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After a day I return to my usual life as a maid. Sadly I had no other choice. I was asleep for nearly half a year, so many things piled up.

First I pay the Academy tuition and dorm fees. I’m in charge of all the finances and I keep most documents inside my magic storage, so Olivia had no way of taking care of that herself. The Academy was aware of her situation, so she didn’t have any issues, but now that I’m awake again I need to take care of everything as soon as I can.

I settle everything with the secretary that works during the holidays, and then head to Annabelle’s laboratory.

She had also looked after me while I slept, so I have to thank her properly. Teachers sometimes stay home during holidays, so I didn’t feel too confident. But surely enough, she’s still engrossed with her experiments.

“Thank you very much for looking after me.”

I politely bow to her as we sit facing each other.

“Bah, I’m just glad to see you’re doing alright. I didn’t really do anything major either though.”

That’s what she says, but it was her who examined me, and alerted Olivia about the presence of mana dust. If that hadn’t been cleaned I don’t know if I would’ve been able to wake up. Annabelle had definitely played a major role.

“I still want to repay you somehow though…”
“Ahh, you don’t have to worry about that. I got an advance payment from my master.”

From Ophelia? I guess she had made even more preparations than I thought. She really was an exceedingly prepared woman.

“Not to mention that I also provided feedback while you were being created, and she taught me alchemy as well. We both learned under her, so you’re essentially a fellow pupil.”

Now that she mentions it, Ophelia taught us both, so she’s right about that. But it’s also strange to feel this kind of familiarity with this teacher who looks like a ghost.

“Also, why are you being so shy? Come sit with us.”

Annabelle turns to Christina now. She brought us tea when I first arrived, and then went to watch from a corner like a servant. We might be inside the Academy, but I still don’t feel comfortable seeing a noble’s daughter like that.

“It’s fine, I’m an outsider to these matters after all.”
“What are you saying? You also helped with Natalia’s maintenance.”
“Yes, the Young Lady also told me how much you helped. I should be thanking you as well, Christina.”

From what Olivia told me, Christina had checked my arms and legs. She couldn’t find anything wrong with them, but it was still obvious that she was trying her best to help me.

“There’s also the fact that you’re still helping the Young Lady with her studies. I’ve been meaning to do something in return for a while.”
“You heard her, so just accept her gratitude.”
“Umm… even if you say so…”
“If there’s anything I can do for you don’t hesitate to ask.”

Christina has always been a reserved person, but I really wanted her to accept something now. For my own peace of mind.

“If you insist… there’s one thing I’ve been meaning to ask…”
“If it’s in my power I’ll do it.”

If she asks for some material that costs more than our savings I’d have to refuse, but I knew Christina wouldn’t ask for something like that.

“So umm… if you have some leftovers of the thread you use for your nerves… could I get some?”
“My nerve threads?”
“I-I’m sorry! I knew I shouldn’t have asked!”
“No, I didn’t say I wouldn’t give you some.”

Aria’s silk, huh. Christina has been doing a lot for Olivia, I don’t mind giving her some. I open my magic storage and check the Purple Steel Silk I have. Even when I use my nerve threads during a fight, I would collect it all back, so I don’t lose almost any of it, and I have plenty of spare thread balls.

I take one out and give it to Christina.

“Alright, you can take this then.”
“A-are you really sure?”
“Yes. You helped me, and you do so much for the Young Lady too, so it’s the least I can do.”
“But this is such a valuable material…”

I think it’s classified as a special alloy that’s highly resistant, flexible, and offers plenty of mana conductivity. I got it for free and I have plenty inside my body, so maybe my sense of value for it is a bit twisted.

“Then I’d appreciate it if you could continue helping the Young Lady. Take it as an advance payment.”

It seems she hadn’t expected to get it for free, so I came up with an excuse to dispel her hesitation.

“Umm… err… a-alright… But ah, I actually want to keep being friends with Olivia, regardless of whether I get something from it or not.”

Christina hung her head and spoke with a low voice, though her enunciation was firm.

I always worried if Olivia was one-sidedly benefitting from Christina’s kindness, but I’m glad to hear that she actually thought of Olivia as a friend. Maybe what I said rang a bit insensitive now that I think about it.

We all just chatted about other things after that, and then I left the laboratory.