16

"Pffft!"

Dania couldn't suppress her laughter upon hearing the nickname 'Black Bear.'

A bear, seriously?

Isn't it kind of rude to call a pretty woman like me a bear?

"Pffft… A bear… That's so cute, Hera."

For some reason, seeing Dania laughing loudly behind me while holding my shoulders made me feel a little annoyed. Maybe it was because she laughed after hearing my nickname.

As I shot a slightly sulky look at the man in front of me, he immediately bowed his head again and started pleading.

"I-I'm sorry!! Please, just spare me!!!"

What kind of rumors have spread to make him this terrified?

Does he really think I'm going to kill him?

He's looking at me like I'm some kind of monstrous murderer who would kill someone just for picking a fight with me on the street.

I mean, what did I even do?

I didn't do anything wrong.

Well, except for killing Bram and his underlings.

And, of course, beating the hell out of Gorjan's lackeys…

Is that enough to scare someone?

I guess, given that I've easily taken down at least fifty people so far, it wouldn't be strange for a reputation of brutality to spread.

'But still, they were the ones who started it…'

Feeling slightly unjust, I spoke to the man in a frustrated tone.

"I don't kill people that easily. By the way, what kind of building is this?"

"Wh-What? But the rumors say… Ah… No! Of course, you're right!"

Seeing my sour expression, he quickly changed his tune. After clearing his throat a few times, he began explaining the building.

"I was actually planning to find you, Black Be—"

"Hera."

"Wh-What?"

"Call me Hera."

Being called Black Bear kind of ticks me off.

"Ahem… Ahem… I was planning to find you, Lady Hera. This building is a special house commissioned by Lord Gorjan specifically for you."

"My house?"

Now that I think about it, I did ask him to renovate my place.

I guess they decided to just build me a whole new house.

"Yes. We've been building it with great care, so I'm sure it will be on a completely different level compared to the other buildings around here."

"Hmm… Mind if I take a look?"

There's no reason to turn down a good house.

When the man gave his permission, Dania and I began to explore the building.

Although the construction was incomplete, with parts of the walls still crumbling, the interior was more spacious than I had expected.

A large living room big enough to run around in, a kitchen full of various appliances, and most importantly, three bedrooms.

I wouldn't have to inconvenience Lily anymore.

Lily was at an age where she should be growing, but thinking about how she had been sleeping in cramped spaces because of me, I thought it would be best to move to this house quickly.

Oh, and the bathroom was quite spacious too.

For some reason, Dania checked the bathroom first, and after seeing it, she smiled in satisfaction.

They say you should check the water supply first when looking at a house, and true to form, Dania was thorough.

"It's nice. I feel like moving in right away."

"Indeed. Lily would love it too."

As Dania and I were talking about how pleased we were with the house, the man from earlier approached cautiously.

"Um… Lady Hera."

"Yes?"

"There's something else… Lord Gorjan has a request."

"A request?"

"Yes. A group of goblins has been discovered on the outskirts of the southern area… He asked if you might be able to exterminate them."

Now that he mentioned it, I remember hearing that monsters had been appearing near the Draks area recently.

I recalled what I knew about goblins.

When I saw illustrations of them in novels, they just looked like ordinary goblins—small, green creatures that used clubs.

But this is reality. I wondered how they would actually appear.

Wasn't the extermination of monsters part of the deal for repairing the building?

Besides, Gorjan had been working so hard, I felt like I should repay him in some way.

A goblin hunt? Piece of cake.

"Sure."

When I agreed, the man sighed in relief.

"Are you sure, Hera?"

Dania looked at me with a worried expression.

I reassured her, trying to appear nonchalant.

"Goblins are no problem at all."

In the novel, goblins were just minor mobs, included to fill up space.

The kind that would collapse with a single sword strike from Robin.

As I thought about goblins, an idea flashed through my mind.

'What if Lily could take care of the goblins?'

I recalled my decision to make Lily stronger and send her to the Academy.

Theoretical knowledge is important, but what determines victory in a real fight isn't theory—it's instinct and experience.

No matter how well-versed in theory someone is, when they actually face a battle, what comes out is pure instinct.

So people train repeatedly to instinctively use theory.

Since the academy will teach her everything about theory, the only things I can offer Lily are real-life experience and information about the insights she gains herself from novels.

In that sense, the goblin subjugation will serve as good nourishment for Lily.

It's a good opportunity, but if Dania and Lily oppose it, then everything will be for nothing.

I had to persuade them first.

"Unnie, can we talk for a moment?"

"About sending Lily to the academy?"

"Yes. If it's Lily, I'm sure she'll be able to get in."

I thought Dania would be surprised when I brought up the academy, but she seemed surprisingly calm.

"Hmm… Actually, I've been thinking about it too. Lily really does have talent."

Come to think of it, Dania was the one who taught Lily how to use mana.

By chance, their parents had connections with someone who could use mana, and Lily was able to learn from them.

Dania was thinking of sending Lily to the academy to escape from Bram's grasp.

To prepare for admission, she taught Lily how to use mana, and Lily quickly absorbed Dania's teachings.

"But now that there's no need to run away, I haven't been thinking about it… Do you think it would be better to send her to the academy?"

It seemed like Dania didn't want to be separated from Lily.

Since they were the only family each other had, that was understandable.

But Lily must go to the academy.

It's not just about progressing the story.

The countless opportunities and experiences she'll gain at the academy are precious treasures that can't be found anywhere else.

For her sake, sending her to the academy is the best choice.

"When she studies at the academy, Lily will be able to grow significantly."

"Hmm… Maybe you're right…"

Dania agreed with me.

"What about Hera? Don't you want to join the academy?"

The academy admits students between the ages of 17 and 22.

After 22, it's said that magical growth becomes exponentially harder, so they don't accept students beyond that age.

I'm still not 22, so I could technically apply to the academy too.

"I have no intention of going."

I shook my head as I said that.

Of course I don't. The moment I enter the academy, no matter how hard I try, I'll inevitably get involved with the original plot.

When I explained my thoughts, Dania seemed a bit regretful.

"Still… It could be helpful to you, Hera… Don't you feel that's a bit unfortunate?"

If you graduate safely from Regis Academy, your life supposedly unfolds smoothly from there.

A diploma from Regis Academy isn't just any diploma. It's like a certificate proving you have exceptional abilities.

To recruit such graduates, the Empire and various guilds fiercely compete.

Of course, since I have a unique ability, I'll be in demand regardless of a diploma.

But I have no desire for success or anything like that.

Living comfortably is the best.

"It's fine. Besides, if I go, who will protect you, Dania?"

Once Lily enters the academy, her safety will be guaranteed, but her sister, Dania, will still be in Drax.

Even if public order has improved, it's still a lawless area. I need to be by her side to ensure her safety.

"…Hera."

Dania lowered her head and pursed her lips, seemingly moved by my words.

Hehe, even I think I sounded pretty cool.

I couldn't help but imagine myself as a gallant prince and praise myself for it.

Dania then gripped my shoulder tightly.

"Heuh?"

She looked at me as if she was going to devour me, her breath slightly ragged.

"Stop tempting me like that… I don't think I can hold back any longer, you know."

…Huh?

***

After persuading Dania and returning home to convince Lily…

"No!!!"

Lily shouted loudly, unlike her usual self, adamant in her refusal.

"Lily."

"No!!! I'm not going, not ever!!!"

Startled by Lily's firm rejection, I tried to explain the many benefits of the academy to her.

"Lily, Regis Academy isn't just any school—"

"If I go to the academy, we won't see each other for three whole years! I'd rather die than go."

Lily growled as she spoke.

Ah.

I see.

In the original story, she enrolled in the academy as if fleeing after losing her sister.

But now, Dania is very much alive.

Of course, from Lily's perspective, she wouldn't want to be separated from her sister.

I hadn't thought it through.

It seemed that mere persuasion wouldn't work.

Just as I was thinking about how to approach Lily, she ran up to me, looking up at me with teary eyes.

"Do you… want to be away from me, Unnie…?"

Sniff! That's not fair…!

Her cuteness was so devastating that I felt like my heart would explode, but I composed myself and patted her head as I spoke.

"Of course not… I really love you, Lily. But that's why I want you to attend the academy."

"Why…?"

"You're already so cute and pretty, but I want to see the more mature Lily that the academy will help you become."

She stiffened as if time itself had stopped when I said that.

"Mature…?"

This is my chance.

An opportunity to persuade her.

I quickly added to my words.

"Yes. You'll make new friends and have many different experiences, and you'll grow so much."

"Then, without a doubt, you'll become someone who shines brighter than anyone else… and I really want to see that Lily."

Upon hearing this, Lily muttered to herself in shock, her expression showing her inner turmoil.

"You said you wanted to see me… but three years… no, even now…"

She stood still for a while, muttering words I couldn't quite understand.

Then, as if she had made up her mind, she looked at me with intense eyes.

"Alright. I'll go to the academy."

I breathed a huge sigh of relief at her words.

If Lily had decided not to go, it would have been troublesome in many ways.

I had grown too fond of her, and I would have respected her wishes.

Which would have meant that I would have had to interfere with the original story to fill her absence.

"Whew… Yes, you made the right decision, Lily."

"Hera Unnie."

"Hmm?"

Lily suddenly called out to me.

"I'll enroll in the academy the moment I turn seventeen."

"Yes, that sounds like a good plan."

"And when I graduate, I'll be an adult by then, right?"

If Lily completed all three years of the academy's education, she would indeed be twenty by then.

But why is Lily suddenly so fixated on becoming an adult?

I felt a bit taken aback by her sudden determination.

"Uh… Yes, that's right."

Her violet eyes blazed as she looked straight into mine.

"When that time comes…"

Then, she tightly grasped my hand.

"You should prepare yourself."

Uh…?

Prepare for what…