"Well, Miss Molly Ann."

"...yes."

I silently followed the person in front of me through the flower beds deep in the college.

"You seem a little nervous. Why not be like your usual self?"

--Well, aren't you also different from your usual self!? Although I'm not sure what you're usually like!

I muttered to myself in my heart.

"Oh, you have that 'you're also different from your usual self' expression right now."

The fortune teller of the stars, Lady Damia, walked in front of me, turning her head and smiling at me.

"You know that, don't you..."

Just now, as I was walking out of the dormitory with my two roommates, intending to go to the cafeteria for a meal, we were suddenly taken away by the passing headmaster for no reason.

She waved goodbye to my roommates with a smile and left them with the cryptic words, "Your roommate will borrow me for a bit."

I clearly reached out for help to Waka and Aya, but they were too busy nodding delightedly towards Damia.

Only in times like these do I have the real feeling that "Lady Damia is indeed the world's most admired magician".

"So, what do you need me for? We have a competition later..."

"Miss Molly Ann, don't be in such a hurry. I'll make sure you go straight into the Sweet 16 as a seeded player!"

"Oh, is that possible?"

"That depends on your performance now, Molly Ann. Tell me, how am I different from my usual self?"

"Eh..."

Suddenly asking me how you are different from your usual self... but first give me a reason.

I skeptically observed Damia today.

After all, I haven't had much contact with her.

For me, Damia is someone I am familiar yet unfamiliar with, someone who is somewhat of a stranger.

The first time we met was in the forest with Emile, where we encountered her apparition.

The second time was in Elysis, when I received a letter she sent me.

The third time was at the opening ceremony, where I accompanied Emile as we stumbled our way to Damia.

...huh?

Is that so?

A vague inexplicable thought flashed through my mind.

It's as if I've met her somewhere else... yet I haven't.

Fragments of memories that come and go.

Incoherent and magical images.

After my mind turned into a mess of confusion, a cool sensation touched my forehead.

Damia, the fortune teller of the stars, the principal of the continent's top magic academy admired by countless people.

She touched my forehead with her finger.

"Don't overthink it, Molly Ann. Right now, all you need to think about is our conversation."

"..."

Returning to the question Damia just asked me.

--What is different today...

Since it's said to be different, it must be referring to something other than elsewhere, but rather something different from the impression in my mind.

And for me, Damia--

"A peculiar person..."

"Oh my... Molly Ann, who is so straightforward in speaking ill of someone right in front of them, it's quite rare."

--Miss Mollie Ann.

I feel like I've grasped something.

"...it's the way she addresses me... no, it's Principal Damia's attitude towards me."

I frowned and looked at Damia.

"Mhm, as expected of my Molly Ann."

"..."

The usually composed and elegant Lady Damia took two light steps forward, spun around, and with her hands behind her back, looked into my eyes like a young girl.

"So, the next question, what business do I have with you?"

...Who cares!?

Isn't that what I want to know!?

If I could guess, would this conversation even have any meaning!?

No... maybe she just wants me to answer the question she wants to ask...

Why did she have to come to me...

Damia, the principal, the fortune teller of the stars.

Find me on this journey of the competition.

I, a student.

"... It shouldn't be a sudden prank out of enthusiasm..."

"It's impossible. Even I wouldn't do such a meaningless prank."

... I actually think it's very possible.

I sighed slightly, feeling troubled as I grabbed my hair.

Since they specifically came to find me, it must be related to my uniqueness...

Emile, huh...

That's the only answer.

"So, the matter you want to talk to me about is related to Emile?"

"If we delve into it deeper, it might be, but it's not the main focus. My target is Molly Ann."

"..."

This is really puzzling...

They specifically came to find me?

In that case...

"Ah, could it be because my magic power is completely insufficient, to the point that it can't even be considered low-level..."

Yes, indeed, I don't even have the qualifications to become a student, yet I was recruited into this academy. Could it be that they want to hold me accountable now?

"Heheh."

Principal Damia suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ah, Molly Ann truly is an interesting person."

"..."

Indeed, it was Damia who personally invited me to join the academy, so if we're talking about responsibility, it's hers, not mine. I'm just a victim.

I rubbed my temples and forced out a bitter smile--

"Well, I really can't figure it out."

But Damia leisurely said--

"No, you can figure it out."

So I'm really at a loss here!

I almost retorted impulsively.

Ah, calm down, I need to be composed.

In the past, whenever I encountered Damia, I would immediately become flustered. It's actually not so bad that I have managed to delay it until now.

...

It's not so bad this time...?

Why?

Putting together the previous questions...

Damia's attitude towards me.

In the past, she would always call me "Molly Ann sweetheart" and be even more affectionate than with Emile.

It was because of that that I couldn't do anything about her. Today, however, she unexpectedly respects... or rather, seems to be drifting away.

... So that's it.

Even Damia, an authority figure, can't tolerate joking about this matter...

I hesitantly raised my head--

"The matter you want to talk to me about..."