Chapter 7
The False Lover’s Contract, and Genuine Jealousy
“Professor Kai! Today’s lecture was so interesting!”
“The rotational symmetry of magic circles you taught us last time—we tried it in an experiment and it worked!”
Roselia Royal Academy of Magic—
By now, there was not a single person in the academy who hadn’t heard the name Kai Cross.
The man who solved an “unsolved magical problem” at the royal palace and returned triumphant.
The math teacher who gave fire to students who had been unable to use magic.
And—the “lover” of the duke’s daughter, Lutia.
(…Man, it feels like these stories are getting more and more exaggerated…)
“I’m just a math teacher, ya know. Don’t go gettin’ the wrong idea.”
Even when he tried to laugh it off, everyone only took it as, “Oh, you’re just being modest again.”
He had completely lost his place as a “mob character.”
◆◇◆
Meanwhile, at the academy’s courtyard café terrace—
Lutia, sipping her tea as usual, wore a restless expression.
Across from her, Kai sat at the next table, chatting cheerfully with Filia Estrea as they spread out a grimoire.
“…This ‘nth-degree function’—can it be applied to magical waveforms too?”
“It can. In fact, that’s the key. Wanna try it in the lab sometime?”
“Wow… Professor Kai, you’re really amazing!”
“R-Really? I mean, I reckon it’s just normal, though…”
(…What’s that? He’s never shown me that kind of bashful face before…)
Lutia stared down at her teacup.
(What am I even thinking…! This is a contract! Temporary! Why am I… why am I feeling jealous of all things…!)
“…Tch.”
She clenched the handkerchief on her lap.
Just then, her maid Clarissa spoke softly.
“My lady, could it be that… your heart is wavering?”
“Th-That’s absurd! Of course not!!”
“I see… so you’re ‘not shaken,’ yet you’re shouting. Understood.”
◆◇◆
That evening—
Kai was stopped in the courtyard by Filia.
“Professor… um, after class today… would you come with me to the lab?”
“Sure. I’ve got free time today.”
“…Thank you. Ever since I took your class, I’ve started to feel like… there’s something I can do too.”
“Well, that’s a fine thing.”
“That’s why… I want to know more about you, Professor.”
At those words, Kai’s eyes widened slightly—
“…What business do you have here?”
Lutia’s voice cut in, sharp.
Filia flinched for a moment, but smiled politely.
“Lady Lutia. Oh, nothing—just an extension of class, that’s all…”
“Oh? An ‘extension of class,’ you say? Funny how that involves sitting so very close. Where did you learn that technique, I wonder?”
(M-My lady, your thorns are too sharp…!)
Just as the air turned heavy and tense—
“That’s enough.”
Stepping in between them was none other than the First Prince—Leon Adelheit.
“Lutia. You should remember your place. Stop this disgraceful behavior.”
“…What did you just say?”
“You claim your relationship with the teacher is only temporary, yet you’ve already—”
“Silence. What could you possibly know?”
A sharp fury burned in Lutia’s eyes.
Leon turned away from her, fixing his gaze on Kai.
“Kai Cross. Teaching magic through mathematics is fine. But—”
His voice trembled ever so slightly.
“To go so far as to interfere with someone’s future… is that really acceptable?”
“…What’s that supposed to mean? You tryin’ to threaten me?”
“A warning. If you meddle with ‘fate,’ then fate will pass judgment on you.”
Leaving those words behind, Leon walked away.
◆◇◆
That night—
Kai lay in his quarters in the teachers’ dormitory, staring blankly at the ceiling.
(…All I ever wanted was to teach math.)
(But before I knew it, I’d already changed people’s ‘fates.’)
That boy. That girl. Filia. Lutia.
The fact they could use magic now, the courage they’d found—probably—
“…It’s my fault.”
A soft knock sounded on the door.
“…Who’s there?”
“…It’s me.”
It was Lutia.
Kai silently opened the door.
She stood there, uncharacteristically avoiding his eyes, fidgeting.
“Somethin’ wrong?”
“…Hey, Kai.”
“Yeah?”
“…Did you ever intend to change my fate?”
“…No. From the start, all I ever did was stand by your side.”
“…Heh.”
Lutia allowed herself the faintest of smiles.
“Then… this feeling must be something I chose for myself.”
“Feeling…?”
“J-Just—never mind! Forget I said anything! Idiot!”
“Uh… right…”
Blushing furiously, the noble girl stormed off.
Kai just watched her go, dumbfounded.
(…This is bad. I’m really getting dragged into this mess.)
The word fate was starting to feel disturbingly real.
And once again, this world was on the verge of branching toward a new path.
