Chapter 43: Cheeky

-Emilia-

While children clung to me and cried, Lumina-sama moved deeper into the orphanage. I tried to ask her to wait, but she insisted I enjoy my time with the children. Judging from her tone, I knew she would stubbornly refuse to let me accompany her. So, I accepted her offer. Honestly, Lumina-sama is too kind.

“Nee-chan, you won’t go away anymore, right?”

“Onee~ stay with us… uhhh”

The children I used to care for when I lived here five years ago cried incessantly. I felt a bit troubled about how to respond since I was about to leave. The only thing I could do was silently continue rubbing their heads.

…

After a few moments, the children finally stopped crying. I stood up and patted them. Some of the children grabbed the hems of my skirt, while others continued to rub their eyes.

With a smile, I said, “Since it’s a special occasion, why don’t I cook you guys a feast?”

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“Really?”

“Wai~”

“Neechan’s food~ Neechan’s food~”

They danced around me as we headed into the kitchen. In the past, when I was about six, the kitchen was my playground. I used to help Sister Martha with cooking. As a result, I became quite skilled in the kitchen. Though I wasn’t allowed to use a knife back then, learning to cook was really fun.

Once I entered Farlingstad Academy, my time in the kitchen increased significantly. Lumina-sama really likes snacks, and since she wakes up very early, I had to get up earlier than the students and chefs to prepare breakfast. Consequently, my cooking speed and skills improved dramatically. I was even forced to learn baking cakes because of her.

“Uuwaah~ Oneechan is awesome~”

“Un~ un~ she doesn’t even stay in one place in the kitchen~”

The children, used to seeing Sister Martha cook one dish at a time, were amazed by my multitasking. I felt a bit bashful from their praise.

“Oh, Emilia, you’ve gotten quite good.”

Despite the chatter of the younger children, I heard a familiar voice.

“Oh, Cate, you’re still here? Since you’re past ten years old, you should have been adopted by now. Let me guess, was it because you were too violent, and adopters stayed away from you?”

Unlike my master, I never forget the names of people I meet, even after five years. They might be helpful in the future. In this orphanage, once you’re ten years old, adopters usually come.

“You’ve gotten quite cheeky, huh.”

“I’ve always been like this~”

Cate rubbed the back of her short, messy hair. Despite being a twelve-year-old, she still wore a tank top with shorts, showing her tomboyish nature.

“Now, now….”

Sister Martha intervened with the same warm smile she’d had five years ago. Just looking at her filled me with nostalgia.

Hmm… wasn’t she supposed to be with Lumina-sama?

“Umm… Sister Martha, where’s Lumina-sama?”

“She’s in the office.”

I see, so Lumina-sama is in the office… alone.

Though Sister Martha is a bit of a klutz, she’s not rude. I pondered for a moment and realized Lumina-sama must have asked her to leave the office so she could spend time with me.

Honestly…

“Though your master is kind, she seems quite strict. Are you going to be okay with her?”

‘Seems’ huh… hehe…

I giggled inwardly, suppressing a smile.

“I’ll survive.”

“What are you making, anyway?”

Cate interrupted my conversation with Sister Martha by opening one of the pots I was boiling.

“I’m making soup.”

“Then why’d you boil the meat without the veggies and stuff?”

“To make it softer. Once the meat is soft enough, I’ll add it to the pot with the other ingredients.”

“Did you learn this at the academy?”

“Yep.”

I conversed with her while continuing to chop vegetables. Sister Martha joined in and started helping. Despite having more experience, she was quite slow peeling the potatoes compared to me.

After 45 minutes, we finished cooking. The younger children set the plates on the table while Sister Martha and I placed the dishes.

“Wai~ it’s a feast!”

“A feast! A feast!”

“The smell is really good~”

The children scrambled and noisily took their seats.

“Nee~ nee~ can we eat?”

“I wanna eat~”

“Yes, yes, you can eat now. But don’t waste any, okay?”

““““Yessss~””””

The children answered Sister Martha in unison. Seeing this familiar scene, I couldn’t help but smile. Cate stood by my side, observing them.

“Aren’t you going to eat with them?”

“Later, later. It’s still too early for lunch.”

“If you say so.”

A child approached us, carrying a bowl of soup and presenting it to Cate.

“Cate-nee, you should eat with us.”

“I’ll eat later.”

Cate patted him on the head and waved her other hand.

“You’re lying! You’ve always been like this. Always eating leftovers while we enjoy warm food.”

Tears began forming in his eyes as he faced Cate stubbornly. She made a troubled smile as she looked at him.

“It’s better if you eat. It’s not good for a stubborn person to refuse another stubborn person, you know.”

Not wanting to waste the boy’s goodwill, I gently nudged Cate.

“Can’t help it then.”

Cate accepted the bowl and went to the table with him. I smiled, watching them.

I suddenly noticed a familiar figure by the doorway. She was quite small with long, flowing black hair, glaring at the children as they enjoyed their food.

You were lured by the smell of the food, huh, Lumina-sama… hehe…

With a refreshing smile, I headed toward the doorway. However, her figure suddenly disappeared.

Oh, she must have noticed me.

Since the children were now busy, I redirected my attention to Sister Martha.

“Sister Martha, I think I’d better get going. My master can be quite scary if she becomes angry.”

“I-is that so? Then, you can go now…”

Sister Martha turned pale as she gave me permission. It seems she remembered Lumina-sama and became anxious at the thought of her anger.

“T—”

“Please don’t tell them. I don’t want to see them crying.”

“I understand…”

Sister Martha nodded solemnly to my request. I then walked toward the doorway and headed to the office. There, I saw Lumina-sama reading a children’s book, elegantly seated on a sofa, sipping tea.

“I have arrived, Lumina-sama.”

She turned her head toward me and tilted it to the side.

“Are you done? It’s only been around 45 minutes, you know. Are you sure it’s fine already?”

“Yes. Thank you very much for giving me time to spend with them.”

I gave her a deep bow as I expressed my gratitude.

“Is that so? Then let’s get going.”

She closed the book and placed it back on the shelf. After drinking her tea in one gulp, she exited the room without looking back. I smiled as I followed her into the hallway.

“Yes.”

The two of us then left the orphanage I grew up in, flying through the sky while pulling our luggage using a rope and a mana platform. Though I was reluctant to leave this place, I realized that remaining with Lumina-sama was important. I found comfort in her company and enjoyed being near her.

“Emilia.”

“Yes?”

“Once we arrive at my home, we’ll research a lot of things. First, we’ll study how to efficiently use null-element magic to counteract the consumption of high-level spells due to the surrounding mana. Next, we’ll develop ‘Ethereal Shift’. After that, we’ll collect some mice.”

I tilted my head as we flew and asked, “What are we going to do with the mice?”

“We’ll use them for body enhancement experiments.”

“Yes.”

She fell into deep thought after explaining our tasks. I realized she hadn’t arranged negotiations with nobles or merchants, nor contacted her servants.

Did she forget about them? Well, she might burn herself out if she tried to handle everything at once. I’ll take over these tasks for now, but one day, I’ll make her take control. For now, I’m going to drill the names of Liza and the others, as well as their parents, into her head. Even if she begs me to stop, I’ll continue. Although I tricked her at the party, she promised to become a proper leader.

Haa~ Since she seems only interested in magic development, it’s going to be a long and winding road, huh…