Chapter 49: I Refuse!

“Hmm… I think this is high enough.”

Mumbling to myself, I decided to stop ascending. Liza and her younger sisters also stopped beside me. Liza and I then made a table and chairs, and we sat down.

“Liza, do you have the tea leaves?” (Lumina)

“Yes, I’ll prepare the teapot…” (Liza)

“Then leave the hot water to me.” (Lumina)

“Come closer and sit, Krisha, Misha.”

After deciding what to do, Liza and I noticed that the twins had very confused expressions.

“What are you saying, Liza-nee? There’s no chair here.” (Krisha)

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“Un, Misha also thinks so.” (Misha)

Since we were used to drinking tea in the sky, we forgot that things made from mana were invisible to those who don’t practice Null Element. I made a wry smile while Liza materialized the chairs and table we were using.

““!?”” (Krisha) (Misha)

The twins were shocked when the table and six chairs appeared in front of them.

“Sorry, I forgot you couldn’t see them. Normally, we don’t materialize things like this.” (Liza)

“Well, it’s because all the general students could see them. So we aren’t used to doing this.” (Lumina)

“Heh? What? See what exactly? Invisible chairs?” (Krisha)

“Eh?” (Misha)

Liza’s cheeks turned red as she tried to explain.

“Umm… please don’t address Lumina-sama as ‘your master,’ Krisha. Address her as Lumina-sama.” (Liza)

“Yes, Liza-nee, so can I ask what she was saying just now?” (Krisha)

“Luminasama-sama?” (Misha)

“It’s Lumina… -sama.” (Liza)

“Un, Luminasama-sama.” (Misha)

Hearing how they addressed me, Liza’s face blushed even more with shame. As she continued to correct every small mistake, I decided to intervene.

“We actually create things that are invisible to you. Since it's better to show it, try extending one of your arms?” (Lumina)

After instructing them, the two stopped talking to Liza and extended their arms.

““?””

Feeling something hard, they raised their other hands and started touching the wall of mana I had made in front of them.

“Usually, it’s in that state because, for some unknown reason, it’s normally invisible to you. However, by using basic magic and fusing it, we can make it visible to you.” (Lumina)

I waved my hand, casting a basic wind ball and combining it with the mana wall. As a result, the wall became visible. Seeing this phenomenon, their faces became even more confused. I then made the wall dissipate.

“That’s that. So hurry up and sit down. We don’t have all day.” (Lumina)

Actually, I do have time, but if we waste it, Emilia will arrive and definitely stop me from having this afternoon tea with Liza.

“But isn’t there a wall here?” (Krisha)

“Un, a wall.” (Misha)

“It’s fine, I made it disappear. So stop standing there and sit down.”

I used a commanding tone to hide my impatience.

““Y-yes!”” (Krisha) (Misha)

The twins stuttered and answered simultaneously. They then flew toward the chairs and sat down. I narrowed my eyes and urged Liza to prepare the tea. Liza smiled as she materialized the teapot. She then materialized six teacups and saucers while I materialized the knife for slicing the cake they brought.

“Lumina-sama, we have arrived.” (Emilia)

“Giku—“ (Lumina)

When I heard Emilia’s stern voice, I stiffened and moved my neck.

“Oh, so you prepared for my arrival, huh? You have my gratitude, Chis Chem.”

Carlos-sama continued to speak as he flew toward one of the seats. I ignored his speech as I received Emilia’s message when our eyes met.

Didn’t I tell you that you had already drunk enough tea for the day, Lumina-sama? So why did you include yourself when you prepared the cup? (Emilia)

Liza was the one who prepared the cups, not me! (Lumina)

Then why didn’t you stop her when she was preparing them? (Emilia)

Giku--! (Lumina)

Seeing Emilia’s very dark smile, I took away Liza’s control of the cup and made it disappear. Liza, who was about to pour the tea for me, noticed my actions and proceeded to pour tea into Carlos-sama’s cup.

“Thank you very much for your actions, Elizabeth. I, Carlos Mylekek, am happy that your parents have taught you to be such a great servant.” (Carlos)

Carlos-sama continued to speak in an exaggerated manner while accompanying it with grand gestures. As he spoke, I remembered the reason I wanted to ask. I then deliberately made a loud cough to interrupt him.

“Carlos-sama, the way you talk is annoying. Could you please stop being so long-winded and just tell us what you mean directly?” (Lumina)

“!?” (Carlos)

Hearing my words, Carlos-sama fell silent while the twins’ expressions changed from meek to enraged.

“Is that any way to talk to Carlos-sama?” (Krisha)

“Un!” (Misha)

I raised my right hand to stop them from talking.

“I don’t know what happened in the past two months for Liza and the three of you to come here. However, you three accused me of destroying the school, so I still have some enmity against the three of you. Don’t expect me to become friendly with him just because two months have passed. Besides, I only welcomed you as guests because of Liza (and the cake) and, as such, I hosted this tea party in her honor.”

“!” (Krisha)

Liza’s face turned pale while the twin with a vertical roll on her right head became even more enraged. Emilia, on the other hand, wore a poker face as she stood behind me.

When the enraged twin was about to say something, she was interrupted by a low voice filled with hostility.

The owner was Carlos-sama.

“Even though I made an effort to get on your good side, it wasn’t enough, huh.” (Carlos)

As he spoke, I noticed a very despicable smile on his face—one that made me angry. His expression turned sharp, and the atmosphere shifted from being overbearingly annoying to darkly scheming. I know it’s redundant to call him a bastard, but it’s true.

“So you don’t like it when people sugarcoat their words, huh.” (Carlos)

“I see, so what you were doing earlier was sugarcoating. Well, it was a waste of energy. Did you think I wasn’t the type to hold grudges?” (Lumina)

It’s true. Even now, I still hold a grudge against the magical students for their giant chocolate cake party when we were touring the school back when we were new. Also, I remember being accused in the past, and seeing him act like this felt unnatural. His devious smile seemed more genuine.

“Who’s idea was this alliance, huh? Your father?” (Lumina)

“Oh, you think you’re clever, huh? Did you think that having the Harlingtons as your servants makes your standing great? Well, think again, you piece of trash. No matter how much you raise your position, since you can’t use high-class spells, you’re still trash in my eyes.” (Carlos)

Even though he removed his mask, he was still long-winded. Is this how he normally talks?

“I’m only asking for two things here: why do you want to make an alliance with me, and whose idea is this?” (Lumina)

He bit his lower lip as he glared at me.

“…. It was my father’s idea… So, about this alliance… are you going to accept or not?” (Carlos)

I toyed with my bangs using my index finger as I thought about my answer.

“Hey, Emilia, if I refuse, would the plans of Fate’s father as well as Liza’s father be derailed?” (Lumina)

Emilia reviewed the documents she carried. Seeing the thick stack of paper, I cringed internally, thinking about how I would have had to go through them if Liza hadn’t arrived today.

“Hmm… they actually didn’t make any plans in case we formed an alliance with any of the four families, Lumina-sama. In truth, the plans they made had scenarios where those four were your enemies.” (Emilia)

“….“ (Carlos)

As Emilia continued to go through the documents, Carlos-sama’s glare became stronger. I noticed that the twins had turned pale. Liza was standing behind them, rubbing their backs to comfort them.

“There you have it, Carlos-sama. It seems like we aren’t in need of forming an alliance with your house. Since making this alliance was your father’s idea, could it be that you’d be punished if you failed?” (Lumina)

He suddenly slammed the table with his right fist. His body was cloaked in lightning. Seeing this, I quickly concentrated mana for four funnels, diamond-shaped, ready to materialize them at any moment.

“Hmmm~ from that reaction, it seems like you will be punished. That’s why I’ll refu—“ (Lumina)

“Please wait a moment, Lumina-sama.” (Liza)

Before I could

finish my sentence, Liza suddenly interrupted me. She quickly walked beside me and knelt in front of me with a desperate expression.

“Lumina-sama, please form an alliance with the Mylekek household. I know that I’m overstepping the boundaries of a servant by begging you to reconsider your decision, but please, though it may be selfish, please form an alliance with them.”

Haa~

As I sighed internally, Emilia handed me a cup of tea. I accepted it and drank slowly, closing my eyes to give myself time to think.

“Liza… like Emilia said, your father has already made plans where we have no alliances. Why are you so adamant about making this alliance?” (Lumina)

“W-well…” (Liza)

Liza started fidgeting, glancing left and right. I noticed she was looking at the twins.

So they’re included in the punishment, huh…

As Liza continued to stutter, I glanced sidelong at Emilia. Meeting my eyes, she gave a small nod.

“Haa… Liza, before you’re my servant, you are my friend. As such, you don’t need to kneel and beg like this.” (Lumina)

“B-but… but…” (Liza)

“Stand up, Liza.” (Lumina)

I stood up from my seat and helped her to her feet.

“It’s okay, you don’t need to beg anymore. I’ll accept his offer just for you, so you don’t have to do this anymore.” (Lumina)

“… Lumina-sama.” (Liza)

Liza turned red and started mumbling inaudibly. I ignored her for a moment and focused on Carlos-sama. He had a deep frown as he observed us.

“Carlos-sama, be thankful to Liza. Because of her, I won’t refuse the alliance.” (Lumina)

“…” (Carlos)

He didn’t answer and merely glared at me. I ignored his glare and shifted my focus to Emilia.

“Tell Fate’s father and the others about this alliance, Emilia. I’ll leave the fine details of the conditions to Fate’s father.”

“Yes.”

With that, my faction officially became allied with one of the four families.