Saikyou Mahoushi no Inton Keikaku (LN) - Volume 8 - Chapter SS

Bonus Short Stories 

A Lady’s Rightful Decision 

At the Second Magical Institute, there were plenty of students from old and distinguished noble families. 

After all, the job of a Magicmaster was a sublime one of fighting Fiends that threatened mankind. That’s why not everybody could become one, as even the talented got further sifted through by a difficult test before being allowed to enroll. 

In that sense, those from the nobility had a better chance, since they had financial support as well as more time to focus on training and studying. Moreover, the children of those families had a tendency to strive to become Magicmasters out of tradition. Because of that, the students at the seven institutes in the seven nations were unpolished gems, chosen from the best of the best. 

And at the highly-esteemed Second Magical Institute... she was expected to have a bright future. Even as she briskly walked down the hallway, she continued to wear a smile. 

It was a flawless smile, hiding the exhaustion from not only being an honor student and the female dorm supervisor, but also from the expectations everyone constantly piled onto her. She was adored by her juniors, and her classmates treated her with the same respect they gave to the teachers. Everyone’s attitude in her presence was extra accommodating when they took what noble family she was from into consideration. 

Her—Felinella’s—family name, Socalent, carried a lot of influence within the Institute. 

Many Magicmasters lost their lives in this day and age, but Vizaist Socalent, one of the Three Pillars, made remarkable progress, and had risen to be known as one of the three great nobles in Alpha. 

And his daughter wasn’t only counted on to serve as a role model for other students. She was expected to behave as the very picture of nobility. Yet Felinella never once considered this to be troublesome. In fact, she took pride in all the attention and admiration she received. 

But because of that, she tended to have a lot of responsibilities pushed onto her. Indeed, the truly talented were sometimes elevated to high positions by those around them, even when they didn’t want them. 

Right now, she was in a quiet classroom after hours, and her gallant appearance from before was gone. She rested her chin in her hand, and sighed. “I was an underclassman last year, so I was able to refuse because of it. But this year I’ll need a different excuse. The chairperson of the management committee for the campus festival... if possible, I would’ve preferred that they ask someone else,” Felinella muttered, glancing at her childhood friend Illumina. 

The plan to entice Alus wasn’t seeing much progress, as her time was taken up with daily studies and helping Vizaist with his information gathering missions. She rarely even had the chance to speak with him lately. 

And that was when she was recommended to be the chair for the management committee. The position didn’t exactly require a vote, but nobody would object to Felinella. It was practically common sense in the Institute. 

Felinella’s own desires barely even mattered, and with all the expectations placed upon her, it was no different from strength in numbers. It was practically a fixed game. 

Not to mention that it had happened right as she was fantasizing about the idea of enjoying the campus festival with Alus, so it was like a bolt from the blue. She wanted to refuse, but it was obvious that she’d be going against the consensus of the entire Institute. That was why she wanted a convenient excuse. And so she placed her hopes on her best friend. 

“You know it’s not happening.” 

She knew the blunt answer was painful to hear. But Illumina knew Felinella couldn’t betray everyone’s trust. That was because deep down, she understood how suitable she was for it. Third-year students were regularly scheduled to train for the military, since they would be assigned after graduating, so many didn’t even show up for classes. Moreover, those third-years with job offers already lined up had no reason to interrupt their training to take on the position of chairperson. 

Eventually, Illumina reluctantly craned her neck over to look at the troubled beauty. “The chair is chosen from among the Institute’s top students, and only those who are well-behaved. You already know that them asking is just for show. Besides, there’s no room for argument, Feli. You’re the only one who can keep the students together.” 

“What I’m saying is that the amount of work is extraordinary. And during the campus festival I’ll be stuck in a cramped room.” 

As the winners of the Friendship Magical Tournament, the Second Magical Institute’s campus festival would see an enormous number of visitors, and no one aside from her would be up for the job. 

“But if we’re talking about ranking, there’s Ms. Loki, too. The other students wouldn’t complain if it were her...” 

“There’d be nothing but complaints. Charisma is more important than rank for the chairperson. Not to mention that you turned it down last year because you were still a first-year yourself. Besides, she’s...” 

Even outsiders could tell Loki was attached to Alus at the hip. She wouldn’t listen to anything they had to say, and would refuse the offer in a heartbeat. 

The reason Illumina was lingering here so long was because she wanted to help out her best friend somehow. Thinking about it logically, there was no choice but to do so. Felinella was the only one who could be the chair, meaning that she would be the obvious choice for her assistant. 

“Feli, you’ve got some cute underclassmen in Ms. Tesfia, Ms. Alice, and Ms. Loki, so why not pitch in and help this once? Think of it as making memories.” 

“Are you sure you’re not just saying that because you know I can’t refuse? I can’t tell if you mean it or not.” 

“Well, Alus left the tournament partway through, so why not have him do a job with you for the campus festival?” 

“...! Then I’ll accept! In exchange, you’ll have to be flexible with his time!” 

“You make it sound like I don’t have a choice...” Illumina sighed. “Well, it’s not like it matters. But you’ll have to make time for it on your own.” 

A smile returned to Felinella’s face as she said, “Leave it to me!” 

The First Errand for Someone Over One Hundred 

Anyone watching would think her appearance was pushing it a little. Unless she was really cold, she looked like a criminal trying to avoid the public eye. She wore a baggy red robe way too large for her, its long sleeves completely covered her short, thin arms. 

It was a look that stood out in the small market in the city center. The way she walked with her hem practically dragging across the ground made everyone gaze at her with worry. But considering her youthful appearance, there were quite a few kind passersby who wondered if she’d gotten separated from her mother. 

Every time they asked, Elise bowed deeply and gave them an adorable smile. Even now, a kindly middle-aged woman had worriedly called out to her. “No, mama is still at home... I’m going out to buy bread and milk and uhm...” 

For the time being, she gave her the answer a child would. She had perfectly copied the mannerisms that a child that age would have. 

Seeing that innocent smile immediately made the caring woman smile back at her. “Oh, is that so? Is this your first errand? And here I was, thinking you were lost... If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can just ask me, okay?” 

Nice, motherly words came pouring out one after another from the woman’s mouth as she smiled with affection. Now that people understood the situation, the ones around the girl began to relax. They began to cheer the little girl, Elise, on from a distance. 

At the same time they slowed their pace. The people that were shopping warmly watched over the girl. No matter what store she went to, everyone would surely be very cooperative towards her. If she said she forgot her money, the clerk would surely break into a smile and say that she could return with it anytime. 

As she wandered through that atmosphere, pretending to look for the store she was after, she felt incredibly bitter inside. She couldn’t help but let out a frustrated sigh. 

Damnit?! I know I shouldn’t stand out, but I hate that I can so easily rely on this method. 

Elise had indeed come here searching for something. And the method she used to peacefully get around was her appearance. If she claimed she was out on an errand, she should be able to blend in... and that hadn’t exactly been wrong, but she hadn’t expected to gather a different kind of attention. 

She wished she could ignore them, but people being kind and protective wouldn’t leave someone as adorable as her alone. “... I wonder if this is what they call sinful...” 

Elise eventually walked into a store, as a large number of adults watched over her. She was actually after a book, and a rare one at that, a relic regarding magic. Which was why she was looking for antique shops so she could ask if they had a certain book. 

But the store she’d gone into was a small bakery instead. The interior had a modern look, with the aroma of freshly-baked bread wafting through the air. 

Elise glanced around the store and caught on to the situation. She unconsciously twitched. What am I even doing here? It’s like I was lured in by the smell! 

When she turned around to go back outside, she found that adults had gathered by the window display and were watching her. 

As she looked their way, they all very obviously averted their gaze. At the same time, she felt a sense of warmth in the air. They were all relieved that she’d safely reached her destination. 

From her point of view, it was very unfortunate. She felt like expressing her regret for the current atmosphere. 

However, she found herself unable to turn around and leave. She could feel that the eyes on her, both inside and outside the store, wouldn’t allow it. 

Finally, Elise directed a hollow smile towards the lady at the bakery register, and walked up to her. Once she was there, the lady spoke to her, bending over the counter, and Elise found two ‘oversized buns’ in front of her face. That also got on her nerves, but there was no helping it now. 

Elise pulled her hand out of her sleeve. “Two croissants... please,” she said, which prompted the lady to burst into a smile. 

... Shortly thereafter, she was given freshly-baked croissants, as well as some extra bread. With short steps, she left the market behind. 

Her audience saw her off, exchanging smiles with one another. They inwardly praised each other for their consideration, and were moved and satisfied with what had happened. After all, they’d helped a young girl take her first step towards adulthood. 

They had been able to watch over the girl from a distance, and see her accomplish her goal without them needing to say anything. They’d been nervous at times, but continued watching over her until the end. 

Their eyes remained on the girl’s small back until she was out of sight... and the market then returned to its usual bustling state as if nothing had happened.