Sincerely, Vanessa [EN]: Chapter 7

To my teacher,

Mornings really are a good time to sort things out. Looking at this empty paper, I finally feel ready to pick up the pen now that my mind is clear.

The jelly was delicious. Thank you so much. The candies are so pretty, like jewels; I just keep them in a glass jar and look at them.

For the record, I like lemon flavor the best. What flavor do you like most, teacher?

I mentioned in my last letter but one that Professor Marina praised me, right?

Maybe it’s because time has passed and I’ve built a small foundation, but I’ve been praised by other professors a few times since then.

I was really happy. It gave me the strength to try even harder.

But from some point on, I started hearing grumbling remarks from time to time.

“Because she’s an orphan. They probably praised her out of pity.” “It’s not like her work is anything great.” “No matter what, how could the assignment of a kid who doesn’t know anything be impressive?” “She was falling behind for a while there.”

“Suddenly she’s doing so well? Chebatina Lina must have helped her.”

In my opinion, there were people who were satisfied when I was falling behind. It made them feel secure. Because it’s only natural for a poor, pitiful orphan to be of low standard.

But as my grades got higher, they became dissatisfied. They can’t accept that they, who have been educated since childhood, are falling behind.

They probably can’t see my efforts. Since entering this school, I haven’t had a single day that was truly mine—not nights, not holidays. I’ve even cried because I wanted to sleep.

Lina, after hearing the rumors, held my hand tightly and said,

“Should I mess them up for you?”

Lina has a pretty wild side. And Chebati, who took classes with me, scoffed.

Saying that those who know nothing are just sending envious glances.

“Plug your ears, Vanessa. Those words are worthless, but they can hurt people.”

And she shouted in a tremendously loud voice, “I’d rather die than show them my assignment!”

Chebati helps, but she never shows her assignments.

I understand what my friends are saying, but I can’t help but feel small.

It’s true that my parents passed away, and it’s true that I didn’t receive proper education for several years.

So, I started to think that maybe the professors were praising me too much.

Isn’t that silly?

I was hesitant for a few days. Do you know how brave I usually am? The me in the letters is very polished.

When I was very young, I never let those who bullied me get away with it. I would just run up and kick them in the shins to start.

But this place strangely made me shrink. So, I just stayed holed up in the library, and at night, I only studied in the dormitory. Then, I overheard someone saying.

“Even if she’s the child of a fallen noble, they don’t know her past.”

“Yeah, she might as well be the daughter of a prostitute. Maybe she was abandoned.”

“Then she might be smart. Her father’s bloodline might have been precious.”

It was something like that. The sound of giggling spread around, and I felt suffocated for a moment.

It’s okay to insult me. But I can’t stand them insulting my parents.

My parents saved me, who was only two years old, from a burning house and passed away. They say my parents were covered in burns, but I was crying without even a scorched mark.

That’s why I couldn’t stand it even more. Just let those guys get away with it? That would be even more shameful.

I jumped up. The chair fell backward with a loud noise that echoed inside the library.

Then something funny happened.

Splash!

Suddenly, all the vases and the water in the glasses around me surged up and splashed on their faces. Just like my imagination for a moment!

The mouths of the people around me dropped open, and the group was so embarrassed that their faces turned bright red.

I don’t know if the water spirit helped me, or if the magic power inside me was also angry, but I gratefully accepted the help. It makes me look a bit better, doesn’t it?

But can I end it with just that?

I clenched my fist tightly and punched one of them in the cheek. With a smack.

The surroundings became silent.

I packed my things and left the library. I skipped class and locked myself in my room, but I didn’t cry. As Chebati said, it’s worthless words.

Lina, having heard the rumors, ran over, hugged me, and comforted me. Friends are really great.

The professors grasped the situation, and the group was called to the headmaster’s office. I didn’t know well, but Chebati said so. Chebati and other students ran to the headmaster’s office and testified.

The person who got punched in the face was actually just sitting near them because they were in the same grade.

But they testified exactly what that group had said and admitted to sitting between them. That person sent me a letter of apology, but I haven’t read it yet.

I am deeply reflecting on hitting the wrong person. I should have hit that red-brown-haired male student.

Anyway, the group that spread bad words all failed Professor Marina’s class this semester. Thanks to that, some people are short on credits.

And they all received a total of two weeks of suspension, and the headmaster sent warning letters to their parents.

「This is the Bamberg Academy founded by the wizard Bam Banderlu, and it upholds only justice. I hope you are ashamed that students who are still young have learned such attitudes.」

But I also got a 3-day suspension from classes because I slapped someone.

The headmaster said that he understands my feelings, but he cannot condone violence between students. He said that since there are students who know the power of magic, it could be dangerous for each other.

I agree.

Well, that’s what happened. This is just what happened in two weeks, and it took me some time to overcome it. It was very eventful, right?

I’m worried that I might have caused trouble for you, teacher, by hitting someone. Of all people, I hit an innocent kid and the son of the most famous family.

If you have any trouble with that family, you can cut off my sponsorship.

I’m okay, teacher. I should have been more patient. I should have just splashed water on them.

So sorry to you, teacher,

From Vanessa Rose.

p.s. I’m so glad you’re here, teacher. It would have been miserable if I didn’t even have a place to write these words.

To Vanessa Rose,

It is astonishing that students who should be cultivating their character at the academy are instead learning to divide into factions and eliminate rivals with malicious rumors.

I wonder if Vanessa would feel burdened if I put pressure on the headmaster.

This is truly incomprehensible. If I were the headmaster, I would have expelled all those students.

This is a country where His Majesty is working to eliminate the influence of families on promotions among numerous officials.

It is merely a clean resolution of a matter that could have spread very widely.

I can’t believe it. I must send a letter to the headmaster immediately. Vanessa is not at fault at all.

From your teacher.

To my kind teacher,

Ah, no, teacher! Please don’t send a letter. You haven’t sent it already, have you?

I am very satisfied with this disposition. Now, instead of hitting someone when I have a complaint, I have decided to refute point by point and collect evidence so that they can be punished according to the school rules.

Also, you don’t know how politely the headmaster apologized to me.

“I’m sorry for making you hear those words, Miss Vanessa Rose.”

There’s no kid like that who isn’t afraid of a letter going to their parents. It’s funny.

Fortunately, you don’t criticize my actions, so I’m satisfied with that alone.

Thank you for just your concern, teacher.

And don’t worry! I’m going to make the students who expect me to fail taste defeat.

Oh, you know what? Ever since the day I splashed water on those kids with magic, it feels like it’s become a little easier to handle the power of magic!

Anyway, I can feel the faintly spreading flow of magic.

Anxious that you might send a letter,

Vanessa.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The man folded the letter. His large hand repeatedly gripped and released the pen. An unpleasant gaze settled low, eventually ending in a sigh.

“Have you heard bad news?”

The man with the monocle standing next to the man was very polite to the man who looked much younger than him.

“No, it’s nothing like that.”

The man quietly looked at the smooth handwriting on the envelope.

「To my kind teacher.」

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Vanessa picked up a sandwich with ham, cheese, and butter and walked to the window. She felt like she was attracting attention, but she ignored it all.

Vanessa had been going out more diligently since that day.

She didn’t just stay in the library; she also went to the academy’s cafe terrace and attended small gatherings hosted by some friends without fail.

There was no reason to hide because the teacher said she was not guilty.

“I’m going to get first place on the exam, not the assignment. I’m going to crush them,” Vanessa gritted her teeth.

At that moment, someone approached Vanessa, who was diligently reading a book on the cafe terrace.

“Who is this? Isn’t this the junior I gave a tour of the school? You’re famous these days.”

It was Alisa Bolton, a fifth-year student taking a short break after her practical training. She smiled and held out her hand.

Vanessa was slightly flustered, then realized the meaning of the hand and shook it. Alisa, with her deeply tanned face, plopped down on the chair next to Vanessa.

The female student standing next to her glared at Alisa, who didn’t even introduce her, and held out her hand first.

“Hello. I’m Eugenia Alban. I’m in the same year as Alisa. Call me Jenny.”

The senior named Eugenia had her hair tied up high and possessed a glamorous appearance. The gazes of the male students passing by would inadvertently turn.

Eugenia shook hands with Vanessa and then sat next to Alisa, giving her a soft smile.

Alisa, watching the scene, suddenly asked.

“Vanessa, is it true that you have a sponsor?”

Vanessa frowned slightly. She couldn’t figure out why these people were approaching her.

So, she went on the offensive without realizing it.

She was already tired of people’s whispering glances, and she had an overwhelming amount of homework.

“Yes, that’s right. I came to Bamberg Academy with the help of a sponsor from the orphanage. Why? Is that not allowed?”

Alisa burst into laughter at the blunt tone. Alisa had a big mouth and was uninhibited in her movements, so she looked very cool.

“Ah, Jenny, the princess, was curious. Were you offended? My way of speaking is a bit like this. Sorry.”

Eugenia kicked Alisa’s leg under the table. Alisa made a choking sound and clutched her calf.

“For the record, I’m not a princess.”

Eugenia said, leisurely sweeping the hair that had fallen over her shoulder. Unlike her words, her actions were graceful and beautiful like a princess.

Eugenia blinked her jewel-like black eyes.

In that short moment, the analysis of Vanessa was complete. Her slightly curly light brown hair and blue eyes were pretty. And on top of that, excellent grades.

The environment in which she grew up cannot be ignored. Because even with someone’s help, it is difficult to shake off learned helplessness [a psychological condition where a person believes they are unable to control or change a situation, even when they have the power to do so].

But Vanessa Rose did not miss the opportunity that came her way. Perhaps this girl will fully bloom as she grows older. Vanessa Rose, just like her name.

The foolish boys will never know the future.

Eugenia smiled smoothly.

“I was curious because I heard you used magic in the library. I was thinking of talking to my parents if your sponsor wasn’t giving you enough money or wasn’t supporting your living expenses….”

Eugenia lowered her long eyelashes and moved her white fingers to lightly brush the back of Vanessa’s hand.

Vanessa’s mouth dropped open at the charming face and subtle touch that could captivate even a woman.

W-what is this senior?

“Do you have any thoughts?”

At the sweet voice, Vanessa almost answered that she did have thoughts without realizing it.

“W-well, that.”

“My parents don’t want anything in return later. But they said they regret that they have never sponsored a student with magical powers….”

Eugenia reached out and took Vanessa’s hand, intertwining her beautiful, long fingers. Vanessa’s face turned red.

“If it’s a smart and charming student like you, I’d welcome it too….”

Alisa propped her chin up and watched the two of them. Eugenia’s sweet voice, the fluttering of her long eyelashes, the gaze rising from below. It was truly an irresistible temptation. She’s improving day by day.

“What! Take your hand off her!”

At that moment, Lina Delina came running like a bull with fire in her eyes from afar. Only then did Vanessa suddenly come to her senses.