Genius Wizard Conceals His Origins

The responsibilities of the Müller family’s head maid are weighty. This is because her duties include overseeing the management of the vast mansion, as well as entertaining distinguished guests and overall personnel management.

But what actually troubles the head maid more than all these duties is something else.

A person.

Specifically, the young daughter of the family.

The head maid carefully knocked on the tightly closed door.

“Young Miss, are you preparing to go out?”

―…

“I’m worried because you’ve been in the dressing room since early morning, skipping breakfast. May I please help you?”

―…

“Young Miss?”

―…Please do.

#June 11th. Clear.

A holiday morning.

Because they were both busy with their own affairs, the date for the outing was decided by process of elimination. That day was today.

Julia sat on a bench near the fountain in Lapien Square, absent-mindedly observing the scenery.

Early summer.

The weather perfectly matched that description.

Not only local residents but people from all over the Frauzen Federation were pouring into the streets one by one, and just as water naturally flowed downstream, people gathered at Lapien Square, the center of Frauzen. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

As such, the crowd was diverse. Harmonious families and children, schoolmates, lovers.

Only she was alone.

Julia lifted her left wrist to check the time. A wristwatch was a luxury item, and as such, it didn’t feel out of place on her wrist.

The minute hand indicated that five minutes had passed since the appointed time.

“Well, he was unexpectedly prone to being late.”

Even trying to console herself like this, she couldn’t help feeling displeased.

It was just then that a shadow fell across her vision.

It was Eugene.

“There you are. Sorry, I’m late.”

“Oh my. Good morning.”

“…Yeah.”

Had he run here in a hurry? His clothes were quite disheveled.

His usually messy gray hair showed traces of clumsy combing, but even that seemed to have been undone by his dash.

In other words, he wasn’t much different from usual.

“……”

Julia was recalling the morning’s events.

After catching his breath, he extended his hand.

“Here.”

“Oh my, you know your manners?”

“Don’t tease me like that. It’s awkward.”

Julia smirked as if teasing him, but inwardly she couldn’t laugh.

She was just as awkward.

She placed her fingertips on Eugene’s palm.

As she gently held his hand and stood up from the bench, she thought about Grace’s ‘teachings’.

After teachings that were almost like brainwashing, Julia’s mind was still filled with the formulas that Grace had instilled.

She decided to follow that advice for now.

Julia faced Eugene.

Compliment his clothes?

Eugene’s attire was in a state that couldn’t be praised as well-dressed even as a white lie.

What on earth should she say? You look wild?

But making up words was also an embarrassing thing to do.

This situation contradicted another of Grace’s teachings, but she wanted to avoid her face heating up in broad daylight.

As she was just fidgeting her fingers, Julia’s subconscious began to rationalize on its own.

Look. Eugene is just silently looking this way too, with his mouth firmly shut―

“It suits you well.”

“Pardon?”

“The clothes, I mean. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen you in bright colors.”

Oh.

“More importantly, we’ve wasted too much time. Where was that tailor shop again?”

“It’s on Hofstall Street. I’ll guide you.”

“Oh, okay.”

She smiled brightly and then took the lead, passing by Eugene.

Her left hand was holding her cane.

With her empty right hand, she twirled her dark brown hair that reached her shoulders.

How petty.

Hofstall Street.

A street impressive with its many signs hanging over a narrow, long alley.

As they headed towards the tailor shop located deep in the street, the two walked side by side, maintaining a two-hand span distance.

Julia was puzzled. The Müller mansion in Getreide Street was only about a ten-minute walk from Hofstall Street.

She wondered if they really needed to meet at the square for this, but apparently, that was important?

She had no intention of following that advice if nothing else.

It would be more accurate to say she didn’t have the courage to follow it, but anyway.

To break the silence, she started some small talk.

“I’m asking just in case, but were you planning to attend conferences and presentations in that outfit?” [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

“What do you mean ‘that outfit’? It’s not particularly old.”

“It being old isn’t the problem. The color of the vest fabric is too flashy and looks too light for standing at a podium, and the jacket you have is single-breasted with one button, right? In many ways, it’s not suitable for formal occasions.”

“…You know my clothes better than I do.”

Eugene mumbled.

Judging by his expression, Eugene seemed to have no idea about single-breasted or one-button jackets.

Seeing him look a bit intimidated, a little courage welled up in her.

She smiled. Should she try?

Let’s do it.

“Come on, let’s hurry… Oh.”

As she said this, trying to ride the mood and pull his hand, she focused too much on the sensation at her fingertips, causing her [Walk Assistance] to slip slightly.

Was it because of that?

Her outstretched hand, far from grasping Eugene’s hand, ended up pitifully clutching just his index finger.

A moment of silence.

Amidst the bustle of the busy street, it felt like only the two of them were isolated.

Sure enough, when she lifted her head, Eugene was staring at her with a puzzled expression.

She didn’t have the confidence to meet that gaze.

“What are you doing?”

“……”

But she didn’t want to let go, either.

In the end, she awkwardly dragged Eugene to the tailor shop in that state.

It was somewhat fortunate that she had done this when they were almost at their destination.

“Is it okay to go in like this?”

“I made a reservation.”

Ding-a-ling―

True to her words, as soon as they opened the door of the tailor shop, the manager and staff greeted them in unison.

“Welcome, Miss Müller. And who might this be?”

“He’s today’s customer.”

“Oh my…”

The manager covered her mouth with her hand and began to scrutinize Eugene from head to toe.

“You’ve come to the right place. Children, take his measurements, will you?”

With those words, three or four staff members simultaneously approached Eugene with measuring tapes.

“Uh, wait. Just a moment.”

Eugene was dragged into a room in the back without being able to offer much resistance.

As if this was exactly what she had been aiming for, the manager approached Julia with a sly smile.

The manager whispered.

“Miss Müller. Just give the order.”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, what kind of clothes should we bring out to make that friend fall for you? What shall we prepare?”

Seeing the manager’s knowing smile, it seemed she had already figured out the situation.

Julia was about to say, “I’m fine,” but.

She remembered. When she had suggested the outing, she had made an excuse that she needed clothes too.

She had to wear something.

“Then, please prepare a light formal dress.”

“Yes, yes. Children, bring out all the evening dress stock!”

“Oh.”

There was no time to stop them.

Just as it had happened to Eugene, this time Julia was also led by the staff’s hands into the room opposite.

After some time had passed…

Julia, who came out of the back room as if being spewed from the stomach of a huge monster, saw.

“Ah…”

“That took a long time.”

She opened her eyes wide.

It was Eugene.

It was Eugene, but different.

Instead of the worn and faded brown jacket, a dark gray double-breasted suit enveloped his entire body. This emphasized the lines that weren’t visible in the loose jacket.

The silver pin on his tie, which was the centerpiece, glinted.

The one she had given him. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

Eugene, who was awkwardly glancing at the mirror, turned his head to look this way. As if it was nothing.

He probably thought he had come to this tailor shop purely to buy clothes.

“This is quite uncomfortable. Clothes can’t be broken in, I suppose?”

“That’s right.”

“I’m not sure if it’s okay or not. How does it look?”

She closed her mouth.

She almost said, “It suits you well,” without thinking.

No, in fact, according to Grace’s advice, she should say that. But it wasn’t as easy as she thought.

In the end, she put on a comfortable smile.

“It’s fine.”

Taking a step forward, she slightly spread her arms and twirled around once. Gracefully.

Then she said.

“How do I look?”

“…Well.”

Eugene stammered. Why?

Only after three seconds did Julia remember what she was wearing.

A party dress with bare shoulders.

She was wearing a sheer, bright gold fabric that barely qualified as clothes. With a lot of bare skin showing.

This wasn’t what she had intended…

“Ah.”

Julia felt dismayed.

Embarrassment welled up, and the blood flow she had been suppressing until now began to circulate.

Her face must have turned red. Given her pale skin, there was no way it wouldn’t be noticeable.

She wanted to sit down, but the walk assistance magic was frustratingly firm in supporting her two legs.

She covered her face with her trembling hands.

“……”

But why was he silent?

Julia slightly parted her fingers and looked at Eugene through the gap.

Eugene was looking this way.

He was stroking his chin very seriously.

Then, he carefully called the manager and spoke.

“Manager. The length seems too long. If she were to step on the hem, it would be a big problem for her.”

“…Yes. But what about your impression?”

“It suits her very well.”

“Is that all?”

“What do you mean, is that all?”

Eugene finally tilted his head in confusion.

Julia wasn’t moved by Eugene’s thoughtfulness in worrying about her gait.

Instead, she regretted not telling the manager in advance that he was the top bookworm at the Frauzen Federal University of Magic and had absolutely no knowledge about fashion.

Yet she was confused. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

“……”

Covering her exposed shoulders by hugging herself, she stared intently at Eugene.

How could he not even flinch at this?

What on earth did she need to do to make him conscious of her?