It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 64

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

500 Years as Just an Extra,

The Original Story Still Won’t Begin

Episode 064

…Could it be that the person sitting before him was some unidentified entity wearing Iolene’s mask?

Termion frowned deeply and found himself blurting out rather harsh words without realizing it.

“Have you been overexerting yourself lately? You’re not yet at an age where you should be experiencing delirium.”

“This boy has no words he won’t say to an adult!”

Smack!

“Agh!”

Termion let out a scream as Iolene’s sharp hand delivered a lightning-fast flick to his forehead.

“Insolent brat, hmph.”

“…I know I deserved that, but your words were still excessive.”

“Be quiet. It’s a hundred times better than having political marriages and family power struggles for no reason.”

“Do you realize I’m still only 17 years old?”

“Who said anything about getting married right away? Looking at how Teacher treats you, she doesn’t seem entirely without feelings.”

“How can you tell?”

Termion spat out a curt reply as if it were absurd.

Ailesia having romantic feelings for him?

Perhaps from a human perspective, but he couldn’t think of anything attractive about himself at all.

She would only see him as someone who always needed to be protected and looked after, not as a romantic interest.

It was the same when he nearly died to the Drake. Her rushing desperately to save him was probably similar to a parent running to a child by the water’s edge.

“What exactly are you planning to do with that handsome face of yours?”

“Ailesia liking my face is probably no different from her finding her wolves cute.”

“…Fine. Just think of it as an old woman’s joke.”

“Then it should have been a joke, but you were speaking seriously, weren’t you?”

It seemed right to make this clear while he had the chance.

Termion hardened his expression and spoke firmly with a serious voice.

“I told Elly this too, but please don’t even mention marriage or anything like that in front of her. It’s not something to bring up so lightly, and above all, it’s not proper etiquette toward our benefactor.”

“Now you’re trying to lecture me? Even if you don’t get so worked up and threaten me, I have no intention of being disrespectful to Teacher, so calm down.”

“…I apologize.”

“No. I was also a bit too harsh with my words.”

A brief silence fell. Iolene fell into thought as she watched Termion, whose expression remained somber.

‘This boy… can’t even properly understand his own feelings. What am I to do.’

Unlike ordinary noble ladies, Iolene had lived as an adventurer for quite a long time in her youth. Thanks to that, she had considerable experience with relationships between men and women.

His discomfort with only receiving help from Ailesia, and seeing his oversensitive reaction just now made it even more certain.

First love had come to this cold child too.

‘I can’t tell him to pursue her with all his might when his opponent might be a dragon.’

Though it was only speculation, Iolene had no choice but to be cautious.

According to records, dragons immediately stop all activities and return to their lairs the moment their identity is discovered during their amusement.

There were even stories that those with particularly difficult personalities would devastate their surroundings, claiming their amusement had been ruined.

“In any case, try to maintain the best possible relationship with Teacher. As you said, she’s our family’s benefactor, and Elly follows her so well, doesn’t she?”

“At the very least, I’ll make sure she doesn’t leave Retis in disappointment.”

“That’s enough. You never know what will happen in life. If you stay close and build affection over a long time, things might change.”

“…Do you also find Ailesia appealing, Grand Duchess Dowager?”

He hadn’t asked the most important thing. Iolene’s eyes widened for a moment, then she burst into clear laughter.

“Hoho, of course I find her appealing. Not only is she devoted to Elly, but she even saved your life. Besides, I heard everything from Lord Dayford.”

“What did you hear?”

Of course, Kubera had chattered to Iolene with a grin, saying “It seems His Highness’s spring has arrived too,” but she decided to keep that story covered for now.

“What’s certain is that Teacher’s magical ability is probably above mine.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I’m talking about Teacher’s spatial transfer magic. That’s not a method that ordinary mages can use.”

“Then…?”

“Magic that leaps through space with overwhelming magical power without needing to calculate dimensional coordinates. The academic world calls this Dimension Pass. And being able to use such magic means…”

This too was merely speculation. Perhaps she was using a rare artifact.

However, considering all the circumstances so far, even if Ailesia wasn’t a dragon, it was certain that she had reached the ultimate level as a mage.

“Perhaps Teacher might be an Arch Mage, something we’ve only heard about in stories.”

“…A mage who has reached the 9th circle?”

“That’s right. It would be the first time in 180 years since the Great Mage of Blue Flames, Lutes Windrake.”

Nearly two weeks had already passed since the new year began.

The year-end and New Year period, which she had always spent alone, was briefly filled with laughter and noise with the people of Retis.

After frantically going back and forth between the Grand Duke’s Castle and the Imperial Capital, the morning of the Imperial Palace New Year banquet had dawned.

“…How did I end up…”

Ailesia muttered in a dejected voice as she sat in front of her vanity.

The mirror clearly reflected the gorgeous dress hanging on the opposite wall. It was the outfit she would wear to today’s banquet.

When she heard that not only Termion and Iolene but also Elenora would attend the banquet, she thought it was fortunate.

Nobles usually bring one or two maids or servants when attending banquets.

She was racking her brain trying to figure out how to tag along using Elenora as an excuse, when Iolene made an unexpected proposal.

“Teacher, could you attend the banquet as Termion’s partner?”

“Me? You mean me?”

“If I asked a young lady from another family, it would only create unnecessary gossip. If it wouldn’t be too presumptuous, I’d like to ask you, Teacher.”

“Uh… But I’m not even a noble.”

“I can vouch for your status. I’ll also prepare all the attire and accessories needed for the banquet.”

“…I just need to go and stay quiet, right?”

“Of course. You just need to enter together with him. Wouldn’t this be a good opportunity to tour the Imperial Palace?”

When she put it that way, there was no real choice. If she had insisted on attending as a maid, it might have only aroused strange suspicions.

‘Our Master has achieved her wish quite unexpectedly.’

Rubia had always said that her disciple was the prettiest in the world and that this beauty should be widely known.

She had even gone so far as to obtain rare fabrics and jewels to personally make a dress.

Thanks to that, she had finally brought out clothes she thought she’d never have occasion to wear in her lifetime.

Even back in the old days when she was active as a noblewoman in the Northern Continent, she had carefully saved this item.

Even Iolene, who had offered to call in a professional designer, was left speechless when she saw that dress.

Knock knock.

“Teacher, may I come in?”

“Yes.”

The person who opened the door and entered was Lady Herman. Behind her, she could see Elenora’s face holding Hilda’s hand.

“Teacher!”

Elenora came running and buried herself in her skirts. Ailesia lifted the child onto her lap and asked gently, meeting her eyes.

“What brings our Little One here?”

“I came to watch Teacher become pretty!”

“Hm?”

Wondering what she meant, she glanced at Hilda, who silently opened the door wide and stepped back.

Only then did about ten maids waiting behind come into Ailesia’s view.

“…Who are all those people?”

“They are maids who will help with Teacher’s makeup, hair styling, and dressing. These girls specialize in such matters, so you can trust them completely.”

“I just need to put on a dress and tie up my hair, right? There’s no need for makeup…”

“What are you saying?”

As if she had never worn that kind smile before, Lady Herman displayed a stern expression never seen before.

“Since you’re attending as the Grand Duke’s partner, you need to maintain a status befitting that role.”

“Well, partner in name only—I’m just like a decoration. After all, I’m just a mere tutor.”

“Good heavens!”

Just as Ailesia flinched at the sudden outburst, words that made her doubt her ears followed.

“Not only the Imperial Family but all the distinguished nobles of the Empire will be gathered there! You must overwhelm them so completely that no noble lady or young miss would dare make a peep!”

“…Overwhelm them? How exactly?”

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