The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 151

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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 151
“You don’t need to look at mine.”
Kalid grumbled briefly, but Grandfather laughed heartily and draped an arm across his shoulder.
“Where do you think you’re running off to? I’ll make sure to humiliate you thoroughly. With a cold, exacting eye, I’ll evaluate your work… Hmm?”
The moment Grandfather trailed off, my head tilted in confusion.
It was because professors were swarming around the Class A Platform.
More precisely… in front of Kalid’s artworks…
“My, what exquisite artistry this is.”
“Do you think we could auction this starting now?”
A beautifully sculpted squirrel, its form stretched and elegant.
Utterly different from my incomprehensible pile of refuse… Wait, did I just call it refuse?
“This landscape painting too—such an uninhibited brushwork style really stands out…”
What?!
I was indignant.
What exactly couldn’t he do?!
Was this some kind of protagonist buff? Was it?
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Kalid noticed my gaze brimming with inferiority and asked.
“…Weren’t you just skipping class under the pretense of going to the Medical Building?”
“I couldn’t use that excuse anymore later. I just went to class a few times.”
“So anything physical, you’re naturally good at?!”
It’s unfair!
I didn’t even know what was unfair about it, but feeling irritated, I drove the top of my head straight into his shoulder.
After that, I admired the other students’ works, exchanged greetings with familiar nobles, and the atmosphere evolved into something like a small salon.
I sipped apple juice at the refreshment table set up in one corner while glancing out the window.
‘Still, I’m a bit anxious.’
Had Second infiltrated the Academy?
I instinctively gazed at Kalid.
Our eyes met immediately.
‘It’s fine.’
I saw him mouth those words.
I nodded slightly and smiled. As I picked up an apple pie and took a bite, a sweet sense of relief washed over me.
Perhaps that’s why.
“…”
I failed to notice that Father, sitting beside me, was watching both me and Kalid.
‘I wish Mother could have come too.’
I thought this as I nibbled away at my apple pie.
With the whole family gathered for once, it felt a little lonely without Mother…
‘There’s no helping it. When I return to Zelocks, I’ll have to show off to Mother!’
Mother would surely appreciate my profound artistic world at a glance!
And I’ll be stuck with you all day long!
* * *
“Please show me your access pass.”
The Guard Knight spoke with stern authority.
Second swallowed hard as he presented the stolen access pass.
Since it was a temporary pass without a portrait, his mouth felt inexplicably dry.
“Yes, the pass is genuine.”
“Then you may go.”
“No, wait. If you don’t mind, I need to conduct a mana measurement.”
Second’s brow furrowed.
“What? No, why suddenly…?”
“We’ve received a special request from a parent. Since there’s an event at the Academy today, we’re heightening security measures.”
A special request from a parent?
Given that many noble children attended here, could someone from a noble family have made such a request?
…Why?
As if… they were specifically watching out for a Mage.
“…I understand.”
But refusing here would only raise suspicion, so Second slowly nodded in agreement.
As he pulled up his collar and swallowed hard, a familiar magical tool caught his eye.
‘It’s similar to the one Fourth carries around.’
A mana-detection magical tool with a mana stone embedded in its center.
The Knight awkwardly brought the magical tool closer to Second. It seemed unnatural for him to use it, given he wasn’t a Mage.
Soon the mana stone reacted.
“Is this… right?”
The transparent mana stone should glow blue if mana was present, and red if absent.
It seemed to be red, but… there was something oddly purple about it…?
The Knight tilted his head in confusion.
“Say, I really need to hurry. Could you speed this up? I need to get to the Ancient Manuscript Archive on time. It’s my first day, after all.”
As Second urged him on, the Knight hesitated for a moment before putting the magical tool away. A long line of people waited behind Second for entry.
“Yes. Thank you for your understanding.”
And so she passed through the Academy’s main gate.
‘I’m glad I wore the restraint collar. The mana did seem to react a bit, but…’
As she touched the rigid collar around her neck, she felt its solid surface.
Once she reached a secluded area and removed it, mana surged back. Only then could she finally breathe freely.
‘I really hate this place.’
How does Seventh even manage to survive in this land devoid of mana?
In any case, the infiltration was successful.
Second’s eyes gleamed as she surveyed the expansive Academy grounds.
‘I need to find that one.’
And… I absolutely must…
As I made my resolve and took a step forward, a sudden vertigo washed over me. Along with the habitual sharp ringing in my ears,
‘Boom!’
the phantom sound filled my mind completely.
“….”
Second clenched his fists tightly.
I had never actually witnessed an explosion. But perhaps because of that, my imagination spiraled endlessly, repeating itself in the most brutal form within me.
‘Fourth….’
Cold sweat dripped down my face.
Waaaaah!
Children’s cheers echoed from somewhere.
She instinctively moved toward the source of the sound.
And….
A short distance away.
“…Sigh.”
The lemon-haired boy who had been observing all of this wore a complicated expression as he ran his hand through his hair.
“Why in the world can only I see something like this….”
Licht, the prince who had just returned to the Academy from the Imperial Palace, awkwardly touched his lips.
‘The color of that magical artifact at the entrance earlier was a bit…. strange, wasn’t it?’
He was the one waiting to enter right behind Second.
‘Or was it not?’
I had already obtained and examined the magical artifacts rolling around in Ipson. Ordinary ones definitely seemed to have a clearer red color….
“Hmm.”
Should I investigate further?
‘I hurried here to see Rubian.’
“Sigh…. I suppose I have no choice.”
He carefully placed the paper he had been holding back into his pocket.
They were the letters he and Rubian had exchanged throughout the summer.
* * *
I was in shock.
The highlight of the presentation.
The results of the children’s dance with our parents were truly shocking.
“I’ve never felt the existence of my feet so vividly before.”
“I sincerely apologize.”
What on earth did I do to Father’s feet.
All I did was movements close to swaying while holding my parents’ hands….
‘I suppose I have to admit it….’
I….
was tone-deaf.
“Turn.”
“Whoosh.”
“Not with words.”
“…But I’m using my body too?”
“….”
No, I definitely learned this in dance class. Why isn’t it working?
“Rubian, I stepped on Father’s foot.”
“Oh no, I’m sorry.”
“Again.”
“Oh no, I’m sorry.”
“Ah.”
“Oh.”
It felt like I’d left hundreds of footprints on Father’s gleaming shoes….
My older brothers, witnessing this spectacle, murmured, “…Thank goodness Father came. We almost…,” while Kalid seemed to resolve, “I should buy some new shoes….”
I couldn’t fathom what any of it meant.
“Allow me to clean them for you!”
I quickly moved and grabbed a damp cloth from a nearby table.
“No, Rubian. Don’t….”
Pat pat pat.
With an apologetic heart, I scrubbed Father’s shoes earnestly with the cloth…! Huh?
I lifted my head with a dismayed expression.
“Oh no…. It was a cloth that wiped up apple juice….”
It must have been the cloth someone used to clean up spilled juice.
“Refreshing, at least.”
Father gazed at his now-sticky shoes without concern.
“I suppose I should change into a fresh pair.”
“I want to come too!”
I sprang to my feet to follow Father as he turned to leave.
“Why don’t you just play with your friends?”
“I don’t want to.”
Cling.
As I hung from Father’s arm, his gaze turned back to regard me intently.
‘…Again.’
That look in his eyes again.
Father seemed strange today. He acted as usual, but then he’d look at me with such a profound gaze….
For some reason, it bothered me greatly.
“Is something wrong?”
“Of course not.”
Father smiled warmly as if he’d never hesitated, took my hand, and walked forward with steady steps.

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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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