The Adored Daughter of the Disliked Duke's House: My Magic Power Increases Every Time I'm Praised, So I've Been Perfecting Cuteness Since Infancy! - Episode 23

“I saw it! I saw Lilietta tearing up the textbook!”

The girl’s name was Floria. She was from the Ainsworth family, a provincial baronet house, and like Kai, she commuted to school from the dormitory.

She was a petite and delicate girl with light brown hair and sage green eyes.

Seeing her clutching the torn textbook while tears streamed down her face was a pitiful sight.

If I weren’t involved in this incident, I might have comforted her.

“Lilietta Rosenford, is this true?”

At Professor Forselis’s question, I shook my head.

“I didn’t do anything.”

It was obvious that this was a trap set by my enemies.

Their goal was likely to create a rift between me, my classmates, and even the professor.

(They want to isolate me at school.)

I had chosen to stand out in order to restrict the enemy’s movements, but they had responded accordingly. If I became isolated, it would be easier for them to act.

“But I saw it!”

Floria’s cheeks turned red with anger at my denial. Being called a liar would naturally provoke such a reaction.

And yet, there wasn’t the slightest hint of deception in her demeanor.

(She’s not lying. She really did see it.)

If a five-year-old could act this well, she should aim to be an actress instead of studying magic.

“But Lilietta was in the cafeteria with Al and Leo as soon as lunch break started, wasn’t she?”

Kai interjected at that moment.

“You’re referring to Leonard Estelion and Alverio Forsten, correct?”

The professor nodded in agreement. It seemed that my friendship with those two was common knowledge among the school staff.

At this school, all students were treated equally, regardless of whether they were nobles or commoners. Even princes and duchesses were addressed simply as “students” without honorifics.

However, since this country had a social hierarchy, true equality among students was impossible.

“You bullied me because I’m from a lower status, didn’t you?!”

Her family held the title of baronet, the lowest rank among hereditary titles. Technically, they weren’t even considered nobility but commoners.

Although the magic academy was meant to be fair, seventy percent of the students came from noble families. This was because noble bloodlines were more likely to produce children with magical aptitude.

Some children, like Kai, didn’t care about status, while others, like Floria, were overly sensitive about it.

Additionally, being admitted to this school practically guaranteed an elite career as a mage.

Kai was an extreme case, but almost all students carried a sense of superiority.

And the result—

“I got into Alkanaris despite being from a low-status family! That’s why you find me bothersome, isn’t it?!”

A commoner girl, recognized for her magical talent, being bullied by a high-ranking noble…

In short, a “tragic heroine” had been perfectly crafted.

A sobbing girl, her glaring friends, a troubled professor, and confused classmates…

The situation was far from ideal.

(Hmm. This is a problem.)

If I handled this poorly, it would leave lasting consequences.

“However, it is a fact that Lilietta Rosenford was in the cafeteria during lunch,” the professor pointed out calmly.

“And she was with me the whole time after that,” Kai added in support.

Of course, Floria wasn’t convinced.

“She must have used magic!”

Professor Forselis glanced at me.

“…Indeed, if it’s Lilietta Rosenford, tearing a textbook from the cafeteria wouldn’t be difficult at all.”

That was a fair assessment.

In fact, I could do it.

“However, if she had used magic, it would contradict your claim of seeing her in the classroom.”

That was exactly right.

If I had used magic to tear the textbook from afar, then I couldn’t have been in the classroom.

“That’s…”
Floria faltered, realizing the contradiction. But she still didn’t look convinced. After all, she had seen me tear the textbook.

“I will conduct an investigation on this matter. A replacement textbook will be delivered to your dormitory.”

When the professor held out her hand, Floria obediently handed over the torn textbook.

The professor would likely examine it for magical traces later.

“There may still be disagreements, but for now, I ask that you set aside your emotions. Understood?”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

After we nodded, the afternoon classes finally resumed.

(I’m relieved the professor is so calm.)

After yesterday’s duel, I had thought she was a hot-blooded person, but it seemed she was actually fair and composed.

However, there was no way the enemy would stop here.

It was also unlikely that they hadn’t foreseen this outcome.

They would undoubtedly make their next move soon.

(I need to stay on guard.)

That prediction came true later that day, after school.

Magical traces matching my signature were found on the torn textbook.

“They say she bullied a commoner.”

“Scary, isn’t it?”

“She tore the textbook to shreds, apparently.”

“Using magic for something like that…”

“As expected of the Rosenford duchy…”

By the time school ended, the rumors had already spread everywhere.

Had Floria or her friends been spreading them?

(Or perhaps…)

Listening to the gossip, I walked down the hallway.

Professor Forselis had summoned me, so I was on my way to her office.

Professors at Alkanaris Primary Magic Academy were both educators and researchers.

Each had their own research lab within the school, where they conducted magical studies.

“Lily!”

I turned to see Al and Leo running toward me.

They must have heard the rumors and rushed over out of concern.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. No problem.”

When I smiled at them, they both gave me uneasy looks.

“…Could it be?”

Al swallowed hard.

“You’re angry?”

I responded with another smile.

“Of course, I am.”

Being falsely accused, forced into a “tragic heroine” drama, and cast as the villainous noble bullying a commoner…

“How do they expect me to tolerate this when it’s tarnishing the Rosenford name?!”

The duchy already had a bad reputation, but it would be disastrous if it got even worse.

“I don’t care if people hate me, but I won’t allow them to insult my father and mother!”

Yes.

That was the one thing I could never forgive.

“I’ll clear up this false accusation right away.”

At my determined smile, Al and Leo’s faces twitched slightly.

“Please… handle this calmly.”

“Yeah, getting expelled the day after enrollment would be a disaster.”

What were they even saying?

Of course, I would settle this peacefully.

“Are you worried I’ll roast the professor or something?”

“…Well,”

“…Maybe?”

Just what kind of person did they think I was?

“I won’t do anything.

…Unless they make a move first.”

Yes.

If they didn’t try anything, I had no reason to take action.

“But—”

It seemed that wasn’t an option anymore.

“They want to settle this quickly.”

Which meant—

“Something is going to happen soon.”

I turned to them with a serious expression.

“I need your help with something. Will you?”

After a short sigh, the two nodded firmly.

“Guess we have no choice.”

“If it’s for our Lily, of course.”