TPOVF 31

Chapter 31

―*And that one turns into a rat? Do you think I’m the same as someone who turns into a rat?*

Branson turns into a hamster, not a rat, but she knew saying that would only make the cat angrier.

Yurenia clasped her hands together to appease the furious cat.

“I’m sorry.”

―*It’s a vacation, a vacation! Unlike those other idiots in the Magic Tower who don’t think ahead and just drain their mana dry, I’m wise! I’m just taking a short break in this small and lovable body!*

The cat scolded his disciple for a while.

Then he looked at Yurenia and swished his tail.

―*Just so you know, the fact that I’ve transformed into a cat is a secret. If the Emperor finds out, it’ll be a hassle. I detest running errands.*

“I won’t tell anyone. Oh, but…”

―*What now?*

“Do you think people will believe me if I tell them that the young lady and I are mutually beneficial? Mana flow isn’t something that’s easy to detect.”

Only a very small number of mages can read the flow of mana within the human body. That was exactly why Yurenia had been looking for Rex.

The cat tilted his head at Yurenia’s concern.

―*That’s true. I’ll pass it on to the High Priest. They’ll believe it if it comes from him.*

“Won’t that be troublesome for you?”

―*Do you think I’d do it myself? The Valerios are so close to the Emperor. If they find out I’ve appeared, I’ll be dragged in that very day. That’s far more troublesome.*

The grumbling cat narrowed his eyes and emphasized again.

―*Anyway! If I get caught, they’ll know it was you who told them, so be careful! A cat’s grudge lasts a long time!*

“But you’re not a cat, Rex.”

―*It’s just an expression, an expression!*

“Alright, don’t worry.”

Yurenia smiled with crescent-shaped eyes.

Seeing her pure smile, the cat—no, Rex—let out a soft sigh and stood up on his legs. Then he walked toward the window and spoke.

―*There was no way to save Valerio’s daughter. Until you showed up, that is. Maybe it’s fate that you got entangled with this family.*

Rex leaped lightly from his spot and landed gracefully on the windowsill. Then he glanced at Yurenia and said casually.

―*See you around.*

Before Yurenia could answer, Rex slipped out through the open window.

She hurriedly looked outside, but Rex was nowhere to be seen.

‘He really is fast.’

Yurenia admired Rex’s quick movements and closed the window. Then she stretched her arms out long.

Even though she had slept for three days, her body still felt sluggish, as if she hadn’t gotten enough rest.

Yurenia fluffed the blankets on the bed, straightened them, and lay down properly.

How long had she slept?

From outside came a clattering sound, along with people shouting.

Yurenia rubbed her eyes and sat up at the noisy commotion.

Just as she raised her body, Kiernan knocked urgently and burst into the room. He was panting and shouted loudly.

“Teacher! The young lady, the young lady has woken up!”

“What?”

It was news that jolted her wide awake.

Yurenia shook off the last traces of sleep that lingered on her eyelids and sprang to her feet.

“Let’s go at once!”

Yurenia roughly smoothed her hair and ran.

She wasn’t sure how long she had slept, but outside the window, the sun was shining just as brightly as before she had fallen asleep.

Yurenia’s heart pounded as she headed toward Lillian’s room.

The girl who had died in the original story had survived.

Lillian’s survival would change many things from now on.

The tragedy of the Valerio family would no longer continue, and the house would not fall into corruption.

“Lilli…!”

As she neared Lillian’s room, she could hear Maeve’s voice. It was the brightest, most joyful voice Yurenia had ever heard from her.

Yurenia quietly entered the room with Kiernan.

Chester, as if sensing her presence, twisted around and looked at her.

“Teacher.”

Chester strode over to Yurenia with his long legs and grabbed her hand.

Startled, she flinched, but he held her hand tighter and spoke.

“Teacher saved Lilli. Thank you.”

“Is the teacher here?”

At Chester’s words, Maeve, who had been by the bed, stood up.

She wiped her reddened eyes and approached Yurenia. Then she stared at her without a word.

“Um…”

Just as Yurenia awkwardly opened her mouth at the Duke and Marchioness’s behavior—

Maeve pulled her into a tight embrace. The hands holding Yurenia were trembling faintly.

“Thank you, thank you so much…”

“…”

Yurenia blinked in bewilderment, rolling her eyes left and right. Kiernan, standing beside her, whispered to her.

“It’s because of you, Teacher, that the young lady is recovering.”

“The High Priest told us. He said that without you, Lilli would have had no hope.”

Releasing Yurenia, Maeve spoke. She led Yurenia closer to the bed and continued.

“Teacher, you have a negative mana constitution, right? How could such a thing… The High Priest also said that meeting you was a miracle.”

Maeve sniffled and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. It seemed the High Priest had already delivered the message.

“He said that Teacher and Lilli have constitutions that benefit each other. He said that even without Lilli, Teacher could live without issue, but without Teacher, Lilli would have died.”

Maeve looked at Yurenia with a deeply moved expression and spoke.

“Teacher, you are our family’s savior. We will never forget this grace for the rest of our lives.”

“You don’t have to go that far. It helps me too.”

“No, without you, Lilli would never have made it through this crisis. I am truly grateful.”

At Maeve’s words, Nadia, Kiernan, and Chester—all in the room—looked at Yurenia. Everyone wore expressions of agreement with Maeve.

Feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze, Yurenia said awkwardly,

“I haven’t really done much.”

“Not much? That’s incredible. Yurenia Teacher has a negative mana constitution. Wow, I didn’t know such a constitution actually existed.”

“Exactly. How could someone like this… appear right in front of Lady Lillian at the perfect time.”

Kiernan and Nadia’s emotionally charged voices tickled her ears.

Chester, standing among them, pressed his lips tightly together as if trying to hold back his overwhelming emotions.

“Teacher, you are Lilli’s lifesaver. If this isn’t a miracle, what is?”

Chester’s fervent gaze was fixed on Yurenia. The atmosphere was as if she had saved the entire world.

As the praise made her feel burdened and she started to shrink her shoulders, Maeve suddenly grabbed her hand.

“Yes, this is a miracle. Teacher, you are a miracle itself.”

Maeve’s eyes sparkled with a peculiar light as she looked at Yurenia.

“Teacher, you are now like family to me. The Dalton Marchioness will do anything—anything—for Teacher… no, for Yurenia Dobine. I swear it.”

“The Valerio Duchy feels the same. For Yurenia Dobine, I will gladly move heaven and earth.”

After Maeve’s declaration, Chester stepped forward and spoke as if not to be outdone.

Yurenia was flustered by their grand proclamations.

The Dalton Marchioness, favored by the Emperor, and the Valerio Duchy, trusted by the Imperial Family and the Noble Assembly, were swearing to repay a mere tutor like her.

It was far too overwhelming.

“You really don’t have to.”

“We are not beasts who forget kindness, Teacher.”

“Teacher, is there anything you want? What should we give you? Tell me anything.”

“There’s nothing like that.”

“Nothing? Surely you don’t mean…”

As Yurenia repeatedly refused the offers of gratitude, Maeve’s face, still holding her hand, clouded with anxiety.

She gripped Yurenia tightly as if afraid to let her go and spoke.

“Are you saying you won’t treat Lilli anymore? Teacher, please, I beg you. She hasn’t fully recovered yet…”

“Of course I’ll treat her!”

At the sight of tears welling in Maeve’s eyes, Yurenia said urgently.