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I leaned back and closed my eyes. The faint swaying of the wagon felt oddly comforting. I was a bit tired from staying up late every night reading books about magic formulas. Even though I had pushed “Greed” and “Patience” to their limits, there was no way to shake off the mental fatigue. So, I took these short moments during travel to catch some sleep.

But… today, that seemed a bit difficult.

“Um, Count…?”

“…What is it?”

When I opened my eyes, I saw Wendy, dressed in a school uniform, sitting across from me. Her big eyes blinked as she stared at me.

“Do I… look weird…?”

“Yes.”

The uniform Wendy was wearing was a custom-made piece from the luxury brand Ruelcia. The high-quality checkered skirt and blazer made her look like a student from the upper class. No one would guess she was my servant.

But there was something I wanted to clarify.

“Wendy.”

“Yes?”

“This is the third time you’ve asked me that.”

Today was the entrance ceremony at Meikhael University. Wendy, wearing a school uniform for the first time, was quite excited. She had been persistently asking for my opinion since we left the mansion. But by the third time, it was getting tiring.

“Your outfit is not weird at all, so stop bothering me.”

I thought that would be enough for her to understand.

“N-no… I don’t want to…”

“…?”

I looked up at Wendy. Her serious expression, as if she had made some grand declaration, stared straight at me.

“I am your exclusive maid, Count. So, I believe it’s my duty to become closer to the image you desire…!”

I was a bit surprised. Wendy, making such a bold statement to Tristan… Maybe I had underestimated her character. Wendy placed her hand on her small chest and continued.

“I will definitely strive to become the image you want. So, please tell me… Do you like how I look now…?”

Wendy had indeed grown as I intended. She was a diligent hard worker. And now, she wanted confirmation of her efforts from me.

As her master, I felt obligated to answer. Despite being extremely sleepy, I opened my mouth.

“Whether I like it or not, that’s not a question you need to ask me.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t keep anyone by my side who I don’t care about.”

“W-what?!”

Wendy was startled and covered her mouth with her hands.

“S-so, does that mean… you… you care about me…?!”

“I’ve been concerned about you from the start.”

“…Huh?!”

It was impossible not to care about Wendy. To Tristan, Wendy was a walking death flag. Her death would mean my death.

That’s why I trained her. I made sure that top-tier characters like Myohail and Blanshe became her mentors.

And Wendy grew rapidly, meeting my expectations. The chances of her dying in some sudden incident had decreased. My mind was also much more at ease.

“I-it’s too sudden… And I’m just a servant… There’s a difference in status…”

“I don’t care about that.”

“…!”

The sunlight must have been too bright, as Wendy covered her face with both hands. I stifled a yawn and spoke.

“Just stay by my side as you are now.”

I recalled the future Wendy that Michaela had shown me.

“In ten years, you’ll have grown into someone truly remarkable.”

“…Yes.”

Wendy bowed her head deeply and answered in a tiny voice.

“Ten years… I understand… I’m still young and lacking now… But I’ll work hard and wait for you, Count…”

“Good. Keep striving.”

Finally, it was quiet. Wendy kept her head down and stayed silent. Thanks to that, I managed to catch a bit of sleep until the wagon stopped. Though it was only for a short while.

As soon as the wagon stopped, Wendy sprang up like a bullet.

“W-we’ve arrived!”

Wendy hurriedly got off first. I followed her, feeling like I had just woken up from a nap.

The bright sunlight illuminated the campus of Meikhael University. Compared to before, there were far more people due to the entrance ceremony.

And among them, some recognized me.

“Oh, if it isn’t the head of the Ruelberta family!”

A middle-aged man approached me with a surprised expression. I glanced at his character profile before responding.

“Long time no see, Count Burgess.”

“You remember me! Hahaha. I never thought I’d run into Count Tristan here.”

Count Burgess, one of the nobles friendly to the Ruelberta family, laughed loudly. Then, his gaze fell on Wendy beside me.

“Ah…? Who is this young lady?”

“She’s my exclusive maid.”

“Someone this young? And in a school uniform…? Don’t tell me she’s enrolling in this school?”

“Y-yes…”

Wendy answered hesitantly. Burgess exaggeratedly marveled.

“As expected of the Count! Even your servant is talented enough to enter the best school in the country! Truly, a servant of the Ruelberta family!”

“Hmm.”

Burgess was a noble who actively cooperated with the Ruelberta family. He wasn’t an enemy, but I didn’t particularly like him. Because…

“Of course, all of this is thanks to your excellence, Count. Ah, it’s such a pleasure to see you at the school today.”

He was a man who flattered too much. The kind of third-rate flatterer you’d find in any genre. That was Burgess.

“By the way, my son barely passed into this school this year. Compared to my useless son, your servant seems far superior. Don’t you think?”

Should I just ignore him and walk away?

As I was muttering to myself, another person appeared before us.

“Hey there.”

Turning my head, I saw a beautiful noblewoman in a fur coat. Her sharp eyes, not hidden by her heavy makeup, were directed at me.

I muttered the character’s name.

“…Professor Ariel.”

“What?! Count Tristan remembers an extra like her…? Such an honor for that witch!”

Burgess, please just disappear…

I rubbed my throbbing temples. Naturally, Ariel was furious.

“Burgess. Are you done talking?!”

“Ah? Who do we have here? Ariel, isn’t it? Long time no see!”

“Don’t play dumb! I heard everything! A witch? An extra? You and your big mouth…!”

“Ah, you heard that? Sharp ears. But your comprehension is lacking. If Count Tristan is the lead, I’m the supporting role, and you’re just an extra. Isn’t that obvious?”

“Ugh… Whatever. Talking to you is just a waste of breath.”

Ariel turned her head sharply and glared at me.

“Hmph. Count Tristan, you’re as unpleasant as ever. That arrogant look in your eyes… and you’ve gotten… thinner…?”

My body, having survived near-death experiences, had lost some weight. Ariel’s eyes narrowed as she looked at me, then she coughed awkwardly.

“Ahem! Just because you’ve lost some weight, you think you can look at people like that?”

“This is just how my eyes naturally are.”

“Shut up! What I want to know is why you’re here.”

Ariel Rizeute.

The wife of a border count and one of the outstanding professors at this school. There was a reason she openly displayed such disdain for me.

“This school may be funded by your family, Count, but it was built by the Imperial Family. If you don’t have a reason, leave immediately.”

Ariel was one of the nobles loyal to the Imperial Family. She was also a woman who managed herself so well that she owed Tristan nothing. In the original story, Tristan had attempted to assassinate her multiple times, as she was a significant obstacle to him.

“I have a reason for being here.”

“Oh? What is it? Wait, Count, do you have a younger sister?”

Ariel finally noticed Wendy beside me.

“N-no, I’m not the Count’s younger sister… I’m his exclusive maid. I came here with the Count for the entrance ceremony…”

“Oh?”

Ariel looked at me with surprise at Wendy’s words.

“Hmph. You’ve got a capable girl by your side.”

“Now you see? Even the servants of the Ruelberta family are exceptionally talented.”

“Burgess… Know your place. The only one you should show loyalty to is the Emperor.”

“Hahaha. You’re right. There’s only one person for me.”

Burgess laughed loudly and stood proudly beside me. Ariel clicked her tongue.

“You scoundrel. Mocking His Majesty is going too far…”

Frowning, Ariel then glared at me with venomous eyes.

“Tristan, I can’t stand the sight of you flaunting your family’s power at this school. I’ll let it slide today because of the entrance ceremony, but don’t show your face here again!”

With that, Ariel walked away, her high heels clicking sharply. Burgess whispered in my ear as we watched her retreating figure.

“Truly, Count Tristan. To endure that witch’s insults without flinching… I admire you.”

Ah, please just go away…

(Image: Wendy Wingfield in school uniform)

 

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