Chapter 14: Emilia

My name is Emilia Darion. I’m an orphaned child who enrolled in Farlingstad Magic Academy as a working student a few months ago. The reason we, the working students, enrolled early was for training.

A week before school was set to start, the dormitory head informed me that the person I would be serving until graduation was arriving today. So, I was excused from most of my duties and waited for her in front of the dormitory.

As I waited, I recalled the various experiences shared by my colleagues. According to them, serving nobles was challenging and troublesome. They often made demanding requests and were too lazy to dress themselves. As a result, I was quite nervous as I awaited her arrival.

From noon until late afternoon, I waited. When I finally saw the carriage, which was exclusive to our school, approaching the dormitory, I quickly stood at attention.

The carriage stopped in front of me, and the driver got off his seat. He opened the door to reveal a very lovely girl sleeping peacefully. She had long, silky black hair that reached her waist. Her pale white skin looked so soft that even I, a girl like her, would blush if I touched her. Her black frilly dress with a blue rose brooch made her look like a doll.

As I was entranced by her appearance, the driver approached her and shook her gently.

*Gulp*

When the girl opened her eyes and moved her mouth, I swallowed my saliva and stopped breathing the moment she cast her gaze at me. After the driver helped her out of the carriage, I walked closer and gave her my deepest bow.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lumina Chis Chem. My name is Emilia Darion. I shall serve as your guide for the remainder of the day.”

After introducing myself, I guided her towards her room. As we walked down the hallway, I struggled between the urge to hug her and the rules a servant must follow. Just as the battle was reaching its peak, Miss Lumina asked me a question out of nowhere.

“Um, can I ask a question… Miss Darion?”

The question was so sudden that I became flustered. Not wanting her to see my red face, I continued walking and answered her question without looking at her.

“Emilia is fine.”

I managed to squeeze those words out of my mouth, which was an achievement given my nervousness.

“Then… Emilia, how old are you? I kind of feel that you’re not much older than me.”

“That’s correct; I’m actually 7 years old.”

This work is hosted on mananovel.com

I was puzzled by her question but answered her regardless of my worries. My memory after that point became quite hazy, so I couldn’t remember what happened next.

When I came to my senses, I found myself standing in front of her door, pushing a trolley filled with food. I paced the hallway, wondering if it was appropriate to open the door or if it would be too rude. When I finally resolved to open it, I discovered that she had already finished arranging her things and a considerable amount of time had passed.

I felt a pang of depression.

Since she seemed to be a very influential person, I carefully placed each dish, plate, and utensil on the table. I stepped back to give her room as she ate.

As she began eating, I was again mesmerized by the grace and manners she exhibited as she ate. I snapped out of my daze when I noticed that the food on her table was gone. I quickly arranged the dishes and left her room.

I was really embarrassed when I realized I had been staring at her while she ate.

***

I woke up extra early to help her get accustomed to life at the school. Since she was someone worthy of respect, I wanted to serve her with my utmost dedication.

However, when I entered her room, I was shocked to find that she was already awake and dressed.

“Good morning, Emilia.” Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

I realized then that I had been overly confident.

(Of course she can dress herself. Unlike other nobles, she must be a special case.)

“Is something wrong?”

My mind went blank when she asked me this.

“Ummm… Emilia, are you troubled by something?”

I debated whether it was okay to voice my thoughts. I continued to stare into her beautiful black eyes for what felt like minutes before deciding to speak.

“… I feel like you don’t need a servant, Miss Lumina. You’re able to do almost everything by yourself, even without me. I was supposed to be your personal maid throughout your stay here.”

“Ahh, is that so? It’s true that I don’t need a servant for those things, but…”

“But?”

“What I do need is a friend. Would it be okay if we became friends?”

My eyes widened, and my jaw dropped at her request.

“B-but… our social classes are different… you’re a noble and I’m a commoner. There’s no way we could be friends.”

“Really? I became friends with the carriage driver yesterday. So, I think we can.”

“B-b-but…”

“No buts! Our ages aren’t even that different, and besides, we’re schoolmates. So, us becoming friends is normal. Besides…”

“Besides?”

She suddenly grabbed my hands, letting me feel the softness and warmth of her palms.

“I’m from a low-ranking noble house and don’t have any friends near my age back home. I’d really be happy if we became friends.”

(It seems like what they said about nobles requesting difficult things was true… but she’s from a low-ranking noble house? No, I’m sure she’s lying. She’s just saying those things to make me accept her unreasonable request. However, becoming her friend doesn’t seem like a bad thing…)

I felt my face heat up and my mouth loosen. I quickly cast my gaze down and uttered, “Yes.”

“Really!? Thanks! Emilia.”

“I should be the one thanking you, Miss Lumina.”

***

From then on, I decided to support her. I would do everything in my power to protect her from anyone who might try to approach or deceive her.

On the first day of class, she emitted an astounding amount of pressure that affected everyone around her. I noticed that everyone had stopped breathing. Some were sweating profusely, while others almost fainted.

It seemed I was the only one unaffected by her pressure, so I followed her.

(You really are worthy of being served by many.)

I followed her with a big smile on my face as we left the scene where time had stood still.

In the afternoon, the two of us went to the library. I thought we were going to research some things, but it turned out she was going to teach me. Although I felt unworthy to be taught by her, it would have been rude to refuse her good intentions. So, I reluctantly accepted.

Her teaching was incredibly easy. So easy, in fact, that I learned what would normally be taught in high school in the span of three years.

I tried asking one of my classmates if she knew how to add and subtract. She only tilted her head and asked if that was edible.

A teacher even tried to embarrass me by giving me problems meant for high school. But when I solved them in front of him, his eyes widened, along with those of my classmates.

(Did you know there are even harder questions than that? Also, if that’s what’s taught in high school, why don’t they use decimals and fractions?)

When I met up with Miss Lumina and talked about what happened, we laughed at how easy the questions were. She even made plans to teach me more.

(Just how much does she know?)

When we arrived at the canteen, I chose the farthest table so her presence could be seen by everyone in the dormitory. As I expected, those who didn’t know or care about her were subjected to a heavy pressure.

The noise in the canteen ceased. People froze in their seats, and all eyes were focused on her. Not a single person was brave enough to approach her.

(You really are fit to become the leader or queen of the general studies students, Miss Lumina. Even the seniors paled in comparison to your presence.)

I began making plans to bring the entire general studies division under her influence. When she asked me if I was bullying her, I laughed softly and cleared up her misunderstanding. I even told her to get used to being gazed at, because by sixth grade, she would become the object of admiration for everyone.

After our afternoon classes, I informed Miss Lumina that I wouldn’t be able to study in her room. She made a disappointed face and said, “Then I’ll give you a harder lesson tomorrow.”

(Are there things harder than long division!?)

By the end of the year, as we became fourth-grade students, it seemed all the students from first to sixth grade had become her followers without her even realizing it.