[Interlude] My Hero
I have almost no memory of my childhood.
When I came to my senses, I found myself crying in front of a church.
Everything before that moment was completely gone.
The only thing I remembered was my name: Connie Lyle.
Where I was born, who raised me—everything I should have known was wiped away.
The people of the church, who took in someone like me with no past, earned my deepest gratitude.
To avoid any suspicion about my circumstances, they even altered my story, saying I had been abandoned at the church as an infant.
When it was later decided that I would attend the Royal Academy due to my unusually high mana, the sisters who had cared for me all wept with joy.
The other children living at the church also celebrated, saying they wanted to follow in my footsteps and attend the academy one day.
The admissions officer, Mr. Craig, even said, "If you work hard, I'll see what I can do to help other church children get into the academy as well."
I was overjoyed.
For the first time, I felt like I could truly help someone else, despite having been useless for so long.
If I could prove myself at the academy, I could become a beacon of hope for others.
Knowing firsthand the prejudice faced by orphans, I wanted to pave a way for all the children to follow.
That was why I resolved to assist Mr. Craig in his research.
So, though it pained me deeply, I declined Young Master Lake's invitation.
I truly wanted to dance with him.
But even if he wasn’t technically a noble, his family was of distinguished lineage.
Someone like me, raised in such a different world, had no right to presume to enjoy his company.
Still, I couldn’t help but wonder: why did Mr. Craig visit the workshop at that exact moment?
This wasn’t the first time.
Whenever I spent time speaking with someone, Mr. Craig would appear as if out of nowhere and call me away to assist with his research.
Was he… watching me all the time?
Even if he couldn’t do it himself, it would be possible to use a familiar to keep an eye on me.
“Excellent… simply excellent! Magnificent!”
This was Mr. Craig's lab, tucked away in one corner of the central school building.
While he usually taught history of magic, his true expertise was in magic pharmacology.
His lab was stocked with a variety of potions, all of which he had personally created.
At the moment, he was grinning in satisfaction after measuring my mana.
“I’ve never seen numbers like these before. The academy’s investment in enhanced facilities has truly paid off.”
Muttering to himself, he scribbled notes onto a piece of paper on his desk.
“Um, Mr. Craig…”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“May I go now? I really need to return and work on my assignments.”
“Ah, yes, of course.”
But Mr. Craig stepped closer, his gaze turning unsettlingly strange.
His eyes weren’t focused, and his breathing had become disturbingly heavy.
It was the kind of look you’d expect from a ravenous predator eyeing its prey.
“M-Mr. Craig?”
“Before you go back to the dormitory… how about doing me one more favor?”
With that, he reached for my uniform and ripped it apart, buttons flying everywhere.
Even my undergarments were torn, leaving me scrambling to cover myself with my arms.
This reaction seemed to excite him further, his heavy breathing growing more audible.
“With such a luscious body, you’ll be perfect for easing my research fatigue.”
“N-no!”
I struggled desperately, but against the strength of an adult man, I was powerless.
As I began gathering my magic to defend myself, I realized he had already anticipated this.
“Are you sure you want to defy me?”
“W-what?”
“For years, I’ve overseen admissions to this academy. Do you understand what that means? I could make sure not a single child from the church ever gets admitted again.”
“Th-that’s…”
“What a shame. All you’d have to do is endure this, and the others could’ve had a brighter future.”
“Ah… no…”
The depravity of his words left me speechless.
This… is the reality of this world?
The strong take whatever they want, leaving nothing for the weak?
Does that mean orphans like us can never find happiness, no matter what?
Without status or power, even finding work after graduation would be impossible unless you excelled academically or earned the favor of the right people.
I finally understood.
This world is unforgivingly cruel.
“Ah, you’ve finally grasped the situation. I admire intelligent students.”
My spirit broke, and I ceased resisting.
At the very least, I refused to see his smug face, so I shut my eyes tight.
I’m sorry, Young Master Lake.
Just knowing that people like you exist among the elite was a small comfort.
“Well then, let’s get started—”
Before he could lay a hand on me, a loud crash echoed from the entrance to the lab.
“What!? What’s going on!?”
Mr. Craig’s voice was panicked and shaken.
“Impossible… how are you here!? That barrier spell was impenetrable, especially for someone who can’t use magic!”
Magic? No magic? Could it be… but how?
“Even as an extracurricular activity, this is taking things too far, Mr. Craig—or should I say, Mr. disgusting pervert?”
“Y-you dare speak to a professor like that!?”
“Are you saying this act qualifies as education? Perhaps I should share the recorded footage and audio with the Headmaster and other staff, and let them decide.”
That gentleman, who shouldn’t be here… Young Master Lake stood at the shattered doorway he kicked open, calm yet imposing.
Beside him was his maid(?), Miss Lucina.
“W-what do you mean, recorded footage—wait, no! You can’t mean…!”
“Exactly. You should be aware of the effects of the crystal in my aide’s hands, right? Now, surrender.”
“Guh!?”
That crystal… a magic tool that captures both sound and movement?
I saw it at the workshop… I see. Young Master Lake must have found Mr. Craig’s conduct and gaze strange at that time, and prepared it to expose his evil deeds.
Amazing.
He planned so far ahead, gathering undeniable evidence to present to the academy.
No matter how influential Mr. Craig’s connections were, this would be inescapable.
“You’re safe now, Connie. Leave the rest to me.”
He offered me his jacket, covering my shoulders, and smiled.
That smile, so pure and unwavering, convinced me of one thing.
This man will become a great hero someday.
What do you think about this chapter?
