The Nerd Next Door Turned Out To Be The Magic Tower Master - Chapter 4

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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 4
“Then in exchange for my forgiveness, would you do me one favor?”
“A favor, you say…….”
“But first, I have a few questions.”
Cecilia cleared her throat and broached the question that had been nagging at her since last night.
“Are you unmarried?”
“……I’m sorry?”
He looked bewildered, as though doubting his own ears.
But when Cecilia made no correction and simply gestured for an answer with her eyes, he hurried to nod.
“Yes, yes!”
“Do you perhaps have a hidden lover your parents disapprove of?”
“What? No!”
“An engagement arranged between your families?”
“Not at all, I assure you.”
“A childhood friend you’ve harbored feelings for?”
“I have none…….”
‘Excellent.’
“I, I’m not sure why you’re asking……?”
“Just curious.”
Having finally finished her interrogation, Cecilia nodded with satisfaction.
No matter how desperate one’s circumstances, one could not covet what belonged to another.
Now that her mind was at ease, Cecilia revealed her desire without hesitation.
“What I’d like to ask of you is…….”
“Lien will do.”
“Yes—I was hoping that while Lien is in the Territory, you might spend time with me like this occasionally. I haven’t been able to attend the Academy, you see, so I haven’t a single friend.”
‘Here I am, a graduate student turned someone who hasn’t even finished primary school.’
Though indignation flared at her shortened prospects more than at her friendlessness, the sight of his dazed expression extinguished her anger as if by magic.
“I, I wonder if that’s really all right……?”
“Of course it is.”
Fortunately, he seemed quite amenable to accepting this favor, which would serve as the foundation for Plan D.
Cecilia seized his hesitation and responded with conviction, hurrying to add more.
“Oh, and you can call me by my name too.”
“……Cecilia.”
She had expected him to be uncomfortable with so bold a suggestion, but his eyes grew softer still, more moved than before.
As though building rapport or calling someone by their given name was something entirely new to him.
‘Does this man have no friends at all?’
With such a gentle disposition, he likely hadn’t found his footing among the haughty aristocrats of the Capital.
She regarded him with sympathy.
Whether he realized she had inadvertently taken pity on him or not, Lien softly repeated her name once more, his lips curving upward.
It was as beautiful a smile as she had imagined—like a daisy in bloom.
* * *
The morning of this other world remained serene and cloudless.
Unlike the days when she had dragged herself out of bed ruminating over failed plans, Cecilia rose with a light heart.
Plan D was progressing smoothly.
‘We’re something like friends now, at least. The weather’s beautiful today—should I suggest a picnic?’
She could always claim it was a gesture of thanks for his kindness to her hand; he’d have difficulty refusing.
Once she had dressed, Cecilia scooped up the bundle of fur from beneath her bed.
“Charles, you’re coming with me today too, right?”
The cat’s name—Charles—had been borrowed from a scientist she admired.
Charles possessed intelligence as evolved as his namesake, for he answered as if understanding her words, letting out a brief “Meow.”
“Then let’s stop by the kitchen first…….”
“You’re heading to the neighbor’s again, are you?”
“Oh, you startled me!”
A sinister voice had cut through the air without warning.
Cecilia spun around in alarm.
Melanie stood ghostlike beyond the half-open door, bowed respectfully, and approached with a measured stride.
“Young lady, as I’ve said before, it’s dangerous to grow close to a man of unknown origins!”
“Lien isn’t dangerous.”
“Goodness, you’ve already exchanged names? This isn’t like you at all. You never behaved this way before.”
“Well, it was because of the fever…….”
Cecilia flushed slightly and let her words trail off.
[Miss, you seem a bit strange lately…….]
[Well, I think my memory has become a bit hazy since I recovered from my illness.]
When Melanie, who had observed Cecilia most closely, noticed something odd and asked, that was her excuse.
[What? Then you shouldn’t delay — we must call the priest at once!]
[No! I don’t want to worry Father any further. My memory will return in time. All right?]
Her earnest plea worked quite effectively, and Melanie couldn’t refuse her request to keep the secret.
Yet the servant seemed unable to adjust to her mistress’s completely transformed behavior.
Melanie, unable to hide her distress and concern, quickly shook her head.
“You cannot go today, miss.”
“……Why?”
At this bolt from the blue, Cecilia let Charles tumble from her arms onto the bed with a soft thump.
“Young Master returned this morning. The Marquis has asked you to attend luncheon, so you must prepare yourself now.”
“……Young Master?”
There was only one person Melanie would call by that title.
None other than Cecilia’s only sibling and heir to House Weberdine: Nox Weberdine.
In other words, her older brother.
Cecilia’s face crumpled in an entirely different way than before.
‘An older brother, no less.’
The language patch, a basic passive ability of transmigration, had thankfully taken effect, but her memories had not.
Moreover, when she had transmigrated, Nox happened to be away in the Capital, so she had never met him even once.
In other words, she had no idea how to behave around her own brother in a way that would seem authentically like Cecilia.
‘They don’t seem to have a bad relationship, at least.’
Cecilia withdrew a letter she had tucked away in a desk drawer.
Their only connection was a single letter sent from the Capital.
<I heard you’ve been quite ill, so I’m sending you some pain relief medicine that’s been selling well here in the Capital.>
She had heard that Cecilia had fallen seriously ill shortly before her transmigration.
The fact that he had taken the care to send a letter and gift from afar showed he clearly cherished his younger sister.
Why, wasn’t this a common trope in romance fantasies? A handsome, capable older brother who doted on his sister.
Only the pain relief medicine that accompanied it tasted absolutely horrible, as if it contained every vile medicinal ingredient imaginable.
Cecilia shuddered at the ghastly taste she couldn’t quite forget.
At any rate, this might not be as bad news as she’d feared.
‘He could become an ally, just like Melanie.’
Of course, that depended on her not being discovered as someone other than Cecilia.
“We’re going to be late if we don’t hurry! Change out of that dress at once.”
Melanie checked the time and quickly rolled up her sleeves.
And so Cecilia was changed from her comfortable day dress into a formal gown and made her way toward the Dining Room, her long skirt trailing behind her.
Her mind still hadn’t settled from the anxiety and anticipation.
The moment she reached the entrance, she came face to face with him.
“Cecilia!”
A man with features so noble he seemed like a god’s beloved creation greeted her with a soft smile, his shadowed eyes crinkling warmly as he waved his hand.
His golden hair, warm as spring sunlight, gleamed so brilliantly that she felt she could recognize him from a hundred miles away.
Cecilia studied him carefully and offered a measured greeting.
“Good day to you. ……Brother.”
For someone who had lived as an eldest daughter in her previous life, the title felt terribly unfamiliar.
Cecilia wrapped her arms around herself, her skin prickling with goosebumps, and offered a gentle smile.
‘This should seem like the usual Cecilia.’
But contrary to her expectations, the man’s beautiful face grew grave.
In a few strides of his long legs, Nox closed the distance and gently cupped her cheek.
“You’re still not feeling well, are you?”
His expression was so full of concern that Cecilia reflexively waved her hands in denial.
“No, not at all! Thanks to your care, I’ve made a full recovery.”
“But…….”
The man’s frown showed no sign of easing.
‘So he really is a doting older brother.’
A sibling who cherished his sister so deeply.
Wasn’t such a thing more legendary than even a unicorn?
[Hey! Something terrible’s happened! Come to my room right away!]
[Don’t make up lies. Get out. You’re just going to ask me to turn off the light again.]
[I’m serious — something’s really wrong!]
“Ah, why!”
“Close the window for me.”
“Please, just let me disappear.”
She recalled her conversation with her true younger brother without difficulty.
‘That’s just how reality is.’
Just as she was adding more credibility to the “book possession theory.”
“No matter how I look at it, something seems off with your head.”
“Pardon?”
She lifted her head sharply at the low murmur she heard near her pillow.
‘What is it? Did I mishear?’
It almost sounded like he’d clicked his tongue…….
“I’m sorry, Cecilia. It’s all my fault.”
“……Excuse me?”
“I’ve been praying to the heavens regularly that they’d take away your mindless head. But I never wished for you to become this strange.”
“…….”
“Did the medicine I sent back then perhaps spoil?”
“……The medicine you sent with the letter?”
“Yeah. I chose the one with the most vile taste, but it wasn’t poison or anything.”
‘What is this? Give me back my light novel brother.’
Cecilia gazed up at him as forlorn as a raccoon who’d lost its cotton candy.
Nox still held her head fast, examining it this way and that, his expression fixed in that sweet smile.
“Um, brother? My head hurts…….”
“Too bad.”
“So if you could just let go of my head, I’d appreciate it.”
“Right. First let me check for injuries.”
“I told you, it’s all healed.”
“No. That bone-chilling way you address me, your tone—there’s no way you’re in your right mind.”
The tilt of her head was quite lovely, but to her eyes, now aware of reality, it was no longer so.
Cecilia, her warmth utterly drained, twisted her trembling lips irritably.
“Let go, you lunatic.”

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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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