U-Uuuuughh... It hurts.... Everything hurts...

It was the day after that sudden magic duel practice thing I had with Wilhelm by virtue of Lawliela-sama, and I'm now currently stuck in bed, unable to move a finger.

Kuh... Was this the price I have to pay for victory...?

W-Well... I-I guess I was the one at fault too...

I could've ended the match earlier since I soaked his earth wall enough to shatter it when I froze it, but I just had to play around and skate around too much.

I forgot... This is a five-year-old body that had never skate before... It's not a surprise that my muscles would riot and boycott me because of this.

U-Ugh... I know, I've learned my lessons...

Lawliela-sama had lectured me plenty about playing around too much in a duel. She said it's fine to try out my new spell since it was just practice. But in a real duel or battle, she warned me to not do it.

No matter how great my mana capacity was, my stamina is still that of a five-year-old. Even though I'm physically more fit than girls or even boys my age, I will definitely get tired first before I run out of mana if I keep up my fighting style. This would most likely still be true even when I grow up since my mana capacity is still increasing.

Then my enemy can just wait until that moment.

Umu, I am reflecting.

My fighting style as of now certainly leans more towards a fighter rather than a mage. I'm moving around very much, and once I get used to skating, I'll also start attacking with my spear and bring it to a melee fight. I'm only using my magic for ranged attacks and supporting spells.

Hm... I guess I need to revamp my fighting style to make more use of my massive mana capacity, huh?

After I was lectured, Lawliela-sama praised me for my performance. Despite being at a disadvantage due to the element I have an affinity with, I manage to come up with a way to utilize it magnificently and in a way no one had ever thought of before.

Apparently, she was very surprised that I knew about how water expands when it freezes. My last surprise attack uses this principle to flash-freeze the water from my water spear that had seeped into Wilhelm's earth wall, causing it to expand suddenly and explode his wall. Because of this, he stayed where he thinks is the safest and let me corner him.

No no no. Rather than being surprised at me, I'm more surprised that she knows about this principle and saw through my plan! After all, I only knew of it from my previous life and I've never seen anything about this principle from the scientific books I've read.

Did she find out about it from her studies on her own? Scary... Lawliela-sama, so scary...

On the flip side, Valerie cheered and celebrated my victory so excitedly yesterday. She jumped around and hugged me as shouted her congratulations!

Ahhh~ Just thinking about it makes me almost forget the pain throughout my body. She was so cute~ I would've thought she's the one who won by how excited she was.

Ufufufu~ How cute~

Wilhelm, on the other hand, became quiet after his loss. I didn't really pay attention to him since my arms were full of Valerie-chan's squishiness and softness, but she seemed to be staring at me. He looked a bit tired, judging from how flushed she was, but his eyes seemed to shine in determination.

I guess he'll be fine... Right?

Honestly, I wish he'd just treat this loss as water under the bridge and let this pass. Please direct your pain-in-the-ass-ness towards the Heroine instead. I'm sure she'll welcome it with open arms, just like how she'd welcome any trouble around her.

Well, when I thanked him for the good duel yesterday, he began stuttering in a small voice and averted his gaze from mine. So... I guess this is fine?

I mean... He's not yelling and raising his voice around, throwing a tantrum for a rematch.

No, wait... This is Wilhelm we're talking about. I-Is he that upset? W-Will he wants to take revenge on me?! Oh no!

If that's the case, he'll become more and more of a pain!!! What will I do?!?! Lawliela-sama, help me!! You're the one who put me in this situation!!!

But... Knowing her...

Hah... Guess I'll just accept it. After all, it wouldn't be that bad to have someone help me practice for a duel.

With this, I can start preparing for the Royal Academy's annual tournament and continue improving my fighting style. Ufufufu~ I look forward to that~

Hm? Why do I want to enter the Royal Academy's annual tournament, you ask? Well isn't that obvious?

The Royal Academy's annual tournament is sponsored by the royal family and watched by the head of the royal court magicians, Lawliela-sama, and the commander of the royal guards, Roland-sama, themselves. It is an extremely prestigious tournament that could guarantee you a spot in the royal court magicians or royal guards just by winning or at least placing high in the tournament.

If all went wrong and my engagement with Alexus... fell through, I want another guarantee aside from the shampoo and conditioner to make sure I have money and live well.

Though, I sincerely hope that won't be the case. I don't think the Alexus I know would also banish or kill me off like how he did to the Alterisa in the game.

Mm, that's impossible. I believe in him.

At the very most, he'll just be annulling the engagement. If that ever happened... Then I'll still be able to become a businesswoman or enter the royal court magicians or royal guards.

It's better to have a backup plan, after all.

"Ouch! Ah! Uuu! Ohh! Hah..."

I tried my best to sit upon my bed and grabbed the glass of water from my bedside table for a sip.

Pheeeww~ That feels good...But I'm feeling kinda peckish...

Just then, I hear a knock coming from the door.

"Come in~"

The door opened and my beloved, reliable maid Anne entered, bringing in a food cart with a three-floored tea time stand that had sandwiches, cakes, and macaroons, and a pot of tea.

"Oh~! Is it tea time~?"

"Yes it is, my lady. Ah, the mistress, the young master, and Kiara-sama will also be joining you here later on for tea."

"Really? Uhn, I get it! Then, I'll eat together with them. Meanwhile, can you pour me a cup of tea~?"

"Yes, my lady."

Mmm~ I can feel the pain in my body subsiding as I watch my beautiful and reliable older-sister-type maid pouring me a cup of tea~ Ufufufu~

Hm~ Those kinds of elegant movements can only be done through years and years of practice~ Hehe, now I kinda want to see how Anne was a few years back when she was even younger. I bet she's very cute~

Mm~ A cute little maid~ Just imagining it makes me grin~ Watching her do her best to serve me, but still failing to do so and acting clumsily. Umu! This is moe!

"Uhm... My lady, why are you grinning?"

"Ehehehe~ It's nothing~"

"...While I don't think it is nothing, I will not inquire further. Here is your tea."

"Mm! Thank you, Anne~"

Puhaaaa~ What a delicious tea~ As expected of Anne! If she's not here, I'll be drinking it like how I would be drinking milk after a nice hot bath!

"Speaking of which, my lady. I believe you will be visiting the palace this weekend along with the young master."

"Uhn! Dad's bringing us there. It seems like he's being forced by his and her majesty. We'll be meeting with her highness, Princess Lily, and Alex as well."

"It seems that it will be quite an important event then. I shall prepare a suitable dress for this occasion. Please leave it to me and my friends, my lady!"

"... Why do you seem even more excited than me....?"

I-I can see her eyes burning with determination. Why is she so pumped to dress me up?

"I appreciate it, Anne. But I want you to also prepare yourself well since you'll be joining me when I meet princess Lily and Alex."

"Of course, I understand. As my lady's personal maid, I shall be at my best as to not sully my lady's reverable name!"

"Hehe~ Anne is very beautiful and a perfect maid, so you don't need to stress out too much and just act like usual~ You're already used to serving Alex, right? Princess Lily also doesn't care much for formalities while we're alone, so don't push yourself too much... Wait, you're not even listening anymore..."

I couldn't help but sweatdrop as Anne cupped her cheeks with both hands and fidgeted in happiness, repeating "beautiful and perfect maid", as she giggled.

Ah... She's showing this side of her again. Anne would sometimes become like this when we're alone.

She loves receiving praises, and while she'd usually hold herself back in front of dad, mom, and Lu-nii, she'd show everything to me. That's why I'm the only one who gets to see this... slightly disappointing side of her. It is very cute, though, so I'm not complaining~

Just then, a knock came from the door.

Anne went to open it and welcomed mom, Lu-nii, and Kiara who's being carried by mom, in.

"Nee-cha!!!" "Ufufufu~ How are you feeling, my dear~?"

"Hehehe~ I'm fine, mom~ Kiara too, thank you for coming to ~ Ufufufu~"

Mm~ I feel healed already from their smiles~

"Oh, so you're not going to thank me?"

"Ah, so you came as well, Lu-nii~ Ufufufu, I'm sorry. I didn't see you~"

"...Don't make me come there and poke you."

"N-No! Don't come near me! I'm still super sore!!!"

Kuuuh!!! If only I'm not sore! Wipe that smirk from your face, you idiot brother!!!!

"Moou, Lucas. It's not good to tease your sister like that, you know?"

"Don't worry, mother. I will be holding back."

"Mm. Good boy~"

M-Mom?! W-What do you mean?!?!?! That means he's still going to tease me!!!!

Fortunately, nothing of such sort happened during this tea time.

I was still scared of the threat, though...