Chapter 13
She prepared a simple breakfast and lightly filled her stomach. After washing up and bathing, she found that Luna had already woken up.
He was grooming himself diligently on the bed.
“Today’s the day, meow.”
Seeing Selina drying her hair, Luna spoke.
“Yeah, it is today. Somehow it still doesn’t feel real.”
“Maybe it’s because you haven’t gone to the Academy yet, meow.”
“That could be it.”
“We agreed to meet Mie at 9, so hurry up, meow.”
Checking the clock, it was already close to 8.
Selina began putting on the items she had prepared the day before, one by one from the table.
She wore her uniform and tied a red necktie symbolizing first-year students around her neck.
Looking into the full-length mirror, she checked if anything was out of place or if her clothing was untidy.
Her appearance was that of a Perion Academy student itself.
The thought that she was a student made her throat tickle strangely.
While checking her reflection, Selina noticed her red hair and seemed to realize something. She then returned to the table.
On the table were her Academy bag, her robe, and the accessories box that Bixter had given her previously.
Looking at the accessories box, Selina removed the bracelet she had been wearing on her wrist.
“Time to say goodbye.”
The bracelet, gifted by Stella when she was four years old, was finally being parted with after twelve years.
As if it had borne the passage of her life in her stead, the bracelet looked quite worn and tattered.
For a moment, twelve years of memories flashed through her mind like a passing panorama.
Lost in a brief sentiment, Selina quickly shook it off, picked up the accessories box, and stood again in front of the full-length mirror.
She blinked slowly—and when she opened her eyes, she could see her original appearance after a long time.
In the mirror, her bright crimson hair had disappeared, replaced by pale lavender hair.
It was a soft shade, as if deep violet mixed with white paint, resembling her eye color as though they formed a set.
Although it had been a long time since she had seen her natural hair, it felt rather more fitting than the red hair she usually wore.
“Ohh, that hair is rare to see. How long has it been, meow?”
“Maybe about two years?”
Even while using a magical tool, there were times when it needed repairs or had to be removed for certain reasons, so she occasionally saw her original hair.
“Still, red is better, meow.”
Selina opened the accessories box and put on a necklace adorned with a small gemstone.
As she did, her pale lavender hair began to gradually change into red from the roots.
She couldn’t remember exactly when she started disguising her hair as red.
It had simply been when she was young—Stella had used a magical bracelet to hide her hair color, and Selina had accepted it.
Red hair had become a symbol of witches since the time Stella began being called one.
Because of that, even people who had never met Stella or Selina would whisper “witch” upon seeing red hair.
Since her natural hair was pale lavender, there was no real need to disguise it with a magical tool just because others called her a witch.
However, Selina continued using the magical tool to keep her hair appearing red.
There was no particular reason.
Even though she endured insults and hardships for being called a witch, she simply didn’t feel the need to reveal her true hair color just because of others’ opinions.
Rather, Selina actually liked her red hair.
Because of it, people naturally assumed she and Stella were mother and daughter, and said they resembled each other.
Looking into the mirror, Selina adjusted her facial expression to resemble Stella’s.
Of course, she didn’t resemble Stella’s bright, radiant smile at all. In fact, it looked rather comical, prompting Luna to make a displeased expression from the side.
“What are you doing, meow?”
“…Ahem. Nothing.”
“Are you trying to become a real witch, meow? If you make that face at the Academy, the other students will run away, meow.”
At Luna’s teasing tone, Selina glared at her briefly before looking back into the mirror, wondering if her expression really was that strange.
She truly did look like a witch. Just like the rumors that said witches would devour people.
They say you shouldn’t do things you’re not used to.
Selina shook her head and turned around.
“Since it’s about time to go, you should come inside too.”
“It’s too cramped in there, meow…”
“You don’t have a choice. Go to the bathroom once before we leave.”
“Alright, meow.”
Selina gently patted Luna and placed her into the cage. Then she covered it with a white cloth so Luna couldn’t be seen.
The time she had promised to meet Mie was approaching.
Click.
Selina opened the front door and carried her luggage outside.
Holding the cage containing Luna, she took a final look around the quiet house. Sunlight occasionally streamed in through the window, illuminating the interior.
“I’ll be off.”
She gave her final farewell to Stella’s photo placed above the fireplace and closed the door behind her.
Rattle, rattle.
Selina and Mie rode in a carriage that was rather luxurious for commoners as they headed toward Perion Academy.
“See? I knew I’d get something out of hanging out with you! The cardinal is the best!”
The carriage they were currently riding had been prepared in advance by Fryman for Selina’s trip to the Academy.
In fact, Mie could have reached the Academy comfortably with the help of her own patron, but upon learning that Selina was receiving Fryman’s support, she chose to accompany her.
Perion Academy was located not far from the capital.
From Terion Street, where they lived, it would take less than an hour by carriage.
“I’m so nervous! What if I mess up there? What if I can’t make any friends?”
“Shouldn’t I be the one worrying about that?”
“Waaah! My heart feels like it’s going to jump out of my chest!”
Watching her overly dramatic friend who couldn’t seem to stop talking, Selina shook her head.
Meow~
Amid Mie’s noisy voice, a faint cat meow could be heard.
Selina slightly lifted the cloth covering the cage. Luna was staring at her with round eyes, demanding to be let out.
“Just hang in there a bit longer.”
Meow!
Not satisfied with the answer, Luna’s meowing grew louder.
“Just let her out. It’s just the three of us in the carriage anyway.”
“But still…”
“She has to stay in the cage until dorm assignment anyway. How cramped must it be in there?”
Meow~
At Mie’s words, Luna nodded and meowed. After some hesitation, Selina eventually opened the cage.
As if she had been waiting, Luna jumped out and climbed onto Mie’s lap.
“Oh my! What’s this all of a sudden!”
Meow!
[Since you helped me, I’ll allow you the privilege of petting me, meow.]
Luna’s voice echoed in Selina’s mind.
Unaware of Luna’s thoughts, Mie happily stroked her soft black fur, remarking that it had been a long time since Luna sat on her lap.
“Oh right! Selina, did you know?”
“What is it?”
Mie, who had been smiling absentmindedly, returned to her usual self and spoke.
“I heard a lot of famous noble families’ children are enrolling this time.”
“Really?”
“Yeah! It’s normal for nobles to attend the Academy, but this year is different!”
“How so?”
“First of all, there are people enrolling who are famous even among commoners!”
“Hmm…”
With a face full of excitement, Mie listed the information she knew, while Selina responded indifferently.
“…And also—ah! Even though they’re not in the same year as us, His Highness the Crown Prince is attending the Academy.”
She flinched. Her body trembled slightly without her realizing it.
“The Crown Prince is our senior…! This is the only chance to see him up close! Rumor has it he’s as handsome as the founding emperor.”
Mie swallowed her saliva, wearing a sly, dreamy smile. Selina turned away and recalled the Crown Prince in her mind.
He was indeed handsome.
“Even the people I mentioned are famous, but no one compares to these two! And who are they? The Hailers Marquis family! Two members from the Hailers family are enrolling!”
“Two people… twins? Or cousins?”
“If they were cousins, they’d have different surnames.”
“Then twins?”
“Nope! They’re not twins, but siblings of the same age!”
“How does that work?”
Not twins, yet siblings of the same age? While not impossible if born in January and December of the same year, the chances were slim.
“One of them is an adopted child. But since she’s the same age as the marquis’s biological son, many people mistake them for twins.”
Selina’s expression stiffened.
“It’s actually quite a famous story, though you didn’t know? The marquis’s wife is his second wife.
After the marquis lost his first wife and grieved deeply, he met his second wife and fell in love again. When he accepted her, he also registered her daughter into the family registry.”
Mie clasped her hands together, lost in admiration.
“Isn’t that romantic? Among nobles, lineage is everything, yet he accepted a child not of his blood purely out of love!”
“……”
“Even more amazing! That adopted daughter is said to be loved just as much as a biological child. It’s well known that the marquis does not tolerate nobles who look down on her.”
The more she listened, the more familiar the story sounded. It was the same story Luna had told her just last night…
“The marquis’s daughter is very famous even among nobles. Not only because of this story, but also because her beauty is said to be out of this world—so beautiful it could make the blind see.”
“…What’s the marquis daughter’s name?”
“Silvia Hailers. She’s the Crown Prince’s fiancée. There are even rumors she’s a saintess.”
Mie whispered as if sharing a secret.
Silvia—the name Luna had mentioned yesterday, and the protagonist of the original story, “I Will Become a Saintess.”
