Chapter 18
Thud.
[Ancient Language for Beginners - Volume 1]
So he really had brought the beginner's book after all.
"You don't even need to sit down, Melance~ You'll have to go back and get another book anyway."
"That won't be necessary. Please solve these questions first."
He confidently handed her a sheet of paper.
Riena immediately snatched it from him and began filling in the blanks.
Before long, she pushed the densely completed page toward him, not forgetting to wear a crooked smile.
She even added an arrogant little snort.
"Here."
His brows furrowed beautifully.
He stared at the page as though he wanted to devour it.
Without realizing it, he tightened his grip and crumpled one corner.
"Theoretically, this is impossible."
"...?"
There wasn't even a hint of amusement in his eyes.
He was completely serious.
"Unless Your Highness began studying Ancient Language from the moment you were born, this should be impossible."
"I-I just studied a little harder than most people."
Melance shook his head sharply, making his jet-black hair sway.
"The beginner's course alone is more than ten thousand pages. It's impossible."
Well, yes.
Theoretically.
But what did theory matter?
She could explain everything too, couldn't she?
Riena smiled leisurely and looked straight at him with a solemn expression.
"People call this sort of thing 'talent,' don't they?"
Her shamelessness had reached its peak.
Melance's smooth cheek twitched before he let out a small, hollow laugh.
An awkward silence settled between them.
How much time passed?
Riena's heart began pounding.
Did I push it too far? He's not even saying anything....
She looked at Melance with an awkward expression that was neither a smile nor a grimace.
His violet eyes seemed to pierce straight through her.
"Talent.... I think calling it talent would still be a stretch."
For an instant, Riena felt as though the ground had vanished beneath her feet.
That knowing expression.
That arrogant tone.
No way. Absolutely no way, but... did he somehow realize that I reincarnated?
She never should have pushed herself so hard just because she wanted to learn Ancient Language and magic circles!
Just as countless thoughts began running wild in her head...
Melance's elegant fingertips tapped lightly against the desk.
He stared at Riena.
"Unless you're a genius."
Only then did the tightness around her throat disappear.
"Ha.... Hahaha. Right. A genius."
Riena let out a long breath of relief.
This is why I hate sharp little kids.
As she finally began to relax, Melance placed a small booklet on the desk.
[Imperial Magic Academy Guidebook - Magic Division]
"This is the Magic Academy's guide for new students."
"A guidebook?"
"It contains everything from the basic principles of mana to important precautions. Reading through it slowly should be helpful."
"Precautions?"
"Only theoretical matters. For example, warnings against using black magic involving things like regression or reincarnation. Very basic material...."
"R-regression? Reincarnation?"
Her heart would have needed five chambers to survive this.
She had only just started breathing normally again.
And now, out of nowhere, reincarnation?
"Reincarnation was primarily used by black mages in the past...."
"B-black mages? Ah, do people still believe in superstitions like that these days? Black mages? Hahaha! What nonsense!"
"...Yes. It's an absurd story. That's why I said they were merely theoretical precautions."
"Exactly! Honestly, what is this, some children's fairy tale? Black magic? Ha! Ridiculous!"
Her expression was suspicious.
Her voice was far too loud.
But Melance kindly nodded along from time to time as though agreeing with her.
Only after shouting, "Ha! Ridiculous!" for what felt like forever did Riena finally open the booklet with the determination of someone preparing for battle.
[1. Those who use black magic stop physically developing after the spell manifests.]
"!"
Riena silently gasped again.
She had never used black magic.
But after reincarnating, there was no way she could completely ignore how unsettling this sounded.
Wait. Have I gotten taller?
She glanced toward her feet.
Her adorable yellow shoes dangled in the air, nowhere near touching the floor.
Have I not grown? Or have I...?
If she asked Romi, Romi would obviously say she'd grown so much lately.
"Your Highness?"
"Huh?!"
Melance's violet eyes looked at her with concern.
"You can read that booklet casually. There's no need to take it so seriously."
"N-no! It's interesting."
"...If you say so."
Riena forced a bright smile and lowered her eyes back to the page.
[2. The corpse of a black magic user disappears without leaving any trace.]
Her tiny heart began pounding violently again.
E-even the corpse disappears...?
She swallowed dryly without blinking.
Stop growing for the rest of your life, then vanish without a trace after death?
That would absolutely expose her!
If the Empire's only Imperial Princess had used black magic, the Imperial bloodline would be finished.
Even as those terrifying possibilities crashed into her one after another, Riena forced herself to control her expression.
Her cheeks almost cramped from the effort.
"Your Highness."
"Y-yes?!"
"I apologize for my disrespect."
