n

n

n

"NOOOO!

"

nMiriette wailed and released the spell without deploying it and flopped on the ground without any energy as the mana sizzled and dispersed before it could harm Zoemi.

n|I would have never believed that such an event would be generated!|

nZoemi sighed out in relief and kneeled by his master.

n|Or maybe this one was scripted? I don't understand... Is this because I haven't played Grazio's route? I just can't recognize his events at all... I must have missed the flags...!|

nThe black-haired boy was feeling like an idiot.

nWhat kind of attendant he was?

nHe was going to protect Miriette?

nTo ensure her safety and happiness?

nIf he failed to stop her from attacking Grazio, his master would make a beeline straight to the tragic end!

n

"...

"

nMiriette was sitting on her butt like a lifeless doll.

nThe mana she put into the failed spell didn't return to her but dissipated into the atmosphere and she was suffering from the mana depletion.

nZoemi thought that everyone reacted to the mana depletion in the same way, but it wasn't true.

nThe more mana someone had, the more severe were the consequences of suddenly using up a great amount of it.

nHis master just wasted over three-fifths of her mana that was on the level of the light magician - and was now feeling as if her soul was being forcibly ripped from her body.

nNot quite intense to cause her to lose consciousness but strong enough to cause nausea and a splitting headache.

n

"...

"

nThe dark-haired girl didn't have enough energy to make a sound - not even mentioning standing up on her own!

n

"My lady, I'm so, so sorry...

"

nZoemi started apologizing to his master, biting his lips, furious at himself for letting this happen...

nHow could be so careless!?

n

"My lady, please forgive this useless servant...!

"

nHe pressed his forehead to the ground, in hopes of appeasing the girl even a little bit.

n

"...was she serious...?

"

n

"...Did you feel the mana fluctuating? That was a really dangerous spell, what she was thinking?!

"

n

"...was it all because that ugly darkness magician got himself burnt up when he was young?!

"

nThe gathered crowd was whispering amongst each other - some of the talks weren't flattering towards the lady Espine and the attendant.

n

"...

"

n

"!!!!!

"

nAfter catching some of them, Horeo glared at the crowd with strict eyes, and most of the whispers have ceased.

n

"...?

"

nMiriette couldn't understand why Zoemi was the one apologizing.

nAfter all, it was all her own fault - her own personality's fault.

nThe dark-haired girl's throat has dried up so instead of talking she forced herself to move her hand and rested it on the back of Zoemi's head.

n

"(It's not your fault, stop apologizing...)

"

nEven though she shouldn't be using any more of her mana, she went and sent him a message and tried to smile.

n

"...my lady...!

"

nZoemi raised his head a bit and looked at his master with reddened eyes.

nThen, as gently as he could, he took his master's hand away from his head and rested it on his master's knees.

nHer intentions were indeed conveyed properly but...

n

"I'm not worthy of your kindness, my lady...

"

nZoemi was just too disappointed with himself.

nEven if he prevented the worst-case scenario from occurring, his master's opinion must have plummeted already, and even if she wasn't hurt, she ended up in a definitely terrible condition. Seeing his master in such a state felt far worse than even his own death of which vague memory was rooted deeply in the back of his head.

n

"...?

"

nZoemi flinched and looked around - someone was walking towards them, and since the steps were light and short so it couldn't be the Grazio or the elderly light magician.

nThe dark-haired attendant furrowed his brows and glared at the person who approached them – at least until he saw who it was!

n

"I think I can help you...

"

nA soft female voice said.

nZoemi's eyes widened when he saw the blond-haired girl standing behind him.

nThe heroine.

n|Of course! Healing magic!|

nHe might not be able to fix the tarnished reputation of his master, but with the heroine's help, he may at least lessen his master's suffering!

n

"Yes! Please, heal my master! My lady is suffering, I'm begging you, do something about it!

"

nWithout a shred of hesitation, he kneeled in front of the heroine and asked for her help.

n

"Ah...! I-I didn't mean your master... I'm terribly sorry - I can not regenerate mana, you see?

"

nThe blond girl bowed her head and spoke apologetically.

n

"But I can assure you that she will be fine with just some sleep – a good rest helps regenerate mana faster than walking around.

"

nShe smiled weakly assured the restless attendant.

n

"When I spoke about helping, I was talking about you, actually...

"

nThe heroine fidgeted awkwardly, biting her lips as if she was unsure whether or not engaging in contact with the black-haired boy was a good idea or not.

n

"Me...? What about me...?

"

nSince even the magician with the healing attribute told him that the best thing to do was to let Miriette rest, Zoemi was going to escort his master straight to her room, so he barely paid attention to whatever it was that the girl was saying after that.

n

"Thanks for the offer but I don't really need help?

"

nHe furrowed his brows and tilted his head.

n

"...Umm... y-you see...

"

nThe heroine cowered and made a puzzled expression.

n

"I-I mean that I can heal your scars, wouldn't that help your master appease her anger towards lord Victureo...?

"

nWhile talking she was awkwardly playing with her hands showing how uncomfortable she was.

n

"...!

"

nZoemi's head perked up at their words.

n|That might actually work! Hey, she isn't so bad after all, she's got a point...! If I didn't have scars to remind my master of that time, today's accident wouldn't happen in the first place... Or it would be a little less intense at least...|

nZoemi was thinking intensely in the heat of the moment.

n

"...if I may...

"

nThe heroine took his silence as permission and reached her hand towards the boy's scarred face.

n

"...?!

"

n***ACK*

nAt that moment Zoemi felt something pressing on his shoulder, and before he could react Miriette, supporting herself on the said shoulder, slapped the hand of the heroine away.

n

"Don't... You... Dare... To... Touch... My... Attendant... Filthy... Commoner...!

"

nHer voice was so hoarse that it hurt the ears of those who have heard it.

n