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The auditorium in front of the entrance ceremony was already bustling with people.

Students with bright smiles and families who looked happy.

Magicians were also seen taking photos to commemorate this special day.

Photos decorated in large frames caught the attention of passersby.

Among them, Wendy looked at the back of the man walking ahead and thought.

‘Yeah, the Count probably hates this kind of thing, right…?’

Honestly, she wanted to take a photo with Tristan.

She knew photos were a luxury, but Wendy wanted to preserve this moment as a memory, so she sneakily checked the price.

[1 photo for 100,000 Kael]

It was expensive.

No, but at that price… It’s not completely out of reach.

After Wendy became an exclusive maid, her salary had also jumped.

In the past, she would have given up just seeing the price, but now that her situation had improved, she felt a lingering regret.

“Wendy.”

“Y-Yes?!”

Startled by the sudden call, Wendy jumped.

Tristan had stopped walking and was looking at her.

“Is there a problem?”

“S-Sorry… I was just thinking for a moment…”

“…Keep up diligently. The entrance ceremony will start soon.”

“Yes!”

With those words, Tristan turned and continued walking.

At a glance, it seemed like a cold action, but Wendy wasn’t hurt at all.

Behind Tristan’s indifferent words and actions, there was a kindness that only Wendy knew.

Sure enough, his pace had slowed enough for Wendy to keep up.

That was probably a secret only Wendy knew in this world.

Wendy followed Tristan into the auditorium.

Inside the auditorium, there were also many people.

As the entrance ceremony was about to start, people were sitting in their seats.

“You sit here and watch the entrance ceremony. I have something to do, so I’ll be going.”

“Y-Yes…”

She thought they would watch the ceremony together, so Wendy was slightly disappointed.

Unaware of her feelings, Tristan disappeared somewhere to do his work.

Watching his retreating figure, Wendy thought.

-From the beginning, I was on your mind.

“Haah…”

Just thinking about those words she heard in the carriage made Wendy’s face burn.

She was confused.

At first, she thought Tristan disliked her.

After all, there was no reason for him to like Wendy, who was full of mistakes and a crybaby.

She even thought that making her, a low-ranking servant, his exclusive maid was just a ploy to torment her before firing her.

That was the kind of person Tristan was.

A genius of evil deeds and the worst personality, treating servants like tools.

She thought there was a reason everyone pointed fingers at him.

Wendy thought so too.

‘But the Count…’

Tristan had helped Wendy.

Promoting her to exclusive maid was just the beginning.

He allowed her to take magic lessons from Sage Myohail.

He arranged for her to receive martial arts training from Duke’s bodyguard knight, Blanshe.

When he found out she had the blood of a hero, he hid that fact for her.

And now, he even allowed her to attend the best university in the empire.

That wasn’t just a favor for a mere servant.

Now, Wendy thought she understood Tristan’s heart.

All those favors were because he had her in mind.

No, it was more accurate to say he was testing her.

10 years.

That specific number Tristan mentioned was undoubtedly the time limit given to Wendy.

It was an order to become a woman worthy of him within 10 years.

‘Count. I’m late, but I finally understand now…’

Wendy clenched her fist.

She knew that path wouldn’t be easy.

There were already many attractive women around Tristan.

Bella, the Duke’s daughter, was renowned as the most beautiful woman in the country.

Her bodyguard knight, Blanshe, also had stunning beauty that made everyone turn their heads.

“Sniff…”

Tears welled up in Wendy’s eyes.

The auditorium buzzed with people.

There, Wendy quietly bowed her head.

Could a mere servant like her dare to compete with them?

Could a short-legged, messy-haired, clumsy girl like her be worthy of Tristan?

Thinking that, Wendy’s heart felt like it was plummeting endlessly.

Suffocating negative emotions.

In that moment, what came to Wendy’s mind were the words of the man she admired.

-I don’t keep someone by my side who isn’t in my heart.

Thump.

-In 10 years, you will have grown into someone more splendid than anyone else.

Thump.

Those words were like magic.

Wendy felt an unknown courage rise within her.

Wendy swallowed her hot tears.

Then, her heart was beating hotter than ever before.

It was then.

“Are you okay…?”

“Y-Yes?”

When Wendy looked up, the girl sitting next to her was looking at her with concern.

Was she also a new student?

She looked noble with her luxurious robe, glasses, and braided hair.

“It’s just… you seemed like you were crying…”

The girl with glasses handed Wendy a handkerchief.

Wendy politely received it with both hands and wiped her tears.

“Th-Thank you…”

“Oh, no need to thank me for something like this…”

The girl seemed shy and bowed her head.

And when Wendy had finished wiping her tears, she spoke again.

“…Are you a new student?”

“Yes.”

“Then, how about we drop formalities…? I’m also a new student starting at this school today.”

“I-I’m too young for that…”

“Huh? How old are you?”

“12…”

At that, the girl seemed surprised and adjusted her glasses to look at Wendy.

“…Are you a special admission student?”

“Yes…”

“I thought I was the youngest. I’m also a special admission!”

The girl with glasses took Wendy’s hand and said.

“I’m Luna. 17. And you?”

“I-I’m Wendy…”

“I see…! Wendy, nice to meet you. If it’s okay, would you like to be friends?”

“Y-Yes?!”

Wendy was flustered by the sudden request.

Though she didn’t say it, Luna was clearly a noble.

She was of a different status than Wendy.

“H-How could someone like me be friends with Lady Luna…!”

“Ugh… So you don’t want to be friends with me?”

“Huh?!”

Luna crouched down, hugging her knees.

“Ugh… I want to go home. Coming to this entrance ceremony just caused trouble for others…”

“O-Okay! I-I’ll be your friend!”

“Really?!”

Luna happily hugged Wendy tightly.

“Huh?!”

“Thank you! I was worried about how to survive in this school! Thanks to you, Wendy, I’m saved! I’m not alone anymore. Sob.”

It seemed Luna had been a loner before coming to the university.

Wendy planned to pat Luna’s back until she calmed down.

But then, a magically amplified voice echoed through the hall.

“Now, we will begin the entrance ceremony for Meikhael University! Please take your seats!”

At those words, the students sat down, and parents or companions gathered orderly at the back.

As the auditorium quieted down, an announcement came.

“Now, we will start with the oath of the student representative! Student representative, Wendy, please come up to the stage!”

“Wendy? Huh?! Could it be?”

At that, Luna was startled and looked at Wendy.

Wendy took a deep breath and slowly stood up.

Luna’s expression was incomparably more surprised than before.

“I’ll be back…”

Leaving the speechless Luna behind, Wendy walked to the stage.

She was already prepared.

Her steps were steady, and her posture was unwavering.

‘Count… I won’t disappoint you anymore.’

Naturally, the students’ gazes focused on her.

“What’s that? A kid?”

“She’s cute… Like a rabbit.”

“She’s in a uniform, but a university student…?”

Wendy naturally received those gazes and slowly walked up to the stage.

Thinking of his face, her steps lightened.

In front of the magical tool amplifying her voice, Wendy opened her mouth.

“Student representative, I, Wendy, hereby swear before God.”

She was just reading the oath in front of her.

“I will devote myself to magic research and study with the abilities and talents given by God…”

But Wendy was so focused that she even forgot she wasn’t stuttering.

Her voice was clearer and brighter than ever.

Enough to make the seated people look at her as if enchanted.

“…I solemnly swear. That is all, student representative, Wendy.”

When Wendy finished her oath and looked up, the auditorium was silent.

No one expected such a resolute voice from such a small figure.

It was just over a minute.

Wendy’s oath had the power to captivate everyone in the auditorium.

Of course, there were aftereffects.

‘I-I barely made it…’

Her legs were trembling as if she had just found courage.

Cold sweat ran down her back.

It was the first time she had spoken in front of so many people.

‘D-Did I do well…?’

Unlike when she went up, Wendy hesitated as she descended the stage.

The persistent gazes were unbearably burdensome.

The only saving grace for Wendy was that the next part of the ceremony was being announced.

“Next, we will introduce the newly appointed chairman!”

Tap.

Perhaps because Wendy had just finished her oath.

The sound of footsteps was loud in the silent auditorium.

For Wendy, it was a very familiar sound.

The man who walked up to the stage made people frown.

Soon, the auditorium buzzed.

Not just the seated new students, but also the nobles standing at the back grew noisy.

“Why is that guy up there…?”

“What’s this? Tell him to get down.”

“Oh my. It’s Ruelberta…!”

As the auditorium grew noisier, only Wendy clearly heard his voice.

“Quiet.”

The man muttered just one word.

But no one in the auditorium failed to feel the anger he emitted.

The blatant, unconcealed anger made everyone’s mouths shut.

In the auditorium, where even breathing was silent, the man introduced himself.

“Tristan Ruelberta.”

 

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