The Nerd Next Door Turned Out To Be The Magic Tower Master - Chapter 88

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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 88
Without thinking, I nearly called out to Lien, but caught myself just in time. Too many eyes were watching.
Cecilia glanced sideways at Nox, feeling guilty that the Emperor had come to the Monastery on her account. She’d already explained that the Imperial Court would provide a court mage to ensure they reached Webdin safely.
He’d seemed displeased even with that, and if it came out that one of those mages was Dilan She, there could be real trouble.
Cecilia approached under the pretense of exchanging greetings and spoke in a low voice.
“What are you doing here?”
“The Emperor said he’d send a mage to help you.”
“Mm.”
“That’s me.”
“…What?”
It made no sense. He wasn’t even part of the Imperial Court, so he had no obligation to follow the Emperor’s orders.
And even if the Emperor had truly commanded it, he was Dilan She. If the Emperor were thinking straight, he would never attach Dilan She to Cecilia as she returned to Webdin.
As Cecilia’s unease showed, his expression hardened coldly.
“Do you not want me to come with you?”
“…That’s not it.”
Only minutes ago, she had resolved not to see him again.
Was it really acceptable to travel together like this? And how had he, of all people—someone who despised anything troublesome—decided to follow her?
It was utterly confusing.
“Cecilia?”
At Nox’s call, she snapped back to attention. As the conversation dragged on, Nox was beginning to look puzzled.
“Let’s… go.”
Cecilia turned away from Lien and spoke louder.
She wanted to ask if he might reconsider returning to the Magic Tower, but Lien’s expression had grown rigid, refusing the question before it could be asked.
In the end, Cecilia awkwardly climbed into the carriage.
Regardless of her tangled thoughts, the carriage rolled steadily onward toward Webdin.
* * *
The summer in Webdin is hotter than the summer in the Monastery.
Fresh from the cool Monastery, even in early Sun’s Month, one could not keep the windows closed.
Cecilia opened the glass windows wide and let in the wind thick with the fragrance of flowers.
She could almost smell the gardener’s careful work—the subtle notes of freesia blooming in season.
‘At this time last life, I was studying hard with Lien.’
Now, with no more lessons in etiquette and no need to return to the Monastery, she found herself in a state of perfect leisure.
It was the opposite of how busy she’d been while Nox was away, managing the accumulated duties.
Into Cecilia’s solitary enjoyment at the Estate came a small commotion.
Melanie, returning with refreshments, brought gossip that had spread through the Estate.
Her cheeks flushed from haste, she lowered her voice as though sharing a secret.
“Miss, have you heard the news?”
“What news?”
“Someone new has moved into the Neighboring Estate!”
“Oh… is that so?”
Cecilia feigned surprise, though she felt none at all.
Because the new resident in the Neighboring Estate was Lien himself.
Perhaps he’d learned that the Neighboring Estate had been vacant for quite some time, because he’d purchased it outright.
Since he had come down as an assistant, he needed to be close enough to act quickly if she required his help.
While she wasn’t entirely opposed to having Lien near, his current state and circumstances filled her with unease.
‘Should I sneak over through a back entrance to see him?’
Cecilia shook off the thought, her head clearing.
That was a concern to revisit at sunset; for now, the family had planned to dine together this morning, something that hadn’t happened in ages.
“I’m going down for the meal. Will you bring out a dress for me?”
“Will a comfortable one do?”
“Yes.”
Always last despite being the most carefree, Cecilia changed quickly and left her room earlier than usual.
Yet Nox and the Marquis were already seated in the Dining Room, apparently discussing business while they waited, as a few documents lay on the table.
“You’re here. Sit down.”
“Yes.”
“Now that we’re all present, let’s begin.”
The Marquis handed the documents to a servant and picked up his spoon.
Mushroom soup rich with sour cream and butter came first, followed by veal steak and saffron risotto. Fruit pie was the final course.
As Cecilia eagerly made her way through the pie—with its artful arrangement of oranges, cherries, and pomegranate—the Marquis, having finished his meal first, spoke up.
“You went through a great deal of effort to secure the approval. As a Saint, you’ll be able to attend the Relief Festival.”
Unlike when she’d had to attend under Webdin’s name, his tone now carried unmistakable pride.
“You should prepare well—the Grand Temple will be in touch soon enough.”
Cecilia set down her fork after finishing even her dessert plate, and nodded.
“I’ll prepare thoroughly.”
This Relief Festival would likely be even more chaotic and disastrous than her previous life, if anything.
But this time she intended to prepare far more meticulously.
Not to be hooked like some great fish, but this time to land one deliberately, as if to prove a point.
* * *
Just as the Marquis had predicted, not long after their lunch, a letter arrived from the Pope.
Like the ones she’d received before, it suggested she come to the Temple beforehand, ahead of the ceremony.
On one of those days as she drew closer to meeting ‘that’ Pope again.
Cecilia found the small gap in the garden wall for the first time in ages.
She intended to visit the neighboring estate—to see Lien.
Since he’d moved in, she’d seen him only twice: once to discuss the whereabouts of other mages, and once more to ask whether he truly needed to return to the Monastery. That was all.
Before entering the Temple, she needed to share her plans to some extent with the mages, particularly with Lien, her assistant. This visit was, in the end, simply unavoidable.
Cecilia squeezed through the narrow gap, brushed the dirt from her clothes, and stepped into the estate. At the garden’s entrance, she spotted a familiar silhouette.
He sat on the garden bench, eyes closed gently.
‘Is he asleep?’
As Cecilia approached carefully, he suddenly spoke.
“What is it.”
She startled, her shoulders stiffening, but soon relaxed and dropped down beside him on the bench.
“You weren’t sleeping after all. I came because I had something to discuss—where are the other mages?”
“They were being too noisy, so I sent them out.”
For a moment she feared he’d simply chased them away out of irritation, but it turned out he’d sent them to see the festival.
‘The festival.’
The festival celebrating the Relief Festival began earlier than the official ceremony held at the Temple, so it would be in full bloom by now.
As one of the largest events in Webdin, excited crowds would already be enjoying themselves everywhere.
‘But why is he sitting here alone.’
Cecilia wrestled with the thought—should she pretend not to notice and leave, waiting for another time? Then she let out a small sound of distress.
‘How could I possibly leave him here like this.’
She thrust out her small hand suddenly.
“Come with me now.”
“…Where?”
“The festival!”
Lien’s expression hardened at the sudden proposal. But from her many experiences, she could tell.
That he was considering it quite positively.
He slowly reached out and took her hand.
After that, everything moved swiftly.
She borrowed a robe from Lien, pestered him to use Movement Magic, clutched onto him and squeezed her eyes shut—when she opened them, they stood at a busy street corner thick with crowds and the smell of people.
Rather than any desire to play, she’d wanted to show joy to Lien, who seemed so accustomed to being alone.
But stepping out into the square, brimming with attractions and sights, she found herself unexpectedly caught up in the excitement.
Perhaps memories of times past, when they’d been together, had stirred back to life.
“Have you eaten?”
“No.”
“Then shall we go get something delicious first? I heard there are plenty of restaurants over in that district.”
Certainly, as befitted a festival, every shop was crowded with customers.
Rather than seeking out a proper restaurant, Cecilia pressed round bread, skewered chicken, fruit drinks, and other small treats into his hands.
Then she led him through the square, explaining the small contests here and there, and the meaning of the white flags hanging beneath the stalls.
Just as Lien had once done for her.
Though she’d thought he’d dislike being in such crowded places, Lien followed along without complaint, contrary to expectation.
Fearful that she might lose him in the throng, Cecilia kept a firm grip on the hem of his robe as she moved, and looked up at him.
“Is there anything you’d like to do?”
They’d filled their stomachs and seen enough of the vendors, so if there was something he wanted, she intended to let him.
Lien fell silent for a moment in thought, then pointed toward one direction.
It was where a street performance was taking place.

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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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