Chapter 268

Anna von Valdek was the weakest in her family.

Born as the youngest of the three daughters of the Count Valdek family, she was always caught between her reliable and warm eldest sister and her mischievous but terrifying second sister when angered.

As a late child, she had grown up receiving plenty of love, but her timid personality from childhood had not easily been corrected. Wrapped in the doting of her parents and two sisters, her timidity had only worsened.

Of course, by the time she turned ten, she had quickly awakened from this fantasy.

To enter the Caldera Imperial Academy, she had to undergo serious education.

It wasn’t a path chosen by Count Valdek. Rather, it was just Anna, who had slowly gained a sense of “caution” by receiving various forms of education, falling into serious contemplation as if a thief with a conscience.

Her two sisters were already shining rapidly in their respective fields. At that time, Anna’s eldest sister was studying at the Officer Academy with outstanding grades, harboring all kinds of expectations for her future as an officer in the Empire’s Defense Force.

While the eldest sister possessed a cold judgment and talent for magic, Anna’s second sister had extraordinary skill with the sword.

Day by day, the second sister’s swordsmanship improved drastically. It was more than a few times that Anna saw her father’s admiration upon witnessing her sister’s progress; the praise at the dinner table was enough to make Anna develop a bit of an impatient personality at a young age.

Of course, Anna wasn’t just idle. At first, she tried her hand at magic by following her eldest sister.

The Count and Countess Valdek, impressed that Anna, who always acted spoiled, was attempting something, hurriedly invited a sorcerer from the magic tower as a private tutor.

Anna received instructions about magic gently and kindly for several months under the tutor’s care.

– It seems the youngest lady has no talent for magic.

Sadly, magic belonged to the top tier of talent areas. Without extraordinary talent, one could never become a first-class mage.

And without becoming a first-class mage, one could not enter the Caldera Imperial Academy. Those lacking in magical talent would end up as assistant magicians in some magic tower or work as librarians in quiet small towns.

That was not what Anna desired.

Upon hearing that their youngest daughter lacked talent in magic, the Count and Countess Valdek tried to console Anna, who was despondent. However, Anna only shrank further.

As a contingency plan, Anna picked up a sword following her second sister.

This time, they decided not to invite a private tutor. Although the Count and Countess Valdek planned to attach an excellent teacher to their beloved youngest daughter again, Anna refused first.

She realized that if her talent was still ambiguous, it would be better to quit early.

And Anna’s expectations were, unfortunately, confirmed. She had no talent for the sword either.

Various weapons were held in her hands. A bow, a gun, an axe, a mace, a spear…

At thirteen years of age, Anna came to a realization.

Ah. I really have no talent at all—

Anna, who had clearly been a lovable darling loved by everyone, darkened drastically after that day. She tended to avoid family gatherings unless it was to meet her parents, often buried in books in a corner of her room.

Magic didn’t work. The sword didn’t work. Neither did the spear, axe, mace, or anything else.

The young girl tried to whip herself into shape, but when she looked back, even the whip was missing.

To find a field where she could display her talent, Anna started to devote herself to reading day and night. Books are the source of the wisest knowledge humans can leave behind; she thought all the answers to her troubles must be in them.

Moreover, Anna hadn’t given up on her goal of enrolling in the Caldera Imperial Academy.

To enter the most prestigious academy in the Empire, passing the written exam perfectly was essential. Thus, reading was part of that preparation. Anna consoled herself with such thoughts.

Time passed. Even while receiving basic education, Anna’s age continued to increase.

The Great War broke out, and Anna’s eldest sister, serving as an officer in the Defense Force, was injured on the battlefield and returned briefly to the city. After the war ended, the second sister joined the Imperial Knight Order.

Nevertheless, Anna still had not found her talent.

This wouldn’t do. To enroll in the most prestigious academy in the Empire, Anna had to demonstrate at least one outstanding quality.

Anna began to feel impatient. People around her, especially her parents and two sisters, tried to dissuade her, saying it wasn’t necessary, but Anna ignored their advice.

It felt as if everyone had two properly functioning eyes while she was the only one with a single eye.

That felt truly miserable to Anna.

She read books until her eyes turned dry. Sleeping less frequently led to her feeling pain from increased eye pressure to the point where it felt like it might burst.

How long had passed as she kept reading books?

Buried in books as usual, Anna suddenly realized her talent in a surprisingly unexpected situation.

– Anna…. Did you really write this novel?

– Anna! Is the painting in the dining room really yours?

– The statue in the garden, did you really carve it?!

Anna von Valdek.

She had talent in art.

And in the year 1923 of the Empire’s strength.

Anna was able to proudly enroll in the Caldera Imperial Academy.

The field she entered was the Faculty of Arts.

* * * * *

Thanks to Anna, who introduced herself as such and Rina, who followed her declaration of joining, at least the Occult Research Club avoided being disbanded.

That said, the actual number of active members was still only four. Daniel and Vivian would clearly be extremely busy once the semester started, thus excluding the two who were bound to become phantom members according to the academy’s rules.

The club budget would probably remain the same as last year. The number of members was identical.

‘I wish it would be a bit more generously accepted….’

Unfortunately, since Rina, no other students stepped into the Occult Research Club Room. I thought I had waited patiently for an hour.

‘At least, I prevented the disbandment.’

The Occult Research Club, made up of Daniel and Vivian’s dreams and hopes, felt bittersweet to let it be disbanded.

However, with the recent worries unexpectedly resolved, I couldn’t help but sigh as the strength drained from my body.

“Anna, please introduce yourself.”

“Uh, um… yes…!”

Our new member and savior of the Occult Research Club, Anna, was shyly called to the front of the teacher’s desk. The gazes directed at her were rather intense.

In a good sense, that is.

“Did you say Anna? Thanks to you, we’re saved!”

“It’s all thanks to you, Anna!”

“Anna, you’re the best. Wanna be my little sister?”

“…Anna, junior. You can still take back your words. It’s not too late.”

One couldn’t say it was in a good sense, though.

In any case, Anna’s face turned a bit pale after receiving such a hot welcome. She appeared to be a mentally fragile friend.

“Uh… Hi there. I’m Anna von Valdek…”

And Anna carried the surname Valdek. Coincidentally, I knew another lively woman with the surname Valdek.

‘Nina von Valdek.’

A person who always had a smiling face, trailing after Sir Jericho of the Imperial Knight Order. That impression remained in my mind.

“Eh… Valdek…?”

Sofia Sub-priest, who, like me, was caught off guard by the mention of the Valdek name, tilted her head curiously. Upon closer examination, certain similarities to Nina von Valdek began to emerge. The determined yet trembling eyes particularly resembled Nina’s.

Of course, I had no intention of prying into family matters here. The students from the Occult Research Club who had met both Jericho and Nina also refrained from asking about family affairs.

Instead, a different question suddenly popped out of Chloe, who raised her hand high.

“Question! What first-year class are you in?”

“Uh, um… A class.”

“Oh, wow…! I was in A class too!”

“Ah….”

Anna’s expression seemed to panic, as if unsure of how to respond, her eyes darting around like a ball rolling across the ground.

“I see… Then, what faculty are you in, our junior Anna?”

“Uh, the Faculty of Arts. I haven’t decided on a specific major yet…”

“Oh….”

It seemed they were losing interest since it wasn’t the same magical department, but… perhaps it was fortunate it didn’t catch Anna’s eye.

As I subtly gestured for Chloe to tone it down, she caught on, nodding while arranging her expression to be less gloomy. After all, a precious newcomer should not be made to feel dejected.

Anna endured several more rounds of questions, and thanks to my intervention, she managed to escape the line of fire. I felt her gaze on me, luminous with a hint of hope.

‘Well, thank goodness.’

The truly fortunate aspect was that, until now, Anna seemed quite normal.

I still didn’t know why she wanted to join the Occult Research Club, but I would probably find out soon.

Because, Anna wasn’t the only new member.

“Hello, seniors. I’m Rina von Adelheit from the first-year A class of the Faculty of Magic. I look forward to working with you.”

Rina greeted us with a graceful gesture, much like something out of a book. Upon hearing the name Adelheit, expressions of recognition began to spread on the students’ faces.

“Ah…! She’s Laura’s little sister!”

“I’ve only heard about her! She really looks alike!”

“Chloe, don’t just talk about looks. That’s rude.”

“Oh, is it?”

“Oh, no. I’m fine with it.”

Standing confidently at the teachers’ desk, Rina certainly seemed to have gained some weight since the last time I saw her. I heard she had been eating nutritious meals regularly and occasionally starting light exercise; it seemed she was experiencing quicker effects than those who had always been inactive.

Following that, a slew of questions continued to pour in. The trajectory of those questions sometimes directed towards Rina but also aimed at Anna, standing awkwardly beside her.

Watching Anna and Rina respond to questions, I couldn’t help but feel delighted. They were undoubtedly normal people.

They were not the type of students who would sneak out of the dormitories at midnight to hide in an annex room for club activities.

For someone like me, who desperately wished for them to avoid any incidents, that was quite a relief.

“Then, for the last question! Why did you two decide to join our club?”

An unexpected twist occurred, and it was Chloe who posed the final question.

Without a moment to think, Rina blurted out, “It looked fun, and because Professor Antorelli is here,” attracting disapproving glances for various reasons, but Anna’s response, confidently articulated after a moment’s hesitation, went beyond my expectations.

“I-I want to try writing a novel…”

“…Hmm?”

I unknowingly raised an eyebrow, and Anna bowed her head as if she could disappear into a mouse hole.

“Umm… Ah! A horror novel? A thriller? Or maybe a mystery? I’m good with any of those! Can I read them later if you finish them?”

“Uh… t-that’s part of it, but…”

“Huh?”

“Ah, Professor Antorelli resembles the protagonist of a novel I’m recently writing… so I thought it might be helpful…”

“I see… What kind of novel is it?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Anna reluctantly answered.

“A- erotic novel…”

“…Huh?”

Let me clarify.

“Ah…”

The new member was certainly not normal.