Sincerely, Vanessa [EN]: Chapter 22

To Teacher, From Vanessa (22/146)

The man’s dark eyebrows furrowed, indicating the letter wasn’t particularly pleasant.

“Which academy did you both say you graduated from?”

Miquel stammered at his employer’s sudden question. Ronan answered instead.

“I graduated from Rosenbaum, and Miguel is from Bardo.”

“Am I unaware because I graduated from the academy early? Did either of you ever hold a part-time job while attending the academy?”

“Huh? Who would do such a crazy thing?”

Miquel laughed heartily, making Ronan genuinely want to kick him in the shin. *How* did this clueless guy even pass the interview to become the man’s aide?

“It might be possible as a lowerclassman, but it’s impossible as an upperclassman. There’s hardly any time to rest in the first place. You’d collapse if you did. It would be the same at any academy.”

At Ronan’s cautious words, one corner of the man’s mouth quirked up.

The man took out a fresh piece of paper next to him and quickly began to write something. The pen held in his large hand looked fragile enough to break.

Watching him, Miguel tilted his head.

*You’re using your left hand. Is your right hand injured?*

Soon, the man sealed the letter and placed it in the Hörnir [a magical communication device, like a mailbox] in front of him. It wasn’t the business Hörnir he usually used, but a personal one, which they rarely saw him use.

However, every time Miguel tried to speak, Ronan jabbed him in the side, so his curiosity couldn’t be satisfied.

‘Damn it, what’s wrong with you!’

‘Shut up.’

The man stared blankly at the Hörnir, then rubbed his eyes. Ronan briefly wondered, *Is that a look of regret? On his face?*

“It would be difficult to take back what’s been sent, wouldn’t it.”

“Yes…”

Ronan mumbled in surprise, and the man tilted his head all the way back. Even with his strong jawline revealed, he looked even more tired.

“Anyway, may I continue with the report?”

“…Go ahead.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

To the very stubborn Miss Vanessa Rose.

I have given much thought after reading Miss Vanessa’s letter.

Thank you for honestly telling me what you are thinking. Even if I haven’t been in that situation, I can understand.

However, considering your excellent achievements so far, you can receive support even after graduation, no matter what you want to do.

Also, it seems unlikely that the people around you would let Miss Vanessa face the cold winds [endure hardship].

The reason is thanks to what Miss Vanessa has achieved on her own, but it’s a shame you don’t realize it yourself.

Also, even though I understand, I cannot condone it. I want you to quit your weekend job immediately. I can’t help it if you feel my tone is forceful.

Please don’t make me resort to other measures.

From your teacher.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Vanessa silently folded the short letter. She wanted to reply right away, but her heart was heavy, making it difficult to pick up the pen.

At first, she simply wanted to buy even one gift for her teacher with her own money.

But after meeting Munia Tran and talking with other friends, she had some unknown thoughts.

It was an emotion difficult even for herself to unravel. She just recognized that her situation was different from her friends.

*My patron doesn’t even contact me.*

*You can just send a gift, what’s the problem?*

She wasn’t angry about the situation, nor did she want to complain. Coming here alone was a miracle.

*What am I thinking?* Vanessa thought she needed to sort it out herself….

“What did he say?”

“He told me to quit immediately.”

“The teacher is wise. You shouldn’t use your future stamina in advance.”

“I know what you and the teacher are worried about.”

“Cevati, Evan, and the other friends who take classes with you feel the same way. There’s a limit to a person’s stamina.”

Lina said with a firm expression. Vanessa quietly stared at the Hörnir, then roughly swept back her hair.

Thanks to Lina’s thorough care, Vanessa’s wavy hair now had a shine.

“What are you thinking anyway?”

Lina said with a sigh. Vanessa quietly tilted her head and carefully opened her mouth.

“You and Cevati give me so much.”

“We do? When?”

At Lina’s puzzled voice, Vanessa hesitated and then spoke. Her voice lacked confidence.

“It’s just… you guys are always on my side and tell me so much that I don’t know. You worry about me being left alone during vacation.”

“We’re friends. That’s natural. And you’ve done a lot for me too.”

“What have I done? I can’t do anything… I can’t invite you guys over either….”

At her gloomy expression, Lina felt frustrated and hit her chest.

“I learned how important effort is for the first time watching you! I realized that we can be friends even if we grew up in different environments.”

“It’s nothing special.”

“Vanessa, what you’ve taught me can’t be learned even with money. That’s why it’s more valuable.”

Lina said firmly. Vanessa blinked.

“If there was something I gave, I’m glad….”

“You’ve given a lot and it’s enough. Vanessa, you don’t owe me anything.”

Vanessa smiled faintly. But the smile soon faded away.

“But what about the teacher? I’ve never given anything to the teacher.”

“He’s your patron! The purpose of him sponsoring you is that he wants you to grow up well and become an excellent talent of Priba. That’s all.”

“I guess I don’t like that.”

Vanessa whispered quietly. Lina closed her mouth.

“That’s why I hate and fear only receiving. What if the teacher gets tired of me? Then I’ll feel like I’m left alone like I was in the orphanage. That’s why I wanted to give a gift with the money I earned myself….”

Only then could Lina understand even a little of what Vanessa was feeling.

*I couldn’t say anything carelessly because I wasn’t the patron teacher, but still, I didn’t like Vanessa thinking of herself that way.*

“That won’t happen. There’s never been a sponsee as proud as you. I know it.”

Lina’s voice was cheerful and kind. At those words, what Gid had said in the past flashed through her mind.

*Your patron teacher will be very happy. He’s so proud of the sponsee he chose.*

*Is that really so?*

“I think I lack some confidence.”

Vanessa smiled slightly. Lina looked at her with pity, but there was nothing more she could say.

In the end, Vanessa couldn’t reply to the teacher’s letter.

She hadn’t taken out the stationery for quite some time, and every time she saw the Hörnir, a corner of her heart pricked.

*It’s not for any other reason, but I might lose my sponsorship because I’m being so stubborn.*

Vanessa laughed in disbelief inside. But strangely, she couldn’t bring herself to touch the letter.

It seemed she could only pick up the pen after she had completely sorted out her feelings.

From the 4th grade, ‘Realization’ was added to the ‘Application’ class, and Vanessa had to materialize magic.

She had to be able to realize incantation magic that didn’t require conditions, even if it wasn’t on a large scale, and she had to design magic circles and magic circuits.

Cevati had to make machines himself, and Lina had to realize profits through mock businesses. Evan was busy getting beaten up.

Anyway, everyone was frantically busy preparing for the practical training that would properly take place in the 5th grade.

“Damn it, swordsmanship class is so annoying.”

“I heard there’s a genius?”

Cevati chuckled and put a slice of cheese on his bread. Then he took a big bite.

“He’s really good. He blocked everything, and my wooden sword flew away! Do you know what his original weapon is? An axe!”

Vanessa silently drank honey-sweetened warm milk next to him, and Lina ridiculed Evan.

“Live up to your size.”

“I am living up to my size? He’s bigger than me! Vanessa, you know Daloise, right? The girl who braids her hair in multiple strands and is super tall.”

“The one who takes the class with me? Is she that good?”

“Yeah. I get beaten up every day.”

Evan grumbled. Then he noticed Vanessa putting down her spoon without even taking a few bites. Her cheeks, which were always lively, were pale.

“But why are you so listless? Is someone bothering you? What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know.”

Vanessa said sullenly, and Cevati pushed up his glasses.

“Vanessa, are you still working part-time at the cafe?”

“Yeah, that idiot Vanessa is still doing it!”

“I’m thinking of quitting by the end of this month. So, next week.”

At Vanessa’s blunt words, Lina’s face lit up. Cevati also nodded diligently.

“Yes. It’s too much of a strain on you physically. We were all worried because we know how much Vanessa studies.”

“I know, right? There’s a reason why I’ve been shoving jelly into your mouth these days. And you said you wouldn’t skip exercising in the meantime.”

Evan grumbled with his arms crossed.

“Then how about sending a letter to the teacher now?”

At Lina’s cautious words, Vanessa only rubbed her tired eyes.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

On the weekend, Vanessa went into the cafe and told the owner that she would quit before starting work.

The owner of the cafe was a woman with her hair tied up high, always wearing a kind smile.

“I’m going to quit. There’s an exam coming up soon. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, don’t be sorry. I hired you for a short time in the first place. I extended the period because you’ve been working so well without making a single mistake. You’ll come out until next week, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

Vanessa smiled awkwardly. Then she picked up a broom and went out to sweep the street in front of the cafe clean.

As the weather got colder, the fallen red leaves continued to fall, so there was a lot to sweep. The area near Bamberg Academy had many mountains and a high altitude, so winter came quickly.

*No wonder the teacher sent so many winter clothes.*

Vanessa, who unknowingly thought of her teacher, sniffled her nose, which had turned red from the cold.

*Even I wouldn’t like a sponsee like me. I don’t listen, I don’t have any future plans, and I don’t send replies….*

Fortunately, tears didn’t come out. *I don’t have the energy, so I don’t even cry.*

Vanessa stood still, looking only at her toes for a moment. The shoes she was wearing were dark-colored. The shoes snugly wrapped around her feet.

*The teacher gave me these as a gift too. I should go back and apologize for being so stubborn. And apologize for not writing for so long….*

As Vanessa stared blankly down, she saw large military boots approaching nearby.

When Vanessa suddenly looked up, she saw a dazzling blonde.