Chapter 7

Beatrice could not bring herself to deny it. The one who helped her adapt to the Academy classes was none other than Julian.

[It’s only natural, I think. You must have heard the rumors about me. Beatrice, it’s only right to be even more cautious.]

She recalled Julian’s words from the past, when she was trapped in the laboratory, and Beatrice felt even more guilty.

“If it’s alright, why don’t you help Julian as well?”

By attending classes with Beatrice, Julian’s attendance rate had greatly increased.

Just look at Julian, quietly waiting for Beatrice’s response instead of objecting to her words. In any case, it was certain that Beatrice was making a significant contribution to his participation in class.

Beatrice nervously fidgeted with her skirt, biting her lips before finally speaking.

“Well… If there’s anything I can do to help, of course I should. But… would I really be of help to Julian? I don’t know much about magic…”

“What do you think, Julian?”

The professor smiled gently, looking up at Julian. Julian nodded.

“You’re a help, Beatrice.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes. By explaining the class material to you, who isn’t familiar with magic potions, I end up studying a lot myself.”

Julian smiled brightly, and his eyes met Beatrice’s. Beatrice quickly looked away. When their eyes met, she suddenly remembered what happened in the laboratory that day.

His unfamiliar face as he pushed his fingers into her mouth.

Beatrice’s cheeks flushed red. The professor saw Beatrice’s reaction and gave a wry smile inside.

‘What a sinful man.’

A look that even makes seminary students blush. Was Julian remarkable for that, or was it Beatrice who, unlike other female students, stopped at just that reaction and didn’t fall for Julian?

Either way, considering nothing had happened between the two until now, it was clear that Julian knew he shouldn’t touch Beatrice, the exchange student.

Since potion-making was a class mostly attended by female students, this might be Julian’s only chance to complete the course. With this in mind, the professor became even more enthusiastic.

“Very well. Then from now on, the two of you should regularly make and submit magic potions together. The assistant will provide any materials you need.”

“R-Regularly?”

Beatrice, who thought it would be just once or twice, turned pale and asked again.

“Is there a problem, Beatrice?”

“N-No… It’s just…”

Beatrice trailed off, sneaking a glance at Julian. Then she raised her hand and spoke to the professor.

“Um, Professor? Do we have to use the same laboratory again?”

If that ancient magic were to activate and trap her again… Beatrice felt dizzy at the thought.

“Oh? Ha ha, yes, that laboratory was rather messy. If you want, you can use a different place.”

At the professor’s words, Beatrice finally let out a big sigh of relief. In relaxing, she failed to notice that Julian was looking at her with quite a meaningful gaze.

***

“So… When should we start?”

After leaving the professor’s office, Beatrice glanced at Julian and asked. This was the first time she’d met Julian since the incident. Memories of that day kept surfacing in her mind, making it hard for her to look Julian in the eye.

The assignment given by the professor was to make and submit a potion every two weeks. Since it was an extra task, there was also a corresponding reward. The professor had promised to persuade the senior professors about Julian’s graduation eligibility, which had been compromised by his previously poor attitude.

‘Julian’s graduation.’

Beatrice had heard enough to know of Julian’s situation. Anyone else would-be busy preparing for graduation, but seeing him take third-year classes at this time showed the many hurdles he had to overcome to graduate.

This was a matter concerning Julian’s graduation. It could not be taken lightly.

However, Julian didn’t seem to hear Beatrice’s question properly and didn’t answer. He seemed lost in thought.

“Julian?”

“…Ah.”

His vacant eyes returned to focus, and Julian finally looked at Beatrice and smiled.

“Sorry. I had something on my mind. What did you just say?”

“Oh, I was asking when we should start the experiment.”

“Let’s meet in two weeks.”

Beatrice blinked slowly.

“But, in two weeks we have to submit the potion… Will that be okay? What if we don’t manage to make it properly?”

The professor, who had finally given them a chance, might be disappointed. Julian’s smile deepened at Beatrice’s anxious words. He could see just how little Beatrice thought of her own abilities.

“I don’t think you need to worry about that.”

Magic potions and such—Julian could make them with his eyes closed. He had never actually tried it, but if he put his mind to it, he could easily create potions in areas where no one had succeeded before.

How strange.

Until now, he had hated being expected by anyone. When he was young, his father did, and after that, the Mage Tower Master did. They would place expectations on him as they pleased and burden his shoulders, even deciding his future for him.

He had lived so carelessly until now because he hated that, but somehow, upon hearing Beatrice’s worries, he felt a sting to his pride; it was difficult to simply let her words pass through one ear and out the other.

“Is there something urgent you need to do? If not, shouldn’t we start with the assignment first…?”

Watching Beatrice’s reaction—like she was dealing with a child putting off homework—Julian felt she might say just that. However, Julian shook his head instead of answering.

“That would be difficult. Since the professor gave me a rare opportunity, I want to be properly prepared.”

“What? For what?”

“Graduation.”

To graduate from the Academy, one must write a graduation thesis.

“It’s true I haven’t been diligent in my Academy life so far. If I don’t write a proper graduation thesis, I’ll lose the opportunity I finally received.”

Graduation thesis! Beatrice’s eyes grew wide.

“I see! Yes! Understood!”

Beatrice quickly nodded, worried his mind might change, and answered. She thought, over and over, how fortunate it was that Julian was finally taking graduation seriously.

From the next day, a huge commotion swept through the Academy.

It was all because of the change in Julian Sancio.

[Julian Sancio was spotted in the library!]

It was a rumor too unbelievable to accept.

Julian and the library? The two words were so foreign together that it was hard to even imagine. Those who went to the library to check for themselves had to rub their eyes repeatedly.

Julian Sancio.

That Julian Sancio was really in the library, surrounded by piles of books, completely absorbed in something.

“He really is handsome, isn’t he…?”

A female student, secretly watching him, whispered softly. Everyone who heard her found themselves nodding in agreement in their hearts.

Indeed, it was a picturesque scene. His frivolous, carefree attitude had its own charm, but the sight of him wearing silver-rimmed glasses and focusing on his books was even more impressive.

“But what is he studying?”

Most of the books Julian Sancio had stacked were ancient texts written in languages no longer used. Watching him lightly scan through titles no one could even read, as if they were children’s stories, reminded people of one forgotten fact.

That Julian Sancio was the Academy’s only special case admit.