"Ugh... Mmm..."
Lydia Ainsworth was not a morning person.
She was naturally a night owl. Everyone, including herself, acknowledged that her research progressed much better under the cover of darkness.
Ideally, she would have preferred to wallow in slothful sleep until noon. However, since April of this year, Lydia had made a habit of waking up by eight o'clock.
There was a specific reason for this...
"Lydia-sama. It is time to wake up."
"Just ten more minutes..."
"You always say that to stall, but you cannot."
Carla Hale.
She was a live-in maid who had been with Lydia for exactly two years. Although much had transpired when she first entered Lydia’s service, Carla was currently quite content with her life.
"Ugh... mmm... I’m so... so sleepy..."
"You will be late for your visit to Ray-sama."
"!"
Magic words.
Carla knew exactly which ones to use.
Indeed, one only had to mention Ray. Although Lydia stubbornly denied it, the truth was that she found him utterly precious.
Back when they were always together, Lydia had treated him rather roughly—pestering him and speaking to him with casual indifference. But now that they were apart, a sense of loneliness—or rather, a growing affection—had taken hold.
They say love flourishes in the face of obstacles, and Lydia's feelings were the perfect example.
Ever since she was separated from the Ray she used to see every day, she had spent her solitary hours in her study looking terribly lonely whenever she couldn't see him.
But then Lydia had a thought: If I can't see him, I should just go to him.
Consequently, she had actually been making frequent appearances at the Academy since April, watching Ray from afar.
A sorcerer of Ray’s caliber should have easily detected her gaze.
However, the combined skills of Lydia and Carla—who were both masters of espionage—were just enough to elude Ray's senses. While there were moments where she was nearly exposed, Ray had yet to notice her.
During these secret visits, she was usually looked after by Abby.
"Honestly, Lydia."
"What?"
"It’s time to stop being such a helicopter parent."
"Hah?! I—It’s not like that! I’m just... well, worried about Ray! That’s all!"
"Sigh... Consider my position, having to arrange all these conveniences for you."
"Ugh... I do feel bad about that, but..."
Having finished her morning preparations, Lydia had arrived at the Academy in a wheelchair pushed by Carla. It was a significant distance from her home, but by utilizing magic to increase their travel speed—including several spells that couldn't be made public—Carla and Lydia made the journey quickly.
After confirming that Ray was going about his day as usual, Lydia moved to the Headmaster’s office to see Abby.
Her usual routine involved drinking tea and then heading home, but lately, Abby had taken to nagging her, which made Lydia feel restless.
Of course, it was Lydia's own fault for loitering.
"I’ve told you time and again, Ray will be fine."
"But the bullying from the nobles...!"
"That was settled ages ago. Things are much more relaxed now."
"Ugh... Well, I suppose that’s true."
In reality, the rumors of discrimination Ray faced upon his enrollment had reached Lydia's ears.
At the time, she had boasted that she would freeze every single student who dared to mock him. Only Abby's persuasion had prevented her from carrying out the threat.
Inadvertently, Albert and his peers had narrowly escaped being turned into ice sculptures.
"I’m not saying you can't come, but have some self-awareness. Ray has already flown the nest."
"..."
"What is it now?"
Lydia suddenly went silent.
Turning her face away from Abby with a pout, she muttered under her breath.
"B-Because! I’m worried about Ray!"
"Good grief..."
Abby put a hand to her forehead and shook her head.
Having known her since they were students, Abby knew that Lydia occasionally displayed this childish streak. It was the reason Lydia could never quite stand up to her. Though they were the same age, their relationship was more like that of an older and younger sister.
On the other hand, Abby couldn't bring herself to abandon Lydia either.
Trembling slightly, Lydia continued.
"W-What if Ray gets a girlfriend...?"
"And?"
"I’ll want to freeze her solid! Is this what parental instinct feels like?!"
"Sigh... Honestly. If you're like that, Ray will never be able to marry. Besides, a sorcerer of his caliber isn't going to stay single forever."
"Ugh...! But if you're going to put it that way, that applies to you too, Abby!"
"Ugh...! Well, same to you!"
"Ugh...!"
"..."
"..."
Neither of them wanted to keep poking at each other's wounds. They collectively decided to drop the subject.
While Lydia’s inability to marry stemmed from her difficult personality and her obsessive affection for Ray, the same couldn't be said for Abby.
Abby was a respectable adult and a rarity among High-ranking Sorcerers for her common sense. More than that, she was exceptionally competent, beautiful, and brilliant.
One would assume men wouldn't leave her alone, but reality was different.
The problem was that she was too competent.
Men were intimidated by Abby’s overwhelming excellence. As a result, both women were approaching thirty while still unmarried. The sad reality was that they had completely missed the boat.
"Abby-chan! Let’s go to lunch~☆ Oh? Is Lydia-chan here again~☆"
Carol entered the room without a hint of hesitation or a knock.
As usual, she was dressed in flashy clothes with a plunging neckline, her glossy pink hair styled in loose curls. In truth, Carol had the most problematic personality of them all, yet she was popular with the students—mostly due to her seductive appearance.
"Carol. Is there a problem with me being here? Well?"
Lydia immediately bristled.
She and Carol were like cats and dogs—well, perhaps not quite that bad, but they certainly didn't get along. They had been acquaintances for over ten years, so they were likely close in their own way, but neither—especially Lydia—would ever admit it.
From Abby’s perspective, it was exhausting. The two of them were always bickering.
"No problem at all~☆ But shouldn't you let go of your little boy soon~? Caro-caro thinks Ray-chan is already a fine adult~☆"
"Listen, Idiot Pink. I know what you’re up to. You’re still after Ray’s first time, aren't you...?"
"Eh?! That’s not true at all~☆ How hurtful... Right now, Caro-caro and Ray-chan are teacher and student. Such a forbidden relationship is just... oh..."
Her snow-white cheeks flushed a cherry-blossom pink as Carol pressed her hands against them theatrically.
She had meant to deny it, but simply imagining a forbidden affair between a teacher and a student made her blush.
Lydia’s patience finally snapped at the display.
She truly had no self-control when it came to this.
"You...! If you lay a finger on Ray, you’re dead...!!"
"Ehh?! But someone is going to take it eventually! In that case, shouldn't an adult guide him properly~☆"
"Shut up! I’ll be the one to decide that!"
"Then why don't you do it, Lydia-chan?"
Carol stepped back and made the suggestion with chilling calm.
"Huh?"
"Lydia-chan should just take Ray-chan's first time~☆ Then you won't have any complaints, right~?"
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!?"
Lydia’s scream echoed through the halls.
If it hadn't been lunch break, the volume would have surely caused a major incident.
As for the woman herself, she was red-faced and panicked.
"I-I...! I didn't mean it like that! R-Ray is... well, he’s handsome, but... that’s not it! I mean! Ugh... ughhh... how embarrassing..."
Lydia denied it, her face and body turning beet red. She looked like the picture of an innocent maiden. She was so sheltered that even a young girl might have reacted with more composure, but not Lydia.
Watching her, Abby and Carol shared a single thought.
—She’s adorable!
They had seen Lydia's bashful side many times over the years, and every time, they found it simply cute.
It was because they knew this side of her that they were so lenient and kind toward her.
If Ray saw her like this, he might realize his Master had a charming side, but she would never show it to him.
Revealing her feminine side was far too embarrassing for Lydia, especially since she had always maintained a brave and gallant persona in front of him.
"Well, Lydia. Good luck to you."
"Mhm, mhm. That’s right~☆ Good luck, Lydia-chan!"
"I hate the way you guys look at me like that!! AAAAAAAAAAH!!"
Lydia took off, pushing her wheelchair at breakneck speed until she vanished from the room.
"Well then, I shall take my leave."
Carla, who had remained silent the entire time, gave a polite nod and followed her mistress, her long skirt swishing behind her.
"She really is cute... Lydia-chan☆"
"Don't tease her too much. It’s a nightmare to hold her back when she’s genuinely angry."
"Yes, yes~!"
"Shall we go to lunch then, Carol?"
"Okay~☆"
And so, Abby and Carol left the room together to get some food.
Just when would Lydia finally be able to face her own feelings—?