Sincerely, Vanessa [EN]: Chapter 128

To my teacher. (And to Gideon Sol Valder.)

This letter feels a bit silly. Will you laugh when you wake up and see it?

Still, letters are written with the expectation of a reply, right? So, I’m picking up my pen with the strong hope that you’ll wake up. There’s no power as strong as the human heart, so that’ll help, right?

It’s almost been a week since I started wandering around Priba. I’m so glad I know how to use spatial magic. I probably would have learned it this time even if I didn’t already know how. If I had only used portals, I wouldn’t have covered even half the distance I have now, even if a month had passed. The magic circles are so scattered!

It’s really strange. The progress I thought was slow when I was happy is now so fast. Spatial magic is easily accomplished once the distance calculation is done, and no magic is blocked.

I’ve been thinking about it carefully. It’s probably because my mind is preoccupied with something else. It easily satisfies the conditions. I believe you know what that is.

Anyway, as long as I get past the implementation stage, I won’t lack magical power. It may sound arrogant, but it’s really true.

I said it before, but it seems to increase the more I use it….

Since there’s nowhere to ask, I’m just wondering if this is normal. If I tell Jenien, she’ll probably try to dissect my head again.

Hmm, I can already picture Gideon’s expression when he wakes up and sees this letter.

A little angry, a little worried, but since it’s his fault for collapsing, he can’t say anything to me, so he’s just feeling awkward.

Am I right?

Right now, I’m sitting at a table in a small inn room in Seogote, wrapped in a blanket, writing this letter. If I say Seogote, you know where I’ve been, right?

That’s right, Bamberg Academy. I’m on my way back from seeing the magic circle hidden in the lake.

The magic circle is still in the lake. But you can’t imagine how many barriers are set up around it.

The professors didn’t want to take away the lakeside, with its cool breeze under the trees, from the students, but they had to protect the magic circle. Professor Guido complained that he lost a handful of hair because of his conflicting thoughts.

Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of all the professors, the appearance of the lake hasn’t changed. You can still put your feet in the cool water and play around. However, you just can’t go below a certain level.

The moment you break that limit, an ear-splitting noise will sound, so anyone will be able to detect the intruder.

Anyway, it’s a good thing. I played there a lot. On days when I finished mountains of assignments, especially after a difficult exam, on days when the scent of grass bloomed thickly in the cool breeze. If I spread out a cloth and lay down on it, the fatigue would disappear in an instant.

Did Gideon do that too? I regret not having these conversations. We talked so much about the academy.

Anyway, I’m sure there will be a day to ask, so I won’t worry. Let’s just talk about the good things then.

The magic circle in the lake hasn’t changed much, except for the blurred parts from before. Some places have even been cleaned up through repairs. But the flow running along the lines has definitely weakened.

I’ve been looking around at various magic circles with His Majesty’s permission, but I can’t see any clues. I’m feeling a bit discouraged because Jenien would be much better at theory. Well, as Jenien says, I’m just a

‘A fledgling magician who is only strong.’

But Professor Jenien Polis Pokis Stargera is staying by your side, trying to find a cure, so I can’t help it. I have to do well on my own.

Even though I went into the lake with warmth thanks to the help of many people, I’m still a little cold. The weather in the north is so unchanging!

The inn room I borrowed today has terrible drafts. I can feel the cold air rising from near the walls. I was thinking of raising the temperature around me with magic, but I hesitate because I don’t know what might happen. It’s always good to save power.

Of course, I’ve become a magician recognized even by Aberdeen Chara (!), but you never know what might happen in the world.

Well, the letter has become too long. I’ll stop here for today. I hope you’re having good dreams without worry.

From Vanessa, who misses you very much.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Vanessa folded the letter and put it in Honir, sighing. The pure white Honir, still boasting its beautiful curves, was so beautiful that it troubled her. Her white fingers stroked the top of Honir.

‘You chose it yourself.’

Miguel’s voice came to mind. She shook her head wildly, trying to shake off thoughts of Gideon. But it was already too late. Her eyes welled up with just a brief memory.

The silent hallway and the terrible silence in the bedroom. Blackened hands and quietly closed eyes, irregular heartbeat. The helplessness of not being able to do anything, regret for the time that had passed, a loneliness like opaque gray….

Vanessa bit her lip. She blinked hard, steadying her heaving breath.

Fortunately, there was a lot to distract her. Before writing the letter to Gideon, she had piled up letters that had fallen from Honir beside her. Various names were written on the stacks of paper that rose crookedly like half-tilted towers.

Vanessa picked up one of the letters on top with a slight tremor. The content was not long.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

To Vanessa.

Vanessa, what on earth is going on?

I received a call from Evan. He was so worried. Of course, I must have been even more worried after hearing the situation.

Where on earth did you go alone? You didn’t join the special forces, and you’re not at home, so I’m very, very worried.

It’s embarrassing, but I even asked Lina if she knew any news that I didn’t! For your information, as soon as Lina heard that Vanessa was gone, she threw a bigger fit than I did and knocked over a vase. She was ranting that it was very expensive and that she would hold Vanessa responsible for the compensation, you know?

Of course, I can guess why Vanessa left in a hurry. I understand it too.

But don’t you think you should at least contact me later to let me know you’re okay?

You’re really too much, Vanessa.

Worry covers up my disappointment, but to be honest, I’m a little angry!

Chebati Milo Doti.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The neat, round handwriting felt sharp today. Vanessa thought about what to write in her reply with a troubled look.

He doesn’t usually say things like this, so he must be very angry. Well, it’s only natural. I need to write a reply that conveys my gratitude and apology well….

She opened the next letter. This one wasn’t long either.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

To the very bad-Vanessa Rose.

This is betrayal.

I gave you so much advice, but you disappeared without telling me? And I found out about it later than Chebati? Does that make sense?

Where on earth are you? I had a nightmare yesterday worrying about you. Good sleep is a very important factor for the skin!

Is it right that I’m worrying about a friend who is taller than me and was born much earlier than me?

No, of course not. Take responsibility for making my skin rough.

If I don’t get a reply within 3 days, I’m going to send people out. Got it?

So that I can drag you back even if you just set foot in the south!

From the angry,

Lina Dellina.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Vanessa quickly checked the date written above. Fortunately, it was before the 3 days had passed.

The letters continued after that. Evan sent a short letter with more gentle content, and Daloise sent a three-page letter with countless topics changing. There was also a letter from Lieutenant Hisop. Some special forces members added their signatures below and left them. The handwriting was messy, as if they were busy with dispatches.

They were all worried about Vanessa. As she realized that, the trembling and loneliness that covered her body subsided a little.

There was also a letter from Eugenia, which contained a story related to Gideon and said that several families were looking for a way with all their might, so don’t worry too much. There were so many people who would do anything to put the Valder family in debt.

She was relieved by the undignified and direct words.

Vanessa was surprised and felt it was natural that Eugenia had noticed her relationship with Gideon. She had asked too many questions to someone who was already known for being quick-witted.

The remaining letters were greetings from academy classmates that were unrelated to this incident.

Vanessa took out clean paper and wrote replies, starting with the urgent ones. Even if they weren’t long, she wanted to reassure them enough.

She stared blankly as she watched the letters disappear into Honir. As if scolding herself, a loud noise came from outside, and she picked up her pen again. It was to write down the contents of the magic circle she had seen today.

She wrote down everything she had analyzed without missing anything. The contents already written above were densely packed.

She had already checked more than six magic circles. They were all in different places and had different shapes. The only common thing was that the flow of magic flowing along the lines of the magic circles was gradually decreasing.

Many magicians were sticking to it, but it was not easy to restore. The hidden places were hidden, but they were wary of accidentally touching it and twisting the flow, which would completely ruin it. As a result, all modifications were proceeding very slowly.

There was no answer in the densely written letters.

“This is really something I can’t do….”

It’s difficult. Vanessa leaned back on the chair and sighed. Her eyebrows throbbed.

Even if she studied hard, she wasn’t in a position to dare to mention her name in theory. Rather, it was to the point where it would be helpful to take a step back.

Then, all she had to do was find the center. Vanessa opened the letters from Jonah Hill and Jenien that she had left beside her and examined the contents.

Jenien was staying at Valder Castle by order of the king. He was a person who was surprisingly well-suited to the title of Archmage [a powerful and skilled magician]. There were few who were so well-versed in magical theory and application. Time had made him even more ripe.

Unlike usual, Jenien in the letter hardly used the word ‘stupid’. He answered each of Vanessa’s questions and wrote in detail about what he speculated on matters that he could not be sure of. She wondered if she was dreaming because he was so kind.

But even such a great magician didn’t know something. Gideon’s condition, written at the end of the lines, remained the same. It had been over a week since he collapsed, but he had neither worsened nor improved.

A clumsy consolation was added.

「Don’t worry. He must be resting for a while because he’s tired.」

But Jenien, what if he wants to keep resting?

Vanessa barely stopped the tip of her pen from writing a stupid sentence. She lowered her head and took a moment to catch her breath.

Jonah Hill seemed to be searching through all the books that had the words ‘Bam Vandalu’ even once. He sent her all the sentences that had room for speculation, which was a great help in recalling what she already knew and adding what she didn’t know.

There was also a photo of Bam Vandalu’s portrait that had been cut out from somewhere. His mischievous blue eyes twinkled as if mocking her, so she put it back in the envelope.

Vanessa analyzed the sentences of the magic circles until late at night. Whether there were any sentences that all magic circles had in common, and where the flow was heading.

Before she knew it, the night outside the window was as quiet as a mouse. Vanessa repeatedly dozed off and woke up from fatigue. Eventually, she crawled onto the creaking bed. She curled up in the blanket and rubbed her cheeks.

It was too cold today. She desperately needed someone’s warmth.