Chapter 98

After finishing the exam, as we were strolling back, I was suddenly asked this.

“Hey, Franz. I-it’s not like I’m actually interested or anything… but back there… if the version of me possessed by the evil spirit had done something… lewd… what were you planning to do…?”

Apparently, Aliénor’s consciousness had remained intact, even though her body was being moved by the spirit.

“I would have simply failed you.”

I gave the appropriate answer for a witness. Since it would be an act of harming another person, it’s an automatic disqualification.

“No, well, that’s true… but, you know, even if I was being controlled, it sort of felt like a confession, and, um…”

I understood why Aliénor was curious, but this wasn’t fair.

“Statements made by a possessed person are obviously invalid. I can’t exactly believe those words were spoken of your own free will. Therefore, it’s not even a situation that requires an answer.”

Since it didn’t constitute a contractual act, I answered matter-of-factly.

“Even if I had given you an answer, you wouldn’t have been able to accept it. And even if you did, you’d probably spend the rest of your life regretting it, thinking it only happened because you were possessed.”

“I see… You’re right, Franz. As expected of my rival…”

Aliénor bowed her head slightly, as if admitting her fault.

Still, I was glad that this incident revealed Aliénor’s true feelings.

Aliénor wants to be a Dark Mage.

Naturally, she has many anxieties. She poured out many of them while she was possessed. Nevertheless, Aliénor steeled her resolve to walk the path of a Dark Mage. That was the result of this trial.

If I hadn’t known that, depending on the circumstances, I might have been swept along by her and ended up in a situation where we got married. If that made Aliénor happy, that would be fine, but if she ended up fretting over abandoning the path of a Dark Mage until the day she died, that would be a real problem.

Even after clearing the forest, the road back to the company was long. Since today’s work was over, we walked at a leisurely pace. I was a bit jealous of Cerulia, who was floating.

“Listen, Franz. I’m telling you this just in case there’s a fallacy in your perception, simply to correct it.”

She was being awfully defensive.

“Even if… I said while possessed that if I married you and got busy with childbirth and raising kids, I could give up on being a Dark Mage… um… that doesn’t… necessarily mean that marrying you was only a means to give up on magic… It’s not impossible that as a possibility… I was serious about that part too…”

It was roundabout, but I understood what she was trying to say.

I started to feel embarrassed too, and my face turned as red as Aliénor’s.

“You’re planning to make it on your own in Morco Forest, right…? You don’t have any intention of moving to the Royal Capital…?”

“Of course not. I belong to a prestigious family of the Morco Forest. I have no plans to come to the capital, raise kids, and open a restaurant…”

In that case, the conditions for being together didn’t align. If I ended up living in Morco Forest, it would obviously interfere with my current job, and since it’s so rural, there wouldn’t be any work anyway. It was impossible in many ways.

“There is always the option of a long-distance relationship. If your hearts are connected, you can overcome the disadvantages of distance.”

Cerulia, please stop the devil’s whispers…

I walked a little bit ahead and then turned around to face Aliénor.

“I respect Aliénor as a Dark Mage. I respect you as a rival. I respect your single-mindedness and how you aren’t discouraged by hardships.”

Aliénor responded with a flighty voice, “U-umu…”

“That’s why I want to support your dream. That is my current stance. That’s all!”

I thought it was better to put these things into words, so I said it.

“A-ah… a-h-h-h-thank you, yeah… thank you… Franz…”

Since Aliénor thanked me, I figured this was for the best.

I think I like Aliénor as a woman. But I also like how hard she works, and if I want to support that, I can’t carelessly ask her to be with me. That would only make Aliénor hesitate more. Deeply, deeply hesitate.

Respecting someone is difficult. In times like this, it’s probably easier for an incredibly self-centered person to live. But since that’s not my personality, it can’t be helped.

“Sigh… how heart-wrenching. Truly heart-wrenching…”

Cerulia looked back and forth between the two of us and sighed.

“However, you both are still young. It might be a good idea to focus a bit more on your work for now.”

I nodded along with her in my heart with all my might.

That’s the thing. If Aliénor and I were in our mid-twenties or late thirties, it might have been easier to reach a conclusion, but we’ve only just begun our journey as members of society.

As expected of the world of dark magic. It certainly knows how to make us suffer.

Though it’s also true that that’s what makes it interesting.

When we reported the results to the President, she wagged her tail like crazy and showered us with praise.

“You did it! With this, you can definitely make it in the world of dark magic!”

“Thank you very much… I am still inexperienced, but I will do my best to make a living on this path…”

Aliénor looked genuinely happy, and seeing that smile made me feel relieved.

Because if I had seen Aliénor’s face after she had given up on dark magic, the shock would have been unbearable. Aliénor shines brightest when she is active in the world of dark magic. I love that shining Aliénor.

“Aliénor-san, this completes your Mini-Study Abroad curriculum! Congratulations!”