The Nerd Next Door Turned Out To Be The Magic Tower Master - Chapter 51

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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 51
Despite standing close enough to touch noses, despite looking up at him from below, his handsome face still managed to startle her—though only for a moment.
“I’m sorry. The recoil is stronger than I expected.”
Cecilia laughed awkwardly and turned her gaze toward the Target Board.
“The target is…….”
She trailed off. Forget the rim—there wasn’t even a mark anywhere on the board itself. The arrow had flown clean past.
“…….”
“…….”
“I’ll arrange for an escort skilled in Archery.”
“……Yes.”
At her master’s swift surrender, Cecilia’s shoulders sagged visibly.
Alarmed by her sudden dejection, Miguel scrambled to offer reassurance.
“Still, you released it quite well.”
“……That’s something anyone can do if they have finger strength.”
“…….”
“Since I’m going anyway, I was hoping to at least catch a rabbit.”
“Pardon?”
‘He just looked genuinely alarmed.’
When Cecilia shot him a fresh, pointed look, Miguel hastily averted his eyes.
Covering his mouth with the back of his hand, he spoke awkwardly.
“There’s still a week left to practice. It’ll get better. ……Probably.”
“Really?”
“Um…….”
He must have put the honest paladin through quite an ordeal.
Unable to bring himself to affirm it outright, he checked the spotless Target Board once more instead.
Then, after a moment of deliberation, he chose truth.
“Not participating would honestly be the best approach.”
“……If I hadn’t promised His Majesty, I never would have gone at all.”
Cecilia sighed and handed back the rifle. Miguel accepted the weapon and fell into thought for a moment before speaking.
“Is it enough if you just meet the Emperor?”
“Well, as long as you show your face and confirm your attendance, that should be sufficient, shouldn’t it?”
“What if we spread rumors that you won’t be attending, then slip in secretly? That way, anyone who harbored designs against you wouldn’t have time to prepare an ambush.”
Certainly, if she followed Miguel’s plan, she could at least guarantee minimal safety.
But the scheme she’d devised upon deciding to participate in this Hunting Competition—which was a trap in all but name—wasn’t merely about survival.
“No. Spread the word that I will be attending. Let everyone in the Monastery, and throughout the Empire, know my name.”
Toward the bewildered Miguel, she simply smiled.
* * *
The time she’d requested to have the Training Ground cleared for Archery practice seemed to have ended. The voices of knights began drifting over from a distance.
Cecilia wiped the perspiration from her brow with the back of her hand and set down the gunpowder.
“It looks like time’s up. I should head back now. Thank you for helping me train, Miguel.”
“Ah……. Miss Cecilia!”
Miguel, who had seemed restless, suddenly called her back.
“Yes?”
“Just a moment.”
He swiftly removed his outer coat and draped it over her shoulders.
Archery was exertion of a sort, and with the sweat she’d worked up, she wasn’t particularly cold.
When she looked at him questioningly, Miguel hesitated before answering.
“In that state of dress, you might find it awkward to be seen about…….”
“Ah.”
So the sweat was the issue.
Her white shirt had grown damp with perspiration, clinging enough to reveal the contours of her body.
For a woman from a world where one commonly saw people walking about in shorts and crop tops in summer, it was hardly noteworthy.
“Thank you.”
Cecilia gave him a gentle smile and nodded in gratitude.
Making her way back to the Mansion alone, declining Miguel’s escort.
As she walked, rubbing her tingling palms, Cecilia suddenly stopped and glanced around.
The location was equidistant from both the Training Ground and the Mansion—isolated, with few passersby.
Then…….
“Come out now. Your cover’s blown.”
“…….”
“If you don’t come out by the time I count to three, you’re forbidden from approaching for a week.”
“…….”
“One.”
“I’m coming!”
Lien burst out from behind a nearby tree, breathless and flustered.
Cecilia stared coldly at the flustered man, her fingers gripping the hem of her Robe.
In truth, she’d been feeling his burning gaze the entire time she’d been practicing Archery with Miguel.
Even Miguel had noticed, leaning close to whisper to her.
[Your mentor has been watching this place the whole time—is that all right?]
[Yes, just leave him be.]
When Cecilia answered firmly, Miguel said no more about it.
Of course, after their exchange, his stare had grown not just warm but sharp enough to sting—yet Cecilia continued to ignore it.
And no wonder; Lien’s strange behavior hadn’t started today.
Ever since the banquet, he’d trailed after her like an imprinted chick, as if he’d never run away at all.
When his fumbling presence irritated her enough to ask what he wanted, he’d hesitate for a long moment, ears flushing red, before answering.
[I wanted to be with you.]
An answer so impossible to refuse that she’d failed to chase him away dozens of times.
Today she’d even asked him to wait in his room, insisting she had important training—but apparently he’d followed her here anyway, padding along behind.
Clearly determined to trail after her one more time.
Whether Lien knew or didn’t know how exasperated Cecilia felt, he only scowled disapprovingly at the clothes she wore and offered things like, “Would you like to borrow my Robe if you’re cold?”
Cecilia clicked her tongue and refused in an even colder voice.
“No, what Miguel gave me is sufficient.”
“……It doesn’t look very warm. My Robe would be much warmer, I think.”
‘I really am losing my mind.’
Because the way he mumbled so dejectedly wasn’t pathetic—it was endearing.
Eventually Cecilia let out a soft sigh and fluttered her hand slightly.
“My hands are getting a bit cold.”
She spoke as if in passing, gazing at the crimson-stained trees behind him, and Lien’s eyes widened.
Soon his large hand carefully wrapped around her fingertips.
“Will this… be warmer?”
Lien’s cheeks flushed as he smiled shyly.
“It is. Should we head back?”
Cecilia, who’d been fidgeting with her fingers, began walking slowly.
The two walked side by side, rustling fallen leaves beneath their feet, and soon they fell into quiet conversation.
“The fact that you’ve been watching me all day like this—I suppose your urgent matters are finished?”
“It wasn’t watching. It was… observing.”
“So you’ll be attending the Hunting Competition this time?”
“Yes. The Imperial Palace asked me to oversee the regulation of Magic during the Hunting Competition.”
In such bleak circumstances, it was welcome news.
She was careful not to show how pleased she was, keeping her lips pressed tightly, when Lien asked carefully.
“……But the reason you’re practicing Archery—are you planning to enter the Hunting Ground itself?”
In truth, it would have been enough for her to simply stay safe watching other participants bring in their catches.
Yet she’d accepted the Emperor’s invitation readily.
“Yes. Since I’m attending anyway, I thought I’d hunt. The odds are slim, but they say the victor receives a Wish, don’t they? I’m planning to use mine to ask for immediate approval. Good idea, yes?”
Taken aback by her unexpected plan, Lien blinked and nodded somewhat reluctantly.
‘It’s the same expression Miguel had when she said she’d catch rabbits.’
Having watched her all day, he surely knew her Archery skill well enough.
Cecilia, whose confidence had been shaken by both men, pushed out her lower lip.
“Wait and see. I’ll be an unexpected variable that even the Crown Prince and Princess won’t anticipate.”
Lien wasn’t taking her seriously, his head nodding absently.
Then, quite naturally, he asked about her plan.
“Which region will you be going to?”
Cecilia stopped short and looked up at Lien.
Soon she continued forward as if nothing had happened and answered casually.
“The Southern Region. They say there aren’t many dangerous animals there. Even if I’m enthusiastic, I shouldn’t burden the knights, so I’m planning to do my best in a place suited to my skill level.”
She’d heard that the Hunting Ground, one of the largest in the Empire, was divided into four directions to suit individual levels.
Particularly the Western and Southern Regions had gentle terrain and small game, making them ideal for beginners.
Lien, who knew more about the Hunting Ground, accepted her decision without question.
“I’ll cheer you on.”
Beyond this, his encouragement continued—explaining how the Hunting Competition awarded Points based on the quality of catches rather than quantity, and how final rankings were determined by total accumulated score.
By the time she’d finished relaying this rather useful information, they’d arrived at her door.
“Here we are.”
Cecilia released his hand first—their body heat had synchronized—and spoke with playful ease.
“I really ought to wash up now. You’re not planning to follow me all the way into the bath, are you?”
“Of course not!”
He sputtered the denial, shaking his head vigorously.
“Well then, I’ll… I’ll take my leave.”
Cecilia watched him retreat in flustered haste, then slipped into her room.
“My, have you finished training already?”
Melanie, who happened to be tidying Cecilia’s wardrobe, greeted her warmly.
“The dress you’ll wear to the Hunting Competition should be ready within two days.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, and the Small Duke sent you a letter.”
Melanie handed over a Letter Envelope, slightly larger than the palm of her hand.
Without a knife, Cecilia tore open the envelope roughly.
A soft thump.
Something enclosed within fell into her open hand.
It was a Necklace with a split yellow jewel hanging from it.

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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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