This Time, I Am A Mob's Potions Teacher Who Has Become Engaged To The Mastermind Of The Otome Game - 9

After the Dullahan was defeated, everything became a whirlwind of activity, and honestly, I can’t clearly remember much of what happened afterward.

We brought a stunned Sara back to the others, explained the situation to an understandably furious Professor Goudimel, and before I knew it, the head of the Royal Court Magicians had arrived to assess Sara’s power.

As a result, Sara was officially recognized as a Lightbearer.

Just a few days ago, she was a cheerful commoner girl, happily running around the school—and now, she’s being revered as the nation’s savior, the Lightbearer.

I always thought it was a sudden development in the game, but even now, facing it in real life, it still feels abrupt and overwhelming. If I, as an outsider to the spotlight, feel this way, then it must be even more confusing for Sara.

Her usual smile had vanished without me noticing.

It’s no wonder—after school, she now has to take special lessons from the head of the court magicians, and the time she used to spend studying and chatting with Isabelle has been taken from her.

What’s more, her classmates seem unsure of how to act around her now that she’s suddenly being treated like royalty. Many have started keeping their distance, and that growing isolation seems to be weighing heavily on her.

“How has Lufier been doing?”

Noel often asks about Sara out of concern.
Every time they cross paths in Applied Magic class, she seems utterly worn out. He’s tried speaking with her several times, but all she does is force a smile and say nothing.

“She hasn’t been herself. She always looks so anxious.”

“She was suddenly burdened with such a huge responsibility. Her heart probably hasn’t caught up with it yet.”

As we walked together down the corridor talking about Sara, we spotted her sitting alone on a bench in a corner of the garden below.

She sat there completely alone, looking like she was about to cry at any moment.

“I’ll go talk to her.”

“I’ll come with you.”

When we descended into the garden and called out to her, she lifted her head and gazed at us with downcast, dejected eyes.

It was such a contrast—until recently, she’d light up and chatter away in that slightly babyish voice the moment our eyes met. But now, she seemed like a completely different person, quiet and withdrawn.

“Lufier, if there’s anything—anything at all—that’s making you sad or worried, please talk to me.”

“…I’m lonely. They suddenly started calling me the ‘Lightbearer who will save the kingdom,’ and before I knew it, I was being given special lessons by the division commander. I didn’t even have time to understand what was happening. And now… it feels like everyone’s drifting away from me. I feel so, so alone. Just a while ago, we were all laughing together, but now… no matter what I’m doing, it feels like I’m all alone. It’s so painful…”

Her small shoulders trembled pitifully, and when I pulled her into a tight hug, Sara burst into tears.

“I don’t want this power anymore! I want to give it to someone else!”

“Lufier…”

It was just like what Sara had said in her heart during the game.

She was scared, lonely, and overwhelmed by all the expectations placed on her. Deep down, she wanted to throw away the role of Lightbearer immediately.

She just wanted to go back to her old life.

That desperate wish came through so clearly, and I wanted nothing more than to take her place—but as a mere background character, I knew I couldn’t. I was helpless to change her fate, and that realization hit me all over again.

While I was wallowing in that frustration, Noel knelt down and gently spoke to Sara.

“Lufier, let’s try holding on a little longer.”

“No… I can’t anymore.”

“It’s okay to go slowly. One step at a time.”

Still, Sara shook her head firmly from side to side.

Watching the exchange between the two of them, I was reminded of a scene from the game—when Noel spoke to Sara here in this very garden, just after she had become a Lightbearer and was lost in confusion.

But in the game, Noel had told her, “You don’t have to force yourself to fulfill your role.”
Now, though, he was saying the complete opposite.

“You’re the only one who can wield that power. I want you to fulfill the mission that was entrusted to you. But don’t worry—you’re not going to carry it all alone. I’ll be here for you. So will your teachers, and your friends. …Isn’t that right?”

When Noel said that and turned around, I instinctively followed his gaze—there stood Alois, Frédéric, Dieter, and Isabelle.

“Sarah, I’m sorry for making you feel alone,” Isabelle said gently. “We were just… caught off guard when you suddenly became the Lightbearer of Salvation. But we want to be by your side—to support you.”

“Lufier-san, I want to help too,” Frédéric added. “I might not be great at controlling my magic, but I’ll do what I can.”

“I’ll do whatever I can too, so don’t try to handle everything on your own,” Dieter said with a reassuring nod.

“Uwaaah! I love you all sooo much!”

Just like that, Sara was back to her usual self as she threw her arms around Isabelle. Watching her, Alois let out an exasperated sigh.

“Honestly, Gerard’s right. You’re usually such a chatterbox—why’d you suddenly keep everything to yourself and suffer alone?”

Still clinging to Isabelle, Sara shot him a sidelong glare with half-lidded eyes.

“I don’t want to hear that from you, Your Highness! Because you kept everything bottled up without telling anyone, Isabelle was super worried about you! If you’re troubled by something, you have to say it—we can’t help if we don’t know!”

“And you’re one to talk.”

The exchange quickly escalated into a brewing argument, but before things could get heated, Noel burst out in quiet laughter. Seeing him, Isabelle, Didier, and Frédéric—who had been watching the two—started chuckling as well.

“Lufier, I should’ve said this sooner, but… thank you for saving me. I wouldn’t have made it without your help. And I’m especially grateful that Bellecour-sensei—who’s always doing reckless things—came back without a scratch.”

“That was a low blow, wasn’t it?!”

Seriously, Noel made it sound like I was some uncontrollable troublemaker. I wanted to throw a few sarcastic comments his way, but… we were surrounded by students, so I bit my tongue—for now.

“Thank you for protecting someone very important to me.”

When Sara heard Noel’s heartfelt words, her face melted into a bashful smile.

“Hehe, you’re welcome! Watching Fabius-sensei and Glasses-sensei being all lovey-dovey again made me feel so relieved!”

Wha—no, absolutely not! We are not lovey-dovey! I mean, he literally just insulted me!

“H-Hey! Why are all of you looking at me like that?!”

Despite my protests, Isabelle and the others were all staring at me with these warm, knowing smiles—and I couldn’t take it. Flustered and overwhelmed, I fled to the prep room.