Published: August 25, 2025
“Welcome back, older sister!”
As soon as I returned to Ehrenfest using the teleportation circle, Charlotte was the first to rush over. Since more students were expected to return one after another, we quickly stepped out of the teleportation circle.
“I’m back, Charlotte.”
“Your older sister won the first-year top student award, right? That’s wonderful!”
Being praised by Charlotte made me feel like I was soaring to the heavens. The words “That’s wonderful” made all my efforts worthwhile. That’s how I felt.
“I will aim to be the top student again next year.”
I kept the reason “to be praised by Charlotte” to myself, clenching my fist as a declaration of determination. Charlotte widened her eyes for a moment, then imitated me by clenching her own fist.
“I will also aim to be the top first-year student. After all, I am your younger sister.”
“Let’s work hard together.”
We exchanged smiles and headed to the waiting room, which was already quite cramped. Brother Wilfried and his close aides, who had returned earlier, were still there.
“Brother Wilfried, please lead the way. I want to return to my room.”
“Apologies. Everyone, let’s move.”
Wilfried and his aides started moving in a group. We also began moving before the others arrived.
“Rosemine!”
I heard grandfather’s voice from quite a distance and raised my hand in response. I worried that my raised hand might be invisible among the entourages, but grandfather spotted me right away.
“I heard you got the top award! Well done. As expected of my granddaughter!”
“Grandfather, I was also selected as an outstanding student.”
“Oh, Cornelius too. My grandchildren are all excellent. Wonderful! Heave-ho!”
With a shout, grandfather grabbed Brother Cornelius by both sides and swung him up high in the air.
“Whoa!?”
Grandfather’s muscles must be incredible to throw Brother Cornelius, who is nearly an adult.
While watching in awe, large hands reached around my sides.
“Next is Rosemine. Here, up you go!”
“Grandfather, that’s dangerous!”
Brother Cornelius, who had just landed, immediately jumped up and shouted a warning to me, but it was already too late. I was already thrown into the air.
Being a child newly baptized with a child’s body and weight, compared to nearly adult Brother Cornelius who was bigger and heavier, the force when being thrown was completely different.
“Eeeek!”
“Whoa!”
Grandfather’s panicked voice rang out just before I almost hit the ceiling.
When he warned me, Cornelius had apparently used physical enhancement to leap up and grabbed my cloak, pulling me back. Somehow, I avoided hitting the ceiling, but for a moment I felt my neck tighten painfully, letting out a “Keff” sound.
…I'm going to die!
The tug on my cloak made my body change direction slightly, and this time I fell towards Brother Cornelius. I couldn’t even make a sound as I fell.
“Ugh!”
The one who caught me in what was almost a collision was Father, who had also returned with the lord. He gripped me tightly, quickly checked that I wasn’t injured, and then entrusted me, now weak and slumping, to Richarda, glaring at grandfather.
“Father, what are you doing to Lady Rosemine all of a sudden!?”
Since I had just returned from the noble academy, I was surrounded by my attendants. Everyone understood grandfather’s actions were out of affection for his granddaughter, so he was only glared at for a moment. If anyone else had done that, they’d have been immediately arrested for attempted murder against the lord family.
Grandfather averted his eyes briefly before clapping his hands.
“Well, that was just to test whether Cornelius had the ability to protect Rosemine. Cornelius passed. Yes, as expected of my grandson.”
That was a terrible excuse.
“Father, please don’t come near Rosemine. She’ll die.”
“Karlstedt!?”
“Well done protecting Rosemine from Father, Cornelius. Rosemine was thrown due to teleportation sickness. You should rest well today.”