Ascendance of a Bookworm

I replied to Solange that I would go to the library at Ordnance after lunch and told my close aides to prepare as well. First-year Theodore beamed happily.

"I'm looking forward to the noble academy's library. It's my first time."

"...Um, Theodore, you haven't finished registering at the library yet, so you can't come with us today."

I completely understood his excitement about seeing the library for the first time, but Theodore couldn't accompany us until his registration was complete. His shoulders slumped in a slightly disappointed expression.

"So, does that mean I'm the only one on guard duty among the aides...?"

"I'm going to the library today to make a registration appointment for new students, so please bear with it."

I tried to comfort him like a senior and a master, but I was desperately holding back laughter.

...Because Theodore's slightly sulky face looked exactly like Judith's lamenting, "Even though I'm a Guard Knight..." You could tell at a glance they were siblings!

They looked so alike and were adorable, but if I pointed it out, Theodore would probably get even more down, so I was trying not to laugh. Just then, Judith piled on.

"It's embarrassing to sulk like that in front of the master, Theodore."

Judith always made that sulky face, but as she raised her index finger in an older sisterly manner to scold Theodore, I couldn't hold back any longer. I burst out laughing, and the other aides began laughing too.

"W-why is everyone suddenly laughing?"

The two looked around surprised — their reactions were just as similar — and I couldn’t stop laughing. Covering my mouth to look as refined as possible, Leonore chuckled and pointed out the same thing.

"That slightly sulky face of Theodore's is just like Judith lamenting, 'Even though I'm a Guard Knight.'"

"They are not alike, Leonore!"

Their voices overlapped beautifully, making me laugh even more.

Leaving a pouting Theodore behind, I headed to the library. On the way, as we walked in a group, Liselotte asked me a question.

"Does the dispatch of a new librarian mean Lady Rosemine will no longer be the master of Schwarz and Weiss?"

"Isn't that likely? Originally, Schwarz and Weiss were magic tools of the library with the senior librarian as their master, so it's only natural to change the master when a senior librarian is dispatched from the central nobles."

I had been supplying mana for a better library where I could feel comfortable, not because I wanted to be the master of Schwarz and Weiss. For Solange, who had managed the library alone, having a senior librarian officially dispatched was the best outcome.

"Even if it's the original form, it's disappointing."

Liselotte put her hand to her cheek and gently sighed. I didn’t understand why Liselotte, who usually hid her feelings, was so disappointed.

"What exactly is disappointing, Liselotte?"

"Lady Rosemine not being master of Schwarz and Weiss means the new master will prepare new outfits, right? I made new clothes, but it seems I won’t be able to dress them."

The outfits for Schwarz and Weiss made at Ehrenfest had protective magic circles embroidered on the vest and apron, so other clothes could be changed. Liselotte had apparently been making dresses and pants to dress Schwarz and Weiss in new clothes.

"Liselotte really loves Shumil, doesn't she?"

Judith and Filine breathed in admiration, and Liselotte shyly blushed.

"I love Shumil, but it's also to spread Ehrenfest’s new dyeing method."

"Liselotte, you don’t have to be so disappointed. It takes time to change the administrator and make new clothes. Even Lord Ferdinand took a year to help. If you inform Solange and the new librarian, I think it’ll be fine to dress them in your new clothes at the noble academy this year."

Maybe central nobles could prepare faster, but I doubted the new clothes would be done during Liselotte’s final year at the academy.

...Supplying mana daily to Schwarz and Weiss for work while dyeing thread and fabric with mana for embroidery is really tough.

"Lady Rosemine, thank you for coming to the library despite your busy first day of lectures."