Characters in this chapter:
- Sapphiras Perfectio, former 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge
- Aurora Steinfeld, daughter of the Duke of Bloomfield
- Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier
- Gabriel McMillan, Commander of the Order of Magicians
- Adeline, Margravine of Vanderwall, Percival’s mother
- Jacob Brittingham, butler of the Belisario household
- Anna Thor, maid in the Belisario household
- Clarabelle Timmons, maid in the Belisario household
- Cleo, boy from Morris village who lost his father in the magical beast outbreak
The discussion didn’t come to a conclusion, and after much deliberation, I made a suggestion to everyone.
“Let’s do a skit.”
“A skit?”
“I think this time’s magic performance will be divided into offensive and impressive magic. So let’s take the best parts of both!”
“Both?”
At my suggestion, everyone looked at each other and tilted their heads.
And finally, the day of the magic performance arrived.
Sure enough, there were many classes that performed like Class C last year, which was quite colourful and fun in its own way. Among them, Class B, including Percival, performed a traditional offensive magic performance. Although it was a bold and tense performance, there was no waste in the magic manipulation, which impressed the teachers. Naturally, the audience was also very excited.
And finally, the sword fighting hall erupted with excitement as our Class C, the pioneers of impressive magic performance, made their appearance.
When the three magic performers appeared on stage, the audience was bewildered. That’s probably because the performers were not in uniform. That was only natural, because the performers appeared not in uniforms, but in the guise of a magician and a saintess.
The two girls, dressed as magicians, glared at each other and chanted, and a water wolf and a fire wolf appeared. The two rushed into the air and engaged in a fierce battle. Water and fire swirled as they clashed to eliminate the other.
Yes, it was a skit that combined impressive magic and offensive magic. I came up with the general outline, and the class came up with the details of the performance together.
Yes, it’s a skit that combines both impressive and offensive magic. I came up with the general outline, and the whole class came up with the details of the production.
The story is simple, about a fierce battle between a water magician and a fire magician, who are rivals, and the Saintess of Light who mediates between them. Since the two magicians use big techniques, we tried to avoid anything complicated and detailed as much as possible. The girl playing the Saintess took on the directing aspects to make it look good, and we had the two magicians focus on the wolves.
Anyway, it’s no easy task to create a large and impressive wolf out of water and fire and then move it vigorously. The two magicians started crying, saying it was impossible and they couldn’t do it. But with the help of the whole class, they managed to finish it by today.
When the time was right, the young lady playing the saintess, who was supporting the direction, waved her wand and made the two wolves disappear, then a shower of light rained down from the sky and created a rainbow. At the end, the two magicians knelt down before the saintess, who was clad in light and looked divine, for the finale.
When the performance finished, the audience rose to their feet in a storm of applause. It seems the audience enjoyed themselves this year as well.
However, this time the emphasis was on flashiness, and the delicate manipulation of magic was secondary, so it’s unlikely they’ll get any stars. There were some upperclassmen who showed exemplary performances that looked like they could have won stars, but I think this year’s star will be Percival’s class.
When all the magic performances were over, it was Percival’s class that got the star. However, while our performance in Class C didn’t quite reach the star mark, we were highly praised for the way we presented our magic. As expected, the reason we didn’t get a star was because our magic manipulation was too rough, but since flashiness was the most important factor when deciding the content of the performance, everyone was happy with the result.
The judges had a hard time deciding which class to give stars to, but Gabriel-san’s overall assessment was that they judged them on the premise that it was also a part of the practical magic skills class.
Although they did not win any stars, everyone in the class worked together to complete the magic performance, which brought smiles of satisfaction to everyone’s faces and the bond between the classmates had become even stronger.
I caught a glimpse of a young man I recognized somewhere blaming the performers for not being evaluated, but I don’t think that class will get any stars next year either.
After the magic performance, which was the biggest event of the second semester, came the attainment test. While everyone around me was getting ready for the exam, I was completely oblivious to it. It was Percival who gave me the shivers.
“Sapphiras, the content of the second year art test is knowledge related to music. Let’s start by memorising composers and famous songs.”
And as he said this, he brought out a book on music history.
“Mu-music……?”
I don’t dislike songs. When you go to most bars, the drunk and high-spirited crowd sings songs to have a good time. They range from classic songs that everyone knows to traditional songs passed down in the area. I often sing songs that are out of tune, and Urla hits me with her sceptre, calling me a drunk!
And I’m taking a music exam?
“……It can’t be, I have to sing or play an instrument?”
“No, not that much. Some families can’t afford instruments or hire a music teacher. As long as you have enough knowledge to be able to handle being invited to a concert or performance, the exam is not a problem.”
Great, that’s a relief. If it’s just a matter of memorising, I should be able to manage……or so I thought!
But when I got there, it wasn’t all that simple. There was the background to the song’s creation, its interpretation, and remembering it was no easy task. Isn’t it okay for people to just enjoy music the way they like?
Every night, I would have dreams of fighting with a magic wand against a composer who would attack me with a baton, saying that misinterpretation would not be tolerated, and I would rack my brains. So Aurora held concerts at the Duke’s house and I had Percival teach me every night, so I did my best. Percival had his own studies to deal with, but he still put up with me. If I had to take a retake, I wouldn’t be able to face Percival.
And so I took the art test, and as usual, I barely passed. I was glad that there was no retake, but after all that effort, I only got this score……I felt really down about the result, and sorry for Percival who had studied with me every night. Percival told me that it was no problem because I had achieved my goal, but I didn’t understand why I could put in the most effort and only get the worst possible results.
I must have left all of my artistic sense with the goddess in exchange for her magical blessing. I’m sure of it.
Even so, my overall ranking remained within the top 20, so it was only my disastrous art test, and I didn’t get any scores in any other subjects that would cause anyone to criticise me. I could say that I at least maintained my reputation as a student sponsored by the Duke’s family.
Aurora and Percival, by the way, were unquestionably in first and second place. If anything, no one can compete with these two, can they?
Anyway, although I was still a little sad, I could now enjoy my Yor vacation without any worries. What a relief.
***
“Percy, Sapphy! Welcome back, we’ve been waiting for you!”
“Fugyuu……!”
I arrived at Vanderwall with Percival by transfer, and was immediately greeted by the embrace of Madam Adeline.
“We’re back. Mother, Sapphiras seems to be in pain, so please be gentle.”
“Oh, well, well……”
This welcome has become quite a regular occurrence. It really feels like I’ve returned to Vanderwall.
That’s right. It’s ‘I’ve returned’. Vanderwall has completely become my home in this life. That’s partly because I’m Percival’s fiancée, but the people here have accepted me even before that, and more than anything, the climate here suits me as a former adventurer.
In the room, Anna-san and Clarabelle-san welcomed me with a pleasant massage and hair care. They’re going to be primping it up well now for the party. These beauty magicians are hard workers……
“By the way, about the party outfit……”
“We’ll fix the double-winged outfit you wore last year, so don’t worry.”
Hearing that, I pat my chest with relief. The costumes for Yor last year were magnificent, and it would be a shame to wear them only once.
The seamstresses have a hard time fitting the outfit, but it’s hard for me to just stand there too. My obvious relief made Anna-san and Clarabelle-san laugh at me.
Come to think of it, Flavia ripped out my hair at the last party, but she’s still at the temple. She wasn’t here in the summer too, and it seems there’s no sign of her returning home even as the New Year approaches. I heard that Count Miller said that it’s time to pick up Flavia, but Madam. Evelyn said that she doesn’t intend to go pick her up until Juluth’s engagement is finalised.
I kind of understand how Madam. Evelyn feels. If Flavia is there, it’s unlikely that an engagement will go through. Besides, it would not be good for her if she came back halfway.
The Belisario house has become like my childhood home, and I’m spending my holidays helping Percival with the year-end preparations and visiting Cleo in Morris Village. Cleo has grown so much since I last saw him, and he’s been supporting his mother. It’s amazing how children grow up. The village is full of life, and this year, even if I don’t play the spirit of Yor, the real spirit mother will prepare sweets for me.
“Sapphiras, are you ready?”
“Of course, I’m fully dressed from head to toe.”
I’m fully prepared for the cold, wearing a felt jacket with white wolf fur and warm boots on my feet.
“That coat really suits you, Sapphiras. It really highlights your black hair and blue eyes.”
Percival smiled softly.
“I-is that so?”
……I’m done for.
I thought I had gotten used to the smile of the Knight of the Sun, but his attack power is still as high as ever, and it makes me feel restless, in a way that I can’t describe.
In fact, it almost feels like his attack power has increased.
Jacob-san was watching our conversation with a smile, and it was quite a sight.
“U-umm, let’s go then!”
“Yeah. Well then, we’ll be off.”
“Yes. Have a nice trip and be careful.”
I hurriedly left the castle, but Percival and I are going to Oriens to play today. I’ll be happy to meet the nomad lady, and I’m also looking forward to the food stalls. But what I’m most looking forward to is visiting the guild.
Next year, we’ll finally be able to register as adventurers. I asked Percival if I could see the Vanderwall guild before then, and he readily agreed.
The guild had been very helpful to me when I was an adventurer as Fortis. Each area had a very different atmosphere, but more than anything, I wonder what the guilds will be like after 150 years’ time!
![The Villain’s Golden Age of Beauty[Quick Travel]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/53343s.jpg "The Villain’s Golden Age of Beauty[Quick Travel]")
