Chapter 10: Happiness

14 Years Old: The No-Staff of Magic Academy

Happiness

This is the Bernstein Mansion, located in the suburbs, somewhat far from the center of Bellandenburg.

I woke up before the analog alarm clock, which I had set a timer for just in case, went off.

It was a simple room with minimal furniture. Normally used by servants, it had been assigned to me.

After getting ready as efficiently as I could, I looked in the large mirror mounted on the wall—presumably because the servants of the Bernstein family are told not to bring shame to the house with their appearance.

There stood a woman, about 160 centimeters tall, with two large triangles on her head and a bushy tail.

I had tried to cut my hair, but Max stopped me, so my silky silver hair, streaked with yellow, reached my waist. It was parted in two at the back and tied with a large blue ribbon around my shoulders.

Below my well-shaped, slender eyebrows were eyes that shone with a brilliant golden light.

There's a mole next to my right eye, and combined with my slightly droopy eyes, even when I glare at myself in the mirror, I have absolutely no presence.

My nose, lips, and chin are well-shaped.

My arms and legs are long and slender, but my chest and hips have grown noticeably large, even in the mirror (I was measured for an F cup when I had my underwear made).

On top of that, I'm wearing a white blouse with a bright red tie around my neck, and a black flared skirt that gives a chic impression.

A tail extends from a hole in the back of the custom-made skirt, swaying gently.

On my left animal ear, I have a clip-on accessory ear cuff that Max gave me, a blue brighter than the sky, which is inserted vertically from the outside of my ear and makes my silver hair stand out even more.

After confirming that I was ready, I opened the door to my room.

★

"Good morning, Young Master Helmfried. Good morning, Young Master Maximilian."

"...Good morning."

"Good morning, Celica."

I opened the door to the grand dining hall and bowed to the two of them at the entrance.

Thanks to Max's tutoring, my Alban skills are now on par with those of children my age.

The grand dining hall is not extravagant, but it has a solid, imposing structure.

I sat down on the round stool closest to the entrance, next to Max's seat.

The master of this mansion, Mr. Rüdiger, who should normally sit at the head seat at this oversized table, is currently away in Künigsberg, participating in military exercises with the three Burt states against the Vostknislyag Republic Federation.

Sitting diagonally across from me is Helmfried, the eldest son of the Bernstein family.

Today's breakfast consisted of a white baguette with a butter wrapper, three oven-grilled pork sausages, a salad, and consommé soup. A plate with a banana (with the filling removed), an orange, and sliced ​​apples was also provided.

"Damn! I'm late!"

As I was enjoying my breakfast, a tall man, similar to the two of the Young Masters, rushed in, the door to the dining hall being opened roughly.

"Good morning, Young Master Theodore."

"Good morning, Celica. You look as beautiful as ever today."

"... It is an honor to receive such praise from Young Master Theodore."

I stopped eating breakfast, stood up, and bowed in greeting, to which he returned the greeting in a light tone.

Theodore, the second oldest brother and a rare flamboyant figure in the Bernstein household, scanned me from the tips of my animal ears to my toes.

"Hey Max. Can I borrow Celica for a bit? I want to show her off to my friends."

".... Nii-san, Celica isn't an object. Besides, she's my attendant."

"Oh, come on, it's fine, isn't it? It's your beloved brother's request. Come on, Celica's fine with it too, right? I won't do anything weird. I promise."

Max gave a clear, displeased refusal to Theodore, who was asking to borrow me.

As I was struggling to deal with Theodore, who was still persistent and had turned his attention to me, Helmfried, the eldest brother and a figure who, like Mr. Rüdiger, exuded an imposing presence, came to my rescue.

"Enough already. It's past breakfast time, Theodore. How long are you going to keep bothering Celica? Just sit down at the breakfast table."

"What's with that pretentious attitude? Nii-san, you're just as interested in Celica as I am"

"Ugh! Just sit down!"

"Alright, alright."

Theodore shrugged and sat down in his seat.

'Am I the source of discord that's tearing these brothers apart?'

I readjusted my position on the stool, and doubts began to creep in.

★

Leaving the large, sturdy four-story brick Bernstein Mansion, we walked for about ten minutes and reached Gingerstrasse.

Max and I were wearing black, knee-length robes, proof of our attendance at the magic academy (underneath, any clothing is permitted as long as it's within reasonable limits).

These robes are enchanted with air conditioning magic, maintaining a comfortable temperature around the wearer, provided they possess the talent to manipulate mana.

As we walked along Gingerstrasse, a residential area lined with apartment buildings, we passed a juvenile prison.

"Hey, cute beastkin girl! Come over here and have some fun with us!"

"Whoa! Your boobs are big today! Have they gotten even bigger?"

As we passed by, I was subjected to lecherous and vulgar stares and jeers from the boys inmates, who apparently go out to the exercise yard during their morning free time, through the fence.

When Max glared at them, they quieted down, saying, "Oh, how scary," but the next day they showed no signs of having learned their lesson.

"Don't worry about it too much. Come on, let's walk faster."

"Thank you."

Thanking Max for his concern, I walked along, asking him about things I didn't understand in class, until we reached Schülingstrasse, a main street lined with commercial and office buildings.

These buildings were built low and imposing, so as not to look out of place alongside the older, historical structures.

Turning right, Max held my hand and walked through the crowd, guarding me.

At the end of the street was Schülingstrasse station.

We descended the stairs leading to the underground platform.

I held my magic academy student ID, which had an embedded IC chip, to the card reader at the ticket gate and passed through the automatic gate.

Students of the magic academy can use the Bellandenburg railway network for free.

We arrived at the underground platform of Schülingstrasse station, characterized by its red pillars and ceiling beams, just as a U-Bahn subway train was about to pull up.

"Come on, don't get separated,"

Max walked ahead, guiding me, as we skillfully navigated through the crowds of people getting on and off the train and boarded the carriage.

Feeling curious stares, I watched as the underground railway walls, reflected in the window, replaced the above-ground scenery. Holding on to the handrails, we were rocked by the train for six minutes.

We arrived at Landen station.

As we stepped off the platform and exited the ticket gate, the dazzling bright lights illuminated the shops embedded in the walls on either side. The latest clothes were displayed in the shop windows, and delicious-looking Gallic sweets and foods from various countries, including Mittelland, were arranged in glass display cases.

Walking through the increasingly crowded streets, we emerged from Landen station onto Friedrichstrasse, a street lined with skyscrapers designed to blend seamlessly with the city's landscape.

Walking to the right for five minutes, a massive stone structure, characterized by its gently curving wings on either side, appeared on the cobblestoned Verbal Square on our left.

This imposing building, steeped in history, is the Bellandenburg Academy of Magic.

It's the school I attend now that I'm fourteen.

★

The classrooms at the magic academy are shaped like an open fan, with a large electronic monitor mounted on a podium at the center of the massive fan.

From that podium, two-person, curved student desks are arranged on either side of the aisle, like ripples on the surface of water.

The third seat from the front row, on the right, is where Max and I sit.

"Now, Ahrenheim, can you please explain again about the aptitude for handling magic?"

"Yes. The talent for handling mana is determined innately, and with a few exceptions, it is impossible to acquire it through effort."

"Well, that's a passing grade. However, this is merely a confirmation of what you learned in elementary school.For the upcoming lecture, please understand that it is not worthy of any evaluation."

I stood up and answered when the teacher called on me by name.

It seemed I had managed to get through it.

I sat down, relieved inwardly, when a crumpled piece of paper was thrown onto my desk from the side. 

When I picked it up and opened it, it read, "How about lunch together? Cute beast Fräulein" written in slightly clumsy handwriting.

Looking to the left, where the paper had been thrown, I saw a male classmate smiling at me.

I sent him a reproachful look, but he seemed unfazed. However, after a moment, his expression hardened, and he suddenly turned back to face forward.　

Turning the other way, I saw Max glaring at the boy.

It's scary when a handsome man with slanted eyes glares at you, isn't it?

I understand that feeling. I've been made the target of that face at several times while living together.

"Listen, students. Magic can be broadly divided into sorcery and magic. While sorcery requires innate talent, magic is..."

★

Lunchtime is pure bliss for me.

After devouring a generously filled sandwich made by Aunt Bernold, I lie down in the school courtyard and take a nap.

Max sits beside me, holding my hand while I nap.

Occasionally, I see other students pointing and saying things, but I'm so comforted by the feeling of Max's hand that I don't even notice.

"You've been busy with student council work lately, haven't you? You don't have to force yourself to keep me company. I can even help you with your work if you want."

"No problem. You go and sleep, Celica."

Lately, because of that, the already busy student council work has become even more complicated.

But no matter how busy Max's work is, he always makes time to keep me company during my naps.

I guess I'm not a very good attendant.

Such self-reflection vanished in the face of sleepiness.

★

"Vice President, please decide whether to approve or reject this application."

"Understood. Leave it there."

"We received a call from the shipping company. The delivery to the new dormitory will be delayed by a week due to shipping problems."

"Push the shipping company! If we lose points here, those fakes will look down on us!"

In the student council room, those with positions of authority were struggling with documents piled high on a large work table.

After school, I was helping with student council work... or rather, making tea.

"President, would you like tea or coffee?"

"I feel like tea today. Please make it as usual."

I asked the senior student who occupied the largest table, a beautiful woman with gorgeous wavy black hair.

I went to the kitchen to make tea, poured water into the kettle, and placed it on the magic stove.

After warming the teapot with boiling water, discard the water and add the high-quality tea leaves.

Then, as taught by Mr. Weiss, pour the water slightly off-center so that the tea leaves circulate as much as possible within the teapot.

While waiting, warm the cup by pouring the remaining water into it.

After confirming that three minutes have passed using the wall clock, discard the water from the cup and brew the tea through a tea strainer.

"Thank you, Celica... You've brewed it well again today."

"Thank you for the compliment, Student Council President Felzer. Here, this is for you,  Young Master Maximilian."

"Thank you, Celica."

As mentioned earlier, Max, despite being only 14 years old, is working as a secretary in the student council.

Most likely wanting to win over the Bernstein faction, Max's entry into the student council was decided by a single word from President Felzer, the daughter of a military industry conglomerate. 

As an aside, the Bellandenburg Academy of Magic has the Felzer faction, the Bernstein faction led by Max, and the Gotengram faction.

If the Gotengram faction had infiltrated the student council, my school life would have been much darker.

The work seemed endless, so everyone decided it was time for a break.

As I sat on the uglier sofa, sharing the second cup of tea with the other low-ranking executive committee members, Student Council President Felzer hugged me from behind.

She then proceeded to pet my animal ears and tail without my permission.

"Aahhhhh! Celica is really cute. So cuddly. Your ears and tail feel amazing too. It's a wonder you're only second in the popularity poll."

"That's not true. The ranking is based on looks, grades, and magical talent that can manipulate three attributes. On that matters, I'm not even comparable to Student Council President Felzer. ... And really, when the first rank said it, it just sounds like sarcasm."

"Oh, I'm sorry. But aren't you being a little too modest? Grades and talent aside, aren't you a pretty girl who's good enough to be Maximilian's match?"

"...?? Isn't it President Felzer, the young lady, who's a better match?"

"... Good grief. Maximilian's going to have a tough time."

I glanced at Max and saw he was looking down a little.

Why?

★

That evening, after having dinner at Bernstein's mansion and taking care of some errands like showering, I didn't feel like going to sleep right away, so I headed to the courtyard.

As I walked along, enjoying the pleasant night breeze, I saw Max standing in the center of the courtyard, gazing at the moon.

"Can't sleep again, Young Master Maximilian?"

"Celica. I've told you to stop calling me that when we're alone."

"But you never know who might be watching..."

We moved to a less conspicuous spot by the wall and looked at each other's faces again.

Max had a slightly grim expression.

"Is the integration plan really that difficult?... Maybe you should quit the student council? You're only 14, after all."

"I can't quit now.... But thank you for worrying about me, Celica."

"Don't push yourself too hard. If you're having a hard time, at least talk to me."

I hugged Max, my hardworking best friend.

Max put his arms around my back.

After hugging for a while, we reluctantly parted.

Turning back as we said goodbye to each other, I said to Max:

"Thank you. Because of you, Max, I'm happier than I ever thought possible."

★

TL: Note:

Künigsberg: It refers to Königsberg, the former name of the city of Kaliningrad, which is now a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea

Vostknislyag Republic Federation: It is just Russia, or maybe around this time, Uni Soviet.

Gingerstrasse: Refer to Gingerstraße, the name of a real street located in the Lindern (Oldenburg) area of ​​Germany.

Schülingstrasse: Refers to Schillingstraße, a street in the Mitte district of Berlin.

Friedrichstrasse: Refers to Friedrichstraße, a very famous main street in the center of Berlin, Germany, which runs from north to south across the Mitte and Kreuzberg areas.