Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 216

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Special Side Story Episode 1
“I’m here to share the project progress with you, Director Beleck.”
Researcher A from the Mage Tower Artifact Research Institute swallowed hard, feeling like a child caught red-handed under Beleck’s cold gaze.
In the suffocating silence, only the sound of Beleck’s pale fingers turning pages filled the laboratory.
After skimming through the thesis with an expressionless face, he parted his thin lips.
“You tend to solve problems through intuition, but research demands documentation and analysis first. Magic must always be subordinate to reason.”
“…Yes, Director.”
Researcher A barely managed to respond, gripping his fists slick with cold sweat.
“This thesis lacks sufficient data. Conduct additional analysis related to the critical variables and bring it back to me.”
After reviewing the entire report, Beleck rose from his seat and left the laboratory.
The moment he vanished, leaving a chill in his wake, the artifact researchers remaining in the lab exhaled the breath they’d been holding.
“Every time I face Beleck, my knees go weak.”
“The pressure that comes with the Simour name is truly incomparable.”
“It’s not just pressure—his genius is unmatched! Throughout the entire history of the Empire, there’s no one who holds as many breakthrough patents as Director Beleck.”
“…Sigh. A sparrow trying to follow a crane will tear itself apart in all directions. I must have looked like a complete fool to Director Beleck.”
As Researcher A muttered dejectedly after having his project rejected, Researcher B patted his shoulder in consolation.
“In his eyes, everyone probably looks like a fool. After all, Saint Deborah, who refined magical formulas, is merely his younger sister.”
“That’s true, but he entrusted me with such a major project… I wonder if he’s disappointed in me.”
“You’ll be fine. Director Beleck has no interest or expectations in you whatsoever.”
“…That’s certainly reassuring.”
“…By the way, didn’t the Director seem to be in an unusually good mood today?”
“In a good mood? What evidence do you have for that?”
“Well, the corners of his mouth seemed to turn up ever so slightly more than usual.”
“Just a feeling? Didn’t you hear what Beleck said earlier? Measurable data is what matters!”
Whether the icy Director Beleck had smiled or not, the researchers debated fiercely, but the moment the report concluded, Beleck was already hurrying toward the Townhouse.
“Uncle!”
“It’s Uncle Beleck!”
The workaholic had left early today because his niece and nephew were visiting the Townhouse.
“Uncle! Look at this!”
Vanessa spun around in front of Beleck, wearing a children’s wizard hood.
“A wizard’s robe!”
“…A wizard’s robe.”
Even the shy Bares gently fluttered the hood’s sleeves.
….
Beleck gazed down at the small three-year-old twins before bending his knees to meet them at eye level.
“My, Bares and Vanessa. You’re wearing the same clothes as your uncle? Are you going to become as wonderful a mage as your uncle when you grow up?”
As Beleck unconsciously caressed the children’s cheeks with a softened expression, Deborah emerged smoothly from behind a pillar.
Frozen with his hand still pinching Vanessa’s plump cheek, he suddenly flushed crimson and cleared his throat awkwardly.
“D-Deborah! You—you should make some noise when you arrive! You nearly stopped my heart.”
“…I didn’t want to interrupt what seemed like an important moment.”
“Hmm. Interfering, you say. But why did you suddenly dress the children in mage robes? I was startled by how well they suited them.”
“The twins saw those hoods and pestered me relentlessly to buy them the same as Uncle’s. They wanted to wear identical outfits to their older brother.”
“…I see.”
Beleck’s thin lips curved upward in pleasure once more.
“It’s curious, really. Even Bares, who’s usually shy, has taken such a liking to his older brother. I wonder what the reason could be….”
As Deborah narrowed her eyes, Beleck’s pupils trembled slightly.
Last month, he had secretly lavished the twins with sweets and candies behind Deborah’s back until they finally uttered the words “Uncle’s the best”—now he gazed toward distant mountains as he offered his explanation.
“Perhaps it’s the Simour bloodline. They naturally favor mages.”
“….”
“…If you ever wish to raise the twins into exceptional mages, just say the word. I can introduce you to Magic Tower researchers as tutors. Or rather…, I’d sooner teach them myself than entrust them to those fools….”
“I heard you’ve been swamped with work lately. Do you have time to tutor the children?”
“Still, I can’t entrust them to just anyone.”
“Uncle! Look at this!”
Just then, Vanessa suddenly bounded before them and demonstrated a basic Class 1 spell.
Beleck’s eyes widened as he beheld the small sphere of light hovering above her plump palm.
“Vanessa can already cast magic? She’s only three years old!”
“Our daughter has extraordinary mana sensitivity. She awakened to mana as naturally as breathing, and then suddenly began releasing it.”
“Her mana sustenance duration is quite impressive too.”
Beleck murmured in wonder.
It seemed like only yesterday that he’d seen her swaddled in blankets, babbling softly, yet now watching his niece cast spells filled him with profound emotion.
“How impressive.”
As Beleck stroked Vanessa’s golden hair, the child giggled with pride.
“…Me too.”
Then Bares approached and shyly offered his purple-hued head, and Beleck could not help but laugh aloud.
Had the Magic Tower researchers witnessed it, they would have all clutched their chests and fainted at the angle of his smile.
* * *
The twins, who had been excited since the night before about visiting Grandfather, explored the Simour estate in their mage robes, only to fall asleep well before dinner.
They clutched the toy artifacts Beleck had gifted them tightly in their hands.
‘…They’ve gotten plumper.’
Observing the twins’ slightly rounded bellies and fuller cheeks—evidence of their indulgences throughout the estate—I tucked the blanket around them and withdrew to the Reception Room.
Thanks to the sleeping children, I found myself enjoying a rare, peaceful tea time alone with Father.
“The tea has excellent flavor. Every time I taste it, I’m reminded of my son-in-law’s discerning eye for selecting leaves.”
Father savored the tea with elegance as he spoke. Watching him offer praise only behind one’s back like gossip, I smiled.
“I’ll be sure to convey your words to Isidore.”
“Hmm… But why did Duke Visconti send only tea leaves today? He usually comes along.”
Father, who enjoyed discussing state affairs with Isidore or playing chess with him, showed a hint of disappointment.
“Isidore had military training scheduled, so he stepped away for a time. The children were the ones who insisted on visiting Grandfather, so I came alone.”
“I see.”
Duke Simour smiled gently upon hearing that the children had wanted to come here.
I took a sip of the tea with its fresh, grassy aroma, tasted a bite of dessert, and broached the main topic.
“Ah, but I heard that Enrique is giving a magical demonstration tomorrow in the Academy’s Grand Hall as the representative of the Magic Department?”
At my words, Duke Simour’s expression darkened slightly.
“Did Enrique tell you this himself?”
“No. I heard it through word of mouth.”
“I also heard it through an Academy professor, not directly from Enrique.”
“Perhaps… Enrique didn’t want to trouble you and me, Father?”
The Duke exhaled a short sigh, his face clouded with concern.
“Sigh… The youngest is so humble and considerate that it becomes a problem. Despite bearing the Simour name, his heart is far too gentle.”
I too often found myself worried about Enrique—how uncharacteristically Simour he was, so docile and harmless, like a serpent with its fangs drawn.
“Now that I know about this demonstration, I can’t simply pretend ignorance. Father, let’s go to the Academy together tomorrow.”
“Very well.”
I took a sip of tea, resolving to bolster my only brother’s spirits with all my might.
* * *
The next day.
My father and I donned large robes and made our way to the smaller hall within the Academy.
I had no intention of drawing attention away from Enrique’s presentation, so we planned to conceal our identities until his demonstration concluded.
“I didn’t realize the Empire had so many gifted individuals.”
As I gazed around the Grand Hall, brimming with those who had passed the Gifted Program, Duke Simour let out a short, derisive chuckle.
“Not all who are accepted into the Gifted Program are true prodigies. More than half of them are likely donation admissions—the work of overzealous noble parents building connections from an early age.”
“That’s true. I was in the Magic Department despite having no mana.”
“…Ahem.”
Just then, Enrique appeared in formal uniform at the front of the hall, walking alongside the other presenters.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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