SWNOVELXO Chapter 76
The outfit that Nana was wearing, as she sat across from me, was reminiscent of a nun’s habit from the Sandlik Cathedral, predominantly black, but if you looked closely, it had been modified for combat.
The patterns that emerged depending on how the light hit the habit seemed to be magical sigils. I couldn’t tell exactly what effects they had without a thorough examination, but the unfamiliar designs suggested they were custom-made.
While Laiosar didn’t have anything like this, at the Enfibe Magic Academy, it was a tradition to gift student robes with magical sigils to exceptional students, similar to Nana’s. These enchanted garments tend to be far more expensive than the typical weapons or armor used by adventurers.
As I stared at her custom-made habit with its unique magical sigils, I couldn’t help but wonder how much something like that would cost… A trivial thought, but it crossed my mind as I looked at Nana’s outfit.
“I’ll have to leave the academy next month, and I’m uncertain about what to do next.”
“Well, it wouldn’t be appropriate to keep the daughter of a knightly family in a research lab forever,” the professor replied.
It wasn’t considered proper for an unmarried woman to remain a student indefinitely. Unlike commoners, who had more freedom in choosing whom they loved, nobles were generally expected to marry early. It wasn’t unusual for a noblewoman to already be a mother before she turned 20.
In families with lower ranks, like mine, where a single misstep could ruin the family, marriages were often arranged between parents before the children even reached an age to understand such matters. My older brother and sister were both married to other knight families by the time they turned 15, the legal age of adulthood.
My eldest brother and sister already had children, so my younger sisters and I had a bit more freedom. Thanks to that, I was able to continue my studies and eventually became a mage.
“I see, so your parents are pushing for you to get married?”
Even though I had some freedom, there were limits. With my younger sister finding a marriage partner so quickly, I was now the only sibling left unmarried.
My parents never explicitly said anything, but I could feel their desire for me to marry through their subtle hints. With my brother now confirmed to inherit the family title, I couldn’t exactly rebel against them, as they only had my best interests at heart.
“They’ve hinted at it, but as you can see from my appearance, finding a suitable partner is challenging. Sometimes, I wonder if I should just remain single…”
“A declaration of lifelong singleness in your early twenties? That’s a bit premature, don’t you think? You’re quite attractive, Piana, and I’m sure you’d be popular.”
“I agree,” Nana chimed in.
Both the professor, who sat beside me, and Nana, who had been listening, firmly opposed my thoughts.
“But isn’t there no need to rush into marriage? As they say, haste makes waste, and in the capital, it’s not that uncommon for people in their early twenties to be unmarried.”
“That’s true, but…”
“If your family isn’t too strict, and you’re still a student, they must not be putting that much pressure on you. Just because you’re a noble’s daughter doesn’t mean you should be tied down by traditional expectations. You’re not like me, after all… someone who left their family behind and became an adventurer.”
“Wait, what?”
Both the professor and I were shocked by Nana’s words. She spoke as if she came from a noble background.
“Are you… from a noble family, Nana?” I asked hesitantly.
“It’s complicated, but yes, by blood, I am technically a noble.”
Nana touched her cheek and spoke with a nostalgic tone, her words complemented by the elegance she naturally exuded. Meanwhile, the professor stared at her, mouth agape, stunned by the revelation.
(That explains it… No commoner could possess such immense magical power. Maybe she’s some sort of illegitimate child?)
It was a rude thought, even by my standards, but I found it hard to believe that a mage as powerful as Nana would be a mere freelance adventurer. While there were a few noble-born adventurers, they were the exceptions, not the rule—especially for women.
“Unlike me, Piana, you seem to have a good relationship with your parents. It wouldn’t hurt to talk things through with them, would it?”
“…You’re right.”
Since I was a researcher, I rarely returned home, and my interactions with my parents were mostly through letters. Though we weren’t estranged, I had been so busy with final-year presentations and reports that I hadn’t even written to them lately.
My family was also busy with their own affairs, so we’d avoided having any in-depth conversations.
“Nana’s right. I might have been rushing things. I’ll go home and talk to my parents.”
“There’s no need to address me so formally…” Nana puffed out her cheeks in an adorably childish way, showing her dissatisfaction with my formal tone. But after spending time with her, I’d come to understand that she was far more skilled than me, both as a person and a mage.
Not only did she have combat experience as an adventurer, but her magical control was so precise and advanced that I could tell just by watching her. It felt wrong to continue addressing her without proper respect, even if she was a commoner now.
At first, I was hesitant to seek advice from others, but after speaking to them, I felt a strange sense of clarity. The endless worrying that had consumed me now seemed almost laughable.
To express my gratitude to the professor, who had insisted I seek help, I bowed deeply.
“No need to thank me, Piana. I’m a commoner, so I’m no expert on noble matters. If you want to thank someone, thank Nana for listening to you.”
“I only gave you some advice,” Nana said with a modest smile.
“No, without you both, I would’ve kept worrying indefinitely. I don’t know what the outcome will be, but I’m grateful.”
Though I wasn’t sure how things would turn out after talking to my parents, I knew it would be a bad idea to make any big decisions without consulting them first. I should’ve realized that sooner, but perhaps the anxiety I felt had clouded my judgment.
With my thoughts now clear, I resolved to return home tomorrow. Just as I had made up my mind, Nana, still smiling, dropped a bombshell.
“If you ever get disowned, you’re always welcome to join my team.”
“Oh, thank you. If that happens, I’ll take you up on that offer.”
“You don’t have to wait until then. Even if you don’t get disowned, you can join us. After all, it’s not every day you find someone with such talent for healing magic.”
“What?”
Her casual remark caught me off guard, and my surprise was echoed by the professor, who had been with me for years.
Nana looked at us with a puzzled expression.
“Didn’t you know? Piana, you have a remarkable aptitude for healing magic.”