“Is it because of that guy?”
“It’s not because of him! And why do you call him ‘that guy’? It’s annoying.”
“Well, he is a guy, isn’t he?”
“Don’t call him that in front of me. It pisses me off.”

Yulia snapped, venting her frustration as she shoveled food into her mouth.
Charlotte watched her for a moment, tilting her head first one way, then the other.

'Why is she only this prickly toward him?'

Of course, Yulia’s temper was nothing new.
She’d often gotten into arguments with other orphans, rarely holding back her anger.
Sometimes, those arguments even turned physical.

Her temper had only worsened when she started suffering from insomnia.
This earned her the nickname ‘Mad Dog.’
It was a fitting name, given how she’d lash out like a crazed dog at anything and everything.

But this wasn’t like the 'Mad Dog' Yulia of the past.
There was a clear difference.
In the past, Yulia had only shown anger for Charlotte or Yuri’s sake, rarely for herself.
But now, she was constantly enraged by one single person, acting out over him alone.

It was odd.
Usually, once Yulia deemed someone unworthy, she would ignore them entirely, refusing to waste energy getting angry.
Yet, even though she cursed Aslan as a pathetic excuse for a human every day, she still found something new to complain about.

It was a strange irony.

“What do you dislike so much about him? He treats you really well.”
“Doesn’t it feel off to you? Do you really think he’s just being nice?”
“...?”

Charlotte’s gaze seemed to ask, “Then what is it?”
Yulia grew frustrated, pounding her chest.

“He’s nice, isn’t he? The headmaster at the orphanage barely fed us and made us sleep in freezing or scorching conditions. Compared to that, he gives us good food and a warm room. That makes him a nice person.”
“You’re so naive! He’s only pretending to be nice to deceive you, Charlotte!”
“Really?”
“Of course. The Vermont family is infamous for its cruelty. Treating slaves well like this must mean he has some scheme in mind.”
“I... I don’t know, Yulia.”
“What do you mean you don’t know!?”

No matter how much she explained, Charlotte still didn’t get it?
Charlotte might be naive, but she wasn’t stupid.
Yulia couldn’t remember a time when Charlotte seemed so frustratingly dense.

“Even if I admit you’re right, Yulia, and he has some wicked ulterior motive, I still like it here.”
“What?”
“The headmaster at the orphanage claimed he cared about us, but he made our lives miserable. This guy might speak harshly, but he treats us well. Did you prefer the orphanage?”
“Well, no... but...”

Yulia trailed off.
Charlotte had a point, but at the same time, she didn’t.
The orphanage had indeed been more painful.

But there, at least, her enemies had been clear.
Here, she was uncertain.
She wanted to see Aslan as an obvious villain, but there was no solid proof.
For someone like Yulia, who had always relied on hatred as her anchor, this situation was mentally exhausting.

She wanted to hate him, but she couldn’t.
It was infuriatingly frustrating.

“I’m not wrong. There’s no way I’m wrong. Aslan has to be a bad person. He has to be...”
“There, there. Don’t cry; just tell me.”
“I’m not crying!”

As Yulia’s voice began to quaver, Charlotte chuckled and hugged her.
Yulia always worried too much.
What did it matter if Aslan was good or bad?
Charlotte only cared about the good food and restful sleep she had now, not some uncertain future.

“I’m going to catch him. I’ll prove Aslan is a bad person...!”
“Sure, sure. I’ll be waiting, Detective.”
“Stop teasing me!!!”
“Sorry. I couldn’t resist.”
“I miss Yuri...”
“Me too.”

Yulia set down her bowl and slumped forward, quietly sobbing.
Yuri had always been so strong and steadfast.
If Yuri were here, she wouldn’t be struggling with these doubts.
She’d know exactly what to do.

“I miss Yuri so much. I wonder how she’s doing now?”
“Hmm. Yuri’s Yuri, so she’s probably doing well, no matter where she is.”
“Yeah, you’re right... I hope so.”

Yulia’s face darkened.
Yuri probably thought they were suffering as experimental subjects by now.

“I just hope she’s not doing anything reckless for our sake...”

We’re okay.
At least, for now, we’re okay.
If only they could somehow let Yuri know they were safe.

In the Imperial Capital, well-dressed gentlemen and graceful ladies strolled through the streets.
A pair of dirty, bare feet slipped soundlessly through the alleyways, a stark contrast to the elegant crowd.

“Huh!? Wait! Where did my bag go?”
“Driver! What’s going on?”
“The bag was just here a moment ago...”
“That bag contained my new suit I had made just yesterday!”

The barefoot child disappeared into an alleyway, a large bag clutched in their arms.
It wasn’t a practiced skill, but it was effective enough.
A cloud of guilt loomed over them, but as soon as they opened the bag to check the contents, it vanished.

“Perfect. This’ll do.”

A finely tailored suit and shoes.
They were a little big, but better than nothing.
It wouldn’t do to show up to the Imperial Academy’s entrance exam in rags.
As long as it looked formal, it would be fine.

“I’d charge in right now if I could, but I’m too weak...”

Grinding her teeth, Yuri thought of Charlotte and Yulia back at the Vermont estate.
They were probably waiting for her, counting the days.
She wanted to rush over and rescue them, but the reality was that she didn’t have the strength.
She couldn’t even get past the front gate with her current power.

The harder the path, the more careful she had to be.
Thinking of the suffering Charlotte and Yulia might be enduring was unbearable...
But she needed to use this rage to grow stronger.
She had to learn magic and build her power.

“I need to become strong enough to defeat Aslan Vermont...!”

The Combat Magic Department at the Imperial Magic Academy was like a military academy.
It was designed to train future mage officers, with the royal family covering all tuition fees.
If she could get into the Combat Magic Department, she’d be able to learn magic for free.

All she had to do was get in.
With renewed resolve, Yuri set foot into the bustling Imperial Magic Academy.

“I’m here to take the entrance exam for the Combat Magic Department.”
“Yes, this way. What’s your name?”
“Yuri...”
“And your family name?”
“Yuri Brussels.”
“All right, Yuri Brussels. May I see your citizenship certificate?”
“Citizenship... certificate?”
“If you don’t have that, a passport will do. All Combat Magic applicants need proof of Imperial citizenship.”
“...!”

Yuri’s pupils shook at the unexpected requirement.
A citizenship certificate?
Of course, it made sense. They were selecting future officers. Not just anyone could take this exam.

“Oh...”

Her dreams, swelling with hope, were crushed in an instant.
To get so close, only to be blocked here.
To be stopped because she was an orphan.

Despair and inadequacy filled Yuri as she turned and retraced her steps.

'Now my only choice is to join an underground group...'

There was a backup plan.
She could join a shadowy organization.
As glorious as the Imperial Capital appeared, its underbelly was equally dark.
If she joined one of the underworld groups, she could easily learn the combat magic she needed.

'It’s not ideal, but...'

Would an underground group really teach her skills for free?
They’d surely force her to dirty her hands.
They’d bind her with debt, ensuring she could never leave.
They’d make her a permanent part of the shadows.

She could see this future clearly, but there was no other way.
Saving Charlotte and Yulia mattered more.
She could afford to be ruined, but not them...
Just as Yuri bit her lip, a bitter smile forming—

“Yuri?”
“Yes?”
“It’s you, isn’t it? Small frame, a face as pretty as a dandy’s. Just as I’d heard.”
“...Who are you? How do you know me?”
“I’m the headmaster of this school. An anonymous benefactor has specifically asked to support you. Your tuition will be fully covered, so feel free to attend.”
“...!”

Yuri’s eyes widened.
An anonymous benefactor? What did that mean?
Someone knew her and wanted to pay her tuition?
It was so sudden and unbelievable that she stood there, speechless.

“So, can I choose my department?”
“No. The benefactor has already decided. You’ll be joining the Magic Arts Department.”
“...What?”

The Magic Arts Department? What kind of harmless-sounding department was that?