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Author’s Note: To celebrate the launch of the novel, I’ve prepared a commemorative Side Story with just over 2000 words. Chronologically, it falls right after the end of Chapter 24.

“One, two, one, two.” chanted the instructor Barbara as she clapped her hands rhythmically.

Triangular glasses adorned her face, and bright red rouge highlighted her cheeks.

A thick layer of white powder was heavily applied, seemingly attempting to conceal the passage of time. Barbara, the instructor, had blond hair that appeared to have been dyed to mask the encroaching gray strands. She emitted a clear and stern aura while addressing the class with sharp words.

“One, two, one, two.”

Reflected in her triangular glasses was the girl named Seletina ul Gold Aldelight. She was a beauty that could be described as both intricate and enchanting.

Having celebrated her tenth birthday the previous month, she had dedicated herself to rigorous practice. The pursuit of beauty led Seletina to master the art of body movement, with even her fingers exhibiting grace.

Her golden hair cascaded in waves with every step, and her skirt fluttered like a fairy’s garment in the wind.

Barbara clapped her hands incessantly, her tongue dancing within her mouth. She’d been hired by the Aldelight family to act as Seletina’s instructor, but even in her extensive career, Barbara had never encountered a student as complete as Seletina.

Seletina absorbed instructions like a sponge, displaying excellent listening skills, logical thinking, and intelligence. She learned through trial and error, detached from emotional influence, enabling her to manipulate her body with precision.

It was as if the word responsive was made just for her. And the cherry on top was that she had an inherent beauty. A diamond in the rough is what Barbara would describe her as. Yet, Seletina was an unusual diamond that radiated a remarkable luminance.

The more Barbara polished her, the more she got a taste of Seletina’s profound potential.

Amazing… This child is simply spectacular…

Seletina did not shy away from Barbara’s lessons, which were rigorous, intense, and notably stringent. With unwavering enthusiasm, she embraced these challenges wholeheartedly. This left a strong impression on Barbara.

Barbara found herself enjoying the experience.

Observing Seletina’s engaging approach to absorbing her teachings brought her satisfaction. She took pleasure in imparting her knowledge about embodying the essence of a lady.

Additionally, a sense of duty guided her actions.

Just like achieving an ideal cut on a top-grade diamond, Barbara saw the task of elevating Seletina to a state of perfection as her responsibility.

This girl’s fate lies in my hands.

Barbara couldn’t help becoming excited.

“One! Two! One! Two! Faster! Faster!”

Barbara’s claps intensified, setting an even more rapid rhythm.

However… “Young Lady!” The anguished cry of the caretaker, stationed nearby, pierced the air. It wasn’t soon after that Seletina began to collapse.

“Lady Seletina?!”

The caretaker dashed over, like an arrow shot from a bow, passing by the startled Barbara.

With her ample and well-nourished physique, she cradled Seletina’s frail form in her arms. Seletina’s emaciated body was drenched in stagnant, weighty sweat, her shallow and rapid breaths whirring like a hollow wind.

Although her eyes remained open, her pupils flickered, frequently shutting and reopening—a clear sign of her condition.

The caretaker pressed a vial to the limp Seletina’s lips, which had turned pale cherry-red. She then issued brisk commands to the nearby maids.

“Chell! Kelsea! Elita! Quick! Bring a change of clothes and some ice!”

The maids swiftly received their orders and dashed out of the room, their faces drained of color.

As the caretaker adeptly removed Seletina’s clothing, she gently wiped the sweat from the girl’s face.

Now I’ve done it.

Barbara stood there, grappling with a sense of regret. Her enthusiasm had gotten the better of her.

Melia, Seletina’s mother, had repeatedly emphasized her daughter’s delicate health condition to the extent that Barbara’s ears had begun to bleed.

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

“You’ve done it again, Barbara.”
“I-I apologize!”

Barbara was led into another room, where she faced a formidable foe.

Melia wore a somewhat irritated frown as she had continuously critiqued Barbara for over two hours. Barbara’s mind was consumed by intense self-regret. This wasn’t the first time she’d driven Seletina to her limits.

The more Barbara piled on challenges, the more Seletina endeavored to overcome them without a hint of complaint, often resulting in her breaking down. During each such instance, Melia would summon Barbara in this manner, scolding her that she’d gone overboard.

Melia was acutely aware of her daughter’s delicate health and lack of stamina. That is why she would always be there for Seletina during rigorous training sessions or sword practice, not allowing her daughter to go overboard.

Melia’s sternness stemmed from profound love. Thus, even if she imposed stricter discipline upon her daughter than may have been necessary, she never once pushed Seletina into recklessness.

Melia was furious. The pronounced furrows between her elegant eyebrows gave her beautiful face an almost sinister aspect.

Caught in the wake of Melia’s brewing anger, Barbara felt minuscule—so small, in fact, that she might as well have been an ant.

Melia released a soft sigh, and an unexpected touch of gentleness colored her words.

“Barbara I do appreciate your enthusiasm and teaching skills… but it would appear that you’re not the right fit for instructing my child.”
“What? What do you m-”
“Make sure your belongings are packed by tomorrow. That is all.”
“B-But that’s-”

Despair and determination washed over Barbara.

She was disheartened by the realization that she could no longer be the one to bring out the brilliance of that gemstone through her guidance. Simultaneously, she held a deep-seated belief that her dismissal was warranted, given the turmoil she had caused.

I’m a failure as an instructor.

“Understood.”
“I’m sorry it’s come to this, but our Seletina’s delicate condition makes her a bit special. I believe that you will do a wonderful job with your next client.”
“Thank you for everything.” Barbara murmured, preparing to leave the room, when a pleading voice stopped her.
“Please wait!”

The sound of a lovely soprano voice filled the air.

Seletina burst into the scene. Pushing away the maids who had tried to detain her, she approached Melia with determined steps.

Her face was blushed, her breathing was rough and she had yet to change out of her pajamas. Melia, taken aback by her daughter, stood up. A mix of surprise and anticipation visible in her face.

“Seletina?! You should be in bed…! Chell! Kelsea! Elita! I believe you should’ve been watching over her?!”
“Mother!”

Melia flinched slightly at the firmness in Seletina’s tone. It was unusual to see her daughter so resolute in her intentions.

Undeterred, Seletina stepped forward.

“I’m against letting Miss Barbara go!”

Her lips formed a straight line, and her deep blue eyes locked onto her mother’s gaze. The maids hurried around her, trying to wrap Seletina in blankets to keep her warm and cozy.

The Selerrito (Seletina + Burrito)¹ was finished in no time at all.

The maids then pressed the blankets together so that they wouldn’t come undone, and placed an ice pack on Seletina’s brow.

1. TL/N: The literal term that the author uses here is てるてる坊主 which translates to Teru Teru Bouzu. It is a small doll similar to the generic blanket ghosts. In the Edo Period the Japanese farmers would hang such dolls outside their windows to bring upon good weather and prevent rainy days. However, since doesn’t translate that smoothly I decided to go with Selerito, which is a mix of Seletina + Burrito