Chapter 55

Although Elena wasn’t late, everyone else had already gathered by the time she arrived. She entered the room with an awkward smile.

“Sorry for being late.”

“No, you’re not late. The meeting hasn’t started yet.”

“You’re not late.”

“You came early, actually!”

“Just make sure to move a bit faster next time.”

Of course, the one who gave her the final scolding was Felix. She cast him a sideways glance before taking a seat at the round table.

The round table had been brought in by Thomas for meetings not long ago.

“Well, since everyone’s here, even though it’s not time yet, shall we start the meeting?”

Thomas tapped the table lightly with a small gavel, resembling a judge’s hammer.

“Sounds good!”

“Let’s do it.”

“Alright, today’s meeting topic: What to invent next after the successful creation of the talking doll!”

“Ta-da!” 

Oliver added a sound effect, making Elena chuckle.

After that, Elena, Thomas, Oliver, and Cedric began brainstorming together. Felix, however, showed no interest and continued reading his book.

“Should we make another toy this time?”

“Toys are great, but I want to create something more practical.”

“Then what would be good?”

“Hmm…”

Elena doodled meaningless shapes on a piece of paper as she pondered. It was said that moving one’s hands helped the brain work.

As she kept moving her hands, ideas began to form. She recalled her fundamental reason for inventing things.

‘Seeing the Little One play joyfully with toys made me want to create things that bring happiness to children.’

Thinking of the Little One reminded her of how he had become separated from his parents and ended up lost.

Lost child. A dreadful term for both parents and children.

As she pondered ways to prevent such situations, an idea suddenly came to her.

“How about shoes that make sounds?”

“Shoes that make sounds?”

“Yes. Shoes that make a noise every time children walk. Parents can use the sound to locate their children, preventing them from getting lost.”

Elena glanced meaningfully at Felix. Perhaps he was also thinking about the Little One, as he gave a small nod in agreement.

“That’s a good idea.”

The others quickly agreed as well.

“Oh, that’s a great idea. It’s practical.”

“Shall we go with that?”

“Yes!”

And so, it was unanimously decided that their next invention would be shoes that make sounds.

***

The sound-making shoes were easier to create than the talking doll.

They had already made a doll that talked when pressed, so they used the same principle.

They installed a magical device that made a “pop!” sound when pressed into the soles of the shoes. The shoes made a sound with every step.

Next, they attached the magical device to children’s shoes, their intended target audience. However, they couldn’t test it, as there were no children around.

Their target demographic was toddlers aged two to three, but Lindsey and Tony were slightly older.

“Well, there’s nothing we can do. Let’s leave it for now and think about the next invention.”

The next meeting came around sooner than expected.

“Shall we make another toy this time?”

“Sure. Since our ultimate goal is a moving train, let’s try making a moving toy.”

At that moment, Felix, who had been reading his book, casually spoke.

“How about a chessboard?”

“Chess?”

“A chessboard where the pieces move on their own. You could direct them where to go, but even if you don’t know the rules, the pieces could move automatically. Chess is popular among nobles these days.”

“Do you think it’s possible?”

It sounded challenging just hearing about it. Elena looked at Thomas with a worried expression.

But Thomas nodded confidently.

“Let’s try! If it doesn’t work, then we’ll just stop. But Felix is right; chess rules can be hard for kids to learn, so making chess pieces that move on their own sounds like a great idea.”

Thus, their third invention became a chessboard with self-moving pieces.

***

The 8th-year students from the Departments of Magic, Swordsmanship, and Alchemy were all excited. The reason? Their two-week career exploration and graduation trip were starting today.

The Department of Magic would visit the Mage Tower, the Department of Swordsmanship would visit the Royal Knight Order, and the Department of Alchemy would visit the royal laboratory. Since all three places were in the capital, they planned to have their graduation trip in the capital after the career exploration.

Elena packed their inventions—the talking bear doll and the sound-making shoes—to show the mages at the Mage Tower. She heard that Thomas had also packed some inventions.

‘Now that I think about it, I wonder if I’ll get to see Illya while I’m at the Mage Tower?’

Illya Bellote.

He was Elena’s second older brother, four years her senior. Gifted and passionate about magic, he was currently working as a researcher at the Mage Tower.

The Mage Tower was infamous for being so busy that one barely had time to sleep. It was said that once you entered the Mage Tower, you couldn’t leave until your research was complete.

Getting in was hard, but getting out was even harder—or so they said.

Elena hadn’t believed it, but it turned out to be true. She hadn’t seen her brother’s face since he entered the Mage Tower three years ago. They only exchanged letters occasionally.

For the record, his letters often contained phrases like, “I feel like I’m dying. Save me.”

Every time she read one of his letters, she couldn’t help but feel solemn.

‘I hope I can see him.’

To be honest, Elena wasn’t particularly close to her brothers. The age gap and difference in gender played a role.

When she needed family the most, her brothers were away at the academy. By the time they graduated, she was entering the academy herself.

Since their paths rarely crossed, there wasn’t much opportunity for familial bonds to form.

Still, she was closer to Illya than to their eldest brother, William, who currently worked for the Royal Knight Order.

Unlike the stoic William, Illya was kind and approachable, making it easier to talk to him.

Illya also treated her more warmly than William ever did.

“Elly, what are you doing? Hurry up!”

Lost in thoughts about her brother, Elena hesitated for a moment. Alice, who had already boarded the train, waved at her.

“Oh? Oh! I’m coming!”

Elena quickly grabbed her trunk and boarded the train.

The train had compartments, each accommodating six people. Elena, Alice, Penny, Joy, and two other girls from the Magic Department shared one compartment.

“It’s been ages since I last went to the capital!”

Alice’s excitement prompted Penny to boast.

“Really? I went during the last Saint Esna’s Festival, so it doesn’t feel that new to me.”

Thanks to her father, who worked for the Royal Knight Order, Penny often visited the capital. Her family’s estate was also nearby.

Feeling a bit out of place among the girls, Elena smiled awkwardly. Penny turned to her and asked,

“Elly, what about you?”

Elena answered shyly.

“Actually, this is my first time going to the capital.”

“What? Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Didn’t you say your brother works for the Royal Knight Order? Have you never gone to see him?”

“We’re not that close.”

The Bellote estate was so far from the capital that it was like traveling from one end of the kingdom to the other. Elena didn’t see the point of going all that way to visit a brother she wasn’t close to.

Her brother hadn’t invited her, either.

As for Illya, even if she went to the capital, she wouldn’t be able to meet him, so there was even less reason to go.

‘Still, maybe I should visit William while I’m there.’

As she considered the idea, Penny’s excited chatter filled the compartment.

“That’s perfect! There’s a big festival in the capital because of the Founding Day celebration! Let’s enjoy the festival while we’re there!”

“Really?”

Elena’s voice rose with excitement.

She had loved the Saint Esna’s Festival, so the thought of a capital festival thrilled her.

“Yes! There’ll be lots of interesting things to buy and events to enjoy. Let’s have fun!”

“Alright, sounds good.”

Elena leaned back against her seat, smiling.

From seeing her brothers to visiting the Mage Tower and enjoying the festival, this trip to the capital seemed like it would be a lot of fun.

***

The journey from Verka Academy to the capital city of Zern took a long ten hours by train.

Compared to traveling from Verka Academy to Bellote Barony, it was nothing, but objectively speaking, it was still a long trip.

By the time they arrived in the capital after departing early in the morning, everyone was utterly exhausted.

It was no surprise, given how they had chatted nonstop on the train.

“Ah, my throat hurts.”

Penny, who had talked the most enthusiastically, rubbed her throat as she got off the train. Her voice was indeed slightly hoarser than it had been in the morning.

By tomorrow, her voice might be completely different. Elena thought it might be a good idea to make her some warm tea once they got back to the lodging.

While they scrambled to gather their belongings, Professor Deros approached and informed them of the schedule.

“All right, the Mage Tower visit is scheduled for tomorrow. Everyone must be tired, so head to the lodging and rest early tonight.”

Following the professor’s guidance, they made their way to the lodging. Thankfully, the academy had rented out a rather luxurious inn entirely for their use.

As a result, they were able to enjoy spacious rooms. Elena’s room, a four-person suite, was shared with Alice, Penny, and Joy.

“Staying in the same room for two weeks sounds like fun.”

“It really feels like we’re on a trip.”

They unlocked the door and stepped inside. The room was spotless.

Inside, there were four large beds, a wardrobe, a sofa that could seat four people, and a small tea table for two on the terrace, which offered a clear view of the city.

After placing their luggage on the floor, each of them claimed a bed and flopped down.

“Ah, I feel alive again.”

“I thought I was going to die from sitting on the train for so long.”

Penny and Alice, whose family estates were closer to the capital, groaned in exhaustion. On the other hand, Elena and Joy, who were used to traveling over a day by train to reach their homes, were relatively fine.

To Elena, a ten-hour train ride was nothing more than child’s play.

Still, chatting nonstop on the train had left her feeling tired.

She had dozed off slightly without realizing it when someone shook her awake. It was Penny.

“Elena, you can’t sleep.”

“Yeah, I should wash up and go to bed.”

“What are you talking about? Tonight, we’re going to have fun!”

Elena wanted to ask what on earth Penny was talking about.

“But we’re visiting the Mage Tower tomorrow, so we should rest early.”

Despite her protest, Penny was adamant. She pulled Elena to her feet and pushed her into the bathroom.

After hurriedly washing up and stepping out, Elena found that not only were her three roommates still in the room, but other students had joined them as well.

Including herself, there seemed to be about ten people now. Since three rooms’ worth of students had gathered, the total was likely twelve.

“Change into your pajamas quickly! Let’s have a pajama party!”