The Noble Lady Without Magic Aims to Become an Adventurer! - Chapter 54

Following Senior Arnold’s instructions, I channeled magic through the materials, transforming them into a new substance.

The original form of the materials had already been altered beyond recognition when they were handed to me, so I couldn’t quite tell how they were changing. It seemed we were attempting to create a new type of material.

The goal was to produce a lightweight yet durable substance capable of conducting magic. If successful, it could be used for a variety of purposes, such as armor or building materials. For the project to be deemed a success, it had to be reproducible by other technicians, not just Senior Arnold.

Sure, if only he could create it, its rarity would increase. But without widespread production, it wouldn’t achieve true utility. Besides, focusing solely on manufacturing would leave no room for new research.

Meanwhile, Fars was tasked with supplying magic to a large-scale magic circle. Under Senior Yele’s guidance, he had been practicing how to channel magic into another person, but that skill was still proving difficult for him.

Several days passed as we continued assisting the seniors, and the exam results were finally posted.

Fars and I rushed to the notice board in front of the hall to check the rankings. Watching our eagerness, Prince Shelman and his group couldn’t help but smile wryly. I returned their smiles but thought, This is serious for us! We have tuition fees to worry about!

“Fars, how did we do?”

Fars pushed through the crowd of students to check our rankings.
“Congratulations, my lady. You placed fourth overall, and I came in fifth.”

We both beamed with joy.

“We did it! Congratulations, Fars. All our hard work paid off.”
“Indeed. I’ll inform the marquis after this. Though I’m sure the academy will send a notification as well.”

The academy would send a magical mail notification to our guardians about our overall rankings. Although I hadn’t been consciously thinking about it, I felt a wave of relief upon hearing our results. Realizing how tense we had been, Fars and I laughed together.

“Now all that’s left is the seniors’ tournament. Let’s head over and continue helping them today.”

“They’ll be eagerly waiting for us.”

After reporting our results to the seniors, we resumed assisting them as usual.

“By the way, Senior Yele, aren’t you competing in the magic tournament?” I asked.

Senior Arnold paused what he was doing.

“No one can beat Yele. If he kept winning every year, it would kill everyone else’s motivation. Besides, he’d rather tinker with magic circles than fight,” Arnold explained.

Hearing that, I nodded in understanding. The magic tournament, like the knights’ tournament, had two options: a competitive battle or a research presentation. Most participants in the battles were aiming to become royal magicians.

Those with enough skill could also become court magicians for noble families, even if they didn’t join the royal court. The tournament was a chance to showcase one’s abilities and secure future opportunities.

Most seniors already had jobs lined up and were focusing on their research.

“I’ll miss you both after you graduate,” I said.
Senior Arnold tilted his head in confusion.

“Why?”

“Well, royal alchemists are busy, aren’t they? I wouldn’t want to bother you.”

“It won’t be that different from now. Actually, I was hoping you’d continue helping with material gathering.”

“Don’t royal knights handle that?”

“They’ll bring back materials from subjugation missions if we request them, but we often rely on adventurers or gather them ourselves.”

“I see. Fars plans to join the Knights’ Club next year, so we’ll only be available on weekends.”
“That’s fine. I’ll need a variety of materials anyway.”
Being a royal alchemist sounds tough.

After several hours of work, the material we had been developing was finally complete. Senior Arnold tested its properties extensively, channeling magic through it and altering its form.
“It’s thanks to your help that I managed to finish this,” Arnold said. He planned to compile the research results into a thesis over the next few days.

With nothing more to do, he dismissed me for the day. I sent Fars a magical bird to let him know I was heading back to the dorm. Since I had used up a lot of magic during the alchemy process, staying would only hinder their work.
With the exams and lab work behind us, the days leading up to the magic tournament were quiet for students in the Knights’ Department. However, other departments were busy preparing for their presentations.

Lady Eleanor and the others in the Ladies’ Department had been working on dressmaking projects since the end of the midterm break. It was a tradition for every grade level.

Oh, and Fars and I received notifications that we would continue as scholarship students next year. What a relief!

Ignoring my father’s summons for so long must have pushed him to his limit. Without prior notice, the butler Otto arrived at the academy to escort me home. Clearly, the lack of notice was to prevent me from slipping away—classic Otto.

“My lady, I’ve come to escort you.”
“Father couldn’t wait until the end of the term?”
“He’s been fretting every day, wondering why you haven’t returned.”

“Fars is still assisting Senior Yele and can’t leave yet.”
Resigned, I climbed into the carriage with Otto, informing him about Fars’s situation.

“Fars already informed me. He’ll head to the manor once his work is done.”

With a deep, weary sigh, I leaned back in the seat.

“Congratulations on maintaining your scholarship, my lady. The marquis will be proud. Perhaps you should ask him for something as a reward—he’d be happy to oblige.”

“Hmm, I can’t think of anything. A typical noble lady might ask for dresses or jewelry, but those don’t interest me. If anything, I’d like to go on a training journey with Reco and the others.”

Otto gave me a distant look at my unconventional wish.

We soon arrived at the manor, where Otto escorted me directly to Father’s study.

“Sir, Lady Marloa has returned,” Otto announced, opening the door.

“It’s been a while, Father,” I said politely.
“Welcome back, Marloa. Sit down.”

I obeyed, sitting on the sofa as Otto poured tea and set it before me.

“It’s been some time since the ball. I received the academy’s notification—congratulations on your fourth-place ranking.”

“Thank you. What’s the reason for summoning me today?”

“Would you consider commuting to the academy from the manor?”

“…You know that’s unrealistic. Neither Sara nor Tera, nor even my stepmother, welcomes me here.”

“Tera will remain on the estate to study until the next term begins. By then, your break will be over. As for Sara, the crown prince directly reprimanded her. She’s currently staying with a merchant family in the viscount’s territory. If she doesn’t reflect on her actions, she won’t return to the academy and will instead marry someone we find for her.”

Father spoke as if it were nothing, but I was stunned as if struck by lightning.

What on earth happened while I was away at the academy?!