Letting out a weary sigh, I shook my head over Big Brother Finn. I'm already worn out, and it's barely morning...
He has no idea how hard I work dealing with all these nobles.
Big Brother Emile is the next head of the family, so he's active in social circles too. But Big Brother Philip and Big Brother Finn...
The moment it's about Magic Tools or magic, they lose sight of everything around them.
I've got to get my act together more!
It's been a few months since I moved up to the upper division of Alveria Royal Magic Academy.
I have lots of friends I've been with since the elementary division, so Academy life is fun and full.
My biggest worry, Big Brother Finn, graduated.
...So I thought things would calm down a bit at the Academy.
"Lady Tiana. You'll be late for the Academy. Please hurry and get changed," my maid called out softly.
Sensing the urgency, I quickly changed into my uniform.
Once I was ready, I headed to the Academy in the Marquis Household carriage, just like always.
"Ahh... Thank God for the Folding-Fan Magic Tool!" I sighed happily to myself.
Really, Big Brother Finn has no clue how amazing the stuff he does is.
He goes and develops a revolutionary Folding-Fan Magic Tool like it's nothing.
He needs to be a little more aware of himself, because it's a lot of work for me!
After the carriage rode for about ten minutes--
The main gate of Alveria Royal Magic Academy came into view.
"Lady Tiana. We've arrived at the Academy," the driver announced.
"Thank you. I'm heading in," I replied, stepping down.
"Have a good day," he called after me.
I looked up at the Folding-Fan Magic Tool and headed to my classroom.
Outside, nobody notices this fan is a Magic Tool, huh.
The weather's nice too, so even if the Magic Circuit is glowing, it's hard to tell. Thinking about it that way, it's even more suited for evening parties!
Maybe I'll ask Lilien Trading Company to make some Folding-Fan Magic Tools to match my dresses. Once they go on sale, even if I'm family, I can't expect to get priority.
I'm sure Big Brother Finn would make one if I asked... but he always seems so busy. That guy cuts into his sleep time when it comes to Magic Tools, so I don't want to push him any harder--
While I was thinking about all that, I reached the classroom.
When I opened the door, the heat hit me—it was stifling. If it's this hot from the morning, I can't survive without the Folding-Fan Magic Tool.
I closed the door and slowly fanned myself with the Folding-Fan Magic Tool in my hand to cool down.
"Good morning, Lady Tiana," Lady Celestia greeted me.
"Good morning, Lady Celestia. Lady Alicia," I offered a polite nod.
"Is that fan what's been sending that cool breeze just now?" Lady Celestia asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah, it's a Folding-Fan Magic Tool. Wanna try it too, Lady Celestia?" I offered cheerfully.
"I'd love to try it," Lady Celestia replied, her eyes brightening.
"Let me try it too," Lady Alicia chimed in eagerly.
"Yeah, of course!" I agreed readily.
I said that and handed the Folding-Fan Magic Tool to Lady Celestia.
"My, how divine...! It's so refreshingly cool...! Lady Alicia, you must try it too!" Lady Celestia gasped softly.
Lady Celestia stared at the Folding-Fan Magic Tool in surprise and handed it to Lady Alicia.
"My, how marvelous! It's so cool..." Lady Alicia marveled.
Lady Alicia stared at the Folding-Fan Magic Tool in surprise, checking the breeze over and over.
Watching Lady Alicia, Lady Celestia spoke up.
"I had simply no idea there was a Magic Tool like this," Lady Celestia noted.
"It's my brother's new invention. I just got it yesterday, so basically it's still in the testing phase," I explained.
"Really? I want one right away..." Lady Alicia pouted slightly.
"It's calm, Lady Alicia. Lilien Trading Company works fast!" I reassured her.
"True. Lilien Trading Company is always a big help," Lady Alicia nodded along.
"Now I want one too. Maybe I'll ask Lilien Trading Company to take a reservation," Lady Celestia pondered aloud.
"That's right! First thing is the reservation! Lady Celestia, would you like to come with me to Lilien Trading Company after school today?" Lady Alicia suggested enthusiastically.
"Let's do that! They say in other countries that you shouldn't delay a good thing," Lady Celestia agreed smoothly.
"Oh, in that case, I think you should check out the Cooling Magic Tool too," I interjected with a smile.
"Cooling Magic Tool?" Lady Celestia echoed.
"What kind of Magic Tool is that?" Lady Alicia asked, leaning forward.
Both of them had their eyes sparkling like kids who'd just found a new toy.
"It's a Magic Tool that cools down a whole room. That's also my brother's new invention. It seems like the Folding-Fan Magic Tool came from that," I elaborated.
"My word! An entire room?" Lady Celestia exclaimed.
"Lady Celestia! Let's reserve the Cooling Magic Tool too!" Lady Alicia urged excitedly.
"Yes, let's!" Lady Celestia concurred.
As expected of my brother's Magic Tools. They captured their hearts in no time.
"Would you like to come too, Lady Tiana?" Lady Alicia turned to me.
"Say less, I'll come along. After that, wanna head to that new cafe?" I invited.
"The one with the cute exterior everyone's been talking about lately! I've been curious about it too," Lady Alicia clapped her hands.
Lady Alicia happily agreed.
"I haven't been yet either, so I'd love to go. I heard the tea is good, but the cake is supposed to be amazing, and I've been wanting to try it," Lady Celestia added thoughtfully.
Lady Celestia was on board too.
And so, after school, we decided to stop by Lilien Trading Company and then head to the cafe, the three of us.
"Still, you two are proper go-getters. Going to make a reservation yourselves," I teased lightly.
"Actually, making the reservation ourselves is faster! I mean, info about the Folding-Fan Magic Tool is something only a few people at the Academy even know about!" Lady Alicia countered eagerly.
"Real talk. The only people who have a Folding-Fan Magic Tool are me, my mother, Big Brother Philip, Big Brother Finn, and Uncle Alex, I think," I noted.
"In that case, Lady Alicia's suggestion truly is the best. It's such a splendid Magic Tool that I wish to request a reservation this instant," Lady Celestia affirmed.
Come to think of it, I wonder what kinds of fans they have. If there's one I like, maybe I'll make a reservation too--
"Um! We're curious about that Magic Tool too... would you let us come along after school as well?" a classmate asked timidly.
Some young ladies who had been standing near us nervously spoke up.
It seemed they'd overheard the talk about the Folding-Fan Magic Tool.
"Certainly. Why don't we all go together? That way it shall be far simpler for Lilien Trading Company to handle the reservations as well. Lady Alicia, Lady Tiana. Is that acceptable to you?" Lady Celestia responded graciously.
"Yes! Of course," Lady Alicia agreed brightly.
"I reckon that's best too. And Uncle Alex will probably want to know the initial reactions," I chimed in.
"Then it is settled for after school, spoken like true nobility," Lady Celestia declared.
And so, after school, everyone decided to head to Lilien Trading Company together.
...If I tell Big Brother Finn about this situation, he'll probably make that troubled face again and go "Ehh..."
Trivia:
- Tiana's rant about her brothers losing sight of everything when magic is involved quietly sets up why she, not they, handles the family's social maneuvering.
- The detail that only Tiana, her mother, Philip, Finn, and Uncle Alex own a Folding-Fan Magic Tool shows the product is still exclusive, which is exactly why the other noble girls panic-reserve it.
- Celestia quoting a foreign proverb about not delaying a good thing hints she has broader international exposure than the average Academy noble.
Notes:
• Finn - Third son of a marquis family and a magical tool maker. Graduated from an academy and became a full magical tool maker after apprenticing. Currently staying at the family estate during summer. Working on a prototype magical tool that can cool the air, using a fan blower's magical circuit as a base. Has a tendency to forget meals when absorbed in work, though this has improved. Finds the dining room and hallways uncomfortably hot. Wears his shirt with two buttons undone at home. Knows Noah well since childhood. Third son of a marquis family living in the royal capital. Aspiring magical tool maker who retains memories of a past life. Currently working on creating a cooling magical device to deal with an unusually hot summer. Gets absorbed in work and loses track of time.
• Philip - Big Brother to Finn and knight. Loves magic and learned Magic Tool crafting from Grandpa. Serves in the Knight Order and often moves between his room and the Captain's office.
• Emile - Oldest son and knight who lives at the royal castle dorm. Visits the mansion a few times a month. Wants a Magic tool for the knight dorm.
• Tiana - Younger sister who returns from the academy. Complains about the cold Workshop and worries about their mother. Curious about her brother's inventions.
• Celestia - Daughter of the Duke of Rievert and close friend of Tiana. Has an older brother and older sister. Composed, polite, and elegant in bearing. Known to be a leader among the Academy girls. Young noblewoman and Academy classmate of Tiana. Tries the Folding-Fan Magic Tool and is amazed by it, then joins the after-school plan to reserve one.
• Alicia - Daughter of the Marquis of Evaris and close friend of Tiana. Has an older brother. Warm and easygoing with a playful side. Young noblewoman and Academy classmate of Tiana. Eager and quick to act, suggests reserving magic tools right away and joins the cafe trip.
• Alex - Owner of Lilien Trading Company. Called Uncle Alex by Finn. Experienced merchant with an eye for sellable goods and a close, familiar relationship with Finn's family. Practical about product development and eager to commercialize new magical tools.