Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 64

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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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Chapter 64
‘It’s sweltering.’
Like a vampire caught in sunlight, Michèle had hunched her shoulders the entire way, barely managing to slip inside the shop after thirty grueling minutes. The oppressive heat naturally drew her toward something cold to drink.
“Something cold. Anything cold….”
She murmured like a ghost, and the Shop Clerk brought her a smoothie, calling it a sample.
“Huh?”
The moment the drink touched her lips, fireworks erupted inside her mind. What was this vivid, textured sensation—as if whole fruits had been blended straight into the glass?
‘Remarkable.’
Her thirst vanished instantly, replaced by an invigorating coolness that spread through her throat and stomach. The bright, fruity tang lingered on her palate as if she’d bitten into fresh fruit herself. It felt even more refreshing than ice cream, lacking that heavy, cloying sensation.
It was the perfect drink for the season. After draining the smoothie, she registered as a Purple member on the spot and returned to Armand the very next day.
Since she traveled with a doll instead of a maid, her appearance turned heads. Whispers spread quietly through the city: the renowned gourmet Michèle Grandbert had graced Armand four days in a row.
She’d become the first Silver member, and everyone knew her drink of choice was the smoothie.
* * *
‘Things are going splendidly.’
I watched the queue of customers stretching before Armand with quiet satisfaction before heading to the Magic Tower for my afternoon seminar lecture.
‘He’s here again.’
Father’s appearances no longer surprised me. He’d apparently made time after hearing I’d be unveiling a new formula. Today’s seminar gathered mid-ranking Magic Tower officials—and fortunately, my presentation would prove invaluable to them.
Once I finished presenting my paper on cubic equations, useful for manipulating the flow of mana curves distributed through empty space, thunderous applause erupted.
‘I’d heard mages were arrogant and conceited. But their reaction is better than I expected.’
It felt less like a lecture and more like I’d just finished performing an opera. One mage even approached me dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief.
“Such a stirring lecture—I cannot stop the tears of profound emotion! Ah, allow me to introduce myself. I am Count Almare, administrator of the ninth floor of the Magic Tower.”
The higher one ascended in the Magic Tower, the more exceptional the mages became. Father occupied the thirteenth floor, while the elders inhabited the eleventh and twelfth—so this was quite a rapid promotion for someone so young.
Then, a burly middle-aged mage suddenly wedged himself between Count Almare and me.
“This young pup showing no respect for hierarchy! Ahem. I am Marquis Keshishi, the sixth elder of the Magic Tower. Your outstanding logic, reasoning, insight, creativity, and integrated deductive abilities—combined with your diligent efforts—prove you are truly Duke Simour’s daughter, and I strike my forehead in admiration!”
I was taken aback watching this man fire words like a machine gun.
“Whenever you visit the Magic Tower, do come up to the eleventh floor. I shall personally show you my research laboratory. Hehehehe.”
“…You certainly live up to your reputation as a former member of the children’s choir.”
‘The ninth-floor administrator and an elder? Wasn’t this supposed to be a mid-ranking officials seminar?’
Why had such prominent figures appeared? After that, countless requests for handshakes followed.
“The child still has much to learn. Do not praise her excessively.”
Father approached with a stern expression, hands clasped behind his back, attempting to rein things in—but that Marquis Keshishi in particular showed no signs of stopping.
‘The Simour men dislike poor manners and hate repeating themselves.’
“Marquis Keshishi. Let us share dinner sometime soon. For now, I have a dinner engagement with my daughter, so I shall take my leave.”
‘As expected, he cut him off without mercy.’
“A private dinner with your daughter! How I envy you, Duke. As for me, I’m cursed with nothing but dark-skinned sons… Alas! What sins did I commit in my past life?”
“Your dramatics are…. Come now, Deborah.”
Indeed, once you reach the rank of Magic Tower Master, social niceties become optional.
“Deborah, tell me what you’d like to eat tonight.”
“Steak, please.”
I was growing hungry, and I looked forward to treating Father to an impressive display of my voracious appetite for meat.
‘Gasp, the Magic Tower Master just lifted the corner of his mouth by about a millimeter and smiled.’
‘My goodness….’
‘Did everyone hear? The Magic Tower Master just asked his daughter to have a meal together….’
I caught wind of strange murmuring from behind, but it was quickly forgotten thanks to the steak.
* * *
“There’s no disagreement that Deborah Simour is the outstanding student representing the Magic Department in the first half.”
At the words of Bert Marquis, the dean of the Academy’s Magic Department, an elderly professor hesitated before opening his mouth.
“I acknowledge that she’s exceptional. However, because Deborah Simour went ahead and publicly unveiled the 【Premium Enhanced Formula】 directly from the Magic Tower…. Sigh.”
Bert lightly rubbed his chin as he watched the professor exhale with a troubled expression.
My niece had recently been actively attending academic conferences held at the Magic Tower, continuously elevating the value of her research papers. Moreover, she’d been proudly boasting that she’d upgraded the theory even further this time.
‘Premium, indeed. She attached it quite cleverly.’
It sounded quite grand and plausible, so I heard that many people were curious about the contents of the paper she’d presented.
“The young lady is still an undergraduate, yet she presented without going through the Academy at all.”
“Doesn’t it seem like rather unilateral conduct?”
“Didn’t Professor Kyle already receive disciplinary action and demotion! I believe the department has sufficiently soothed the young lady’s wounded feelings.”
Bert Dean felt a peculiar sensation watching the proud professors express their disappointment.
‘That means she’s promoting her achievements quite well. To the extent that even the professors are envious.’
Suddenly, the voice of Deborah requesting that a truth-finding committee be held came to mind.
‘What a bold girl.’
On the surface, she’d pleaded her grievance, but she was undoubtedly subtly exploiting the situation.
‘There’s something amusing about her.’
Bert Dean fell into reminiscence for a moment before opening his mouth.
“From the second half onward, let’s frequently provide opportunities for Deborah Simour to present papers within the Academy as well. To the outside world, it will appear as though the Magic Department is supporting her.”
Since things had already come to this point, it was a strategy to subtly insert his spoon belatedly.
Besides, there was no other student worth recommending besides Deborah. She was the rising star currently receiving the most attention from the Magic Tower, and if the department recommended another student instead, it would only make this side look more ridiculous, just like during the truth-finding committee.
“Do you think she’ll accept?”
A younger professor, knowing that Deborah Simour’s personality was not to be trifled with, expressed his anxiety.
“I’ll do my best to persuade her. Then let’s consider the agreement concluded, and I’ll take my leave.”
Bert Dean swiftly concluded the Magic Department meeting, rose from his seat, and headed toward the President’s Office located in the center of the Academy Main Building.
* * *
At Pangaea Academy, at the end of each semester, outstanding students were selected through rigorous screening and their names were inscribed in a place called the Hall of Honor. The Hall of Honor was a structure that had existed since the Academy’s founding, making it a place with considerable history and significance in the Empire.
And internally, the deans and professors all hoped that the top student overall would come from their own department. The top student overall had their name inscribed at the very top of the Hall of Honor along with a laurel wreath decoration, and beneath it were written the student’s major and department.
‘I need to appeal well for our department’s student.’
Just as a peculiar tension passed through the room, the Academy President spoke solemnly.
“The Academy has thus far cultivated renowned talents who lead the Empire. Since talent is the future of the Empire, I hope the top honor goes to students with high growth potential and promise. Furthermore….”
‘Why is that person here?’
Bert Marquis narrowed his eyes as he looked at the elderly man called the Sage sitting beside the President.
After the President finished his speech, he finally said he would accept department recommendations. Bert Marquis barely tore his gaze from the old man and opened his mouth.
“Student Deborah Simour is fully deserving of the top honor overall.”
Her papers were unprecedented in their boldness and caliber, and since they weren’t merely confined to academic circles but also possessed high practical applicability, she was fully deserving.
“Furthermore, Deborah Simour’s grades in liberal arts courses have improved dramatically compared to last semester.”
As Bert Dean spoke, the professors from the humanities departments nodded in agreement.
“It demonstrates her determination to overcome her shortcomings. We must hold her up as an example to other students—proof that effort and dedication yield results.”
Having finished his remarks, Bert Marquis swallowed an odd feeling rising within him, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
‘Here I am, inadvertently recommending my nieces from this position again.’

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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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