinking, crying, throwing tantrums saying they’d follow you in death—there were no bigger nuisances than them.

They did what?

To think they grieved my death so much. I felt a surge of emotion, but at the same time, I was puzzled.

Ruspell… honestly, I could see him throwing a tantrum.

He was impulsive and never hid his emotions or cared about others’ opinions.

However, it was hard to believe that Owen and Leonhart had lost their composure.

• • But imagine how happy they’ll be if they find out you’re alive! Even if we keep it a secret from other humans, let’s tell them. They’re too pitiful.

The reason I’m hiding the spirits is precisely because of those three.

If anyone realizes my identity, there’s a high chance it will be one of them.

I quickly racked my brain to create a lie that was as close to the truth as possible.

“I want to as well. But I told you, no one must know my identity.”

• • Is it a secret that you’re Adella? Whyyy?

“If my identity is discovered… the possession will break.”

• • What are you talking about? All the spirits already know your identity, and it hasn’t broken.

“Only for humans.”

• • Is there such a restriction on the Soul Transfer Art? Hmm, I’ve never heard of that…

Sensing something suspicious, Undine narrowed her eyes.

• • You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?

“N-no, I’m not.”

• • If I catch you later, you won’t like it, so spill it while you have the chance.

“What kind of spirit is this suspicious? If you’re so doubtful, go ahead and reveal my identity to anyone. See what happens.”

• • ……Are you really not hiding anything? Is the fear of the Soul Transfer Art breaking the only reason?

“I told you it is. I’m not joking. You have to tell the other spirits clearly as well.”

Undine observed me intently with a skeptical gaze.

When I stubbornly maintained an innocent expression, her shoulders eventually slumped in defeat.

• • Hmph, fine.

“I’m going out now, so if you feel anything strange, let me know via telepathy. Pay special attention to anyone approaching Fiache. Got it?”

Undine, who had taken a liking to Fiache, answered excitedly.

• • Fiache? That cute human with the warm aura? Yes, leave it to me!

After confirming that Undine was invisible, I stepped out of the bedroom.

Six maids and the butler followed in a crowd behind me as I crossed the lobby.

Footsteps echoed chaotically on the marble floor.

“Butler, prepare the Academy admission documents and all the supplies Fiache will need.”

“Have you already decided on admission? You haven’t even observed the classes yet.”

“She’ll end up attending anyway.”

“……Did the young lady mention that she wants to attend the Academy?”

“No.”

Because otherwise the story can’t progress.

The butler, who misunderstood that I had decided unilateraly, asked no further questions.

“Master, here it is.”

A maid following behind handed me a clutch. Like the dress, it was gold.

I took the clutch and tucked it casually under my arm.

“You did arrange the observation properly, didn’t you?”

“Yes. I was informed that no such observation program existed, so I recommended that one be established.”

“……And?”

“It has been established.”

The butler’s tone was so flat that for a moment it sounded like he was saying, ‘I watered the plants.’

But creating an entirely new program in just a few days couldn’t have been easy.

Especially in a conservative place like the Academy.

“From now on, parents will be able to observe classes once a year.”

“I’m not a parent.”

“You, Master, may observe at any time.”

[Level 2: (Casually touching the earring) What did we agree to give?]

Huh? What did we agree to give the Academy? Why?

As I followed the command, the butler answered nonchalantly.

“We agreed to donate the entire cost of constructing the riding arena and 50 horses.”

“…….”

Whether in reality or in a novel, there’s nothing money can’t solve.

It felt strange to go from being the one watching the money-flexing to being the one doing the money-flexing.

“They’ll probably try to get confirmation when we meet today.”

“That is likely.”

When I stepped outside the mansion, Fiache was waiting in front of the carriage.

“Y-your Grace, h-hello, hello.”

The child held the hem of her dress and gave a slight curtsy.

The pale pink dress and the hair styled in two buns on top of her head, like dumplings, suited her fantastically.

The white ribbon tied around her neck matched the ribbons woven into her hair.

They were items that elevated the child’s loveliness by another level.

[Level 1: (Scanning Fiache up and down and snorting) What dreadful taste… Replace the person in charge of Fiache’s grooming.]

“Give a reward to the person in charge of Fiache’s grooming.”

“……Pardon?”

As I stared coldly, the butler quickly recovered from his confusion.

“I-I will do as instructed. How many attendants would you like?”

“One.”

“……Since there was an unfortunate incident at the Imperial Palace last time, please make it five.”

“One.”

“How about three? For minimum safety, at least three—”

Before the butler could finish, I turned around and climbed into the carriage.

“Luna, follow me.”

“Yes! Master!”

While the butler hesitated, Luna scooped up Fiache and placed her in the carriage before climbing in herself.

The carriage departed.

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