Sincerely, Vanessa [EN]: Chapter 15

To Teacher, From Vanessa Episode 15 (15/146)

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Fortunately, it wasn’t too dark when Vanessa arrived in Seogote, the city closest to Bamberg Academy.

Vanessa hurried along the main street, where faint lights were being lit one by one. She wanted to get into the academy before the sun completely set.

As she entered the path leading from Seogote to Bamberg Academy, the scent of trees filled the air.

The fragrance, which seemed to wash away the smell of oiled machinery she had smelled in Nimrod, made Vanessa feel refreshed.

“Vanessa!”

Turning her head, she saw Evan waving his arms and running towards her. He looked very happy.

“I thought you’d be back early! It was worth coming early. How was Nimrod?”

“It was an incredibly fascinating city. It was the first time I’ve seen so many wizards outside of the academy.”

Evan seemed to have grown a little taller while she hadn’t seen him. When Vanessa mentioned it, Evan jumped up and down excitedly.

He chattered about what he had done during the vacation, mostly exercise. From swordsmanship to horseback riding.

“Is swordsmanship something you do for fun? Do you practice with wooden swords?”

Swordsmanship was a rather distant concept for Vanessa. It felt like something that children from wealthy families did to train their bodies.

“Rather than fun…”

Evan coughed and cautiously revealed his desired career path.

“Actually, my dream is to join the special combat unit directly under the king. I want to travel to many places, eliminate monsters, and keep people safe.”

Vanessa quietly pondered his honest answer.

“I’ve actually seen the captain of the special forces from afar. I still have a lot to learn, but I want to be like him.”

Come to think of it, Vanessa didn’t really have a dream. She had entered the academy with the help of ‘Teacher,’ but she was so busy with her daily studies that she had no goal of what she wanted to do after graduation.

So, Evan, who was talking about his dream, seemed to shine like a star in the dark sky.

“That’s cool.”

As Vanessa whispered, Evan’s cheeks flushed. Evan quickly coughed and turned his head.

“…Well, the 4th grade is a little different from the 3rd grade. Since you’re classified as an upperclassman, the classes are gradually subdivided. Chebati will probably fill all his classes with engineering and math-related courses except for the common classes.”

“What about you?”

“I’m interested in the newly formed swordsmanship and horseback riding classes.”

There were so many things to worry about in the world. What should students who don’t have dreams do!

Vanessa’s expression became gloomy. Evan stammered and comforted her, saying that she could just choose appropriate things, but Vanessa’s worries only deepened.

“Thank you for walking me back.”

“It’s nothing. Call me anytime if you’re bored! Let’s take a walk.”

Evan had taken her all the way to the Wall of the Moon, but Vanessa couldn’t stay in the dormitory for long and ended up going outside again. When she had something to worry about, she had to avoid being alone in her room.

Vanessa climbed the clock tower and sat on the largest window frame, hugging her legs. Darkness was falling on the walls of Bamberg Academy.

The sky, as if representing Vanessa’s confused mind, was mixed with pale pink, purple, and faded blue, and soon turned completely black.

I want to give Teacher more reward.

I hope I have a dream soon, so that I can shine like a star with hope for the future.

But today, the moon is so big and bright that all the starlight nearby is blurred.

I wonder if Teacher is looking at this moon too.

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“Vanessa.”

Thanks to returning to the academy early, there was plenty of time left.

Vanessa, who was buried in a comfortable armchair reading a book borrowed from the library, straightened up at the sweet voice.

“Hello, Eugenia-senpai [senior].”

It was Eugenia Alban. Eugenia smiled and sat nearby. She glanced at the book in Vanessa’s hand: *The Realization of Magic*.

“You’re really interested in magic. Don’t you have any other interests?”

Vanessa pondered for a moment at Eugenia’s words.

“I don’t know. I guess I’m clinging to what I can see because I don’t really have anything I want to do.”

“There are moments when being a wizard seems very appealing, because the wizards we’ve seen and heard about are so great. I was like that too.”

Eugenia smiled.

“I only have a very small amount of power. All I have is the power to flutter a piece of paper. But when I was young, I thought I would become a great wizard.”

Eugenia said calmly.

“I was sure I would become a wizard who could create storms. But I quickly realized my limitations and gave up.”

Eugenia reached out and lightly brushed Vanessa’s cheek.

“I hope you have strong magical power.”

Vanessa opened her mouth, then just closed it. Eugenia ignored his hesitation and asked kindly.

“Where were you during the vacation? Did you spend it with Lina’s family?”

“I was in Nimrod.”

“Nimrod? Does your sponsor live there?”

“No, do you know Jenien?”

Eugenia narrowed her eyes.

“Are you talking about Jenien Pokis Polis Stargera? You lived with that wizard?”

“Yes. It was quite fun. Jenien…”

Eugenia smiled as she looked at Vanessa, who was smiling brightly. Jenien Pokis Polis Stargera.

He was definitely powerful, but he was a typical reclusive wizard. Wasn’t he someone who avoided nobles in the first place?

Nevertheless, he can send a sponsored person to his house. His reputation is already excellent enough that there is no need to reveal his identity, and he maintains strong friendships with many wizards and has no shortage of wealth.

Ah.

Eugenia raised the corners of her lips.

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“How about handing Vanessa Rose over to me? You can set other conditions.”

The man frowned at Eugenia, who had suddenly barged in.

The man was not in uniform but in formal attire. There must have been a joint meeting.

His handsome face was still the same, but from Eugenia’s point of view, who had been rejected for engagement several years ago, she was only dissatisfied.

He turned his back as if he was annoyed.

“Get out, Alban.”

“I took a shot and it hit. Well, how common is it for someone to be connected to the wizard Jenien?”

“Eugenia Alban.”

His eyes were cold. For some reason, she felt goosebumps at the beast-like glint in his eyes, even though she knew he wouldn’t attack her.

He was a person who was responsible for someone’s life without remaining a student, and he was a man who was leading a huge family alone.

Even if he was called Alban, I, who was only an heir, was no match for him.

“Vanessa Rose is not an object. Get out now.”

“If you say so, I have to leave right away, but how about thinking about it again?”

Still, Eugenia was persistent. She wanted Vanessa Rose. For some reason, her intuition told her Vanessa Rose seemed like she would become ‘something’.

This was her own thought and secret.

“Alban, huh. I don’t know how many restrictions she has.”

The man spoke indifferently and turned his gaze to the documents. Eventually, Eugenia stepped back.

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To Teacher.

From now on, even if you put the preface ‘To the foolish Vanessa Rose,’ I have nothing to say.

Because that’s right!

As an upperclassman, a 4th grader, I’ve been thinking every day about what I want to do. It’s about time I started thinking about these things.

I was worrying about the class application form every night and every meal.

What kind of job do you think suits me, Teacher? Or do you have any thoughts on what kind of career you would like your sponsored person to choose?

Anyway, I couldn’t find an answer on my own, so I went to a meeting hosted by Eugenia-senpai and asked many seniors about what they do now.

But everyone only came to the conclusion that ‘student days were the best’.

I was still worrying at the cafe that day.

First of all, there’s no choice for the common subjects, so let’s skip that, but what classes should I apply for?

As I was blankly chewing on a piece of bread, Professor Marina passed by.

“You seem to have a lot of worries, Vanessa.”

And she glanced at my class application form. So, I told her about the difficulties of a student who hasn’t decided on a career yet, and she laughed.

“Don’t worry too much and try various experiences. If you want to do something right before graduation, you can apply for a graduation deferral and take that subject. If you have the qualifications to help the professors with their classes, it won’t cost you any money separately.”

I felt a little relieved at those words. And she recommended one class after looking at the class application form.

It’s *Aggressive Use of Magic*! This class!

“This class isn’t popular, but there’s a high probability that you’ll go on an internship to the border or special forces in the 5th grade. It’s a good thing to write down a line of experience. The special forces are full of powerful wizards, so it will be a good experience.”

She said that and disappeared.

You know that I applied for too many classes in the 3rd grade. Of course, I was worried about falling behind, but it was hard because there were too many classes. I’m telling you honestly now. Haha.

So, this time, with the help of Lina, Chebati, and Evan, I decided to organize the 4th semester classes with only the most necessary subjects.

All three of them are friends with many seniors, so they found out a lot of information about various classes. All the seniors commonly said this.

‘If you’re not aiming for the special forces, never apply for Professor Conrad’s *Aggressive Use of Magic* class!’

That was it.

But how could I not go over it when the professor said that? I applied for the class as if I was possessed!

As I trudged back and buried myself in bed, Lina stared at me suspiciously.

I ended up telling her honestly, that I applied for ‘that’ class.

“Vanessa, you’re… crazy.”

That’s right, Teacher. I must be crazy. I’m crazy, impulsive, and not thoughtful!

Anyway, the class application was completed safely: *Practical Magic 2*, *Mathematics 4*, *History of Priba based on the Edirne Empire*, *Application of Elemental Magic*, *Aggressive Use of Magic*, *Humanities of Vitola*, *Culture and Personality*, *Common Language and Edirne Language*.

There aren’t many classes, but I’m worried because they’re all long classes.

But I’ve filled it with only the things I want to hear. So, I’ll work hard so that I don’t regret it.

Lina filled it with business and economics-related classes, and Chebati filled most of it with engineering classes. As you can see, I have a lot of magic-specialized classes, so I probably won’t be able to see them often.

Fortunately or unfortunately, I run into Evan quite often. I’m also taking *Aggressive Use of Magic* with him. He’s aiming for the special forces, so of course, he would.

Only 8 students in the 4th grade applied for the *Aggressive Use of Magic* class. I soon realized why.

“Roll.”

That’s the first thing Professor Conrad said in class. There was no greeting.

“Roll.”

Everyone’s eyes trembled as he said in a very unmotivated voice. It was barely audible.

“The amount of homework will be determined in the order of who rolls, goes around the castle, and comes back…”

Everyone ran out and started rolling and running. A person or two must have applied without knowing what they were doing, just like me.

You know how huge Bamberg Academy is, right? It was originally a castle built for external defense. The circumference of the castle walls alone….

Evan kept running with me by my side. He was originally in first place!

I asked him if he wasn’t sorry, but he said it was okay. I guess I looked like I was about to vomit blood and collapse.

Thanks to that, Evan came in 6th place and I came in 7th place. I also received a lot of homework. They are generally related to physical strength.

“You have to train your body before you can use magic aggressively. Do you think monsters die at once when you use magic? Strong magic dwells in a healthy body.”

I have to run around the castle every morning and evening from today!

As I staggered back, Lina looked at me pitifully.

“Don’t say anything… don’t say anything….”

Lina snorted and focused on the homework on her desk, and I’m writing this letter while suffering from muscle pain right now. If you feel that the handwriting is strange, that’s the correct answer.

Evan is knocking on the door outside. He’s telling me to go run around the castle.

Tearing up, I finished the letter.

From Vanessa Rose.