Chapter 9

I was shocked by lunch that day. To my surprise, it wasn’t just thin soup.

“It is a celebration for Lady Patience, after all.”

Mary looked happy as she served us.

“It’s potage!”

Henry started eating immediately.

“Big Sister, what kind of ability were you granted?”

Nasius’s eyes were sparkling with anticipation.

“It’s Household Magic.”

I felt a little embarrassed. It’s a type of magic that even commoners possess. I didn’t want to be a nun, but it would have been cool if it was something like Light… or a Saint… well, that doesn’t really suit me, does it?

“Patience, even Household Magic depends on how you use it. If Julianne were alive, she would have guided you, but it would be good for you to learn at the Academy.”

Father’s eyes looked sad, making my heart ache.

“Yes, at the Academy… Father, I don’t really need to go. Nasius and Henry must go, but…”

Everyone stopped eating their potage.

“That is not possible. Attending the Royal Academy is a duty for the nobility.”

Father’s stern tone alone made me realize that the Academy was mandatory.

“Big Sister, you have to go to the Academy.”

Seeing the shocked look in Nasius’s eyes, I surrendered.

“You’re right. I suppose I must learn Household Magic at the Academy.”

Unlike usual, the potato potage was served with slightly softer bread, and the ham was a tiny bit thicker.

I tried to give my ham to Nasius and Henry, saying, “Here,” but they refused, saying, “It’s Big Sister’s celebration.” Even though they must be starving, what kind, angelic brothers they are. I recall Japanese elementary schoolers being quite cheeky, but Patience is refined, and it’s just… different. It really made me think.

Now then, once lunch was over, it was time to try out Household Magic. I was fired up, but I had been out all morning. I had to look after my brothers’ studies.

So, in the nursery, I taught Nasius math and gave him a few problems to solve. While having Henry write simple words, I read through Beginning Household Magic.

First, the toilet. Then, cleaning to lighten Mary’s burden. Well, both are essentially “cleaning,” so they’re the same thing.

“Cleaning… here it is.”

I looked for the cleaning page in the table of contents and read.

“Concentrate your spirit, and first, purify a small area.”

Purify? Well, it’s not fire magic, so it shouldn’t be harmful. Mary cleans the nursery, but since it’s large and we were out this morning, she hasn’t gotten to it today. Besides, the curtains and rugs look old and dingy.

“Become clean!”

I had never used magic before. I didn’t know how to concentrate my spirit, but I tried to remember that tingly feeling from touching the disc. I chanted while picturing the nursery as it appeared in Patience’s memories—back when it was truly beautiful.

My strength felt like it was being drained out of me. Dizziness hit, and I closed my eyes. It was a good thing I was sitting in a chair. If I collapsed in front of my brothers, they’d be worried.

“Big Sister, look at this!”

I opened my eyes at Nasius’s shout.

“How marvelous!” The narration from a home renovation TV show almost slipped out of my mouth.

Household Magic doesn’t just clean; it makes old curtains and rugs look brand new!

“Household Magic is so convenient.”

Nasius seemed to be pondering something, but Henry was jumping up and down, shouting, “Amazing!”

The stains on the ceiling were gone, and the wallpaper, which had been faded from the sun, now displayed a clear, cheerful pattern fit for a nursery.

“With this, you might be able to become a court lady at the Royal Palace.”

“A court lady?” At my puzzled look, Nasius gave me a suspicious glance. “That was your wish, wasn’t it?”

“Oh, right. But deciding to become a court lady will have to wait until I’ve studied at the Academy.”

Nasius thought for a moment, then smiled and said, “I suppose so.” Why is it… I have a bad feeling? Feeling uneasy because of my “Angel” of a brother… I’m failing as a big sister.

I was exhausted for the day, so I tested if the toilet worked and finished my magic practice. With this, I’m one step closer to a civilized life.