I Became the Bully that gets Avenged by The Academy

Chapter 7

Isabella's POV

After a week had passed since school started,

Finally, Lucia contacted me first!

Though it was just to let me know she couldn't hang out today because of her part-time job, still, Lucia had finally reached out to me first!

"Who comes to drink from the mountain spring~"

I was so happy that I hummed a children's song while walking through the academy corridors.

I only hummed because the corridor was empty, but that's how excited I was.

"Pfft."

As I was walking and humming, I heard a sound from behind.

"Heh... he... hah... hahaha..."

"Ah."

It was Lucia.

Lucia had seen me singing a children's song.

She had heard me singing a song that only 5-year-olds would sing.

"L-Lucia...? Shall we talk for a moment...?"

"I-I have somewhere to go right now... heh.... I'm sorry..."

"Wait! Don't go!!"

Despite my desperate call, Lucia ran straight in the opposite direction.

I couldn't catch up to that speed with my legs, so I gave up.

The fact that I'd been caught singing that children's song…

Even if I ran, I wouldn't be able to catch up, and it would just tire me out.

Sigh... Since becoming Isabella, I have never felt embarrassed about my past life, but this hit hard.

She must think I'm someone over 20 who hums children's songs...

Sigh...

Anyway, I think Lucia and I have gotten somewhat closer.

If this had happened on the first day of the semester, wouldn't she have been scared rather than laughing?

Thinking about it that way made me feel relieved.

Well, my relationship with Lucia seems to be improving, and though it might just be my imagination, at least from my perspective, things seem better than at first.

***

Lucia's POV

I was walking around the academy as usual when I saw the back of a beautiful white-haired girl at the end of the corridor.

If you just looked at her from afar or weren't involved with her, she'd seem like such a cute and kind child, but she only did bad things to me.

Just then, remembering the necklace I bought yesterday, I approached Isabella to give it to her.

"Who comes to drink from the mountain spring~"

As I got closer, I heard Isabella happily singing a children's song.

Seeing her singing a children's song in such a cute voice was such a stark contrast to her usual self that I couldn't help but laugh.

"Pfft..."

Though it wasn't very loud, it wasn't particularly quiet either, and Isabella turned her head sharply to look at Lucia.

"L-Lucia...?"

Seeing Isabella looking at her with a trembling voice and blushing face, presumably from embarrassment, I couldn't hold back my laughter any longer.

Though I tried my best to hold it in.

"Heh... he... hah... hahaha..."

When Isabella asked if she had time, easily understanding her intention, I quickly chose to run away.

Once Isabella was no longer in sight, I stopped running and thought about Isabella from moments ago.

Her blushing face, trembling eyes, and quivering shoulders were so cute that it was hard to believe she was the same villainess who had bullied me before.

But then I remembered that I had originally gone to give Isabella the necklace I bought yesterday, yet somehow ended up running away.

It would have been better to give it today...But how could I face her now?

"Hmm... what should I do...?"

Let's keep it casual.

When I get Isabella's coffee and we talk like usual, I can just give it then!

I'm quite the genius.

***

Isabella's POV

After that brief commotion, I still had to attend classes today.

Though the content was similar day after day, I needed to focus in class to maintain good grades.

I was one of those people who had little time to study outside of class.

Although the proportion of heir training had decreased, I still didn't have much time to focus completely on studying.

My magic level had improved from basic magic, and I could now use intermediate magic to some extent.

Though magic was fairly popularized in this world, combat magic wasn't commonly taught at the academy.

At most, they taught self-defense magic and binding magic.

Though not very practical, these were necessary spells for emergency situations.

In this world, when people talk about advanced magic, they often don't mean combat magic on a massive scale but rather literally advanced, sophisticated magic. This includes telekinesis, invisibility, and healing magic.

Below that are mostly very everyday types of magic.

You know, magic to light fires, create cool breezes, temporarily warm the surroundings—really "everyday" magic.

Anyway, I've now escaped from basic magic and can use intermediate magic.

Who am I? Who am I?

"An intermediate magic user."

Yesss.... that's it.

But I still need to study more about magic.

'Isabella' was proficient enough in magic to use advanced magic, so I needed to match that and be able to use advanced magic, too.

When I told Father about my progression, he hugged me happily.

Father believes I've now recovered most of my memories and abilities.

He probably believes I can reach advanced magic again and even master-level magic. Still, I probably won't attempt master-level magic.

I don't have many occasions to use magic, and there's no particular reason, so I think advanced magic is enough.

After attending classes and eating, I was resting on a bench as usual when Lucia came to find me.

She probably came to bring coffee, but remembering what happened this morning made me feel embarrassed for no reason.

"Lady Isabella, I brought your coffee today too."

It was fascinating how her tone had become somewhat lighter compared to how stiff it was at first.

"Thank you. What are you doing after you finish today?"

"Hmm... I don't have anything particular to do, but today, I'll take something else as payment."

Saying that, Lucia moved behind me.

Since I was sitting on the bench, I couldn't turn around completely, but when I turned my head to look back, Lucia was holding a silver necklace I'd never seen before.

"I've only been receiving lately... so I bought you a gift. Do you not like it?"

"Ah, no, it's fine. I was just surprised because it's such a pretty necklace."

I never expected Lucia to give me a gift.

And with such a necklace at that.

Even if she gave me something, I thought it would be ordinary and simple....

To think she'd give me jewelry..!

"Um... Lucia? Was this necklace expensive? If it was, I should..."

"No, it wasn't expensive. Compared to what you've given me, it's embarrassingly cheap."

Lucia answered hastily when I asked.

Seeing her respond like that, I guess it wasn't too big an expense.

"So why did you come behind me? Could it be you're going to put the necklace on me yourself?"

There's no way, right?

She probably just wanted to surprise me by showing it from behind.

We're not even that close yet, why would she put it on me herself.

"Hehe.. there's no way—"

"Ah... was it that obvious...?"

"Oh...? Was that really your intention...?"

So it was true.

I hadn't expected that at all.

"Yes. Since it's a necklace, I thought putting it on you myself would be right."

Oh my...?

After she finished her words, she gathered my hair into one bundle and lifted it up to prepare to put on the necklace. First, she placed one end at the back of my neck and joined the other to fasten it around my neck.

Looking down, I saw the beautiful silver necklace sparkling around my neck.

Hmm... I absolutely must not take this necklace off unless something major happens.

I should immediately ask the family's craftsman for some finishing touches.

"Thank you, Lucia. It's been so long since I've been this happy to receive a gift."

"I'm glad if you're happy. I was worried it might not be up to your standards, Lady Isabella... but I'm relieved that you're pleased."

"Hehe....."

Sitting on the bench, I quietly held up the necklace and kept looking at it for a while.

It was the first gift since my possession that felt like it had some genuine sincerity behind it.

Usually, I receive bribes from social circles asking for favors, but receiving this heartfelt gift, and the fact that it was from Lucia, made me truly happy.

***

Lucia's POV

I watched from behind as Isabella sat quietly, staring intently at the necklace.

Though it wasn't particularly expensive or beautiful, was she really that happy? Isabella kept staring at the necklace silently.

Ah, could it be that it wasn't just that she hadn't received such a gift in a long time, but that this was actually her first time? Otherwise, there would be no reason for her to keep looking at it so intently.

Why was she looking at the gift I had given her with such melancholic eyes?

I still couldn't quite understand.

Translator's Corner

The nursery rhyme is Gipeun Sansok Ongdalsaem.