In the reception hall of the Florencia mansion, was a long, extravagant, and perfectly polished table, covered with a tablecloth decorated with a stylish floral pattern made with golden thread, that would capture anyone’s attention with its beauty. And on the table, were dozens of sets of silverware and sparkling crystal glasses, perfectly lined up.
The table was long enough to accommodate every member of this family, but only two people sat at it. These two people wearing expensive clothes were Medici Florencia, and her daughter, Lain Florencia.
They showed no particular reaction to the various food brought to them by servants, and blandly chewed it. This atmosphere made the servants standing near the wall unconsciously stand up straight with how cold it was.
“Lain, I hear you had a practical magic lesson today.”
Unlike a certain overly doting parent, Medici Florencia did not interfere with her daughter’s school life, but sought to regularly receive new information about what was going on in school.
There were many staff members in the magic school under the patronage of the Florencia family, so information always made its way to her ears. That said, the same thing could be said for the entire capital. If Florencia so desired, she could easily learn that afternoon’s news before the evening paper.
“Yes, and obviously, I was perfect. I was the only one who made it change shape.”
Contrary to what she said, her expression was dark. She finally got the practical lesson she was looking forward to, and managed to execute a perfect performance, but at this point, no one remembered it.
Lain picked that up from the mood in the classroom, and could not bring herself to smile.
(…Ririi… If it wasn’t for her… Right now I would be…)
After the class was over, Ririi was all they could talk about. She was smaller and felt more childish than the other students, but blew away a crystal that was much bigger than her. It was only natural that this would become a talking point.
In the first place, Ririi had pale blue hair, a staff that was beautiful like a jewel, was the only one wearing a hat, and was the one to suggest keeping a slime as a pet. There was no shortage of things to talk about when it came to her.
She lacked any sort of sense of leadership and just did what she wanted, so she was not the central figure in her class in that sense, but she did exude a big sense of presence.
Lain was not happy with that. She was the one who was serious, she was the one who worked hard, she was the one who was mature… So why?
“I see. So… How was that girl? The one named Ririi.”
Medici, who did not try to see into her daughter’s heart, did not even notice the unhappy look on her face. For Medici, Lain was simply an important being for the continuation of the Florencia family. A tool for her to feel proud and battle her complexes.
“Ririi? That girl… Was normal. I guess she can use magic, but that’s it.”
“I see. Good. Continue doing your best.”
That was all that was said, before the table in the Florencia mansion was shrouded with silence again.
(…She still won’t praise me. My brilliance isn’t enough…)
Lain had a fatal lack of parental warmth, growing up in the Florencia mansion, so rather than cry because she wanted kind words from her mother, at this point she just wanted words of approval of how brilliant she was. Not in an emotional sense, just in a factual sense.
She somewhat felt that her brilliance would lead to her family doing well, so those words would serve as proof that her effort was not misguided. However, her mother had yet to let her hear them.
(…I’m sure if I can win against that girl…)
Lain only saw Ririi as a childish classmate, so the events of that day were very shocking to her. She never could have imagined that girl was hiding such powerful magic energy.
At first she told herself it was because she was an elf, but Ririi was not the only elf in their class, and the other elves’ magic did not particularly stand out.
And regardless, Lain did not like that way of thinking. Accepting defeat because of race did not suit her personality.
(…I will win before this term is over.)
Lain was already working in her head what magic she should learn next.
“I’m done. Thank you for the meal.”
Lain said as she stood from her chair, and headed to the private library that was the pride of the Florencia mansion.
Medici did not notice that her daughter did not finish her meal, which did not happen often, or that her face was twisted with frustration.
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Thanks for the chapter Hidamarisou! She’d have to be blind to miss that many things about the only other person in the room.
That poor kid has such a childish brat for a mother.