Vol. 3 - Chapter 128.1 - A Quiet Story: Charlotte’s Scheme
TL: Feeling a little slow cause just now realized why the author originally called these types of chapters ‘Quiet’. It’s because they’re from a different POV; hence, a silent or quiet story episode….. Anyway, won’t try and change the title again and keep to quiet…..
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A year and a half has passed since then.
Therese has finally come to the end of her life expectancy as indicated by doctors.
Just as summer was passing and a cool breeze began to blow, the time finally arrived.
As I visited the monastery to take care of Therese as usual, I found her collapsed in front of the altar.
"Therese-sama!"
I rushed to Therese and gathered her up in my arms. Her body looked like a dead tree that had lost its appetite and had grown completely emaciated. ......
"Lot ...... ti ......."
Therese blinked open her dim eyes. Looks like she's still alive. I let out a relieved breath.
"Pull yourself together! I'm calling the doctor now."
I cannot have you die while I am not here. For when your life is gone, that is when I will have the chance to take away your Light Magic.
The doctor arrived shortly after and said it would be difficult for her to pass tonight.
"Doctor,...... is there nothing more we can do?"
The doctor shook his head.
"That' can't be ......."
"This is what life is all about, Lottie. Therese-sama has always praised you. She said you were a very kind girl, taking care of her every day. She thinks of you as if you were her own daughter."
I burst into tears. I am so glad that I have the skill to cry on the spot.
"I too ...... consider Theresa-sama as if she were my real mother."
"You take care of her in her last moments, Lottie," he said, "I'll be in the chapel, so call me if you need anything."
"Yes. ......"
Finally. The time has come for me obtain Light Magic.
That night, I was by Therese's side. I dozed off for a bit when I realized someone was stroking my head.
"Lottie. You stayed ....... Such a sweet girl."
It was Therese. When did she wake up?
"Therese-sama. Thank heavens! You're awake."
"Soon ...... I will be called back ...... to God. Lottie,...... thank you ...... so much ......for all you have done."
I squeezed Therese's hand.
"What are you saying? Therese-sama. I got some nourishing food for you today. I am sure you will feel better after eating these."
"Lottie ......"
Tears rolled down Therese's cheeks. And then, struggling to move her weakened body, she pulled out a cherished pendant from under her nightwear.
"This ...... is for you ...... as a token of my love for you."
She gripped the hand that held the pendant as if to wrap her hand around it.
"A memento... ...... no ...... ......!"
"I'm sure it will ...... be a good luck charm."
I breathe out a sigh, and Therese gave my hand a squeeze back.
"Be happy......"......
The light left her eyes and the strength drained from her hands. Is she dead?
Then a streak of light escaped from Therese's body, and eventually it became a sphere.
" ...... beautiful. Perhaps this is the source of her power?"
No! This is no time for admiring!
"Pillage Magic" formula deployed!"
An ominous magic circle emerged around me, gradually swallowing the light of the sphere.
The magical circle disappeared when I had taken in everything.
"I did it! It succeeded. Now I am the owner of Light Magic."
I kneeled down in front of Therese and gently closed her eyes, which were still open, using my hand.
The pendant, a memento which had fallen on the bed sheet, was placed on her bosom. It possessed a curious luster. Is it a shell?
"Thank you, Therese-sama. If only you were my real mother. ......"
Something hot flowed down my cheeks. Is this what I read about in novels, a young girl's sentimentality?
I went to call the doctor in the chapel to inform him of Therese's death.
I decide to complete Therese's funeral and leave for the Royal Capital.
"Lottie, are you really going away? You can live here if you want."
I shook my head at the words of Emma, the wife of the man Therese had saved that day, years ago.
"No," I replied, "I don't think so. I'm coming of age next year, so I've been put in charge of a store in the Royal Capital by the Chamber of Commerce where I work now."
I'm not lying. I am going back to the Campbell Barony in the capital. I can't imagine living in the countryside like this for the rest of my life.
"I see. You have grown up well, haven't you? Therese-sama must be pleased."
"I hope so. But if it were possible, I would have liked to return the favor to Therese."
"......Lottie."
After pretending to say goodbye to Emma for a while, I boarded the merchant's carriage back the same way I came.
"Take care! Come back whenever you need a break!"
"Yes! Take care, Emma!"
I kept waving until Emma was out of sight.
What a sunny departure.
"Thank you for coming, milady. The Baron Campbell's carriage will pick you up in the next town."
The butler seated opposite me informed me in a clerical manner.
"Yes," I replied, "I assume you have the dresses and decorations ready?"
"Of course, miss."
"I can't wait to get out of this simple dress and into the Sandorion dress.
Standing at the entrance of Baron Campbell's residence for the first time in four years.
"Charlotte! Thank heavens you're finally home."
Mother rushed to me and hugged me as soon as she saw me.
Her perfume is too strong. Therese had only smelled like fresh soap. ......
"I'm back, Mother. Where is Father?"
"He'll be home shortly. When he heard his beloved daughter was coming home, he decided to force himself to leave work."
"That so."
"You must be tired. Go to your room and relax first."
When I entered my room, it was just as I left it. The room was clean and neat, with lots of beautiful things I like.
"Now, I need to try out what I got......."
I picked up the paper knife on the desk and pressed the tip against my thumb. A round drop of blood appeared, and flowed downwards.
"Light Magic Healing Hands".
Holding my hand over the other hand and chanting, the blood stopped and the wound on my thumb was healed.
"Now I have proof."
When father comes back, I will ask him to bring me to the magic academy.
I will head to the magic academy to have my magic attribute determined.
"What's the matter with you all of a sudden? I thought you had returned and wanted to have your magical attributes determined."
"Yes," he said, "Four years ago, you were judged to have no attribute."
When I told my parents that I wanted to take the magic attribute test, they were dubious.
"I wanted to have my magical attributes determined before I enroll at the Magic Academy ......."
I put my elbows on the carriage window and gazed out. It's been a long time since I've been in the capital. Shall I go out shopping tomorrow?
"I see. But even if you did have some sort of magical attribute, you wouldn't qualify for the third grade if you can't pass the transfer exam.''
There are ways to transfer to the Magic Academy without taking an exam. That is, if you have the magical attribute of light or dark, you can transfer as a special student.
And I obtained Light Magic.
After going through the procedures at the Magic Academy, I was immediately taken to a room where a ball was used to determine my magical attribute.
"You must be Charlotte-sama of the Baron Campbell family. Please insert your magic power into the judgment ball.
"May I, um, remove the ...... ornaments first?"
Four years ago I was judged twice.
They said that occasionally, without realizing it, ornaments could be magical tools.
The judge told me this when I was crying because I could not accept that I was a non-attribute.
But in the end, I was a non-attribute and was extremely frustrated.
"Of course. There is a small room over there. Don't forget to leave the removed ornaments with your family. We cannot guarantee the safety of your valuables."
"I understand."
I called a maid into the small room and deposited the removed any ornaments.
And then I proceeded to the magic attribute judgment.
The magic attribute judgment ball glowed gold, and my parents, including the judge, looked astonished.
"This is an attribute of ...... 'light magic. I have never seen it before. I will take you to the chief judge's office. Please, come this way."
The chief judge is the head of the magical judges.
"It is indeed an attribute of Light Magic," he said, "It's been hundreds of years, hasn't it? An owner of Light Magic has appeared, and so on. ......"
The chief magic judge's bloodshot eyes, bulging in his flesh, widened. He must have seen my attributes with his "appraising eye.
"My daughter gained the Light Magic attribute? Not so long ago she was a non-attribute though?"
Father persistently clamored for answers. He must have found this hard to believe.
"It is not unusual for a person with no attribute to suddenly awaken to a magical attribute. But 'light magic' is just marvelous!"
"Chief Judge. I have heard that those with light or dark attributes are admitted to the Magic Academy as special students.
My purpose today is to obtain a letter of recommendation to the Magic Academy. I want to accomplish my objective by getting down to business as soon as possible.
"Of course, of course. Let me write a letter of recommendation as soon as possible."
On the way home from the Magic Academy, my parents were very excited.
"Today is a day for celebration. Charlotte, is there anywhere you want to go?"
"No, Father. It's been a long time since I've had a meal cooked at home.'
"Then I'll tell the head chef to make Charlotte's favorite dish tonight."
"Yes, Mother. Please."
Returning to my room, I called the maid to whom I entrusted my ornaments.
"Have you done what I asked you to do? What did you find out?"
"Yes. Miss. About that pendant, I was told that it might be a magical tool for inhibiting magic."
I left the pendant, a memento of Therese, with this maid and asked her to go to the lab to have the magical tool appraised.
"What do you mean it might be?"
"They said it was very old and magical and they couldn't figure out the details."
"I understand. Thanks. You may step back."
As I suspected, this pendant was responsible for hindering my plundering magic.
Perhaps the person wearing the pendant can use magic, but when magic is used against him, the pendant prevents the magic from being used.
I don't know what the nature of the old magic is, but Therese gave me a good thing.
"The design is plain and not to my liking, but ......"
Then, the day of my transfer to the Magic Academy -------.
"You must be Charlotte-sama, the special student," he said, "I am Richard Allen Vin Findaria, the president of the student council. The dean has asked me to take care of you."
At last I can be closer to you.
"It's nice to meet you, Richard-sama."
I gave a short curtsey and greeted him.
"Let me first show you around the school building."
I have admired you ever since I first met you when I was seven years old.
"Yes."
"I heard that you have awakened your Light Magic attribute. That's amazing."
To stand next to you.
"Yes. It must be the will of the God of Light."
"You are very religious. I'm looking forward to working with you."
"Likewise."
My best regards to you. My prince.
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TL:
Holy moly. What a shocking chapter.
I was aghast at Charlotte’s apathy at such an age, but her character has been fleshed out some more and shows her sympathetic side. I quite like villains like her honestly; they make our stories so much more interesting.
And poor Theresa, she never once saw Charlotte’s true nature.
Also plot twist! The dragon scale falls into the hands of Charlotte???
Wonder if this is foreshadowing anything…..well looks like we’re about to see some major drama coming up~ Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed! And happy reading~!!