Genius Wizard Conceals His Origins

Language is multifaceted, and there are many cases where its surface meaning and underlying meaning differ.

For Lena, who was adept at grasping such underlying meanings, the female student’s invitation to walk around the campus sounded like: ‘Let’s talk for a moment.’

That guess was accurate.

“The walking path is this way.”

As if to prove that the invitation to walk wasn’t entirely false, the female student immediately moved towards the adjacent walking path.

However, Lena didn’t have even 30 seconds to appreciate the summer scenery of the university campus. 

Under the lush greenery, the female student opened her lips.

“You’re Lena Oslo, right? The teaching assistant’s sister.”

Teaching assistant.

It was a rather awkward title, but she soon realized it referred to Eugene.

Lena slowly nodded.

“Yes.”

“I’m Julia Müller, the Student Council President. I’m in the same year as your brother. Nice to meet you.”

The female student, Julia, introduced herself with a bright smile.

There was an extraordinary title before that name. Student Council President. In other words, the representative of all students at the Federal University of Magic.

However, Lena wasn’t surprised by the title.

Instead, she was surprised by Julia’s name itself.

Müller. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

That surname was familiar to Lena, too.

She had seen it in the mailbox once a month for nearly three years.

At the same time, that surname was well-known to Lena Oslo as a businesswoman. The name of one of the wealthiest families in Frauzen.

Lena felt that many of her questions were suddenly resolved.

This student, before her eyes, was the sponsor who had enabled Eugene to raise funds amounting to nearly 5,000 pounds.

When she implied this in her question, Julia affirmed it frankly.

“Yes. I’m your brother’s sponsor.”

An obvious question followed.

“Why…?”

What on earth was so appealing about Eugene that she would sponsor him? Why would she sponsor that gray-haired man with virtually no sociability or people skills?

“Hmm.”

It seemed she couldn’t answer this question as frankly.

Julia, who was walking slowly with her cane, fell into thought for a moment, then playfully brought her finger to Lena’s mouth.

Before Lena could be surprised by the sudden touch, Julia smiled mischievously.

“The reason is a secret.”

She said this with a “Shh” sound.

Lena blushed but was impressed.

Julia Müller. She said she was in the same year as Eugene, so she must be a year older.

Among the people Lena had seen in her life so far, Julia was one of the most unique in terms of charm.

She had an appearance and voice that seemed to embody the essence of allure. In contrast, her behavior was elegant yet bold.

Was Eugene, ugh, targeting someone like this?

No wonder he looked dazed…

Lena continued walking, suppressing her awkwardness with astonishment.

On the other hand…

Julia couldn’t be calm in this situation, either.

Unlike her gently smiling expression, her heart rate had skyrocketed to the point where she felt she might collapse.

She glanced at the person who had caused this.

Lena Oslo. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

Eugene’s younger sister must be the same age as herself.

Could she have seen everything that happened in front of the bench?

Despite her suspicion, Lena’s expression seemed calm at first glance. As if trying to completely block any guesses.

Julia steeled herself not to waver.

She needed to win Lena’s favor.

Originally, Julia wouldn’t have recognized Lena.

Eugene rarely brought up topics related to his sister.

However, having completed an investigation of the Oslo family years ago when making the ‘contract,’ she knew a lot about Lena, too.

The investment prodigy. Or the young businesswoman.

That reputation was evident in Lena’s appearance.

Form follows function, they say. Indeed, Lena, with her long black hair, exuded elegance even in simple attire with small accessories.

Yes, living under the same roof with such a sister, it’s no wonder he could frown at their first meeting…

But Lena, unaware of these feelings, was just nervous, and after walking a bit, slowly opened her lips.

“Um, President Müller.”

“You can call me Julia.”

“…Julia. Even if it’s a secret, I’d like to hear about how you came to sponsor Eugene. It’s not right to just receive over a thousand pounds without knowing why.”

Julia pondered.

The circumstances were quite embarrassing to tell others.

So, she decided to omit the parts about the contract and such and only talk about how she helped her walk, with some embellishment.

And because she put too much effort into the embellishment, she made a small mistake.

“Where should I start? Well, with Eugene—”

Blink.

“—with Teaching Assistant Oslo, our paths crossed during the first summer semester.”

The embellished explanation continued, but neither Julia nor Lena focused on its content.

Eugene.

Lena felt how natural it was for Julia to call her brother by that name.

Surely, that’s how she usually addresses him. Not with stiff titles like ‘Teaching Assistant.’

She could no longer set aside what she had seen.

She asked directly.

“Um, Julia. Do you perhaps…”

It was an unfinished sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Julia closed her mouth.

It was a question she couldn’t evade. She couldn’t lie to someone who might become her sister-in-law, could she?

Silence is affirmation.

Lena opened her eyes wide and asked again.

“H-how long?”

She didn’t answer that question verbally.

Instead, she raised her hand and spread three fingers. Her thumb, index, and middle fingers.

Lena tried to interpret the meaning of those three fingers.

Three days is too short. Three weeks is ambiguous.

“Three months ago?”

But Julia shook her head.

Astonishment welled up.

Three years?

At that moment, on the quiet walking path of the university, there remained only two young people of the same age, not the Student Council President and a young businesswoman.

Just then, a breeze blew. It was the perfect environment for an intimate conversation to continue, and that’s what they did.

“A coincidence?”

“Yeah. How many times do I have to say it before you understand, you damned fool.”

Werner protested, half-choked, behind a secluded building.

Although I had never hit anyone before, I had been hit numerous times and thus knew well how to make others suffer. It was only when I became aware of this fact again that I realized Werner was truly innocent.

However, my gaze was still cold.

“Let’s say you met by chance and guided her. Then why did you come to the research building when you had no business there?”

“No business? I was going to remind you that since I helped with your experiment last time, it’s your turn to help me, you theorist.”

“Really?”

I blinked.

“If that’s the case, of course, I should help. Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“You didn’t give me a chance to speak.”

“Call me anytime. See you later.”

“Huh.”

Leaving Werner laughing as if dumbfounded, I moved on.

This wasn’t the time for this.

I had already left Lena and Julia alone for nearly fifteen minutes.

Whether they were still waiting there or had started talking, it was bound to be troublesome.

When I hurriedly returned to the research building, I saw.

Lena and Julia, for some reason looking slightly closer, talking while walking back to the research building along the path.

It’s quite an awkward combination.

Anyway, I waved my hand to make my presence known, intending to apologize as well, and they both flinched simultaneously and glared at me.

Soon, Lena stood in front of me with a cold gaze and said.

“You’re so oblivious.”

Beside her, Julia was smiling and nodding.

“…?”

They say you can know a thousand fathoms of water but not one fathom of a person’s mind.

I strongly agreed with this proverb as I scratched my cheek.

What happened afterward was as follows:

Julia, busy with her duties as Student Council President, quickly returned to the Student Council Room while Lena remained and requested a tour of the Research Building.

Eugene looked troubled but pushed firmly.

Eugene’s prediction that he would be scolded for what he had been doing outside for 30 minutes did not come true.

The small research lab, with a total of three people, during a slow period and with the supervising professor absent, warmly welcomed the visit of a colleague’s sister.

The scolding was directed only at Eugene, and Lena was able to receive a kind explanation about life in the research lab. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

Only after receiving confirmation from Johannes that Eugene had abnormally good stamina and was not only not struggling with research but even enjoying it did Lena feel at ease.

Thus, Lena left the research building with all her doubts resolved.

Eugene, who had come out to see her off, asked.

“I’m not sure what’s what, but anyway, your curiosity is satisfied, right?”

“Yes. It’s a nice place.”

At least it was certain that Eugene wasn’t overexerting himself.

That alone was reassuring.

As such, Lena’s focus had shifted, at some point, to the amber-eyed person who was actually the same age as her.

As she turned her back on Eugene, she carefully thought.

Could they become friends?

They probably won’t be able to meet often. They’re both busy with their own affairs and don’t belong to the same group.

Unless Eugene ends up with her…

“……”

Lena’s face suddenly flushed red.

It’s been nearly four years since she met Eugene.

She thought she wouldn’t be shaken no matter what happened now, but it seems that’s not entirely true.

However, it wasn’t the negative kind.

Although difficult to define, this feeling is surely positive.

As if to prove this, when she outwardly showed her unsettled feelings, Lena’s lips curved into a smile.

Yes.

Eugene deserves to be happy.

She would quietly watch and cheer from the closest place.

This, at least, is the privilege of a younger sister.

Lena said.

“Get your act together.”

“……”

“It’s obvious that you’re dazed.”

Lena, who had turned around, smiled with the gradually setting sun as her background.

“So, do your best, big brother.”

#August 28th. Clear.

Susan had been having a concern lately.

It was because of what Lena had said a few weeks ago.

<…Don’t you believe me?>

She didn’t believe it. It wasn’t a recent development that Lena’s friendships were quite sparse compared to her personality.

That doubt deepened based on the fact that Lena hadn’t gone out to meet this friend even once in several weeks.

Most of Lena and Julia’s meetings were conducted in writing, that is, through letters, but Susan had no way of knowing this fact.

She just wanted to see the face of this so-called friend as soon as possible.

That wish was fulfilled quite quickly, in a way Susan hadn’t expected.

One holiday…

When Susan opened the door to a knock, she found an incredibly luxurious carriage standing in front of the entrance.