Lowell von Adrian, known as the academy’s problem child and scoundrel because of his conduct over the past year.
Yet, surprisingly, in Celestia’s memories, Lowell had been a kind and gentle person, quite far removed from anything like a problem child or a scoundrel.
In a way, it was only natural.
As one could tell from Lowell’s surname, he was the child of a very high-ranking noble family.
At first glance, the fact that he could have anything he wanted might seem like the sort of background that would make one covet everything in the world, but put another way, it also meant there was no particular reason for him to be greedy for anything.
The fact that he had received no shortage of love did not mean he had been sheltered so thoroughly that he could do whatever he wished. It meant that his parents had given him ample attention and affection, hoping their child would grow up properly.
Though he did not possess outstanding talent, he had come here to receive a high-level education, thanks to a family that could fully support him.
Of course, Lowell must have had his own personal desire to wield magic.
Even if he had no talent, dreaming of something and striving for that dream was something worthy of praise, not a reason to be mocked.
By the time one semester had passed, Lowell had become an idol among his peers.
He was weak when it came to magic and physical activity, but he maintained high marks in written exams, and he was quick to help friends who were struggling.
But Celestia could not do the same.
Born an outstanding mage and spirit master, Celestia always displayed overwhelming ability in practical lessons, but as her name suggested, her lowly status was the problem.
Even commoners could have a plausible surname, but the fact that she did not even have that meant she was of a status below that of a commoner.
Those born below commoners were either descendants of traitors or slaves who had once been prisoners captured in wars against enemy nations.
Whichever of those it was, her origin followed her like a label, tormenting her life.
It was no different at the academy she had entered thanks to her exceptional talent.
Until she came to the academy, there was no way she could have received a proper education, so she could not even read, making it impossible for her to keep up with the lessons.
The genius mage who showed overwhelming ability in practical exams never escaped failing marks on written tests.
At first, the children who had felt awe toward Celestia’s talent gradually began to look down on her as time passed.
If her background had been even a little better—no, if it had merely been ordinary—no one would have dared treat a girl with such genius talent and beautiful looks carelessly.
But paradoxically, because she lacked those two things, the girl became both an object of jealousy and an easy target.
Celestia had no choice but to endure it.
It could not be helped.
“Celestia, could you maybe give me that magic book? I think it’d be more useful in my hands than yours.”
“I told you, come visit my house during vacation. If things go well, you might even become my concubine.”
The girl, who had come from the very bottom and had never even made a friend before, could not tell whether the words spoken to her were born of goodwill or malice.
Considering her origin and background, refusing troublesome requests or expressing displeasure at rude remarks was close to impossible.
Of course, there were certainly those who tried to help her.
“...Thank you for helping me.”
“No, Celestia. Then, as payment for helping you, there’s something I’d like to receive...”
“...Ah.”
But though their methods differed, their purpose was no different.
“You people, cut it out. Aren’t you ashamed?”
But Lowell was different.
There was no payment or purpose behind Lowell’s help.
Of course, help that came with purpose and payment was not necessarily bad.
Even hypocrisy was still a form of good.
But Lowell did not care in the slightest about any reward he might gain from helping someone.
“One cannot live in this world alone. We are all able to live because we have received the help of others. That is why we must help others.”
Those were words Lowell’s father, Karafin von Adrian, had always said to him.
Young Lowell may not have been able to grasp their true meaning, but even if he did not understand them, he had at least never forgotten the lesson.
One day, on the desk in Celestia’s dormitory room, inside a carefully wrapped gift box, there was a basic vocabulary book for Celestia, who did not know how to read.
Along with the book, there was also a cover she could slip over it so no one would discover that it was a basic vocabulary book.
Celestia hugged the book tightly to her chest.
Because the only person in the academy who would give her such a gift was Lowell.
Even after that, Lowell continued to help her.
Under the pretext of providing volunteer work for students who hoped to become professors or teachers in the future, he proposed to the academy administration an activity to teach reading and writing to children and the elderly in the areas near the academy.
Of course, the activity costs and the hiring of teachers to assist the students were paid for out of Lowell’s own pocket.
Through that activity, Celestia was able to learn to read and write without others knowing, and she was able to make friends who were kind and gentle enough to help others.
Lowell’s help was like that—it allowed Celestia to stand on her own without exposing her flaws.
And so, by autumn, when the second semester ended, Celestia had become the top student overall.
But at that time, Lowell lost everything.
“Student Lowell, we cannot accept you into the Department of Magic.”
Professor Kalvi’s single sentence was like a death sentence to Lowell.
“Professor, although I still cannot use magic, my written grades are more than enough to allow me to enter the Department of Magic.”
As if pleading, Lowell held out his grade results to Professor Kalvi, but the professor took Lowell’s report card and then tore it apart right before his eyes.
“What use is theory to someone who cannot use magic?”
Lowell was certainly a mature person.
But that did not mean he had truly become an adult. He was merely a child imitating one.
After that day, Lowell broke.
There was no longer any need or reason for him to keep trying.
And it was not only effort.
He no longer had any reason to be kind to those around him.
Even so, he was not a villain.
He simply attended class quietly, dispirited, took notes on lessons that now held no meaning for him, and unlike before, ate alone in silence.
He was still young, but when the dream he had wished for his entire life was crushed in an instant, he needed time to himself amid that pain.
But to someone, the fall of a shining star was unbearably sweet.
“To think he applied to the Department of Magic when he can’t even use magic...”
“Right? Didn’t he act so smug just because his written scores were a bit good?”
“Well... I guess there are some things money can’t buy. They say money is talent, don’t they? Anyway, he got into the academy by spending money.”
People are bound to be jealous of what they do not have.
Lowell, who had everything, lacked only talent despite having everything, and to those with talent, everything Lowell possessed became nothing more than a target for attack.
And Lowell had not yet grown enough to withstand such attacks.
Was there anything more irresponsible than telling a child, “You should endure it”?
“Hey. Say that again, you lowborn bastard.”
She knew that was not Lowell’s true heart.
The Lowell Celestia had seen was so shaken that his own pupils trembled in surprise at the words he had uttered.
But what Lowell was thinking, or what was in his heart, did not matter.
At the academy, Lowell was no longer a model student. He was nothing more than a failing student who caused trouble.
###
Throughout the winter, Lowell’s disturbances continued.
Once he was branded a problem child, whispers followed him wherever he went, and each time, there was an incident.
Unable to contain his anger, he struck classmates and damaged property one after another.
The more he did so, the harsher the criticism and ridicule toward him became.
Celestia quietly helped Lowell.
Of course, because Lowell was a person who had everything, he could continue living even without her help.
He could no longer go to the cafeteria because he had caused a disturbance there, but with his overflowing wealth, he enjoyed luxurious meals, and his uniform, torn from fighting so many times, had at some point been replaced with clothes made of expensive fabric.
That was why all Celestia could do was erase the graffiti mocking Lowell within the academy or secretly get rid of the notes cursing him.
But Lowell, who had already lost hope, continued to go astray.
Each time he did something that violated the school rules, he continued to receive penalty points, but what meaning could the academy’s scores possibly have to him when that same academy had torn his achievements apart right in front of his face?
But doing so did not heal the wound in his heart. On the contrary, it only made it deeper.
The deeper the wound became, the more he lashed out not only at those around him but even at the people precious to him, and the consequences came back to him in full, causing him even more pain.
In the end, Lowell could not endure that situation, and on the night before the new semester began, he started walking into the cold lake of his own accord.
If Celestia had not been looking for Lowell that night, no one would have found him.
The moment Celestia saw Lowell in the lake, she leaped in without hesitation.
Grabbing Lowell’s hand as he sank silently beneath the water, Celestia used all her strength to drag him back out.
After pulling Lowell out of the water, the first thing Celestia did was embrace him and press her ear to his chest.
Fortunately, his heart was still beating.
She let out a sigh of relief that Lowell had not died, but soon Celestia began to sob.
It hurt her unbearably that she had still been unable to return the first kindness she had ever received without a price, and that she could not help Lowell.
Already soaked through, she could not tell whether what flowed down her cheeks was lake water or tears, but soon the girl took Lowell’s hand in hers.
“Please... go back to the way you were before...”
That night, Celestia held the unconscious Lowell’s hand and made a quiet plea.
Not long after that incident.
Celestia opened her eyes to a spirit’s urgent voice.
At the spirit’s words that Lowell had left the dormitory in the early dawn, Celestia rushed out without even putting on her shoes, and one scene unfolded before her eyes.
“Hah... Seriously... I ran... just this much... and I’m... out of breath...”
In the predawn darkness, with stars still visible before the sun had risen, Lowell was running through the empty academy.