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Today was a day full of twists and turns.

I suddenly joined Stella on her shopping trip for clothes and ended up getting this chance for a date, all thanks to Shia and Serena…

“Hamburger set, three of them, and three large fries, plus a single Big Burger…”

“Wait, that’s way too much!”

We even stuffed ourselves with popcorn at the movie theater, can we really handle all this?

Is this guy going to spend all the money he earned from his quest at the Magic Tower on food?

“Mmm~ so delicious!”

“…Geez.”

But seeing her eat so happily makes it hard to scold her.

If this were a world with advanced internet, she would definitely be famous on a Mukbang channel.

As I stared blankly, Stella suddenly looked over at me, startled, and started to make excuses.

“Um, gulp, I usually consume a lot of calories, so I need to eat like this, okay? I always have to use my magic around me, so my magic consumption is high!”

“…Sure, I can’t really say anything.”

“That face! It’s written all over your face that you think I’m gobbling everything up!”

“Well, you’re not wrong.”

“Ugh…”

I was just teasing her a bit, and even the way she got mad was cute.

Honestly, I don’t care if she eats a lot; it’s not like she’s spilling food everywhere.

She eats so well, it even makes the onlookers happy.

If anything, the only thing I worry about is how much the food bill will be when we start living together.

“Are you sure eating like that won’t affect your wallet?”

At my words, Stella made a sullen face.

“Uh… this month might be a bit tight…”

Really? For someone like Stella, who gets paid well being a disciple of the Master of the Golden Tower, I can’t imagine her having excessive expenses outside of food.

And yet, she says she’s running out of money?

“How can a magician like you be short on cash?”

“I don’t know what kind of fantasies you have about magicians, but I’m really not that wealthy.”

According to Stella, when wizards at the Magic Tower accept requests, they take a portion as a fee.

Hiring higher-ranked wizards raises the fees even more, plus they collaborate with the Empire’s scientific institutions to invent everyday products, so they earn money through various means.

“Well, I used to earn decently, but ever since I enrolled in the Academy, I declared my independence…”

She even turned down the allowance she used to get from the Master of the Golden Tower, she cut herself off completely.

While it’s good for a young person not to rely on their parents,

“So… how are you earning money now?”

“…Hehe, right now… I have nothing! I can’t find time to take on requests while attending the Academy.”

“Isn’t that a big deal?”

I have some savings left over from my adventurer days, though much of it has gone toward tuition.

Of course, the Academy provides support for some of the less fortunate commoners, which is great, but Stella’s case is unique. Her status is almost like that of a noble, so she probably won’t receive any assistance.

“I’m thinking of looking for a part-time job I can balance with my studies at the Academy.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to just ask the Master for a little allowance again?”

Honestly, I’d like to help her out a bit, but given my current situation, there’s no way I could afford it. I’m on the verge of having to quit the Academy and go back to taking requests myself.

At that, Stella spoke to me with a determined expression.

“I can’t do that. I’m an adult now, I need to be independent.”

“Haven’t you even had your coming-of-age ceremony yet? Aren’t you rushing things a bit?”

“I owe a lot to the Master, and I don’t want to burden him anymore.”

She’s strict when it comes to things like this. But since she’s still young, can’t she indulge just a little more?

When I briefly met with Ozwell Rockpelikan, the Master of the Golden Tower, he truly seemed to care for Stella. He treated her like a real daughter, not just a disciple.

I’ll never forget the serious warning he gave me before leaving:

[Don’t make Stella cry. If I find out you made her cry, I’ll come for you.]

…That was genuinely unsettling. He radiated a power that was incomparably strong.

Thanks to being taught under such a master, it seems she has become a top-notch magician too.

“Nova, why does your face look like that? You look pale, are you sick?”

“Uh, huh? It’s nothing, really.”

“Is that so? Well, I’ve finished eating, let’s go.”

“Already? Wow, you really ate well.”

We stood up and walked out of the restaurant when Stella and I unexpectedly locked eyes with someone.

“Oh my, fancy seeing you here!”

“Ugh…”

I can’t believe I’d run into someone like this here.

She appeared with a number of guards behind her, radiating confidence.

“I’m here to see the Princess.”

The 2nd Princess, Ariel von Clorind, known as the Rising Sun of the Empire.

It’s not unusual for her to be here, as this place is managed by the Empire.

But that aside, I could see Stella’s face darken.

The person she most likely finds the hardest to deal with right now must be her.

“Oh Stella, are you on a date here? Is that outfit from this store? It’s lovely.”

“…Thank you.”

Hey hey, try to manage your expression a bit! Even if you don’t want to deal with her, you shouldn’t openly show how uncomfortable you are!

Does she have more than one life? Ah, wait, she probably does.

“You said I could speak casually, right? We’re all students here.”

“Then, is there something you need from me?”

Seeming eager to end the conversation, Stella got right to the point.

At that, a knight behind her frowned and spoke up.

“Stella, please show respect to the Princess.”

“That’s enough, don’t do that.”

“Princess, but…”

“Tares.”

“…I apologize.”

The knight’s gaze towards Stella felt heavy with meaning.

Had they encountered each other before? It felt like there was a lot of accumulated tension.

But Stella, whom I looked at, seemed completely indifferent.

“If this is about recruiting me as a court magician, you were turned down last time.”

“I’m not here for that today. I’m here to thank you for aiding in the eradication of the Akandis executives a few days ago.”

Eradication of Akandis executives? When did that happen? Was that why she didn’t come to school that day?

“Hey, did you go do something dangerous all on your own?”

“I, um, no, I went with Sensei and Furball…”

“No matter what, that’s still too dangerous! Ah, I’m sorry.”

I know Stella is strong, but those guys are still a threat.

I shouldn’t have jumped in and ignored Ariel.

“Ahem… You two really seem close. Anyway, I’ll be rewarding you for your efforts.”

At Ariel’s signal, the knight behind her brought forth a bag full of gold coins.

“30 gold coins, is this enough?”

“Th-30 gold coins?!”

One gold coin is worth about 100,000 won, that’s roughly 3,000,000…

They say wizards are poor, but this is pure nonsense.

“I can’t accept this kind of payment…”

Despite saying that, she was already counting the coins in the bag.

Ariel looked exasperated at her reaction but soon hardened her expression and spoke seriously.

“…But, Stella, there’s something more important to discuss.”

“And it’s not about the court magician, I take it?”

“Yes, it’s not something I can say here…”

Ariel glanced at me, looking troubled.

Is it something I shouldn’t hear? I honestly don’t like this, but I’m just a commoner with no power, so I should probably make myself scarce.

“I’ll go find Shia and Serena, I’ll be at the entrance. Come find me when you’re done.”

“Ah… Nova, wait a moment…”

As I turned to leave, Stella let out a sound of disappointment.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“…It’s nothing. Just get me a sweet latte to go on your way back.”

“Alright, got it.”

*

I wanted to stay longer, but I was getting a little annoyed at the interruption.

With a face filled with dissatisfaction, I glared at Ariel and asked,

“So what’s this important matter?”

“…It seems I’ve interrupted you. Please understand that this is an emergency.”

“What the heck is going on?”

“I had a vision of the future.”

“…What?”

Ariel pointed to her golden irises and continued.

“You know my ability, right?”

Of course, I know. It’s the unique ability granted to her by the Sun God, the Blessing of the Sun.

Thanks to that, she can catch glimpses of fragmented memories of the future. She can use that power once a month, and it has saved the empire numerous times.

“What did you see?”

“Soon, this empire will be attacked by masked demons.”

“…What does that mean…?”

“I’m currently in contact with the Swordmaster for help. I need your assistance too, Stella.”

The unexpected warning of an attack took me by surprise.

A princess’s predictions have a perfect hit rate.

‘But, could this be… my fault?’

 

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