Charlotte Belew was feeling rather flustered.
As the former young lady of the Belew Countship, she'd never had to fight anyone over possessions before.
Though the Belew family had fallen out of favor with the Crown due to offending some powerful figure, stripped of their title, and even their automaton companions—whom they regarded as family—dismantled and destroyed…
Even so, Charlotte was unwilling to let go of the Belew dignity.
But hearing that the Magic Circuit of one of her family members was about to be sold to someone else—that was a different matter entirely.
"My apologies, but might I ask if the young lady would be willing to part with it?" Steadying her slightly rushed breath, Charlotte offered a perfectly polished smile.
But Alice didn't even seem inclined to respond, turning instead to leave.
Seeing her lack of reaction, the staff began packing up the Magic Circuit.
"Because this is my family, so…" Noticing Alice's departure, Charlotte hurriedly added.
Hearing that, Alice paused mid-step, frowning slightly as she glanced toward the staff.
Was this shop involved in some shady business?
"Please rest assured, miss, all merchandise in our store comes with proper documentation. Nothing was acquired through forceful or illicit means," the clerk quickly explained, pulling out the purchase credentials for the Magic Circuit from the packaging.
The documents had been packed together with the Circuit earlier.
After all, smuggling could be quite profitable, but no one wanted to buy a Magic Circuit only to have someone else show up later claiming, 'That's mine.'
So any Magic Circuit put up for sale always came with proof of legal acquisition.
"Security! Where is security?!" At the same time, the clerk waved to call over his colleagues, ready to escort this disruptive girl out.
"No, no, no, no, no, no!" Charlotte waved her hands in a flurry, the small dragon perched on her head—about the size of a cat—shaking its head along with her.
It was then that Alice seemed to notice something.
"You're from the former Belew family?"
Oh? Looks like there might be some drama to watch. The clerk waved to stop the security staff who had just arrived, then resumed his position behind the counter, dutifully standing by.
"Yes, I am Charlotte Belew." Charlotte nodded repeatedly, bowing slightly to Alice. "This Magic Circuit…"
"Has nothing to do with me."
Having delivered that blunt line, Alice continued on her way.
Charlotte rushed forward, reaching out to stop her.
Just as her hand was about to make contact, Charlotte met a pair of icy black eyes.
She reflexively pulled her hand back—those beautiful dark eyes gave her an overwhelming sense of danger.
Even the little dragon on her head, Sigmund, tensed into a guarded posture.
She could feel it—if she actually touched this girl, something very bad would definitely happen.
Slowly, Charlotte lowered her hand, but she mustered her courage to speak. "C-could you, perhaps…"
How annoying.
Alice sighed inwardly.
She had a feeling that if she got tangled up with this one, her peaceful life would be shattered.
Well, she hadn't paid for it yet anyway, and it was secondhand besides.
"If you can bring me a Magic Circuit with the same function, I'll give it to you," Alice proposed, glancing at the Circuit.
"Of course!" Hearing Alice's reply, Charlotte's face immediately brightened with a smile.
"Then you'd better hurry. My patience is limited." Alice glanced at the clock on the wall and turned her attention to other Magic Circuits.
But for some reason, Charlotte's previously smiling face suddenly stiffened.
"U-um." Charlotte forced a smile and spoke cautiously, "Could you wait just a little while?"
Does she have other business?
Alice was growing impatient.
"My funds are a bit tight lately, but I'll be enrolling at the Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinarts soon," Charlotte explained quickly, seeing Alice's impatience.
There was no one around she could turn to for help.
And probably no one willing to help her in her current situation, anyway.
"If you could just wait a few months, the scholarship money will…"
Alice swept a glance over Charlotte, paid for the Magic Circuit, picked it up, and turned to leave.
Charlotte followed closely out of the shop.
The clerk bowed politely, wearing an elegant smile.
All the way as Alice retrieved her luggage, Charlotte chattered in her ear, pleading for an extension on the 'repayment date.'
Finally, too annoyed to bear it, Alice stopped walking.
There are too many people around here. Otherwise…
She shot Charlotte a frosty glare, her tone even colder than her expression. "If you can't afford it, you can pay with something else."
"For example…" Alice narrowed her eyes at Sigmund perched on Charlotte's head.
"Impossible!" But this suggestion was met with fierce protest from the girl.
"Calm down, Charl." Sigmund, sitting upright on the girl's head, spoke up—his voice unexpectedly deep. "This young lady was willing to compromise earlier. I believe she isn't overly attached to this Magic Circuit."
So the one calling the shots is here, is it?
The ice in Alice's expression thawed slightly, and she stopped with newfound interest.
"We are willing to purchase the Magic Circuit in your possession at a higher price, though the corresponding funds may arrive a little later," Sigmund said, raising a claw as he introduced them.
"We are incoming students of the Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinarts. We hope this status may earn us your trust."
The Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinarts, huh?
As a top-tier magical institution in the world, and given her background as a former young lady, her skills and the quality of her automaton probably wouldn't be bad.
And Machinarts was an entirely new field, after all.
"What is your Magic Circuit?" Alice asked, looking at Sigmund.
Charlotte and Sigmund exchanged a glance. After a moment of silence, Charlotte spoke up. "Sigmund's Magic Circuit is 'Magic Sword'—you could think of it as a beam cannon."
Anyway, the 'Magic Sword' was too conspicuous—they wouldn't be able to hide it once school started.
"I don't need money. Help me find a few textbooks on Machinarts and automaton crafting." Alice shook the bag containing the Magic Circuit. "Then find me a Magic Circuit with a similar function, lend me Sigmund for research, and this Circuit is yours."
"Not Sigmund!" Charlotte took a deep breath. "Besides, students can't take automatons out of the academy after enrollment."
Automatons can't leave the school? What about student safety? Do they discourage students from leaving campus?
"Then before you report to the academy," Alice continued, speaking to Sigmund, "When is your reporting date?"
"I'm the master here!" Charlotte waved her hand in dissatisfaction.
Alice looked over with a resigned expression.
After drawing her attention, Charlotte glanced sideways at Sigmund, who nodded in agreement.
Seeing that Sigmund didn't object, Charlotte thought for a moment, then cleared her throat lightly. "Reporting is within this week. But I must be present during any research, and no destructive actions are allowed."
It was only Monday—there was plenty of time.
"Fine." Alice nodded in agreement.
Seeing Alice agree, Charlotte finally relaxed, and instead grew curious. "Asking for those textbooks—are you planning to become an automaton engineer?"
After all, buying a Magic Circuit could also mean hiring someone to make an automaton, but asking for textbooks was different.
Even if buying for someone else, you'd normally ask that person which textbooks to get.
"I need to look into it. After all, in six months, I'll also be entering the Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinarts." Alice's voice was calm.
"...Huh?"
The golden-haired girl tilted her head in confusion.
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T/N: Technically, Sigmund's Magic Circuit is Cursed Sword - Gram, but i thought Charlotte would like to hide that. (I think I watched this anime like...4-5 years ago)
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.