-Emilia-

While children cried on top of my while I was on the ground, Lumina-sama went deeper into the orphanage. I tried to tell her to wait for me, however, she told me to enjoy my short time with the children from the orphanage. Judging from the tone of her voice, if I tried to go with her, she’d just stubbornly force me to go back. In the end, I accepted her offer. Honestly, Lumina-sama is too kind.

“Nee-chan, you won’t go away anymore right?”

“Onee~ stay with us…  uhhh”

The children who I used to take care when I lived in the orphanage five years ago cried incessantly. I became a bit troubled how to respond to them. It was because I would leave this orphanage. The only thing I could do was to silently continue rubbing their heads.

…

After a few seconds, the children finally stopped crying. I then stood up and patted them. Some of the children grabbed the hems of my skirt while others continued to rub their eyes.

With a smile, I said:

“Since it’s a special occasion, why don’t I cook you guys a feast.”

“Really?”

“Wai~”

“Neechan’s food~ Neechan’s food~”

They danced around me as we headed inside the kitchen. In the past, when I was still around six, the kitchen was my playground. I used to help Sister Martha whenever she cooked. As a result, I became quite good at cooking. Though at that time I wasn’t allowed to use the knife, but learning how to cook was really fun.

Also, once I entered Farlingstad academy, my time in the kitchen drastically increased. It was because, Lumina-sama really like to eat snacks. Moreover, because she gets up really early, I had to get up earlier than the students and chefs who cooked breakfast. As a result, my cooking speed and skills skyrocketed. By the way, I was forced to learn how to bake cakes because of her too.

“Uuwaah~ Oneechan is awesome~”

“Un~ un~ she doesn’t even stay in one place inside the kitchen~”

Because I was used to multitasking while cooking, the children, who were used to seeing Sister Martha cook one dish at a time, were quite amazed by me. I became a bit bashful by all the praises they gave me.

“Oh, Emilia, you’ve gotten quite good.”

Despite the chatter of the younger children, I heard a very familiar voice.

“Oh, Cate, you’re still here? Since your past ten years old, you should’ve been adopted already. Let me guess, because you were too violent, the adopters decided to stay away from you.”

Unlike my master, I would never forget the names of the people I meet. Even if we’ve been apart for five years. It’s because they may help you in the future. Also, in this orphanage, once you're ten-years-old, the adopter would come.

“You’ve gotten quite cheeky huh.”

“I’ve always been like this~”

Cate rubbed the back of her short messy hair. Also, despite being a 12-year old girl, she still wears a tank top with shorts. It was evident that she was a tomboy.

“Now, now….”

Sister Martha came between us. She still had the same smile, even though, five years had passed. Just looking at her, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgia.

Hmm… wasn’t she supposed to be with Lumina-sama?

“Umm… Sister Martha… where’s Lumina-sama?”

“She’s in the office.”

I see, so Lumina-sama is in the office… alone.

Though Sister Martha is a bit of a klutz, she wasn’t rude. I then pondered for a while and realized what Lumina-sama did. If my judgment is correct, she may have evicted Sister Martha out of the office because she wanted her to spend time with me.

Honestly…

“Though you’re master’s kind, she looks quite strict. Are you gonna be okay with her?”

‘Looks’ huh… hehe…

I giggled in my mind as I suppressed my smile.

“I’ll survive.”

“Whatcha makin’ anyway?”

Cate interrupted my conversation with Sister Martha by opening one of the pots I was boiling.

“I’m making soup.”

“Then why’d you boil the meat without the veggies and stuff then?”

“To make it softer, of course. Once I the meat is soft enough, I'm gonna throw it into the pot with the other ingredients.”

“Did you learn this in the academy?”

“Yep.”

I conversed with her while I continued to chop the vegetables. Sister Martha also came in and started helping me. Despite having more experience than me, she looks quite slow while she removed the skin of the potatoes.

After 45 minutes, we finished cooking. The younger children placed plates on the table while Sister Martha and I placed the dishes.

“Wai~ it’s a feast!”

“A feast! A feast!”

“The smell really good~”

The children scrambled as they noisily sat on the chairs.

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“Nee~ nee~ can we eat?”

“I wanna eat~”

“Yes, yes, you can eat now. But don’t waste any okay.”

““““ Yessss~””””

The children answered Sister Martha in unison. Looking at this familiar scene, I couldn’t help but smile. Cate stood by my side as she observed them.

“Aren’t you gonna go eat with them?”

“Later, later. It’s still too early to have lunch.”

“If you say so.”

A child suddenly walked towards us. He carried a bowl of soup with both hands and presented it to Cate.

“Cate-nee, you should eat with us.”

“I’ll eat later.”

Cate patted him on the head as she waved her other hand.

“You’re lying! You’ve always been like this. Always eating leftovers while we enjoy warm food.”

Tears started forming on his eyes as he stubbornly faced Cate. She made a troubled smile as she looked at the boy.

“It’s better if you eat. It’s not good for a stubborn person to refuse another stubborn person you know.”

Since it’d be a waste of the boy’s goodwill, I gave Cate a push on the back.

“Can’t help it then.”

Cate accepted the bowl and headed towards the table with him. I smiled while my eyes followed them.

I suddenly noticed a familiar figure by the doorway. She was quite small and had long flowing black hair. What’s more, she was glaring at the children while they ate the food.

You were lured by the smell of the food huh, Lumina-sama… hehe…

With a refreshing smile on my face, I headed towards the doorway. However, her figure suddenly disappeared.

Oh, it seems like she noticed me.

Since the children were now busy, I changed my destination to Sister Martha.

“Sister Martha, I think I better get going. My master can be quite scary if she becomes angry.”

“I-is that so? Then, you can go now…”

Sister Martha became a bit pale as she gave me permission. It seems she remembered about Lumina-sama and became afraid when she imagined her becoming angry.

“T—“

“Please don’t tell them. I don’t want to see them crying.”

“I see…”

She became sullen as she nodded to my request. I then walked towards the doorway and headed towards the office. There, I saw Lumina-sama reading a children’s book. She was gracefully sitting on top of a sofa while she drank a cup of tea.

“I have arrived, Lumina-sama.”

She turned her head towards my direction and tilted it to the side.

“Are you done? It’s only been around 45 minutes you know. Are you sure it’s fine already?”

“Yes. Thank you very much for giving me the time to spend with them.”

I gave her a deep bow as I thanked her.

“Is that so? Then let’s get going.”

She closed the book and placed it back on the shelf. She then went back to the sofa and drank the tea in one gulp. After which, she exited the door without batting me an eye. I gave a smile as she waited for me in the hallway with her back facing me.

“Yes.”

The two of us then exited the orphanage I grew up in and flew to the sky while pulling our luggage using a rope and a platform made out of mana. Truth be told, I was quite reluctant to leave this place, however because I found a new place where I can be at ease. I was at a loss which place to choose. But then, I remembered that Lumina-sama may become lonely if I left her. As a result, I chose to remain by her side and serve her. Also, it’s much more fun being near her.

“Emilia.”

“Yes.”

“Once we arrived at my home, we’re gonna research a lot of things, First, we’ll research how to efficiently use null element magic to counter the consumption of high leveled spells of the surrounding mana. Next, we’ll develop ‘Ethereal Shift’. After which, were gonna collect some mice.”

I tilted my head as we flew and asked:

“What are we gonna do with the mice?”

“We’re gonna use them for the experimentation of body enhancement.”

“Yes.”

She went into deep thought after she told me what we were gonna do. I then realized she didn’t place negotiations with nobles and some merchants. As well as contacting her servants.

Did she forget about them? Well, I think she’s gonna burn herself out if she added those in. Might as well take them over for now, however, one day, I’m gonna force her to take control later on. But first, I’m gonna drill the names of Liza and the others as well as their parents into her head. Even if she begs me to stop, I’m gonna do it. Though I tricked her in the party, she already made a promise to become a proper leader.

Haa~ Since she doesn’t look interested in other things besides developing magic, it gonna be a long and winding road huh…