“Everyone, remember this!!”
Professor Malea tapped on a large automaton with a winding key twice as she spoke.
“No matter how strong the enemy may be, there’s always an opening! Don’t be afraid and calmly look for that chance!”
The automaton moved forward with a “krikk-krikk” sound as its gears turned.
It bowed gracefully, making it hard to believe it was made of cold metal.
“Calmly… calmly…!”
Esme stood in front of one of the many automatons, gripping her wooden sword tightly. She exhaled deeply and charged forward.
“YAAHHHAAAAB!!!”
Bravely rushing in, Esme swung her wooden sword directly at the automaton’s head.
Unfortunately, the automaton easily deflected the attack with a simple swing of its own wooden sword.
— KRIKK-KRIKK!
With a loud gear-turning sound, the automaton retaliated naturally.
“UWAAAAAH!”
Esme leapt back dramatically to avoid the incoming thrust.
“HIIYAAAH?!”
She avoided the slash by sitting down hard but couldn’t land any counterattack.
“A-ah… Esme… I told you not to dodge like that…”
Nicasia said regretfully, but it was too late for Esme.
While still holding onto her wooden sword, Esme was crawling around on the floor or flattening herself against it just to evade attacks.
“J-Ju-just! A little! KYAAAH! How am I supposed to win against this thing?!”
KIK KIK KIK!
Finally, the automaton poked Esme’s soft bottom while she was sprawled out on the ground.
Clearly, the automaton had gone easy on her, but Esme looked indignant as she got up.
“This is way too difficult!”
Blushing, Esme got up and started grumbling loudly.
“As expected from the Astral Emporium Trading Company’s delivery.”
Citrus, who’d already been thoroughly defeated by the automaton, was resting with her chin in her hands while waiting for Murmur’s turn.
“If it had been our company’s automaton, it would have played around with Esme long enough for her to gain some confidence.”
Nicasia chuckled.
“I hope there will come a day when I can face one myself.”
“Even knowing that there’s no automaton in this world that could entertain Nicasia, you’re still saying that?”
“T-that’s not true. Citrus.”
Citrus snorted derisively.
“You just destroyed three automatons without taking a single hit earlier, yet here you are saying that?”
“Hmph…! That was because Professor Malea asked me to give everyone a good demonstration!”
“Normally, even one-on-one duels are tough!”
Nicasia covered her mouth shyly, though everyone was used to her absurd physical capabilities by now.
Citrus smirked and turned her attention back to Murmur.
“I’m worried about Miss Murmur.”
Citrus fidgeted with her toes as she spoke.
Living as the adoptive daughter of a noble family, she was rather pragmatic.
That’s why she always approached Professor Malea’s lessons with just enough effort to pass.
Even now, students who’d been thoroughly beaten like Esme were lining up for another attempt, but Citrus had declared “I’ve done my required sparring!” and was resting in the corner.
That’s why Citrus was somewhat concerned about Murmur.
Despite believing Murmur had hidden amazing skills, her worries outweighed her confidence.
“What exactly are you worried about, Miss Citrus?”
Citrus looked down at Vesta, who was shorter than even Murmur, turning her head slightly.
“Magic can be studied and used effectively regardless of size.”
“And since Murmur is of the Demon Race, she should be able to use magic more skillfully than anyone.”
Citrus nodded.
“But moving one’s body in class is a different story.”
“Are you worried Miss Murmur might get seriously injured during martial arts practice, Miss Citrus?”
Citrus nodded as she watched Murmur finally approach the automaton.
Murmur, incredibly small and fluffy, barely reached halfway up the automaton’s height.
Citrus’ worries weren’t unfounded.
Murmur was unbelievably tiny for a fifth-grader in the Elementary Unit.
“I’m worried about the day Miss Murmur fails or gets hurt after doing so well until now.”
“It’ll be fine, Miss Citrus.”
Vesta gently took Citrus’ hand.
“Murmur did exceptionally well in archery earlier, didn’t she?”
“Pfft! That was a fluke! How could she possibly win against an automaton?”
“She’s smaller than you! She’s definitely going to get pounded!”
The blatant jeers from all around made Citrus swallow nervously.
Conversely, Vesta’s small hand felt surprisingly warm, unlike anything that could belong to Maghauscia.
“Miss Murmur is a strong person.”
As the automaton began moving and swung its weapon precisely at Murmur, Citrus flinched.
“B-but… magic and physical movement are different things.”
Murmur definitely would show her impressive skills, yet Citrus continued biting her lip anxiously.
“Good job! You can do it!”
“Take down that stuck-up Demon!”
“Boo-hoo! Murmur’s a dummy! Boo-hoo!”
The classroom atmosphere was now filled with voices hoping for Murmur’s failure.
People naturally envy those better than themselves.
However, as royalty, Nicasia doesn’t have children disliked openly before her.
On the other hand, since Murmur is of the Demon Race, it’s perfectly fine to hate her.
Though absurd, this was reality for Citrus.
— WHOOSH!
The automaton’s weapon narrowly missed Murmur again.
“Miss Murmur isn’t someone who gives up easily.”
“I know that too.”
“But, continuing to show such wonderful performances without any help from anyone isn’t possible.”
Citrus looked surprised at Vesta.
“O-O-O-O-OH!”
“Look at her dodging around! Serves her right!”
“Haha! Look at her crouching!”
As Murmur moved to avoid the automaton’s attack, its weapon grazed her magnificent horn this time.
Murmur grabbed her head with both hands and crouched down.
“Miss Murmur…”
Had the moment of worry finally arrived?
Tension showed on Citrus’ face as she swallowed.
“Miss Murmur always needs help.”
Vesta smiled and met Citrus’ eyes.
“That help doesn’t need to be grand. Just letting her know there’s always someone willing to be by her side in this cold world is enough.”
Before Citrus could respond, Vesta stood up.
“Miss Murmur!!! Keep going!”
Vesta’s voice was as small as her stature.
“Of course it was a fluke”
“Look at her grabbing her horn and crouching down! Haha, so funny!”
“Professor Malea must have made a mistake! What a waste of time!”
Could Vesta’s voice reach Murmur amidst all the taunts?
Having seen this scene countless times, Citrus stood up.
“Miss Murmur! Just a little more! Keep going just a little longer!”
Citrus cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted loudly.
Her voice reached Murmur.
The hunched-over Murmur faintly smiled and gave a cute thumbs-up.
— KRIKK-KRIKK!
The automaton swung its weapon again to finish off Murmur.
“Huh? Wh-what?”
“What is that?! Is that cheating?!”
Using her magnificent horn with great style, Murmur let the swinging weapon graze past.
Then she quickly grabbed the fallen weapon, stood up, and assumed her stance.
“Boo! Murmur! That’s dirty play!”
“Using horns is totally─”
“Miss Murmur!! Well done!!!”
As the noisy voices rose again, Citrus yelled loudly in support of Murmur, much to her own surprise.
Nicasia watched cutely.
“Murmur! Keep going! The automaton is starting to malfunction!”
With the final cheer, Murmur dodged the automaton’s wild swings.
And countered beautifully.
Watching this, the children were momentarily speechless as Murmur cleanly smashed the automaton’s head.
— THUD! ROLLING!
“M-Murmur! How did you do that?! How is that even possible?!”
“Miss Murmur has done it again!”
As the automaton’s head rolled across the floor, Esme and Monica rushed over to pet Murmur affectionately.
The children hoping for Murmur’s failure fell awkwardly silent, while Nicasia ran over smiling brightly and hugged Murmur warmly.
“Murmur! Great job! This is your first time, yet you did so well!”
“Murmur wants to… rest a bit… Ugh!”
Seeing the adorable sight of Murmur being surrounded by friends, Citrus smiled.
At the same time, she looked at Vesta.
‘This is more than I thought. Vesta is truly moving for Miss Murmur’s sake. Almost like…’
Vesta who takes care of Murmur every night while they sleep together.
She probably showers together, helps pick out clothes, wakes her up from morning laziness, does laundry, ensures proper meals, and always cheers her on.
‘… … Mother?’
Citrus’ eyes widened as she looked down at Vesta.
‘Earlier too, while thinking Miss Murmur would definitely perform wonderfully… she subtly encouraged me to naturally cheer for Miss Murmur.’
Can someone from Maghauscia possess ‘motherly love’?
Though startled, Citrus couldn’t deny it.
Thinking about it, wasn’t Vesta teaching Murmur studies recently?
‘That means in some sense, Vesta is my… …!!!’
Citrus naturally took Vesta’s small hands in hers.
“Miss Vesta.”
“… Yes?”
“I plan to become Miss Murmur’s bride! So I kindly ask for your cooperation!”
Citrus said with sparkling eyes.
“Understood. I also kindly ask for your cooperation, Miss Citrus.”
“Hu, hu-hu-hu… One day, you’ll address me differently than ‘Miss’!”
After confidently declaring, Citrus swiftly ran over to Murmur.
Vesta watched her go quietly, then covered her mouth and smiled.
“Miss Citrus is destined for that path.”
Though suddenly addressed as mother-in-law, Vesta seemed pleased and showed an adorable smile.
